bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic prediction models for chronic postsurgical pain in adults: a systematic review
Authors: Papadomanolakis-Pakis Nicholas , Uhrbrand Peter , Haroutounian Simon , Nikolajsen Lone
Published: March 2021

Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) affects an estimated 10% to 50% of adults depending on the type of surgical procedure. Clinical prediction models can help clinicians target preventive strategies towards patients at high risk for CPSP. Therefore, the objective of this systematic review was to identify and describe existing prediction models for CPSP in adults. A systematic search was performed in MEDLINE, Embase, PsychINFO, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews in March 2020 for English peer-reviewed studies that used data collected between 2000 and 2020. Studies that developed, validated, or updated a prediction model in adult patients who underwent any surgical procedure were included. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts, and full texts for eligibility; extracted data; and assessed risk of bias using the Prediction model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool. The search identified 2037 records; 28 articles were reviewed in full text. Fifteen studies reporting on 19 prediction models were included; all were at high risk of bias. Model discrimination, measured by the area under receiver operating curves or c-statistic, ranged from 0.690 to 0.816. The most common predictors identified in final prediction models included preoperative pain in the surgical area, preoperative pain in other areas, age, sex or gender, and acute postsurgical pain. Clinical prediction models may support prevention and management of CPSP, but existing models are at high risk of bias that affects their reliability to inform practice and generalizability to wider populations. Adherence to standardized guidelines for clinical prediction model development is necessary to derive a prediction model of value to clinicians.
Association of chronic pain with comorbidities and health care utilization: a retrospective cohort study using health administrative data
Authors: Foley Heather E. , Knight John C. , Ploughman Michelle , Asghari Shabnam , Audas Richard
Published: March 2021

Health administrative data provide a potentially robust information source regarding the substantial burden chronic pain exerts on individuals and the health care system. This study aimed to use health administrative data to estimate comorbidity prevalence and annual health care utilization associated with chronic pain in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Applying the validated Chronic Pain Algorithm to provincial Fee-for-Service Physician Claims File data (1999-2009) established the Chronic Pain (n = 184,580) and No Chronic Pain (n = 320,113) comparator groups. Applying the Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System coding algorithms to Claims File and Provincial Discharge Abstract Data (1999-2009) determined the prevalence of 16 comorbidities. The 2009/2010 risk and person-year rate of physician and diagnostic imaging visits and hospital admissions were calculated and adjusted using the robust Poisson model with log link function (risks) and negative binomial model (rates). Results indicated a significantly higher prevalence of all comorbidities and up to 4 times the odds of multimorbidity in the Chronic Pain Group (P-value < 0.001). Chronic Pain Group members accounted for 58.8% of all physician visits, 57.6% of all diagnostic imaging visits, and 54.2% of all hospital admissions in 2009/2010, but only 12% to 16% of these were for pain-related conditions as per recorded diagnostic codes. The Chronic Pain Group had significantly higher rates of physician visits and high-cost hospital admission/diagnostic imaging visits (P-value < 0.001) when adjusted for demographics and comorbidities. Observations made using this methodology supported that people identified as having chronic pain have higher prevalence of comorbidities and use significantly more publicly funded health services.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of cannabinoids, cannabis-based medicines, and endocannabinoid system modulators tested for antinociceptive effects in animal models of injury-related or pathological persistent pain
Authors: Soliman Nadia , Haroutounian Simon , Hohmann Andrea G. , Krane Elliot , Liao Jing , Macleod Malcolm , Segelcke Daniel , Sena Christopher , Thomas James , Vollert Jan , Wever Kimberley , Alaverdyan Harutyun , Barakat Ahmed , Barthlow Tyler , Bozer Amber L. Harris , Davidson Alexander , Diaz-delCastillo Marta , Dolgorukova Antonina , Ferdousi Mehnaz I. , Healy Catherine , Hong Simon , Hopkins Mary , James Arul , Leake Hayley B. , Malewicz Nathalie M. , Mansfield Michael , Mardon Amelia K. , Mattimoe Darragh , McLoone Daniel P. , Noes-Holt Gith , Pogatzki-Zahn Esther M. , Power Emer , Pradier Bruno , Romanos-Sirakis Eleny , Segelcke Astra , Vinagre Rafael , Yanes Julio A. , Zhang Jingwen , Zhang Xue Ying , Finn David P. , Rice Andrew S.C.
Published: March 2021

