bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
GO Revisited: Qualitative Analysis of the Starting and Continuing Factors of GO Activity Among Older Adults
Authors: Iizuka Ai , Yamashita Mari , Ura Chiaki , Okamura Tsuyoshi 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background

GO is one of the most popular board games among older adults in Asian countries. Some studies have shown that playing GO helps maintain cognitive function and brain activity. However, the factors that facilitate older adults to start playing GO and their reasons for continuing it remain unclear. This study explored the starting and continuing factors of playing GO among older adults and found concrete methods for social implementation of GO activity aimed at the prevention of and living well with dementia.
Methods

In the field of large community-based interdisciplinary research, we conducted semi-structured interviews using a qualitative descriptive approach with six amateur GO players who began playing when they were 65 years or older. The contents of the interviews were the starting and continuing factors of playing GO.
Results

Six categories were generated for exploring the starting and continuing factors of playing GO. The participants felt motivated to start playing GO due to their interest and impression of GO and to cope with their anxieties about aging. The continuing factors represented feelings of pleasure and relaxation and fostering human relationships through GO. Age-friendly staff and user-oriented tasks were of particular importance in both starting and continuing to play GO.
Conclusions

GO is not just a board game; it is an effective tool in coping with aging issues, cultivating peace of mind, and facilitating interaction among people; therefore it may be useful to the community as a socially prescribed intervention. The keys to its implementation are fostering comfortable relationships between the participants and staff and allowing self-controlled task difficulty.
COVID-19 and thyroid disease: an infodemiological pilot study
Authors: ILIAS Ioannis , MILIONIS Charalambos , KOUKKOU Eftychia 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Introduction:

Some studies have linked COVID-19 with thyroid disease. Google Trends (GT) searches may reflect disease epidemiology. Recently, GT searches for COVID-19-associated terms have been linked to the epidemiology of COVID-19. In this study we aimed to assess COVID-19 cases per se vs COVID-19-associated GT searches and thyroid-associated GT searches.
Materials-Methods:

We collected data on worldwide weekly GT searches regarding “COVID-19”, “SARS-COV-2”, “coronavirus”, “smell”, “taste”, “fatigue”, “cough”, “thyroid”, “thyroiditis” and “subacute thyroiditis” for 92 weeks and worldwide weekly COVID-19 cases' statistics in the same time period. The study period was split in half and in each time period we performed cross-correlation analysis and mediation analysis.
Results

Significant positive CCF values were noted in both time periods; while COVID-19 cases per se were associated with “thyroid” searches in both time periods, significant CCFs for “fatigue”, “COVID-19” and “SARS-COV-s” were mostly found in the second time period. In the latter period, the effect of “COVID-19” searches on “thyroid” searches was significantly mediated by COVID-19 cases (p=0.048).
Discussion

COVID-19 cases per se were found to be associated with no lag with GT searches for COVID-19 symptoms in the first time period and in the second time period to lead searches for symptoms, COVID-19 terms as well as thyroid terms. Searches for a non-specific symptom or COVID-19 search terms mostly lead GT “thyroid” searches, in the second time period. This time frame/sequence particularly in the second time period (noted by the preponderance of the SARS-COV-2 delta variant), lends some credence to associations of COVID-19 cases per se with (apparent) thyroid disease (via searches for them).
Comparative Efficacy over time of the mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccine and the BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccine
Authors: Cohen Kenneth , Islam PhD Nazmul , Jarvis MS Megan S. , Sheils Natalie E. 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Importance

Real-world analysis of the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection post vaccination is important in determining the comparative efficacy of the available vaccines.
Objective

To study the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in individuals fully vaccinated with either the BNT162b2 or the mRNA-1273 at 30-, 60-, and 90-days post vaccination
Design
Retrospective cohort study
Setting

Deidentified administrative claims for Medicare Advantage and commercially insured individuals in a research database.
Participants

Over 3.5 million fully-vaccinated individuals including 6,434 individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection with a follow up period between 14 and 151 days after their second dose.
Exposure
Vaccination by either mRNA-1273 or BNT162b2.
Main Outcome and Measures

