bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impacts of the Egyptian national screening and treatment programme for viral hepatitis C: A cost‐effectiveness model
Authors: Ezzat Sameera , Gamkrelidze Ivane , Osman Alaa , Gomaa Asmaa , Roushdy Ayat , Esmat Gamal , Razavi Homie , Blach Sarah , Abdel‐Razek Wael , El‐Akel Wafaa , Waked Imam
Published: April 2023

Background & Aims

Egypt used to have one of the highest prevalences of HCV infection worldwide. The Egyptian Ministry of Health launched a national campaign for the detection and management of HCV to reduce its burden. This study aims to carry out a cost‐effectiveness analysis to evaluate the costs and benefits of the Egyptian national screening and treatment programme.

Methods

A disease burden and economic impact model was populated with the Egyptian national screening and treatment programme data to assess direct medical costs, health effects measured in disability‐adjusted life years and the incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio. The scenario was compared to a historical base case, which assumed that no programme had been conducted.

Results

Total number of viremic cases is expected to decrease in 2030 by 86% under the national screening and treatment programme, versus by 41% under the historical base case. Annual discounted direct medical costs are expected to decrease from $178 million in 2018 to $81 million by 2030 under the historical base case, while annual direct medical costs are estimated to have peaked in 2019 at $312 million before declining to $55 million by 2030 under the national screening and treatment programme. Under the programme, annual disability‐adjusted life years are expected to decline to 127 647 by 2030, leading to 883 333 cumulative disability‐adjusted life years averted over 2018–2030.

Conclusions

The national screening and treatment programme is highly cost‐effective by the year 2021, cost‐saving by 2029 and expected to save about $35 million in direct costs and $4705 million in indirect costs by 2030.
S‐nitrosylation of ACO homolog 4 improves ethylene synthesis and salt tolerance in tomato
Authors: Liu Minghui , Wei Jin‐Wei , Liu Wei , Gong Biao
Published: April 2023

Crop loss due to soil salinization is a global threat to agriculture. Nitric oxide (NO) and ethylene involve in multiple plant tolerance. However, their interaction in salt resistance remains largely elusive.

We tested the mutual induction between NO and ethylene, and then identified an 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylate oxidase homolog 4 (ACOh4) that influences ethylene synthesis and salt tolerance through NO‐mediated S‐nitrosylation.

Both NO and ethylene positively responded to salt stress. Furthermore, NO participated in salt‐induced ethylene production. Salt tolerance evaluation showed that function of NO was abolished by inhibiting ethylene production. Conversely, function of ethylene was little influenced by blocking NO generation. ACO was identified as the target of NO to control ethylene synthesis. In vitro and in vivo results suggested that ACOh4 was S‐nitrosylated at Cys172, resulting in its enzymatic activation. Moreover, ACOh4 was induced by NO through transcriptional manner. Knockdown of ACOh4 abolished NO‐induced ethylene production and salt tolerance. At physiological status, ACOh4 positively regulates the Na+ and H+ efflux, and keeps K+/Na+ homeostasis by promoting salt‐resistive genes' transcripts.

Our findings validate a role of NO‐ethylene module in salt tolerance and uncover a novel mechanism of how NO promoting ethylene synthesis against adversity.
Job Protection and Mortgage Conditions: Evidence from Italian Administrative Data*
Authors: Mistrulli Paolo Emilio , Oliviero Tommaso , Rotondi Zeno , Zazzaro Alberto
Published: April 2023

This paper combines administrative data from the Italian social security administration and proprietary data from a major Italian commercial bank to analyse the impact of job protection legislation on mortgage conditions. An exogenous change in the degree of job protection against individual dismissals of workers with open‐ended contracts is identified by exploiting the labour market reform of 2015, the ‘Jobs Act’, which weakened the employment protection of new hires at medium‐sized and large private firms. We find that the lessening of job security led to lower mortgage amounts and a fall in leveraging capacity, as measured by the loan‐to‐value ratio. The impact of job insecurity is mitigated by the presence of co‐mortgagors; it is aggravated for young and low‐income mortgagors.
The Interval of Two‐Stage Bilateral Total Hip Arthroplasty under Enhanced Recovery Affects Perioperative Complications and Cost of Hospitalization: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Sun Kaibo , Zhou Jinhan , Wu Yuangang , Zeng Yi , Xu Jiawen , Wu Limin , Li Mingyang , Shen Bin
Published: April 2023

Objectives

Perioperative enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols can improve the quality of healthcare and reduce hospitalization for patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA). The interval of staged bilateral THA under ERAS is still unclear. We attempt to ascertain the optimal interval of staged bilateral THA for reducing the perioperative complications and the cost of hospitalization.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed patients who received staged bilateral THA under ERAS performed at West China Hospital of Sichuan University from 2018 to 2021. The staged time was divided into two groups using four different cutoff points: (1) ≤3 months versus >3 months, (2) ≤4 months versus >4 months, (3) ≤5 months versus >5 months and (4) ≤6 months versus >6 months. Primary outcomes included the rate of perioperative complications and the cost of hospitalization. The secondary outcomes were the length of hospital stay (LOS), the rates of transfusion and albumin (Alb) administration, hemoglobin (Hb) decrease and serum Alb decrease. The categorical variables were compared using chi‐squared and/or two‐tailed Fisher's exact tests, whereas continuous variables were compared using two‐tailed independent t‐tests, the continuous variables which were asymmetrical distributions used a Kruskal–Wallis test.