We report a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that assessed the antinociceptive efficacy of cannabinoids, cannabis-based medicines, and endocannabinoid system modulators on pain-associated behavioural outcomes in animal models of pathological or injury-related persistent pain. In April 2019, we systematically searched 3 online databases and used crowd science and machine learning to identify studies for inclusion. We calculated a standardised mean difference effect size for each comparison and performed a random-effects meta-analysis. We assessed the impact of study design characteristics and reporting of mitigations to reduce the risk of bias. We meta-analysed 374 studies in which 171 interventions were assessed for antinociceptive efficacy in rodent models of pathological or injury-related pain. Most experiments were conducted in male animals (86%). Antinociceptive efficacy was most frequently measured by attenuation of hypersensitivity to evoked limb withdrawal. Selective cannabinoid type 1, cannabinoid type 2, nonselective cannabinoid receptor agonists (including delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha agonists (predominantly palmitoylethanolamide) significantly attenuated pain-associated behaviours in a broad range of inflammatory and neuropathic pain models. Fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitors, monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitors, and cannabidiol significantly attenuated pain-associated behaviours in neuropathic pain models but yielded mixed results in inflammatory pain models. The reporting of criteria to reduce the risk of bias was low; therefore, the studies have an unclear risk of bias. The value of future studies could be enhanced by improving the reporting of methodological criteria, the clinical relevance of the models, and behavioural assessments. Notwithstanding, the evidence supports the hypothesis of cannabinoid-induced analgesia.
Opioid Prescription Trends in a US Dental School Clinic, 2014-2018: A Retrospective Study Using Electronic Health Record Data
Authors: Freund Colleen R. , VanDuine Stefanie M. , Cullen Jennifer L.
Published: March 2021

Objectives:

Opioid misuse and abuse continues to be a grave public health concern in the United States. The aim of this study was to use electronic health records (EHRs) from a US dental school clinic to retrospectively analyze trends in opioid prescription frequencies.

Design:

A database review was conducted using EHR data from 20 patient care clinics in a dental school over a 5-year period during which local, state, and national policies and guidelines to mitigate harm from opioid misuse were introduced.

Setting:

University of Michigan School of Dentistry, state of Michigan.

Outcome Measure:

Descriptive statistics using measures of frequency and distribution of opioid prescriptions written were compared over a 5-year period by dental school clinic specialty, CDT (Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature) procedure, drug type, and patient age/gender.

Results:

From 2014 to 2018, a total of 12 401 opioid-based prescriptions were written by dental providers in the school's patient care clinics. An ARIMA (autoregressive integrated moving average) model time trend analysis demonstrated a significant decrease in the number of prescribed opioids after 2016.

Conclusions:

While causal relationships cannot be drawn between drug abuse and prescription trends alone, this exploratory study provided a better understanding of prescription frequency patterns that can help monitor distribution of opioids and identify areas where future public health interventions may be needed. Dental education institutions have an obligation to ensure a competent health care workforce as well as unique opportunities to support regional and national public health strategies aimed at reducing misuse of opioids.
Screening for Excessive Alcohol Consumption in Emergency Departments: A Nationwide Assessment of Emergency Department Physicians
Authors: Uong Stephen , Tomedi Laura E. , Gloppen Kari M. , Stahre Mandy , Hindman Patrick , Goodson Valerie N. , Crandall Cameron , Sklar David , Brewer Robert D.
Published: March 2021

Objective:

To assess current screening practices for excessive alcohol consumption, as well as perceived barriers, perceptions, and attitudes toward performing this screening among emergency department (ED) physicians.

Design:

A brief online assessment of screening practices for excessive drinking was disseminated electronically to a representative panel of ED physicians from November 2016 to January 2017. Descriptive statistics were calculated on the frequency of alcohol screening, factors affecting screening, and attitudes toward screening.

Setting:

An online assessment was sent to a national panel of ED physicians.

Participants:

A panel of ED physicians who volunteered to be part of the American College of Emergency Physicians Emergency Medicine Practice Research Network survey panel.

Main Outcome Measure:

The primary outcome measures were the percentage of respondents who reported screening for excessive alcohol consumption and the percentage of respondents using a validated excessive alcohol consumption screening tool.

Results:

Of the 347 ED physicians evaluated (38.6% response rate), approximately 16% reported “always/usually,” 70% “sometimes,” and 14% “never” screening adult patients (≥18 years) for excessive alcohol use. Less than 20% of the respondents who screened for excessive drinking used a recommended screening tool. Only 10.5% of all respondents (15.4% “always,” 9.5% “sometimes” screened) received an electronic health record (EHR) reminder to screen for excessive alcohol use. Key barriers to screening included limited time (66.2%) and treatment options for patients with drinking problems (43.1%).

Conclusions:

Only 1 in 6 ED physicians consistently screened their patients for excessive drinking. Increased use of EHR reminders and other systems interventions (eg, electronic screening and brief intervention) could help improve the delivery of screening and follow-up services for excessive drinkers in EDs.
Updating Health Literacy for Healthy People 2030: Defining Its Importance for a New Decade in Public Health
Authors: Santana Stephanie , Brach Cindy , Harris Linda , Ochiai Emmeline , Blakey Carter , Bevington Frances , Kleinman Dushanka , Pronk Nico
Published: March 2021

Content:

Healthy People 2030, the fifth iteration of the Healthy People initiative, provides science-based national health objectives with targets to improve the health and well-being of Americans. For the first time since its 1979 establishment, the Healthy People framework aims to attain health literacy as an overarching goal and foundational principle to achieving health and well-being. Growing literature on health literacy describes it as a concept not solely reliant on individual capabilities but also on organizations' ability to make health-related information and services equitably accessible and comprehensible.

