bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiscale Processes of Heavy Rainfall over East Asia in Summer 2020: Diurnal Cycle in Response to Synoptic Disturbances
Authors: Zeng Wenxin , Chen Guixing , Bai Lanqiang , Liu Qian , Wen Zhiping
Published: March 2022

Multiscale processes from synoptic disturbances to diurnal cycles during the record-breaking heavy rainfall in summer 2020 were examined in this study. The heavy rainfall consisted of eight episodes, each lasting about 5 days, and were associated with two types of synoptic disturbances. The Type-1 episodes featured a northwestward extending western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH), while the Type-2 episodes had approaching midlatitude troughs with southward retreat in the WPSH. Each heavy rainfall episode had 2–3 occurrences of nocturnal low-level jets (NLLJs), in close association with intense rainfall in the early morning. The NLLJs formed partly due to the geostrophic wind by increased pressure gradients under both types of synoptic disturbances. The NLLJs were also driven by the ageostrophic wind that veered to maximum southerlies at late night due to the boundary-layer inertial oscillation. The diurnal amplitudes of low-level southerlies increased remarkably after the onset of Type-1 episodes, in which the extending WPSH provided strong daytime heating from solar radiation. By contrast, the wind diurnal amplitudes were less changed after the onset of Type-2 episodes. The NLLJs strengthened the mesoscale mean ascent, net moisture flux convergence, and convective instability in elevated warm moist air, which led to the upscale growth of MCSs at the northern terminus of the LLJ after midnight. The MCSs-induced Meiyu rainband was re-established in Central China during the Type-1 episodes with the increased diurnal variations. The findings highlight that the regional diurnal cycles of low-level winds in response to synoptic disturbances can strongly regulate mesoscale convective activities in a downscaling manner, and thus produce heavy rainfall.
Factors Associated With Resistance to In-Hospital Treatment of Malaria in Angolan Patients
Authors: Sacomboio Euclides Nenga Manuel , S Sebastião Cruz , Antonio Jurema Luzia Francisco , Vezo Álvaro Kuanzambi , Bapolo Daisy Viviana Sebastião , Morais Joana
Published: March 2022

Background:

Malaria is a public health problem, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In Angola, it is the leading cause of death, morbidity, and absenteeism from work and school.

Objective:

To evaluate the social and clinical factors associated with resistance to in-hospital treatment.

Methodology:

A prospective analytical cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach was conducted including 220 patients with malaria.

Results:

Of the 220 patients enrolled, the majority were between 21 and 40 years old (72.7%), male (53.6%), of peri-urban areas (47.7%), employees (46.4%), and with high parasitemia levels (57.7%). Of the remaining hospitalized patients (61.4%), 20.9% were resistant to treatment. The resistance risk was higher in patients over 40 years [OR: 5.91 (95% CI: 0.76-45.7), P = .088], from rural regions [OR: 2.48 (95% CI: 0.95-6.48), P = .064], that were unemployed [OR: 1.06 (95% CI: 0.52-2.15), P = .859], presenting high parasitemia [OR: 1.95 (95% CI: 1.02-3.75), P = .043] and who remained hospitalized [OR: 5.28 (95% CI: 0.63-43.1), P = .121]. The risk to develop resistance was lower in patients that were students [OR: 0.04 (95% CI: 0.01-0.37), P = .004], patients who were treated with dipyrone [OR: 0.06 (95% CI: 0.01-0.24), P < .001], metoclopramide [OR: 0.25 (95% CI: 0.09-0.67), P = .006] and ciprofloxacin [OR: 0.22 (95% CI: 0.11-0.44), P < .001].

Conclusion:

Treatment with antimalarial drugs as well as the use of adjuvants such as dipyrone, metoclopramide, ciprofloxacin, and diazepam can reduce the chances of developing resistance to malaria treatment, however, it is necessary to carry out further in-depth studies.
Transcellular routes of blood–brain barrier disruption
Authors: Erickson Michelle A , Banks William A
Published: March 2022

Disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) can occur through different mechanisms and pathways. As these pathways result in increased permeability to different classes of substances, it is likely that the neurological insults that occur will also differ for these pathways. The major categories of BBB disruption are paracellular (between cells) and transcellular (across cells) with a subcategory of transcellular leakage involving vesicles (transcytotic). Older literature, as well as more recent studies, highlights the importance of the transcellular pathways in BBB disruption. Of the various transcytotic mechanisms that are thought to be active at the BBB, some are linked to receptor-mediated transcytosis, whereas others are likely involved in BBB disruption. For most capillary beds, transcytotic mechanisms are less clearly linked to permeability than are membrane spanning canaliculi and fenestrations. Disruption pathways share cellular mechanisms to some degree as exemplified by transcytotic caveolar and transcellular canaliculi formations. The discovery of some of the cellular components involved in transcellular mechanisms of BBB disruption and the ability to measure them are adding greatly to our classic knowledge, which is largely based on ultrastructural studies. Future work will likely address the conditions and diseases under which the various pathways of disruption are active, the different impacts that they have, and the cellular biology that underlies the different pathways to disruption.
Recognize highly similar sewing gestures by the robot
Authors: Yang Sijie , Wang Xiaohua , Wang Wenjie
Published: March 2022

