生信网-文献期刊

PLoS One

2021 Dec 9

Tamin S, Adham M, Noer A

NPC is the most widely found malignant tumor in the head and neck region in Indonesia. Chemoradiation therapy for NPC can induce swallowing disorders (dysphagia) that adversely affects a patients quality of life. This study aimed to assess the swallowing process by flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma after chemoradiation. Thirty-nine patients with NPC who had chemoradiation therapy more than one month previously underwent flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing and were assessed for oral transport time, sensation, standing-secretion, pre-swallowing leakage, residue, penetration, aspiration, and silent aspiration. The most common structural abnormalities were an upright and swollen epiglottis (89.4%), poor oral hygiene, and velopharyngeal closure defects (56.4%). This examination also revealed a mild degree of standing secretion (38.5%) and aspiration (10.3%). No penetration was observed in 64.1% of the patients, and no silent aspiration was observed in any of the patients. A severe degree of residue (45.7%) was observed when administering oatmeal, while the residue was mild to moderate when administering gastric rice, crackers, and milk. The residue changed to a mild degree (32.3%-51.4%) in all food administrations after the watering maneuver. The highest penetration was noted after oatmeal administration (42.8%), and the highest aspiration was found after milk administration (8.6%). Standing secretion in almost all patients was caused by hyposensitivity of the hypopharynx. Persistent residue and hyposensitivity of the hypopharynx led to aspiration. The low percentage of aspiration and silent aspiration might have been caused by the upright and swollen epiglottis that prevented aspiration. Poor oral hygiene and a dry mouth led to prolonged oral transport. Therefore, most patients had hypopharyngeal abnormalities in the form of a swollen and upright epiglottis. Secretion and food residue were also detected. Drinking helps to expedite the swallowing process by facilitating oral phase transport and reducing residues.

2. Relationship between the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio and the optical coherence tomographic features of chorioretina in patients with preeclampsia.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 9

Lee J, Bae JG, Kim YC.

3. Reoperation rates for recurrence of fibroids after abdominal myomectomy in women with large uterus.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 9

Kramer KJ, Ottum S, Gonullu D

4. Idiosyncratic multisensory reweighting as the common cause for motion sickness susceptibility and adaptation to postural perturbation.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 9

Dida M, Cian C, Barraud PA

Numerous empirical and modeling studies have been done to find a relationship between postural stability and the susceptibility to motion sickness (MS). However, while the demonstration of a causal relationship between postural stability and the susceptibility to MS is still lacking, recent studies suggest that motion sick individuals have genuine deficits in selecting and reweighting multimodal sensory information. Here we investigate how the adaptation to changing postural situations develops and how the dynamics in multisensory integration is modulated on an individual basis along with MS susceptibility. We used a postural task in which participants stood on a posturographic platform with either eyes open (EO) or eyes closed (EC) during three minutes. The platform was static during the first minute (baseline phase), oscillated harmonically during the second minute (perturbation phase) and returned to its steady state for the third minute (return phase). Principal component (PC) analysis was applied to the sequence of short-term power density spectra of the antero-posterior position of the center of pressure. Results showed that the less motion-sick a participant is, the more similar is his balance between high and low frequencies for EO and EC conditions (as calculated from the eigenvector of the first PC). By fitting exponential decay models to the first PC score in the return phase, we estimated, for each participant in each condition, the sluggishness to return to the baseline spectrum. We showed that the de-adaptation following platform oscillation depends on the susceptibility to MS. These results suggest that non motion-sick participants finely adjust their spectrum in the perturbation phase (i.e. reweighting) and therefore take longer to return to their initial postural control particularly with eyes closed. Thus, people have idiosyncratic ways of doing sensory reweighting for postural control, these processes being tied to MS susceptibility.

5. Gene network expression of whole blood leukocytes in dairy cows with different milk yield at dry-off.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 9

Cattaneo L, Mezzetti M, Lopreiato V

6. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among the adult population in Bangladesh: A nationwide cross-sectional survey.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 9

Hossain MB, Alam MZ, Islam MS

INTRODUCTION: Studies related to the COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy are scanty in Bangladesh, despite the growing necessity of understanding the population behavior related to vaccination. Thus, the present study was conducted to assess the prevalence of the COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and its associated factors in Bangladesh to fill the knowledge gap. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This study adopted a cross-sectional design to collect data from 1497 respondents using online (Google forms) and face-to-face interviews from eight administrative divisions of Bangladesh between 1-7 February 2021. We employed descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of vaccine hesitancy was 46.2%. The Muslims (aOR = 1.80, p ≤ 0.01) and the respondents living in the city corporation areas (aOR = 2.14, p ≤0.001) had more hesitancy. There was significant variation in vaccine hesitancy by administrative divisions (geographic regions). Compared to the Sylhet division, the participants from Khulna (aOR = 1.31, p ≤0.001) had higher hesitancy. The vaccine hesitancy tended to decrease with increasing knowledge about the vaccine (aOR = 0.88, p≤0.001) and the vaccination process (aOR = 0.91, p ≤ 0.01). On the other hand, hesitancy increased with the increased negative attitudes towards the vaccine (aOR = 1.17, p≤0.001) and conspiracy beliefs towards the COVID-19 vaccine (aOR = 1.04, p≤0.01). The perceived benefits of COVID-19 vaccination (aOR = 0.85, p≤0.001) were negatively associated with hesitancy, while perceived barriers (aOR = 1.16, p ≤0.001) were positively associated. The participants were more hesitant to accept the vaccine from a specific country of origin (India, USA, Europe). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings warrant that a vigorous behavior change communication campaign should be designed and implemented to demystify negative public attitudes and conspiracy beliefs regarding the COVID-19 Vaccine in Bangladesh. The policymakers should also think about revisiting the policy of the online registration process to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, as online registration is a key structural barrier for many due to the persistent digital divide in the country. Finally, the government should consider the population's preference regarding vaccines' country of manufacture to reduce the COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy.

7. Key role of Extracellular RNA in hypoxic stress induced myocardial injury.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 9

Bhagat S, Biswas I, Alam MI

8. Risk factors of hepatocellular carcinoma in type 2 diabetes patients: A two-centre study in a developing country.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 9

Azit NA, Sahran S, Voon Meng L

9. Water tank and swimming pool detection based on remote sensing and deep learning: Relationship with socioeconomic level and applications in dengue control.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 9

Cunha HS, Sclauser BS, Wildemberg PF

10. Social capital dimensions are differentially associated with COVID-19 vaccinations, masks, and physical distancing.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 9

Ferwana I, Varshney LR.

BACKGROUND: Social capital has been associated with health outcomes in communities and can explain variations in different geographic localities. Social capital has also been associated with behaviors that promote better health and reduce the impacts of diseases. During the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing, face masking, and vaccination have all been essential in controlling contagion. These behaviors have not been uniformly adopted by communities in the United States. Using different facets of social capital to explain the differences in public behaviors among communities during pandemics is lacking. OBJECTIVE: This study examines the relationship among public health behavior-vaccination, face masking, and physical distancing-during COVID-19 pandemic and social capital indices in counties in the United States. METHODS: We used publicly available vaccination data as of June 2021, face masking data in July 2020, and mobility data from mobile phones movements from the end of March 2020. Then, correlation analysis was conducted with county-level social capital index and its subindices (family unity, community health, institutional health, and collective efficacy) that were obtained from the Social Capital Project by the United States Senate. RESULTS: We found the social capital index and its subindices differentially correlate with different public health behaviors. Vaccination is associated with institutional health: positively with fully vaccinated population and negatively with vaccination hesitancy. Also, wearing masks negatively associates with community health, whereases reduced mobility associates with better community health. Further, residential mobility positively associates with family unity. By comparing correlation coefficients, we find that social capital and its subindices have largest effect sizes on vaccination and residential mobility. CONCLUSION: Our results show that different facets of social capital are significantly associated with adoption of protective behaviors, e.g., social distancing, face masking, and vaccination. As such, our results suggest that differential facets of social capital imply a Swiss cheese model of pandemic control planning where, e.g., institutional health and community health, provide partially overlapping behavioral benefits.

11. How to assure the quality of clinical records? A 7-year experience in a large academic hospital.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 9

Scarpis E, Brunelli L, Tricarico P

INTRODUCTION: Clinical record (CR) is the primary tool used by healthcare workers (HCWs) to record clinical information and its completeness can help achieve safer practices. CR is the most appropriate source in order to measure and evaluate the quality of care. In order to achieve a safety climate is fundamental to involve a responsive healthcare workforce thorough peer-review and feedbacks. This study aims to develop a peer-review tool for clinical records quality assurance, presenting the seven-year experience in the evolution of it; secondary aims are to describe the CR completeness and HCWs' diligence toward recording information in it. METHODS: To assess the completeness of CRs a peer-review tool was developed in a large Academic Hospital of Northern Italy. This tool included measurable items that examined different themes, moments and levels of the clinical process. Data were collected every three months between 2010 and 2016 by appointed and trained HCWs from 42 Units; the hospital Quality Unit was responsible for of processing and validating them. Variations in the proportion of CR completeness were assessed using Cochran-Armitage test for trends. RESULTS: A total of 9,408 CRs were evaluated. Overall CR completeness improved significantly from 79.6% in 2010 to 86.5% in 2016 (p<0.001). Doctors' attitude showed a trend similar to the overall completeness, while nurses improved more consistently (p<0.001). Most items exploring themes, moments and levels registered a significant improvement in the early years, then flattened in last years. Results of the validation process were always above the cut-off of 75%. CONCLUSIONS: This peer-review tool enabled the Quality Unit and hospital leadership to obtain a reliable picture of CRs completeness, while involving the HCWs in the quality evaluation. The completeness of CR showed an overall positive and significant trend during these seven years.

12. A systematic review on fake news research through the lens of news creation and consumption: Research efforts, challenges, and future directions.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 9

Kim B, Xiong A, Lee D

13. Variable expression of eighteen common housekeeping genes in human non-cancerous kidney biopsies.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 9

Strauss P, Mikkelsen H, Furriol J.

14. Good news reduces trust in government and its efficacy: The case of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine announcement.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 9

Hargreaves Heap SP, Koop C, Matakos K

15. Preferences of seniors living in selected Baltic Sea region countries towards the use of indoor public space furniture.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 9

Fabisiak B, Jankowska A, Kłos R

16. A continent-wide high genetic load in African buffalo revealed by clines in the frequency of deleterious alleles, genetic hitchhiking and linkage disequilibrium.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 9

van Hooft P, Getz WM, Greyling BJ

17. Citizen-led sampling to monitor phosphate levels in freshwater environments using a simple paper microfluidic device.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 9

Richardson S, Iles A, Rotchell JM

18. Nature of the liver volume depending on the gender and age assessing volumetry from a reconstruction of the computed tomography.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 8

Harada K, Ishinuki T, Ohashi Y

19. Social incentive factors in interventions promoting sustainable behaviors: A meta-analysis.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 8

Nguyen-Van P, Stenger A, Tiet T.

20. Citizen journalism reduces the credibility deficit of authoritarian government in risk communication amid COVID-19 outbreaks.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 8

Sheen GC, Tung HH, Wu WC.

21. Consumer perceptions of antimicrobial use in animal husbandry: A scoping review.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 8

Barrett JR, Innes GK, Johnson KA

22. Preloaded D-methionine protects from steady state and impulse noise-induced hearing loss and induces long-term cochlear and endogenous antioxidant effects.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 8

Campbell K, Cosenza N, Meech R

OBJECTIVE: Determine effective preloading timepoints for D-methionine (D-met) otoprotection from steady state or impulse noise and impact on cochlear and serum antioxidant measures. DESIGN: D-met started 2.0-, 2.5-, 3.0-, or 3.5- days before steady-state or impulse noise exposure with saline controls. Auditory brainstem response (ABRs) measured from 2 to 20 kHz at baseline and 21 days post-noise. Samples were then collected for serum (SOD, CAT, GR, GPx) and cochlear (GSH, GSSG) antioxidant levels. STUDY SAMPLE: Ten Chinchillas per group. RESULTS: Preloading D-met significantly reduced ABR threshold shifts for both impulse and steady state noise exposures but with different optimal starting time points and with differences in antioxidant measures. For impulse noise exposure, the 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 day preloading start provide significant threshold shift protection at all frequencies. Compared to the saline controls, serum GR for the 3.0 and 3.5 day preloading groups was significantly increased at 21 days with no significant increase in SOD, CAT or GPx for any impulse preloading time point. Cochlear GSH, GSSG, and GSH/GSSG ratio were not significantly different from saline controls at 21 days post noise exposure. For steady state noise exposure, significant threshold shift protection occurred at all frequencies for the 3.5, 3.0 and 2.5 day preloading start times but protection only occurred at 3 of the 6 test frequencies for the 2.0 day preloading start point. Compared to the saline controls, preloaded D-met steady-state noise groups demonstrated significantly higher serum SOD for the 2.5-3.5 day starting time points and GPx for the 2.5 day starting time but no significant increase in GR or CAT for any preloading time point. Compared to saline controls, D-met significantly increased cochlear GSH concentrations in the 2 and 2.5 day steady-state noise exposed groups but no significant differences in GSSG or the GSH/GSSG ratio were noted for any steady state noise-exposed group. CONCLUSIONS: The optimal D-met preloading starting time window is earlier for steady state (3.5-2.5 days) than impulse noise (3.0-2.0). At 21 days post impulse noise, D-met increased serum GR for 2 preloading time points but not SOD, CAT, or GpX and not cochlear GSH, GSSG or the GSH/GSSG ratio. At 21 days post steady state noise D-met increased serum SOD and GPx at select preloading time points but not CAT or GR. However D-met did increase the cochlear GSH at select preloading time points but not GSSG or the GSH/GSSG ratio.

23. Case management programs for people with complex needs: Towards better engagement of community pharmacies and community-based organisations.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 8

Chouinard MC, Bisson M, Danish A

INTRODUCTION: The objectives of this study were 1) to describe how case management programs engaged community pharmacies and community-based organisations in a perspective of integrated care for people with complex needs, and 2) to identify enablers, barriers and potential strategies for this engagement. METHODS: Using a descriptive qualitative design, individual interviews and focus groups with patients, healthcare providers and managers were analysed according to a mixed thematic analysis based on a deductive (Rainbow Model of Integrated Care) and an inductive approach. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Participants highlighted the individualized service plan as a significant tool to foster a shared person-focused vision of care, information exchanges and concerted efforts. Openness to collaboration was also considered as an enabler for community stakeholders' engagement. The lack of recognition of community-based organisations by certain providers and the time required to participate in individualized service plans were outlined as barriers to professional integration. Limited opportunities for community stakeholders to be involved in decision-making within case management programs were reported as another constraint to their engagement. Cultural differences between organisations regarding the focus of the intervention (psychosocial vs healthcare needs) and differences in bureaucratic structures and funding mechanisms may negatively affect community stakeholders' engagement. Formal consultation mechanisms and improvement of communication channels between healthcare providers and community stakeholders were suggested as ways to overcome these barriers. CONCLUSION: Efforts to improve care integration in case management programs should be directed toward the recognition of community stakeholders as co-producers of care and co-builders of social policies across the entire care continuum for people with complex needs.

24. Clinical spectrum of endemic leptospirosis in relation to cytokine response.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 8

Dahanayaka NJ, Agampodi SB, Seneviratna I

25. Taking action" to reduce pain-Has interpretation of the motor adaptation to pain been too simplistic?

PLoS One

2021 Dec 8

Bergin M, Tucker K, Vicenzino B

26. Comparison of point and roadside transect methods to evaluate the abundance and richness of diurnal raptors in the arid region of Rajasthan.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 8

Tiwari G, Pandey P, Kaul R

27. Integrated analysis of the functions and prognostic values of RNA-binding proteins in neuroblastoma.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 8

Yang J, Zhou J, Li C

BACKGROUND: Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common solid tumor in children. NB treatment has made significant progress; however, given the high degree of heterogeneity, basic research findings and their clinical application to NB still face challenges. Herein, we identify novel prognostic models for NB. METHODS: We obtained RNA expression data of NB and normal nervous tissue from TARGET and GTEx databases and determined the differential expression patterns of RNA binding protein (RBP) genes between normal and cancerous tissues. Lasso regression and Cox regression analyses identified the five most important differentially expressed genes and were used to construct a new prognostic model. The function and prognostic value of these RBPs were systematically studied and the predictive accuracy verified in an independent dataset. RESULTS: In total, 348 differentially expressed RBPs were identified. Of these, 166 were up-regulated and 182 down-regulated RBPs. Two hubs RBPs (CPEB3 and CTU1) were identified as prognostic-related genes and were chosen to build the prognostic risk score models. Multivariate Cox analysis was performed on genes from univariate Cox regression and Lasso regression analysis using proportional hazards regression model. A five gene prognostic model: Risk score = (-0.60901*expCPEB3)+(0.851637*expCTU1) was built. Based on this model, the overall survival of patients in the high-risk subgroup was lower (P = 2.152e-04). The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver-operator characteristic curve of the prognostic model was 0.720 in the TARGET cohort. There were significant differences in the survival rate of patients in the high and low-risk subgroups in the validation data set GSE85047 (P = 0.1237e-08), with the AUC 0.730. The risk model was also regarded as an independent predictor of prognosis (HR = 1.535, 95% CI = 1.368-1.722, P = 2.69E-13). CONCLUSIONS: This study identified a potential risk model for prognosis in NB using Cox regression analysis. RNA binding proteins (CPEB3 and CTU1) can be used as molecular markers of NB.

28. A network-based method for predicting disease-associated enhancers.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 8

Le DH.

29. Glomerulotubular pathology in dogs with subclinical ehrlichiosis.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 8

Crivellenti LZ, Cintra CA, Maia SR

30. Self-care appraisal in nursing assistant students: Adaptation, validation and psychometric properties of the Spanish ASAS.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 8

Colomer-Pérez N, Useche SA.

31. Consistency in identity-related sequential decisions.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 8

Perez D, Steinhart Y, Grinstein A

32. Deciphering the microbial and molecular responses of geographically diverse Setaria accessions grown in a nutrient-poor soil.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 8

Peterson MJ, Handakumbura PP, Thompson AM

The microbial and molecular characterization of the ectorhizosphere is an important step towards developing a more complete understanding of how the cultivation of biofuel crops can be undertaken in nutrient poor environments. The ectorhizosphere of Setaria is of particular interest because the plant component of this plant-microbe system is an important agricultural grain crop and a model for biofuel grasses. Importantly, Setaria lends itself to high throughput molecular studies. As such, we have identified important intra- and interspecific microbial and molecular differences in the ectorhizospheres of three geographically distant Setaria italica accessions and their wild ancestor S. viridis. All were grown in a nutrient-poor soil with and without nutrient addition. To assess the contrasting impact of nutrient deficiency observed for two S. italica accessions, we quantitatively evaluated differences in soil organic matter, microbial community, and metabolite profiles. Together, these measurements suggest that rhizosphere priming differs with Setaria accession, which comes from alterations in microbial community abundances, specifically Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria populations. When globally comparing the metabolomic response of Setaria to nutrient addition, plants produced distinctly different metabolic profiles in the leaves and roots. With nutrient addition, increases of nitrogen containing metabolites were significantly higher in plant leaves and roots along with significant increases in tyrosine derived alkaloids, serotonin, and synephrine. Glycerol was also found to be significantly increased in the leaves as well as the ectorhizosphere. These differences provide insight into how C4 grasses adapt to changing nutrient availability in soils or with contrasting fertilization schemas. Gained knowledge could then be utilized in plant enhancement and bioengineering efforts to produce plants with superior traits when grown in nutrient poor soils.

33. Role of miR-181c in Diet-induced obesity through regulation of lipid synthesis in liver.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 8

Akiyoshi K, Boersma GJ, Johnson MD

34. How do gender disparities in entrepreneurial aspirations emerge in Pakistan? An approach to mediation and multi-group analysis.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 7

Sargani GR, Jiang Y, Zhou D

This cross-sectional study sought to identify gender differences in individual behavioral attitudes, personal traits, and entrepreneurial education based on planned behavior theory. The Smart partial least squares (PLS) structural equation model and PLS path modeling were used. A survey design was used to collect data from 309 samples using quantitative measures. The model was tested for validity and reliability and showed variance (full, R2 = 58.9% and split, R2 = 62.7% and R2 = 52.7%) in male and female model predictive power, respectively. Subjective norms (SN), personality traits (PT), and entrepreneurial education (EE) significantly impacted the male sample's intention. Females' intentions toward entrepreneurship was less affected by attitude toward behavior (ATB), subjective norms (SN), perceived behavioral control (PBC), and entrepreneurship education (EE). Further, attitudes, social norms, and behavioral controls as mediation variables indicate a significant and positive role of male and female intentions. These findings imply that behavioral beliefs (ATB, PBC, and SN) influence entrepreneurial intention-action translation. The results significantly supported the designed hypotheses and shed light on individual personality traits (PT) and entrepreneurship education (EE) underpinning enterprise intention. The study determined that EE and PT are the strongest predictors of intention, thus highlighting the role of these motives in the entrepreneurial process. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on youth entrepreneurs, expands our understanding of entrepreneurship as a practical career choice, and offers a novel account differentiating male and female PT. The drive to evaluate the effects of entrepreneurial intention among budding disparities in Pakistan requires a more profound knowledge of the aspects that endorse entrepreneurship as a choice of profession and enhances youth incentive abilities to engage in entrepreneurial activities based on exploitation.

35. On the generalizability of same-day partial knee replacement surgery-A non-selective interventional study evaluating efficacy, patient satisfaction, and safety in a public hospital setting.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 7

Tveit M.

PURPOSE: Programs referred to as Fast-Track/Rapid Recovery/Enhanced Recovery After Surgery have proven both effective and safe in joint replacement surgery, to the degree where same-day discharge (SDD) has been attempted in carefully selected cases at specialized outpatient units. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to evaluate a same-day surgery protocol regarding safety using the minor partial knee replacement (PKR) procedure by non-selectively recruiting patients at a public hospital for one consecutive year. METHODS: 33 unselected PKR cases were included in this open clinical trial. The inclusion/exclusion criteria were solely based on logistics, as all the procedures were medial PKRs, designated the first morning slots, and performed by one single-surgeon. Strict postoperative criteria based on vital parameters, urinary function, bleeding, and mobilization had to be met before discharge was considered. SDD rate, patient satisfaction, number of outpatient visits, adverse events and readmissions within 90 days were evaluated. A predetermined subgroup analysis was also conducted where patients <80 yrs. and with an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification <III was compared with those aged ≥80 yrs. and/or ASA class ≥III. RESULTS: 29 of 33 (88%) successfully achieved SDD. In a univariate comparison, 100% of the patients <80 yrs. and ASA class <III achieved SDD, whereas a corresponding 43% applied for those aged ≥80 yrs. and/or ASA class ≥III (p = 0.001). A 93% overall satisfaction rate was reached. Only 8% extra outpatient visits were required, all occurring within the first 2 weeks (well in line with routine practice.) One plausible transient ischemic attack and one readmission caused by a penetrating trauma not affecting the knee were identified, both of which happened 10 weeks after surgery. No adverse events or readmissions occurred within the first 48 hours of surgery. CONCLUSION: When following strict criteria for discharge, same-day partial knee replacement surgery may be both feasible and safe, even without preselection of patients.

36. Enhancement of loudness discrimination acuity for self-generated sound is independent of musical experience.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 7

Endo N, Ito T, Watanabe K

37. Reduction of breast tumor drug resistance by 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene for exhibition synergic chemotherapeutic effect.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 7

Chang YY, Lin HJ, Hsiao LC

38. Nurses and physicians attitudes towards factors related to hospitalized patient safety.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 7

Malinowska-Lipień I, Micek A, Gabryś T

39. A genome-wide association study identifies novel candidate genes for susceptibility to diabetes mellitus in non-obese cats.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 7

Forcada Y, Boursnell M, Catchpole B

40. A comparative study of hematological parameters between hypertensive and normotensive individuals in Harar, eastern Ethiopia.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 7

Sileshi B, Urgessa F, Wordofa M.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is the major public health concern; leading to cardiovascular disease. It is associated with alteration in hematological parameters which may lead to end-organ damage. Thus, this study aimed to compare hematological parameters between hypertensive and normotensive adult groups in Harar, eastern Ethiopia. METHODS: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March, 2020 at Jugel and Hiwotfana Specialized University hospital, Harar, eastern Ethiopia. Convenient sampling technique was used to recruit 102 hypertensive patients from the two hospitals and 102 apparently healthy blood donors. Participant's socio-demographic and clinical information were collected using pre-tested structured questionnaire. Blood sample were collected and analyzed by Beckman Coulter DxH 500 analyzer for complete blood count. The data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 23. Independent t-test and Mann Whitney u-test was used for comparison between groups. Spearman's correlation was used for correlation test. P values less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULT: 102 hypertensive and 102 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The median ± IQR value of white blood cell (WBC) count, hemoglobin (Hgb), hematocrit (HCT), red cell distribution width (RDW) and mean platelet volume (MPV) were significantly higher in hypertensive group compared to apparently healthy control group. Additionally, RBC (red blood cell) count, HCT and RDW showed statistically significant positive correlations with systolic and diastolic blood pressure. WBC count and RDW were significantly and positively correlated with body mass index (BMI). Platelet (PLT) count had a significant but negative correlation (r = -0.219, P = 0.027) with duration of hypertension illness while MPV showed positive and significant correlation (r = 0.255, P = 0.010). CONCLUSION: The median values of WBC, Hgb, HCT, RDW and MPV were significantly higher in hypertensive patient compared to apparently healthy individuals. Hence, it is important to assess hematological parameters for hypertensive individuals which may help to prevent complications associated with hematological aberrations. However, further studies are required to understand hypertensive associated changes in hematological parameters.

41. Gene excavation and expression analysis of CYP and UGT related to the post modifying stage of gypenoside biosynthesis in Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino by comprehensive analysis of RNA and proteome sequencing.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 7

Zhang Y, Chen Q, Huang Y

42. Prediction of post transarterial chemoembolization MR images of hepatocellular carcinoma using spatio-temporal graph convolutional networks.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 7

Svecic A, Mansour R, Tang A

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays a critical role in the planning and monitoring of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) treated with locoregional therapies, in order to assess disease progression or recurrence. Dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI sequences offer temporal data on tumor enhancement characteristics which has strong prognostic value. Yet, predicting follow-up DCE-MR images from which tumor enhancement and viability can be measured, before treatment of HCC actually begins, remains an unsolved problem given the complexity of spatial and temporal information. We propose an approach to predict future DCE-MRI examinations following transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) by learning the spatio-temporal features related to HCC response from pre-TACE images. A novel Spatial-Temporal Discriminant Graph Neural Network (STDGNN) based on graph convolutional networks is presented. First, embeddings of viable, equivocal and non-viable HCCs are separated within a joint low-dimensional latent space, which is created using a discriminant neural network representing tumor-specific features. Spatial tumoral features from independent MRI volumes are then extracted with a structural branch, while dynamic features are extracted from the multi-phase sequence with a separate temporal branch. The model extracts spatio-temporal features by a joint minimization of the network branches. At testing, a pre-TACE diagnostic DCE-MRI is embedded on the discriminant spatio-temporal latent space, which is then translated to the follow-up domain space, thus allowing to predict the post-TACE DCE-MRI describing HCC treatment response. A dataset of 366 HCC's from liver cancer patients was used to train and test the model using DCE-MRI examinations with associated pathological outcomes, with the spatio-temporal framework yielding 93.5% classification accuracy in response identification, and generating follow-up images yielding insignificant differences in perfusion parameters compared to ground-truth post-TACE examinations.

43. Effects of teaching experience and culture on choral directors' descriptions of choral tone.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 7

Frizzell EY, Windsor LC.