Results

With the application of ERAS, the rate of perioperative complications in the >5 months group was significantly lower than that in the ≤5 months group (13/195 vs. 45/307, p < 0.05). Concerning the cost of hospitalization, the >5 monthly intervals spent significantly less than the ≤5 monthly intervals ($ 8695.91 vs. $ 8919.71, p < 0.05). However, no significant difference was found for secondary outcomes such as the rate of transfusions and Alb administrations or decreases of Hb and Alb in the 5 months threshold.

Conclusions

More than 5 months maybe a reasonable period to perform the first contralateral THA under ERAS regarding the rate of perioperative complications and the cost of hospitalization. However, more high‐quality research will include a larger sample size in the future to validate the appropriate time of staged bilateral THA.
Recent Therapeutic Strategies for Excessive Chondrocyte Death in Osteoarthritis: A Review
Authors: Xiang Wei , Zheng Qianghua , Liu Anming , Huang Shanjun , Chen Rui , Qiu Junjie , Su Qifan , Chen Xiaojun , Wu Jiaqi
Published: April 2023

Osteoarthritis (OA) causes pain and disability in the elderly and has placed a severe burden on healthcare worldwide. Excessive death and decreased density of chondrocytes are recognized as the major pathological characteristic of OA. Chondrocytes have been shown to have multiple forms of death, including apoptosis, pyroptosis, necroptosis, and ferroptosis. The excessive death of chondrocytes often forms a vicious circle with imbalanced chondrocytes extracellular matrix (ECM) metabolism. Therefore, inhibiting chondrocytes excessive death has become a key point that cannot be ignored in the development of OA treatment strategies. We summarized recent studies on the functions and mechanisms of different modes of chondrocyte death and potential therapeutic strategies for OA and offered our views. This may provide direction and theoretical support for formulating OA treatment strategies in the future.
Perioperative gabapentin usage in pediatric patients: A scoping review
Authors: Chen Olivia , Cadwell Joshua B. , Matsoukas Konstantina , Hagen John , Afonso Anoushka M.
Published: April 2023

Background

There has been a recent focus among anesthesiologists on reducing the use of perioperative opioids in favor of multimodal analgesic regimens. Gabapentin has played an integral role in this evolution of practice. This comprehensive review assesses the current clinical evidence on the efficacy of perioperative gabapentin regarding postoperative pain and opioid requirements among the pediatric surgery population.

Data Sources

Pubmed, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science Review.

Methods

This scoping review of the above databases includes all studies examining the use of gabapentin perioperatively in pediatric patients and its association with postoperative pain intensity and postoperative opioid consumption through July 2021. The inclusion criteria encompassed all studies evaluating gabapentin in the perioperative pediatric population through randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and retrospective studies. Relevant metadata from each study were abstracted and descriptive statistics were used to summarize the results.

Results

Fifteen papers met the inclusion criteria for this review, including 11 RCTs and 4 retrospective studies. Sample sizes ranged from 20 to 144 patients. Administered doses varied widely, mainly between 5 and 20 mg/kg. The studies included primarily orthopedic (10) and neck surgery cases (3). Seven papers had gabapentin provided preoperatively only, two postoperative only, and six both pre‐ and postoperatively. Of the studies assessing postoperative pain, 6/11 studies saw a decrease in postoperative pain in at least one period for the gabapentin group. Of the studies considering opioid requirements, 6/10 reported a reduction, 1/10 an increase, and 3/10 no difference in opioid requirements for the gabapentin groups. Yet, most of these pain and opioid requirement findings were only significant at one to two time points in the study follow‐up periods, and the actual decreases had minimal clinical significance.

Conclusions

The current data on perioperative gabapentin in pediatric patients are insufficient to support the routine use of gabapentin in pediatric patients. Additional high‐quality RCTs with more standardized protocols for gabapentin administration and outcome measures are necessary to provide more definitive conclusions.
Adaptive estimation of intensity in a doubly stochastic Poisson process
Authors: Deschatre Thomas
Published: April 2023

In this paper, I consider a doubly stochastic Poisson process with intensity where is a continuous Itô semi‐martingale. Both processes are observed continuously over a fixed period . I propose a local polynomial estimator for the function on a given interval. Next, I propose a method to select the bandwidth in a nonasymptotic framework that leads to an oracle inequality. Considering the asymptotic , and , the accuracy of the proposed estimator over the Hölder class of order is if the degree of the chosen polynomial is greater than and it is optimal in the minimax setting. I apply those results to data on French temperature and electricity spot prices from which I infer the intensity of electricity spot spikes as a function of the temperature.
Hyperbaric treatment of platelets is comparable to cold storage alone over 14 days
Authors: Reddoch‐Cardenas Kristin M. , Pidcoke Heather F. , Ramasubramanian Anand K. , Meledeo M. Adam , Cap Andrew P.
Published: April 2023

Background

Platelets stored at room temperature (22–24°C) for transfusion purposes have a shelf life of 5–7 days, or 72 h when stored refrigerated (1–6°C). The limited shelf life of platelet products severely compromises platelet inventory. We hypothesized that cold storage of platelets in 100% plasma using xenon gas under high pressure would extend shelf life to 14 days.