The autonomous and efficient learning of sewing gestures by robots will bring great convenience to the garment industry. To improve the accuracy of robots in detecting sewing gestures with high similarity, three detection models based on deep learning are proposed in the paper. First, in order to improve the detection accuracy and detection speed of sewing gestures under complex backgrounds, we added a dense connection layer to the low-resolution network layer of YOLO-V3 to enhance the transmission and reuse rate of image features. Secondly, a deeper ResNet50 residual network is introduced to replace the VGG16 basic network in the original SSD model. The feature pyramid structure is used to fuse high-level semantic features and low-level semantic features, which can improve the detection accuracy of small-sized sewing gestures. Finally, the parallel spatial-temporal dual-stream network separately extracts the temporal feature and the spatial feature of sewing gestures. The fusion of time feature and space feature improves the detection accuracy of the coherent sewing gesture. The results show that the suggested three models can effectively detect four sewing gestures with high similarity. Among them, the spatial-temporal two-stream convolutional neural network has the highest detection accuracy. The improved SSD model has faster detection speed than the improved YOLO-V3 model and other mainstream algorithms.
Pyrroloquinoline Quinone Protects SMA560 Astrocytes Against Thrombin-Induced Cell Death by Improving Mitochondrial Function
Authors: Xu Xi , Zhang Xiaochun , Zhao Yanyan , Liang Xiangyan , Zhang Lijun , Zhao Yu-Feng
Published: March 2022

Thrombin activation after cerebral hemorrhage induces the death of neurons and astrocytes. Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) shows nutritional functions and cell protection. This study aimed to clarify the protective effects of PQQ on thrombin-induced cell death in astrocytes. Murine SMA560 astrocytoma cells were used in this study. The cell viability was measured by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide assay. The changes in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were observed by CellROX® Deep Red and JC-1, respectively. The expression of apoptotic genes was measured by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Thrombin dose- and time-dependently induced SMA560 cell death. PQQ significantly repressed thrombin-induced SMA560 cell death in a dose-dependent manner. Thrombin led to the diminishment of MMP, increased production of ROS, and the upregulated expression of apoptotic genes including c-Jun, TP53, Bim, Puma, and Noxa in SMA560 cells. Meanwhile, PQQ treatment significantly attenuated the effects of thrombin on ROS, MMP, and gene expression in SMA560 cells. In conclusion, PQQ protects SMA560 astrocytes against thrombin-induced cell death by inhibiting oxidative stress and improving mitochondrial function in vitro.
The new mineral zolotarevite, Na5Zr[Si6O15(ОН)3]⋅2–3H2O, the first highly hydrated lovozerite-group member from the Lovozero alkaline massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Authors: Mikhailova Julia A. , Selivanova Ekaterina A. , Krivovichev Sergey V. , Pakhomovsky Yakov A. , Chukanov Nikita V. , Yakovenchuk Victor N.
Published: March 2022

Zolotarevite (IMA2020-076), ideally Na5Zr[Si6O15(ОН)3]⋅2–3H2O, is а new mineral of the lovozerite group. The mineral was found in a leucocratic nepheline syenite from Kedykverpakhk Mt., Lovozero alkaline massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia. It occurs as anhedral grains up to 1 mm across and is associated with microcline–perthite, nepheline, sodalite, aegirine, lamprophyllite, lueshite, umbozerite, lomonosovite, nastrophite, a mineral of the kazakovite–tisinalite series, sphalerite and löllingite. Zolotarevite is cherry red, with a vitreous lustre and white streak. The mineral is brittle, with a Mohs hardness of 5. Cleavage was not observed; the fracture is uneven. The measured density is 2.75(5) g⋅cm–3, the density calculated using the empirical formula and single-crystal unit-cell parameters is 2.85 g⋅cm–3. Zolotarevite is anomalously biaxial (–), α = 1.580(2), β = 1.600(2) and γ = 1.602(2) (for λ = 589 nm); 2Vmeas < 10°. Chemical data (electron microprobe, wt.%) are: Na2O 20.41, СаО 0.42, MnO 3.49, Fе2O3 0.55, SiO2 52.46, ТiO2 1.34, ZrO2 11.33, H2O (calculated from the structural formula) 10.20, total 100.20. The empirical formula based оn 6 Si atoms per formula unit is Na4.53Zr0.63Mn0.34Ti0.11Ca0.05Fe3+0.05Si6O14.43(ОН)3.56(H2О)2.11. Zolotarevite is trigonal, space group R${\bar 3}$m, with a = 10.294(6) Å, c = 13.115(8) Å, V = 1203.7(16) Å3 and Z = 3. The crystal structure was solved from single-crystal data and refined to R1 = 0.049. The strongest lines of the powder X-ray diffraction pattern [d in Å (I) (hkl)] are: 7.37 (69) (101); 5.26 (56) (012); 3.686 (64) (202); 3.330 (79) (113); 3.265 (99) (211), 2.640 (100) (024) and 2.576 (60) (220). Zolotarevite is unique in that it is a highly hydrated lovozerite-group mineral with the B site occupied by variable amounts of H2O.
3D electron diffraction study of terrestrial iron oxide alteration in the Mineo pallasite
Authors: Mugnaioli Enrico , Zucchini Azzurra , Comodi Paola , Frondini Francesco , Bartolucci Luca , Di Michele Alessandro , Sassi Paola , Gemmi Mauro
Published: March 2022

The Mineo pallasite is a relatively poorly known meteorite, which shows interesting features that are not fully understood, such as the occurrence of iron oxide regions bordering both the olivine grain boundaries and the (Fe,Ni) metal. In this study, the Fe oxides have been characterised by Raman spectroscopy, electron microprobe analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and 3D electron diffraction (3D ED). The combination of TEM–EDS and 3D ED yields a reliable identification of the chemical and crystallographic features of the cryptocrystalline portion of the sample investigated, enabling the Fe-oxide regions to be positively identified as goethite, FeO(OH).

