bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Music in noise recognition: An EEG study of listening effort in cochlear implant users and normal hearing controls
Authors: Cartocci Giulia , Inguscio Bianca Maria Serena , Giorgi Andrea , Vozzi Alessia , Leone Carlo Antonio , Grassia Rosa , Di Nardo Walter , Di Cesare Tiziana , Fetoni Anna Rita , Freni Francesco , Ciodaro Francesco , Galletti Francesco , Albera Roberto , Canale Andrea , Piccioni Lucia Oriella , Babiloni Fabio
Published: August 2023

Despite the plethora of studies investigating listening effort and the amount of research concerning music perception by cochlear implant (CI) users, the investigation of the influence of background noise on music processing has never been performed. Given the typical speech in noise recognition task for the listening effort assessment, the aim of the present study was to investigate the listening effort during an emotional categorization task on musical pieces with different levels of background noise. The listening effort was investigated, in addition to participants’ ratings and performances, using EEG features known to be involved in such phenomenon, that is alpha activity in parietal areas and in the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), that includes the Broca’s area. Results showed that CI users performed worse than normal hearing (NH) controls in the recognition of the emotional content of the stimuli. Furthermore, when considering the alpha activity corresponding to the listening to signal to noise ratio (SNR) 5 and SNR10 conditions subtracted of the activity while listening to the Quiet condition—ideally removing the emotional content of the music and isolating the difficulty level due to the SNRs- CI users reported higher levels of activity in the parietal alpha and in the homologous of the left IFG in the right hemisphere (F8 EEG channel), in comparison to NH. Finally, a novel suggestion of a particular sensitivity of F8 for SNR-related listening effort in music was provided.
Dose estimates and their uncertainties for use in epidemiological studies of radiation-exposed populations in the Russian Southern Urals
Authors: Shishkina Elena A. , Napier Bruce A. , Preston Dale L. , Degteva Marina O.
Published: August 2023

Many residents of the Russian Southern Urals were exposed to radioactive environmental pollution created by the operations of the Mayak Production Association in the mid- 20th century. There were two major releases: the discharge of about 1x1017 Bq of liquid waste into the Techa River between 1949 and 1959; and the atmospheric release of 7.4 * 1016 Bq as a result an explosion in the radioactive waste-storage facility in 1957. The releases into the Techa River resulted in the exposure of more than 30,000 people who lived in riverside villages between 1950 and 1961. The 1957 accident contaminated a larger area with the highest exposure levels in an area that is called the East Urals Radioactive Trace (EURT). Current epidemiologic studies of the exposed populations are based on dose estimates obtained using a Monte-Carlo dosimetry system (TRDS-2016MC) that provides multiple realizations of the annual doses for each cohort member. These dose realizations provide a central estimate of the individual dose and information on the uncertainty of these dose estimates. In addition, the correlation of individual annual doses over realizations provides important information on shared uncertainties that can be used to assess the impact of shared dose uncertainties on risk estimate uncertainty.This paper considers dose uncertainties in the TRDS-2016MC. Individual doses from external and internal radiation sources were reconstructed for 48,036 people based on environmental contamination patterns, residential histories, individual 90Sr body-burden measurements and dietary intakes. Dietary intake of 90Sr resulted in doses accumulated in active bone marrow (or simply, marrow) that were an order of magnitude greater than those in soft tissues. About 84% of the marrow dose and 50% of the stomach dose was associated with internal exposures. The lognormal distribution is well-fitted to the individual dose realizations, which, therefore, could be expressed and easily operated in terms of geometric mean (GM) and geometric standard deviation (GSD). Cohort average GM for marrow and stomach cumulative doses are 0.21 and 0.03 Gy, respectively. Cohort average dose uncertainties in terms of GSD are as follows: for marrow it is 2.93 (90%CI: 2.02–4.34); for stomach and the other non-calcified tissues it is 2.32 (90% CI: 1.78–2.9).
A remanufacturing supply chain network with differentiated new and remanufactured products considering consumer preference, production capacity constraint and government regulation
Authors: Zhang Xuemei , Zhou Gengui , Cao Jian , Lu Jiansha
Published: August 2023