Program:

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) updates the Healthy People objectives each decade based on the most current science. For the development of Healthy People 2030, HHS drew on recommendations from the Secretary's Advisory Committee on National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives for 2030 (Secretary's Advisory Committee), an independent advisory committee of national health experts, to update the 20-year old individual-focused Healthy People definition of health literacy. HHS solicited input from members of the public and users on the proposed changes to that definition.

Implementation:

HHS published a Federal Register notice to solicit public comments, which were qualitatively analyzed by government staff.

Evaluation:

The 2 separate analyses revealed plurality support for improving the definition to focus on both individual and organizational roles in health literacy. Results led HHS subject matter experts to update the definition to include definitions of personal health literacy and organizational health literacy. Healthy People 2030's expanded health literacy definition reflects the most current science and input from the Secretary's Advisory Committee, public comments, and HHS subject matter experts.

Discussion:

The updated definition is intended to advance Healthy People 2030's health literacy goals particularly as more organizations in public health and other sectors acknowledge their role in the delivery of quality health information and services.
How Many SARS-CoV-2–Infected People Require Hospitalization? Using Random Sample Testing to Better Inform Preparedness Efforts
Authors: Menachemi Nir , Dixon Brian E. , Wools-Kaloustian Kara K. , Yiannoutsos Constantin T. , Halverson Paul K.
Published: March 2021

Context:

Existing hospitalization ratios for COVID-19 typically use case counts in the denominator, which problematically underestimates total infections because asymptomatic and mildly infected persons rarely get tested. As a result, surge models that rely on case counts to forecast hospital demand may be inaccurately influencing policy and decision-maker action.

Objective:

Based on SARS-CoV-2 prevalence data derived from a statewide random sample (as opposed to relying on reported case counts), we determine the infection-hospitalization ratio (IHR), defined as the percentage of infected individuals who are hospitalized, for various demographic groups in Indiana. Furthermore, for comparison, we show the extent to which case-based hospitalization ratios, compared with the IHR, overestimate the probability of hospitalization by demographic group.

Design:

Secondary analysis of statewide prevalence data from Indiana, COVID-19 hospitalization data extracted from a statewide health information exchange, and all reported COVID-19 cases to the state health department.

Setting:

State of Indiana as of April 30, 2020.

Main Outcome Measure(s):

Demographic-stratified IHRs and case-hospitalization ratios.

Results:

The overall IHR was 2.1% and varied more by age than by race or sex. Infection-hospitalization ratio estimates ranged from 0.4% for those younger than 40 years to 9.2% for those older than 60 years. Hospitalization rates based on case counts overestimated the IHR by a factor of 10, but this overestimation differed by demographic groups, especially age.

Conclusions:

In this first study of the IHR based on population prevalence, our results can improve forecasting models of hospital demand—especially in preparation for the upcoming winter period when an increase in SARS CoV-2 infections is expected.
Access to Contraceptive Services in Puerto Rico: An Analysis of Policy and Practice Change Strategies, 2015-2018
Authors: Romero Lisa , Corrada-Rivera Rosa M. , Huertas-Pagan Xavier , Aquino-Serrano Francisco V. , Morales-Boscio Ana M. , Sanchez-Cesareo Marizaida , Acosta-Perez Edna , Mendoza Zipatly , Lathrop Eva
Published: March 2021

Context:

During the 2016-2017 Zika virus outbreak in Puerto Rico, preventing unintended pregnancy was a primary strategy to reduce Zika-related adverse birth outcomes. The Zika Contraception Access Network (Z-CAN) was a short-term emergency response intervention that used contraception to prevent unintended pregnancy among women who chose to delay or avoid pregnancy.

Objective:

This analysis reports on the identified policy and practice change strategies to increase access to or provision of contraceptive services in Puerto Rico between 2015 and 2018.

Methods:

A policy review was conducted to document federal- and territorial-level programs with contraceptive coverage and payment policies in Puerto Rico and to identify policy and practice change. Semistructured interviews with key stakeholders in Puerto Rico were also conducted to understand perceptions of policy and practice change efforts following the Zika virus outbreak, including emergency response, local, and policy efforts to improve contraception access in Puerto Rico.

Results:

Publicly available information on federal and territorial programs with policies that facilitate access, delivery, and utilization of contraceptive coverage and family planning services in Puerto Rico to support contraceptive access was documented; however, interview results indicated that the implementation of the policies was often limited by barriers and that policy and practice changes as the result of the Zika virus outbreak were short-term.

Conclusion:

Consideration of long-term policy and practice changes related to contraceptive access is warranted. Similar analyses can be used to identify policies, practices, and perceptions in other settings in which the goal is to increase access to contraception or reduce unintended pregnancy.
Using Integrated City Data and Machine Learning to Identify and Intervene Early on Housing-Related Public Health Problems
Authors: Robb Katharine , Diaz Amigo Nicolas , Marcoux Ashley , McAteer Mike , de Jong Jorrit
Published: March 2021

Context:

Housing is more than a physical structure—it has a profound impact on health. Enforcing housing codes is a primary strategy for breaking the link between poor housing and poor health.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to determine whether machine learning algorithms can identify properties with housing code violations at a higher rate than inspector-informed prioritization. We also show how city data can be used to describe the prevalence and location of housing-related health risks, which can inform public health policy and programs.