The occurrence of goethite was unambiguously associated with terrestrial alteration, also confirmed by the presence of calcite, detected by TEM-EDS and 3D ED. Goethite contains minor elements such as Na, Si and Ca, probably coming from alumino-silicates in the terrestrial environment, and Ni associated with the (Fe,Ni) metal. The observation of goethite along olivine grain boundaries, as an alteration product of the (Fe,Ni) metal diagenesis, is also very intriguing as it might be related to the (Fe,Ni) metal intruded into the sub-micrometric olivine fragments during pallasite formation. Further work is needed to extensively analyse the texture and composition of olivine/metal boundaries.
Mammary epithelial cell transcriptome reveals potential roles of lncRNAs in regulating milk synthesis pathways in Jersey and Kashmiri cattle
Authors: Mumtaz Peerzada Tajamul , Bhat Basharat , Ibeagha-Awemu Eveline M. , Taban Qamar , Wang Mengqi , Dar Mashooq Ahmad , Bhat Shakil Ahmad , Shabir Nadeem , Shah Riaz Ahmad , Ganie Nazir A. , Velayutham Dinesh , Haq Zulfqar ul , Ahmad Syed Mudasir
Published: March 2022

Background

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are now proven as essential regulatory elements, playing diverse roles in many biological processes including mammary gland development. However, little is known about their roles in the bovine lactation process.

Results

To identify and characterize the roles of lncRNAs in bovine lactation, high throughput RNA sequencing data from Jersey (high milk yield producer), and Kashmiri cattle (low milk yield producer) were utilized. Transcriptome data from three Kashmiri and three Jersey cattle throughout their lactation stages were utilized for differential expression analysis. At each stage (early, mid and late) three samples were taken from each breed. A total of 45 differentially expressed lncRNAs were identified between the three stages of lactation. The differentially expressed lncRNAs were found co-expressed with genes involved in the milk synthesis processes such as GPAM, LPL, and ABCG2 indicating their potential regulatory effects on milk quality genes. KEGG pathways analysis of potential cis and trans target genes of differentially expressed lncRNAs indicated that 27 and 48 pathways were significantly enriched between the three stages of lactation in Kashmiri and Jersey respectively, including mTOR signaling, PI3K-Akt signaling, and RAP1 signaling pathways. These pathways are known to play key roles in lactation biology and mammary gland development.

Conclusions

Expression profiles of lncRNAs across different lactation stages in Jersey and Kashmiri cattle provide a valuable resource for the study of the regulatory mechanisms involved in the lactation process as well as facilitate understanding of the role of lncRNAs in bovine lactation biology.
Posttraumatic midazolam administration does not influence brain damage after experimental traumatic brain injury
Authors: Sebastiani Anne , Bender Simone , Schäfer Michael K. E. , Thal Serge C.
Published: March 2022

Background

The benzodiazepine midazolam is a γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-A receptor agonist frequently used for sedation or stress control in patients suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, experimental studies on benzodiazepines have reported divergent results, raising concerns about its widespread use in patients. Some studies indicate that benzodiazepine-mediated potentiation of GABAergic neurotransmission is detrimental in brain-injured animals. However, other experimental investigations demonstrate neuroprotective effects, especially in pretreatment paradigms. This study investigated whether single-bolus midazolam administration influences secondary brain damage post-TBI.

Methods

Two different midazolam dosages (0.5 and 5 mg/kg BW), a combination of midazolam and its competitive antagonist flumazenil, or vehicle solution (NaCl 0.9%) was injected intravenously to mice 24 h after experimental TBI induced by controlled cortical impact. Mice were evaluated for neurological and motor deficits using a 15-point neuroscore and the rotarod test. Histopathological brain damage and mRNA expression of inflammatory marker genes were analyzed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction three days after insult.

Results

Histological brain damage was not affected by posttraumatic midazolam administration. Midazolam impaired functional recovery, and this effect could not be counteracted by administering the midazolam antagonist flumazenil. An increase in IL-1β mRNA levels due to postinjury application of midazolam was reversible by flumazenil administration. However, other inflammatory parameters were not affected.

Conclusions

This study merely reports minor effects of a postinjury midazolam application. Further studies focusing on a time-dependent analysis of posttraumatic benzodiazepine administration are required.
Circulating long non-coding RNA TTTY15 and HULC serve as potential novel biomarkers for predicting acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Xie Jiajia , Liao Wenjun , Chen Wuqi , Lai Disheng , Tang Qidong , Li Yuhui
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a ubiquitous cardiovascular disease ensuing adverse prognosis caused by myocardial necrosis. Effective and rapid diagnosis of AMI is essential to following treatment in clinical practice while the existed biomarkers have inherent limitations. Consequently, exploration of novel biomarkers is needed. Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) emerges as the upcoming biomarkers adopted in clinical use, and we aim at investigating the diagnostic power of lncRNA TTTY15 and HULC in AMI patients.