Study Design and Methods

Double apheresis platelet units were collected and split equally between two bags. One unit was placed in a hyperbaric chamber, pressurized to 4 bars with a xenon/oxygen gas mixture, and placed in a refrigerator for 14 days (Xe). The remaining unit was aliquoted into mini‐bags (10 ml) for storage at room temperature (RTP) or in cold (CSP). Samples were assayed on days 5 (RTP) or 14 (Xe and CSP) for count, metabolism, clot strength, platelet aggregation, and activation markers.

Results

The platelet count in Xe samples was lower than that of RTP but significantly higher than CSP. Despite similar levels of glucose and lactate, the pH of Xe samples was significantly lower than CSP. Glycoprotein expression was better preserved by Xe storage compared to CSP, but no differences in activation were observed. Thromboelastography and aggregometry results were comparable between all groups.

Discussion

Cold storage of platelets in plasma with hyperbaric xenon provides no significant improvement in platelet function over cold storage alone. The use of a hyperbaric chamber and the slow off‐gassing of Xe‐stored units complicate platelet storage and delivery logistics.
Biomechanical comparison of one pin versus two pin fixation in a canine tibial tuberosity avulsion fracture model
Authors: Welsh Peter J. , Thompson Devin J. , Chen Yi , Smith Lloyd V. , Nylund Adam M.
Published: April 2023

Objective

To determine whether one larger or two smaller diameter pins used for tibial tuberosity avulsion fracture (TTAF) stabilization provides greater axial tensile strength and stiffness when subjected to monotonic mechanical load to failure in normal skeletally mature canine cadavers.

Study design

Paired ex vivo biomechanical study.

Sample population

Eleven pairs of adult cadaveric dog tibias.

Methods

Twenty‐two tibias from 11 dogs were collected to model a TTAF. Each limb of a pair was randomly assigned a one or two‐pin fixation. Tibias were subjected to monotonic, axial load to failure. Fixation stiffness, strength, and pin insertion angles were analyzed with parametric testing. Significance was set at p < .05.

Results

The mean strength of the single‐pin fixation was 426.2 ± 50.5 N compared to two‐pin fixation at 639.2 ± 173.5 N (p = .003). The mean stiffness of the single‐pin fixation was 57.3 ± 18.7 N/mm and the two‐pin fixation was 71.7 ± 20.5 N/mm (p = .029). The normalized ratio between one and two‐pin fixation had a mean stiffness of 68% ± 25.8% and strength of 82.8% ± 24.6%.

Conclusions

In an ex vivo cadaveric TTAF model, vertically aligned two‐pin fixation offers greater strength and stiffness when compared to a single‐pin fixation.

Clinical significance

When repairing TTAF, surgeons should aim to apply two vertically aligned pins rather than a single pin for greater strength and stiffness.
POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS OF LIGNIN AND ITS DERIVATIVES FROM LIGNOCELLULOSIC BIOMASS – A REVIEW
Authors: Md Salleh Madihah , Mohd Noor Rohaya , Yahya Adibah , Abd-Aziz Suraini , Hussin Huszalina
Published: April 2023

Lignin is the second most abundant component of lignocellulose biomass after cellulose with annual production of 70 million tons. Lignin constitutes between 15 to 40 percent of its dry weight, with varying composition in woody plants such as softwood (18-25%) and hardwood (27-33%), and non-woody plant such as grass (17-24%). The polyphenolic polymer is made up of three monolignols such as coniferyl alcohol, sinapyl alcohol, and p-coumaryl alcohol that later forms an aromatic structure consisting of guaiacyl, syringyl, and p-hydroxyphenyl. The highly branched three-dimensional structure is both complex and recalcitrant, hence making its utilization difficult. However, the polymeric lignin can be extracted by various methods such as physical, chemical and biological. The extracted lignin has high potential to be converted into monomeric aromatic derivatives that could serve as a building block for chemical synthesis, biomaterials, bio-oils, wastewater treatment and food industry. The conversion involves several methods such as alkaline nitrobenzene, pyrolysis, catalytic technology, combustion, gasification, hydrocracking and oxidation.
ENGINEERING PROPERTIES OF LIGHTWEIGHT FOAMED CONCRETE STRENGTHEN WITH FIBREGLASS NETTING
Authors: Othuman Mydin Md Azree
Published: April 2023