Remanufacturing is a sustainable product reutilization strategy to realize responsible consumption and production. However, remanufacturing practice can be subject to deficient consumer perception, production capacity constraint, uncertain demand and government intervention. This paper considers outsourced remanufacturing mode to establish and investigate a remanufacturing supply chain (RSC) network consisting of multiple manufacturers, retailers and remanufacturers. Optimality conditions with RSC network members are derived utilizing variation inequality. Numerical examples based on data accumulated from a remanufacturing enterprise and questionnaire survey on consumer perception for remanufactured products, are presented to put the proposed model into practice. Influences of product heterogeneity (new and remanufactured products), consumer preference, production capacity constraint, product price competitiveness, market demand fluctuation, and government financial measures on RSC network production and pricing strategies are investigated through numerical analyses. Analytical results indicate that pricing for the remanufactured product would be equivalent to that of the new product when consumers value the remanufactured product at a relatively high level, however an excessive penchant for the remanufactured product is less profitable especially from the perspective of the remanufacturer. In general, an upper-middle level of consumer preference for the remanufactured product is the most favourable scenario. When remanufacturing industry is just emerging, a high tax will be imposed on the manufacturer to accumulate remanufacturing subsidy for the government to achieve its balanced budget. As the remanufacturing industry develops and consumer environmental awareness enhances, it is especially essential for the government to establish a levy-subsidy mechanism to maintain sustainable progress of the industry. Combining main conclusions with the background of Chinese remanufacturing industry, managerial implications are provided from respective perspectives of enterprises’ remanufacturing operation, government financial regulation, and consumer awareness enhancement. The analyses and results are especially relevant as a reference for remanufacturing decision-makings as well as government financial regulations, thus enhancing production sustainability as well as environmental benefits.
Diagnostic utility of quantitative analysis of microRNA in bile samples obtained during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for malignant biliary strictures
Authors: Kuniyoshi Noriyuki , Imazu Hiroo , Masuzaki Ryota , Yamazaki Motomi , Hamana Suguru , Nomura Shuzo , Hayama Jo , Osawa Rota , Yamada Koji , Fujisawa Mariko , Saito Kei , Kogure Hirofumi
Published: August 2023

Background

The sensitivity of bile cytology for malignant biliary strictures is not adequate. To overcome this limitation, we evaluated whether quantitative analysis of microRNAs (miRNAs) in bile can provide a precise diagnosis of malignant biliary strictures due to pancreatic cancer (PC) and biliary tract cancer (BTC).

Methods

This was a retrospective evaluation of miRNA levels in stored bile samples of patients with PC, BTC or benign biliary stricture obtained during biliary drainage from April 2019 to December 2021 at our institution. A total of 113 patients (PC; n = 40, BTC; n = 38, control; n = 35) were enrolled. The miRNA candidates to be quantified were determined with microarray analysis from each 3 patients with PC, BTC and controls.

Results

Using microarray analysis, we confirmed four significantly up-regulated miRNAs (miR-1275, miR-6891-5p, miR-7107-5p, miR-3197) in patients with PC and BTC compared to control patients. Quantitative PCR was then performed in 113 bile samples for these miRNAs. miR-1275 was significantly upregulated in PC (p = 0.003) and BTC (p = 0.049) compared to controls, miR-6891-5p was significantly upregulated in PC compared to controls (p = 0.025). In particular, a combination of bile cytology and miR-1275 in bile showed a sensitivity of 77.5% (95% CI, 70.7–77.5%), specificity of 100% (95% CI, 92.2–100%) and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.93, and provided a significantly greater additional diagnostic effect than bile cytology alone (p = 0.014).

Conclusions

This study suggest that bile miRNAs could be potential biomarkers for pancreato-biliary diseases, particularly miR-1275 and miR-6891-5p may be helpful in the diagnosis of PC and BTC.
Prognostic role of vitamin D receptor in digestive system tumours: A systematic review and preliminary meta-analysis
Authors: Zhao Miaomiao , Liu Zhenhua , Shi Hongtai , Song Jianxiang
Published: August 2023

The prognostic value of vitamin D receptor (VDR) in a variety of digestive system tumours remains controversial. In view of this, we conducted a meta-analysis. Published studies (as of Mar 30, 2023) assessing the prognostic role of VDR in digestive system tumours were retrieved. Pooled analyses were conducted based on the hazard ratios (HRs) of high VDR expression extracted from the included studies. If heterogeneity was detected, the random-effects model was used; otherwise, the fixed-effects model was used. Subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis and meta-regression were performed to explore the sources of heterogeneity. Eight studies with 3,109 patients were included. The pooled results indicated that patients with high VDR expression generally had better overall survival (OS) (pooled HR = 0.67; 95% CI = 0.53–0.85; P = 0.001). Subgroup analyses showed that tumour type was the variable affecting the association between VDR expression and OS. VDR expression in colorectal cancer was not associated with OS (pooled HR = 0.84; 95% CI = 0.68–1.03; P = 0.086). We eliminated publication bias using the “trim and fill” method and found that high VDR expression remained an indicator of good OS (P = 0.001). Only a few studies explored the relationship between VDR expression and cancer-specific survival (CSS) or progression-free survival (PFS), and the pooled results indicated no association between them (P>0.05). VDR expression is a prognostic indicator in digestive system tumours and may also be used as a reference for vitamin D supplementation. Detection of VDR expression not only helps to evaluate prognosis but also to formulate more precise treatment plans for patients with digestive system tumours.
The prevalence of hypertension and hypertension control among married Namibian couples
Authors: Weare Alice Rose , Feng Zhixin , McGrath Nuala
Published: August 2023

Background

Previous studies suggest that having a marital partner with hypertension is associated with an individual’s increased risk of hypertension, however this has not been investigated in sub-Saharan Africa despite hypertension being a common condition; the age-standardised prevalence of hypertension was 46.0% in 2013 in Namibia.

Objective

To explore whether there is spousal concordance for hypertension and hypertension control in Namibia.