Setting:

This study took place in Chelsea, Massachusetts, a demographically diverse, densely populated, low-income city near Boston.

Design:

Using data from 1611 proactively inspected properties, representative of the city's housing stock, we developed machine learning models to predict the probability that a given property would have (1) any housing code violation, (2) a set of high-risk health violations, and (3) a specific violation with a high risk to health and safety (overcrowding). We generated predicted probabilities of each outcome for all residential properties in the city (N = 5989).

Results:

Housing code violations were present in 54% of inspected properties, 85% of which were classified as high-risk health violations. We predict that if the city were to use integrated city data and machine learning to identify at-risk properties, it could achieve a 1.8-fold increase in the number of inspections that identify code violations as compared with current practices.

Conclusion:

Given the strong connection between housing and health, reducing public health risk at more properties—without the need for additional inspection resources—represents an opportunity for significant public health gains. Integrated city data and machine learning can be used to describe the prevalence and location of housing-related health problems and make housing code enforcement more efficient, effective, and equitable in responding to public health threats.
Involvement of Local Health Departments in Obesity Prevention: A Scoping Review
Authors: Petrovskis Anna , Baquero Barbara , Bekemeier Betty
Published: March 2021

Introduction:

Local health department (LHD) obesity prevention (OP) efforts, particularly by rural LHDs, are seemingly uncommon, in part, due to limited infrastructure, workforce capacity, accessible data, and available population-level interventions aimed at social determinants of health (SDOH).

Methods:

We conducted a scoping review to determine LHD roles in OP efforts and interventions. Inclusion criteria were articles including evidence-based OP and LHD leaders or staff. Articles were coded by type of LHD involvement, data use, intervention characteristics, use of an SDOH lens, and urban or rural setting.

Results:

We found 154 articles on LHD OP—52 articles met inclusion criteria. Typically, LHDs engaged in only surveillance, initial intervention development, or evaluation and were not LHD led. Data and SDOH lens use were infrequent, and interventions typically took place in urban settings.

Conclusion:

LHDs could likely play a greater role in OP and population-level interventions and use data in intervention decision making. However, literature is limited. Future research should focus on LHD capacity building, including academic-public health partnerships. Studies should include rural populations, data, and SDOH frameworks addressing “upstream” factors.
Form Follows Function: A New Structure for a School of Public Health in the 21st Century
Authors: Petersen Donna J.
Published: March 2021

National discussions around education in public health in the early 2010s and the subsequent revisions to accreditation criteria for schools of public health in 2016 resulted in a dramatic shift away from the traditional 5 core discipline model in requirements for core curricula and the offering of specific master of public health degrees. With greater flexibility and opportunities for innovation, the College of Public Health at the University of South Florida embarked on a reexamination of its organizational structure, which, like many accredited schools, was based on the old 5 core discipline model. A transparent, inclusive, and deliberative process ultimately resulted in the elimination of departments in favor of a unified faculty whose collective discipline is public health. Decisions made along the way, unexpected opportunities that arose in the implementation, as well as challenges and early results are discussed.
Scale-up of antiretroviral treatment access among people living with HIV in Rivers State, Nigeria, 2019--2020
Authors: Boyd Andrew T. , Ogbanufe Obinna , Onyenuobi Chibuzor , Mgbakor Ifunanya , Bachanas Pamela , Olupitan Olayemi , Umeh Clifford , Adegboye Adeoye , Owhonda Golden , Odafe Solomon , Jahun Ibrahim , Dakum Patrick , Mensah Charles , Gwamna Jerry , Onotu Dennis , Dirlikov Emilio , Williams-Sherlock Michelle , Okolo Chukwuemeka , Verinumbe Tarfa , Idakwo Stanley , Kumtap Makshwar U. , Ellerbrock Tedd , Swaminathan Mahesh
Published: March 2021

Objective:

The aim of this study was to describe and evaluate the impact of the programme intervention of the Rivers State Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) Surge, a collaboration between the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the State Ministry of Health, to increase HIV case-finding and ART access in Rivers State, the state with the largest ART gap among people living with HIV (PWH) in Nigeria.

Design:

During April 2019−September 2020, the intervention included six specific strategies: using local government area-level ART gap analysis to guide case-finding; expanding targeted community testing; tailoring comprehensive key population HIV services; engaging HIV treatment programme stakeholders; synchronizing team efforts; and using near real-time data for programme action.

Methods:

Weekly reported facility and community data on tests conducted, PWH diagnosed, and PWH initiated on ART were aggregated. The total number of PWH maintained on ART was reported quarterly.

Results:

During May 2019−September 2020, the weekly number of newly diagnosed PWH initiated on ART supported by PEPFAR in Rivers State increased from 82 to 1723. During October 2019−September 2020, the monthly number of people screened for HIV testing eligibility in the community increased from 44 000 to 360 000. During April 2019−September 2020, the total number of PWH on ART supported by PEPFAR statewide increased by 3.8 times, from 26 041 to 99 733.