Lightweight foamed concrete (LFC) is widely recognised as a low-density concrete with multiple applications. Yet, since its weight is approximately half that of conventional concrete, its strength should also be lower. Hence, synthetic and natural short fibres were utilised by previous researchers to enhance the performance of LFC. The use of textiles as reinforcing elements has attracted substantial attention in recent years. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to conduct an experimental investigation to determine the engineering properties of LFC reinforced with fibreglass mesh netting. In this study, LFC samples with densities of 550 kg/m3 and 1150 kg/m3 were formulated using a constant cement-to-sand ratio of 1:1.5, and a cement-to-water ratio of 0.45. The LFC specimens were jacketed with 1 layer, 2 layers and 3 layers fibreglass netting. The properties determined were compressive strength, flexural strength, split tensile strength, porosity, water absorption, UPV and drying shrinkage. Accordingly, the results showed that the incorporation of fibreglass netting in LFC helps reduce the absorption of water and the porosity of LFC for all densities. In addition to crack control, fibreglass netting also improves the drying shrinkage, flexural, compressive, tensile strengths and UPV. The optimal engineering properties were achieved with the addition of 3-layer fiberglass netting for 1150 kg/m3 density LFC.
ON THE SZEGED INDEX AND ITS NON-COMMUTING GRAPH
Authors: Alimon Nur Idayu , Sarmin Nor Haniza , Erfanian Ahmad
Published: April 2023

In chemistry, the molecular structure can be represented as a graph. Based on the information from the graph, its characterization can be determined by computing the topological index. Topological index is a numerical value that can be computed by using some algorithms and properties of the graph. Meanwhile, the non-commuting graph is a graph, in which two distinct vertices are adjacent if and only if they do not commute, where it is made up of the non-central elements in a group as a vertex set. In this paper, the Szeged index of the non-commuting graph of some finite groups are computed. This paper focuses on three finite groups which are the quasidihedral groups, the dihedral groups, and the generalized quaternion groups. The construction of the graph is done by using Maple software. In finding the Szeged index, some of the previous results and properties of the graph for the quasidihedral groups, the dihedral groups, and the generalized quaternion groups are used. The generalisation of the Szeged index of the non-commuting graph is then established for the aforementioned groups. The results are then applied to find the Szeged index of the non-commuting graph of ammonia molecule.
IDENTIFICATION OF CHRYSOTILE IN BRAKE PADS AND LININGS FROM MALAYSIAN VEHICLES AND HEAVY VEHICLES BY USING POLARIZED LIGHT MICROSCOPE (PLM)
Authors: Zahaba Maryam , Ungku Azly Ungku Aida Farzana , Tamsi Nur Sarah Fatihah , Shafiee Saiful Arifin , Abdul Hadi Hazrin , Yusof Muhammad Zubir , Mohd Aris Mohd Shukri , Maghpor Mohd Norhafsam , Norain Nor Mohd Razif
Published: April 2023

Exposure to types of asbestos such as chrysotile and crocidolite increases respiratory disease risks such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Nevertheless, asbestos products banning in Malaysia is only limited to crocidolite as per stated in OSHA (Prohibition of Use of Substance) Order 1999, though other types are highly suspected to be found in asbestos-containing materials (ACM) like brake pads and linings. This study ascertains the presence of asbestos fibres, particularly chrysotile, in brake pads and linings used in Malaysia's vehicle and heavy vehicle sector. Seven different brake pads; three from vehicle brands, and four from heavy vehicle brands were collected by bulk sampling approaches from the market and field. Dust fibres were extracted using slow grinding method and analysed under Polarized Light Microscope (PLM). The fibre characteristics such as colour, morphology, pleochroism, extinction, and dispersion staining technique were examined, referring the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM) 9002. Additionally, the observed samples also were verified by an accredited lab to support the authenticity of the outcome. From the analysis and lab results, chrysotile fibres were consistently detected in all brake pad samples, fulfilling the fibre characteristics and positive elongation signs.
Effect of Rarefaction on Thermal and Chemical Non-Equilibrium for Hypersonic Flow With Different Enthalpy and Catalytic Wall Conditions
Authors: Kumar Shubham , Assam Ashwani
Published: April 2023

Compressibility and rarefaction effect plays an essential role in the design and study of objects experiencing hypersonic flows. The presence of chemical and thermal non-equilibrium in hypersonic flows increases the complexity of estimating aerothermodynamic properties, which are essential for developing thermal protection systems and the aerothermodynamic design of hypersonic vehicles. In this study, the hy2Foam solver, developed in an OpenFOAM framework by hyStrath group, is used to understand the effect of Knudsen number (which in turn depends on the altitude) and freestream enthalpy variation on the surface aerothermodynamic properties such as pressure, heat flux, velocity slip, temperature jump, and flow field variables such as species concentration and temperature, in five-species air flow over a cylinder, for both noncatalytic and fully catalytic wall conditions. The novelty of the work lies in reporting the effect of rarefaction on thermal and chemical non-equilibrium (associated with hypersonic flows), and thus on the surface properties under different enthalpy and wall catalytic conditions. It has been shown that the rarefaction effect is more pronounced on the vibrational temperature component and for high enthalpy gas. The surface wall heat flux and the chemical reaction rate among the species decrease with rarefaction. The skin friction coefficient is one of the most sensitive properties, while the pressure coefficient has been the least susceptible to non-equilibrium effects. The stagnation points heat flux at different Knudsen numbers shows good agreement with the existing correlation in literature for both low and high enthalpy flows, which further establishes the validity of the study done in this work.
The AACTT of Trash Talk: Identifying Forms of Trash Talk in Esports Using Behavior Specification
Authors: Irwin Sidney V. , Naweed Anjum , Lastella Michele
Published: April 2023