Method

We measured lncRNA level in 80 AMI patients and 36 healthy volunteers in discovering cohort and 50 AMI patients and 20 healthy volunteers in verification cohort with quantitative RT-PCR method. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was administered to detect the diagnostic power of selected lncRNAs. Regression and correlation analyses were performed to explore the related factors.

Results

ROC analysis reveals the superiority of TTTY15 and HULC as biomarkers against conventional AMI biomarkers CKMB (AUC of TTTY15: 0.915 versus CKMB: 0.768 versus TnT: 0.869); AUC of HULC: 0.905 versus CKMB: 0.768 versus TnT: 0.869). Regression and correlation analysis indicates that TTTY15 and HULC may be one of the contributing factors to AMI and related to accepted risk factors.

Conclusion

Our results revealed the diagnostic potency of lncRNA TTTY15 and HULC, and they could also be treated as novel therapeutic targets in AMI therapy, hinting inspiration to the cardiologist in clinical practice.
Protein-losing gastroenteropathy complicated with asymptomatic primary biliary cholangitis, refractory to immunosuppressant, and improved by Helicobacter pylori eradication: a case report
Authors: Tanaka Misako , Kawaratani Hideto , Noguchi Ryuichi , Koizumi Aritoshi , Shibamoto Akihiko , Kaji Kosuke , Shimozato Naotaka , Kojima Kuniyuki , Nishimura Yoshiaki , Yoshiji Hitoshi
Published: March 2022

Background

Protein-losing gastroenteropathy (PLGE) is a syndrome with a chief complaint of hypoalbuminemia, which occurs due to plasma protein leakage in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to general edema, ascites, and pleural effusions.

Case presentation

A 71-year-old woman visited another hospital for evaluation of hypoalbuminemia and systemic edema. She was hospitalized for a close inspection of hypoalbuminemia and was diagnosed with PLGE. Steroid and azathioprine therapy was prescribed; however, hypoalbuminemia did not improve, and the patient’s condition worsened due to anasarca. As hospitalization was prolonged, the patient was transferred to our hospital. She was infected with Helicobacter pylori, and we performed H. pylori eradication. Following H. pylori eradication, her edema improved remarkably.

Conclusion

We present the first case wherein H. pylori eradication successfully improved protein leakage in the lower gastrointestinal tract in a patient diagnosed with PLGE complicated with refractory to immunosuppressant treatment. H. pylori eradication should be considered in patients with PLGE complicated with H. pylori infection, without specific endoscopic finding or refractory to immunosuppressants.
A rare presentation of blastomycosis as a multi-focal infection involving the spine, pleura, lungs, and psoas muscles in a Saudi male patient: a case report
Authors: Eldaabossi Safwat , Saad Mustafa , Aljawad Hameed , Almuhainy Badr
Published: March 2022

Background

Blastomycosis is a disease caused by the fungus Blastomyces—a thermally dimorphic fungus that can cause granulomatous and/or purulent infection.

Case presentation

We report here a case of chronic blastomycosis infection in a 24-year-old male patient from Saudi Arabia who presented with recurrent skin abscesses associated with deep-seated and multilevel paraspinal (dorsal and lumbar) collections and bilateral empyema with pulmonary involvement and bilateral psoas abscesses. The diagnosis was made after a CT-guided pleural biopsy revealed the characteristic histopathological findings of blastomycosis. The patient underwent several drainage procedures and was successfully treated with a long-term course of oral itraconazole.

Conclusions

Chronic blastomycosis may have clinical and radiologic features similar to thoracic tuberculosis or malignant disease. There is no definite clinical symptom of blastomycosis, and thus a high degree of suspicion is required for early diagnosis. This case is a rare form of blastomycosis with chronic multifocal purulent infection and is the second case of blastomycosis reported in Saudi Arabia.
miR-543 regulates high glucose-induced fibrosis and autophagy in diabetic nephropathy by targeting TSPAN8
Authors: Zhuang Langen , Ge Xiaoxu , Hu Xiaolei , Yang Qingqing , Pei Xiaoyan , Jin Guoxi
Published: March 2022

Background

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most common and serious complications of diabetes, which can lead to renal failure and fatality. miRNAs are an important class of endogenous non-coding RNAs implicated in a wide range of biological processes and pathological conditions. This study aims to investigate the potential functional roles of miR-543 in DN and its underlying mechanisms.

Methods

qRT-PCR was performed to detect the expression levels of miR-543 and TSPAN8 in kidney tissues of mice with DN. Western blot (WB) was used to measure the protein levels. CCK8 assay was employed to evaluate the proliferation of HK2 cells. Dual luciferase reporter assay was conducted to verify the functional interaction between miR-543 and TSpan8.

Results

The downregulation of miR-543 and upregulation of TSPAN8 were observed in kidney tissues of mice with DN. miR-543 mimic significantly decreased cell proliferation and autophagy in high-glucose (HG)-induced HK2 cells, and promoted cell fibrosis. We further identified a putative binding site between miR-543 and TSPAN8, which was validated by Dual luciferase reporter assay. The treatment of miR-543 mimic and miR-543 inhibitor could reduce or increase TSPAN8 protein level respectively. We further showed that the overexpression of TSPAN8 could attenuate HG-induced cell injury by reducing fibrosis and increase autophagy. The effects of miR-543 mimic in proliferation, fibrosis, and autophagy were rescued by TSPAN8 overexpression.