Methods

Couples data from the 2013 Namibia Demographic and Health Survey were analysed. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to explore the odds of individual’s hypertension based on their partner’s hypertension status, 492 couples. and the odds of hypertension control in individuals based on their partner’s hypertension control (121 couples), where both members had hypertension. Separate models were built for female and male outcomes for both research questions to allow independent consideration of risk factors to be analysed for female and males.

Results

The unadjusted odds ratio of 1.57 (CI 1.10–2.24) for hypertension among individuals (both sexes) whose partner had hypertension compared to those whose partner did not have hypertension, was attenuated to aOR 1.35 (CI 0.91–2.00) for females (after adjustment for age, BMI, diabetes, residence, individual and partner education) and aOR 1.42 (CI 0.98–2.07) for males (after adjustment for age and BMI). Females and males were significantly more likely to be in control of their hypertension if their partner also had controlled hypertension, aOR 3.69 (CI 1.23–11.12) and aOR 3.00 (CI 1.07–8.36) respectively.

Conclusions

Having a partner with hypertension was positively associated with having hypertension among married Namibian adults, although not statistically significant after adjustment. Partner’s hypertension control was significantly associated with individual hypertension control. Couples—focused interventions, such as routine partner screening of hypertensive individuals, could be developed in Namibia.
Increasing early infant male circumcision uptake in Zambia: Like father like son
Authors: Weiss Stephen M. , Rodriguez Violeta J. , Cook Ryan R. , Bowa Kasonde , Zulu Robert , Mweemba Oliver , Kamboyi Royd , Castro Jose , Dunleavy Victoria Orrego , Alcaide Maria L. , Jones Deborah L.
Published: August 2023

Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) is an effective strategy for HIV prevention in areas with high prevalence of, and risk for, HIV. More than 361,000 male neonates are born each year in Zambia, many of whom could be eligible for Early-Infant Medical Circumcision (EIMC). Building on successful implementation strategies utilized in our Spear & Shield program, this pilot study, “Like Father, Like Son” (LFLS), evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of offering combined EIMC and VMMC services and couple-level behavioral interventions. A total of N = 702 pregnant women and their male partners (n = 351 couples) were recruited and enrolled. Couples were assessed twice pre-birth, 2 weeks post birth, and 6 months post birth. Expectant mothers were an average of 15.05 weeks pregnant (SD = 8.83). Thirty-nine pregnancies did not result in a live birth (11%), 14 couples withdrew from the study or were lost to follow-up prior to delivery (4%), and 148 babies were born female (42%), leaving 150 couples with a male infant in the analytic sample (43%). The LFLS study achieved significantly higher EIMC rates (35%) in comparison with previously observed EIMC study rates in Zambia (11%), and significantly higher than hypothetical comparison rates up to 30%. Relative to baseline rates, odds of VMMC among couples’ older sons increased by 31% at post-intervention and by 90% at two-weeks following birth. Overall, this pilot study found the LFLS intervention to be feasible, acceptable, and effective in doubling the rate of EIMC in comparison with a previous longitudinal study in Zambia. Future research should consider a family-centric approach to promotion of male circumcision for infants and adolescents. LFLS may be effective in promoting father-son “bonding” by MC status; a bond that may be a bridge to increase both EIMC and VMMC uptake in newborns and couples’ older sons and is a novel leverage point for promotion of this HIV prevention strategy.
A qualitative analysis examining intersectional stigma among young adults living with HIV in Atlanta, Georgia
Authors: Goldstein Madeleine H. , Moore Shamia , Mohamed Munira , Byrd Rosalind , Curtis Michael G. , Rice Whitney S. , Camacho-Gonzalez Andres , Zanoni Brian C. , Hussen Sophia A.
Published: August 2023

HIV-related stigma is a barrier to engagement in care for young adults living with HIV. Other intersecting forms of stigma (e.g., racism, sexism, homophobia), may worsen HIV-related stigma and impact engagement in care. From November 2020 to February 2021, we conducted 20 in-depth qualitative interviews among young adults living with HIV attending a large, comprehensive HIV care center in Atlanta, Georgia. Semi-structured interview guides based on Earnshaw and Chaudoir’s HIV Stigma Framework and the theory of intersectionality facilitated discussion around experiences with various forms of stigma and its possible influence on healthcare engagement. Using the social-ecological model, we used thematic analysis to contextualize how young adults living with HIV experienced intersectional stigma and enacted, anticipated, and internalized HIV stigma in both healthcare and non-healthcare settings. Most participants identified as male, Black/African American, and gay. Participants described stigma at intrapersonal, interpersonal, clinic, and community levels. Intrapersonal stigma was associated with delayed care seeking, isolation, and fear of disclosure. Interpersonal stigma included discrimination from family and friends and avoidance of close relationships to elude disclosure. At the clinic level, stigma included negative experiences with staff in HIV and non-HIV healthcare settings, which contributed to decreased engagement in care. Stigma in the community included differential treatment from employers, community leaders, and religious community and was associated with feelings of helplessness related to current societal inequalities. Coping/motivating mechanisms for stigma included prioritizing health, eliciting support from the medical care team and peers. Our findings show different intersecting stigmas are barriers to healthcare at multiple levels for young adults living with HIV, potentially exacerbating existing health and social disparities. To improve engagement in care among young adults living with HIV, future interventions should address the different mechanisms of stigma at community, clinic, interpersonal and intrapersonal levels by enhancing social support and improving healthcare structural competency.
Assessment of the relationship between the level of patient knowledge on warfarin therapy and the quality of oral anticoagulation: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Praxedes Marcus Fernando da Silva , Silva José Luiz Padilha da , Cruz Ana Júlia Alves da , Viana Catiane Costa , Barbosa Hannah Cardoso , Guimarães Nathália Sernizon , Martins Maria Auxiliadora Parreiras
Published: August 2023