44. The systematic evaluation of an embodied control interface for virtual reality.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 7

Bektaş K, Thrash T, van Raai MA

45. Woman authorship in pre-print versus peer-reviewed oral health-related publications: A two-year observational study.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 6

Rajendran L, Khandelwal N, Feine J

OBJECTIVES: Women in oral health science face similar societal issues and challenges as those in other STEMM careers, and gender disparities continue to exist as evidenced by fewer women represented as first and last authors in scientific publications. Pre-prints may serve as a conduit to immediately disseminating one's work, bypassing the arduous peer review process and its associated inherent biases. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to 1] compare the gender of first and last authors in pre-print versus peer reviewed publications, 2] examine the composition of first and last author pairs as stratified by publication type, and 3] examine the correlation between woman authorship and institutional geographic location and publication metrics stratified by publication type. METHODS: The keyword "oral health" was used to search for publications in BioRxiv and Pubmed in the years 2018 and 2019. Gender of first and last authors were determined, and its frequency was considered as the primary outcome. Additionally, the geographic location of the author's associated institution and publication metrics measured by Altmetrics score were extracted. Data was descriptively summarized by frequencies and percentages. Chi-square analysis was conducted for categorical variables which included the relationship between gender and publication type as well as gender and region of author's associated institution. Binomial regression analysis was conducted to analyze the relationship between gender and Altmetrics. RESULTS: Woman first authors comprised 40.3% of pre-prints and 64.5% of peer reviewed publications [p<0.05]. Woman last authors comprised 31.3% of pre-prints and 61.5% of peer reviewed publications [p<0.05]. When analyzing the relationships between first and last author, the Man-Man pairing represented 47.7% of the pre-print publications and the Woman-Woman pairing comprised a majority of the of the peer review publications at 47.5%. All results were statistically significant with a p-value <0.05. No significant correlation was found between region of institution or Altmetrics and gender of first or last authors [p>0.05]. CONCLUSION: For the first time in oral health science, it was found that women show higher representation as first and last author positions in peer reviewed publications versus pre-prints.

46. Unmet need for family planning and associated factors among currently married women of reproductive age in Bishoftu town, Eastern Ethiopia.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 6

Girma Garo M, Garoma Abe S, Dugasa Girsha W

BACKGROUND: Unmet family planning is one of the common causes for low contraceptive prevalence rates in developing countries, including Ethiopia. Rapid urbanization had profound effect on population health, however, little is known about the unmet need of family planning in settings where there was increased industrializations and internal migrations in Ethiopia. This study aims to determine the unmet need for family planning services among currently married women and identify factors associated with it in Bishoftu town, Eastern Ethiopia. METHODS: Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1st January to 28th February, 2021 among 847 randomly sampled currently married women of the reproductive age group. Data were collected using semi structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with the outcome variable and a 95% confidence interval was used to declare the presence of statistical significance associations. RESULTS: Eight hundred twenty-eight women were participated in the study. The prevalence of unmet need for family planning among currently married women was 26% [95% CI: 23,29]. Maternal age [AOR, 3.00, 95% CI:1.51-5.95], educational status [AOR, 2.49, 95% CI:1.22-5.07], occupational status of self-employee [AOR, 1.98, 95% CI:1.15-3.39] and housewife [AOR, 1.78, 95% CI:1.02-3.12], being visited by health care provider in the last 12 months [AOR, 1.81, 95% CI: 1.26-2.60] and desired number of children less than two [AOR, 1.53, 95% CI:1.01-2.30] were significantly associated with unmet need for family planning. CONCLUSIONS: Unmet need for family planning was higher in the study area compared with the United Nations sphere standard of unmet need for family planning and the national average, and slightly lower than the regional average. Socio-demographic, economic, and health institution factors were determinants of the unmet need for family planning in the study area. Therefore, health education and behaviour change communication related to family planning services should be strengthened and access to family planning services should be improved.

47. Multi-membrane search algorithm.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 6

Song Q, Huang Y, Lai W

48. New correlations between ocular parameters and disease severity in Spanish patients with Gaucher's disease Type I.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 6

Esteban O, Torralba MA, Olivera S

BACKGROUND: Gaucher's disease is associated with a high variety of structural and functional abnormalities in the eye, which do not always affect visual acuity. The purpose of this study was to analyse ocular features in Spanish patients with Gaucher's disease type I, and to investigate their possible correlation with phenotypic and burden parameters of this entity. METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study compared parameters belonging to 18 eyes from 9 Spanish patients with Gaucher's disease Type I with 80 eyes from 40 healthy controls. Complete ophthalmological examination included choroidal and retinal thickness maps with swept source optical coherence tomography. Systemic analysis included genotype, plasmatic biomarkers, [ferritin, chemokine ligand 18 (CCL18) and chitotriosidase (ChT)] and severity scoring systems results ["Gaucher Disease Severity Score Index Type I" (GauSSI-I) and "Gaucher disease severity scoring system" (GD-DS3)]. RESULTS: Nine subjects (18 eyes) were cases (female: 55.5%, mean age 45 years; male: 44.5%, mean age 36 years) and 40 subjects (80 eyes) were controls (female: 49%, mean age 50 years; male: 51%, mean age 55 years). There were no statistically significant differences when comparing ocular parameters (visual acuity; axial length, refractive errors, corneal parameters, lens, retinal and choroidal thickness) between case and control subjects (p>0.05). A statistically significant moderate correlation was observed between lower retinal thickness and choroidal quadrants thickness and greater disease severity scores. A lower central retinal thickness also correlates with higher biological plasmatic levels, and has a statistically significant association with the most affected patient with genotype N370S/Del 55pb. Conversely, higher pachymetry involves a more severe plasmatic concentration of biomarkers. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that pachymetry, and retinal and choroidal thickness, are associated with burden biomarkers and disease severity index scores in Spanish patients with Gaucher's disease Type I.

49. Trends in incidence and prevalence of type 1 diabetes between 1999 and 2019 based on the Childhood Diabetes Registry of Saxony, Germany.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 31

Manuwald U, Schoffer O, Kugler J

OBJECTIVE: The Childhood Diabetes Registry of Saxony has been existing since 1999. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence rates, cohort and point prevalence, and the trends of type 1 diabetes among children and adolescents based on the registry data over the past 21 years. METHODS: A completeness check of the Childhood Diabetes Registry of Saxony for the observation period 2012-2019 was performed using the capture-recapture method. The age-standardized incidence rates per 100,000 person years (PY) were estimated for the observation period 1999-2019. Prevalence was estimated per 100,000 children and adolescents as the point prevalence of five consecutive years, and as a cohort prevalence for the birth cohorts, which result from the difference of age and year at diagnosis. Trend analyses were executed using join point regression. RESULTS: A completeness of 98% (95% CI 89-100) was determined for the period from 2012 to 2019. The standardized incidence rate of type 1 diabetes among children and adolescents increased from 17.1 per 100,000 PY in 1999 to 24.7 per 100,000 PY in 2019. If this trend continues, the incidence rate will increase to 34.8 (95% CI 24.4-49.6) per 100,000 PY in 2030. The point prevalence of 5 consecutive years did not show a continuous trend over time. According to this method, the prevalence reached a plateau in the last segment (2013-2019). The calculation of cohort prevalence indicated a continuous increase from 2013 to 2019 with no significant statistical difference in terms of sex. CONCLUSION: The point prevalence and the last incidence rates indicate that type 1 diabetes of children and adolescents is slowing down or has reached a plateau in Saxony. Nevertheless, the cohort prevalence predicts a steady increase. Future studies should continue investigating these trends in a longer observation period and consider including possible correlating environmental factors.

50. COVID-positive ankle fracture patients are at increased odds of perioperative surgical complications following open reduction internal fixation surgery.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 31

Mercier MR, Galivanche AR, Brand JP

INTRODUCTION: Ankle fractures have continued to occur through the COVID pandemic and, regardless of patient COVID status, often need operative intervention for optimizing long-term outcomes. For healthcare optimization, patient counseling, and care planning, understanding if COVID-positive patients undergoing ankle fracture surgery are at increased risk for perioperative adverse outcomes is of interest. METHODS: The COVID-19 Research Database contains recent United States aggregated insurance claims. Patients who underwent ankle fracture surgery from April 1st, 2020 to June 15th, 2020 were identified. COVID status was identified by ICD coding. Demographics, comorbidities, and postoperative complications were extracted based on administrative data. COVID-positive versus negative patients were compared with univariate analyses. Propensity-score matching was done on the basis of age, sex, and comorbidities. Multivariate regression was then performed to identify risk factors independently associated with the occurrence of 30-day postoperative adverse events. RESULTS: In total, 9,835 patients undergoing ankle fracture surgery were identified, of which 57 (0.58%) were COVID-positive. COVID-positive ankle fracture patients demonstrated a higher prevalence of comorbidities, including: chronic kidney disease, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity (p<0.05 for each). After propensity matching and controlling for all preoperative variables, multivariate analysis found that COVID-positive patients were at increased risk of any adverse event (odds ratio [OR] = 3.89, p = 0.002), a serious adverse event (OR = 5.48, p = 0.002), and a minor adverse event (OR = 3.10, p = 0.021). DISCUSSION: COVID-positive patients will continue to present with ankle fractures requiring operative intervention. Even after propensity matching and controlling for patient factors, COVID-positive patients were found to be at increased risk of 30-day perioperative adverse events. Not only do treatment teams need to be protected from the transmission of COVID in such situations, but the increased incidence of perioperative adverse events needs to be considered.

51. Mild anemia and 11- to 15-year mortality risk in young-old and old-old: Results from two population-based cohort studies.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 31

Galbussera AA, Mandelli S, Rosso S

BACKGROUND: Mild anemia is a frequent although often overlooked finding in old age. Nevertheless, in recent years anemia has been linked to several adverse outcomes in the elderly population. Objective of the study was to investigate the association of mild anemia (hemoglobin concentrations: 10.0-11.9/12.9 g/dL in women/men) with all-cause mortality over 11-15 years and the effect of change in anemia status on mortality in young-old (65-84 years) and old-old (80+ years). METHODS: The Health and Anemia and Monzino 80-plus are two door-to-door, prospective population-based studies that included residents aged 65-plus years in Biella municipality and 80-plus years in Varese province, Italy. No exclusion criteria were used. RESULTS: Among 4,494 young-old and 1,842 old-old, mortality risk over 15/11 years was significantly higher in individuals with mild anemia compared with those without (young-old: fully-adjusted HR: 1.35, 95%CI, 1.15-1.58; old-old: fully-adjusted HR: 1.28, 95%CI, 1.14-1.44). Results were similar in the disease-free subpopulation (age, sex, education, smoking history, and alcohol consumption adjusted HR: 1.54, 95%CI, 1.02-2.34). Both age groups showed a dose-response relationship between anemia severity and mortality (P for trend <0.0001). Mortality risk was significantly associated with chronic disease and chronic kidney disease mild anemia in both age groups, and with vitamin B12/folate deficiency and unexplained mild anemia in young-old. In participants with two hemoglobin determinations, seven-year mortality risk was significantly higher in incident and persistent anemic cases compared to constant non-anemic individuals in both age groups. In participants without anemia at baseline also hemoglobin decline was significantly associated with an increased mortality risk over seven years in both young-old and old-old. Limited to the Monzino 80-plus study, the association remained significant also when the risk was further adjusted also for time-varying covariates and time-varying anemia status over time. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from these two large prospective population-based studies consistently suggest an independent, long-term impact of mild anemia on survival at older ages.

52. Patient and retina specialists' preferences in neovascular age-related macular degeneration treatment. A discrete choice experiment.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 31

Gallego-Pinazo R, Pina-Marin B, Comellas M

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) leads to severe and permanent visual impairment, significantly impacting patients' quality of life and functional independence. Although treatment with anti- vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) prevents and, in some cases, reverses visual damage, the need for frequent monitoring visits and intravitreal injections represents a significant burden on patients, caregivers and retina specialists. OBJECTIVE: To elicit preferences for nAMD treatment characteristics from the perspectives of patients and retina specialists. METHOD: A discrete choice experiment was conducted. Participants (patients > 50 years with nAMD receiving anti-VEGF drugs for at least 2 years and without previous experience with anti-VEGF and retina specialists working in the Spanish National Healthcare System) were asked to select one of two hypothetical treatments resulting from the combination of five attributes (effects on visual function, effects on retinal fluid, treatment regimen, monitoring frequency, and cost); their levels were identified by reviewing the literature and two focus groups. The relative importance (RI) given to each attribute was estimated using a mixed logit model. The marginal rates of substitution (MRS) were calculated taking cost as the risk attribute. RESULTS: A total of 110 patients (P) [aged 79.0 (SD:7.4) years; 57.3% women; 2.3 (SD:0.7) years with nAMD; 2.1 years (SD:0.1) in treatment] and 66 retina specialists (RS) participated in the study. Participants gave greater RI to improvements in their visual function [60.0% (P); 52.7% (RS)], lower monitoring frequency [20.2% (P); 27.1% (RS)] and reduction in retinal fluid [9.8% (P); 13.0%(RS)]. Patients and retina specialists would agree to an increase in cost by 65.0% and 56.5%, respectively, in exchange for improvements of visual function; and 25.5% and 43.3% on delaying monitoring frequency by one month. CONCLUSIONS: Efficacy of treatment, in terms of visual function improvements, is the main driver for treatment election for both patients and retina specialists. Treatment monitoring requirements are also considered, mainly from the retina specialist's perspective. These results suggest that the use of more efficacious anti-VEGF agents with a longer duration of action may contribute to aligning treatment characteristics with patients/specialists' preferences. A better alignment would facilitate better disease management, fulfilling the unmet needs of patients and retina specialists.

53. A double-blind, randomized controlled trial to examine the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf powder supplementation on the immune status and anthropometric parameters of adult HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy in a resource-limited setting.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 31

Gambo A, Moodley I, Babashani M

54. Toxicological safety of VOHO Hemp Oil; a supercritical fluid extract from the aerial parts of hemp.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 31

Dziwenka M, Dolan L, Mitchell J.

55. Super.Complex: A supervised machine learning pipeline for molecular complex detection in protein-interaction networks.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 31

Palukuri MV, Marcotte EM.

56. Tweezepy: A Python package for calibrating forces in single-molecule video-tracking experiments.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 31

Morgan IL, Saleh OA.

57. Predicting speech discrimination scores from pure-tone thresholds-A machine learning-based approach using data from 12,697 subjects.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 31

Kim H, Park J, Choung YH

Diagnostic tests for hearing impairment not only determines the presence (or absence) of hearing loss, but also evaluates its degree and type, and provides physicians with essential data for future treatment and rehabilitation. Therefore, accurately measuring hearing loss conditions is very important for proper patient understanding and treatment. In current-day practice, to quantify the level of hearing loss, physicians exploit specialized test scores such as the pure-tone audiometry (PTA) thresholds and speech discrimination scores (SDS) as quantitative metrics in examining a patient's auditory function. However, given that these metrics can be easily affected by various human factors, which includes intentional (or accidental) patient intervention, there are needs to cross validate the accuracy of each metric. By understanding a "normal" relationship between the SDS and PTA, physicians can reveal the need for re-testing, additional testing in different dimensions, and also potential malingering cases. For this purpose, in this work, we propose a prediction model for estimating the SDS of a patient by using PTA thresholds via a Random Forest-based machine learning approach to overcome the limitations of the conventional statistical (or even manual) methods. For designing and evaluating the Random Forest-based prediction model, we collected a large-scale dataset from 12,697 subjects, and report a SDS level prediction accuracy of 95.05% and 96.64% for the left and right ears, respectively. We also present comparisons with other widely-used machine learning algorithms (e.g., Support Vector Machine, Multi-layer Perceptron) to show the effectiveness of our proposed Random Forest-based approach. Results obtained from this study provides implications and potential feasibility in providing a practically-applicable screening tool for identifying patient-intended malingering in hearing loss-related tests.

58. Effects of photosynthetic models on the calculation results of photosynthetic response parameters in young Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr. plantation.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 31

Ma X, Liu Q, Zhang Z

Accurately predicting the crown photosynthesis of trees is necessary for better understanding the C circle in terrestrial ecosystem. However, modeling crown for individual tree is still challenging with the complex crown structure and changeable environmental conditions. This study was conducted to explore model in modeling the photosynthesis light response curve of the tree crown of young Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr. Plantation. The rectangular hyperbolic model (RHM), non-rectangular hyperbolic model (NRHM), exponential model (EM) and modified rectangular hyperbolic model (MRHM) were used to model the photosynthetic light response curves. The fitting accuracy of these models was tested by comparing determinants coefficients (R2), mean square errors (MSE) and Akaike information criterion (AIC). The results showed that the mean value of R2 of MRHM (R2 = 0.9687) was the highest, whereas MSE value (MSE = 0.0748) and AIC value (AIC = -39.21) were the lowest. The order of fitting accuracy of the four models for Pn-PAR response curve was as follows: MRHM > EM > NRHM > RHM. In addition, the light saturation point (LSP) obtained by MRHM was slightly lower than the observed values, whereas the maximum net photosynthetic rates (Pmax) modeled by the four models were close to the measured values. Therefore, MRHM was superior to other three models in describing the photosynthetic response curve, the accurate values were that the quantum efficiency (α), maximum net photosynthetic rate (Pmax), light saturation point (LSP), light compensation point (LCP) and respiration rate (Rd) were 0.06, 6.06 μmol·m-2s-1, 802.68 μmol·m-2s-1, 10.76 μmol·m-2s-1 and 0.60 μmol·m-2s-1. Moreover, the photosynthetic response parameters values among different layers were also significant. Our findings have critical implications for parameter calibration of photosynthetic models and thus robust prediction of photosynthetic response in forests.

59. Food safety knowledge, attitudes, and eating behavior in the advent of the global coronavirus pandemic.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 31

Liu Z, Mutukumira AN, Shen C.

60. Evidence for use of a healthy relationships assessment tool in the CHARISMA pilot study.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 31

Tolley EE, Martinez A, Zissette S

INTRODUCTION: The CHARISMA intervention, nested within the MTN-025/HOPE vaginal ring trial in Johannesburg, South Africa, seeks to facilitate women's use of HIV prevention products by promoting partner dialogue and mitigating intimate partner violence (IPV). We developed "HEART", a lay counselor-administered relationship assessment tool, for the CHARISMA pilot. The five-scale tool assesses participants' endorsement of Traditional Values (TV), her HIV Prevention Readiness (HPR) and levels of partner support (PS), abuse and control (PAC), and resistance to HIV prevention (PR), guiding decisions about which of three counselling modules to offer (partner communication/A; ring disclosure/B; and IPV prevention/C). METHODS: We correlated baseline scores on HEART subscales with a) independent measures of relationship stability, disclosure and IPV to assess construct validity, and b) with specific modules offered to determine how HEART was used in the pilot. We examined changes in HEART scores at three and six months. Finally, we ran separate growth models for each subscale to examine changes in scores, accounting for partnership changes and counseling module(s) received. RESULTS: Baseline HEART scores correlated as predicted among subscales and with other measures. Reliabilities for four subscales were 0.75 or higher. Women who disclosed study participation and ring use scored higher on PS and lower on PR. Women experiencing IPV scored lower on PS, and higher on PAC and PR. During the pilot, 82% of women received one and 17% received two or more modules; over half received the IPV module. Women with higher PAC and PR scores were more likely to receive the IPV than the communication or disclosure modules. Over time, the TV, PAC and PR scores decreased, and PS score increased. Receiving the IPV module was associated with a decreased PAC score. CONCLUSIONS: These data offer preliminary evidence for HEART construct and predictive validity and support its further evaluation to guide implementation and monitor the impact of the CHARISMA intervention in a randomized controlled evaluation.

61. How populist attitudes scales fail to capture support for populists in power.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 31

Jungkunz S, Fahey RA, Hino A.

62. Are lifestyle changes from online information associated with discussing the information with a doctor? A cross -sectional study.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 31

Midthassel TC, Hansen AH.

63. Comparison of urine proteome among rat models by intraperitoneal injection with single bacteria and co-injection with two bacteria.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 31

Meng W, Zhao C, Gao Y.

64. Midterm outcomes of 455 patients receiving the AFX2 endovascular graft for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm: A retrospective multi-center analysis.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 31

Vetsch R, Garrett HE Jr, Stout CL

Since being introduced into clinical practice the AFX family of endografts has undergone labelling updates, design and manufacturing changes to address a Type III failure mode. The published literature on the performance of the current endograft-AFX2 -is limited to small series with limited follow up. The present study reports the largest series of patients implanted with AFX2 for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms. The study was a retrospective, 5 center study of patients receiving an AFX2 endograft from January 2016 until Dec 2020. Electronic case report forms were provided to four of the centers, with one additional site providing relevant outcomes in an independent dataset. Relevant outcomes were reported via Kaplan-Meier analysis and included all-cause mortality, aneurysm-related mortality, post EVAR aortic rupture, open conversion, device related reinterventions and endoleaks. Among a cohort of 460 patients, 405 underwent elective repair of an AAA, 50 were treated for a ruptured AAA, and 5 were aorto-iliac occlusive disease cases. For the elective cohort (mean age 73.7y, 77% male, mean AAA diameter 5.4cm), the peri-operative mortality was 1.7%. Freedom from aneurysm-related mortality was 98.2% at 1,2,3 and 4 years post-operatively, there were no post-operative aortic ruptures, and 2 patients required open conversion. Freedom from Type Ia endoleaks was 99.4% at 1, 2, 3 and 4 years. Freedom from Type IIIa and Type IIIb endoleaks were 100% and 100% (year 1), 100% and 99.6% (year 2), 99.4% and 99.6% (year 3), 99.4% and 99.6% (year 4) respectively. Freedom from all device-related reintervention (including Type II endoleaks) at 4 y was 86.8%. The AFX2 endograft appears to perform to a satisfactory standard in terms of patient centric outcomes in mid-term follow up. The Type Ia and Type III endoleaks rates at 4y appear to be within acceptable limits. Further follow up studies are warranted.

65. Risk factors and pharmacotherapy for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in paclitaxel-treated female cancer survivors: A retrospective study in Japan.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 31

Hiramoto S, Asano H, Miyamoto T

66. Evaluating the citywide Edinburgh 20mph speed limit intervention effects on traffic speed and volume: A pre-post observational evaluation.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 31

Nightingale GF, Williams AJ, Hunter RF

OBJECTIVES: Traffic speed is important to public health as it is a major contributory factor to collision risk and casualty severity. 20mph (32km/h) speed limit interventions are an increasingly common approach to address this transport and health challenge, but a more developed evidence base is needed to understand their effects. This study describes the changes in traffic speed and traffic volume in the City of Edinburgh, pre- and 12 months post-implementation of phased city-wide 20mph speed limits from 2016-2018. METHODS: The City of Edinburgh Council collected speed and volume data across one full week (24 hours a day) pre- and post-20mph speed limits for 66 streets. The pre- and post-speed limit intervention data were compared using measures of central tendency, dispersion, and basic t-tests. The changes were assessed at different aggregations and evaluated for statistical significance (alpha = 0.05). A mixed effects model was used to model speed reduction, in the presence of key variables such as baseline traffic speed and time of day. RESULTS: City-wide, a statistically significant reduction in mean speed of 1.34mph (95% CI 0.95 to 1.72) was observed at 12 months post-implementation, representing a 5.7% reduction. Reductions in speed were observed throughout the day and across the week, and larger reductions in speed were observed on roads with higher initial speeds. Mean 7-day volume of traffic was found to be lower by 86 vehicles (95% CI: -112 to 286) representing a reduction of 2.4% across the city of Edinburgh (p = 0.39) but with the direction of effect uncertain. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of the city-wide 20mph speed limit intervention was associated with meaningful reductions in traffic speeds but not volume. The reduction observed in road traffic speed may act as a mechanism to lessen the frequency and severity of collisions and casualties, increase road safety, and improve liveability.

67. The off-line effect of affective touch on multisensory integration and tactile perceptual accuracy during the somatic signal detection task.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 31

Sacchetti S, McGlone F, Cazzato V

68. The annual cycle for whimbrel populations using the Western Atlantic Flyway.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 31

Watts BD, Smith FM, Hines C

69. Expanding or shrinking? range shifts in wild ungulates under climate change in Pamir-Karakoram mountains, Pakistan.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 31

Ali H, Din JU, Bosso L

70. Community vibrancy and its relationship with safety in Philadelphia.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 31

Sinchaisri WP, Jensen ST.

71. Online public opinion evaluation through the functional resonance analysis method and deep analysis.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 31

Yu L, Chen H, Luo W

72. Cultural differences in social support seeking: The mediating role of empathic concern.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 30

Zheng S, Masuda T, Matsunaga M

73. Inter-specialty collaboration in the formalization of a new foregut subspecialty.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 30

Vassaur H, Martelli P.

74. Disinvestment in the presence of uncertainty: Description of a novel, multi-group, disinvestment trial design and protocol for an application to reduce or cease use of mobilisation alarms for preventing falls in hospitals.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 30

Haines TP, Botti M, Brusco N

75. Implementation of an electronic patient-reported measure of barriers to antiretroviral therapy adherence with the Opal patient portal: Protocol for a mixed method type 3 hybrid pilot study at a large Montreal HIV clinic.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 30

Engler K, Vicente S, Ma Y

BACKGROUND: Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) remains problematic. Regular monitoring of its barriers is clinically recommended, however, patient-provider communication around adherence is often inadequate. Our team thus decided to develop a new electronically administered patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) of barriers to ART adherence (the I-Score) to systematically capture this data for physician consideration in routine HIV care. To prepare for a controlled definitive trial to test the I-Score intervention, a pilot study was designed. Its primary objectives are to evaluate patient and physician perceptions of the I-Score intervention and its implementation strategy. METHODS: This one-arm, 6-month study will adopt a mixed method type 3 implementation-effectiveness hybrid design and be conducted at the Chronic Viral Illness Service of the McGill University Health Centre (Montreal, Canada). Four HIV physicians and 32 of their HIV patients with known or suspected adherence problems will participate. The intervention will involve having patients complete the I-Score through a smartphone application (Opal), before meeting with their physician. Both patients and physicians will have access to the I-Score results, for consideration during the clinic visits at Times 1, 2 (3 months), and 3 (6 months). The implementation strategy will focus on stakeholder involvement, education, and training; promoting the intervention's adaptability; and hiring an Application Manager to facilitate implementation. Implementation, patient, and service outcomes will be collected (Times 1-2-3). The primary outcome is the intervention's acceptability to patients and physicians. Qualitative data obtained, in part, through physician focus groups (Times 2-3) and patient interviews (Times 2-3) will help evaluate the implementation strategy and inform any methodological adaptations. DISCUSSION: This study will help plan a definitive trial to test the efficacy of the I-Score intervention. It will generate needed data on electronic PROM interventions in routine HIV care that will help improve understanding of conditions for their successful implementation. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04702412; https://clinicaltrials.gov/.

76. Geometrical analysis of motion schemes on fencing experts from competition videos.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 30

Magnani C, Defrasne Ait-Said E.

77. Embodied metaphor in communication about lived experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan, China.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 30

Deng Y, Yang J, Wan W.

78. Determinants of condom use during last sexual intercourse among male college youth of Kaski, Nepal: A cross-sectional survey.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 30

Parajuli B, Adhikari C, Tripathi N.

BACKGROUND: The National Family Planning program of Nepal has introduced the condom as an important family planning method. Despite the continuous effort from the public and private sectors at various levels, its use among youth remains low. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the factors associated with condom use during the last sexual intercourse among male college youth. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study and analyzed the responses of 361 male college youth (aged 19 to 24 years who reported being sexually active preceding six months of the survey), among the 903 participants who reported being involved in vaginal and anal sexual intercourse. The chi-square test was primarily used to find the associated factors and then, stepwise logistic regression was performed by selecting the covariates after the multicollinearity test followed by adjustment of confounders. RESULTS: We found that more than one-fourth (27.4%) of the sexually active male youth had used the condoms during their last sexual intercourse. Postgraduate male youth were four times more likely to use the condoms during the last sexual intercourse than undergraduate male youth (AOR = 4.09, 95% CI; 2.08-8.06). Similarly, married youth were less likely to use the condoms during the last sexual intercourse with 95% lower odds than their counterparts (AOR = 0.05, 95% CI; 0.01-0.38). Male youth with adequate knowledge about the condoms were 8 times more likely to use them compared to those with inadequate knowledge (AOR = 8.42, 95% CI; 4.34-16.33). Likewise, male youth with favorable attitude towards the condoms were 2.5 times more likely to use them compared to their counterparts (AOR = 2.58, 95% CI; 1.23-5.42). Similarly, male youth having two or more sex partners were 4.5 times more likely to use the condoms than the youth having only a sex partner (AOR = 4.57, 95% CI; 2.38-8.76). CONCLUSION: The study concluded that slightly more than one-fourth (27.4%) of male college youth in Kaski district used the condoms during their last sexual intercourse. Level of education, marital status, knowledge about condoms, attitude toward condoms, and number of sex partners are the determinants of condom use among male college youth so recommended for early behavioral interventions, especially in knowledge and attitude. Further studies focusing on including the rural youth and larger geography may help to reach a firmer conclusion.

79. Standard precautions for preventing Tuberculosis and HIV: Compliance of Eswatini university student nurses.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 30

Gina NSV, Rasweswe MM, Moagi MM.