Conclusions

Our study indicate that miR-543 mediates high-glucose induced DN via targeting TSPAN8. Interfering miR-543/TSPAN8 axis could serve as potential approach to ameliorate DN.
Exploring why patients in heroin-assisted treatment are getting incarcerated—a qualitative study
Authors: Meyer Maximilian , Rist Bernd , Strasser Johannes , Lang Undine E. , Vogel Marc , Dürsteler Kenneth M. , Walter Marc
Published: March 2022

Background

Heroin-assisted treatment has proven effective in reducing criminal offenses in opioid dependent individuals. Few studies attempted to explain the observed crime reduction and the reasons why these patients keep offending and getting incarcerated have to date not been explored.

Methods

Patients with a history of incarcerations during the time of participating in heroin-assisted treatment (n = 22) were invited to a semi-structured, narrative interview. Findings were evaluated with Mayring’s qualitative content analysis framework. Additionally, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment test and the multiple-choice vocabulary intelligence test used to assess cognitive impairment and premorbid intelligence levels.

Results

Three main categories emerged in patients’ narratives on their incarcerations: cocaine use, impaired functioning, and financial constraints. Lifetime prevalence of cocaine use disorder was 95.5% and their cocaine use often led to patients getting incarcerated. Impaired functioning mainly constituted the inability to receive and open mail. Financial constraints led to incarcerations in lieu of payment in 16 participants (72.7%). Categories overlapped notably and often occurred in close temporal proximity. A fourth category on the likelihood of getting incarcerated again in the future was inhomogeneous and ranged from the strong conviction to complete rejection of the scenario. Average premorbid intelligence levels were found, whereas the cognitive assessment suggested severe cognitive impairment in our sample.

Conclusion

Participants mainly reported to have committed minor offenses and not being able to pay for resulting fines. The resulting prison sentences are an unconvincing practice from a medical and economic perspective alike. Public expenditure and the interruptions of the continuum of care could be reduced by legislatively protecting these marginalised patients.
Working mothers during COVID-19: a cross-sectional study on mental health status and associations with the receipt of employment benefits
Authors: Kirwin Melissa A. , Ettinger Anna K.
Published: March 2022

Background

Beyond the sweeping physiological effects of COVID-19 infections in 2020 and 2021, the psychosocial impacts of lockdowns, social distancing, and the associated disruptions to daily life have brought on a simultaneous mental health crisis, particularly among many working mothers who are disproportionately balancing childcare, virtual schooling, and employment vulnerability. The aim of this study was to measure the mental health status of working mothers in the United States and associations with the provision of family-friendly employment benefits one year into the pandemic.

Methods

Cross-sectional data were collected from a sample of working mothers in the U.S. using an online survey of mental health status and the receipt of employer-provided family-friendly benefits. Mental health was measured with the Kessler 6 (K-6) and the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (SWEMWBS). Perceived helpfulness of benefits was assessed through self-reported Likert-scale scores of 0 (not at all helpful) to 4 (extremely helpful) to determine mean helpfulness scores for benefit types. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine associations between receipt of employment benefits and serious mental illness (SMI).

Results

A total of 728 participants met the study criteria, 83.7% were non-Hispanic/Latino white and 61.1% were 35–44 years of age. Among study participants, 54.3% (n = 395) and 21.8% (n = 159) reported psychological distress levels associated with moderate mental illness (MMI) and serious mental illness (SMI), respectively. Not receiving benefits was associated with a 50% increase in odds of SMI (aOR = 1.50, 95% CI [1.03–2.20], p = 0.036). Benefits perceived to be the most helpful for participants were flexible hours/schedule (3.5; SD ± 0.9), flexible work location (3.3; SD ± 1.1), and supplemental paid time off (3.1; SD ± 1.1), with mean scores above very helpful.

Conclusion

Results suggest employment benefits may help support the mental health of working mothers and provide a call to action to employers and policy stakeholders to develop solutions addressing gaps in workplace benefits and mental health support for working parents, with sustainable reform in mind to mitigate employment benefit inequities exposed by the pandemic.
Location, location, location: a discrete choice experiment to inform COVID-19 vaccination programme delivery in the UK
Authors: McPhedran Robert , Gold Natalie , Bemand Charlotte , Weston Dale , Rosen Rachel , Scott Robert , Chadborn Tim , Amlôt Richard , Mawby Max , Toombs Ben
Published: March 2022

Background

Large-scale vaccination is fundamental to combatting COVID-19. In March 2021, the UK’s vaccination programme had delivered vaccines to large proportions of older and more vulnerable population groups; however, there was concern that uptake would be lower among young people. This research was designed to elicit the preferences of 18–29-year-olds regarding key delivery characteristics and assess the influence of these on intentions to get vaccinated, to inform planning for this cohort.

Methods

From 25 March to 2 April 2021, an online sample of 2012 UK adults aged 18–29 years participated in a Discrete Choice Experiment. Participants made six choices, each involving two SMS invitations to book a vaccination appointment and an opt-out. Invitations had four attributes (1 × 5 levels, 3 × 3 levels): delivery mode, appointment timing, proximity, and sender. These were systematically varied according to a d-optimal design. Responses were analysed using a mixed logit model.