Esports, much like conventional sports, are guided by social norms that determine the acceptability or unacceptability of certain behaviors. One act guided by social norms is trash talk. However, understanding its practice has been difficult due to the various definitions of its use. Focusing on the first-person shooter genre, this study aimed to uncover and encapsulate the various forms of trash talk into a single framework. Applying Presseau et al.’s Action, Actor, Context, Target, and Time (AACTT) framework for specifying behavior, 61 cases of trash talk were analyzed across Counter Strike: Global Offensive, Overwatch, and Rainbow Six: Siege esports. Actions associated with trash talk were primarily found through verbal and written exchanges though they can occur through in-game mechanics—a practice unique to esports. Traditionally, actors and targets are the professional players in a game. However, trash talking was also practiced by coaches, stage talent, and esport organizations. The context of trash talk can be further identified through physical, environmental, and social settings, and whether the time trash talk occurs is centered around a match or tournament. Understanding the impact of each AACTT element may have on the social norms of trash talk can allow researchers to further distinguish behaviors across esport consumers.
Resistance Training Behavior Is Enhanced With Digital Behavior Change Coaching: A Randomized Controlled Trial With Novice Adults
Authors: Kompf Justin , Whiteley Jessica , Wright Julie , Brenner Philip , Camhi Sarah
Published: April 2023

Background: Approximately a third of US adults meet the physical activity guidelines of engaging in resistance training 2 times per week, yet few studies have examined how to increase participation rates. The present randomized control trial compared a remotely delivered coaching intervention with an education only control group. Methods: Eligible participants completed 2 remotely delivered Zoom-based personal training sessions during a 1-week run-in period. Participants randomized to the intervention group received synchronous weekly behavioral video coaching sessions over Zoom, whereas the control group received no further contact. Days of resistance training completed were assessed at baseline (pre), 4 weeks (post), and 8 weeks (follow-up). Linear mixed models were used to examine group differences at each time point and within-group differences over time. Results: There were significant between-group differences favoring the intervention, at posttest for both the previous week (b = 0.71, SE = 0.23; P = .002) and the previous 4 weeks (b = 2.54, SE = 0.87; P = .003) but not at the follow-up period for either the last week (b = 0.15, SE = 0.23; P = .520) or the last 4 weeks (b = 0.68, SE = 0.88; P = .443). Conclusion: The present study showed that by providing participants with equipment, skill, and in the case of the intervention group, a remote coaching intervention, resistance training participation increased.
Physical Activity of Children and Adolescents in Croatia: A Global Matrix 4.0 Systematic Review of Its Prevalence and Associated Personal, Social, Environmental, and Policy Factors
Authors: Pedišić Željko , Strika Melanija , Matolić Tena , Sorić Maroje , Šalaj Sanja , Dujić Ivan , Rakovac Marija , Radičević Branko , Podnar Hrvoje , Greblo Jurakić Zrinka , Jerković Marjan , Radašević Hrvoje , Čvrljak Jelena , Petračić Tin , Musić Milanović Sanja , Lang Morović Maja , Krtalić Slaven , Milić Mirjana , Papić Alma , Momčinović Nataša , Mišigoj-Duraković Marjeta , Heimer Stjepan , Jurakić Danijel
Published: April 2023

Background: The previous review of physical activity (PA) among Croatian children and adolescents was conducted a decade ago. Therefore, the aim of this study was to summarize recent evidence on PA of Croatian children and adolescents and associated personal, social, environmental, and policy factors. Methods: Eighteen experts reviewed the available evidence and provided ratings (from the lowest grade “F” to the highest grade “A+”) for the 10 Global Matrix indicators. A systematic search with 100 keywords was conducted in Hrčak, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science for documents published from January 01, 2012, to April 15, 2022. We also conducted internet searches and secondary analyses of data (relative frequencies) from 6 studies. Results: After assessing 7562 references, we included 90 publications in the review and 18 studies (83.3% of medium-to-good quality) in evidence synthesis. We found a high prevalence of insufficient PA (especially among girls) and excessive screen time (especially among boys). PA participation of children and adolescents in Croatia has declined over time. The following grades were assigned to the indicators for Croatia: B− for overall PA, C− for organized sport and PA, C for active play, C− for active transportation, D+ for sedentary behavior, inconclusive for physical fitness, D+ for family and peers, B− for school, B− for community and environment, and D+ for government. Conclusions: Coordinated actions are needed across sectors to improve PA promotion, with a focus on increasing PA among girls, reducing sedentary screen time among boys, improving parental support for PA, and further development of national PA policies.
The Relationship Between Policy Strength and Physical Activity Practices in Arizona Public Elementary Schools
Authors: Nam Kahyun , Wilson Kylie , Schulke Marissa , Kulinna Pamela Hodges , Poulos Allison
Published: April 2023

