Effects of normobaric hypoxia on oxygen saturation variability

Background: The study is the first to evaluate the effects of graded normobaric hypoxia on SpO2 variability in healthy individuals. / Materials and Methods: Twelve healthy males (mean [standard deviation] age 22 [4] years) were exposed to four simulated environments (fraction of inspired oxygen [FIO2]: 0.12, 0.145, 0.17, and 0.21) for 45 minutes, in a balanced crossover design. / Results: Sample entropy, a tool that quantifies the irregularity of pulse oximetry fluctuations, was used as a measure of SpO2 variability. SpO2 entropy increased as the FIO2 decreased, and there was a strong significant negative correlation between mean SpO2 and its entropy during hypoxic exposure (r = −0.841 to −0.896, p < 0.001). In addition, SpO2 sample entropy, but not mean SpO2, was correlated (r = 0.630–0.760, p < 0.05) with dyspnea in FIO2 0.17, 0.145, and 0.12 and importantly, SpO2 sample entropy at FIO2 0.17 was correlated with dyspnea at FIO2 0.145 (r = 0.811, p < 0.01). / Conclusions: These findings suggest that SpO2 variability analysis may have the potential to be used in a clinical setting as a noninvasive measure to identify the negative sequelae of hypoxemia

Analysis of seed yam varieties, sources and quantity demanded by farmers in major yam producing districts in Ghana

The study analysed the varieties, sources and quantities of seed yam demanded by farmers for cultivation in order to inform policies aimed at ensuring adequate supply of quality seed yam of desirable varieties at an affordable price to boost yam productivity for improved income and livelihoods. A structured questionnaire was administered to 380 randomly selected yam farmers in three major yam producing districts in Ghana in 2015. The data analysis was done using STATA statistical software. The study identified Pona/Punjo, Lariboko, Asana, Afebetuye, Dente, Olondo and Kparinjo as the yam varieties mainly cultivated by farmers in a reducing order with high market demands by consumers. Own production remains the major source of seed yam for farmers. The estimated monetary value of quantity of seed yam used by farmers for cultivation in 2014 farming season was GH¢ 198, 552,841.0 (USD 51,706,469.0) in the study locations. About GH¢ 5,679,979.0 (USD 1,479,161.2) worth of quantities of seed yam was obtained from the market and other sources. The results demonstrate the existence of market potential for commercial seed yam production and supply in Ghana. Commercial seed yam certification system and yam breeding activities should target the identified yam varieties

Immunocluster provides a computational framework for the nonspecialist to profile high-dimensional cytometry data

High-dimensional cytometry is an innovative tool for immune monitoring in health and disease, and it has provided novel insight into the underlying biology as well as biomarkers for a variety of diseases. However, the analysis of large multiparametric datasets usually requires specialist computational knowledge. Here, we describe ImmunoCluster (https://github.com/ kordastilab/ImmunoCluster), an R package for immune profiling cellular heterogeneity in highdimensional liquid and imaging mass cytometry, and flow cytometry data, designed to facilitate computational analysis by a nonspecialist. The analysis framework implemented within ImmunoCluster is readily scalable to millions of cells and provides a variety of visualization and analytical approaches, as well as a rich array of plotting tools that can be tailored to users’ needs. The protocol consists of three core computational stages: (1) data import and quality control; (2) dimensionality reduction and unsupervised clustering; and (3) annotation and differential testing, all contained within an R-based open-source framework

ImmunoCluster provides a computational framework for the non-specialist to profile high- dimensional cytometry data

High dimensional cytometry is an innovative tool for immune monitoring in health and disease, it has provided novel insight into the underlying biology as well as biomarkers for a variety of diseases. However, the analysis of large multiparametric datasets usually requires specialist computational knowledge. Here we describe ImmunoCluster (https://github.com/kordastilab/ImmunoCluster) an R package for immune profiling cellular heterogeneity in high dimensional liquid and imaging mass cytometry, and flow cytometry data, designed to facilitate computational analysis by a non-specialist. The analysis framework implemented within ImmunoCluster is readily scalable to millions of cells and provides a variety of visualization and analytical approaches, as well as a rich array of plotting tools that can be tailored to users' needs. The protocol consists of three core computational stages: 1, data import and quality control; 2, dimensionality reduction and unsupervised clustering; and 3, annotation and differential testing, all contained within an R-based open-source framework

County and Demographic Differences in Drug Arrests and Controlled Substance Use in Maine

. Introduction: The Diversion Alert Program (DAP) was established to curb misuse of drugs and help identify people who may need treatment for substance use disorder (SUD). Law enforcement compiled arrest data into a database accessible by health care providers. Our objectives were to identify regional and demographic differences in drug use and misuse in Maine. Methods: All arrests (N = 11 234) reported to the DAP from 2013 to 2018 were examined by county and arrestee demographics, and classified into families (opioids, stimulants, sedatives). The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Automation of Reports and Consolidated Orders System (ARCOS) tracks the distribution of controlled pharmaceuticals (Schedule II-III). Opioids were converted to oral morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs). County and zip-code maps were constructed. Results: The most arrests per capita occurred in Androscoggin, Knox, and Cumberland Counties. Opioids were the most common drug class in arrests in all counties except Aroostook County, where stimulants were most common. Medical distribution of opioids varied. Although buprenorphine doubled, many prescription opioids (eg, hydrocodone, fentanyl, oxymorphone) exhibited large (\u3e 50%) reductions in distribution. Methadone was the predominant opioid statewide (56.4% of total MMEs), although there were sizable differences between regions (Presque Isle = 8.6%, Bangor = 78.9%). Amphetamine distribution increased by 67.9%. Discussion: The DAP, a unique pharmacoepidemiological resource, revealed a 6-fold difference in drug arrests by county. Regional differences in methadone may be due to heterogeneities in methadone clinic distribution. Conclusions: The decrease in most prescription opioids, but increase in prescription stimulants, may warrant continued monitoring to improve public health

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century