Results

The main effects logit model revealed a large alternative-specific constant (β = 1.385, SE = 0.067, p < 0.001), indicating a strong preference for ‘opting in’ to appointment invitations. Pharmacies were dispreferred to the local vaccination centre (β = − 0.256, SE = 0.072, p < 0.001), appointments in locations that were 30–45 min travel time from one’s premises were dispreferred to locations that were less than 15 min away (β = − 0.408, SE = 0.054, p < 0.001), and, compared to invitations from the NHS, SMSs forwarded by ‘a friend’ were dispreferred (β = − 0.615, SE = 0.056, p < 0.001) but invitations from the General Practitioner were preferred (β = 0.105, SE = 0.048, p = 0.028).

Conclusions

The results indicated that the existing configuration of the UK’s vaccination programme was well-placed to deliver vaccines to 18–29-year-olds; however, some adjustments might enhance acceptance. Local pharmacies were not preferred; long travel times were a disincentive but close proximity (0–15 min from one’s premises) was not necessary; and either the ‘NHS’ or ‘Your GP’ would serve as adequate invitation sources. This research informed COVID-19 policy in the UK, and contributes to a wider body of Discrete Choice Experiment evidence on citizens’ preferences, requirements and predicted behaviours regarding COVID-19.
The inequalities and determinants of Households’ Distress Financing on Out-off-Pocket Health expenditure in Malaysia
Authors: Mohd Hassan Nor Zam Azihan , Mohd Nor Sham Kunusagaran Mohd Shaiful Jefri , Zaimi Nur Amalina , Aminuddin Farhana , Ab Rahim Fathullah Iqbal , Jawahir Suhana , Abdul Karim Zulkefly
Published: March 2022

Background

Out-of-pocket (OOP) payments for healthcare services potentially have severe consequences on households, especially among the poor. Under certain circumstances, healthcare payments are financed through selling household assets, or borrowings. This certainly could influence households’ decision, which likely resorts to forgoing healthcare services. Thus, the focal point of this study is aimed to identify the inequalities and determinants of distress financing among households in Malaysia.

Methods

This study used secondary data from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2019, a national cross-sectional household survey that used a two-stage stratified random sampling design involving 5,146 households. The concentration curve and concentration index were used to determine the economic inequalities in distress financing. Whereas, the determinants of distress financing were identified using the modified Poisson regression model.

Results

The prevalence of borrowing without interest was the highest (13.86%), followed by borrowing with interest (1.03%) while selling off assets was the lowest (0.87%). Borrowing without interest was highest among rural (16.21%) and poor economic status (23.34%). The distribution of distress financing was higher among the poor, with a concentration index of -0.245. The modified Poisson regression analysis revealed that the poor, middle, rich, and richest had 0.57, 0.58, 0.40 and 0.36 times the risk to develop distress financing than the poorest socio-economic group. Whereas, the presence of one and two or more elderly were associated with a 1.94 and 1.59 times risk of experiencing distress financing than households with no elderly members. The risk of developing distress financing was also 1.28 and 1.58 times higher among households with one and two members receiving inpatient care in the past 12 months compared to none.

Conclusions

The findings implied that the improvement of health coverage should be emphasized to curtail the prevalence of distress financing, especially among those caring for the elderly, requiring admission to hospitals, and poor socio-economic groups. This study could be of interest to policymakers to help achieve and sustain health coverage for all.
The effect of barberry (Berberis integerrima) on lipid profile and systemic inflammation in subjects with cardiovascular risk factors: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Emamat Hadi , Zahedmehr Ali , Asadian Sanaz , Nasrollahzadeh Javad
Published: March 2022

Background

Despite significant advances in the management of cardiovascular disease (CVDs), there is still a large burden of CVD in the world. The inclusion of functional foods in the diet may provide beneficial effects on CVD. Purple-black barberry due to its richness in anthocyanins and berberine has shown beneficial effects on cardiometabolic factors. We investigated the effects of barberry on plasma lipids as well as inflammatory biomarkers in subjects with cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods

This was an 8-weeks, single-blinded, randomized controlled clinical trial that the participants were randomly assigned to a barberry (10 g/day dried barberry) or placebo group. At baseline and end of the study, plasma lipid profiles including total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), small-dense LDL-C (sd-LDL-C), non-HDL-C, and TC/HDL-C, as well as inflammatory biomarkers including C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), were determined. An intention-to-treat analysis was performed.

Results

Eighty-four participants were randomly assigned to study groups. The mean (± SD) participants' age was 54.06 ± 10.19 years. Body weight, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, and dietary intake were not different between the two groups at baseline and the end of the study. After adjusting for baseline values, we observed a significant decrease in plasma levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, sd-LDL-C, non-HDL-C, and TC/HDL-C (p < 0.001, p = 0.011, p = 0.015, p = 0.019, p = 0.004, and p = 0.039 respectively) as well as CRP (p = 0.020) in the barberry group compared to the placebo group.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that purple-black barberry consumption decreases plasma levels of CRP and improves lipid profile in subjects with cardiovascular risk factors.