80. The challenge of involving old patients with polypharmacy in their medication during hospitalization in a medical emergency department: An ethnographic study.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 30

Fabricius PK, Andersen O, Steffensen KD

81. Identification of hub genes and construction of an mRNA-miRNA-lncRNA network of gastric carcinoma using integrated bioinformatics analysis.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 30

Wei G, Dong Y, He Z

BACKGROUND: Gastric carcinoma (GC) is one of the most common cancer globally. Despite its worldwide decline in incidence and mortality over the past decades, gastric cancer still has a poor prognosis. However, the key regulators driving this process and their exact mechanisms have not been thoroughly studied. This study aimed to identify hub genes to improve the prognostic prediction of GC and construct a messenger RNA-microRNA-long non-coding RNA(mRNA-miRNA-lncRNA) regulatory network. METHODS: The GSE66229 dataset, from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database were used for the bioinformatic analysis. Differential gene expression analysis methods and Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) were used to identify a common set of differentially co-expressed genes in GC. The genes were validated using samples from TCGA database and further validation using the online tools GEPIA database and Kaplan-Meier(KM) plotter database. Gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA) was used to identify hub genes related to signaling pathways in GC. The RNAInter database and Cytoscape software were used to construct an mRNA-miRNA-lncRNA network. RESULTS: A total of 12 genes were identified as the common set of differentially co-expressed genes in GC. After verification of these genes, 3 hub genes, namely CTHRC1, FNDC1, and INHBA, were found to be upregulated in tumor and associated with poor GC patient survival. In addition, an mRNA-miRNA-lncRNA regulatory network was established, which included 12 lncRNAs, 5 miRNAs, and the 3 hub genes. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, the identification of these hub genes and the establishment of the mRNA-miRNA-lncRNA regulatory network provide new insights into the underlying mechanisms of gastric carcinogenesis. In addition, the identified hub genes, CTHRC1, FNDC1, and INHBA, may serve as novel prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

82. Perceptions of professional soccer coaches, support staff and players toward virtual reality and the factors that modify their intention to use it.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 30

Greenhough B, Barrett S, Towlson C

83. A systematic bibliometric review of clean energy transition: Implications for low-carbon development.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 3

Zhang W, Li B, Xue R

84. Prevalence, types and severity of medication errors associated with the use of automated medication use systems in ambulatory and institutionalized care settings: A systematic review protocol.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 3

Yusuff KB, Mustafa M, Al-Qahtani NH.

The use of automated systems within the medication use process has significantly reduce the occurrence of medication errors and the associated clinical and financial burden. However, automated systems lull into a false sense of security and increase the risk of medication errors that are often associated with socio-technical interactions, automation bias, workarounds and overrides. The objective of the systematic review is to determine the prevalence, types and severity of medication errors that are associated the use of automated systems in ambulatory and institutionalized care settings. The search strategy will be guided by PRISMA framework. Selected databases and relevant gray literature were searched and screening was done independently by two researchers between 01 April and 29 June 2021. These covered all relevant articles published from the inception of the use of automation in the medication use process (2000) until 2020. De-duplication and screening of all studies were done independently by two researchers with a clear inclusion / exclusion criteria. Data extraction and synthesis are currently on going (started on 06 July 2021) and being conducted independently but the validity and completeness of the processes will be confirmed by the third researcher. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and the Hoy et al's quality assessment checklist will be used for the assessment of methodological bias while the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system will be used for the quality of evidence assessment. Detailed qualitative synthesis of key findings will be done with thematic and descriptive analyses. If the number and types of included studies permit, fixed or random effect model meta-analysis will be conducted based on the degree of homogeneity in the sampling frame used in the included studies. Heterogeneity will be assessed with I2 statistics and I2 > 50% will be considered a high statistical heterogeneity. The systematic review may provide new perspective especially from developing settings about the prevalence, types and severity of medication errors associated with the use of automated systems at all the stages of medication use process, and in all categories of patients. This may add to global knowledge in the research area. Systematic review registration: The systematic review was registered and published by PROSPERO (CRD42020212900).

85. Design and evaluation of a cognitive health education pilot program according to the RE-AIM framework.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 3

Yuan M, Xiao X, Wang Y

OBJECTIVE: Most formats of currently used community-based health education for cognitive impairment prevention are limited to one-way communication, such as distributing leaflets, pasting posters, or holding a lecture, and they lack comprehensive evaluation. Here we aim to design, test, and evaluate a novel pilot cognitive health education program combined with psychosocial interventions (CHECPI). METHODS: We designed the CHECPI program and tested it among adults aged 60 and over in an aging-friendly community in 2018. Multidimensional cognitive functions were measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) before and three months after the CHECPI program. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed based on the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance) framework to evaluate the program. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to assess changes in multidimensional cognitive functions. RESULTS: The CHECPI program was comprised of 12 courses and introduced 5 kinds of psychosocial interventions. Reach: 28 older adults participated in the program, of whom most were female (n = 22) and younger elderly with an average age of 65.32 years. Effectiveness: 19 participants finished≥6 courses as well as the follow-up survey. Although their MoCA scores did not improve significantly, they had increased their visuospatial ability significantly (with the average score increasing by 0.42). Adoption: the community officers, lecturers, and participants highly recommended the program, but they agreed that the lack of professional instructors may hinder its popularization. Implementation: the program was implemented in full accordance with the pre-program design. Maintenance: three months after the program, 17 participants had maintained at least one of the seven healthy behaviors that were introduced in the program. CONCLUSIONS: Younger female elderly were more willing to participate in the program. It enhanced participants' visuospatial ability, but a sufficient number of professional instructors are crucial for large-scale promotion.

86. RFARN: Retinal vessel segmentation based on reverse fusion attention residual network.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 3

Liu W, Jiang Y, Zhang J

87. COVID-19 testing, timeliness and positivity from ICMR's laboratory surveillance network in India: Profile of 176 million individuals tested and 188 million tests, March 2020 to January 2021.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 3

Ponnaiah M, Suliankatchi Abdulkader R, Bhatnagar T

88. Investigation of extramammary sources of Group B Streptococcus reveals its unusual ecology and epidemiology in camels.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 3

Seligsohn D, Crestani C, Gitahi N

89. A three-dimensional intelligent engineering management and control system for the construction of a long-span valve hall project based on a microservice architecture.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 3

Zeng Q, Ming W, Luo J

Three-dimensional intelligent engineering management and control systems (EMCS) based on the browser/server (B/S) model are an important part of intelligent engineering development. These systems are used for solving the difficulties encountered in engineering management with frequent cross-specialties and are vital tools for data exchange and service sharing among multiple departments. Currently, most engineering management and control systems are based on service-oriented architectures (SOAs). The integration mechanism and high coupling of SOAs leads to the reduction in system expansibility, service quality and service safety of the engineering system, making it difficult for these architectures to serve the construction of long-span valve hall engineering. To address these concerns, the management and application technology of the multidisciplinary data of valve hall engineering based on a microservice architecture (MSA) is proposed to improve the management efficiency of engineering data. A 3D integration modeling method for valve hall engineering structures and geological environments is proposed to establish the topological association between engineering structures and geological environments, without increasing the amount of model data required. A 3D intelligent engineering management and control technology for the entire process of the construction of long-span valve hall engineering is proposed, which realizes the entire process simulation and control of engineering construction based on WebGL technology. Accordingly, a three-dimensional intelligent engineering management and control system for the entire construction process of a long-span valve hall project in Southeast China is established, which can effectively manage and apply the data, display and analyze the three-dimensional model, and control and make decisions regarding the construction schedule. This study provides support for the construction of "smart engineering", promotes information communication and transmission between different project units, and speeds up the transformation from traditional construction management relying on drawings to three-dimensional intelligent construction management based on cloud services.

90. Computed tomography with 6-year follow-up demonstrates the evolution of HTLV-1 related lung injuries: A cohort study.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 29

Dias ARN, Vieira WB, Normando VMF

91. Bias-corrected maximum-likelihood estimation of multiplicity of infection and lineage frequencies.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 29

Hashemi M, Schneider KA.

BACKGROUND: The UN's Sustainable Development Goals are devoted to eradicate a range of infectious diseases to achieve global well-being. These efforts require monitoring disease transmission at a level that differentiates between pathogen variants at the genetic/molecular level. In fact, the advantages of genetic (molecular) measures like multiplicity of infection (MOI) over traditional metrics, e.g., R0, are being increasingly recognized. MOI refers to the presence of multiple pathogen variants within an infection due to multiple infective contacts. Maximum-likelihood (ML) methods have been proposed to derive MOI and pathogen-lineage frequencies from molecular data. However, these methods are biased. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Based on a single molecular marker, we derive a bias-corrected ML estimator for MOI and pathogen-lineage frequencies. We further improve these estimators by heuristical adjustments that compensate shortcomings in the derivation of the bias correction, which implicitly assumes that data lies in the interior of the observational space. The finite sample properties of the different variants of the bias-corrected estimators are investigated by a systematic simulation study. In particular, we investigate the performance of the estimator in terms of bias, variance, and robustness against model violations. The corrections successfully remove bias except for extreme parameters that likely yield uninformative data, which cannot sustain accurate parameter estimation. Heuristic adjustments further improve the bias correction, particularly for small sample sizes. The bias corrections also reduce the estimators' variances, which coincide with the Cramér-Rao lower bound. The estimators are reasonably robust against model violations. CONCLUSIONS: Applying bias corrections can substantially improve the quality of MOI estimates, particularly in areas of low as well as areas of high transmission-in both cases estimates tend to be biased. The bias-corrected estimators are (almost) unbiased and their variance coincides with the Cramér-Rao lower bound, suggesting that no further improvements are possible unless additional information is provided. Additional information can be obtained by combining data from several molecular markers, or by including information that allows stratifying the data into heterogeneous groups.

92. Making sense of unfamiliar COVID-19 vaccines: How national origin affects vaccination willingness.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 29

Jensen EA, Wagoner B, Pfleger A

93. Determinants of severity among hospitalised COVID-19 patients: Hospital-based case-control study, India, 2020.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 29

Zodpey SP, Negandhi H, Kamal VK

94. Controlling forever love.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 29

Herrera de la Cruz J, Rey JM.

95. HIV-1 Vpr protein upregulates microRNA-210-5p expression to induce G2 arrest by targeting TGIF2.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 29

Qiao J, Peng Q, Qian F

96. Maternal dietary diversity during lactation and associated factors in Palghar district, Maharashtra, India.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 29

Rajpal S, Kumar A, Alambusha R

Dietary adequacy and diversity during the lactation period are necessary to ensure good health and nutrition among women and children. Behavioral interventions pertaining to health and nutrition counselling during pregnancy and lactation are critical for awareness about dietary diversity. The issue assumes salience for marginalized communities because of the Covid-19 pandemic and associated economic and societal disruptions. This paper assesses the dietary patterns among 400 lactating mothers in the tribal-dominated district of Palghar in Maharashtra, India in 2020. The study is based on primary data regarding consumption of 10 food groups among women across 10 food groups based on 24-hour recall period. The primary outcome variable was binary information regarding Minimum Dietary Diversity defined as consumption from at least 5 food groups. Econometric analysis based on multilevel models and item-response theory is applied to identify food groups that were most difficult to be received by mothers during the early and late lactation period. We find that the daily diet of lactating mothers in Palghar primarily consists of grains, white roots, tubers, and pulses. In contrast, the intake of dairy, eggs, and non-vegetarian food items is much lower. Only Half of the lactating women (56.5 percent; 95% CI: 37.4; 73.8) have a minimum diversified diet (MDD). The prevalence of lactating women with MDD was higher among households with higher income (73.1 percent; 95% CI: 45.2; 89.9) than those in lower income group (50.7 percent; 95% CI: 42.3; 58.9). Lactating Women (in early phase) who received health and nutrition counseling services are more likely (OR: 2.37; 95% CI: 0.90; 6.26) to consume a diversified diet. Food groups such as fruits, meat, poultry, fish, nuts, and seeds were among the rare food items in daily diet. The dietary pattern lacking in fruits, nuts, and heme (iron) sources indicates more significant risks of micronutrient deficiencies. The findings call for improving dietary diversity among lactating mothers, particularly from the marginalized communities, and are driven by low consumption of dairy products or various fruits and vegetables. Among the different food items, the consumption of micronutrient-rich seeds and nuts is most difficult to be accessed by lactating mothers. Also, diet-centric counseling and informing lactating mothers of its benefits are necessary to increase dietary diversity for improving maternal and child nutrition.

97. Damage evaluation and precursor of sandstone under the uniaxial compression: Insights from the strain-field heterogeneity.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 29

Cheng H, Yang X, Zhang Z

98. Hand-in-hand in the golden years: Cognitive interdependence, partner involvement in retirement planning, and the transition into retirement.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 29

Lamarche VM, Rolison JJ.

99. Influence of scattered trees in grazing areas on soil properties in the Piedmont region of the Colombian Amazon.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 29

Álvarez F, Casanoves F, Suárez JC.

Trees dispersed in grazing areas are contribute to the sustainability of livestock systems. The interactions between trees and soil are ecological processes that allow the modification of the biology, fertility, and physics of the soil. This study was aimed to assess the influence of dispersed trees in pastures on soil properties in grazing areas for dual-purpose cattle systems in the Piedmont region of the Colombian Amazon. The work was done in grazing areas with scattered trees at the Centro de Investigaciones Amazónicas CIMAZ-Macagual in Florencia-Caquetá-Colombia. We evaluated the effect of five tree species, Andira inermis, Bellucia pentámera, Guarea Guidonia, Psidium guajava and Zygia longifolia, on soil properties (up to 30 cm soil depth) under and outside the influence of the crown. Under the tree crown, three points were systematically taken in different cardinal positions. This was done at a distance corresponding to half the radius of the tree crown. The sampling points in the open pasture area (out of crown) were made in the same way, but at 15 m from the crown border. The ANOVA showed significant interaction (P < 0.0001) between tree species and location for macrofauna abundance up to 30 cm soil depth. For this reason, we performed the comparison between locations for each tree species. Chemical soil variables up to 10 cm soil depth only showed interaction of tree species-location for exchangeable potassium (P = 0.0004). Soil physical soil characteristics up to 30 cm soil depth only showed interaction of tree species-location at 20 cm soil depth (P = 0.0003). The principal component analysis for soil properties explained 61.1% of the total variability of the data with the two first axes. Using Monte Carlo test, we found crown effect for all species. Trees help to control exchangeable mineral elements that can affect the soil, potentiate basic cations such as magnesium and potassium, increase the abundance of soil macrofauna; but some trees with high ground level of shade in grazing areas could increase soil compaction due to the greater concentration of cattle in these areas.

100. Combined mRNAs and clinical factors model on predicting prognosis in patients with triple-negative breast cancer.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 29

Hu Y, Zou D.

OBJECTIVE: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is aggressive cancer usually diagnosed in young women with no effective prognosis prediction model to use. The present study was performed to develop a useful prognostic model for predicting overall survival (OS) for TNBC patients. METHODS: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Molecular Taxonomy of Breast Cancer International Consortium (METABRIC) databases were used as training and validation data sets, respectively, in which the gene expression levels and clinical prognostic information of TNBC were collected. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between TNBC and non-TNBC (NTNBC) were identified with the thresholds of false discovery rate < 0.05 and |log2 Fold Change| > 1. DEGs in AmiGO2 and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases were retained for further study. Univariate, multivariate Cox, and logistic regression analysis were conducted for detecting DEG signature with the threshold of log-rank P < 0.05. The prognosis models of mRNA signature, clinical factors were constructed and compared. RESULTS: One five-DEG signature, including CHST4, COCH, CST9, SOX11, and TDGF1 was identified in DEG prognosis model. Stratified analysis showed that the patients aged over 60, with higher pathologic stage (III-IV) and recurrence induced a significantly lower survival rate than those aged below 60, lower pathologic stage and without recurrence. Compared with patients with low-risk scores, those presented high-risk scores demonstrated significantly lower survival rate in the subgroup aged over 60 [HR = 3.780 (1.801-7.933), P < 0.0001]. For patients who obtained a higher pathologic stage and recurrence, high-risk scores were correlated with a significantly lower survival rate than patients with low-risk scores. The five-mRNA signature combined with clinical model (AUC = 0.950) predicted better than single clinical model (AUC = 0.795) or five-mRNA signature model (AUC = 0.823). CONCLUSION: Our present study identified a prognostic prediction model (combined with five-mRNA signature and clinical factors) for TNBC patients receiving immunotherapy, which will benefit future research and clinical therapies.

101. Designing the best breeding strategy for Coffea canephora: Genetic evaluation of pure and hybrid individuals aiming to select for productivity and disease resistance traits.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 29

Alkimim ER, Caixeta ET, Sousa TV

102. Elevated serum expression of p53 and association of TP53 codon 72 polymorphisms with risk of cervical cancer in Bangladeshi women.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 28

Mostaid MS, Mumu SB, Haque MA

103. Husbands' participation in birth preparedness and complication readiness plan in Kucha district, Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 28

Gultie T, Tanto Z, Estifanos W

BACKGROUND: Birth-preparedness and complication-readiness (BPCR) is the process of planning for normal birth and anticipating the actions needed in case of an emergency. The involvement of husband during pregnancy helps a mother to make timely decisions to avoid delays. Identifying the level of husband involvement in Birth-preparedness and complication-readiness is very important, as husband is the major decision maker in household and health service related issue. However, there is no sufficient data in the Kucha district, which describes the level of husband involvement in Birth-preparedness and complication-readiness. Therefore, this study assessed the level of husband involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness in Kucha District, Gamo Zone, Ethiopia. METHODS: Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 421 husbands whose wife gave birth within the last 12 months at Kucha District using simple random sampling technique. Data was collected using a pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire by trained data collectors. Binary and multivariable logistic regression with odds ratios along with the 95% confidence interval analysis were employed to find factors associated with the level of husband involvement. A p-value <0.05 with 95% confidence level used to decide statistical significance. RESULTS: Data were collected from 421 study participants. One hundred twenty-seven (30.2%) were involved in birth preparedness and complication readiness plan. Participants who had at least secondary school education AOR = 3.1, CI (1.84-5.23), had at least four antenatal care visits AOR = 4.91, CI (2.36-10.2), and live more than five km from the health care facility AOR = 2.35, CI = 1.40-3.96) were involved in birth preparedness and complication readiness plan. CONCLUSION: Husbands' involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness was low. Husband's higher educational level, high frequency of antenatal care, and long distance to the health facility were significantly associated with husbands' involvement in Birth-preparedness and complication-readiness plan. Therefore, advocating for higher frequency of antenatal care and improving educational level are important to increase husbands' involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness plan.

104. Enhanced location tracking in sensor fusion-assisted virtual reality micro-manipulation environments.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 28

Prieto Prada JD, Im J, Oh H

105. Diagnosis of tuberculosis among COVID-19 suspected cases in Ghana.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 28

Afum T, Asare P, Asante-Poku A

106. The circuits of healthcare: Understanding healthcare seeking behaviour-A qualitative study with tuberculosis patients in Lisbon, Portugal.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 28

Ribeiro RM, Havik PJ, Craveiro I.

BACKGROUND: Understanding health delivery service from a patient´s perspective, including factors influencing healthcare seeking behaviour, is crucial when treating diseases, particularly infectious ones, like tuberculosis. This study aims to trace and contextualise the trajectories patients pursued towards diagnosis and treatment, while discussing key factors associated with treatment delays. Tuberculosis patients' pathways may serve as indicator of the difficulties the more vulnerable sections of society experience in obtaining adequate care. METHODS: We conducted 27 semi-structured interviews with tuberculosis patients attending a treatment centre in a suburban area of Lisbon. We invited nationals and migrant patients in active treatment to participate by sharing their illness experiences since the onset of symptoms until the present. The Health Belief Model was used as a reference framework to consolidate the qualitative findings. RESULTS: By inductive analysis of all interviews, we categorised participants' healthcare seeking behaviour into 4 main types, related to the time participants took to actively search for healthcare (patient delay) and time the health system spent to diagnose and initiate treatment (health system delay). Each type of healthcare seeking behaviour identified (inhibited, timely, prolonged, and absent) expressed a mindset influencing the way participants sought healthcare. The emergency room was the main entry point where diagnostic care cascade was initiated. Primary Health Care was underused by participants. CONCLUSIONS: The findings support that healthcare seeking behaviour is not homogeneous and influences diagnostic delays. If diagnostic delays are to be reduced, the identification of behavioural patterns should be considered when designing measures to improve health services' delivery. Healthcare professionals should be sensitised and perform continuous capacity development training to deal with patients´ needs. Inhibited and prolonged healthcare seeking behaviour contributes significantly to diagnostic delays. These behaviours should be detected and reverted. Timely responses, from patients and the healthcare system, should be promoted.

107. Epidemiological evidence relating risk factors to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in China: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 28

Chen H, Liu X, Gao X

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the most common chronic respiratory disease worldwide, not only leads to the decline of pulmonary function and quality of life consecutively, but also has become a major economic burden on individuals, families, and society in China. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to explore the risk factors for developing COPD in the Chinese population that resides in China and to provide a theoretical basis for the early prevention of COPD. METHODS: A total of 2457 cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies published related to risk factors for COPD in China were searched. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 20 articles were selected. Stata 11.0 was used for meta-analysis. After merging the data, the pooled effect and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the association between risk factors and COPD. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed using I2 and Cochran's Q tests. Begg's test was used to assess publication bias. RESULTS: Exposure to particulate matter less than 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5) (pooled effect = 1.73; 95%CI: 1.16~2.58; P <0.01), smoking history (pooled effect = 2.58; 95%CI: 2.00~3.32; P <0.01), passive smoking history (pooled effect = 1.39; 95%CI: 1.03~1.87; P = 0.03), male sex(pooled effect = 1.70; 95%CI: 1.31~2.22; P <0.01), body mass index (BMI) <18.5 kg/m2 (pooled effect = 1.73; 95%CI: 1.32~2.25; P <0.01), exposure to biomass burning emissions (pooled effect = 1.65; 95%CI: 1.32~2.06; P <0.01), childhood respiratory infections (pooled effect = 3.44; 95%CI: 1.33~8.90; P = 0.01), residence (pooled effect = 1.24; 95%CI: 1.09~1.42; P <0.01), and a family history of respiratory diseases (pooled effect = 2.04; 95%CI: 1.53~2.71; P <0.01) were risk factors for COPD in the Chinese population. CONCLUSION: Early prevention of COPD could be accomplished by quitting smoking, reducing exposure to air pollutants and biomass burning emissions, maintaining body mass index between 18.5 kg/m2 and 28 kg/m2, protecting children from respiratory infections, adopting active treatments to children with respiratory diseases, and conducting regular screening for those with family history of respiratory diseases.

108. Colchicine use in patients with COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 28

Chiu L, Lo CH, Shen M

109. A study to investigate the implementation process and fidelity of a hospital to community pharmacy transfer of care intervention.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 28

Khayyat SM, Nazar Z, Nazar H.

BACKGROUND: Hospital to community pharmacy transfer of care medicines-related interventions for inpatients discharged home aim to improve continuity of care and patient outcomes. One such intervention has been provided for seven years within a region in England. This study reports upon the implementation process and fidelity of this intervention. METHODS: The process evaluation guidance issued by the Medical Research Council has informed this study. A logic model to describe the intervention and causal assumptions was developed from preliminary semi-structured interviews with project team members. Further semi-structured interviews were undertaken with intervention providers from hospital and community pharmacy, and with patient and public representatives. These aimed to investigate intervention implementation process and fidelity. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and the Consolidated Framework for Intervention Fidelity informed interview topic guides and underpinned the thematic framework analysis using a combined inductive and deductive approach. RESULTS: Themes provided information about intervention fidelity and implementation that were mapped across the sub processes of implementation: planning, execution, reflection and evaluation, and engagement. Interviewees described factors such as lack of training, awareness, clarity on the service specification, governance and monitoring and information and feedback which caused significant issues with the process of intervention implementation and suboptimal intervention fidelity. CONCLUSIONS: This provides in-depth insight into the implementation process and fidelity of a ToC intervention, and the extant barriers and facilitators. The findings offer learning to inform the design and implementation of similar interventions, contribute to the evidence base about barriers and facilitators to such interventions and provides in-depth description of the implementation and mechanisms of impact which have the potential to influence clinical and economic outcome evaluation.

110. Real-world treatment patterns and clinical outcomes for inpatients with COVID-19 in the US from September 2020 to February 2021.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 28

Ayodele O, Ren K, Zhao J

The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to describe pre-treatment characteristics, treatment patterns, health resource use, and clinical outcomes among adults hospitalized with COVID-19 in the United States (US) who initiated common treatments for COVID-19. The Optum® COVID-19 electronic health records database was used to identify patients >18 years, diagnosed with COVID-19, who were admitted to an inpatient setting and received treatments of interest for COVID-19 between September 2020 and January 2021. Patients were stratified into cohorts based on index treatment use. Patient demographics, medical history, care setting, medical procedures, subsequent treatment use, patient disposition, clinical improvement, and outcomes were summarized descriptively. Among a total of 26,192 patients identified, the most prevalent treatments initiated were dexamethasone (35.4%) and dexamethasone + remdesivir (14.9%), and dexamethasone was the most common subsequent treatment. At day 14 post-index, <10% of patients received any treatments of interest. Mean (standard deviation [SD]) patient age was 65.6 (15.6) years, and the most prevalent comorbidities included hypertension (44.8%), obesity (35.4%), and diabetes (25.7%). At the end of follow-up, patients had a mean (SD) 8.1 (6.6) inpatient days and 1.4 (4.1) days with ICU care. Oxygen supplementation, non-invasive, or invasive ventilation was required by 4.5%, 3.0%, and 3.1% of patients, respectively. At the end of follow-up, 84.2% of patients had evidence of clinical improvement, 3.1% remained hospitalized, 83.8% were discharged, 4% died in hospital, and 9.1% died after discharge. Although the majority of patients were discharged alive, no treatments appeared to alleviate the inpatient morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19. This highlights an unmet need for effective treatment options for patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

111. Clinical and radiological characteristics of acute pulmonary embolus in relation to 28-day and 6-month mortality.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 28

Norton L, Cooper G, Sheerins O

BACKGROUND: Patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) exhibit a wide spectrum of clinical and laboratory features when presenting to hospital and pathophysiologic mechanisms differentiating low-risk and high-risk PE are poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prognostic value of clinical, laboratory and radiological information that is available within routine tests undertaken for patients with acute PE. METHODS: Electronic patient records (EPR) of patients who underwent Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiogram (CTPA) scan for the investigation of acute PE during 6-month period (01.01.2016-30.06.2016) were examined. Data was gathered from EPR for patients that met inclusion criteria and all CTPA scans were re-evaluated. Biochemical thresholds of low-grade and high-grade inflammation, serum CRP >10mg/L and >150mg/L and serum albumin concentrations <35g/L and <25 g/L, were combined in the Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS) and peri-operative Glasgow Prognostic Score (poGPS) respectively. Neutrophil Lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was also calculated. Pulmonary Embolus Severity Index score was calculated. RESULTS: Of the total CTPA reports (n = 2129) examined, 245 patients were eligible for inclusion. Of these, 20 (8%) patients had died at 28-days and 43 (18%) at 6-months. Of the 197 non-cancer related presentations, 28-day and 6-month mortality were 3% and 8% respectively. Of the 48 cancer related presentations, 28-day and 6-month mortality were 29% and 58% respectively. On univariate analysis, age ≥65 years (p<0.01), PESI score ≥100(p = <0.001), NLR ≥3(p<0.001) and Coronary Artery Calcification (CAC) score ≥ 6 (p<0.001) were associated with higher 28-day and 6-month mortality. PESI score ≥100 (OR 5.2, 95% CI: 1.1, 24.2, P <0.05), poGPS ≥1 (OR 2.5, 95% CI: 1.2-5.0, P = 0.01) and NLR ≥3 (OR 3.7, 95% CI: 1.0-3.4, P <0.05) remained independently associated with 28-day mortality. On multivariate binary logistic regression analysis of factors associated with 6-month mortality, PESI score ≥100 (OR 6.2, 95% CI: 2.3-17.0, p<0.001) and coronary artery calcification score ≥6 (OR 2.3, 95% CI: 1.1-4.8, p = 0.030) remained independently associated with death at 6-months. When patients who had an underlying cancer diagnosis were excluded from the analysis only GPS≥1 remained independently associated with 6-month mortality (OR 5.0, 95% CI 1.2-22.0, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: PESI score >100, poGPS≥1, NLR ≥3 and CAC score ≥6 were associated with 28-day and 6-month mortality. PESI score ≥100, poGPS≥1 and NLR ≥3 remained independently associated with 28-day mortality. PESI score ≥100 and CAC score ≥6 remained independently associated with 6-month mortality. When patients with underlying cancer were excluded from the analysis, GPS≥1 remained independently associated with 6-month mortality. The role of the systemic inflammatory response (SIR) in determining treatment and prognosis requires further study. Routine reporting of CAC scores in CTPA scans for acute PE may have a role in aiding clinical decision-making regarding treatment and prognosis.

