bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Conserved and convergent mechanisms underlying performance–life-history trade-offs
Authors: Husak Jerry F. , Lailvaux Simon P. 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACT
Phenotypic trade-offs are inevitable in nature, but the mechanisms driving them are poorly understood. Movement and oxygen are essential to all animals, and as such, the common ancestor to all living animals passed on mechanisms to acquire oxygen and contract muscle, sometimes at the expense of other activities or expression of traits. Nevertheless, convergent pathways have also evolved to deal with critical trade-offs that are necessary to survive ubiquitous environmental challenges. We discuss how whole-animal performance traits, such as locomotion, are important to fitness, yet costly, resulting in trade-offs with other aspects of the phenotype via specific conserved and convergent mechanistic pathways across all animals. Specifically, we discuss conserved pathways involved in muscle structure and signaling, insulin/insulin-like signaling, sirtuins, mitochondria and hypoxia-inducible factors, as well as convergent pathways involved in energy regulation, development, reproductive investment and energy storage. The details of these mechanisms are only known from a few model systems, and more comparative studies are needed. We make two main recommendations as a framework for future studies of animal form and function. First, studies of performance should consider the broader life-history context of the organism, and vice versa, as performance expression can require a large portion of acquired resources. Second, studies of life histories or mechanistic pathways that measure performance should do so in meaningful and standardized ways. Understanding proximate mechanisms of phenotypic trade-offs will not only better explain the phenotypes of the organisms we study, but also allow predictions about phenotypic variation at the evolutionary scale.
Association of 3D-CRT and IMRT accelerated hyperfractionated radiotherapy with local control rate and 5-year survival in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients
Authors: Sun Jianyong , Huang Weiju , Chen Jingbin , Zhang Yaohong 
Published: February 2022

Objectives: This retrospective study examined the relevance and prognostic factors of whole-course conformal radiotherapy (CRT) and late-course accelerated hyperfractionation radiotherapy (LCAFRT) for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods: A total of 110 patients with ESCC received whole-course CRT and LCAFRT between May 2004 and January 2015. All patients received conventional CRT of 2 Gy per day, up to 30–40 Gy, followed by LCAFRT using reduced fields at 1.5 Gy/fraction twice a day, up to 24–39 Gy, for a total dose of 60–69 Gy. Results: The median follow-up was 85 months. The whole groups 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 81.8%, 46.4%, and 41.8%, respectively. The local control rates for the whole group at 1, 3, and 5 years were 82.7%, 70.0%, and 68.2%, respectively. There were no significant differences among survival rates and local control rates between the 3D-CRT and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) groups. The main reactions to acute radiotherapy were acute radiation tracheitis, esophagitis, and pneumonia. The tumor location and TNM stage were independent prognostic factors for overall survival. Conclusion: The results showed that whole-course CRT and LCAFRT for ESCC can improve survival and local control with a tolerable acute reaction compared to previous studies. Local recurrence and distant metastasis are the main failure modes of treatment. Advances in knowledge: Whole-course CRT and LCAFRT for ESCC can improve the survival and local control rate compared with previous studies from the 2DRT era. It might provide another treatment for patients with inoperable ESCC or refusing surgery.
Impact on carbon emissions of online study for a cohort of overseas students: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Heller Richard F , Sun Ya-Yen , Guo Zhe , Malik Arunima 
Published: February 2022