Background: Many school-based physical activity statutes and regulations have been enacted, with the expectation that schools will comply. However, policy alone does not equate to implementation, and many policies fail for a variety of reasons. The purpose of the study was to determine whether the strength of reported state, district, and school-level physical activity policies were associated with reported recess, physical education, and other school-based physical activity practices at elementary schools in Arizona. Methods: A modified Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) Questionnaire was administered to staff at elementary schools across Arizona (N = 171). Summative indices of the number of school physical activity policies and best practices at the state, district, and school levels were created. Relationships between policy strength and best practices were examined using linear regression analyses stratified by recess, physical education, and other school-based physical activity practices. Results: Stronger physical activity-related policies were associated with a greater number of recess (F1,142 = 9.87, P < .05), physical education (F4,148 = 4.58, P < .05, Adj. R2 = .09), and other school-based physical activity (F4,148 = 4.04, P < .05, Adj. R2 = .07) best practices at all levels while controlling for school-level demographic factors. Conclusions: The strength of policies may improve opportunities for comprehensive physical activity for children in schools. Strengthening policy language (eg, specifying duration and frequency) may contribute to better physical activity practices in schools, improving children’s health at the population level.
Beyond Individual Cognitions: Time for Intervention Science to Focus on Health Context and Audience
Authors: Chalabaev Aïna , Cheval Boris , Maltagliati Silvio , Saoudi Ilyes , Sniehotta Falko F.
Published: April 2023

Intervention science faces a hazardous paradox: on the one hand, vulnerable populations (eg, patients, people from low socioeconomic background, older adults) are those for whom adoption of healthy behaviors is most urgent; on the other hand, behavior change models are less predictive, and interventions less successful, in these populations. This commentary presents 4 reasons that may explain this issue: (1) research mostly focuses on what causes behavior and how to change it, at the expense of investigating among whom and under what conditions models are valid; (2) models put an undue emphasis on individual cognitions; (3) most studies are not conducted on vulnerable populations; and (4) most researchers are from high-income countries. Several avenues are proposed to address this issue: (1) providing a central place to the context and audience in health behavior change modelization, through collaborations with researchers from other disciplines and countries, and with members of the targeted audience; (2) better reporting samples’ sociodemographic characteristics and increasing samples’ diversity; and (3) using more rigorous and innovative designs (eg, powered randomized controlled trials, N-of-1 trials, intensive longitudinal studies). In conclusion, it becomes urgent to change the way we do research: the social utility and credibility of intervention science depend on it.
Exploring the Perception of Division I Coaches and Administrators About International Collegiate Athlete Exclusion From Name, Image, and Likeness Opportunities
Authors: Newell Emily M. , Kaur Sethi Simran
Published: April 2023

On July 1, 2021, the National Collegiate Athletic Association suspended its amateurism bylaw, allowing states to pass name, image, and likeness legislation. This opened the floodgates in intercollegiate athletics, allowing student-athletes to earn income and other financial incentives by engaging in sponsorships and other commercial deals with companies and organizations. Despite this, international collegiate athletes are currently prohibited from monetizing name, image, and likeness opportunities in the United States due to exclusionary restrictions on the F1 student visa status. There has been limited discourse regarding this near exclusion, leaving international collegiate athletes a silent group with few advocating for changes to ensure equity. This preliminary study investigates the perceptions of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I intercollegiate athletic practitioners and coaches on the impact this exclusion can have on a wide range of issues, including recruiting, team dynamics, and job function. Findings suggested there are five main areas where this legislative gap will have an impact, including education, finance, diversion, equity and fairness, and American exceptionalism.
Astrocytic TDP-43 dysregulation impairs memory by modulating antiviral pathways and interferon-inducible chemokines
Authors: Licht-Murava Avital , Meadows Samantha M. , Palaguachi Fernando , Song Soomin C. , Jackvony Stephanie , Bram Yaron , Zhou Constance , Schwartz Robert E. , Froemke Robert C. , Orr Adam L. , Orr Anna G.
Published: April 2023

Transactivating response region DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) pathology is prevalent in dementia, but the cell type–specific effects of TDP-43 pathology are not clear, and therapeutic strategies to alleviate TDP-43–linked cognitive decline are lacking. We found that patients with Alzheimer’s disease or frontotemporal dementia have aberrant TDP-43 accumulation in hippocampal astrocytes. In mouse models, induction of widespread or hippocampus-targeted accumulation in astrocytic TDP-43 caused progressive memory loss and localized changes in antiviral gene expression. These changes were cell-autonomous and correlated with impaired astrocytic defense against infectious viruses. Among the changes, astrocytes had elevated levels of interferon-inducible chemokines, and neurons had elevated levels of the corresponding chemokine receptor CXCR3 in presynaptic terminals. CXCR3 stimulation altered presynaptic function and promoted neuronal hyperexcitability, akin to the effects of astrocytic TDP-43 dysregulation, and blockade of CXCR3 reduced this activity. Ablation of CXCR3 also prevented TDP-43–linked memory loss. Thus, astrocytic TDP-43 dysfunction contributes to cognitive impairment through aberrant chemokine-mediated astrocytic-neuronal interactions.
Subcellular location defines GPCR signal transduction
Authors: Radoux-Mergault Arthur , Oberhauser Lucie , Aureli Simone , Gervasio Francesco Luigi , Stoeber Miriam
Published: April 2023