112. Assessment of farm households' perception, beliefs and attitude toward climatic risks: A case study of rural Vietnam.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 28

Nguyen-Thi-Lan H, Fahad S, Nguyen-Anh T

113. Three-dimensional evaluation of upper airway changes following rapid maxillary expansion: A retrospective comparison with propensity score matched controls.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 23

Aljawad H, Lee KM, Lim HJ.

114. Diagnostic and prognostic significance of premature ventricular complexes in community and hospital-based participants: A scoping review.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 23

Suba S, Fleischmann KE, Schell-Chaple H

115. Predicting online participation through Bayesian network analysis.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 23

Kopacheva E.

116. Phytochemical and proximate content of Carapa procera bark and its antimicrobial potential against selected pathogens.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 23

Owusu DA, Afedzi AEK, Quansah L.

117. Changes in attitudes to vaccination as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal study of older adults in the UK.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 23

Gallant AJ, Nicholls LAB, Rasmussen S

BACKGROUND: The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines has brought an unprecedented focus on public attitudes to vaccines, with intention to accept a COVID-19 vaccine fluctuating during the pandemic. However, it is unclear how the pandemic may influence attitudes and behaviour in relation to vaccines in general. The aim of the current study is to examine older adults' changes in vaccination attitudes and behaviour over the first year of the pandemic. METHODS: In February-March 2020 (before the first COVID-19 national lockdown in the UK), 372 older adults (aged 65+) provided sociodemographic information, self-reported influenza vaccine uptake, and completed two measures of vaccination attitudes: the 5C scale and the Vaccination Attitudes Examination Scale. One-year later, following rollout of COVID-19 vaccines to older adults, participants provided information on their COVID-19 and influenza vaccine uptake in the previous 12 months, and completed the 5C and VAX scales again. Paired samples t-tests were used to examine changes in vaccination attitudes over time. RESULTS: Almost all participants (98.7%) had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and a significant increase in influenza uptake was identified (83.6% in 2020 to 91.6% in 2021). Complacency, mistrust of vaccine benefit, concerns about commercial profiteering, and constraints to vaccination had significantly decreased between Time 1 and Time 2, and collective responsibility had significant increased. However, calculation and worries about unforeseen future effects had increased, indicating that participants now perceived higher risks related to vaccination and were taking a more deliberative information-seeking approach. CONCLUSION: The results show significant changes in vaccination attitudes across the pandemic. These changes suggest that while older adults became less complacent about the importance of vaccines, concerns about potential risks associated with vaccination increased. It will be important for public health communication to address these concerns for all vaccines offered to this group.

118. Multiplexed CRISPR-mediated engineering of protein secretory pathway genes in the thermotolerant methylotrophic yeast Ogataea thermomethanolica.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 23

Kruasuwan W, Puseenam A, Tanapongpipat S

119. Assessing changes in mood state in university students following short-term study abroad.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 23

Yamanaka T, Yamagishi N, Nawa NE

120. Efficacy of vonoprazan against bleeding from endoscopic submucosal dissection-induced gastric ulcers under antithrombotic medication: A cross-design synthesis of randomized and observational studies.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 23

Hidaka Y, Imai T, Inaba T

121. The diagnostic accuracy and prognostic value of OCT for the evaluation of the visual function in children with a brain tumour: A systematic review.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 23

Nuijts MA, Imhof SM, Veldhuis N

PURPOSE: To systematically review the evidence on the diagnostic accuracy and prognostic value of retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) to detect visual acuity (VA) or visual field (VF) loss in children with a brain tumour. METHODS: PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases were searched from inception to February 2021. We included studies evaluating retinal OCT and standard visual function parameters (VA and or VF) in children with a brain tumour. Two authors independently extracted data from each included study. They also assessed the methodological quality of the studies using the QUADAS-2 or QUIPS tool. The diagnostic accuracy of OCT was evaluated with receiver operating characteristic analysis, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value. The prognostic value of OCT was evaluated with predictive measures (odds ratio). RESULTS: We included five diagnostic studies, with a total of 186 patients, all diagnosed with optic pathway glioma. No prognostic studies were eligible for inclusion. Included studies evaluated either retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness or ganglion cell layer-inner plexiform layer (GCL-IPL) thickness. There was considerable heterogeneity between OCT devices, OCT protocols, visual function parameters and threshold values. Sensitivity and specificity for RNFL thickness measurement ranged from 60.0% to 100.0% and 76.6% to 100%, respectively. For GCL-IPL thickness measurement, area under the curve ranged from 0.91 to 0.98 for different diameters. CONCLUSION: The literature regarding the diagnostic accuracy and prognostic value of OCT parameters in children with a brain tumour is scarce. Due to heterogeneity and a considerable risk of bias of included studies, we cannot draw solid conclusions regarding the accuracy of retinal OCT. Future research should investigate the potential of OCT as diagnostic and prognostic tool for the evaluation of the visual function and detection of visual impairment in children with any type of brain tumour.

122. Psychosocial stress and neuroendocrine biomarker concentrations among women living with or without HIV.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 23

Levy ME, Waters A, Sen S

OBJECTIVE: Women living with HIV (WLWH) experience psychosocial stress related to social-structural vulnerabilities. To investigate neuroendocrine pathways linking stress and increased cardiovascular disease risk among WLWH, we evaluated associations between psychosocial stress (i.e., perceived stress, posttraumatic stress, and experiences of race- and gender-based harassment) and a composite neuroendocrine biomarker index among WLWH and women without HIV. METHODS: In 2019-2020, Women's Interagency HIV Study participants in Washington, DC completed a questionnaire and provided blood and 12-hour overnight urine samples for testing of serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and urinary free cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. Psychosocial stress was measured using the Perceived Stress Scale, PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version, and Racialized Sexual Harassment Scale. Latent profile analysis was used to classify participants into low (38%), moderate (44%), and high (18%) stress groups. Composite biomarker index scores between 0-4 were assigned based on participants' number of neuroendocrine biomarkers in high-risk quartiles (≥75th percentile for cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine and ≤25th percentile for DHEA-S). We evaluated associations between latent profile and composite biomarker index values using multivariable linear regression, adjusting for socio-demographic, behavioral, metabolic, and HIV-related factors. RESULTS: Among 90 women, 62% were WLWH, 53% were non-Hispanic Black, and median age was 55 years. In full multivariable models, there was no statistically significant association between psychosocial stress and composite biomarker index values among all women independent of HIV status. High (vs. low) psychosocial stress was positively associated with higher mean composite biomarker index values among all monoracial Black women (adjusted β = 1.32; 95% CI: 0.20-2.43), Black WLWH (adjusted β = 1.93; 95% CI: 0.02-3.83) and Black HIV-negative women (adjusted β = 2.54; 95% CI: 0.41-4.67). CONCLUSIONS: Despite a null association in the overall sample, greater psychosocial stress was positively associated with higher neuroendocrine biomarker concentrations among Black women, highlighting a plausible mechanism by which psychosocial stress could contribute to cardiovascular disease risk.

123. Epidemiological analysis of intramuscular hemorrhage of respiratory and accessory respiratory muscles in fatal drowning cases.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 23

Onitsuka D, Nakamae T, Katsuyama M

The postmortem diagnosis of drowning death and understanding the mechanisms leading to drowning require a comprehensive judgment based on numerous morphological findings in order to determine the pathogenesis and epidemiological characteristics of the findings. Effortful breathing during the drowning process can result in intramuscular hemorrhage in respiratory and accessory respiratory muscles. However, the characteristics of this phenomenon have not been investigated. We analyzed the epidemiological characteristics of 145 cases diagnosed as drowning, in which hemorrhage, not due to trauma, was found in the respiratory muscles and accessory respiratory muscles. Hemorrhage was observed in 31.7% of these cases, and the incidence did not differ by gender or drowning location. The frequency of hemorrhage was significantly higher in months with a mean temperature below 20°C than in months above 20°C, suggesting a relationship between the occurrence of hemorrhage and low environmental temperature. Moreover, the frequency of hemorrhage was significantly higher in the elderly (aged ≥65 years) compared to those <65 years old. In the elderly, the weakening of muscles due to aging may contribute to the susceptibility for intramuscular hemorrhage. Moreover, these intramuscular hemorrhages do not need to be considered in cases of a potential bleeding tendency due to disease such as cirrhosis or medication such as anticoagulants. Our results indicate that intramuscular hemorrhage in respiratory and accessory respiratory muscles can serve as an additional criterion to differentiate between fatal drowning and other causes of death, as long as no cutaneous or subcutaneous hematomas above the muscles with hemorrhages are observed. In addition, the epidemiological features that such intramuscular hemorrhage is more common in cold environments and in the elderly may provide useful information for the differentiation.

124. Whole embryonic detection of maternal microchimeric cells highlights significant differences in their numbers among individuals.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 23

Fujimoto K, Nakajima A, Hori S

125. Cryotherapy in extra-abdominal desmoid tumors: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 23

Vora BMK, Munk PL, Somasundaram N

126. Comparison of biosimilar Tigerase and Pulmozyme in long-term symptomatic therapy of patients with cystic fibrosis and severe pulmonary impairment (subgroup analysis of a Phase III randomized open-label clinical trial (NCT04468100)).

PLoS One

2021 Dec 23

Amelina EL, Krasovsky SA, Akhtyamova-Givirovskaya NE

127. Improving mariculture insurance premium rate calculation using an information diffusion model.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 23

Zhang Q.

128. A non-randomized clinical trial to examine patients' experiences and communication during telemonitoring of pacemakers after five years follow-up.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 23

Catalan-Matamoros D, Lopez-Villegas A, Leal Costa C

129. What part of the brain is involved in graphic design thinking in landscape architecture?

PLoS One

2021 Dec 23

Tsai YP, Hung SH, Huang TR

130. Diagnostic and prognostic potential of eight whole blood microRNAs for equine sarcoid disease.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 23

Cosandey J, Hamza E, Gerber V

MicroRNAs have been proposed as biomarkers for equine sarcoids, the most prevalent equine skin tumors globally. This study served to validate the diagnostic and prognostic potential of whole blood microRNAs identified in a previous study for long-term equine sarcoid diagnosis and outcome prediction. Based on findings of a clinical examination at the age of 3 years and a follow-up following a further 5-12 years, 32 Franches-Montagnes and 45 Swiss Warmblood horses were assigned to four groups: horses with regression (n = 19), progression (n = 9), new occurrences of sarcoid lesions (n = 19) and tumor-free control horses (n = 30). The expression levels for eight microRNAs (eca-miR-127, eca-miR-432, eca-miR-24, eca-miR-125a-5p, eca-miR-134, eca-miR-379, eca-miR-381, eca-miR-382) were analyzed through reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction in whole blood samples collected on initial examination. Associations of sex, breed, diagnosis, and prognosis with microRNA expression levels were examined using multivariable analysis of variance. Sex and breed influenced the expression level of five and two microRNAs, respectively. Eca-miR-127 allowed discrimination between sarcoid-affected and tumor-free horses. No variation in microRNA expression was found when comparing horses with sarcoid regression and progression. Expression levels of eca-miR-125a-5p and eca-miR-432 varied in male horses that developed sarcoids throughout the study period in comparison to male control horses. While none of the investigated miRNAs was validated for predicting the prognosis of sarcoid regression / progression within young horses with this condition, two miRNAs demonstrated potential to predict if young male (though not female) tumor-free horse can develop sarcoids within the following years. Sex- and breed- biased miRNAs exist within the equine species and have an impact on biomarker discovery.

131. We're all in this together: Focus on community attenuates effects of pandemic-related financial hardship on reactance to COVID-19 public health regulations.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 23

Knapp ME, Partington LC, Hodge RT

132. Network science inspires novel tree shape statistics.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 23

Chindelevitch L, Hayati M, Poon AFY

The shape of phylogenetic trees can be used to gain evolutionary insights. A tree's shape specifies the connectivity of a tree, while its branch lengths reflect either the time or genetic distance between branching events; well-known measures of tree shape include the Colless and Sackin imbalance, which describe the asymmetry of a tree. In other contexts, network science has become an important paradigm for describing structural features of networks and using them to understand complex systems, ranging from protein interactions to social systems. Network science is thus a potential source of many novel ways to characterize tree shape, as trees are also networks. Here, we tailor tools from network science, including diameter, average path length, and betweenness, closeness, and eigenvector centrality, to summarize phylogenetic tree shapes. We thereby propose tree shape summaries that are complementary to both asymmetry and the frequencies of small configurations. These new statistics can be computed in linear time and scale well to describe the shapes of large trees. We apply these statistics, alongside some conventional tree statistics, to phylogenetic trees from three very different viruses (HIV, dengue fever and measles), from the same virus in different epidemiological scenarios (influenza A and HIV) and from simulation models known to produce trees with different shapes. Using mutual information and supervised learning algorithms, we find that the statistics adapted from network science perform as well as or better than conventional statistics. We describe their distributions and prove some basic results about their extreme values in a tree. We conclude that network science-based tree shape summaries are a promising addition to the toolkit of tree shape features. All our shape summaries, as well as functions to select the most discriminating ones for two sets of trees, are freely available as an R package at http://github.com/Leonardini/treeCentrality.

133. Recent trends of refractive surgery rate and detailed analysis of subjects with refractive surgery: The 2008-2015 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 23

Lee Y, Kim JS, Park UC

134. Multi-state model for predicting ocular progression in acute Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 23

Kinoshita F, Yokota I, Mieno H

135. Hepatic transcriptome analysis identifies genes, polymorphisms and pathways involved in the fatty acids metabolism in sheep.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 23

Gunawan A, Listyarini K, Harahap RS

Fatty acids (FA) in ruminants, especially unsaturated FA (USFA) have important impact in meat quality, nutritional value, and flavour quality of meat, and on consumer's health. Identification of the genetic factors controlling the FA composition and metabolism is pivotal to select sheep that produce higher USFA and lower saturated (SFA) for the benefit of sheep industry and consumers. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the transcriptome profiling in the liver tissues collected from sheep with divergent USFA content in longissimus muscle using RNA deep-sequencing. From sheep (n = 100) population, liver tissues with higher (n = 3) and lower (n = 3) USFA content were analysed using Illumina HiSeq 2500. The total number of reads produced for each liver sample were ranged from 21.28 to 28.51 million with a median of 23.90 million. Approximately, 198 genes were differentially regulated with significance level of p-adjusted value <0.05. Among them, 100 genes were up-regulated, and 98 were down-regulated (p<0.01, FC>1.5) in the higher USFA group. A large proportion of key genes involved in FA biosynthesis, adipogenesis, fat deposition, and lipid metabolism were identified, such as APOA5, SLC25A30, GFPT1, LEPR, TGFBR2, FABP7, GSTCD, and CYP17A. Pathway analysis revealed that glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis- keratan sulfate, adipokine signaling, galactose metabolism, endocrine and other factors-regulating calcium metabolism, mineral metabolism, and PPAR signaling pathway were playing important regulatory roles in FA metabolism. Importantly, polymorphism and association analyses showed that mutation in APOA5, CFHR5, TGFBR2 and LEPR genes could be potential markers for the FA composition in sheep. These polymorphisms and transcriptome networks controlling the FA variation could be used as genetic markers for FA composition-related traits improvement. However, functional validation is required to confirm the effect of these SNPs in other sheep population in order to incorporate them in the sheep breeding program.

136. Reasons for loss to follow-up (LTFU) of pulmonary TB (PTB) patients: A qualitative study among Saharia, a particularly vulnerable tribal group of Madhya Pradesh, India.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 23

Mishra P, Sharma RK, Yadav R

137. Prevalence and predictive factors for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome by electrodiagnosis: A retrospective study.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 23

Singjam A, Charoentanyarak K, Saengsuwan J.

138. Alteration of the corpus callosum in patients with Alzheimer's disease: Deep learning-based assessment.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 23

Kamal S, Park I, Kim YJ

139. Higher-order structure of DNA determines its positioning in cell-size droplets under crowded conditions.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 22

Nishio T, Yoshikawa Y, Yoshikawa K.

140. Efficacy of a sonic toothbrush on plaque removal-A video-controlled explorative clinical trial.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 22

Schlueter N, Fiedler S, Mueller M

Clinical studies on the efficacy of sonic toothbrushes show inconsistent results, most studies have been conducted without sufficient supervision of appropriate toothbrush usage. Aims of the explorative clinical trial were therefore to investigate whether the usage of an activated sonic toothbrush reduces plaque more effectively than an inactivated one used as a manual toothbrush, and to which extent the correct use of such toothbrush plays a role in its efficacy. The clinical trial was designed as a video-controlled interventional study. Thirty participants (mean (±SD) age 22.9 (±2.5) years) were included, areas of interest were the buccal surfaces of the upper premolars and the first molar (partial mouth recording). Toothbrushing was performed without toothpaste in a single brushing exercise under four different conditions: switched off, habitually used as manual toothbrush, no instruction; switched on, habitually used as powered toothbrush, no instruction; switched off, used as manual toothbrush, instruction in the Modified Bass Technique; switched on, used as powered toothbrush, instruction in a specific technique for sonic toothbrushes. Brushing performance was controlled by videotaping, plaque was assessed at baseline (after 4 days without toothbrushing) using the Rustogi modified Navy-Plaque-Index and planimetry. Main study results were that plaque decreased distinctly after habitual brushing regardless of using the sonic brush in ON or OFF mode (p for all comparisons < 0.001). After instruction, participants were able to use the sonic brush in ON mode as intended, with only minor impact on efficacy. Using the toothbrush in OFF mode with the Modified Bass Technique was significantly less effective than all other conditions (p for all comparisons < 0.001). Under the conditions used, the sonic toothbrush was not more effective when switched on than when switched off, and there was no evidence that the correct use of the toothbrush was more effective than the habitual use.

141. Profiling the most elderly parkinson's disease patients: Does age or disease duration matter?

PLoS One

2021 Dec 22

Virameteekul S, Phokaewvarangkul O, Bhidayasiri R.

BACKGROUND: Despite our ageing populations, elderly patients are underrepresented in clinical research, and ageing research is often separate from that of Parkinson's disease (PD). To our knowledge, no previous study has focused on the most elderly ('old-old', age ≥ 85 years) patients with PD to reveal how age directly influences PD clinical progression. OBJECTIVE: We compared the clinical characteristics and pharmacological profiles, including complications of levodopa treatment, disease progression, disabilities, and comorbidities of the old-old with those of comparable younger ('young-old', age 60-75 years) PD patients. In addition, within the old-old group, we compared those with a short disease duration (< 10 years at the time of diagnosis) to those with a long disease duration ≥10 years to investigate whether prognosis was related to disease progression or aging. METHODS: This single-centre, case-control study compared 60 old-old to 92 young-old PD patients, matched for disease duration. Patients in the old-old group were also divided equally (30:30) into two subgroups (short and long disease duration) with the same mean age. We compared the groups based on several clinical measures using a conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: By study design, there were no differences between age groups when comparing disease duration, however, the proportion of men decreased with age (p = 0.002). At a comparable length of PD duration of 10 years, the old-old PD patients predominantly had significantly greater postural instability and gait disturbance (p = 0.006), higher motor scope of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS-III, p<0.0001), and more advanced Hoehn & Yahr (H&Y) stage (p<0.0001). The Non-Motor Symptoms Questionnaire (NMSQuest) score was also significantly higher among the old-old (p<0.0001) compared to the young-old patients. Moreover, the distribution of NMS also differed between ages, with features of gastrointestinal problems (p<0.0001), urinary problems (p = 0.004), sleep disturbances and fatigue (p = 0.032), and cognitive impairment (p<0.0001) significantly more common in the old-old group, whereas sexual problems (p = 0.012), depression, and anxiety (p = 0.032) were more common in the young-old. No differences were found in visual hallucinations, cerebrovascular disease, and miscellaneous domains. While young-old PD patients received higher levodopa equivalent daily doses (p<0.0001) and developed a significant greater rate of dyskinesia (p = 0.002), no significant difference was observed in the rate of wearing-off (p = 0.378). Old-old patients also had greater disability, as measured by the Schwab and England scale (p<0.0001) and had greater milestone frequency specifically for dementia (p<0.0001), wheelchair placement (p<0.0001), nursing home placement (p = 0.019), and hospitalisation in the past 1 year (p = 0.05). Neither recurrent falls (p = 0.443) nor visual hallucinations (p = 0.607) were documented significantly more often in the old-old patients. CONCLUSIONS: Age and disease duration were independently associated with clinical presentation, course, and progression of PD. Age was the main predictor, but disease duration also had a strong effect, suggesting that factors of the ageing process beyond the disease process itself cause PD in the most elderly to be more severe.

142. Bilateral internal thoracic artery use in two-vessel disease does not increase the perioperative risk-A propensity score matched analysis.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 22

Konstanty-Kalandyk J, Kędziora A, Mazur P

143. Long-term changes in populations of rainforest birds in the Australia Wet Tropics bioregion: A climate-driven biodiversity emergency.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 22

Williams SE, de la Fuente A.

144. It is not fashionable to suffer nowadays': Community motivations to repeatedly participate in outreach HIV testing indicate UHC potential in Tanzania.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 22

de Klerk J, Bortolani A, Meta J

OBJECTIVE: This study examined people's motivations for (repeatedly) utilizing HIV testing services during community-based testing events in urban and rural Shinyanga, Tanzania and potential implications for Universal Health Coverage (UHC). METHODS: As part of a broader multidisciplinary study on the implementation of a HIV Test and Treat model in Shinyanga Region, Tanzania, this ethnographic study focused on community-based testing campaigns organised by the implementing partner. Between April 2018 and December 2019, we conducted structured observations (24), short questionnaires (42) and in-depth interviews with HIV-positive (23) and HIV-negative clients (8). Observations focused on motivations for (re-)testing, and the counselling and testing process. Thematic analysis based on inductive and deductive coding was completed using NVivo software. RESULTS: Regular HIV testing was encouraged by counsellors. Most participants in testing campaigns were HIV-negative; 51.1% had tested more than once over their lifetimes. Testing campaigns provided an accessible way to learn one's HIV status. Motivations for repeat testing included: monitoring personal health to achieve (temporary) reassurance, having low levels of trust toward sexual partners, feeling at risk, seeking proof of (ill)-health, and acting responsibly. Repeat testers also associated testing with a desire to start treatment early to preserve a healthy-looking body, should they prove HIV positive. CONCLUSIONS: Community-based testing campaigns serve three valuable functions related to HIV prevention and treatment: 1) enable community members to check their HIV status regularly as part of a personalized prevention strategy that reinforces responsible behaviour; 2) identify recently sero-converted clients who would not otherwise be targeted; and 3) engage community with general prevention and care messaging and services. This model could be expanded to include routine management of other (chronic) diseases and provide an entry for scaling up UHC.

145. On predicting particle capture rates in aquatic ecosystems.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 22

Espinosa-Gayosso A, Ghisalberti M, Shimeta J

146. Extracellular domains of E-cadherin determine key mechanical phenotypes of an epithelium through cell- and non-cell-autonomous outside-in signaling.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 22

Aladin DMK, Chu YS, Shen S

147. Reading the ground: Understanding the response of bioelectric microbes to anthropogenic compounds in soil based terrestrial microbial fuel cells.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 22

Barbato RA, Jones RM, Musty MA

148. Knowledge management process, knowledge based innovation: Does academic researcher's productivity mediate during the pandemic of covid-19?

PLoS One

2021 Dec 22

Rehman FU, Ismail H, Al Ghazali BM

Drucker's knowledge-worker productivity theory and knowledge-based view of the firm theory are widely employed in many disciplines but there is little application of these theories in knowledge-based innovation among academic researchers. Therefore, this study intends to evaluate the effects of the knowledge management process on knowledge-based innovation alongside with mediating role of Malaysian academic researchers' productivity during the Pandemic of COVID-19. Using a random sampling technique, data was collected from 382 academic researchers. Questionnaires were self-administered and data was analyzed via Smart PLS-SEM. Knowledge management process and knowledge workers' productivity have a positive and significant relationship with the knowledge-based innovation among academic researchers during the Pandemic of COVID-19. In addition, knowledge workers' productivity mediates the relationship between the knowledge management process (knowledge creation, knowledge acquisition, knowledge sharing, and knowledge utilization) and knowledge-based innovation during the Pandemic of COVID-19. Results have also directed knowledge sharing as the key factor in knowledge-based innovation and a stimulating task for management discipline around the world during the Pandemic of COVID-19. This study provides interesting insights on Malaysian academic researchers' productivity by evaluating the effects of knowledge creation, acquisition, sharing, and application on the knowledge-based innovation among academic researchers during the Pandemic of COVID-19. These useful insights would enable policymakers to develop more influential educational strategies. By assimilating the literature of defined variables, the main contribution of this study is the evaluation of knowledge creation, acquisition, sharing, and utilization into knowledge-based innovation alongside the mediating role of knowledge workers productivity in the higher education sector of Malaysia during the Pandemic of COVID-19.

149. Expansion of invariant natural killer T cells from systemic lupus erythematosus patients by alpha-Galactosylceramide and IL-15.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 22

Hsu CY, Chueh YS, Kuo ML

CD1d-restricted invariant natural killer T cells (iNKT cells) may play an important role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Interleukin (IL)-15 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine which is over-expressed in SLE patients. In the present study, we investigated the iNKT cell expansion of mononuclear cells (MNCs) from SLE patients following 10 days' culture with α-galactosylceramide (α-Galcer) and /or IL-15. We sought to determine the phenotypic and functional characteristics of the expanded iNKT cells compared to healthy controls and correlated with disease activity. We observed that 1. The percentages of Vα24+/Vβ11+ iNKT cells following 10-day incubation was lower in SLE groups compared to controls; 2. The percentages and absolute numbers of Vα24+/Vβ11+ iNKT cells were expanded by α-galactosylceramide (α-Galcer), and further enhanced with IL-15 in SLE patient, but the effect of IL-15 was much lower than controls; 3.IL-15 +α-Galcer expanded CD3+/CD56+ NKT-like cells from SLE patients, especially with active disease 4. The CD161+ Vα24+/Vβ11+ iNKT cells in SLE were more responsive to α-Galcer stimulation than the CD161- counterpart; 5. IL-15 decreased apoptosis of α-Galcer activated SLE iNKT cells; 6. IL-15 enhanced CD69, CD1d and CD11a expression on α-Galcer treated iNKT cells; 7. The IL-4 production of iNKT cells was decreased in SLE patients compared to controls; 8. IL-15 increased IFN-γ and IL-4 production of SLE iNKT cells; 8. IL-15 failed to augment the ability of iNKT cells to aid NK-mediated K562 cytolysis in SLE patients; 9. CD161 positivity, granzyme B and perforin expression of α-Galcer+IL-15 expanded iNKT cells correlated with C3 levels in SLE patients. Taken together, our results demonstrated numeric and functional deficiency of iNKT cells and their response to IL-15 in SLE patients. Our finding may provide insight for using adoptive iNKT cell therapy in autoimmune diseases.

150. SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific memory B cells express higher levels of T-bet and FcRL5 after non-severe COVID-19 as compared to severe disease.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 22

Reyes RA, Clarke K, Gonzales SJ

151. The future of fish in Africa: Employment and investment opportunities.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 22

Chan CY, Tran N, Cheong KC

One of the most pressing challenges facing food systems in Africa is ensuring availability of a healthy and sustainable diet to 2.4 billion people by 2050. The continent has struggled with development challenges, particularly chronic food insecurity and pervasive poverty. In Africa's food systems, fish and other aquatic foods play a multifaceted role in generating income, and providing a critical source of essential micronutrients. To date, there are no estimates of investment and potential returns for domestic fish production in Africa. To contribute to policy debates about the future of fish in Africa, we applied the International Model for Policy Analysis of Agriculture Commodities and Trade (IMPACT) to explore two Pan-African scenarios for fish sector growth: a business-as-usual (BAU) scenario and a high-growth scenario for capture fisheries and aquaculture with accompanying strong gross domestic product growth (HIGH). Post-model analysis was used to estimate employment and aquaculture investment requirements for the sector in Africa. Africa's fish sector is estimated to support 20.7 million jobs in 2030, and 21.6 million by 2050 under the BAU. Approximately 2.6 people will be employed indirectly along fisheries and aquaculture value chains for every person directly employed in the fish production stage. Under the HIGH scenario, total employment in Africa's fish food system will reach 58.0 million jobs, representing 2.4% of total projected population in Africa by 2050. Aquaculture production value is estimated to achieve US$ 3.3 billion and US$ 20.4 billion per year under the BAU and HIGH scenarios by 2050, respectively. Farm-gate investment costs for the three key inputs (fish feeds, farm labor, and fish seed) to achieve the aquaculture volumes projected by 2050 are estimated at US$ 1.8 billion per year under the BAU and US$ 11.6 billion per year under the HIGH scenario. Sustained investments are critical to sustain capture fisheries and support aquaculture growth for food system transformation towards healthier diets.