Background: One of the benefits of online education is the potential reduction in carbon emissions through the decrease in travel to attend a university in person. We estimated the savings in CO2 emissions of an international cohort of master’s students who studied fully online from their home countries, rather than travelling to the UK and living there while attending university. Methods: The city and country of residence of a cohort of students who first enrolled in the fully online Peoples-uni/Manchester Metropolitan University Master of Public Health programme between the second semester of 2011 and the first semester 2013 were recorded. Total difference in emissions was calculated by adding the estimated aviation emissions between Manchester, UK and the cities where students resided, to the difference in per capita emissions between the country of origin and the UK for the time that the student would have spent in Manchester, based on the semester in which they first enrolled. Results: 128 students enrolled from 55 cities in 31 countries. 93 students were from a range of African countries and 18 from the Indian sub-continent. Flights to and from Manchester were estimated to have accounted for 114,553kg of CO2 and living in Manchester for the duration of their course compared with staying in the home country would have been equivalent to 854,904kg of CO2. The combined net savings was 969,457kg of CO2. Conclusions: A small cohort of overseas students, largely from Africa and India, studied online rather than attending university in the UK. The likely saving by this small cohort of nearly a million kg of CO 2 emissions offers an indication of the potential environmental benefits of offering university education online to overseas students.
Situations of work-related diseases and injuries among agriculturists in the upper northeast regions of Thailand
Authors: Chaiklieng Sunisa , Chagkornburee Chuthamas , Suggaravetsiri Pornnapa 
Published: February 2022

Background: Agriculturists exposed to health hazards are affected by increased occupational disease. This retrospective study aimed to investigate situations of work-related diseases and injuries among agriculturists in upper northeast Thailand. Methods: The secondary data of international classification of diseases 10th revision (ICD-10) case reports of occupational disease among farmers for 2014-2016, from the database of the Health Data Center (HDC), were used. We collected the number of registered farmers from the agricultural office and secondary data of ICD-10 from the hospital information system (HIS) of healthcare services in Udon Thani and Roi-Et provinces. The annual morbidity rate of occupational diseases was analyzed and presented at a rate per 100,000 farmers of the studied area. Results: Among farmers who visited healthcare service providers, lung disease, which was not reported as occupational disease of the HDC database, was the highest ranking of all diseases, followed by work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), noise- and heat-related diseases, and pesticide toxicity, respectively, while the injury rate was as high as that of WMSDs. The morbidity rate of Udon Thani was higher than that of Roi-Et province, whose rate was closer to the national rate. The number of farmers from the HDC database was not reflective of numbers of registered farmers, even though the case reports of the HDC was lower than that of the HIS with occupational ICD-10 codes, which might explain the underestimation of the morbidity rate of occupational disease. Conclusions: The morbidity rate of lung disease, noise- and heat-related diseases, and pesticide toxicity increased every year (2014-2016) and reflects the health problems among agriculturists in Thailand. The underestimation in the reported disease rate is explained from big data analysis by the rare recording of work-related cases among those agriculturists. Therefore, Thai agriculturists should be supported in registration with occupational diseases surveillance as holistic healthcare.
The EWAS Catalog: a database of epigenome-wide association studies
Authors: Battram Thomas , Yousefi Paul , Crawford Gemma , Prince Claire , Sheikhali Babaei Mahsa , Sharp Gemma , Hatcher Charlie , Vega-Salas María Jesús , Khodabakhsh Sahar , Whitehurst Oliver , Langdon Ryan , Mahoney Luke , Elliott Hannah R. , Mancano Giulia , Lee Matthew A. , Watkins Sarah H. , Lay Abigail C. , Hemani Gibran , Gaunt Tom R. , Relton Caroline L. , Staley James R. , Suderman Matthew 
Published: February 2022

Epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) seek to quantify associations between traits/exposures and DNA methylation measured at thousands or millions of CpG sites across the genome. In recent years, the increase in availability of DNA methylation measures in population-based cohorts and case-control studies has resulted in a dramatic expansion of the number of EWAS being performed and published. To make this rich source of results more accessible, we have manually curated a database of CpG-trait associations (with p<1x10-4) from published EWAS, each assaying over 100,000 CpGs in at least 100 individuals. From January 7, 2022, The EWAS Catalog contained 1,737,746 associations from 2,686 EWAS. This includes 1,345,398 associations from 342 peer-reviewed publications. In addition, it also contains summary statistics for 392,348 associations from 427 EWAS, performed on data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). The database is accompanied by a web-based tool and R package, giving researchers the opportunity to query EWAS associations quickly and easily, and gain insight into the molecular underpinnings of disease as well as the impact of traits and exposures on the DNA methylome. The EWAS Catalog is available at http://www.ewascatalog.org.
Oxidant resistant human apolipoprotein A-I functions similarly to the unmodified human isoform in delaying atherosclerosis progression and promoting atherosclerosis regression in hyperlipidemic mice
Authors: Opoku Emmanuel , Berisha Stela , Brubaker Gregory , Robinet Peggy , Smith Jonathan D. 
Published: February 2022