The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between the level of patient knowledge on warfarin therapy and the quality of oral anticoagulation. This is a systematic review and meta-analysis written on the basis of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline. Searches at MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus and LILACS electronic databases were carried out on February 13, 2023, using the descriptors "Patient Medication Knowledge", "Patient Education as Topic", "Health Education", "Patient Education" and Warfarin. The steps of selection, data extraction and quality analysis of articles were performed independently by two reviewers. The analysis was performed considering patient knowledge as a possible modifier of time in therapeutic range (TTR). The meta-analysis included studies that reported the correlation coefficient (Pearson or Spearman) between patient knowledge and TTR. A subgroup analysis was performed according to questionnaires employed to measure patient knowledge. Twelve studies were selected with an overall sample size of 7634 participants and mean age 58.2 (standard deviation (SD)±12,8) years. Eleven (92.0%) cross-sectional studies. The mean TTR was 57.8% (SD±11,3%) and the average level of knowledge was 60.4%. The meta-analysis indicated that patient level of knowledge on warfarin therapy was moderately associated with TTR (rs = 0.435; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.163–0.645; I2 = 96%). Subgroup analysis indicated association between knowledge level and TTR in studies employing the OAK test (rs = 0.617; 95% CI = 0.192–0.847; I2 = 97%) and the AKA (rs = 0.269; 95% CI = 0.002 to 0.501; I2 = 94%). However, the subgroup analysis presented no significant difference between them (p = 0.14). The meta-regression showed a non-significant negative effect of age on the correlation (estimate = -0.028, 95% CI = -0.073 to 0.016, p = 0.207). No publication bias was noted (p = 0.881). To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review and meta-analysis gathering evidence about the relationship between the level of patient knowledge on oral anticoagulation with warfarin and TTR. The implementation of structured and patient-centered educational interventions is essential to effectively increase the level of patient knowledge and, thus, to improve the quality and safety of warfarin therapy. Systematic review registration number: PROSPERO CRD42023398030.
Multidimensional performance assessment, government competition and ecological welfare performance
Authors: Li Shanhong , Lv Yanqin , Fan Tianzheng , Zhang Ziye , Feng Gao , Jing Chen
Published: August 2023

Improving the efficiency of converting natural resources into social benefits is an important issue for sustainable development in today’s world. Based on this background this paper applies the super-efficient SBM model with non-expected output to measure the ecological welfare performance (EWP) of Chinese provinces from 2005–2019, and explores the relationship between government competition and EWP under different assessment systems. The research results show that government competition under economic performance assessment is self-interested and short-sighted, which can negatively affect ecological welfare performance in the current period as well as in the next four years. In contrast, government competition under the environmental assessment system promotes EWP in both the current and long term, balancing short-term and long-term benefits. The results of the spatial GMM found that government competition under economic performance appraisal can deteriorate EWP in local as well as surrounding areas, but government competition under the environmental assessment system can achieve an increase in local ecological welfare performance and the spillover effect is not significant. To alleviate the limitations of a single appraisal system, this paper incorporates both economic and ecological appraisals into the multidimensional appraisal system. When the weights of both are between 1:9 and 3:7, the government competition under multidimensional performance appraisal can promote both current and longer-term EWP, and achieve its own ecological welfare performance without affecting the surrounding areas.
Role demands and turnover intention among Covid-19 frontline nurses: The mediating and moderating roles of compassion fatigue and spiritual leadership
Authors: Kachie Arielle Doris Tetgoum , Zhou Lulin , Quansah Prince Ewudzie , Xu Xinglong , Epalle Thomas Martial , Ngajie Berty Nsolly
Published: August 2023

The working conditions created by the Covid-19 pandemic have been proven to amplify frontline nurses’ desire to leave their profession in recent years; thus, exploring new causing variables is vital. This cross-sectional study examined role demands’ direct and indirect effects on turnover intention through compassion fatigue and tested the various dimensions of spiritual leadership as moderators on the relationship between compassion fatigue and turnover intention. A total of 527 valid responses were collected from frontline nurses working in designated hospitals across Zhejiang province in China using a survey questionnaire. The outcomes from the hierarchical regression analysis indicated that role demands positively and significantly impacted turnover intention and compassion fatigue. Besides, compassion fatigue significantly and positively affected turnover intention and mediated its relationship with role demands. However, vision and altruistic love moderated the relationship between compassion fatigue and turnover intention, which was not true for the dimension hope/faith. This study’s findings are a steppingstone for medical firms’ managers and policymakers in demonstrating the likelihood of frontline nurses developing turnover thoughts arising from ambiguous and conflicting roles and the emotional strain from patients’ burdens. Furthermore, an exemplary implementation of spiritual leadership could help enhance nurses’ sense of calling and membership, essential in embracing the organization’s vision and achieving its goals.
Bevacizumab-induced proteinuria and its association with antihypertensive drugs: A retrospective cohort study using a Japanese administrative database
Authors: Kiyomi Anna , Koizumi Fukiko , Imai Shinobu , Yamana Hayato , Horiguchi Hiromasa , Fushimi Kiyohide , Sugiura Munetoshi
Published: August 2023