152. Platelet microRNAs inhibit primary tumor growth via broad modulation of tumor cell mRNA expression in ectopic pancreatic cancer in mice.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 22

Wurtzel JGT, Lazar S, Sikder S

We investigated the contributions of platelet microRNAs (miRNAs) to the rate of growth and regulation of gene expression in primary ectopic tumors using mouse models. We previously identified an inhibitory role for platelets in solid tumor growth, mediated by tumor infiltration of platelet microvesicles (microparticles) which are enriched in platelet-derived miRNAs. To investigate the specific roles of platelet miRNAs in tumor growth models, we implanted pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells as a bolus into mice with megakaryocyte-/platelet-specific depletion of mature miRNAs. We observed an ~50% increase in the rate of growth of ectopic primary tumors in these mice compared to controls including at early stages, associated with reduced apoptosis in the tumors, in particular in tumor cells associated with platelet microvesicles-which were depleted of platelet-enriched miRNAs-demonstrating a specific role for platelet miRNAs in modulation of primary tumor growth. Differential expression RNA sequencing of tumor cells isolated from advanced primary tumors revealed a broad cohort of mRNAs modulated in the tumor cells as a function of host platelet miRNAs. Altered genes comprised 548 up-regulated transcripts and 43 down-regulated transcripts, mostly mRNAs altogether spanning a variety of growth signaling pathways-notably pathways related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition-in tumor cells from platelet miRNA-deleted mice compared with those from control mice. Tumors in platelet miRNA-depleted mice showed more sarcomatoid growth and more advanced tumor grade, indicating roles for host platelet miRNAs in tumor plasticity. We further validated increased protein expression of selected genes associated with increased cognate mRNAs in the tumors due to platelet miRNA depletion in the host animals, providing proof of principle of widespread effects of platelet miRNAs on tumor cell functional gene expression in primary tumors in vivo. Together, these data demonstrate that platelet-derived miRNAs modulate solid tumor growth in vivo by broad-spectrum restructuring of the tumor cell transcriptome.

153. Financial inclusion and monetary policy effectiveness: A sustainable development approach of developed and under-developed countries.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 22

Arshad MU, Ahmed Z, Ramzan A

154. Nonadherence in diabetes care among US adults with diabetes by stroke status.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 22

Tran P, Tran L, Tran L.

155. Understanding the implementation, impact and sustainable use of an electronic pharmacy referral service at hospital discharge: A qualitative evaluation from a sociotechnical perspective.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 22

Jeffries M, Keers RN, Belither H

INTRODUCTION: The transition of patients across care settings is associated with a high risk of errors and preventable medication-related harm. Ensuring effective communication of information between health professionals is considered important for improving patient safety. A National Health Service(NHS) organisation in the North West of England introduced an electronic transfer of care around medicines (TCAM) system which enabled hospital pharmacists to send information about patient's medications to their nominated community pharmacy. We aimed to understand the adoption, and the implications for sustainable use in practice of the TCAM service. METHODS: We evaluated the TCAM service in a Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Foundation Trust in Salford, United Kingdom (UK). Participants were opportunistically recruited to take part in qualitative interviews through stakeholder networks and during hospital admission, and included hospital pharmacists, hospital pharmacy technicians, community pharmacists, general practice-based pharmacists, patients and their carers. A thematic analysis, that was iterative and concurrent with data collection, was undertaken using a template approach. The interpretation of the data was informed by broad sociotechnical theory. RESULTS: Twenty-three interviews were conducted with health care professionals patients and carers. The ways in which the newly implemented TCAM intervention was adopted and used in practice and the perceptions of it from different stakeholders were conceptualised into four main thematic areas: The nature of the network and how it contributed to implementation, use and sustainability; The material properties of the system; How work practices for medicines safety were adapted and evolved; and The enhancement of medication safety activities. The TCAM intervention was perceived as effective in providing community pharmacists with timely, more accurate and enhanced information upon discharge. This allowed for pharmacists to enhance clinical services designed to ensure that accurate medication reconciliation was completed, and the correct medication was dispensed for the patient. CONCLUSIONS: By providing pharmacy teams with accurate and enhanced information the TCAM intervention supported healthcare professionals to establish and/or strengthen interprofessional networks in order to provide clinical services designed to ensure that accurate medication reconciliation and dispensing activities were completed. However, the intervention was implemented into a complex and at times fragmented network, and we recommend opportunities be explored to fully integrate this network to involve patients/carers, general practice pharmacists and two-way communication between primary and secondary care to further enhance the reach and impact of the TCAM service.

156. Clinical evaluation of the SD Biosensor SARS-CoV-2 saliva antigen rapid test with symptomatic and asymptomatic, non-hospitalized patients.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 22

Igloi Z, Velzing J, Huisman R

BACKGROUND: Performance of the SD Biosensor saliva antigen rapid test was evaluated at a large designated testing site in non-hospitalized patients, with or without symptoms. METHOD: All eligible people over 18 years of age presenting for a booked appointment at the designated SARS-CoV-2 testing site were approached for inclusion and enrolled following verbal informed consent. One nasopharyngeal swab was taken to carry out the default antigen rapid test from which the results were reported back to the patient and one saliva sample was self-taken according to verbal instruction on site. This was used for the saliva antigen rapid test, the RT-PCR and for virus culture. Sensitivity of the saliva antigen rapid test was analyzed in two ways: i, compared to saliva RT-PCR; and ii, compared to virus culture of the saliva samples. Study participants were also asked to fill in a short questionnaire stating age, sex, date of symptom onset. Recommended time of ≥30mins since last meal, drink or cigarette if applicable was also recorded. The study was carried out in February-March 2021 for 4 weeks. RESULTS: We could include 789 people with complete records and results. Compared to saliva RT-PCR, overall sensitivity and specificity of the saliva antigen rapid test was 66.1% and 99.6% which increased to 88.6% with Ct ≤30 cutoff. Analysis by days post onset did not result in higher sensitivities because the large majority of people were in the very early phase of disease ie <3 days post onset. When breaking down the data for symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals, sensitivity ranged from 69.2% to 50% respectively, however the total number of RT-PCR positive asymptomatic participants was very low (n = 5). Importantly, almost all culture positive samples were detected by the rapid test. CONCLUSION: Overall, the potential benefits of saliva antigen rapid test, could outweigh the lower sensitivity compared to nasopharyngeal antigen rapid test in a comprehensive testing strategy, especially for home/self-testing and in vulnerable populations like elderly, disabled or children where in intrusive testing is either not possible or causes unnecessary stress.

157. The impact of positive and negative testimony on children's attitudes toward others.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 22

Shinohara A, Kanakogi Y, Okumura Y

158. Using a ligate intestinal loop mouse model to investigate Clostridioides difficile adherence to the intestinal mucosa in aged mice.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 22

Castro-Córdova P, Mendoza-León MJ, Paredes-Sabja D.

159. Metabolic engineering of Bacillus subtilis with an endopolygalacturonase gene isolated from Pectobacterium. carotovorum; a plant pathogenic bacterial strain.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 22

Rafique N, Bashir S, Khan MZ

Pectinolytic enzymes or pectinases are synthesized naturally by numerous microbes and plants. These enzymes degrade various kinds of pectin which exist as the major component of the cell wall in plants. A pectinase gene encoding endo-polygalacturonase (endo-PGase) enzyme was isolated from Pectobacterium carotovorum a plant pathogenic strain of bacteria and successfully cloned into a secretion vector pHT43 having σA-dependent promoter for heterologous expression in Bacillus subtilis (WB800N).The desired PCR product was 1209bp which encoded an open reading frame of 402 amino acids. Recombinant proteins showed an estimated molecular weight of 48 kDa confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. Transformed B. subtilis competent cells harbouring the engineered pHT43 vector with the foreign endo-PGase gene were cultured in 2X-yeast extract tryptone medium and subsequently screened for enzyme activity at various temperatures and pH ranges. Optimal activity of recombinant endo-PGase was found at 40°C and pH 5.0. To assay the catalytic effect of metal ions, the recombinant enzyme was incubated with 1 mM concentration of various metal ions. Potassium chloride increased the enzyme activity while EDTA, Zn++ and Ca++, strongly inhibited the activity. The chromatographic analysis of enzymatic hydrolysates of polygalacturonic acid (PGA) and pectin substrates using HPLC and TLC revealed tri and tetra-galacturonates as the end products of recombinant endo-PGase hydrolysis. Conclusively, endo-PGase gene from the plant pathogenic strain was successfully expressed in Bacillus subtilis for the first time using pHT43 expression vector and could be assessed for enzyme production using a very simple medium with IPTG induction. These findings proposed that the Bacillus expression system might be safer to escape endotoxins for commercial enzyme production as compared to yeast and fungi. Additionally, the hydrolysis products generated by the recombinant endo-PGase activity offer their useful applications in food and beverage industry for quality products.

160. A rare CTSC mutation in Papillon-Lefèvre Syndrome results in abolished serine protease activity and reduced NET formation but otherwise normal neutrophil function.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 21

Sanchez Klose FP, Björnsdottir H, Dahlstrand Rudin A

161. DHEA and polycystic ovarian syndrome: Meta-analysis of case-control studies.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 21

Benjamin JJ, K M, Koshy T

162. Coverage evaluation surveys following soil-transmitted helminthiasis and schistosomiasis mass drug administration in Wolaita Zone of Ethiopia-The Geshiyaro project.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 21

Liyew EF, Chernet M, Belay H

INTRODUCTION: The Geshiyaro project aims to break transmission of soil-transmitted helminths and schistosomiasis in the Wolaita Zone of Ethiopia through a combination of two interventions: behavior change communication (BCC) for increased water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) infrastructure use alongside preventive chemotherapy (PC) using albendazole (ALB) and praziquantel (PZQ), targeted to reach 90% treatment coverage. Coverage evaluation surveys (CES) were conducted post-treatment, and the resultant survey coverage was compared to reported administrative coverage. This provided a secondary confirmation of the Geshiyaro project coverages, and is used to monitor the success of each Mass Drug Administration (MDA) round. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 13 woredas (districts) of the Wolaita Zone. All eligible individuals from the selected households were invited for an interview. The study design, sample size, analysis and report writing were conducted according to the World Health Organization (WHO) CES guidelines for PC. RESULTS: The study interviewed a total of 3,568 households and 18,875 individuals across 13 woredas in the Wolaita Zone. Overall, the survey coverage across all studied woredas was 81.5% (95% CI; 80.9-82.0%) for both ALB and PZQ. Reported administrative coverage across all studied woredas was higher than survey coverage, 92.7% and 91.2% for ALB and PZQ, respectively. A significant portion of individuals (17.6%) were not offered PC. The predominant reason for not achieving the target coverage of 90% was beneficiary absenteeism during MDA (6.6% ALB, 6.8% PZQ), followed by drug distributors failing to reach all households (4.7% ALB, 4.8% PZQ), and beneficiaries not informed of the program (1.3% ALB, 1.7% PZQ). CONCLUSION: Programmatic actions will need to be taken during the next MDA campaign to achieve the targeted Geshiyaro project coverage threshold across data collection and program engagement. Adequate training and supervision on recording and reporting administrative coverage should be provided, alongside improved social mobilization of treated communities to increase participation, and strengthened institutional partnerships and communication.

163. Is there really a proportional relationship between VO2max and body weight? A review article.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 21

Lee J, Zhang X.

Maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) is a "gold standard" in aerobic capacity assessment, playing a vital role in various fields. However, ratio scaling ([Formula: see text]), the present method used to express relative VO2max, should be suspected due to its theoretical deficiencies. Therefore, the aim of the study was to revise the quantitative relationship between VO2max and body weight (bw). Dimensional analysis was utilized to deduce their theoretical relationship, while linear or nonlinear regression analysis based on four mathematical models (ratio scaling, linear function, simple allometric model and full allometric model) were utilized in statistics analysis to verify the theoretical relationship. Besides, to investigate the effect of ratio scaling on removing body weight, Pearson correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlation between [Formula: see text] and bw. All the relevant data were collected from published references. Dimensional analysis suggested VO2max be proportional to [Formula: see text]. Statistics analysis displayed that four mathematical expressions were VO2max = 0.047bw (p<0.01, R2 = 0.68), VO2max = 0.036bw+0.71 (p<0.01, R2 = 0.76), VO2max = 0.10bw0.82 (p<0.01, R2 = 0.93) and VO2max = 0.23bw0.66-0.48 (p<0.01, R2 = 0.81) respectively. Pearson correlation coefficient showed a significant moderately negative relation between [Formula: see text] and bw (r = -0.42, p<0.01), while there was no correlation between [Formula: see text] and bw (r = 0.066, p = 0.41). Although statistics analysis did not fully verify the theoretical result, both dimensional and statistics analysis suggested ratio scaling distort the relationship and power function be more appropriate to describe the relationship. Additionally, we hypothesized that lean mass, rather than body weight, plays a more essential role in eliminating the gap between theoretical and experimental b values, and is more appropriate to standardize VO2max, future studies can focus more on it.

164. Maternal mortality associated with COVID-19 in Brazil in 2020 and 2021: Comparison with non-pregnant women and men.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 21

Gonçalves BMM, Franco RPV, Rodrigues AS.

165. Prevalence of unrecognized depression and associated factors among medical outpatient department attendees; a cross sectional study.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 21

Lemma A, Mulat H, Nigussie K

166. Time trends, factors associated with, and reasons for COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy: A massive online survey of US adults from January-May 2021.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 21

King WC, Rubinstein M, Reinhart A

IMPORTANCE: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy has become a leading barrier to increasing the US vaccination rate. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate time trends in COVID-19 vaccine intent during the US vaccine rollout, and identify key factors related to and self-reported reasons for COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in May 2021. DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: A COVID-19 survey was offered to US adult Facebook users in several languages yielding 5,088,772 qualifying responses from January 6 to May 31, 2021. Data was aggregated by month. Survey weights matched the sample to the age, gender, and state profile of the US population. EXPOSURE: Demographics, geographic factors, political/COVID-19 environment, health status, beliefs, and behaviors. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: "If a vaccine to prevent COVID-19 were offered to you today, would you choose to get vaccinated." Hesitant was defined as responding probably or definitely would not choose to get vaccinated (versus probably or definitely would, or already vaccinated). RESULTS: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy decreased by one-third from 25.4% (95%CI, 25.3, 25.5) in January to 16.6% (95% CI, 16.4, 16.7) in May, with relatively large decreases among participants with Black, Pacific Islander or Hispanic race/ethnicity and ≤high school education. Independent risk factors for vaccine hesitancy in May (N = 525,644) included younger age, non-Asian race, < 4 year college degree, living in a more rural county, living in a county with higher Trump vote share in the 2020 election, lack of worry about COVID-19, working outside the home, never intentionally avoiding contact with others, and no past-year flu vaccine. Differences in hesitancy by race/ethnicity varied by age (e.g., Black adults more hesitant than White adults <35 years old, but less hesitant among adults ≥45 years old). Differences in hesitancy by age varied by race/ethnicity. Almost half of vaccine hesitant respondents reported fear of side effects (49.2% [95%CI, 48.7, 49.7]) and not trusting the COVID-19 vaccine (48.4% [95%CI, 48.0, 48.9]); over one-third reported not trusting the government, not needing the vaccine, and waiting to see if safe. Reasons differed by degree of vaccine intent and by race/ethnicity. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy varied by demographics, geography, beliefs, and behaviors, indicating a need for a range of messaging and policy options to target high-hesitancy groups.

167. Primer extension coupled with fragment analysis for rapid and quantitative evaluation of 5.8S rRNA isoforms.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 21

Venturi G, Zacchini F, Vaccari CL

168. Women's post-abortion contraceptive use: Are predictors the same for immediate and future uptake of contraception? Evidence from Ghana.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 21

Kayi EA, Biney AAE, Dodoo ND

169. Identification of starch candidate genes using SLAF-seq and BSA strategies and development of related SNP-CAPS markers in tetraploid potato.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 21

Li J, Yu X, Zhang S

170. Belly fat or bloating? New insights into the physical appearance of St Anthony of Padua.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 21

Mongillo J, Vescovo G, Bramanti B.

171. Top-down, bottom-up, and history-driven processing of multisensory attentional cues in intellectual disability: An experimental study in virtual reality.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 21

Kim J, Hwang E, Shin H

172. Perceived safety and trust in SAE Level 2 partially automated cars: Results from an online questionnaire.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 21

Nordhoff S, Stapel J, He X

173. Analysis of PET parameters predicting response to radiotherapy for myeloid sarcoma.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 20

Choi KH, Song JH, Kwak YK

174. Different domains of dengue research in the Philippines: A systematic review and meta-analysis of questionnaire-based studies.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 20

Guad RM, Carandang RR, Solidum JN

BACKGROUND: Dengue is the most rapidly spreading mosquito-borne viral disease of humans worldwide, including southeast Asia region. This review provides a comprehensive overview of questionnaire-related dengue studies conducted in the Philippines and evaluates their reliability and validity in these surveys. METHODS: A review protocol constructed by a panel of experienced academic reviewers was used to formulate the methodology, research design, search strategy and selection criteria. An extensive literature search was conducted between March-June 2020 in various major electronic biomedical databases including PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE and ScienceDirect. A systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA) were selected as the preferred item reporting method. RESULTS: Out of a total of 34 peer-reviewed dengue-related KAP studies that were identified, 15 published from 2000 to April 2020 met the inclusion criteria. Based on the meta-analysis, a poor mean score was obtained for each of knowledge (68.89), attitude (49.86) and preventive practice (64.69). Most respondents were equipped with a good knowledge of the major clinical signs of dengue. Worryingly, 95% of respondents showed several negative attitudes towards dengue prevention, claiming that this was not possible and that enacting preventive practices was not their responsibility. Interestingly, television or radio was claimed as the main source of gaining dengue information (range 50-95%). Lastly, only five articles (33.3%) piloted or pretested their questionnaire before surveying, of which three reported Cronbach's alpha coefficient (range 0.70 to 0.90). CONCLUSION: This review indicates that to combat the growing public health threat of dengue to the Philippines, we need the active participation of resident communities, full engagement of healthcare personnel, promotion of awareness campaigns, and access to safe complementary and alternative medicines. Importantly, the psychometric properties of each questionnaire should be assessed rigorously.

175. Suicide preceded by health services contact - A whole-of-population study in New Zealand 2013-2015.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 20

Chiang A, Paynter J, Edlin R

176. Leg length discrepancy: A systematic review on the validity and reliability of clinical assessments and imaging diagnostics used in clinical practice.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 20

Alfuth M, Fichter P, Knicker A.

BACKGROUND: A variety of assessments to determine leg length discrepancy (LLD) is used in clinical practice and evidence about validity and reliability may differ. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review was to identify and describe the validity and reliability of different assessments and imaging diagnostics for the determination of LLD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The review was conducted following the recommendations of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The databases Medline (PubMed) and Index to Chiropractic Literature were systematically searched. Studies regarding clinical assessments and imaging diagnostics for the diagnosis of LLD, which reported the clinimetric properties for assessment of LLD, were included and screened for methodological quality using the Quality Assessment of Studies of Diagnostic Accuracy (QUADAS-2) tool for validity studies and the Quality Appraisal of Diagnostic Reliability (QAREL) tool for reliability studies. RESULTS: Thirty-seven articles on clinical assessments and 15 studies on imaging diagnostics met the eligibility criteria. Thirteen studies on the validity of clinical assessments and six studies on the validity of imaging diagnostics had a low risk of bias and low concerns regarding applicability for all domains. One study on the reliability of clinical assessments and one study on the reliability of imaging diagnostics had a low risk of bias. Main limitations were, that an analysis of sensitivity and specificity was only performed in a few studies and that a valid reference standard was lacking in numerous studies on clinical assessments. CONCLUSIONS: For the clinical assessment of LLD, the block test appears to be the most useful method. Full-length standing anteroposterior radiography seems to be the most valid and reliable method and may be used as global reference standard to measure the anatomic LLD when comparing clinical methods and imaging diagnostics.

177. Crisis propagation in a heterogeneous self-reflexive DSGE model.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 20

Morelli F, Benzaquen M, Bouchaud JP

178. Is intuition allied with jumping to conclusions in decision-making? An intensive longitudinal study in patients with delusions and in non-clinical individuals.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 20

Zander-Schellenberg T, Kuhn SAK, Möller J

179. Prevalence of perceived stigma and associated factors among primary caregivers of children and adolescents with mental illness, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Cross-sectional study.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 20

Minichil W, Getinet W, Kassew T.

180. Mean square displacement for a discrete centroid model of cell motion.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 20

Rosen ME, Grant CP, Dallon JC.

181. Short-term memory, attention, and temporal orientation as predictors of the cognitive impairment in older adults: A cross-sectional observational study.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 20

Gómez-Soria I, Ferreira C, Oliván Blazquez B

Late-life cognitive decline ranges from the mildest cases of normal, age-related change to mild cognitive impairment to severe cases of dementia. Dementia is the largest global burden for the 21st century welfare and healthcare systems. The aim of this study was to analyze the neuropsychological constructs (temporal orientation (TO), spatial orientation (SO), fixation memory (FM), attention (A), calculation (C), short-term memory (STM), language (L), and praxis (P)), semantic fluency, level of functionality, and mood that reveal the greatest deficit in the different stages ranging from normal cognition (NC) to cognitive impairment in older adults in a primary healthcare setting. The study included 337 participants (102 men, 235 women), having a mean age of 74 ± 6 years. According to their scores on the Spanish version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MEC-35), subjects were divided into 4 groups: no deterioration (ND) (score 32-35), subtle cognitive impairment (SCI) (score 28-31), level deterioration (LD) (score 24-27) and moderate deterioration (MD) (score 20-23). The ND group revealed significant differences in TO, STM, C, A, L, P, and S-T as compared to the other groups. The MD group (in all the neuropsychological constructs) and the ND and SCI groups showed significant differences on the Yesavage geriatric depression scale (GDS-15). All except the FM neuropsychological construct were part of the MEC-35 prediction model and all of the regression coefficients were significant for these variables in the model. Furthermore, the highest average percentage of relative deterioration occurs between LD and MD and the greatest deterioration is observed in the STM for all groups, including A and TO for the LD and MD groups. Based on our findings, community programs have been implemented that use cognitive stimulation to prevent cognitive decline and to maintain the neuropsychological constructs.

182. Characterization of the adaptive immune response of donors receiving live anthrax vaccine.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 20

Firstova VV, Shakhova AS, Riabko AK

183. Streptococcus gordonii DL1 evades polymorphonuclear leukocyte-mediated killing via resistance to lysozyme.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 20

Urano-Tashiro Y, Saiki K, Yamanaka Y

184. Modelling RT-qPCR cycle-threshold using digital PCR data for implementing SARS-CoV-2 viral load studies.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 20

Gentilini F, Turba ME, Taddei F

OBJECTIVES: To exploit the features of digital PCR for implementing SARS-CoV-2 observational studies by reliably including the viral load factor expressed as copies/μL. METHODS: A small cohort of 51 Covid-19 positive samples was assessed by both RT-qPCR and digital PCR assays. A linear regression model was built using a training subset, and its accuracy was assessed in the remaining evaluation subset. The model was then used to convert the stored cycle threshold values of a large dataset of 6208 diagnostic samples into copies/μL of SARS-CoV-2. The calculated viral load was used for a single cohort retrospective study. Finally, the cohort was randomly divided into a training set (n = 3095) and an evaluation set (n = 3113) to establish a logistic regression model for predicting case-fatality and to assess its accuracy. RESULTS: The model for converting the Ct values into copies/μL was suitably accurate. The calculated viral load over time in the cohort of Covid-19 positive samples showed very low viral loads during the summer inter-epidemic waves in Italy. The calculated viral load along with gender and age allowed building a predictive model of case-fatality probability which showed high specificity (99.0%) and low sensitivity (21.7%) at the optimal threshold which varied by modifying the threshold (i.e. 75% sensitivity and 83.7% specificity). Alternative models including categorised cVL or raw cycle thresholds obtained by the same diagnostic method also gave the same performance. CONCLUSION: The modelling of the cycle threshold values using digital PCR had the potential of fostering studies addressing issues regarding Sars-CoV-2; furthermore, it may allow setting up predictive tools capable of early identifying those patients at high risk of case-fatality already at diagnosis, irrespective of the diagnostic RT-qPCR platform in use. Depending upon the epidemiological situation, public health authority policies/aims, the resources available and the thresholds used, adequate sensitivity could be achieved with acceptable low specificity.

185. Exogenous salicylic acid-induced drought stress tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown under hydroponic culture.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 20

Ahmad A, Aslam Z, Naz M

186. Spatial associations between plants and vegetation community characteristics provide insights into the processes influencing plant rarity.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 20

Sritharan MS, Scheele BC, Blanchard W

187. Data protection, data management, and data sharing: Stakeholder perspectives on the protection of personal health information in South Africa.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 20

Staunton C, Tschigg K, Sherman G.

188. ThinPrep cytology combined with HPV detection in the diagnosis of cervical lesions in 1622 patients.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 2

Husaiyin S, Jiao Z, Yimamu K

189. Diversity and heterogeneity of immune states in non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 2

Rice SJ, Belani CP.

Blood-based biomarkers including systemic inflammation (SI) indicators or circulating factors (cytokines, chemokines, or growth factors) are associated with a poor prognosis for lung cancer patients. Collectively these biomarkers can predict the immune state of a patient. We wanted to define and compare the immune states of small cell and non-small cell lung cancer patients, in the hopes that the information gained could lead to overall improvements in patient care and outcomes. Specimens and data from 235 patients was utilized, 49 surgically resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with no evidence of disease (DF), 135 advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), 51 small cell lung cancer (SCLC). SI markers neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte (PLR), systemic inflammation index (SII), and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) were determined from blood counts. Forty-seven plasma cytokines were measured using a multiplex bead-based assay. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were assessed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox Proportional Hazards models. NSCLC patients had significantly high levels of SI markers than SCLC and DF patients, while NLR, PLR and SII were also higher in SCLC than DF patients. SI optimized marker values to differentiate SI value were; 6.04 (NLR), 320 (PLR), 1615 (SII), and 7.3 (SIRI). Elevated levels NLR (p<0.001), PLR (p<0.001), and SII (p = 0.018) were associated with a worse PFS and OS in NSCLC, while none of the markers were associated with PFS in SCLC patients. NSCLC patients with a poor outcome displayed heterogeneous immune states relative to systemic inflammation and circulating IL-6 markers. These groups could be distinguished based on the cytokines IL-8, TNFα, and IL-27. We identified heterogeneity of immune states in SCLC and NSCLC patients and in NSCLC patients with the poorest prognosis. This heterogeneity could be exploited to improve outcomes for these patients.

190. Low frequency weak electric fields can induce structural changes in water.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 2

Rad I, Stahlberg R, Kung K

191. Potential role of the ABCG2-Q141K polymorphism in type 2 diabetes.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 2

Szabó E, Kulin A, Mózner O

192. Factors associated with female students' past year experience of sexual violence in South African public higher education settings: A cross-sectional study.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 2

Machisa MT, Chirwa ED, Mahlangu P

BACKGROUND: Intimate partner sexual violence and non-partner rape experiences are widely reported by female students in South African higher education institutions, as they are globally. However, limited research has focused on investigating vulnerability factors, which is vital for informing interventions. OBJECTIVE: To describe the factors and inter-relationships associated with female students' increased vulnerability to past year experience of partner sexual violence and non-partner rape in South African higher education settings. METHODS: We interviewed 1293 female students, i.e., 519 students in six Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college campuses and 774 students at three university campuses. Participants were volunteers aged 18-30. The measured vulnerability factors included childhood sexual abuse, other trauma, mental ill-health, risky sexual behaviours, food insecurity, partner violence, and controlling behaviours. We used bivariate analysis, logistic regression, and structural equation modelling methods. RESULTS: Twenty percent of participants experienced past-year sexual violence (17% partner sexual violence and 7.5% non-partner rape). Childhood sexual abuse had direct effects on experiencing past year sexual violence and physical, emotional partner violence or controlling behaviours. Risky sexual behaviours mediated the relationships of childhood sexual abuse or harmful alcohol use and past-year sexual violence experience. Mental ill-health mediated the relationships between childhood sexual abuse, other traumatic exposures, food insecurity, physical, emotional partner violence or controlling behaviours, and past-year partner sexual violence or non-partner rape experience. CONCLUSIONS: Risky sexual behaviours, gender inequitable relationship dynamics, mental ill-health, and food insecurity are related and amenable vulnerability factors associated with female students' sexual violence experiences. Therefore, addressing these through comprehensive campus interventions, which are implemented when students first enrol in higher education and are most vulnerable to sexual violence, is critical. Society-wide sexual violence prevention is also imperative.