The rate of Covid-19 infection occurring at 30, 60, and 90 days at least 14 days after the second dose of either the mRNA-1273 vaccine or the BNT162b2 vaccine. Sub analyses included the incidence of hospitalization, ICU admission, and death/hospice transfer. Separate analysis was conducted for individuals ≥ age 65 and those without a prior diagnosis of Covid-19 and both yielded results similar to the general population.
Results

The mRNA-1273 vaccine provided slightly superior protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to the BNT162b2 vaccine. In the full population, there were no significant differences in the risk of hospitalization, ICU admission, or death/hospice transfer.
Conclusion

Immunization with mRNA-1273, compared to BNT162b2, provided slightly more protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection that reached statistical significance at 90 days with a number needed to vaccinate of ≥292.There were no differences in vaccine efficacy for protection against hospitalization, ICU admission, or death/hospice transfer.
Lifetime Prevalence and Risk Factors for Perinatal Depression in a Large Cohort of Women with Depression
Authors: Kiewa Jacqueline , Meltzer-Brody Samantha , Milgrom Jeanette , Bennett Elizabeth , Mackle Tracey , Guintivano Jerry , Hickie Ian B , Colodro-Conde Lucía , Medland Sarah , Martin Nicholas G , Wray Naomi R , Byrne Enda M 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
ObjectivesAmongst women with a history of depression, this study sought to identify risk factors associated with reporting perinatal depression (PND)). Lifetime prevalence, length and severity of PND were evaluated, as well as the effect of PND onset either after previous depression episodes, or as the first episode of depression.SettingThe Australian Genetics of Depression Study (AGDS), an online case cohort study of the etiology of depression.ParticipantsIn a large sample of parous women who met DSM criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD) (n=7,182), we identified two subgroups of PND cases (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score >= 13) with and without prior depression history (n=2,261; n=878 respectively). For a range of risk factors, both subgroups were compared to women with MDD who did not report depressive symptoms in the perinatal period (non-perinatal depression (NPD) cases). PND cases with prior depression history were compared to NPD cases with depression onset before their first pregnancy (n=672). PND cases without prior depression history were compared to all NPD cases (n=2,124).Primary and secondary outcome measuresDescriptive measures reported lifetime prevalence, length, and severity of PND. Logistic regression compared a range of characteristics of PND cases to those of the comparison group of NPD cases.ResultsOf women who experienced depression prior to first pregnancy, PND cases were significantly more likely to report more episodes of depression (OR=1.1 per additional depression episode, CI=[1.1-1.1], P=1.9e-13), non-European ancestry (OR=1.5, CI=[1.0-2.1], P=3.4e-02), severe nausea during pregnancy (OR=1.3, CI=[1.1-1.6], P=6.6e-03) and emotional abuse (OR=1.4, CI=[1.1-1.7], P=5.3e-03). Women without any depression before their first perinatal episode were significantly more likely to report emotional abuse (OR=1.3, CI=[1.1-1.6], P=1.0e-02) than women with NPD.ConclusionsThe majority of parous women in this study experienced PND, associated with more complex, severe depression. Results highlight the importance of perinatal assessments of depressive symptoms, particularly for women with a history of depression or childhood adverse experiences.
Effects of product and process innovations on the employment growth rate: Evidence for the Colombian manufacturing industry.
Authors: Aguirre Fernando Barrios , Malagón Sandra Yaneth Mora 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
This paper estimates the effect of product and process innovation on the employment growth rate in Colombian manufacturing industry between 2007 and 2012. Based on the model forward put by Harrison et al. (2008), employment growth rate is explained by both the introduction of process innovations that have an effect on old products and the product innovations that have a positive effect on the growth of sales. This research uses the firm-level data panel from the Technological Development and Innovation Survey (EDIT) and the Annual Manufacturing Survey (EAM) in Colombia between 2007 and 2012. Given the firm´s production, results show a positive effect of product innovations on the employment growth rate and a negative effect of process innovations on the employment growth rate in manufacturing firms in Colombia.JEL classification: O25, E24, O33