Intracellular G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) can be activated by permeant ligands, which contributes to agonist selectivity. Opioid receptors (ORs) provide a notable example, where opioid drugs rapidly activate ORs in the Golgi apparatus. Our knowledge on intracellular GPCR function remains incomplete, and it is unknown whether OR signaling in plasma membrane (PM) and Golgi apparatus differs. Here, we assess the recruitment of signal transducers to mu- and delta-ORs in both compartments. We find that Golgi ORs couple to Gαi/o probes and are phosphorylated but, unlike PM receptors, do not recruit β-arrestin or a specific Gα probe. Molecular dynamics simulations with OR–transducer complexes in bilayers mimicking PM or Golgi composition reveal that the lipid environment promotes the location-selective coupling. We then show that delta-ORs in PM and Golgi have distinct effects on transcription and protein phosphorylation. The study reveals that the subcellular location defines the signaling effects of opioid drugs.
Matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3)–mediated gene therapy for glaucoma
Authors: O’Callaghan Jeffrey , Delaney Conor , O’Connor Merissa , van Batenburg-Sherwood Joseph , Schicht Martin , Lütjen-Drecoll Elke , Hudson Natalie , Ni Dhubhghaill Sorcha , Humphries Peter , Stanley Chris , Keravala Annahita , Chalberg Thomas , Lawrence Matthew S. , Campbell Matthew
Published: April 2023

Approximately 80 million people globally are affected by glaucoma, with a projected increase to over 110 million by 2040. Substantial issues surrounding patient compliance remain with topical eye drops, and up to 10% of patients become treatment resistant, putting them at risk of permanent vision loss. The major risk factor for glaucoma is elevated intraocular pressure, which is regulated by the balance between the secretion of aqueous humor and the resistance to its flow across the conventional outflow pathway. Here, we show that adeno-associated virus 9 (AAV9)–mediated expression of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) can increase outflow in two murine models of glaucoma and in nonhuman primates. We show that long-term AAV9 transduction of the corneal endothelium in the nonhuman primate is safe and well tolerated. Last, MMP-3 increases outflow in donor human eyes. Collectively, our data suggest that glaucoma can be readily treated with gene therapy–based methods, paving the way for deployment in clinical trials.
Autophagy supports mitochondrial metabolism through the regulation of iron homeostasis in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Subhadip , Encarnación-Rosado Joel , Lin Elaine Y. , Sohn Albert S. W. , Zhang Huan , Mancias Joseph D. , Kimmelman Alec C.
Published: April 2023

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells maintain a high level of autophagy, allowing them to thrive in an austere microenvironment. However, the processes through which autophagy promotes PDAC growth and survival are still not fully understood. Here, we show that autophagy inhibition in PDAC alters mitochondrial function by losing succinate dehydrogenase complex iron sulfur subunit B expression by limiting the availability of the labile iron pool. PDAC uses autophagy to maintain iron homeostasis, while other tumor types assessed require macropinocytosis, with autophagy being dispensable. We observed that cancer-associated fibroblasts can provide bioavailable iron to PDAC cells, promoting resistance to autophagy ablation. To overcome this cross-talk, we used a low-iron diet and demonstrated that this augmented the response to autophagy inhibition therapy in PDAC-bearing mice. Our work highlights a critical link between autophagy, iron metabolism, and mitochondrial function that may have implications for PDAC progression.
Ultrasonic tweezer for multifunctional droplet manipulation
Authors: Yuan Zichao , Lu Chenguang , Liu Cong , Bai Xiangge , Zhao Lei , Feng Shile , Liu Yahua
Published: April 2023

Spatiotemporally controllable droplet manipulation is essential in diverse applications, ranging from thermal management to microfluidics and water harvesting. Despite considerable advances, droplet manipulation without surface or droplet pretreatment is still challenging in terms of response and functional adaptability. Here, a droplet ultrasonic tweezer (DUT) based on phased array is proposed for versatile droplet manipulation. The DUT can generate a twin trap ultrasonic field at the focal point for trapping and maneuvering the droplet by changing the position of the focal point, which enables a highly flexible and precise programmable control. By leveraging the acoustic radiation force resulting from the twin trap, the droplet can pass through a confined slit 2.5 times smaller than its own size, cross a slope with an inclination up to 80°, and even reciprocate in the vertical direction. These findings provide a satisfactory paradigm for robust contactless droplet manipulation in various practical settings including droplet ballistic ejection, droplet dispensing, and surface cleaning.
Small Molecule Attenuates Bacterial Virulence by Targeting Conserved Response Regulator
Authors: Liu Chang , Zhang Hua , Peng Xian , Blackledge Meghan S. , Furlani Robert E. , Li Haoting , Su Zhaoming , Melander Roberta J. , Melander Christian , Michalek Suzanne , Wu Hui
Published: April 2023

Antibiotic resistance is a major public health issue due to the growing lack of effective anti-infective therapeutics. New alternatives to treat and prevent biofilm-driven microbial infections, which exhibit high tolerance to clinically available antibiotics, are urgently needed.
Complete Genome Sequence of Soil Bacterium
Burkholderia
sp. Strain FERM BP-3421, a Producer of Spliceostatins
Authors: Kunakom Sylvia , Adaikpoh Barbara I. , Tran Tuan Anh , Eustáquio Alessandra S.
Published: April 2023