Proteinuria is a major side-effect of the anti-tumor drug bevacizumab, although its incidence and risk factors in the real world are still unclear. Although renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors are used clinically to prevent proteinuria, their efficacy remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to reveal the incidence and risk factors of bevacizumab-induced proteinuria and examine the effectiveness of antihypertensive drugs in preventing proteinuria. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the National Hospital Organization Clinical Data Archives and Medical Information Analysis Databank. Hospitalized patients who received bevacizumab between January 1, 2016, and June 30, 2019, were included. The study outcome was proteinuria within 12 months of bevacizumab administration. Patient characteristics, laboratory tests, and medications were compared between patients with and without proteinuria using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Among the 2,458 patients, 27% developed proteinuria after bevacizumab administration. Nursing dependence (odds ratio [OR], 2.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.89–3.05; P<0.001) and systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg (OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.17–1.79; P<0.001) were identified as risk factors. Patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 60–89, 45–59, and <45 mL/min/1.73 m2 had 29.7%, 76.8%, and 66.0% higher odds of proteinuria, respectively, than those with an eGFR ≥90 mL/min/1.73 m2. No significant relationship was observed between antihypertensive drugs and the occurrence of proteinuria. More patients may suffer from proteinuria after bevacizumab administration than previously reported. Nursing dependence and systolic blood pressure are predictive risk factors for bevacizumab-induced proteinuria. Patients at risk of proteinuria should be closely monitored.
Independent director compensation and stock price collapse: Inhibition or promotion—based on a financial background perspective
Authors: Dong Guoping , Ma Guifen , Liu Shanqiu
Published: August 2023

This paper takes the financial independent directors’ compensation of listed companies from 2014 to 2020 as the research object and uses empirical analysis to study whether the compensation of financial independent directors promotes or inhibits stock price collapse. The research results show that there is a significant positive correlation between the compensation of financial independent directors of listed companies and stock price collapse. In state-owned enterprises, the compensation of financial independent directors has an inhibitory effect on stock price collapse, but it is not significant. In non-state-owned enterprises, the compensation of financial independent directors has a significant promoting effect on stock price collapse. Further research finds that the improvement of internal control quality can weaken the promoting effect of financial independent directors’ compensation on stock price collapse to a certain extent, and the weakening effect is particularly evident in non-state-owned enterprises. The attendance frequency of financial independent directors cannot effectively suppress stock price collapse, but instead has a promoting effect.
Efficacy of novel SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen tests in the era of omicron outbreak
Authors: Widyasari Kristin , Kim Sunjoo
Published: August 2023

Following the outbreak of Omicron and its subvariants, many of the currently available rapid Ag tests (RATs) showed a decrease in clinical performance. In this study, we evaluated the clinical sensitivity of the SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Antigen Test 2.0 for nasopharyngeal swabs and SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Antigen Test 2.0 Nasal for nasal swabs in 56 symptomatic individuals by comparing the results between RATs, RT-PCR, Omicron RT-PCR, and whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Furthermore, sequences of the Omicron subvariants’ spike proteins were subjected to phylogenetic analysis. Both novel RATs demonstrated a high sensitivity of up to 92.86%, (95% CI 82.71%– 98.02%), 94.23%, (95% CI 83.07%– 98.49%), and 97.95% (95% CI 87.76%– 99.89%) compared to the RT-PCR, Omicron RT-PCR, and WGS, respectively. The clinical sensitivity of RATs was at its highest when the Ct value was restricted to 15≤Ct<25, with a sensitivity of 97.05% for RdRp genes. The Omicron RT-PCR analysis revealed subvariants BA.4 or BA.5 (76.8%) and BA.2.75 (16.1%). Subsequently, the WGS analysis identified BA.5 (65.5%) as the dominant subvariant. Phylogenetic analysis of the spike protein of Omicron’s subvariants showed a close relationship between BA.4, BA.5, and BA.2.75. These results demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Antigen Test 2.0 and SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Antigen Test 2.0 Nasal are considered useful and efficient RATs for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, particularly during the current Omicron subvariants wave.
Coordinators in the return-to-work process: Mapping their work models
Authors: Svärd Veronica , Berglund Erik , Björk Brämberg Elisabeth , Gustafsson Niklas , Engblom Monika , Friberg Emilie
Published: August 2023

Purpose

In recent decades, many countries have implemented return-to-work coordinators to combat high rates of sickness absence and insufficient collaboration in the return-to-work process. The coordinators should improve communication and collaboration between stakeholders in the return-to-work process for people on sickness absence. How they perform their daily work remains unexplored, and we know little about to what extent they collaborate and perform other work tasks to support people on sickness absence. This study examines which work models return-to-work coordinators use in primary healthcare, psychiatry and orthopaedics in Sweden.