Conclusion:

The strategies applied by HIV program stakeholders contributed to scale-up of PWH identification and ART linkage within the Rivers State ART Surge. Continued gains through time indicate the importance of the application of a quality improvement approach to maintain programme flexibility and effectiveness.
Progress toward HIV elimination goals: trends in and projections of annual HIV testing and condom use in Africa
Authors: Nguyen Phuong T. , Gilmour Stuart , Le Phuong M. , Onishi Kazunari , Kato Kosuke , Nguyen Huy V.
Published: March 2021

Objectives:

To estimate trends in and projections of annual HIV testing and condom use at last higher-risk sex and to calculate the probability of reaching key United Nations Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS)'s target.

Design:

We included 114 nationally-representative datasets in 38 African countries from Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys with 1 456 224 sexually active adults age 15–49 from 2003 to 2018.

Methods:

We applied Bayesian mixed effect models to estimate the coverage of annual HIV testing and condom use at last higher-risk sex for every country and year to 2030 and the probability of reaching UNAIDS testing and condom use targets of 95% coverage by 2030.

Results:

Seven countries saw downward trends in annual HIV testing and four saw decreases in condom use at higher-risk sex, whereas most countries have upward trends in both indicators. The highest coverage of testing in 2030 is predicted in Swaziland with 92.6% (95% credible interval: 74.5−98.1%), Uganda with 90.5% (72.2−97.2%), and Lesotho with 90.5% (69.4%−97.6%). Meanwhile, Swaziland, Lesotho, and Namibia will have the highest proportion of condom use in 2030 at 85.0% (57.8−96.1%), 75.6% (42.3−93.6%), and 75.5% (42.4−93.2%). The probabilities of reaching targets were very low for both HIV testing (0–28.5%) and condom use (0–12.1%).

Conclusions:

We observed limited progress on annual HIV testing and condom use at last higher-risk sex in Africa and little prospect of reaching global targets for HIV/AIDS elimination. Although some funding agencies are considering withdrawal from supporting Africa, more attention to funding and expanding testing and treatment is needed in this region.
Measuring complexity in organisms and organizations
Authors: Rebout Nancy , Lone Jean-Christophe , De Marco Arianna , Cozzolino Roberto , Lemasson Alban , Thierry Bernard
Published: March 2021

While there is no consensus about the definition of complexity, it is widely accepted that the ability to produce uncertainty is the most prominent characteristic of complex systems. We introduce new metrics that purport to quantify the complexity of living organisms and social organizations based on their levels of uncertainty. We consider three major dimensions regarding complexity: diversity based on the number of system elements and the number of categories of these elements; flexibility which bears upon variations in the elements; and combinability which refers to the patterns of connection between elements. These three dimensions are quantified using Shannon's uncertainty formula, and they can be integrated to provide a tripartite complexity index. We provide a calculation example that illustrates the use of these indices for comparing the complexity of different social systems. These indices distinguish themselves by a theoretical basis grounded on the amount of uncertainty, and the requirement that several aspects of the systems be accounted for to compare their degree of complexity. We expect that these new complexity indices will encourage research programmes aiming to compare the complexity levels of systems belonging to different realms.
Evidence that bottlenose dolphins can communicate with vocal signals to solve a cooperative task
Authors: King Stephanie L. , Guarino Emily , Donegan Katy , McMullen Christina , Jaakkola Kelly
Published: March 2021

Cooperation experiments have long been used to explore the cognition underlying animals' coordination towards a shared goal. While the ability to understand the need for a partner in a cooperative task has been demonstrated in a number of species, there has been far less focus on cooperation experiments that address the role of communication. In humans, cooperative efforts can be enhanced by physical synchrony, and coordination problems can be solved using spoken language. Indeed, human children adapt to complex coordination problems by communicating with vocal signals. Here, we investigate whether bottlenose dolphins can use vocal signals to coordinate their behaviour in a cooperative button-pressing task. The two dolphin dyads used in this study were significantly more likely to cooperate successfully when they used whistles prior to pressing their buttons, with whistling leading to shorter button press intervals and more successful trials. Whistle timing was important as the dolphins were significantly more likely to succeed if they pushed their buttons together after the last whistle, rather than pushing independently of whistle production. Bottlenose dolphins are well known for cooperating extensively in the wild, and while it remains to be seen how wild dolphins use communication to coordinate cooperation, our results reveal that at least some dolphins are capable of using vocal signals to facilitate the successful execution of coordinated, cooperative actions.
A novel duplex qPCR assay for stepwise detection of multiple Perkinsea protistan infections of amphibian tissues
Authors: Smilansky Vanessa , Chambouvet Aurelie , Reeves Mari , Richards Thomas A. , Milner David S.
Published: March 2021