193. Comparison of TCF4 repeat expansion length in corneal endothelium and leukocytes of patients with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 2

Wieben ED, Aleff RA, Rinkoski TA

194. Comparison of post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) after isometric and isotonic exercise on vertical jump performance.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 2

Vargas-Molina S, Salgado-Ramírez U, Chulvi-Medrano I

195. Assessing BRCA1 activity in DNA damage repair using human induced pluripotent stem cells as an approach to assist classification of BRCA1 variants of uncertain significance.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 2

Ozgencil M, Barwell J, Tischkowitz M

196. Walking on the bright side: Associations between affect, depression, and gait.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 2

Kumar D, Villarreal DJ, Meuret AE.

197. A model framework for projecting the prevalence and impact of Long-COVID in the UK.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 2

Martin C, Luteijn M, Letton W

198. An investigation into the deep learning approach in sentimental analysis using graph-based theories.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 2

Kentour M, Lu J.

Sentiment analysis is a branch of natural language analytics that aims to correlate what is expressed which comes normally within unstructured format with what is believed and learnt. Several attempts have tried to address this gap (i.e., Naive Bayes, RNN, LSTM, word embedding, etc.), even though the deep learning models achieved high performance, their generative process remains a "black-box" and not fully disclosed due to the high dimensional feature and the non-deterministic weights assignment. Meanwhile, graphs are becoming more popular when modeling complex systems while being traceable and understood. Here, we reveal that a good trade-off transparency and efficiency could be achieved with a Deep Neural Network by exploring the Credit Assignment Paths theory. To this end, we propose a novel algorithm which alleviates the features' extraction mechanism and attributes an importance level of selected neurons by applying a deterministic edge/node embeddings with attention scores on the input unit and backward path respectively. We experiment on the Twitter Health News dataset were the model has been extended to approach different approximations (tweet/aspect and tweets' source levels, frequency, polarity/subjectivity), it was also transparent and traceable. Moreover, results of comparing with four recent models on same data corpus for tweets analysis showed a rapid convergence with an overall accuracy of ≈83% and 94% of correctly identified true positive sentiments. Therefore, weights can be ideally assigned to specific active features by following the proposed method. As opposite to other compared works, the inferred features are conditioned through the users' preferences (i.e., frequency degree) and via the activation's derivatives (i.e., reject feature if not scored). Future direction will address the inductive aspect of graph embeddings to include dynamic graph structures and expand the model resiliency by considering other datasets like SemEval task7, covid-19 tweets, etc.

199. Role of tissue factor in delayed bone repair induced by diabetic state in mice.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 2

Ehara H, Tatsumi K, Takafuji Y

200. Time-to-event estimation of birth prevalence trends: A method to enable investigating the etiology of childhood disorders including autism.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 2

MacInnis AG.

An unbiased, widely accepted estimate of the rate of occurrence of new cases of autism over time would facilitate progress in understanding the causes of autism. The same may also apply to other disorders. While incidence is a widely used measure of occurrence, birth prevalence-the proportion of each birth year cohort with the disorder-is the appropriate measure for disorders and diseases of early childhood. Studies of autism epidemiology commonly speculate that estimates showing strong increases in rate of autism cases result from an increase in diagnosis rates rather than a true increase in cases. Unfortunately, current methods are not sufficient to provide a definitive resolution to this controversy. Prominent experts have written that it is virtually impossible to solve. This paper presents a novel method, time-to-event birth prevalence estimation (TTEPE), to provide accurate estimates of birth prevalence properly adjusted for changing diagnostic factors. It addresses the shortcomings of prior methods. TTEPE is based on well-known time-to-event (survival) analysis techniques. A discrete survival process models the rates of incident diagnoses by birth year and age. Diagnostic factors drive the probability of diagnosis as a function of the year of diagnosis. TTEPE models changes in diagnostic criteria, which can modify the effective birth prevalence when new criteria take effect. TTEPE incorporates the development of diagnosable symptoms with age. General-purpose optimization software estimates all parameters, forming a non-linear regression. The paper specifies all assumptions underlying the analysis and explores potential deviations from assumptions and optional additional analyses. A simulation study shows that TTEPE produces accurate parameter estimates, including trends in both birth prevalence and the probability of diagnosis in the presence of sampling effects from finite populations. TTEPE provides high power to resolve small differences in parameter values by utilizing all available data points.

201. Genome wide association study of plant height and tiller number in hulless barley.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 2

Bai Y, Zhao X, Yao X

202. Vague data analysis using neutrosophic Jarque-Bera test.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 2

Aslam M, Sherwani RAK, Saleem M.

203. Utilization rate and usage patterns of phakic and pseudophakic donor corneas recovered by the Singapore Eye Bank.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 2

Kyauk S, Cajucom-Uy HY, Htoon HM

PURPOSE: To compare the utilization rate and usage patterns of pseudophakic and phakic donor corneas recovered by the Singapore Eye Bank. METHODS: Records of local donor corneas recovered by the Singapore Eye Bank from 2012 to 2017 were examined. Corneas that were deemed suitable for clinical use were stratified into phakic and pseudophakic groups. We examined the basic demographic pattern of both groups and the initial type of surgery/ies that the corneas were suitable for based on tissue parameters such as time from harvesting, stromal clarity, the clear central corneal area, the presence of Descemet's membrane tears or defects, and endothelial cell density and quality. We also identified the types of corneal grafts that the corneas were eventually used for; Penetrating Keratoplasty (PK), Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (ALK), Endothelial Keratoplasty (EK). Finally, the overall utilization rates for each group were determined. RESULTS: A total of 986 corneas deemed suitable for transplant were analyzed, 908 (92%) were phakic and 78 were pseudophakic (8%). The average age of pseudophakic donor corneas was (65 ± 8 yrs. old) and there was a slight male preponderance for both groups (55%). Age adjusted analysis of pseudophakic corneas showed the endothelial cell density (ECD) (mean: 2327 ± 47.1 cells/mm2) and clear area (mean: 7.0 ± 0.7 mm) were lesser than phakic corneas. The percentage of pseudophakic corneas that were of EK standard (ECD >2500 cells/mm2) were lower compared to phakic corneas (37% and 77% respectively, p < 0.001). There was significant correlation between previous cataract surgery and the endothelial cell count of the donor corneas (p < 0.001), and regression analysis also showed a strong association of ECD with cataract surgery in reference to non-cataract surgery (-478.8 (95% CI-576.9 to -380.7). The overall utilization rate for pseudophakic corneas was 58% compared to that of phakic corneas at 83%. The most common reason for pseudophakic corneas not to be utilized was due to the presence of Descemet's membrane (DM) tears or defects under the main or side port incision created during phacoemulsification (30%). Phakic corneas were used primarily for optical grafts 84% (mainly EK) while pseudophakic corneas were used mostly for therapeutic/tectonic grafts 47% (mainly ALK or patch grafts). CONCLUSION: Compared to phakic donor corneas, pseudophakic corneas generally have lower overall tissue quality leading to lower uptake by surgeons and lower utilization rates. Eye banks must continuously refine their donor acceptance criteria and engage surgeons to optimize utilization of each recovered tissue.

204. Serial measurement of cytokines strongly predict COVID-19 outcome.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 2

Ozger HS, Karakus R, Kuscu EN

205. Treatment of necrotizing enterocolitis by conditioned medium derived from human amniotic fluid stem cells.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 2

O'Connell JS, Li B, Zito A

206. The inflammatory biomarkers profile of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and its association with patient's outcome: A single centered study.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 2

Hachim IY, Hachim MY, Hannawi H

Several reports highlighted the central role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of corona virus disease-19 (COVID-19) disease. Also, the hyper-inflammatory response that is triggered by severe acute respiratory syndrom-Covid-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection was believed to play an essential role in disease severity and adverse clinical course. For that reason, the classical inflammatory markers were proposed as a possible indicator for COVID-19 severity. However, an extensive analysis of the predictive value of inflammatory biomarkers in large patients' cohorts is still limited and critically needed. In this study we investigated the predictive value of the classical inflammatory biomarkers in a patient cohort consists of 541 COVID-19 patients admitted to Al Kuwait Hospital, Dubai, UAE. A detailed analysis of the association between the essential inflammatory markers and clinical characteristics as well as clinical outcome of the patients were made. In addition, the correlation between those markers and a wide range of laboratory biomarkers and incidence of acute organs injury were investigated. Our results showed a significant elevation of many inflammatory markers including white cell count (WBC) count, neutrophils count, C-reactive protein (CRP), D-Dimer, ferritin, procalcitonin (PCT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in patients with more severe illness. Also, our results highlighted that higher levels of those markers can predict worse patient outcome including the need of ventilation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, multiple organs dysfunction as well as death. In addition, Our results showed that the presence of lymphopenia and lower absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) at the time of admission were associated with severe to critical COVID-19 illness (P<0.0001), presence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (P<0.0001) and the need for ventilation and ICU admission., Moreover, our results showed a strong association between lower ALC count and multiple organs dysfunction and patient's death (P<0.0001). In conclusion, our results highlighted the possible use of classical inflammatory biomarkers at time of admission as a potential predictive marker for more severe clinical course in COVID-19 patients that might need more aggressive therapeutic approach including the need of ventilators and ICU admission. The presence of such predictive markers might improve patient's stratification and help in the direction of the available resources to patients in need, which in turn help in improving our response to the disease pandemic.

207. Prevalence of Burnout Syndrome and other psychiatric disorders among health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 2

Medeiros KS, Ferreira de Paiva LM, Macêdo LTA

208. Do manual therapies have a specific autonomic effect? An overview of systematic reviews.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 2

Roura S, Álvarez G, Solà I

209. Fire behaviors along timber linings affixed to tunnel walls in mines.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 2

Gao K, Liu Z, Tao C

210. Female mentors positively contribute to undergraduate STEM research experiences.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 2

Moghe S, Baumgart K, Shaffer JJ

211. Characterizing health care provider knowledge: Evidence from HIV services in Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, and Zambia.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 2

Pineda-Antunez C, Contreras-Loya D, Rodriguez-Atristain A

BACKGROUND: Identifying approaches to improve levels of health care provider knowledge in resource-poor settings is critical. We assessed level of provider knowledge for HIV testing and counseling (HTC), prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT), and voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC). We also explored the association between HTC, PMTCT, and VMMC provider knowledge and provider and facility characteristics. METHODS: We used data collected in 2012 and 2013. Vignettes were administered to physicians, nurses, and counselors in facilities in Kenya (66), Rwanda (67), South Africa (57), and Zambia (58). The analytic sample consisted of providers of HTC (755), PMTCT (709), and VMMC (332). HTC, PMTCT, and VMMC provider knowledge scores were constructed using item response theory (IRT). We used GLM regressions to examine associations between provider knowledge and provider and facility characteristics focusing on average patient load, provider years in position, provider working in another facility, senior staff in facility, program age, proportion of intervention exclusive staff, person-days of training in facility, and management score. We estimated three models: Model 1 estimated standard errors without clustering, Model 2 estimated robust standard errors, and Model 3 estimated standard errors clustering by facility. RESULTS: The mean knowledge score was 36 for all three interventions. In Model 1, we found that provider knowledge scores were higher among providers in facilities with senior staff and among providers in facilities with higher proportions of intervention exclusive staff. We also found negative relationships between the outcome and provider years in position, average program age, provider working in another facility, person-days of training, and management score. In Model 3, only the coefficients for provider years in position, average program age, and management score remained statistically significant at conventional levels. CONCLUSIONS: HTC, PMTCT, and VMMC provider knowledge was low in Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, and Zambia. Our study suggests that unobservable organizational factors may facilitate communication, learning, and knowledge. On the one hand, our study shows that the presence of senior staff and staff dedication may enable knowledge acquisition. On the other hand, our study provides a note of caution on the potential knowledge depreciation correlated with the time staff spend in a position and program age.

212. The Dickman Impulsivity Inventory: Validation and measurement invariance among Portuguese young adults.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 2

Pechorro P, Revilla R, Resende M

213. 3D fluorescence microscopy data synthesis for segmentation and benchmarking.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 2

Eschweiler D, Rethwisch M, Jarchow M

214. Physical-mental health comorbidity: A population-based cross-sectional study.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 2

Jürisson M, Pisarev H, Uusküla A

BACKGROUND: Multimorbidity is associated with physical-mental health comorbidity (PMHC). However, the scope of overlap between physical and mental conditions, associated factors, as well as types of mental illness involved are not well described in Eastern Europe. This study aims to assess the PMHC burden in the Estonian population. METHODS: In this population-based cross-sectional study we obtained health claims data for 55 chronic conditions from the Estonian Health Insurance Fund (EHIF) database, which captures data for all publicly insured individuals (n = 1 240 927 or 94.1% of the total population as of 31 December 2017). We assessed the period-prevalence (3 years) of chronic physical and mental health disorders, as well as associations between them, by age and sex. RESULTS: Half of the individuals (49.1% (95% CI 49.0-49.3)) had one or more chronic conditions. Mental health disorders (MHD) were present in 8.1% (8.1-8.2) of individuals, being higher among older age groups, women, and individuals with a higher number of physical conditions. PMHC was present in 6.2% (6.1-6.2) of the study population, and 13.1% (13.0-13.2) of the subjects with any chronic physical disorder also presented with at least one MHD. Dominating MHDs among PMHC patients were anxiety and depression. The prevalence of MHD was positively correlated with the number of physical disorders. We observed variation in the type of MHD as the number of physical comorbidities increased. The prevalence of anxiety, depression, and mental and behavioral disorders due to the misuse of alcohol and other psychoactive substances increased as physical comorbidities increased, but the prevalence of schizophrenia and dementia decreased with each additional physical disease. After adjusting for age and sex, this negative association changed the sign to a positive association in the case of dementia and mental and behavioral disorders due to psychoactive substance misuse. CONCLUSIONS: The burden of physical-mental comorbidity in the Estonian population is relatively high. Further research is required to identify clusters of overlapping physical and mental disorders as well as the interactions between these conditions. Public health interventions may include structural changes to health care delivery, such as an increased emphasis on integrated care models that reduce barriers to mental health care.

215. Influenza vaccination coverage and factors associated with severe laboratory-confirmed influenza-related illness in patients receiving care at a tertiary hospital in Catalonia (Spain) during the 2018-2019 epidemic season.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 2

Mena G, Casas I, Casañ C

INTRODUCTION: Influenza vaccination rates in risk groups remain suboptimal. Evidence supporting a significant association between influenza vaccination and severe illness is limited. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the epidemiological characteristics of out- and inpatients with laboratory-confirmed influenza infection attended during the 2018-19 epidemic season. Influenza vaccination coverage by indication was analyzed. Logistic regression was used to compare the odds of vaccination between severe and non-severe influenza-positive patients. Severe cases were defined as presenting pneumonia, admission to critical care units and/or death. RESULTS: The overall vaccination coverage among influenza-positive patients was 30.4%. In subjects with ≥ 1 indication for vaccination, the vaccination coverage was 42.4%. By indication, coverage rates were: 52.5% in patients aged ≥ 59 years, 42.2% in obese patients, 29.2% in immunosuppressed subjects and 6.5% in pregnant women. In patients with underlying chronic diseases, a higher coverage was found in patients with cognitive impairment (77%), muscular dystrophy (63.6%) and renal disease (60.4%). The multivariate logistic regression model showed severe influenza-related illness was associated with a lack of influenza vaccination before seeking care during the 2018-2019 season [0.59 (95%CI 0.36-0.97); p = 0.038], older age [1.01 (95%CI 1.00-1.02); p = 0.009] and current or former smoking status [1.63 (95%CI 0.84-3.18) and 2.03 (95%CI 1.16-3.57); p = 0.031], adjusted by underlying disease. CONCLUSION: Adjusting by age, smoking status and underlying disease, a moderate association between the influenza vaccine and severe laboratory-confirmed influenza-related illness was found in an epidemic season in which there was matching between the vaccine and circulating strains. Protection against complications, especially in older subjects and in those with underlying disease is postulated as one of the strengths of annual influenza vaccination. However, influenza vaccination is a pending issue in these groups, especially in pregnant women and obese people. To avoid suboptimal vaccination coverages, health professionals should recommend the seasonal influenza vaccination according to the annual instructions of the health authorities.

216. Effects of spousal migration on access to healthcare for women left behind: A cross-sectional follow-up study.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 2

West HS, Robbins ME, Moucheraud C

217. Magnitude and associated factors of low back pain among nurses working at intensive care unit of public hospitals in Amhara region, Ethiopia.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 2

Tefera BZ, Zeleke H, Abate A

BACKGROUND: Low back pain is a common public health problem throughout the world with a global prevalence from 28% to 86%. Nurses working in intensive care units are handling people who are critically ill and helpless, which requires more assistance for transferring and handling activities. This possesses a risk for low back pain but little is known about it in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the magnitude of low back pain and associated factors among nurses who work at intensive care units in Amhara region public hospitals, North Ethiopia. METHODS: A multi-centered institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Amhara region public hospitals from March 1-30, 2020. A simple random sampling technique after proportional allocation was used to select the study participants. Data were collected using a standard modified Nordic musculoskeletal assessment tool. After data were checked for completeness and consistency, it was entered into Epidata version 3.1 and exported to Statistical Package for Social Science software version 26 for analysis. Descriptive statistics were computed. A binary logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with low back pain. Finally, those variables with a p-value of <0.05 in multivariable analysis were considered statistically significant. RESULT: Study was conducted among 412 intensive care unit nurses giving a response rate of 97.6%. The magnitude of low back pain was 313 (76%) [95% CI: (71.6%-79.9%)]. Being female [AOR = 2.674 (1.404, 5.076)], unavailability of assistive device for patient handling [AOR = 2.139 (1.035, 4.410)], lack of training on intensive care [AOR = 2.017 (1.092, 3.943)], lack of regular exercise [AOR = 2.164 (1.164, 4.108)] and job stress [AOR = 3.66 (1.955, 6.498)] were factors significantly associated with low back pain. CONCLUSIONS: In this study the magnitude of low back pain was high. Being female, unavailability of an assistive device for patient handling, lack of training on intensive care, lack of regular exercise and job stress were factors associated with low back pain. Policymakers and concerned bodies should emphasize the accessibility of assistive devices for patient care, provision of training on intensive care, and adaptive working environment for intensive care unit nurses.

218. The mucosal barrier and anti-viral immune responses can eliminate portions of the viral population during transmission and early viral growth.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 2

Moriarty RV, Golfinos AE, Gellerup DD

219. Primary school staff perspectives of school closures due to COVID-19, experiences of schools reopening and recommendations for the future: A qualitative survey in Wales.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 2

Marchant E, Todd C, James M

220. Combining research and design: A mixed methods approach aimed at understanding and optimising inpatient medication storage systems.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 2

Wheeler C, Blencowe A, Jacklin A

BACKGROUND: Almost every patient admitted to hospital will receive medication during their stay. Medication errors are an important cause of patient morbidity and mortality, as well as an economic burden for healthcare institutions. Research suggests that current methods of storing medication on hospital wards are not fit for purpose, contributing to inefficiency and error. AIM: To improve medication storage in inpatient areas, by exploring variation and challenges related to medication storage and designing a prototype solution. METHODS: Set in four hospitals in an English teaching hospital trust, the study used a mixed methods approach comprising a quantitative descriptive survey of storage facilities and practices followed by mixed methods observations of medication rounds and interviews with patients, nurses and pharmacy staff. Quantitative data were presented descriptively and qualitative data analysed thematically and using a human-centered design approach. RESULTS: We identified wide variation in medication storage facilities and practices across 77 wards. Observations and staff interviews in six wards revealed five problem areas: poor management of multiple storage facilities; lack of visibility and organisation of medication within trolleys; inadequate size of storage; lack of ownership and knowledge of standard practice; and use of key locks. Patients were largely satisfied with receiving their medication. Systematic and consistent physical organisation of medication in medication trolleys, and integrating and implementing principles of best practice, were identified as areas for intervention. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Variation in medication storage facilities and practices existed both across the organization and on individual wards. Multiple challenges were identified in how medication was stored, which if addressed may improve the efficiency and safety of medication administration and in turn, staff and patient experience. The use of design principles alongside a research approach resulted in a rapid, iterative process for developing and refining potential solutions to improve inpatient medication storage.

221. The role of OCT- angiography in predicting anatomical and functional recovery after endoscopic endonasal pituitary surgery: A 1-year longitudinal study.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 2

Cennamo G, Solari D, Montorio D

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in structural spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), OCT Angiography (OCTA) parameters, and visual acuity, 1 year after endoscopic endonasal approach for the removal of an intra-suprasellar pituitary adenoma compressing optic chiasm and compare outcomes with 48 hours postoperative data. METHODS: Sixteen eyes of eight patients (4 males, 4 females, mean age 52 ± 11 years) were enrolled in this prospective study. The primary outcome was to evaluate the changes over time before and after surgery, analyzing the Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA), Ganglion Cell Complex (GCC), Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer (RNFL) thicknesses, the retinal vessel density (VD) of Superficial Capillary Plexus (SCP), Deep Capillary Plexus (DCP), Radial Peripapillary Capillary (RPC) and the Foveal Avascular Zone (FAZ). The secondary outcome was to identify potential biomarkers that could predict visual acuity changes after 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: When comparing SD-OCT and OCTA measurements obtained after 1 year with those observed 48 hours after surgery, GCC and RNFL were significantly improved. After a significant reduction at 48 hours, GCC thickness showed a significant increase at 1 year after surgery (p = 0.007), while a significant restoration of RNFL thickness was found at 1 year (p = 0.005), as well as the VD of SCP, DCP, and RPC values. FAZ area did not change over time. BCVA significantly improved at each time after surgery (p = 0.037, p = 0.013). A statistically significant correlation was found between the preoperative BCVA, VD of SCP, DCP, RPC, and the postoperative BCVA at 1 year (p = 0.017, p = 0.029, p = 0.031, p = 0.023). CONCLUSION: SD-OCT and OCTA provide helpful information to identify the retinal structural and vascular improvements 1 year after surgery. OCTA parameters could serve as potential predictive markers for visual acuity recovery at long-term follow-up.

222. Nerve recovery from treatment with a vascularized nerve graft compared to an autologous non-vascularized nerve graft in animal models: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 2

Broeren BO, Duraku LS, Hundepool CA

BACKGROUND: Treatment of nerve injuries proves to be a worldwide clinical challenge. Vascularized nerve grafts are suggested to be a promising alternative for bridging a nerve gap to the current gold standard, an autologous non-vascularized nerve graft. However, there is no adequate clinical evidence for the beneficial effect of vascularized nerve grafts and they are still disputed in clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: To systematically review whether vascularized nerve grafts give a superior nerve recovery compared to non-vascularized nerve autografts regarding histological and electrophysiological outcomes in animal models. MATERIAL AND METHODS: PubMed and Embase were systematically searched. The inclusion criteria were as follows: 1) the study was an original full paper which presented unique data; 2) a clear comparison between a vascularized and a non-vascularized autologous nerve transfer was made; 3) the population study were animals of all genders and ages. A standardized mean difference and 95% confidence intervals for each comparison was calculated to estimate the overall effect. Subgroup analyses were conducted on graft length, species and time frames. RESULTS: Fourteen articles were included in this review and all were included in the meta-analyses. A vascularized nerve graft resulted in a significantly larger diameter, higher nerve conduction velocity and axonal count compared to an autologous non-vascularized nerve graft. However, during sensitivity analysis the effect on axonal count disappeared. No significant difference was observed in muscle weight. CONCLUSION: Treating a nerve gap with a vascularized graft results in superior nerve recovery compared to non-vascularized nerve autografts in terms of axon count, diameter and nerve conduction velocity. No difference in muscle weight was seen. However, this conclusion needs to be taken with some caution due to the inherent limitations of this meta-analysis. We recommend future studies to be performed under conditions more closely resembling human circumstances and to use long nerve defects.

223. Nest parasitism, promiscuity, and relatedness among wood ducks.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 2

Harvey K, Lavretsky P, Foth J

224. Investigating the risk factors for seroprevalence and the correlation between CD4+ T-cell count and humoral antibody responses to Toxoplasma gondii infection amongst HIV patients in the Bamenda Health District, Cameroon.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 2

Fang EE, Nyasa RB, Ndi EM

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasmosis is caused by an obligate intracellular tissue protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii that infect humans and other warm-blooded animals. Transmission to humans is by eating raw or inadequately cooked infected meat or through ingestion of oocysts that cats have passed in faeces. Studies have shown life-threatening and substantial neurologic damage in immunocompromised patients; however, 80% of humans remain asymptomatic. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in HIV positive patients and the risk factors associated with the infection, and to investigate the correlation between CD4+ T-cell count and toxoplasma specific antibodies as possible predictors of each other amongst HIV patients in the Bamenda Health District of the North West Region of Cameroon. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted, in which 325 HIV patients were recruited for administration of questionnaire, serological diagnosis of T. gondii and measurement of CD4+ T-cell count. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify risk factors associated with T. gondii infection while the linear regression was used to investigate the relationship between CD4+ T-cell count and antibody levels against T. gondii. RESULTS: The findings showed that, majority (45.8%) of HIV patients suffered from chronic (IgG antibody) infection, and 6.5% from acute (IgM and IgM/IgG antibody) toxoplasma infection. The overall sero-prevalence of T. gondii infection amongst HIV patients was 50.5%. On the whole, 43 men (45.7%) and 127 women (55%) presented with anti- T. gondii antibodies; however, there was no significant difference amongst males and females who were positive to T. gondii infection (p = 0.131). Marital status (p = 0.0003), contact with garden soil (p = 0.0062), and garden ownership (p = 0.009), were factors that showed significant association with T. gondii infection. There was no significant difference (p = 0.909) between the mean CD4+ T-cell count of HIV patients negative for toxoplasma infection (502.7 cells/mL), chronically infected with T. gondii (517.7 cells/mL) and acutely infected with T. gondii (513.1 cells/mL). CD4+ T-cell count was neither a predictor of IgM antibody titer (r = 0.193, p = 0.401), nor IgG antibody titer (r = 0.149, p = 0.519) amongst HIV patients acutely infected with T. gondii. CONCLUSION: The findings from this study underscore the need to implement preventive and control measures to fight against T. gondii infection amongst HIV patients in the Bamenda Health District.

225. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Ethiopian healthcare workers.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 17

Mohammed R, Nguse TM, Habte BM

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 poses significant health and economic threat prompting international firms to rapidly develop vaccines and secure quick regulatory approval. Although COVID-19 vaccination priority is given for high-risk individuals including healthcare workers (HCWs), the success of the immunization efforts hinges on peoples' willingness to embrace these vaccines. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess HCWs intention to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and the reasons underlying vaccine hesitancy. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among HCWs in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from March to July 2021. Data were collected from eligible participants from 18 health facilities using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression was performed to explore factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. A p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 614 HCWs participated in the study, with a mean age of 30.57±6.87 years. Nearly two-thirds (60.3%) of HCWs were hesitant to use the COVID-19 vaccine. Participants under the age of 30 years were approximately five times more likely to be hesitant to be vaccinated compared to those over the age of 40 years. HCWs other than medical doctors and/or nurses (AOR = 2.1; 95%CI; 1.1, 3.8) were more likely to be hesitant for COVID-19 vaccine. Lack of believe in COVID-19 vaccine benefits (AOR = 2.5; 95%CI; 1.3, 4.6), lack of trust in the government (AOR = 1.9; 95%CI; 1.3, 3.1), lack of trust science to produce safe and effective vaccines (AOR = 2.6; 95%CI; 1.6, 4.2); and concern about vaccine safety (AOR = 3.2; 95%CI; 1.9, 5.4) were also found to be predictors of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy showed to be high among HCWs. All concerned bodies including the ministry, regional health authorities, health institutions, and HCWs themselves should work together to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake and overcome the pandemic.