Methods

A questionnaire was sent to all 82 coordinators in one region (89% response rate) with questions about the selection of patients, individual patient support, healthcare collaboration, and external collaboration. Random forest classification analysis was used to identify the models.

Results

Three work models were identified. In model A, coordinators were more likely to select certain groups of patients, spend more time in telephone than in face-to-face meetings, and collaborate fairly much. In Model B there was less patient selection and much collaboration and face-to-face meetings. Model C involved little patient selection, much telephone contact and very little collaboration. Model A was more common in primary healthcare, model C in orthopaedics, while model B was distributed equally between primary healthcare and psychiatry.

Conclusion

The work models correspond differently to the coordinator’s assignments of supporting patients and collaborating with healthcare and other stakeholders. The differences lie in how much they actively select patients, how much they collaborate, and with whom. Their different distribution across clinical contexts indicates that organisational demands influence how work models evolve in practice.
Courtship suppression in Drosophila melanogaster: The role of mating failure
Authors: Goncharova Anna A. , Besedina Natalia G. , Bragina Julia V. , Danilenkova Larisa V. , Kamysheva Elena A. , Fedotov Sergei A.
Published: August 2023

Drosophila melanogaster is a popular model organism in the study of memory due to a wide arsenal of methods used to analyze neuronal activity. The most commonly used tests in research of behavioral plasticity are shock avoidance associated with chemosensory cues and courtship suppression after mating failure. Many authors emphasize the value of courtship suppression as a model of behavior most appropriate to natural conditions. However, researchers often investigate courtship suppression using immobilized and decapitated females as targets of courtship by males, which makes the data obtained from such flies less valuable. In our study, we evaluate courtship suppression towards immature mobile non-receptive females after training with mated or immature females combined with an aversive stimulus (quinine). We have shown that the previously described mechanisms of courtship suppression, as a result of the association of the courtship object with the repellent, as well as due to increased sensitivity to the anti-aphrodisiac cVA after mating failure, are not confirmed when immature mobile females are used. We discuss the reasons for the discrepancies between our results and literature data, define the conditions to be met in the courtship suppression test if the aim is to analyze the natural forms of behavioral plasticity, and present data on the test modifications to approximate conditions to natural ones.
Portrait of a killer: Uncovering resistance mechanisms and global spread of Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Cain Amy K. , Hamidian Mehrad
Published: August 2023

Antibiotic resistance is a growing global concern in the field of medicine as it renders bacterial infections difficult to treat and often more severe. Acinetobacter baumannii is a gram-negative bacterial pathogen causing a wide range of infections, including pneumonia, sepsis, urinary tract infections, and wound infections. A. baumannii has emerged as a significant healthcare-associated pathogen due to its high level of antibiotic resistance. The global spread of antibiotic-resistant strains of A. baumannii has resulted in limited treatment options, leading to increased morbidity and mortality rates, especially in vulnerable populations such as the elderly and immunocompromised individuals, as well as longer hospital stays and higher healthcare costs. Further complicating the situation, multi- and pan-drug-resistant strains of A. baumannii are becoming increasingly common, and these deadly strains are resistant to all or almost all available antibiotics. A. baumannii employs various clever strategies to develop antibiotic resistance, including horizontal transfer of resistance genes, overexpression of inherent efflux pumps that remove drugs from the cell, intrinsic mutations, combined with natural selection under antibiotic selective pressure leading to emergence of successful resistance clones. The typical multidrug resistance phenotype of A. baumannii is, therefore, an orchestrated collimation of all these mechanisms combined with the worldwide spread of “global clones,” rendering infections caused by this pathogen challenging to control and treat. To address the escalating problem of antibiotic resistance in A. baumannii, there is a need for increased surveillance, strict infection control measures, and the development of new treatment strategies, requiring a concerted effort by healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers.
Importation of Alpha and Delta variants during the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Switzerland: Phylogenetic analysis and intervention scenarios
Authors: Reichmuth Martina L. , Hodcroft Emma B. , Althaus Christian L.
Published: August 2023

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has led to the emergence of various variants of concern (VoCs) that are associated with increased transmissibility, immune evasion, or differences in disease severity. The emergence of VoCs fueled interest in understanding the potential impact of travel restrictions and surveillance strategies to prevent or delay the early spread of VoCs. We performed phylogenetic analyses and mathematical modeling to study the importation and spread of the VoCs Alpha and Delta in Switzerland in 2020 and 2021. Using a phylogenetic approach, we estimated between 383–1,038 imports of Alpha and 455–1,347 imports of Delta into Switzerland. We then used the results from the phylogenetic analysis to parameterize a dynamic transmission model that accurately described the subsequent spread of Alpha and Delta. We modeled different counterfactual intervention scenarios to quantify the potential impact of border closures and surveillance of travelers on the spread of Alpha and Delta. We found that implementing border closures after the announcement of VoCs would have been of limited impact to mitigate the spread of VoCs. In contrast, increased surveillance of travelers could prove to be an effective measure for delaying the spread of VoCs in situations where their severity remains unclear. Our study shows how phylogenetic analysis in combination with dynamic transmission models can be used to estimate the number of imported SARS-CoV-2 variants and the potential impact of different intervention scenarios to inform the public health response during the pandemic.
Glycosylated extracellular mucin domains protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection at the respiratory surface
Authors: Chatterjee Maitrayee , Huang Liane Z. X. , Mykytyn Anna Z. , Wang Chunyan , Lamers Mart M. , Westendorp Bart , Wubbolts Richard W. , van Putten Jos P. M. , Bosch Berend-Jan , Haagmans Bart L. , Strijbis Karin
Published: August 2023