Alveolate protists within the phylum Perkinsea have been found to infect amphibians across a broad taxonomic and geographic range. Phylogenetic analysis has suggested the existence of two clades of amphibian Perkinsea: a putatively non-pathogenic clade linked to asymptomatic infections of tadpoles in Africa, Europe and South America, and a putatively pathogenic clade linked to disease and mass mortality events of tadpoles in North America. Here, we describe the development of a duplex TaqMan qPCR assay to detect and discriminate between rDNA sequences from both clades of Perkinsea in amphibian tissues. The assay uses a single primer pair to target an 18S small subunit (SSU) ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene region shared between the two clades, and two dual-labelled probes to target a region within this fragment that is diagnostic for each clade. This assay enables rapid screening for each of the two Perkinsea groups, allowing for detection, primarily of the phylogenetic group associated with disease outbreaks, and secondarily for the phylogenetic group with no current disease relationship identified. Incorporation of our novel qPCR assay into the routine surveillance of amphibian populations will allow for the assessment of the incidence of each protist clade, thereby providing an improved understanding of Perkinsea infection pervasiveness and a method to underpin future conservation planning.
The ventilation of buildings and other mitigating measures for COVID-19: a focus on wintertime
Authors: Burridge Henry C. , Bhagat Rajesh K. , Stettler Marc E. J. , Kumar Prashant , De Mel Ishanki , Demis Panagiotis , Hart Allen , Johnson-Llambias Yyanis , King Marco-Felipe , Klymenko Oleksiy , McMillan Alison , Morawiecki Piotr , Pennington Thomas , Short Michael , Sykes David , Trinh Philippe H. , Wilson Stephen K. , Wong Clint , Wragg Hayley , Davies Wykes Megan S. , Iddon Chris , Woods Andrew W. , Mingotti Nicola , Bhamidipati Neeraja , Woodward Huw , Beggs Clive , Davies Hywel , Fitzgerald Shaun , Pain Christopher , Linden P. F.
Published: March 2021

The year 2020 has seen the emergence of a global pandemic as a result of the disease COVID-19. This report reviews knowledge of the transmission of COVID-19 indoors, examines the evidence for mitigating measures, and considers the implications for wintertime with a focus on ventilation.
Ecological dynamics of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems across three mid-Phanerozoic mass extinctions from northwest China
Authors: Huang Yuangeng , Chen Zhong-Qiang , Roopnarine Peter D. , Benton Michael J. , Yang Wan , Liu Jun , Zhao Laishi , Li Zhenhua , Guo Zhen
Published: March 2021

The Earth has been beset by many crises during its history, and yet comparing the ecological impacts of these mass extinctions has been difficult. Key questions concern the kinds of species that go extinct and survive, how communities rebuild in the post-extinction recovery phase, and especially how the scaling of events affects these processes. Here, we explore ecological impacts of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems in three mass extinctions through the mid-Phanerozoic, a span of 121 million years (295–174 Ma). This critical duration encompasses the largest mass extinction of all time, the Permian–Triassic (P–Tr) and is flanked by two smaller crises, the Guadalupian–Lopingian (G–L) and Triassic–Jurassic (T–J) mass extinctions. Palaeocommunity dynamics modelling of 14 terrestrial and freshwater communities through a long sedimentary succession from the lower Permian to the lower Jurassic in northern Xinjiang, northwest China, shows that the P–Tr mass extinction differed from the other two in two ways: (i) ecological recovery from this extinction was prolonged and the three post-extinction communities in the Early Triassic showed low stability and highly variable and unpredictable responses to perturbation primarily following the huge losses of species, guilds and trophic space; and (ii) the G–L and T–J extinctions were each preceded by low-stability communities, but post-extinction recovery was rapid. Our results confirm the uniqueness of the P–Tr mass extinction and shed light on the trophic structure and ecological dynamics of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems across the three mid-Phanerozoic extinctions, and how complex communities respond to environmental stress and how communities recovered after the crisis. Comparisons with the coeval communities from the Karoo Basin, South Africa show that geographically and compositionally different communities of terrestrial ecosystems were affected in much the same way by the P–Tr extinction.
A trimeric capable gB CMV vaccine provides limited protection against a highly cell associated and epithelial tropic strain of cytomegalovirus in guinea pigs
Authors: Choi K. Yeon , El-Hamdi Nadia S. , McGregor Alistair
Published: March 2021

Multiple strains of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) can cause congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) by primary or secondary infection. The viral gB glycoprotein is a leading vaccine candidate, essential for infection of all cell-types, and immunodominant antibody target. Guinea pig cytomegalovirus (GPCMV) is the only small animal model for cCMV. Various gB vaccines have shown efficacy but studies have utilized truncated gB and protection against prototype strain 22122 with preferential tropism to fibroblasts despite encoding a gH-based pentamer complex for non-fibroblast infection. A highly cell-associated novel strain of GPCMV (TAMYC) with 99 % identity in gB sequence to 22122 exhibited preferred tropism to epithelial cells. An adenovirus vaccine encoding full-length gB (AdgB) was highly immunogenic and partially protected against 22122 strain challenge in vaccinated animals but not when challenged with TAMYC strain. GPCMV studies with AdgB vaccine sera on numerous cell-types demonstrated impaired neutralization (NA50) compared to fibroblasts. GPCMV-convalescent sera including pentamer complex antibodies increased virus neutralization on non-fibroblasts and anti-gB depletion from GPCMV-convalescent sera had minimal impact on epithelial cell neutralization. GPCMV(PC+) 22122-convalescent animals challenged with TAMYC exhibited higher protection compared to AdgB vaccine. Overall, results suggest that antibody response to both gB and PC are important components of a GPCMV vaccine.
Vaccine escape in a heterogeneous population: insights for SARS-CoV-2 from a simple model
Authors: Gog Julia R. , Hill Edward M. , Danon Leon , Thompson Robin
Published: March 2021