Solutions of Matrix Games Involving Linguistic Interval-Valued Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets
Authors: Naqvi Deeba , Verma Rajkumar , Aggarwal Abha , Sachdev Geeta 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
In real-life decision-making challenges, experts quite frequently have a preference for expressing their perspective in natural linguistic terms rather than definite numerical format. These linguistic representation has been utilized to resolve plenty of decision-making problems. This paper displays the thorough study of matrix games where in the payoffs are characterized through linguistic interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy sets (LIVIFSs). Solution of these matrix games are attained by resolving a duo of linear or nonlinear programming problems, originated through non-linear bi-objective programming problems. Finally, a numerical example is used to demonstrate the applicability of the suggested approach.
Using Andersen’s Behavioural Model of Health Services use to Examine usage of Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Malaria in Pregnancy in Nigeria
Authors: Solanke Bola Lukman , Adebayo Yinusa Rasheed , Oyeleye Olaoye James , Oluwatope Omolayo Bukola , Ilesanmi Benjamin Bukky , Oni Tosin Olajide 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background: Studies in Nigeria and elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa have explored factors influencing usage of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy (IPTp). However, most of the studies are not model or theory-based, which provides less satisfactory guidance to malaria control programming. This study fills the knowledge gap by adapting the Andersen’s behavioural model of health services use to IPTp usage in Nigeria.Methods: This study adopted a cross-sectional design that utilised secondary data extracted from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). A weighted sample of 4,772 women who had deliveries in the past year preceding the survey was analysed. The outcome variable was usage of IPTp dichotomised into optimal or otherwise. The explanatory variables cut across individual and community levels, and were divided into predisposing, enabling and need factors in line with the theoretical constructs of the Andersen model. Two multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression models were fitted to identify the factors influencing optimal usage of IPTp. Analyses were performed using Stata 14. Statistical significance was set at 5%. Results: The realised level of optimal IPTp usage was 21.8%. The factors that either predispose or enables a pregnant woman to take optimal doses of IPTp are age, education, being employed, being autonomous on own healthcare, health insurance enrolment, partner education, receiving antenatal care in public health facility, rural residence, being resident in northern geo-political zones, community literacy level, and community perception of the consequences of malaria. Two significant need factors affecting optimal usage of IPTp are timing of first antenatal care contact and actual sleeping under mosquito bed net. Conclusion: Optimal usage of IPTp is low among pregnant women in Nigeria. There is need to devise additional public health education programme promoting IPTp usage through the formation of Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilisation (ACSM) core group in every ward in all the local government areas in the country. In addition, health planners in the country should adopt the use of the Andersen model for assessing key determinants of IPTp usage among childbearing women in the country.
Adenine Base-Editing-Mediated Exon Skipping Induces Gene Knockout in Cultured Pig Cells
Authors: Zhu Xiang-xing , Pan Jia-sheng , Lin Tao , Yang Ye-cheng , Huang Qiu-yan , Yang Shuai-peng , Qu Zi-xiao , Lin Zi-sheng , Wen Jian-cong , Yan Ai-fen , Feng Juan , Liu Lian , Zhang Xiao-li , Lu Jia-hong , Tang Dong-sheng 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Gene-knockout pigs have important applications in agriculture and medicine. Compared with CRISPR/Cas9, Adenine base editor (ABE) convert single A·T pairs to G·C pairs in the genome without generating DNA double-strand breaks, and this method has higher accuracy and biosafety in pig genetic modification. However, the application of ABE in pig gene knockout is limited by protospacer-adjacent motif (PAM) sequences and the base-editing window. Alternative mRNA splicing is an important mechanism underlying the formation of proteins with diverse functions in eukaryotes. Spliceosome recognizes the conservative sequences of splice donors and acceptors in a precursor mRNA. Mutations in these conservative sequences