Mucins play an essential role in protecting the respiratory tract against microbial infections while also acting as binding sites for bacterial and viral adhesins. The heavily O-glycosylated gel-forming mucins MUC5AC and MUC5B eliminate pathogens by mucociliary clearance. Transmembrane mucins MUC1, MUC4, and MUC16 can restrict microbial invasion at the apical surface of the epithelium. In this study, we determined the impact of host mucins and mucin glycans on epithelial entry of SARS-CoV-2. Human lung epithelial Calu-3 cells express the SARS-CoV-2 entry receptor ACE2 and high levels of glycosylated MUC1, but not MUC4 and MUC16, on their cell surface. The O-glycan-specific mucinase StcE specifically removed the glycosylated part of the MUC1 extracellular domain while leaving the underlying SEA domain and cytoplasmic tail intact. StcE treatment of Calu-3 cells significantly enhanced infection with SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus and authentic virus, while removal of terminal mucin glycans sialic acid and fucose from the epithelial surface did not impact viral entry. In Calu-3 cells, the transmembrane mucin MUC1 and ACE2 are located to the apical surface in close proximity and StcE treatment results in enhanced binding of purified spike protein. Both MUC1 and MUC16 are expressed on the surface of human organoid-derived air-liquid interface (ALI) differentiated airway cultures and StcE treatment led to mucin removal and increased levels of SARS-CoV-2 replication. In these cultures, MUC1 was highly expressed in non-ciliated cells while MUC16 was enriched in goblet cells. In conclusion, the glycosylated extracellular domains of different transmembrane mucins might have similar protective functions in different respiratory cell types by restricting SARS-CoV-2 binding and entry.
Solutions for a quasilinear elliptic problem with indefinite nonlinearity with critical growth
Authors: Costa Gustavo , Figueiredo Giovany , Junior José Carlos
Published: August 2023

We are interested in nonhomogeneous problems with a nonlinearity that changes sign and may possess a critical growth as follows

{

−
div
⁡

(

a
(

|

∇
u

|

p

)

|

∇
u

|

p
−
2

∇
u

)

=
λ

|

u

|

q
−
2

u
+
W
(
x
)

|

u

|

r
−
2

u

in
 
Ω
,

u
=
0

on
 
∂
Ω
,

where
Ω
⊂

R

N

is a bounded domain with smooth boundary
∂
Ω
,
N
≥
2
,
1
<
p
≤
q
<
N
,
q
<
r
≤

q
∗

,
λ
∈

R

and function W is a weight function which changes sign in
Ω. Using variational methods, we prove the existence of four solutions: two solutions which do not change sign and two solutions which change sign exactly once in
Ω.
Periodic solution of a bioeconomic fishery model by coincidence degree theory
Authors: Srivastava Satyam , Padhi Seshadev , Domoshnitsky Alexander
Published: August 2023

In this article we use coincidence degree theory to study the existence of a positive periodic solutions to the following bioeconomic model in fishery dynamics

{

d
n

d
t

=
n

(

r
(
t
)

(

1
−

n
K

)

−

q
(
t
)
E

n
+
D

)

,

d
E

d
t

=
E

(

A
(
t
)
q
(
t
)

α
(
t
)

n

n
+
D

−

q
2

(
t
)

α
(
t
)

n
2

E

(
n
+
D

)
2

−
c
(
t
)

)

,

where the functions
r
,
q
,
A
,
c
and α are continuous positive T-periodic functions. This is the model of a coastal fishery represented as a single site with $n(t)$ is the fish stock biomass, and n(t) is the fishing effort. Examples are given to strengthen our results.
New monotonicity properties and oscillation of $n$-order functional differential equations with deviating argument
Authors: Baculíková Blanka
Published: August 2023

In this paper, we offer new technique for investigation of the even order linear differential equations of the form

(

E

)

y

(
n
)

(
t
)
=
p
(
t
)
y
(
τ
(
t
)
)
.