Trial registration

This clinical trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT number: NCT04084847).
“We could be good partners if we work together”: the perspectives of health and social service providers on the barriers to forming collaborative partnerships with social housing providers for older adults
Authors: Sheppard Christine L. , Gould Sarah , Guilcher Sara J. T. , Liu Barbara , Linkewich Elizabeth , Austen Andrea , Hitzig Sander L.
Published: March 2022

Background

Many older adults are aging-at-home in social housing. However, the lack of integration between housing and health services makes it difficult for older tenants to access needed supports. We examined barriers and facilitators health and social service providers face providing on-site services to older tenants.

Methods

We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews and focus groups with health and social service professionals (n = 58) in Toronto, Canada who provide community programs in support of older tenants who live in non-profit, rent-geared-to-income social housing. Interviews examined the barriers they faced in providing on-site services to older tenants.

Findings

Service providers strongly believed that collaboration with on-site housing staff led to better health and housing outcomes for older tenants. Despite the recognized benefits of partnering with housing staff, service providers felt that their ability to work effectively in the building was dependent on the staff (particularly the superintendent) assigned to that building. They also identified other barriers that made it difficult to work collaboratively with the housing provider, including staffing challenges such as high staff turnover and confusion about staff roles, a lack of understanding among housing staff about the link between housing and health, challenges sharing confidential information across sectors, and complex and inefficient partnership processes.

Conclusion

Older adult tenants are increasingly vulnerable and in need of supports but the housing provider has a long history of ineffective partnerships with service providers driven by complex and inefficient staffing models, and an organizational culture that questions the role of and need for partnerships. Findings highlight the need for more effective integration of housing and health services. Simplified processes for establishing partnerships with service agencies and more opportunities for communication and collaboration with housing staff would ensure that services are reaching the most vulnerable tenants.
Health insurance coverage and antenatal care services utilization in West Africa
Authors: Dadjo Joshua , Ahinkorah Bright Opoku , Yaya Sanni
Published: March 2022

Background

In recent decades, there has been a significant focus towards the improvement of maternal mortality indicators in low-and middle-income countries. Though progress has been made around the world, West Africa has maintained an elevated burden of diseases. One proposed solution to increasing access to primary care services is health insurance coverage. As limited evidence exists, we sought to understand the relationship between health insurance coverage and at least four antenatal care (ANC) visits in West Africa.

Methods

Demographic and Health Survey data from 10 West African countries were weighted, cleaned, and analysed. The total sample was 79,794 women aged 15 to 49 years old were considered for the analysis. Health insurance coverage was the explanatory variable, and the outcome variable was number of ANC visits. The data were analysed using binary logistic regression. The results were presented using crude and adjusted odds ratio (aOR) at 95% confidence interval.

Results

Approximately 86.73% of women who were covered by health insurance had four or more ANC visits, compared to 55.15% for women without insurance. In total, 56.91% of the total sample attended a minimum of four ANC visits. Women with health insurance coverage were more likely to make the minimum recommended number of ANC visits than their non-insured-peers (aOR [95% CI] =1.55 [1.37–1.73]).

Conclusion

Health insurance is a significant determinant in accessing primary care services for pregnant women. Yet, very few in the region are covered by an insurance scheme. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, policy makers should prioritize rapid solutions to provide primary care while setting the infrastructure for long-term and sustainable options such as publicly run health insurance schemes.
Talking together in rural palliative care: a qualitative study of interprofessional collaboration in Norway
Authors: Johansen May-Lill , Ervik Bente
Published: March 2022

Background

Caring for people with palliative care needs in their homes requires close collaboration within and between primary and hospital care. However, such close collaboration is often lacking. Transitions of care are potentially unsafe and distressing points in a patient trajectory. Few studies have explored the experiences of healthcare professionals in the community who receive patients from hospital care and provide them with palliative care at home.

Objective

To explore how rural health professionals experience local and regional collaboration on patients in need of palliative care.

Methods

This was a qualitative focus group and interview study in rural Northern Norway involving 52 primary care health professionals including district nurses, general practitioners, oncology nurses, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists. Five uni-professional focus group discussions were followed by five interprofessional discussions and six individual interviews. Transcripts were analysed thematically.

Results

“Talking together” was perceived as the optimal form of collaboration, both within primary care and with specialists. Nurses and GPs had similar perceptions of their worst-case scenario in primary palliative care: the sudden arrival after working hours of a sick patient about whom they lacked information. These situations could be the result of a short notice transfer from secondary care or an emergency presentation after a crisis in patient management locally, the latter often resulting in a hospital admission. Participants missed timely and detailed discharge letters and in complex cases a telephone call or conference. Locally, co-location was perceived as advantageous for crucial communication, mutual support, and knowledge about each other’s competencies and work schedule. Because local health professionals belonged to different units within the primary health care organisation, in some places they had limited knowledge about each other’s roles and skill sets.