induce exon skipping, leading to proteins with novel functions or to gene inactivation due to frameshift mutations. In this study, adenine base-editing-mediated exon skipping was used to expand the application of ABE in the generation of gene knockout pigs. We first constructed a modified “all-in-one” ABE vector suitable for porcine somatic cell transfection that contained an ABE for single-base editing and an sgRNA expression cassette. The “all-in-one” ABE vector induced efficient sgRNA-dependent A-to-G conversions in porcine cells during single base-editing of multiple endogenous gene loci. Subsequently, an ABE system was designed for single adenine editing of the conservative splice acceptor site (AG sequence at the 3’ end of the intron 5) and splice donor site (GT sequence at the 5’ end of the intron 6) in the porcine gene GHR; this method achieved highly efficient A-to-G conversion at the cellular level. Then, porcine single-cell colonies carrying a biallelic A-to-G conversion in the splice acceptor site in the intron 5 of GHR were generated. RT-PCR indicated exon 6 skipped at the mRNA level. Western blotting revealed GHR protein loss, and gene sequencing showed no sgRNA-dependent off-target effects. These results demonstrate accurate adenine base-editing-mediated exon skipping and gene knockout in porcine cells. This is the first proof-of-concept study of adenine base-editing-mediated exon skipping for gene regulation in pigs, and this work provides a new strategy for accurate and safe genetic modification of pigs for agricultural and medical applications.
Dealing with Dry Waste Disposal Issues Associated with 177mLu Impurities: A Long-Term Challenge for Nuclear Medicine Departments
Authors: PREVOT Sylviane , Dygaï-Cochet  , Riedinger JM , Vrigneaud JM , QUERMONNE Myriam , GALLET Matthieu , COCHET Alexandre 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Purpose: A strategy for management of radioactive waste associated with 177 Lu-dotatate (Lutathera ® ) treatments was established in our institution based on predicted storage times of 3 to 5 years extrapolated from the results of a 2-year measurement study. The aim of this work was to validate the model used by identifying contaminants and confirming disposal based on the clearance level twice-the-background was within expected time frames. Methods: We conducted a prospective series of measurements of radioactive waste associated with the first 65 treatments administered. Sequential measurements of the first 45 vials used were performed on a dose calibrator to identify contaminants. Exposure rates in contact were monitored with a dose ratemeter on a 6-monthly basis for all types of waste stored: 46 empty vials, 19 vials partially used and 67 biohazard containers. Results: Initial median activity of the first vials used was 118 MBq (4 - 4188 MBq). For each vial, the decay curve of activity obtained was adjusted to a bi-exponential model. The major component, representing 99.7 % of activity, has a half-life of 6.5 ± 0.2 days, corresponding to 177 Lu. The second, representing only 0.3 % of the activity and having a half-life of 156 ± 24 days corresponding to 177m Lu, determines necessary storage times. Partially used vials can be disposed of after 5 years, other waste after 3 years. Compliance with the regulatory clearance level is achieved within expected time frames. Conclusion: Although only present as traces, 177m Lu results in major radioactive waste disposal issues for hospitals. Availability of radiopharmaceuticals without impurities appears to be crucial for an expanding use of targeted radionuclide therapy.
Modulation of Myosin by Cardiac Myosin Binding Protein-C Peptides Improves Cardiac Contractility in Ex-Vivo Experimental Heart Failure Models
Authors: Hou Luqia , Kumar Mohit , Anand Priti , Chen Yinhong , El-Bizri Nesrine , Pickens Chad J , Seganish Michael , Sadayappan Sakthivel , Swaminath Gayathri 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Cardiac myosin binding protein-C (cMyBP-C) is an important regulator of sarcomeric function. Although reduced phosphorylation of cMyBP-C has been linked to compromised contractility in heart failure patients, direct modulation of cMyBP-C to myosin using small molecules or peptides has not been reported to improve cardiac performance. Here we used previously published cMyBP-C peptides 302A and 302S (surrogates to the regulatory phosphorylation site serine 302) as tool molecules to investigate the role of cMyBP-C in modulating cardiac contraction and relaxation in experimental heart failure (HF) models in vitro. cMyBP-C peptides 302A and 302S were able to increase contractility of papillary muscle fibers isolated from a cMyBP-C phospho-ablation (cMyBP-CAAA) mouse model. In