226. A pragmatic approach for producing theoretical syntheses in ecology.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 17

Travassos-Britto B, Pardini R, El-Hani CN

It has been proposed that ecological theory develops in a pragmatic way. This implies that ecologists are free to decide what, from the knowledge available to them, they will use to build models and learn about phenomena. Because in fields that develop pragmatically knowledge generation is based on the decisions of individuals and not on a set of predefined axioms, the best way to produce theoretical synthesis in such fields is to assess what individuals are using to support scientific studies. Here, we present an approach for producing theoretical syntheses based on the propositions most frequently used to learn about a defined phenomenon. The approach consists of (i) defining a phenomenon of interest; (ii) defining a collective of scientists studying the phenomenon; (iii) surveying the scientific studies about the phenomenon published by this collective; (iv) identifying the most referred publications used in these studies; (v) identifying how the studies use the most referred publications to give support to their studies and learn about the phenomena; (vi) and from this, identifying general propositions on how the phenomenon is approached, viewed and described by the collective. We implemented the approach in a case study on the phenomenon of ecological succession, defining the collective as the scientists currently studying succession. We identified three propositions that synthesize the views of the defined collective about succession. The theoretical synthesis revealed that there is no clear division between "classical'' and "contemporary'' succession models, and that neutral models are being used to explain successional patterns alongside models based on niche assumptions. By implementing the pragmatic approach in a case study, we show that it can be successfully used to produce syntheses based on the actual activity of the scientific community studying the phenomenon. The connection between the resulting synthesis and research activity can be traced back through the methodological steps of the approach. This result can be used to understand how knowledge is being used in a field of study and can guide better informed decisions for future studies.

227. Use of spineless cactus associated with legume hay in the feedlot-finishing of lambs in semi-arid regions.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 17

da Trindade Silva MG, Geraldo Costa M, Campelo Medeiros M

The objective of this study were to examine the effects of diets containing spineless cactus associated with hays of different legume species [gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium), "catingueira" (Caesalpinia bracteosa), "sabiá" (Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth) and "catanduva" (Piptadenia moniliformis Benth)] on the intake, digestibility, performance and carcass traits of lambs. Twenty-four ½ Santa Inês × ½ Soinga lambs with an average body weight of 21.4 ± 2.53 kg were distributed into four treatments in a completely randomized design. Treatments consisted of diets formulated with the association of spineless cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill) and hay of four legume species, namely, "catanduva", "sabiá" "catingueira" and gliricidia. The lowest intakes (P<0.05) of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and total carbohydrates occurred in the animals that received the diet containing catingueira hay. However, there were no diet effects (P>0.05) on the intakes of crude protein (CP), ether extract and non-fibrous carbohydrates. The diets also did not change (P>0.05) the weight gain (0.197 kg/day) or final weight (33.18 kg) of the lambs or the apparent digestibility coefficients of DM, OM, CP and NDF. Consequently, the parameters of live weight at slaughter (34.10 kg), hot carcass weight (14.81 kg), cold carcass weight (14.66 kg), hot carcass yield (45.60%) and cold carcass yield (45.07%) exhibited the no response to treatment. In addition to these variables, the diets also did not influence subcutaneous fat thickness (2.54 mm), longissimus muscle area (13.34 cm2), morphometric measurements of the carcass, or the proportions of muscle and fat. Therefore, legume hays associated with spineless cactus can be used to feed ½ Santa Inês × ½ Soinga lambs in the feedlot, as this strategy provides heavy animals at the time of slaughter and carcasses with desirable degrees of muscularity and adiposity.

228. Ovicidal, larvicidal and pupicidal efficacy of silver nanoparticles synthesized by Bacillus marisflavi against the chosen mosquito species.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 17

J T, C B.

229. Potential SARS-CoV-2 infectiousness among asymptomatic healthcare workers.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 17

Pimenoff VN, Elfström M, Conneryd Lundgren K

230. Oncologists' reflections on patient rights and access to compassionate use drugs: A qualitative interview study from an academic cancer center.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 17

Stout J, Smith C, Buckner J

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows patients with serious illnesses to access investigational drugs for "compassionate use" outside of clinical trials through expanded access (EA) Programs. The federal Right-to-Try Act created an additional pathway for non-trial access to experimental drugs without institutional review board or FDA approval. This removal of oversight amplifies the responsibility of physicians, but little is known about the role of practicing physicians in non-trial access to investigational drugs. We undertook semi-structured interviews to capture the experiences and opinions of 21 oncologists all with previous EA experience at a major cancer center. We found five main themes. Participants with greater EA experience reported less difficulty accessing drugs through the myriad of administrative processes and drug company reluctance to provide investigational products while newcomers reported administrative hurdles. Oncologists outlined several rationales patients offered when seeking investigational drugs, including those with stronger health literacy and a good scientific rationale versus others who remained skeptical of conventional medicine. Participants reported that most patients had realistic expectations while some had unrealistic optimism. Given the diverse reasons patients sought investigational drugs, four factors-scientific rationale, risk-benefit ratio, functional status of the patient, and patient motivation-influenced oncologists' decisions to request compassionate use drugs. Physicians struggled with a "right-to-try" framing of patient access to experimental drugs, noting instead their own responsibility to protect patients' best interest in the uncertain and risky process of off-protocol access. This study highlights the willingness of oncologists at a major cancer center to pursue non-trial access to experimental treatments for patients while also shedding light on the factors they use when considering such treatment. Our data reveal discrepancies between physicians' sense of patients' expectations and their own internal sense of professional obligation to shepherd a safe process for patients at a vulnerable point in their care.

231. COVID-19 affected the food behavior of different age groups in Chinese households.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 17

Chen T, Wang C, Cui Z

232. Evaluation of multi-assay algorithms for identifying individuals with recent HIV infection: HPTN 071 (PopART).

PLoS One

2021 Dec 17

Grant-McAuley W, Klock E, Laeyendecker O

233. Viral burden and diversity in acute respiratory tract infections in hospitalized children in wet and dry zones of Sri Lanka.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 17

Jayaweera JAAS, Morel AJ, Abeykoon AMSB

234. Technical efficiency evaluation of colorectal cancer care for older patients in Dutch hospitals.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 17

Heil TC, Melis RJF, Maas HAAM

BACKGROUND: Preoperative colorectal cancer care pathways for older patients show considerable practice variation between Dutch hospitals due to differences in interpretation and implementation of guideline-based recommendations. This study aims to report this practice variation in preoperative care between Dutch hospitals in terms of technical efficiency and identifying associated factors. METHODS: Data on preoperative involvement of geriatricians, physical therapists and dieticians and the clinicians' judgement on prehabilitation implementation were collected using quality indicators and questionnaires among colorectal cancer surgeons and specialized nurses. These data were combined with registry-based data on postoperative outcomes obtained from the Dutch Surgical Colorectal Audit for patients aged ≥75 years. A two-stage data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach was used to calculate bias-corrected DEA technical efficiency scores, reflecting the extent to which a hospital invests in multidisciplinary preoperative care (input) in relation to postoperative outcomes (output). In the second stage, hospital care characteristics were used in a bootstrap truncated regression to explain variations in measured efficiency scores. RESULTS: Data of 25 Dutch hospitals were analyzed. There was relevant practice variation in bias-corrected technical efficiency scores (ranging from 0.416 to 0.968) regarding preoperative colorectal cancer surgery. The average efficiency score of hospitals was significantly different from the efficient frontier (p = <0.001). After case-mix correction, higher technical efficiency was associated with larger practice size (p = <0.001), surgery performed in a general hospital versus a university hospital (p = <0.001) and implementation of prehabilitation (p = <0.001). CONCLUSION: This study showed considerable variation in technical efficiency of preoperative colorectal cancer care for older patients as provided by Dutch hospitals. In addition to higher technical efficiency in high-volume hospitals and general hospitals, offering a care pathway that includes prehabilitation was positively related to technical efficiency of hospitals offering colorectal cancer care.

235. The pink salmon genome: Uncovering the genomic consequences of a two-year life cycle.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 17

Christensen KA, Rondeau EB, Sakhrani D

236. Human mobility data and machine learning reveal geographic differences in alcohol sales and alcohol outlet visits across U.S. states during COVID-19.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 17

Hu Y, Quigley BM, Taylor D.

237. Exploration of Klebsiella pneumoniae M6 for paclobutrazol degradation, plant growth attributes, and biocontrol action under subtropical ecosystem.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 16

Kumar G, Lal S, Maurya SK

238. Binary matrix factorization on special purpose hardware.

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2021 Dec 16

Malik OA, Ushijima-Mwesigwa H, Roy A

239. Association of microbial dynamics with urinary estrogens and estrogen metabolites in patients with endometriosis.

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2021 Dec 16

Le N, Cregger M, Brown V

240. A data-driven approach for examining the demand for relaxation games on Steam during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 16

Croissant M, Frister M.

241. Pathogenicity of field strain of fowl aviadenovirus serotype 11 isolated from chickens with inclusion body hepatitis in Morocco.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 16

Abghour S, Mouahid M, Darkaoui S

242. Universities' Scientific and Technological Transformation in China: Its Efficiency and Influencing Factors in the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 16

Zou L, Zhu YW.

243. Validation and measurement invariance of the Occupational Depression Inventory in South Africa.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 16

Hill C, de Beer LT, Bianchi R.

244. The impact of the caregiver mobility on child HIV care in the Manhiça District, Southern Mozambique: A clinical based study.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 16

Nhampossa T, Fernández-Luis S, Fuente-Soro L

INTRODUCTION: Manhiça District, in Southern Mozambique harbors high HIV prevalence and a long history of migration. To optimize HIV care, we sought to assess how caregiver's mobility impacts children living with HIV (CLHIV)´s continuation in HIV care and to explore the strategies used by caregivers to maintain their CLHIV on antiretroviral treatment (ART). METHODS: A clinic-based cross-sectional survey conducted at the Manhiça District Hospital between December-2017 and February-2018. We enrolled CLHIV with a self-identified migrant caregiver (moved outside of Manhiça District ≤12 months prior to survey) and non-migrant caregiver, matched by the child age and sex. Survey data were linked to CLHIV clinical records from the HIV care and treatment program. RESULTS: Among the 975 CLHIV screened, 285 (29.2%) were excluded due to absence of an adult at the appointment. A total of 232 CLHIV-caregiver pairs were included. Of the 41 (35%) CLHIV migrating with their caregivers, 38 (92.6%) had access to ART at the destination because either the caregivers travelled with it 24 (63%) or it was sent by a family member 14 (36%). Among the 76 (65%) CLHIV who did not migrate with their caregivers, for the purpose of pharmacy visits, 39% were cared by their grandfather/grandmother, 28% by an aunt/uncle and 16% by an adult brother/sister. CLHIV of migrant caregivers had a non-statistically significant increase in the number of previous reported sickness episodes (OR = 1.38, 95%CI: 0.79-2.42; p = 0.257), ART interruptions (OR = 1.73; 95%CI: 0.82-3.63; p = 0.142) and lost-to-follow-up episodes (OR = 1.53; 95%CI: 0.80-2.94; p = 0.193). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly one third of the children attend their HIV care appointments unaccompanied by an adult. The caregiver mobility was not found to significantly affect child's retention on ART. Migrant caregivers adopted strategies such as the transportation of ART to the mobility destination to avoid impact of mobility on the child's HIV care. However this may have implications on ART stability and effectiveness that should be investigated in rural areas.

245. Study protocol for a two-site clinical trial to validate a smartphone-based artificial intelligence classifier identifying cervical precancer and cancer in HPV-positive women in Cameroon.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 16

Baleydier I, Vassilakos P, Viñals R

INTRODUCTION: Cervical cancer remains a major public health challenge in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) due to financial and logistical issues. WHO recommendation for cervical cancer screening in LMICs includes HPV testing as primary screening followed by visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and treatment. However, VIA is a subjective procedure dependent on the healthcare provider's experience. Its accuracy can be improved by computer-aided detection techniques. Our aim is to assess the performance of a smartphone-based Automated VIA Classifier (AVC) relying on Artificial Intelligence to discriminate precancerous and cancerous lesions from normal cervical tissue. METHODS: The AVC study will be nested in an ongoing cervical cancer screening program called "3T-study" (for Test, Triage and Treat), including HPV self-sampling followed by VIA triage and treatment if needed. After application of acetic acid on the cervix, precancerous and cancerous cells whiten more rapidly than non-cancerous ones and their whiteness persists stronger overtime. The AVC relies on this key feature to determine whether the cervix is suspect for precancer or cancer. In order to train and validate the AVC, 6000 women aged 30 to 49 years meeting the inclusion criteria will be recruited on a voluntary basis, with an estimated 100 CIN2+, calculated using a confidence level of 95% and an estimated sensitivity of 90% +/-7% precision on either side. Diagnostic test performance of AVC test and two current standard tests (VIA and cytology) used routinely for triage will be evaluated and compared. Histopathological examination will serve as reference standard. Participants' and providers' acceptability of the technology will also be assessed. The study protocol was registered under ClinicalTrials.gov (number NCT04859530). EXPECTED RESULTS: The study will determine whether AVC test can be an effective method for cervical cancer screening in LMICs.

246. Association between salt intake and long-term mortality in hemodialysis patients: A retrospective cohort study.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 16

Suzuki N, Hitomi Y, Takata H

247. Analysis of migration of pathogenic drug-resistant bacteria to soils and groundwater after fertilization with sewage sludge.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 16

Stańczyk-Mazanek E, Stępniak L.

248. Biological laterality and peripheral nerve DTI metrics.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 16

Holmes SA, Staffa SJ, Karapanagou A

249. An absence of equipoise: Examining surgeons' decision talk during encounters with women considering breast cancer surgery.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 16

Politi MC, Saunders CH, Grabinski VF

250. Height-diameter allometry for tropical forest in northern Amazonia.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 16

Lima RB, Görgens EB, Elias F

251. How to attract and retain health workers in rural areas of a fragile state: Findings from a labour market survey in Guinea.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 16

Witter S, Herbst CH, Smitz M

252. Green credit, environmental protection investment and debt financing for heavily polluting enterprises.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 15

Ji L, Jia P, Yan J.

253. National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2) to predict poor outcome in hospitalised COVID-19 patients in India.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 15

Cr P, Vanidassane I, Pownraj D

254. Key determinants of deposits volume using CAMEL rating system: The case of Saudi banks.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 15

Al-Najjar D, Assous HF.

255. Divergent evolution of Corynebacterium diphtheriae in India: An update from National Diphtheria Surveillance network.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 15

Devanga Ragupathi NK, Muthuirulandi Sethuvel DP, Murugan D

256. Outcomes of early oseltamivir treatment for hospitalized adult patients with community-acquired influenza pneumonia.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 15

Kositpantawong N, Surasombatpattana S, Siripaitoon P

257. Prevalence, incidence and predictors of renal impairment in persons with HIV receiving protease-inhibitors in rural Tanzania.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 15

Mapesi H, Okuma J, Franzeck F

258. Plasticity of the bony carotid canal and its clinical use for assessing negative remodeling of the internal carotid artery.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 15

Oichi Y, Mineharu Y, Agawa Y

259. The mechanism of goal-setting participation's impact on employees' proactive behavior, moderated mediation role of power distance.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 15

Pervaiz S, Li G, He Q.

Organizations nowadays are under immense external pressure due to advancements in information technology, making it precarious. It also inserts extra pressure to keep the employees motivated and productive. Therefore, while information technology benefits the organization, it also challenges the organization and employees more. In order to meet these challenges, many organizations have begun to flatten their organizational structures and decentralized their management approaches. This study collected 336 valid questionnaires from 20 service companies. The reliability and validity of the questionnaire were tested. In addition, the exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Relevant analysis and empirical analysis were also carried out using hierarchical regression. The study finds that (1) Goal-setting participation positively affects employees' proactive behavior. (2) Perceived insider status plays a mediating role between goal-setting participation and employee proactive behavior. (3) The power distance positively modifies the goal-setting participation in the relationship of employee's perceived insider status. (4) Power distance positively moderates perceived insider status in the relationship of goal-setting participation on employee proactive behavior through perceived insider status. This research applies goal-setting theory and social cognition theory to build a theoretical framework for the influence mechanism of goal-setting participation on employee's proactive behavior. Expands the application scope of fundamental theoretical research and improve understanding of the relationship between goal-setting participation and employee's proactive behavior. The research conclusions help organizations understand the formation mechanism of employees' proactive behaviors, strengthen the focus on goal-setting participation, and optimize the relationship between leaders and employees.

260. Mindfulness predicts less depression, anxiety, and social impairment in emergency care personnel: A longitudinal study.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 15

Westphal M, Wall M, Corbeil T

261. CANDIDATE: A tool for generating anonymous participant-linking IDs in multi-session studies.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 15

Sandnes FE.

262. A method for tracking blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) with a widely spaced network of ocean bottom seismometers.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 15

Wilcock WSD, Hilmo RS.

Passive acoustic monitoring is an important tool for studying marine mammals. Ocean bottom seismometer networks provide data sets of opportunity for studying blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) which vocalize extensively at seismic frequencies. We describe methods to localize calls and obtain tracks using the B call of northeast Pacific blue whale recorded by a large network of widely spaced ocean bottom seismometers off the coast of the Pacific Northwest. The first harmonic of the B call at ~15 Hz is detected using spectrogram cross-correlation. The seasonality of calls, inferred from a dataset of calls identified by an analyst, is used to estimate the probability that detections are true positives as a function of the strength of the detection. Because the spacing of seismometers reaches 70 km, faint detections with a significant probability of being false positives must be considered in multi-station localizations. Calls are located by maximizing a likelihood function which considers each strong detection in turn as the earliest arrival time and seeks to fit the times of detections that follow within a feasible time and distance window. An alternative procedure seeks solutions based on the detections that maximize their sum after weighting by detection strength and proximity. Both approaches lead to many spurious solutions that can mix detections from different B calls and include false detections including misidentified A calls. Tracks that are reliable can be obtained iteratively by assigning detections to localizations that are grouped in space and time, and requiring groups of at least 20 locations. Smooth paths are fit to tracks by including constraints that minimize changes in speed and direction while fitting the locations to their uncertainties or applying the double difference relocation method. The reliability of localizations for future experiments might be improved by increasing sampling rates and detecting harmonics of the B call.

263. Exploring anxiety awareness during academic science examinations.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 15

Apostolidis H, Tsiatsos T.

264. Improving phylogenetic resolution of the Lamiales using the complete plastome sequences of six Penstemon species.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 15

Stettler JM, Stevens MR, Meservey LM

265. Prevalence of tobacco dependence and associated factors among patients with schizophrenia attending their treatments at southwest Ethiopia; hospital-based cross-sectional study.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 15

Desalegn D, Abdu Z, Hajure M.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco smoking is the most typically employed in patients with mental disorders; among them, patients with schizophrenia are the very best users. The rate of smoking among patients with schizophrenia is between two and three times greater than the general population in western countries. However, there is a scarcity of studies on the magnitude and associated factors of tobacco dependence among patients with schizophrenia in Ethiopia. Therefore, we assessed the prevalence of tobacco dependence and associated factors among patients with schizophrenia at Mettu Karl referral, Bedelle, and Agaro hospitals, Southwest, Ethiopia. METHOD: Hospital-based the multistage stratified cross-sectional study design was conducted among 524 patients with schizophrenia who are on treatment. Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) was used to screen the prevalence of tobacco dependence. Analysis of data was done using SPSS version 24. RESULT: The prevalence of tobacco dependence among study participants was 22.3% (95% CI) (18.6, 26). Concerning the severity of tobacco dependence, 3.5%, 13.8%, and 5% of the respondents report moderate, high, and very high levels of tobacco dependence respectively. The proportions of tobacco dependence among male schizophrenic patients 88 (25.8%) were higher compared to their counterparts 27 (15.5%). After controlling the effects of cofounders in the final regression analysis, male gender (AOR 2.19, 95% CI = 1.25, 3.83), being on treatment for more than 5years (AOR 4.37, 95% CI = 2.11, 9.02), having a history of admission (AOR 4.01, 95% CI = 1.99, 8.11), and family history of mental illness (AOR 1.90, 95% CI = 1.04, 3.48) were shown to have a significant positive association with tobacco dependence. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: A study show a significant proportion of tobacco dependence among people living with schizophrenia. Factors like, being male gender, being on treatment for more than 5 years, having a history of admission, and family history of mental illness was found to have a significant positive association with tobacco dependence. Hence, there is a need for coordinated and comprehensive management clinically to manage tobacco dependence along with identified risk factors in patients with schizophrenia. Also the finding call for the clinicians, managers, ministry of health and other stakeholders on the substance use prevention strategies that target personal and environmental control.

266. Dementia and autopsy-verified causes of death in racially-diverse older Brazilians.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 15

Farfel JM, Leurgans SE, Capuano AW

267. Spatial epidemiology and genetic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 and related coronaviruses in domestic and wild animals.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 15

Islam A, Ferdous J, Sayeed MA

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) showed susceptibility to diverse animal species. We conducted this study to understand the spatial epidemiology, genetic diversity, and statistically significant genetic similarity along with per-gene recombination events of SARS-CoV-2 and related viruses (SC2r-CoVs) in animals globally. We collected a number of different animal species infected with SARS-CoV-2 and its related viruses. Then, we retrieved genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 and SC2r-CoVs from GISAID and NCBI GenBank for genomic and mutational analysis. Although the evolutionary origin of SARS-CoV-2 remains elusive, the diverse SC2r-CoV have been detected in multiple Rhinolophus bat species and in Malayan pangolin. To date, human-to-animal spillover events have been reported in cat, dog, tiger, lion, gorilla, leopard, ferret, puma, cougar, otter, and mink in 25 countries. Phylogeny and genetic recombination events of SC2r-CoVs showed higher similarity to the bat coronavirus RaTG13 and BANAL-103 for most of the genes and to some Malayan pangolin coronavirus (CoV) strains for the N protein from bats and pangolin showed close resemblance to SARS-CoV-2. The clustering of animal and human strains from the same geographical area has proved human-to-animal transmission of the virus. The Alpha, Delta and Mu-variant of SARS-CoV-2 was detected in dog, gorilla, lion, tiger, otter, and cat in the USA, India, Czech Republic, Belgium, and France with momentous genetic similarity with human SARS-CoV-2 sequences. The mink variant mutation (spike_Y453F) was detected in both humans and domestic cats. Moreover, the dog was affected mostly by clade O (66.7%), whereas cat and American mink were affected by clade GR (31.6 and 49.7%, respectively). The α-variant was detected as 2.6% in cat, 4.8% in dog, 14.3% in tiger, 66.7% in gorilla, and 77.3% in lion. The highest mutations observed in mink where the substitution of D614G in spike (95.2%) and P323L in NSP12 (95.2%) protein. In dog, cat, gorilla, lion, and tiger, Y505H and Y453F were the common mutations followed by Y145del, Y144del, and V70I in S protein. We recommend vaccine provision for pet and zoo animals to reduce the chance of transmission in animals. Besides, continuous epidemiological and genomic surveillance of coronaviruses in animal host is crucial to find out the immediate ancestor of SARS-CoV-2 and to prevent future CoVs threats to humans.

268. Essential roles of buried phenylalanine in the structural stability of thioredoxin from a psychrophilic Arctic bacterium Sphingomonas sp.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 15

Nguyen TT, Hoang T, Tran KN

269. Optical bench simulation for intraocular lenses using field-tracing technology.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 15

Song SH, Song IS, Oh SJ

270. Contributions of park constructions to residents' demands of ecosystem services consumption: A case study of urban public parks in Beijing.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 15

Wang S, Li T, Li D

271. A comparison of host response strategies to distinguish bacterial and viral infection.

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2021 Dec 14

Ross M, Henao R, Burke TW

272. Quantitative photogrammetric methodology for measuring mammalian belly score in the painted dog.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 14

Rasmussen G, Smultea M, Cloutier T

The use of "belly scoring" can offer a novel, non-invasive objective management tool to gauge food intake between individuals, groups, and populations, and thus, population fitness. As food availability is increasingly affected by predation, ecological competition, climate change, habitat modification, and other human activities, an accurate belly scoring tool can facilitate comparisons among wildlife populations, serving as an early warning indicator of threats to wildlife population health and potential population collapse. In social species, belly scores can also be a tool to understand social behavior and ranking. We developed and applied the first rigorous quantitative photogrammetric methodology to measure belly scores of wild painted dogs (Lycaon pictus). Our methodology involves: (1) Rigorous selection of photographs of the dorso/lateral profile of individuals at a right angle to the camera, (2) photogrammetrically measuring belly chord length and "belly drop" in pixels, (3) adjusting belly chord length as a departure from a standardized leg angle, and (4) converting pixel measurements to ratios to eliminate the need to introduce distance from the camera. To highlight a practical application, this belly score method was applied to 631 suitable photographs of 15 painted dog packs that included 186 individuals, all collected between 2004-2015 from allopatric painted dog populations in and around Hwange (n = 462) and Mana Pools National Parks (n = 169) in Zimbabwe. Variation in mean belly scores exhibited a cyclical pattern throughout the year, corresponding to biologically significant patterns to include denning demand and prey availability. Our results show significant differences between belly scores of the two different populations we assessed, thus highlighting food stress in the Hwange population. In the face of growing direct and indirect anthropogenic disturbances, this standardised methodology can provide a rapid, species-specific non-invasive management tool that can be applied across studies to rapidly detect emergent threats.

273. Imputing pre-diagnosis health behaviour in cancer registry data and investigating its relationship with oesophageal cancer survival time.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 14

Fahey PP, Page A, Astell-Burt T

274. Prevalence and clinical course of upper airway respiratory virus infection in critically ill patients with hematologic malignancies.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 14

Lee J, Kim SC, Rhee CK

275. Health and well-being of university students before and during COVID-19 pandemic: A gender comparison.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 14

Gestsdottir S, Gisladottir T, Stefansdottir R

276. Lifestyle patterns associated with common mental disorders in Brazilian adolescents: Results of the Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA).

PLoS One

2021 Dec 14

Silva SA, do Carmo AS, Carvalho KMB.

277. Personalised reprogramming to prevent progressive pacemaker-related left ventricular dysfunction: A phase II randomised, controlled clinical trial.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 13

Paton MF, Gierula J, Lowry JE

278. A framework of artificial light management for optimal plant development for smart greenhouse application.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 13

Pereira J, Mouazen AM, Foo M

279. Preoperative assessment of cervical lymph node metastases in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma: Incremental diagnostic value of dual-energy CT combined with ultrasound.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 13

Yoon J, Choi Y, Jang J

280. Menstrual health and factors associated with school absence among secondary school girls in Luang Prabang Province, Lao People's Democratic Republic: A cross-sectional study.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 13

Inthaphatha S, Louangpradith V, Xiong LI

281. Comparison of photosynthetic activity and heat tolerance between near isogenic lines of wheat with different photosynthetic rates.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 13

Li C, Ma M, Zhang T

282. Origin and evolution of HIV-1 subtype A6.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 13

Abidi SH, Aibekova L, Davlidova S

283. Behavior and Fos activation reveal that male and female rats differentially assess affective valence during CTA learning and expression.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 13

Bernanke A, Burnette E, Murphy J

Females are more affected by psychiatric illnesses including eating disorders, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder than males. However, the neural mechanisms mediating these sex differences are poorly understood. Animal models can be useful in exploring such neural mechanisms. Conditioned taste aversion (CTA) is a behavioral task that assesses how animals process the competition between associated reinforcing and aversive stimuli in subsequent task performance, a process critical to healthy behavior in many domains. The purpose of the present study was to identify sex differences in this behavior and associated neural responses. We hypothesized that females would value the rewarding stimulus (Boost®) relative to the aversive stimulus (LiCl) more than males in performing CTA. We evaluated behavior (Boost® intake, LiCl-induced behaviors, ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs), CTA performance) and Fos activation in relevant brain regions after the acute stimuli [acute Boost® (AB), acute LiCl (AL)] and the context-only task control (COT), Boost® only task (BOT) and Boost®-LiCl task (BLT). Acutely, females drank more Boost® than males but showed similar aversive behaviors after LiCl. Females and males performed CTA similarly. Both sexes produced 55 kHz USVs anticipating BOT and inhibited these calls in the BLT. However, more females emitted both 22 kHz and 55 kHz USVs in the BLT than males: the latter correlated with less CTA. Estrous cycle stage also influenced 55 kHz USVs. Fos responses were similar in males and females after AB or AL. Females engaged the gustatory cortex and ventral tegmental area (VTA) more than males during the BOT and males engaged the amygdala more than females in both the BOT and BLT. Network analysis of correlated Fos responses across brain regions identified two unique networks characterizing the BOT and BLT, in both of which the VTA played a central role. In situ hybridization with RNAscope identified a population of D1-receptor expressing cells in the CeA that responded to Boost® and D2 receptor-expressing cells that responded to LiCl. The present study suggests that males and females differentially process the affective valence of a stimulus to produce the same goal-directed behavior.