Conclusions

Lack of communication, both locally and between specialist and primary care, was a key factor in the worst-case patient scenarios for GPs and nurses working in primary palliative care in rural Northern Norway. Co-location of primary care professionals promoted local collaboration and should be encouraged. Hospital discharge planning should involve the receiving primary care professionals.
Molecular prevalence and subtyping of Cryptosporidium spp. in fecal samples collected from stray cats in İzmir, Turkey
Authors: Köseoğlu Ahmet Efe , Can Hüseyin , Karakavuk Muhammet , Güvendi Mervenur , Değirmenci Döşkaya Aysu , Manyatsi Pumla Bhekiwe , Döşkaya Mert , Gürüz Adnan Yüksel , Ün Cemal
Published: March 2022

Background

Cryptosporidium spp. are obligate intracellular apicomplexan parasites transmitted to humans and other animals by contaminated water, food, or direct contact. They mainly cause gastrointestinal symptoms, although subclinical infections are also common. Cats are primarily infected by host-adapted Cryptosporidium felis while C. parvum and C. muris have also been detected in some cases. In this study, the molecular prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. was investigated by screening 399 fecal samples collected from stray cats using nested PCR targeting the 18S rRNA gene for the first time in Turkey. Additionally, Cryptosporidium PCR-positive samples were genotyped by nested PCR- restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), and subsequently, amplicons of 18S SSU rRNA were sequenced. They were further subtyped by amplification and sequencing of the gp60 gene.

Results

Among fecal samples screened, 12 of them (3%) were found to be Cryptosporidium-positive, and according to RFLP and sequencing of 18S rRNA gene, all positive samples were identified as C. felis. Subtyping analyses at the gp60 gene showed that C. felis isolates belonged to the XIXa subtype family, which are closely related to human subtypes of the parasite.

Conclusions

The results of this study are important in terms of indicating the potential role of stray cats for transmission of Cryptosporidium spp. to humans or other animals. Also, the presence of XIXa, which is the dominant subtype family of C. felis in cats and humans was shown for the first time in stray cats of İzmir, Turkey.
Association of body mass index and COPD exacerbation among patients with chronic bronchitis
Authors: Shin Sun Hye , Kwon Sung Ok , Kim Victor , Silverman Edwin Kepner , Kim Tae-Hyung , Kim Deog Kyeom , Hwang Yong Il , Yoo Kwang Ha , Kim Woo Jin , Park Hye Yun
Published: March 2022

Background and objective

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with a body mass index (BMI) < 25 kg/m2 are prone to develop adverse event of pharmacological treatment for frequent exacerbation. As chronic bronchitis (CB) is one of the strong risk factors of exacerbation, we investigated the associations between BMI and COPD exacerbations in patients with CB.

Methods

Patients with COPD were included from the Korean COPD Subgroup Study (KOCOSS), a multicenter observational cohort study. CB was defined using the St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire and the participants were categorized according to BMI cut-off of 25 kg/m2. Exacerbations during a 1-year follow-up were compared among four groups: non-CB with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2, non-CB with BMI < 25 kg/m2, CB with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2, and CB with BMI < 25 kg/m2.

Results

Among the 1264 patients with COPD, 451 (35.7%) had CB and 353 (27.9%) had both CB and BMI < 25 kg/m2. The COPD exacerbation risk increased across the non-CB with BMI < 25 kg/m2, CB with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2, and CB with BMI < 25 kg/m2 groups (adjusted incidence rate ratio [95% confidence interval] 1.21 [0.89–1.62], 1.20 [0.77–1.88], and 1.41 [1.02–1.91], respectively, compared to the non-CB with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 group).

Conclusions

COPD patients having both CB and a BMI < 25 kg/m2 are at higher risk of exacerbations. Considering that a BMI < 25 kg/m2 often limits treatment options preventing exacerbations, modified guidelines might be needed for non-obese CB patients in Asia.
Using routine programmatic data to measure HIV incidence among pregnant women in Botswana
Authors: Ortblad Katrina F. , Mawandia Shreshth , Bakae Odirile , Tau Lenna , Grande Matias , Mogomotsi Goabaone Pankie , Mmatli Esther , Ngombo Modise , Seckel Laura , Heffron Renee , Pintye Jillian , Ledikwe Jenny
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa have high risk of HIV acquisition, yet approaches for measuring maternal HIV incidence using routine surveillance systems are undefined. We used programmatic data from routine antenatal care (ANC) HIV testing in Botswana to measure real-world HIV incidence during pregnancy.

Methods

From January 2018 to September 2019, the Botswana Ministry of Health and Wellness implemented an HIV testing program at 139 ANC clinics. The program captured information on testers’ age, testing date and result, and antiretroviral treatment (ART) initiation. In our analysis, we excluded individuals who previously tested HIV-positive prior to their first ANC visit. We defined incident HIV infection as testing HIV-positive at an ANC visit after a prior HIV-negative result within ANC.

Results

Overall, 29,570 pregnant women (median age 26 years, IQR 22–31) tested for HIV at ANC clinics: 3% (836) tested HIV-positive at their first recorded ANC visit and 97% tested HIV-negative (28,734). Of those who tested HIV-negative, 28% (7940/28,734) had a repeat HIV test recorded at ANC. The median time to HIV re-testing was 92 days (IQR 70–112). In total, 17 previously undiagnosed HIV infections were detected (HIV incidence 8 per 1000 person-years, 95% CI 0.5–1.3). ART initiation among women newly diagnosed with HIV at ANC (853) was 88% (671/762).

Conclusions

In Botswana, real-world HIV incidence among pregnant women at ANC remains above levels of HIV epidemic control (≤ 1 per 1000 person-years). This study shows how HIV programmatic data can answer timely population-level epidemiological questions and inform ongoing implementation of HIV prevention and treatment programs.