addition, 302A was able to improve the force redevelopment rate (ktr) in papillary muscle fibers from cMyBP-CAAA mice. Consistent with above findings, cMyBP-C peptides 302A and 302S were able to increase the ATPase rates in myofibrils isolated from MI rats but not from sham rats. Furthermore, in cMyBP-CAAA mouse and myocardial infarction (MI) HF models, both cMyBP-C peptides 302A and 302S were able to improve ATPase hydrolysis rates. These changes were not observed in non-transgenic (NTG) mice or sham rats, indicating the specific effects of these peptides in regulating the reduced or unphosphorylated state of cMyBP-C only under pathological conditions of heart failure. Taken together, these studies demonstrate that modulation of cMyBP-C in a reduced phosphorylation or unphosphorylated state can be a therapeutic approach to improve myosin function, sarcomere contractility and relaxation. Therefore, targeting cMyBP-C can be a differentiated approach to improve overall cardiac performance on top of standard care drugs in HF patients.
Heavy Metals and Para-Phenylenediamine in Hair Dye
Authors: Abdelhady Randa H , yassa heba A , Mahmoud Marwa M , Shaltout Eman S 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background: The use of cosmetics is widespread around the world, particularly in Arabian countries. Some cosmetics as hair dyes are used since very young ages. Hair dye has been one of the pollution resources of heavy metals. Aim: The present study aimed to determine the percentage of para-phenylenediamine (PPD) and heavy metals in various hair dyes sold in Aswan, Egypt. Methods: The study was done on four (n = 4) types of hair dyes commonly used in Aswan. Two analytical methods were used as (GC/MS and EDX). PPD was detected using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and the metal components of these dyes were determined using energy dispersive x-ray (E.D.X.). Results: The concentration of PPD was very high in SHD (99.706%) and tancho HD (99.80%) followed by bigen cream HD (5.563%) and finally bigen powder HD (0.492% ). The heavy metals content was arranged in decreasing order as follow: Al > Ca > Zn > Cu > Cl > Pb> Fe > Sc> Cr > Mn in SHD, Si > Mg> Cu > Zn > Cl > Ca in tancho HD, Pb> Cu > Zn >Si >K > Al > Ca > Cr in bigen powder HD and Al > Cu > Cl > Si > Zn > Ca > Pb> Cr in bigen cream HD. Conclusion: Poisoning with (PPD)-containing hair dye is emerging as a method of deliberate self-harm in various developing countries including the Middle-East, and it is accompanied with high human death rate specially among females. They were also polluted with heavy metals, therefore doctors and consumers should be aware of their potential toxicity as well as the symptoms of systemic poisoning. Even if it isn't stated on the label, many hair dyes contain PPD and heavy metals.
Development and Validation of a High-Throughput Next-Generation Sequencing Workflow for SARS-CoV-2 Whole Genome Sequencing: Results from Over 65,000 Clinical Cases
Authors: Rosenthal Sun Hee , Gerasimova Anna , Ruiz-Vega Rolando , Livingston Kayla , Kagan Ron M. , Liu Yan , Anderson Ben , Owen Renius , Bernstein Laurence , Smolgovsky Alla , Xu Dong , Chen Rebecca , Grupe Andrew , Tanpaiboon Pranoot , Lacbawan Felicitas 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Monitoring new mutations in SARS-CoV-2 provides crucial information for identifying diagnostic and therapeutic targets and important insights to achieve a more effective COVID-19 control strategy. Next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have been widely used for whole genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2. While various NGS methods have been reported, one chief limitation has been the complexity of the workflow, limiting the scalability. Here, we overcome this limitation by designing a workflow optimized for high-throughput studies. The workflow utilizes modified ARTIC network v3 primers for SARS-CoV-2 whole genome amplification. NGS libraries were prepared by a 2-step PCR method, similar to a previously reported tailed PCR method, with further optimizations to improve amplicon balance, to minimize amplicon dropout for viral genomes harboring primer-binding site mutation(s), and to integrate robotic liquid handlers. Validation studies demonstrated that the optimized workflow can process up to 2,688 samples in a single sequencing run without compromising sensitivity and accuracy and with fewer amplicon dropout events compared to the standard ARTIC protocol. We additionally report results for over 65,000 SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequences from clinical specimens collected in the United States between January and September of 2021, as part of an ongoing national genomics surveillance effort.