Background
Transgenic overexpression of apolipoprotein A-I (apoA1) has been shown to delay atherosclerosis lesion progression and promote lesion regression in mouse models; however, apoA1 is subject to oxidation by myeloperoxidase (MPO) and loss of function. The activity of oxidant resistant human apoA1 was compared to unmodified human apoA1 in mouse models of atherosclerosis progression and regression.

Methods and results
Human apoA1 and the MPO oxidant resistant 4WF isoform transgenic mice were bred to LDL receptor deficient (LDLr KO) mice and fed a western-type diet. High level expression of these human apoA1 isoforms did not lead to increased HDL-cholesterol levels on the LDLr KO background. In males and females, lesion progression was studied over time, and both apoA1 and 4WF transgenic mice vs. LDLr KO mice had significant and similar delayed lesion progression and reduced non-HDL cholesterol. Using time points with equivalent lesion areas, lesion regression was initiated by feeding the mice a low-fat control diet containing a microsomal triglyceride transfer protein inhibitor for 7 weeks. Lesions regressed more in the male apoA1 and 4WF transgenics vs. the LDLr KO, but the 4WF isoform was not superior to the unmodified isoform in promoting lesion regression.

Conclusions
Both human apoA1 and the 4WF MPO oxidant resistant apoA1 isoform delayed lesion progression and promoted lesion regression in LDLr KO mice, with more pronounced effects in males than females; moreover, the 4WF isoform functioned similarly to the unmodified human apoA1 isoform.
Developing the Breast Utility Instrument, a preference-based instrument to measure health-related quality of life in women with breast cancer: Confirmatory factor analysis of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and BR45 to establish dimensions
Authors: Tsui Teresa C. O. , Trudeau Maureen , Mitsakakis Nicholas , Torres Sofia , Bremner Karen E. , Kim Doyoung , Davis Aileen M. , Krahn Murray D. 
Published: February 2022

Objectives
Breast cancer (BrC) and its treatments impair health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Utility is a measure of HRQoL that includes preferences for health outcomes, used in treatment decision-making. Generic preference-based instruments lack BrC-specific concerns, indicating the need for a BrC-specific preference-based instrument. Our objective was to determine dimensions of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) general cancer (QLQ-C30) and breast module (BR45) instruments, the first step in our development of the novel Breast Utility Instrument (BUI).

Methods
Patients (n = 408) attending outpatient BrC clinics at an urban cancer centre, and representing a spectrum of BrC health states, completed the QLQ-C30 and BR45. We performed confirmatory factor analysis of the combined QLQ-C30 and BR45 using mean-and variance-adjusted unweighted least squares estimation. The hypothesized factor model was based on clinical relevance, item distributions, missing data, item-importance, and internal reliability of dimensions. Models were evaluated based on global and item fit, local areas of strain, and likelihood ratio tests of nested models.

Results
Our final model had 10 dimensions: physical and role functioning, emotional functioning, social functioning, body image, pain, fatigue, systemic therapy side effects, sexual functioning and enjoyment, arm and breast symptoms, and endocrine therapy symptoms. Good overall model fit was achieved: χ2/df: 1.45, Tucker-Lewis index: 0.946, comparative fit index: 0.951, standardized root-mean-square residual: 0.069, root-mean-square error of approximation: 0.033 (0.030–0.037). All items had salient factor loadings (λ>0.4, p<0.001).