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of
Burkholderia
sp. strain FERM BP-3421, a bacterium isolated previously from a soil sample in Japan. Strain FERM BP-3421 produces spliceostatins, which are splicing modulatory antitumor agents that advanced to preclinical development. The genome is composed of four circular replicons of 3.90, 3.0, 0.59, and 0.24 Mbp.
Development of a Novel Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay and Lateral Flow Test System for Improved Serodiagnosis of Visceral Leishmaniasis in Different Areas of Endemicity
Authors: Mahdavi Rouzbeh , Shams-Eldin Hosam , Witt Sandra , Latz Andreas , Heinz Daniela , Fresco-Taboada Alba , Aira Cristina , Hübner Marc P. , Sukyte Dalia , Visekruna Alexander , Teixeira Henrique C. , Abass Elfadil , Steinhoff Ulrich
Published: April 2023

Reliable and field suitable serodiagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in East Africa has until now been a big challenge due to low sensitivity and cross-reactivity with other pathogens. To improve VL serodiagnosis, a new recombinant kinesin antigen from
Leishmania infantum
(rKLi8.3) was developed and tested with a panel of sera from Sudanese, Indian, and South American patients diagnosed with VL or other infectious diseases.
Phenotypic and Molecular Characterization of an Enterobacter ludwigii Clinical Isolate Carrying a Plasmid-Mediated
bla
IMI-6
Gene
Authors: Blanco-Martín T. , Guzmán-Puche J. , Riazzo C. , Gasca-Santiyán M. , Hernández-García M. , Cantón R. , Torre-Cisneros J. , Herrera C. , Martínez-Martínez L.
Published: April 2023

IMI carbapenemases confer an unusual resistance pattern of susceptibility to broad-spectrum cephalosporins and piperacillin-tazobactam but decreased susceptibility to carbapenems, which may make them difficult to detect in routine practice. Commercially available molecular methods for the detection of carbapenemases in clinical laboratories do not usually include
bla
IMI
genes, which could contribute to the hidden dissemination of bacteria producing these enzymes.
Supplemental Material: Avulsion dynamics determine fluvial fan morphology in a cellular model
Authors: Martin Harrison K. , Edmonds Douglas
Published: April 2023

Figure S1, describing the method used to calculate domain tributary index values for the natural fluvial fans shown in Figure 1.  
Erratum to: Epoxidation of Olefins in the Presence of Molybdenum Catalysts based on Porous Aromatic Frameworks
Authors: Yarchak V. A. , Kulikov L. A. , Maximov A. L. , Karakhanov E. A.
Published: April 2023

Erratum
P22 Implementing GREATix: learning from excellence in paediatric services
Authors: Barbour Emma , Murray Maeve
Published: April 2023

Aim

The paediatric service is extremely good at reporting incidents through Datix system. These incidents are reviewed, learning is identified and then information disseminated, or even a change in practice takes place, all with the aim to improve things and prevent errors happening. A regular bulletin is prepared for the multidisciplinary paediatric team with the paediatric pharmacist involved in the medication section of this bulletin. There is no system within the Trust for reporting all the good things that are happening and it was felt that the department were missing out on learning from these. Learning from Excellence1is not new and numerous areas, both locally and nationally have introduced it in some form.

The aim of this project is to identify and learn from everyday excellence as we currently learn from error via Datix, and to also improve staff morale. We wanted to have an anonymised way to let a colleague know they have done a great job. The ultimate goal would be to also interrogate and report findings.

Method

A paediatric multidisciplinary oversight group was set up by the paediatric pharmacist and paediatric practice educator. A questionnaire was issued to paediatric staff, examining morale. Resources were developed to support reporting, data collection and nominee feedback. Following some meetings and discussions with the Trust IQI team, a GREATix reporting system was introduced into paediatrics. A pilot was initially carried out in one small area of paediatrics, a few changes were made and it was then introduced throughout the trust in paediatrics.

Nominees are issued with a certificate and a letter from head of service and clinical director.

Results

Over the past 20 months there have been a total of 130 nominations to date. 20 themes have been coded including evidence of good teamwork and communication, putting the child and family at the centre of care and staff acting to positively affect patient safety or preserve further harm when an incident had occurred. There has been some feedback from nominees saying how delighted they were receiving the award, how it had made their day, and how grateful they are.

Conclusion

For those staff who have received a nomination there has been some evidence of an increase in morale. There have been areas within paediatrics who have embraced this new system more than other areas. As an oversight group we need to highlight the process more. The plan would be to generate a bi-annual report for the paediatric service and present the learning Trust wide. We have supported other areas in the Trust to implement GREATix, including introducing it into the clinical pharmacy team. Our IQI team in the Trust are meeting with the small number of areas within the Trust who have implemented this and plan to look at the way forward as to how we can collaborate to introduce this further within the Trust.

Reference

Kelly N, Blake S, Plunkett A. Learning from excellence in healthcare: a new approach in incident reporting.Arch of Dis Child2016;101:788–791.