284. Prevalence and predictive risk factors of hypertension in patients hospitalized in Kamenge Military hospital and Kamenge University teaching hospital in 2019: A fixed effect modelling study in Burundi.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 13

Iradukunda A, Odjidja EN, Ndayishima SK

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension is a major threat to public health globally. Especially in sub-Saharan African countries, this coexists with high burden of other infectious diseases, creating a complex public health situation which is difficult to address. Tackling this will require targeted public health intervention based on evidence that well defines the at risk population. In this study, using retrospective data from two referral hospitals in Burundi, we model the risk factors of hypertension in Burundi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective data of a sample of 353 randomly selected from a population of 4,380 patients admitted in 2019 in two referral hospitals in Burundi: Military and University teaching hospital of Kamenge. The predictive risk factors were carried out by fixed effect logistic regression. Model performance was assessed with Area under Curve (AUC) method. Model was internally validated using bootstrapping method with 2000 replications. Both data processing and data analysis were done using R software. RESULTS: Overall, 16.7% of the patients were found to be hypertensive. This study didn't showed any significant difference of hypertension's prevalences among women (16%) and men (17.7%). After adjustment of the model for cofounding covariates, associated risk factors found were advanced age (40-59 years) and above 60 years, high education level, chronic kidney failure, high body mass index, familial history of hypertension. In absence of these highlighted risk factors, the risk of hypertension occurrence was about 2 per 1000 persons. This probability is more than 90% in patients with more than three risk factors. CONCLUSION: The relatively high prevalence and associated risk factors of hypertension in Burundi raises a call for concern especially in this context where there exist an equally high burden of infectious diseases, other chronic diseases including chronic malnutrition. Targeting interventions based on these identified risk factors will allow judicious channel of resources and effective public health planning.

285. The association between Helicobacter pylori with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease assessed by controlled attenuation parameter and other metabolic factors.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 13

Han YM, Lee J, Choi JM

286. Investigating the role of the carbon storage regulator A (CsrA) in Leptospira spp.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 13

Phoka T, Fule L, Da Fonseca JP

287. A strengths-based approach to exploring diabetes management in an Indigenous minority population: A mixed methods study.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 10

Abu-Saad K, Daoud N, Kaplan G

Indigenous and other marginalized racial/ethnic minorities have poorer health status than majority populations, including higher rates of type 2 diabetes. These disparities have typically been addressed using a 'deficit-based' discourse that isolates disease management from the broader social, economic, political context and does not incorporate patient perspectives. We aimed to explore factors affecting glycemic control among Indigenous Arabs with diabetes in Israel using a strengths-based approach that centered participants' knowledge of their context, needs, resources and strengths. We conducted an exploratory sequential mixed methods study, which included 10 focus groups (5 men's, 5 women's) and 296 quantitative in-person surveys. Participants with diagnosed diabetes were randomly drawn from the patient list of the largest healthcare service organization (survey response rate: 93%). Prominent and interconnected themes emerged from focus group discussions, including: diet, physical activity, and social, economic, mental/psychological and political stress. The discussions raised the need for adapting diabetes management approaches to incorporate participants' communal, physical and psychological well-being, and socioeconomic/political realities. The connections between these factors and diabetes management were also reflected in multivariable analyses of the survey data. Women (OR: 2.03; 95% CI: 1.09-4.63), people with disabilities (OR: 2.43; 95% CI: 1.28-4.64), and unemployed people (OR: 2.64; 95% CI: 1.28-5.44) had higher odds of economic barriers to diabetes management. Furthermore, female sex (OR: 2.26; 95% CI: 1.25-4.09), unemployment (OR: 4.07; 95% CI: 1.64-10.10), and suboptimal glycemic control (OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.03-1.41 per 1-unit increase in HbA1c) were associated with moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms. A pro-active, team-based healthcare approach incorporating Indigenous/minority participants' knowledge, experience, and strengths has the potential to improve individuals' diabetes management. Healthcare services should be structured in ways that enable providers to listen to their patients, address their key concerns, and foster their strengths.

288. Evaluation of YouTube videos for patients' education on periradicular surgery.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 10

Jamleh A, Nassar M, Alissa H

The aim of this study was to evaluate the content of periradicular surgery-related YouTube videos available for patients' education. YouTube search was made for videos related to periradicular surgery using specific terms. After exclusions, 42 videos were selected, viewed and assessed by two independent observers. The videos were assessed in terms of duration, days since upload, country of upload, number of views, likes and dislikes, authorship source, viewing rate and interaction index. To grade the content of videos about periradicular surgery, a usefulness score was created with 10 elements based mainly on the American Association of Endodontists guidelines. Each element was given a score of 0 or 1. SPSS software (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA) was used to analyze data at a 95% confidence level. An inter-evaluator reliability analysis for the scoring system was performed using the Kappa statistic. The videos received an average of 35103.9 views (range: 9-652378) with an average duration of 338.71 seconds (range: 42-2081), respectively. Most videos were provided by individuals (57%). Half of the videos were posted by authors from the United States. The inter-evaluator reliability for usefulness scoring was 94.5%. No video covered the 10 scoring elements completely, presenting very low usefulness scores (mean: 3.2; range: 1-7). The most discussed elements were supporting media (100%) and steps of the procedure (90.5%) followed by indications and contraindications (45.2%) and symptoms (31%). None of the included videos discussed the procedure's cost or prognosis. In terms of usefulness score, no significant difference was detected between different sources of upload (chi-square test, P > 0.05). Information on periradicular surgery in YouTube videos is not comprehensive and patients should not rely on YouTube as the only source of information. Dental professionals should enrich the content of YouTube with good quality videos by providing full and evidence-based information that will positively affect patients' attitudes and satisfaction.

289. Assessment of practice of Covid-19 preventive measures and associated factors among residents in Southern, Ethiopia.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 10

Kaso AW, Hareru HE, Agero G

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus (Covid-19) is a respiratory disease mostly affecting old aged and those with comorbidities. Due to resource constraints in developing countries, control of Covid-19 was based on preventive measures. However, there is variation in adherence to these precautionary measures from place to place among communities. Therefore, this study assessed the practice of Covid-19 preventive measures and associated factors among residents of Southern, Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was employed on residents of Southern, Ethiopia. Interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data from households through systematic random sampling methods. Data was entered, coded, and analyzed using STATA version 16. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the association between outcome variables and predictor variables. Finally, the interpretation of Adjusted Odds ratio (AOR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) and p-value was done for statistically significant factors of Covid-19 preventive measures practice. RESULTS: The proportion of residents who had good practice of Covid-19 preventive measures was 31.3% (95% CI: 26.5, 36.1). Out of 364 residents, 264 (72.5%) used facemasks, 218 (59.9%) washed their hands frequently, 167 (45.9%) practiced social distancing, 135 (37.1%) stayed at home, 75 (18.1%) avoided handshaking and 228 (62.6%) used hand sanitizer. Following government directions (AOR = 225; 95% CI: 68.6, 738), good knowledge about Covid-19 (AOR = 3.47; 95% CI: 1.12, 10.73), having access to water supply (AOR = 2.92; 95% CI: 1.05, 8.18), belief towards protectiveness of preventive measure (AOR = 3.53; 95% CI: 1.08, 11.61) and chronic illness (AOR = 5.09; 95% CI: 1.44, 17.96) were significantly associated with practice of Covid-19 preventive measures. CONCLUSION: In this study, the proportion of residents practicing Covid-19 preventive measures was low. Having comorbidity, following government directions, knowledge about Covid-19 and access to water supply were significantly associated with Covid-19 preventive measures practice. Therefore, government and all concerned stakeholders should increase the accessibility of infrastructure and provide continuous awareness creation campaigns regarding Covid-19 mode of transmission, sign and symptom, and protectiveness of Covid-19 preventive measures. Moreover, dissemination of teaching aids using local languages and close monitoring of community compliance to Covid-19 preventive measures is crucial.

290. Sleep quality and associated factors among adult patients with epilepsy attending follow-up care at referral hospitals in Amhara region, Ethiopia.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 10

Simie Tsega S, Yazew BG, Mekonnen K.

BACKGROUND: Globally, epilepsy is the commonest neurological disorder in adults. It has significant health and economic consequences to the affected individuals and the family. There is ample evidence that epileptic patients are at increased risk of poor sleep quality than the general population. However, there is limited evidence on sleep quality among epileptic patients and associated factors in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study investigated the prevalence of poor sleep quality and associated factors among adult patients with epilepsy. METHOD: Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted among adult epileptic patients attending follow-up care at referral hospitals in the Amhara region. A total of 575 epileptic patients were recruited using a stratified systematic random sampling technique. An interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire and record review were used for data collection. To assess sleep quality the pretested Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) tool was used. A binary logistic regression model was used to assess factors associated with poor sleep quality. Variables with a p-value less than 0.2 in the bivariable binary logistic regression analysis were considered for the multivariable binary logistic regression analysis. In the multivariable binary logistic regression analysis, the Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with the 95% Confidence Interval (CI) were reported to declare the statistical significance and strength of association. Model fitness was assessed using the Hosmer-Lemeshow test and was adequate (p>0.05). Multicollinearity of the independent variables was assessed using the Variance Inflation Factor (VIF) and the mean VIF was less than 10. RESULTS: A total of 565 participants were enrolled in the study with a response rate of 98.3%. The prevalence of poor sleep quality among adult epileptic patients was 68.8% [95% CI: 64.8%, 72.5%]. In the multivariable binary logistic regression, being unable to read and write [AOR = 3.16, 95%CI: 1.53, 6.51], taking polytherapy treatment [AOR = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.37, 3.21], poor medication adherence [AOR = 2.53, 95%CI: 1.02, 6.23] and having poor support [AOR = 2.72, 95%CI: 1.53, 4.82] and moderate social support [AOR = 1.89, 95%CI: 1.05, 3.41] were significantly associated with higher odds of poor sleep quality. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Poor sleep quality is a major public health concern in Ethiopia. The patient's level of education, number of medication use, medication adherence, and social support were found significant predictors of poor sleep quality. These findings highlight improving medication adherence and social support are effective strategies to improve the sleep quality of epileptic patients. Besides, it is better to give special emphasis to those epileptic patients with a low level of education and taking polytherapy to enhance sleep quality.

291. Ozone ultrafine bubble water inhibits the early formation of Candida albicans biofilms.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 10

Shichiri-Negoro Y, Tsutsumi-Arai C, Arai Y

This study aimed to investigate the effect of ozone ultrafine bubble water (OUFBW) on the formation and growth of Candida albicans (C. albicans) biofilms and surface properties of denture base resins. OUFBWs were prepared under concentrations of 6 (OUFBW6), 9 (OUFBW9), and 11 ppm (OUFBW11). Phosphate buffered saline and ozone-free electrolyte aqueous solutions (OFEAS) were used as controls. Acrylic resin discs were made according to manufacturer instructions, and C. albicans was initially cultured on the discs for 1.5 h. A colony forming unit (CFU) assay was performed by soaking the discs in OUFBW for 5 min after forming a 24-h C. albicans biofilm. The discs after initial attachment for 1.5 h were immersed in OUFBW and then cultured for 0, 3, and 5 h. CFUs were subsequently evaluated at each time point. Moreover, a viability assay, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Alamar Blue assay, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) test were performed. To investigate the long-term effects of OUFBW on acrylic resin surface properties, Vickers hardness (VH) and surface roughness (Ra) were measured. We found that OUFBW9 and OUFBW11 significantly degraded the formed 24-h biofilm. The time point CFU assay showed that C. albicans biofilm formation was significantly inhibited due to OUFBW11 exposure. Interestingly, fluorescence microscopy revealed that almost living cells were observed in all groups. In SEM images, the OUFBW group had lesser number of fungi and the amount of non-three-dimensional biofilm than the control group. In the Alamar Blue assay, OUFBW11 was found to suppress Candida metabolic function. The qRT-PCR test showed that OUFBW down-regulated ALS1 and ALS3 expression regarding cell-cell, cell-material adhesion, and biofilm formation. Additionally, VH and Ra were not significantly different between the two groups. Overall, our data suggest that OUFBW suppressed C. albicans growth and biofilm formation on polymethyl methacrylate without impairing surface properties.

292. Midwives' perspectives on person-centred maternity care in public hospitals in South-east Nigeria: A mixed-method study.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 10

Ogbuabor DC, Okoronkwo IL.

BACKGROUND: Person-centred maternity care (PCMC) is acknowledged as essential for achieving improved quality of care during labour and childbirth. Yet, evidence of healthcare providers' perspectives of person-centred maternity care is scarce in Nigeria. This study, therefore, examined the perceptions of midwives on person-centred maternity care (PCMC) in Enugu State, South-east Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in seven public hospitals in Enugu metropolis, Enugu State, South-east Nigeria. A mixed-methods design, involving a cross-sectional survey and focus group discussions (FGDs) was used. All midwives (n = 201) working in the maternity sections of the selected hospitals were sampled. Data were collected from February to May 2019 using a self-administered, validated PCMC questionnaire. A sub-set of midwives (n = 56), purposively selected using maximum variation sampling, participated in the FGDs (n = 7). Quantitative data were entered, cleaned, and analysed with SPSS version 20 using descriptive and bivariate statistics and multivariate regression. Statistical significance was set at alpha 0.05 level. Qualitative data were analysed thematically. RESULTS: The mean age of midwives was 41.8 years ±9.6 years. About 53% of midwives have worked for ≥10 years, while 60% are junior midwives. Overall, the prevalence of low, medium, and high PCMC among midwives were 26%, 49% and 25%. The mean PCMC score was 54.06 (10.99). High perception of PCMC subscales ranged from 6.5% (dignity and respect) to 19% (supportive care). Midwives' perceived PCMC was not significantly related to any socio-demographic characteristics. Respectful care, empathetic caregiving, prompt initiation of care, paying attention to women, psychosocial support, trust, and altruism enhanced PCMC. In contrast, verbal and physical abuses were common but normalised. Midwives' weakest components of autonomy and communication were low involvement of women in decision about their care and choice of birthing position. Supportive care was constrained by restrictive policy on birth companion, poor working conditions, and cost of childbirth care. CONCLUSION: PCMC is inadequate in public hospitals as seen from midwives' perspectives. Demographic characteristics of midwives do not seem to play a significant role in midwives' delivery of PCMC. The study identified areas where midwives must build competencies to deliver PCMC.

293. The risk of laryngitis with herpes zoster infection: A nested case-control study using data from the Korean National Sample Cohort.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 10

Joo YH, Lee HJ, Park JO

294. Fatigue during the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence of social distancing adherence from a panel study of young adults in Switzerland.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 10

Franzen A, Wöhner F.

295. 3,3'-Diindolylmethane induces apoptosis and autophagy in fission yeast.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 10

Emami P, Ueno M.

296. Implementation of a lung cancer screening initiative in HIV-infected subjects.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 10

Díaz-Álvarez J, Roiz P, Gorospe L

297. Towards women-inclusive ecology: Representation, behavior, and perception of women at an international conference.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 10

Lupon A, Rodríguez-Lozano P, Bartrons M

298. Prevalence of hepatitis B and C among female sex workers in Togo, West Africa.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 10

Bitty-Anderson AM, Ferré V, Gbeasor-Komlanvi FA

299. Examining area-level variation in service organisation and delivery across the breadth of primary healthcare. Usefulness of measures constructed from routine data.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 1

Butler DC, Jorm LR, Larkins S

BACKGROUND: Australia has a universal healthcare system, yet organisation and delivery of primary healthcare (PHC) services varies across local areas. Understanding the nature and extent of this variation is essential to improve quality of care and health equity, but this has been hampered by a lack of suitable measures across the breadth of effective PHC systems. Using a suite of measures constructed at the area-level, this study explored their application in assessing area-level variation in PHC organisation and delivery. METHODS: Routinely collected data from New South Wales, Australia were used to construct 13 small area-level measures of PHC service organisation and delivery that best approximated access (availability, affordability, accommodation) comprehensiveness and coordination. Regression analyses and pairwise Pearson's correlations were used to examine variation by area, and by remoteness and area disadvantage. RESULTS: PHC service delivery varied geographically at the small-area level-within cities and more remote locations. Areas in major cities were more accessible (all measures), while in remote areas, services were more comprehensive and coordinated. In disadvantaged areas of major cities, there were fewer GPs (most disadvantaged quintile 0.9[SD 0.1] vs least 1.0[SD 0.2]), services were more affordable (97.4%[1.6] bulk-billed vs 75.7[11.3]), a greater proportion were after-hours (10.3%[3.0] vs 6.2[2.9]) and for chronic disease care (28%[3.4] vs 17.6[8.0]) but fewer for preventive care (50.7%[3.8] had cervical screening vs 62.5[4.9]). Patterns were similar in regional locations, other than disadvantaged areas had less after-hours care (1.3%[0.7] vs 6.1%[3.9]). Measures were positively correlated, except GP supply and affordability in major cities (-0.41, p < .01). IMPLICATIONS: Application of constructed measures revealed inequity in PHC service delivery amenable to policy intervention. Initiatives should consider the maldistribution of GPs not only by remoteness but also by area disadvantage. Avenues for improvement in disadvantaged areas include preventative care across all regions and after-hours care in regional locations.

300. Performance of a new symptom checker in patient triage: Canadian cohort study.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 1

Chan F, Lai S, Pieterman M

301. Direct medical costs after surgical or nonsurgical treatment for degenerative lumbar spinal disease: A nationwide matched cohort study with a 10-year follow-up.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 1

Kim CH, Chung CK, Choi Y

OBJECTIVE: The demand for treating degenerative lumbar spinal disease has been increasing, leading to increased utilization of medical resources. Thus, we need to understand how the budget of insurance is currently used. The objective of the present study is to overview the utilization of the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) by providing the direct insured cost between patients receiving surgery and patients receiving nonsurgical treatment for degenerative lumbar disease. METHODS: The NHIS-National Sample Cohort was utilized to select patients with lumbar disc herniation, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis or spondylolysis. A matched cohort study design was used to show direct medical costs of surgery (n = 2,698) and nonsurgical (n = 2,698) cohorts. Non-surgical treatment included medication, physiotherapy, injection, and chiropractic. The monthly costs of the surgery cohort and nonsurgical cohort were presented at initial treatment, posttreatment 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months and yearly thereafter for 10 years. RESULTS: The characteristics and matching factors were well-balanced between the matched cohorts. Overall, surgery cohort spent $50.84/patient/month, while the nonsurgical cohort spent $29.34/patient/month (p<0.01). Initially, surgery treatment led to more charge to NHIS ($2,762) than nonsurgical treatment ($180.4) (p<0.01). Compared with the non-surgical cohort, the surgery cohort charged $33/month more for the first 3 months, charged less at 12 months, and charged approximately the same over the course of 10 years. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment initially led to more government reimbursement than nonsurgical treatment, but the charges during follow-up period were not different. The results of the present study should be interpreted in light of the costs of medical services, indirect costs, societal cost, quality of life and societal willingness to pay in each country. The monetary figures are implied to be actual economic costs but those in the reimbursement system instead reflect reimbursement charges from the government.

302. Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy and child development at 36 months in the All Our Families prospective cohort study.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 1

Scime NV, Hetherington E, Tomfohr-Madsen L

Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) are associated with increased risk of offspring neurodevelopmental disorders, suggesting long-term adverse impacts on fetal brain development. However, the relationship between HDP and deficits in general child development is unclear. Our objective was to assess the association between HDP and motor and cognitive developmental delay in children at 36 months of age. We analyzed data from the All Our Families community-based cohort study (n = 1554). Diagnosis of HDP-gestational or chronic hypertension, preeclampsia, or eclampsia-was measured through medical records. Child development was measured by maternal-report on five domains of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3). Standardized cut-off scores were used to operationalize binary variables for any delay, motor delay, and cognitive delay. We calculated adjusted risk ratios (aRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using logistic regression, sequentially controlling for potential confounders followed by factors suspected to lie on the causal pathway. Overall, 8.0% of women had HDP and hypertension-exposed children had higher prevalence of delay than unexposed children. Hypertension-exposed children had elevated risk for developmental delay, but CIs crossed the null. The aRRs quantifying the fully adjusted effect of HDP on child development were 1.19 (95% CI 0.92, 1.53) for any delay, 1.18 (95% CI 0.86, 1.61) for motor delay, and 1.24 (95% CI 0.83, 1.85) for cognitive delay. We did not find a statistically significant association between HDP and developmental delay. Confidence intervals suggest that children exposed to HDP in utero have either similar or slightly elevated risk of any, motor, and cognitive delay at 36 months after controlling for maternal and obstetric characteristics. The observed direction of association aligns with evidence of biological mechanisms whereby hypertensive pathology can disrupt fetal neurodevelopment; however, more evidence is needed. Findings may have implications for early developmental monitoring and intervention following prenatal hypertension exposure.

303. Simulating the impact of piers on hydrodynamics and pollutant transport: A case study in the Middle Yangtze River.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 1

Xiong H, Chen L, Sun Z

304. The relationship between the professional, social, and political experience and leadership style of mayors and organisational culture in local government. Empirical evidence from Poland.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 1

Podgórniak-Krzykacz A.

This paper aims to identify the organisational culture profiles of Polish municipalities and examine the influence of the professional, social and political experience and place-based leadership style of mayors on municipalities' organisational culture profiles. The Organisational Culture Assessment Instrument was selected due to its suitability in assessing the organisation's underlying culture. In the study, 917 mayors of municipalities in Poland, completing an on-line questionnaire. It was found that most of the Polish municipalities' organisational culture is characterised by a clan type which is reflected in how employees are managed, how the organisation is held together, and how the organisation's strategy is defined. The leadership style and the organisation's success are hierarchy-focused, while the dominant characteristic is market type. The ANOVA and UNIANOVA analysis results suggest that the type of organisational culture depends on the type of municipality. The clan culture is dominant in rural municipalities. In urban municipalities, market culture and adhocracy are stronger than in rural municipalities, while clan culture is weaker. There is also an association between the dominant type of organisational culture and the mayors' work experience in local administration and their membership in an NGO. The length of the mayor's seniority in local government administration differentiates the importance of hierarchy culture, while his experience in the NGO sector strengthens the clan characteristics of the organisational culture of the office he heads. These findings provide important implications for the initiation and implementation of cultural change in local government administration and cooperation projects and local experiments. A cultural change is difficult to implement, and a change of mayor is not enough to initiate it. It requires planning and management. Cultural change may contribute to the increase of municipalities' activity in cooperation's projects and experiments. There is a need for more research on this topic to determine to what extent the organisational culture supports local cooperation projects.

305. Towards risk stratification and prediction of disease severity and mortality in COVID-19: Next generation metabolomics for the measurement of host response to COVID-19 infection.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 1

D'Amora P, Silva IDCG, Budib MA

306. Public consultation in the evaluation of animal research protocols.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 1

Brunt MW, Weary DM.

307. COVID surveillance robot: Monitoring social distancing constraints in indoor scenarios.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 1

Sathyamoorthy AJ, Patel U, Paul M

308. Markovian city-scale modelling and mitigation of micro-particles from tires.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 1

Singer G, Overko R, Yilmaz S

309. When election expectations fail: Polarized perceptions of election legitimacy increase with accumulating evidence of election outcomes and with polarized media.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 1

Grant MD, Flores A, Pedersen EJ

310. Quantitative assessment of photic phenomena in the presbyopia-correcting intraocular lens.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 1

Ukai Y, Okemoto H, Seki Y

311. The reliability of the angle of deviation measurement from the Photo-Hirschberg tests and Krimsky tests.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 1

Tengtrisorn S, Tungsattayathitthan A, Na Phatthalung S

312. The Polish COVID Stress Scales: Considerations of psychometric functioning, measurement invariance, and validity.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 1

Adamczyk K, Clark DA, Pradelok J.

313. Differential retention contributes to racial/ethnic disparity in U.S. academia.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 1

Shaw AK, Accolla C, Chacón JM

314. Diuretic effect of co-administration of furosemide and albumin in comparison to furosemide therapy alone: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 1

Lee TH, Kuo G, Chang CH

BACKGROUND: It has been a matter of much debate whether the co-administration of furosemide and albumin can achieve better diuresis and natriuresis than furosemide treatment alone. There is inconsistency in published trials regarding the effect of this combination therapy. We, therefore, conducted this meta-analysis to explore the efficacy of furosemide and albumin co-administration and the factors potentially influencing the diuretic effect of such co-administration. METHODS: In accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we searched the PubMed, Embase, Medline, and Cochrane databases. Prospective studies with adult populations which comparing the effect of furosemide and albumin co-administration with furosemide alone were included. The outcomes including diuretic effect and natriuresis effect measured by hourly urine output and hourly urine sodium excretion from both groups were extracted. Random effect model was applied for conducting meta-analysis. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were performed to explore potential sources of heterogeneity of treatment effects. RESULTS: By including 13 studies with 422 participants, the meta-analysis revealed that furosemide with albumin co-administration increased urine output by 31.45 ml/hour and increased urine excretion by 1.76 mEq/hour in comparison to furosemide treatment alone. The diuretic effect of albumin and furosemide co-administration was better in participants with low baseline serum albumin levels (< 2.5 g/dL) and high prescribed albumin infusion doses (> 30 g), and the effect was more significant within 12 hours after administration. Diuretic effect of co-administration was better in those with baseline Cr > 1.2 mg/dL and natriuresis effect of co-administration was better in those with baseline eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73m2. CONCLUSION: Co-administration of furosemide with albumin might enhance diuresis and natriuresis effects than furosemide treatment alone but with high heterogeneity in treatment response. According to the present meta-analysis, combination therapy might provide advantages compared to the furosemide therapy alone in patients with baseline albumin levels lower than 2.5 g/dL or in patients receiving higher albumin infusion doses or in patients with impaired renal function. Owing to high heterogeneity and limited enrolled participants, further parallel randomized controlled trials are warranted to examine our outcome. REGISTRATION: PROSEPRO ID: CRD42020211002; https://clinicaltrials.gov/.

315. The worldwide burden of HIV in transgender individuals: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 1

Stutterheim SE, van Dijk M, Wang H

INTRODUCTION: Transgender individuals are at risk for HIV. HIV risks are dynamic and there have been substantial changes in HIV prevention (e.g., pre-exposure prophylaxis [PrEP]). It is thus time to revisit HIV prevalence and burden among transgender individuals. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was thus to examine worldwide prevalence and burden of HIV over the course of the epidemic among trans feminine and trans masculine individuals. METHODS: We conducted an updated systematic review by searching PsycINFO, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, for studies of any research design published in in a peer-reviewed journal in any language that reported HIV prevalence among transgender individuals published between January 2000 and January 2019. Two independent reviewers extracted the data and assessed methodological quality. We then conducted a meta-analysis, using random-effects modelling, to ascertain standardized prevalence and the relative burden of HIV carried by transgender individuals by country and year of data collection, and then by geographic region. We additionally explored the impact of sampling methods and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). RESULTS: Based on 98 studies, overall standardized HIV prevalence over the course of the epidemic, based on weights from each country by year, was 19.9% (95% CI 14.7% - 25.1%) for trans feminine individuals (n = 48,604) and 2.56% (95% CI 0.0% - 5.9%) for trans masculine individuals (n = 6460). Overall OR for HIV infection, compared with individuals over age 15, was 66.0 (95% CI 51.4-84.8) for trans feminine individuals and 6.8 (95% CI 3.6-13.1) for trans masculine individuals. Prevalence varied by geographic region (13.5% - 29.9%) and sampling method (5.4% - 37.8%). Lastly, PrEP effects on prevalence could not be established. CONCLUSION: Trans feminine and trans masculine individuals are disproportionately burdened by HIV. Their unique prevention and care needs should be comprehensively addressed. Future research should further investigate the impact of sampling methods on HIV prevalence, and monitor the potential impact of PrEP.

316. Do exhausted primary school students cheat more? A randomized field experiment.

PLoS One

2021 Dec 1

Keller T, Kiss HJ.

Newmer生物

Newmer生物