As a counter measure to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic there has been swift development and clinical trial assessment of candidate vaccines, with subsequent deployment as part of mass vaccination campaigns. However, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has demonstrated the ability to mutate and develop variants, which can modify epidemiological properties and potentially also the effectiveness of vaccines.

The widespread deployment of highly effective vaccines may rapidly exert selection pressure on the SARS-CoV-2 virus directed towards mutations that escape the vaccine induced immune response. This is particularly concerning whilst infection is widespread. By developing and analysing a mathematical model of two population groupings with differing vulnerability and contact rates, we explore the impact of the deployment of vaccine amongst the population on R, cases, disease abundance and vaccine escape pressure.

The results from this model illustrate two insights (i) vaccination aimed at reducing prevalence could be more effective at reducing disease than directly vaccinating the vulnerable; (ii) the highest risk for vaccine escape can occur at intermediate levels of vaccination. This work demonstrates a key principle that the careful targeting of vaccines towards particular population groups could reduce disease as much as possible whilst limiting the risk of vaccine escape.
A First Analysis of Excess Mortality in Switzerland in 2020
Authors: Locatelli Isabella , Rousson Valentin
Published: March 2021

Objective

To quantify the excess all-cause mortality in Switzerland in 2020, a key indicator for assessing direct and indirect consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Using official data on deaths in Switzerland, all-cause mortality in 2020 was compared with that of previous years using directly standardized mortality rates, age- and sex-specific mortality rates, and life expectancy.

Results

The standardized mortality rate was 8.6% higher in 2020 than in 2019, returning to the level observed 5-6 years ago. This increase was greater for men (10.4%) than for women (7.0%), and was statistically significant only for men over 70 years of age, and for women over 75 years of age. The decrease in life expectancy in 2020 compared to 2019 was about 1%, with a loss of 9.4 months for men and 5.1 months for women.

Conclusions

There was an excess mortality in Switzerland in 2020, linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as this excess only concerned the elderly, the resulting loss of life expectancy was restricted to a few months.
Impact of booster COVID-19 vaccine for Moroccan adults: A discrete age-structured model approach
Authors: Hammoumi Aayah , Hmarrass Hanane , Qesmi Redouane
Published: March 2021

Public health control strategies, such as lockdown, seem to be effective in reducing the spread of the pandemic, but are ineffective as a whole since lockdown is responsible of global economic crisis and badly lived by the majority of children and adults who have developed mental health disorders and familial problems as well. Thus, the development of a vaccine against COVID-19 is needed to control this disease. We have developed a discrete age-structured model and followed the Moroccan vaccination program to assess the impact of booster vaccination targeting Moroccan adults against COVID-19. Using the derived model, we estimated some relevant model parameters related to COVID-19 using collected cumulative mortality and reported Moroccan data. A control reproduction numberRc, which determines the necessary level of vaccine uptake that lead to COVID-19 eradication is determined. Furthermore, a herd immunity threshold above which the population can be protected from COVID-19 infection is derived. Analyzing the model, sufficient and necessary conditions for the eradication of the disease are obtained as well. Next, we perform numerical simulations to study the impact of several uptake levels of the potential vaccine on the persistence and the extinction of COVID-19 pandemic. Our results show that the COVID-19 is expected to last past 2021 in the absence of a vaccination program. Moreover, a vaccination of the adult population at rate 0.6% per day needs at least 67% of vaccine efficacy and 90% of immunogenicity rate to eradicate the disease. Using Sinopharm vaccine, the herd immunity can be achieved when about half of Moroccan adult population is immunized against the COVID-19. However, using Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccine, less than 60% of adult population must be immunized against the disease to achieve the herd immunity. Finally, if vaccine efficacy is about 80% and the immunogenicity is about 50% then vaccinating adults at rate of 0.6% per day could protect roughly 22% of children from COVID-19 infection.
Female gender and knowing a person positive for COVID-19 significantly increases fear levels in the Cuban population
Authors: Broche-Pérez Yunier , Fernández-Fleites Zoylen , Fernández-Castillo Evelyn , Jiménez-Puig Elizabeth , Ferrer-Lozano Dunia , Vizcaíno-Escobar Annia , Martínez-Rodríguez Lesnay , Martín-González Reinier , Rodríguez-Martín Boris C.
Published: March 2021