Conclusions
We identified important BrC HRQoL dimensions to develop the BUI, a BrC-specific preference-based instrument.
Acceptance rate and risk perception towards the COVID-19 vaccine in Botswana
Authors: Tlale Lebapotswe B. , Gabaitiri Lesego , Totolo Lorato K. , Smith Gomolemo , Puswane-Katse Orapeleng , Ramonna Eunice , Mothowaeng Basego , Tlhakanelo John , Masupe Tiny , Rankgoane-Pono Goabaone , Irige John , Mafa Faith , Kolane Samuel 
Published: February 2022

Background
The COVID-19 disease burden continues to be high worldwide and vaccines continue to be developed to help combat the pandemic. Acceptance and risk perception for COVID-19 vaccines is unknown in Botswana despite the government’s decision to roll out the vaccine nationally.

Objectives
This study aims to assess the acceptance rate and risk perception of COVID-19 vaccines amongst the general population in Botswana.

Methods
We interviewed 5300 adults in Botswana from 1–28 February 2021 using self-administered questionnaires. The main outcomes of the study were vaccine acceptance and hesitancy rates. Demographic, experiential and socio-cultural factors were explored for their association with outcome variables.

Results
Two-thirds of the participants were females (3199), with those aged 24–54 making the highest proportion (61%). The acceptance rate of COVID-19 vaccine was 73.4% (95% CI: 72.2%-74.6%) with vaccine hesitancy at 31.3% (95% CI: 30.0%-32.6%). When the dependent variable was vaccine acceptance, males had higher odds of accepting the vaccine compared to females (OR = 1.2, 95% CI: 1.0, 1.4). Individuals aged 55–64 had high odds of accepting the vaccine compared to those aged 65 and above (OR = 1.2, 95% CI: 0.6, 2.5). The odds of accepting the vaccine for someone with primary school education were about 2.5 times that of an individual with post graduate level of education. Finally, individuals with comorbidities had higher odds (OR = 1.2, 95% CI: 1.0, 1.5) of accepting the vaccine compared to those without any underlying conditions.

Conclusion
This study demonstrated a high acceptance rate for the COVID-19 vaccine and a low risk perception in Botswana. In order to achieve a high vaccine coverage and ensure a successful vaccination process, there is need to target populations with high vaccine hesitancy rates. A qualitative study to assess the factors associated with vaccine acceptance and hesitancy is recommended to provide an in-depth analysis of the findings.
A preliminary investigation of yoga as an intervention approach for improving long-term weight loss: A randomized trial
Authors: Unick Jessica L. , Dunsiger Shira I. , Bock Beth C. , Sherman Sally A. , Braun Tosca D. , Wing Rena R. 
Published: February 2022

Objective
Yoga targets psychological processes which may be important for long-term weight loss (WL). This study is the first to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of yoga within a weight management program following WL treatment.

Methods
60 women with overweight or obesity (34.3±3.9 kg/m2, 48.1±10.1 years) were randomized to receive a 12-week yoga intervention (2x/week; YOGA) or a structurally equivalent control (cooking/nutrition classes; CON), following a 3-month behavioral WL program. Feasibility (attendance, adherence, retention) and acceptability (program satisfaction ratings) were assessed. Treatment groups were compared on weight change, mindfulness, distress tolerance, stress, affect, and self-compassion at 6 months. Initial WL (3-mo WL) was evaluated as a potential moderator.

Results
Attendance, retention, and program satisfaction ratings of yoga were high. Treatment groups did not differ on WL or psychological constructs (with exception of one mindfulness subscale) at 6 months. However, among those with high initial WL (≥5%), YOGA lost significantly more weight (-9.0kg vs. -6.7kg) at 6 months and resulted in greater distress tolerance, mindfulness, and self-compassion and lower negative affect, compared to CON.

Conclusions
Study findings provide preliminary support for yoga as a potential strategy for improving long-term WL among those losing ≥5% in standard behavioral treatment.
Double-blind randomized N-of-1 trial of transcranial alternating current stimulation for mal de débarquement syndrome
Authors: Cha Yoon-Hee , Gleghorn Diamond , Doudican Benjamin Chipper 
Published: February 2022

Background
Mal de Débarquement Syndrome (MdDS) is a medically refractory neurotological disorder characterized by persistent oscillating vertigo that follows a period of entrainment to oscillating motion such as experienced during sea or air travel. Fronto-occipital hypersynchrony may correlate with MdDS symptom severity.