We establish new criteria for bounded and unbounded oscillation of

(

E

)

which improve a number of related ones in the literature. Our approach essentially involves establishing stronger monotonicities for the positive solutions of

(

E

)

than those presented in known works. We illustrate the improvement over known results by applying and comparing our technique with the other known methods on the particular examples.
Mild solutions, variation of constants formula, and linearized stability for delay differential equations
Authors: Nishiguchi Junya
Published: August 2023

The method and the formula of variation of constants for ordinary differential equations (ODEs) is a fundamental tool to analyze the dynamics of an ODE near an equilibrium. It is natural to expect that such a formula works for delay differential equations (DDEs), however, it is well-known that there is a conceptual difficulty in the formula for DDEs. Here we discuss the variation of constants formula for DDEs by introducing the notion of a mild solution, which is a solution under an initial condition having a discontinuous history function. Then the principal fundamental matrix solution is defined as a matrix-valued mild solution, and we obtain the variation of constants formula with this function. This is also obtained in the framework of a Volterra convolution integral equation, but the treatment here gives an understanding in its own right. We also apply the formula to show the principle of linearized stability and the Poincaré–Lyapunov theorem for DDEs, where we do not need to assume the uniqueness of a solution.
Cost of Care for Patients With Cirrhosis
Authors: Kanwal Fasiha , Nelson Richard , Liu Yan , Kramer Jennifer R. , Hernaez Ruben , Cholankeril George , Rana Abbas , Flores Avegail , Smith Donna , Cao Yumei , Beech Bettina , Asch Steven M.
Published: August 2023

INTRODUCTION:

There are limited longitudinal data on the cost of treating patients with cirrhosis, which hampers value-based improvement initiatives.

METHODS:

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with cirrhosis seen in the Veterans Affairs health care system from 2011 to 2015. Patients were followed up through 2019. We identified a sex-matched and age-matched control cohort without cirrhosis. We estimated incremental annual health care costs attributable to cirrhosis for 4 years overall and in subgroups based on severity (compensated, decompensated), cirrhosis complications (ascites, encephalopathy, varices, hepatocellular cancer, acute kidney injury), and comorbidity (Deyo index).

RESULTS:

We compared 39,361 patients with cirrhosis with 138,964 controls. The incremental adjusted costs for caring of patients with cirrhosis were $35,029 (95% confidence interval $32,473–$37,585) during the first year and ranged from $14,216 to $17,629 in the subsequent 3 years. Cirrhosis complications accounted for most of these costs. Costs of managing patients with hepatic encephalopathy (year 1 cost, $50,080) or ascites ($50,364) were higher than the costs of managing patients with varices ($20,488) or hepatocellular cancer ($37,639) in the first year. Patients with acute kidney injury or those who had multimorbidity were the most costly at $64,413 and $66,653 in the first year, respectively.

DISCUSSION:

Patients with cirrhosis had substantially higher health care costs than matched controls and multimorbid patients had even higher costs. Cirrhosis complications accounted for most of the excess cost, so preventing complications has the largest potential for cost saving and could serve as targets for improvement.
Compression syndrome in giant euthyroid goiter
Authors: Demidova T. Yu. , Kochina A. S. , Ibrokhimov Kh. Kh. , Khalilaeva A. P.
Published: August 2023

Given the widespread iodine deficiency, diffuse and diffuse nodular euthyroid goiter is an urgent problem. A large goiter needs to be highlighted both from the perspective of possible complications for the patient, including a decrease in the quality of life and compression syndrome, as well as from the perspective of the complexity of surgical treatment, given the technical complexity of the operation and the high probability of intraoperative and postoperative complications. The article describes a clinical case of a patient admitted to the endocrinology department with a diagnosis of diffuse nodular goiter of the 2nd degree for examination with complaints of a huge deforming formation of the neck contours, difficulty breathing when walking and during sleep. It is known from the anamnesis that the patient has been observed for about 10 years by an endocrinologist with nodular goiter. The patient was repeatedly offered surgical treatment, which he categorically refused. In the Department of endocrinology, the patient underwent a comprehensive examination to assess the condition and function of the thyroid gland, as well as to identify possible complications.
Drug forms of levothyroxine. Is there room for innovation in hypothyroidism treatment?
Authors: Kolpakova E. A. , Voznesenskaya A. A. , Frolkova N. V. , Troshina E. A.
Published: August 2023

Levothyroxine steadily maintains its position as the «gold standard» in the treatment of hypothyroidism. Despite the possibility of step-by-step tableted dose titration of levothyroxine, the results of many studies reliably point to the fact that a significant number of patients do not reach the target level of thyroid hormone. One of the main reasons for the therapy ineffectiveness is the inconvenience of levothyroxine sodium regimen for many patients, associated with the need to observe certain time intervals before meals and other medications. The above-mentioned factors have stimulated a number of studies aimed at developing new dosage forms with significant advantages in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs. The review provides the latest data on the new dosage forms of levothyroxine. Further large-scale clinical trials are needed for a more reasonable and widespread use of new dosage forms of levothyroxine in clinical practice.
ИСТОРИЯ СТАНОВЛЕНИЯ ДЕНЕГ КАК ОБЪЕКТОВ ПРАВА
Authors:   Moscow Financial and Industrial University “Synergy”, VINOKUROV MIKHAIL
Published: August 2023

The article deals with the topic of money as objects of law, their genesis over the last five centuries of Russian history. The main positive and negative features of money as objects of civil rights are highlighted, a conclusion is formed about the use of digital rubles in modern reality.