The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between sociodemographic factors and fear of COVID-19 in a Cuban population. A web-based study with a cross-sectional design was conducted. The sample comprised 1145 participants. To explore fear, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale was used. Our results suggest that women were more likely to experience medium to high levels fear compared to men. Additionally, knowing a person positive to COVID-19 significantly increases fear levels in Cuban participants.
Motor Unit Number Index (MUNIX) of the Upper Trapezius: Reliability and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Abrahao Agessandro , Phung Liane , Fam David , Escorcio-Bezerra Marcio Luiz , Robinson Lawrence R , Jones Kelvin E , Zinman Lorne
Published: March 2021

Motor unit number index (MUNIX) of the upper trapezius is a candidate biomarker for lower motor neuron function of the bulbar region; however, only a few studies have explored this measure in neuromuscular diseases and reliability data is incomplete. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of this measure in control participants and assessed its reliability in twenty healthy volunteers. Four studies were included with heterogeneous mean-MUNIX estimates, moderated by variability in the population’s age and MUNIX sampling technique. We demonstrated an inter- and intra-rater intraclass correlation of 0.86 and 0.94, respectively. Upper trapezius MUNIX is a reliable measure with in-between study variability moderated by age and MUNIX technique.
Imperfect integration: sensory congruency between multiple sources modulates selective decision-making processes
Authors: Krzemiński Dominik , Zhang Jiaxiang
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Decision making on the basis of multiple information sources is common. However, to what extent such decisions differ from those with a single source remains unclear. Here, we combined cognitive modelling and neural-mass modelling to characterise the neurocognitive process underlying decisionmaking with single or double information sources. Ninety-four human participants performed binary decisions to discriminate the coherent motion direction averaged across two independent apertures. Regardless the angular distance of the apertures, separating motion information into two apertures resulted in a reduction in accuracy. Our modelling results further showed that the addition of the second information source led to a lower signal-to-noise ratio of evidence accumulation with two congruent information sources, and a change in the decision strategy of speed-accuracy trade-off with two incongruent sources. Thus, our findings support a robust behavioural change in relation to multiple information sources, which have congruency-dependent impacts on selective decision-making subcomponents.
The Most Parsimonious Reconciliation Problem in the Presence of Incomplete Lineage Sorting and Hybridization is NP-Hard
Authors: LeMay Matthew , Wu Yi-Chieh , Libeskind-Hadas Ran
Published: March 2021

The maximum parsimony phylogenetic reconciliation problem seeks to explain incongruity between a gene phylogeny and a species phylogeny with respect to a set of evolutionary events. While the reconciliation problem is well-studied for species and gene trees subject to events such as duplication, transfer, loss, and deep coalescence, recent work has examined species phylogenies that incorporate hybridization and are thus represented by networks rather than trees. In this paper, we show that the problem of computing a maximum parsimony reconciliation for a gene tree and species network is NP-hard even when only considering deep coalescence. This result suggests that future work on maximum parsimony reconciliation for species networks should explore approximation algorithms and heuristics.
Population structure ofDrosophila suzukiiand signals of multiple invasions into the continental United States
Authors: Lewald Kyle M. , Abrieux Antoine , Wilson Derek A. , Lee Yoosook , Conner William R. , Andreazza Felipe , Beers Elizabeth H. , Burrack Hannah J. , Daane Kent M. , Diepenbrock Lauren , Drummond Francis A. , Fanning Philip D. , Gaffney Michael T. , Hesler Stephen P. , Ioriatti Claudio , Isaacs Rufus , Little Brian A. , Loeb Gregory M. , Miller Betsey , Nava Dori E. , Rendon Dalila , Sial Ashfaq A. , Silva Cherre B. da , Stockton Dara G. , Van Timmeren Steven , Wallingford Anna , Walton Vaughn M. , Wang Xingeng , Zhao Bo , Zalom Frank G. , Chiu Joanna C.
Published: March 2021

Drosophila suzukii, or spotted-wing drosophila, is now an established pest in many parts of the world, causing significant damage to numerous fruit crop industries. Native to East Asia,D. suzukiiinfestations started in the United States a decade ago, occupying a wide range of climates. To better understand invasion ecology of this pest, knowledge of past migration events, population structure, and genetic diversity is needed. To improve on previous studies examining genetic structure ofD. suzukii, we sequenced whole genomes of 237 individual flies collected across the continental U.S., as well as several representative sites in Europe, Brazil, and Asia, to identify hundreds of thousands of genetic markers for analysis. We analyzed these markers to detect population structure, to reconstruct migration events, and to estimate genetic diversity and differentiation within and among the continents. We observed strong population structure between West and East Coast populations in the U.S., but no evidence of any population structure North to South, suggesting there is no broad-scale adaptations occurring in response to the large differences in regional weather conditions. We also find evidence of repeated migration events from Asia into North America have provided increased levels of genetic diversity, which does not appear to be the case for Brazil or Europe. This large genomic dataset will spur future research into genomic adaptations underlyingD. suzukiipest activity and development of novel control methods for this agricultural pest.