Materials and methods
Individuals with treatment refractory MdDS lasting at least 6 months received single administrations of three fronto-occipital transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) protocols in an “n-of-1” double-blind randomized design: alpha frequency anti-phase, alpha-frequency in-phase, and gamma frequency control. Baseline assessments were made on Day 1. The treatment protocol that led to the most acute reduction in symptoms during a test session on Day 2 was administered for 10–12 stacked sessions given on Days 3 through 5 (20-minutes at 2-4mA). Pre to post symptom changes were assessed on Day 1 and Day 5. Participants who could clearly choose a preferred protocol on Day 2 did better on Day 5 than those who could not make a short-term determination on Day 2 and either chose a protocol based on minimized side effects or were randomized to one of the three protocols. In addition, weekly symptom assessments were made for four baseline and seven post stimulation points for the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), MdDS Balance Rating Scale (MBRS), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).

Results
Of 24 participants, 13 chose anti-phase, 7 chose in-phase, and 4 chose control stimulation. Compared to baseline, 10/24 completers noted ≥ 25% reduction, 5/24 ≥50% reduction, and 2/24 ≥75% reduction in oscillating vertigo intensity from Day 1 to Day 5. Stimulating at a frequency slightly higher than the individual alpha frequency (IAF) was better than stimulating at exactly the IAF, and slightly better than stimulating with a strategy of standardized stimulation at 10Hz. A one-way repeated measures ANOVA of weekly DHI, MBRS, and HADS measurements showed significant reductions immediately after treatment with improvement increasing through post-treatment week 6.

Conclusion
Fronto-occipital tACS may be effective in reducing the oscillating vertigo of MdDS and serve as a portable neuromodulation alternative for longer-term treatment. Stimulation frequency relative to the IAF may be important in determining the optimum treatment protocol [ClinicalTrials.gov study NCT02540616. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02540616].
Views of health professionals on risk-based breast cancer screening and its implementation in the Spanish National Health System: A qualitative discussion group study
Authors: Laza-Vásquez Celmira , Codern-Bové Núria , Cardona-Cardona Àngels , Hernández-Leal Maria José , Pérez-Lacasta Maria José , Carles-Lavila Misericòrdia , Rué Montserrat ,   on behalf of the DECIDO group
Published: February 2022

Background
With the aim of increasing benefits and decreasing harms, risk-based breast cancer screening has been proposed as an alternative to age-based screening. This study explores barriers and facilitators to implementing a risk-based breast cancer screening program from the perspective of health professionals, in the context of a National Health Service.

Methods
Socio-constructivist qualitative research carried out in Catalonia (Spain), in the year 2019. Four discussion groups were conducted, with a total of 29 health professionals from primary care, breast cancer screening programs, hospital breast units, epidemiology units, and clinical specialties. A descriptive-interpretive thematic analysis was performed.

Results
Identified barriers included resistance to reducing the number of screening exams for low-risk women; resistance to change for health professionals; difficulties in risk communication; lack of conclusive evidence of the benefits of risk-based screening; limited economic resources; and organizational transformation. Facilitators include benefits of risk-based strategies for high and low-risk women; women’s active role in their health care; proximity of women and primary care professionals; experience of health professionals in other screening programs; and greater efficiency of a risk-based screening program. Organizational and administrative changes in the health system, commitment by policy makers, training of health professionals, and educational interventions addressed to the general population will be required.

Conclusions
Despite the expressed difficulties, participants supported the implementation of risk-based screening. They highlighted its benefits, especially for women at high risk of breast cancer and those under 50 years of age, and assumed a greater efficiency of the risk-based program compared to the aged-based one. Future studies should assess the efficiency and feasibility of risk-based breast cancer screening for its transfer to clinical practice.