bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Innovations in measuring and mitigating phytohemagglutinins, a key food safety concern in beans
Authors: Lu Chenze , Fang Zhihui , Yang Su , Ning Kang , Xu Min , Buhot Arnaud , Hou Yanxia , Hu Peiya , Xu Pei
Published: January 2024

Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) is a seed storage protein and a type of lectin originally discovered in the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) for its blood-agglutinating effect. Due to its interactions with gut epithelia and digestive enzymes and its potential to trigger allergic reactions, PHA can lead to various symptoms in the human body. As a result, it has been regarded as a significant antinutritional factor in beans and other legumes. While several published works have summarized its structural, biochemical, and toxicological features, there is a scarcity of literature that reviews the detection, quantification, and reduction of PHA in beans, which is fundamental for the development of safer bean varieties. In this review, we present a comprehensive analysis of traditional and innovative bio-sensing methods for measuring PHA, including the recently available ultrapure liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and emerging aptamer sensor-based techniques, while discussing their respective advantages and disadvantages. We also revisit existing studies dedicated to creating PHA-depleted common bean varieties and explore the potential for reducing PHA content in beans without compromising their resistance to biotic stress. Additionally, we offer insights into the potential for controlling PHA content using the latest biotechnologies and breeding strategies. Overall, this review compiles rare and valuable information from studies that solely focuses on detection and depletion of PHA to shed light on and apply technological advancements in addressing potential food safety risks associated with the consumption of common beans.
New chemical and microbial perspectives on vitamin B1 and vitamer dynamics of a coastal system
Authors: Bittner Meriel J , Bannon Catherine C , Rowland Elden , Sundh John , Bertrand Erin M , Andersson Anders F , Paerl Ryan W , Riemann Lasse
Published: January 2024

Vitamin B1 (thiamin, B1) is an essential micronutrient for cells, yet intriguingly in aquatic systems most bacterioplankton are unable to synthesize it de novo (auxotrophy), requiring an exogenous source. Cycling of this valuable metabolite in aquatic systems has not been fully investigated and vitamers (B1-related compounds) have only begun to be measured and incorporated into the B1 cycle. Here, we identify potential key producers and consumers of B1 and gain new insights into the dynamics of B1 cycling through measurements of B1 and vitamers (HMP: 4-amino-5-hydroxymethyl-2-methylpyrimidine, HET: 4-methyl-5-thiazoleethanol, FAMP: N-formyl-4-amino-5-aminomethyl-2-methylpyrimidine) in the particulate and dissolved pool in a temperate coastal system. Dissolved B1 was not the primary limiting nutrient for bacterial production and was relatively stable across seasons with concentrations ranging from 74–117 pM, indicating a balance of supply and demand. However, vitamer concentration changed markedly with season as did transcripts related to vitamer salvage and transport suggesting use of vitamers by certain bacterioplankton, e.g. Pelagibacterales. Genomic and transcriptomic analyses showed that up to 78% of the bacterioplankton taxa were B1 auxotrophs. Notably, de novo B1 production was restricted to a few abundant bacterioplankton (e.g. Vulcanococcus, BACL14 (Burkholderiales), Verrucomicrobiales) across seasons. In summer, abundant picocyanobacteria were important putative B1 sources, based on transcriptional activity, leading to an increase in the B1 pool. Our results provide a new dynamic view of the players and processes involved in B1 cycling over time in coastal waters, and identify specific priority populations and processes for future study.
HME, NFE, and HAE-1 efflux pumps in Gram-negative bacteria: a comprehensive phylogenetic and ecological approach
Authors: Bodilis Josselin , Simenel Olwen , Michalet Serge , Brothier Elisabeth , Meyer Thibault , Favre-Bonté Sabine , Nazaret Sylvie
Published: January 2024

The three primary resistance-nodulation-cell division (RND) efflux pump families (heavy metal efflux [HME], nodulation factor exporter [NFE], and hydrophobe/amphiphile efflux-1 [HAE-1]) are almost exclusively found in Gram-negative bacteria and play a major role in resistance against metals and bacterial biocides, including antibiotics. Despite their significant societal interest, their evolutionary history and environmental functions are poorly understood. Here, we conducted a comprehensive phylogenetic and ecological study of the RND permease, the subunit responsible for the substrate specificity of these efflux pumps. From 920 representative genomes of Gram-negative bacteria, we identified 6205 genes encoding RND permeases with an average of 6.7 genes per genome. The HME family, which is involved in metal resistance, corresponds to a single clade (21.8% of all RND pumps), but the HAE-1 and NFE families had overlapping distributions among clades. We propose to restrict the HAE-1 family to two phylogenetic sister clades, representing 41.8% of all RND pumps and grouping most of the RND pumps involved in multidrug resistance. Metadata associated with genomes, analyses of previously published metagenomes, and quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) analyses confirmed a significant increase in genes encoding HME permeases in metal-contaminated environments. Interestingly, and possibly related to their role in root colonization, genes encoding HAE-1 permeases were particularly abundant in the rhizosphere. In addition, we found that the genes encoding these HAE-1 permeases are significantly less abundant in marine environments, whereas permeases of a new proposed HAE-4 family are predominant in the genomes of marine strains. These findings emphasize the critical role of the RND pumps in bacterial resistance and adaptation to diverse ecological niches.
Epidemiology and microbiology of recurrent UTI in women in the community in Oxfordshire, UK
Authors: Vazquez-Montes Maria D L A , Fanshawe Thomas R , Stoesser Nicole , Walker A Sarah , Butler Christopher , Hayward Gail
Published: January 2024

Background

Recurrent urinary tract infection (rUTI) contributes to significant morbidity and antibiotic usage.

Objectives

To characterize the age of women experiencing rUTI, the microbiology of rUTIs, and the risk of further rUTIs in Oxfordshire, UK.

Patients and methods

We retrospectively analysed de-identified linked microbiology and hospital admissions data (Infections in Oxfordshire Research Database), between 2008 and 2019, including positive urine cultures from women aged ≥16 years in community settings. We defined rUTI as ≥2 positive urine cultures within 6 months or ≥3 within 12 months.

Results

Of 201 927 women with urine culture performed, 84 809 (42%) had ≥1 positive culture, and 15 617 (18%) of these experienced ≥1 rUTI over a median (IQR) follow-up of 6 (3–9) years. Women with rUTI were 17.0 (95% CI: 16.3–17.7) years older on average. rUTI was commonest (6204; 40%) in those aged 70–89 years. Post-rUTI, the risk of further UTI within 6 months was 29.4% (95% CI: 28.7–30.2). Escherichia coli was detected in 65% of positive cultures. Among rUTIs where the index UTI was E. coli associated, the second UTI was also E. coli associated in 81% of cases.

Conclusions

rUTIs represent a substantial healthcare burden, particularly in women >60 years. One-third of women experiencing rUTI have a further microbiologically confirmed UTI within 6 months.
Sex-specific effects of Fat-1 transgene on bone material properties, size, and shape in mice
Authors: Bermudez Beatriz , Brown Kenna C , Vahidi Ghazal , Ferreira Ruble Ana C , Heveran Chelsea M , Ackert-Bicknell Cheryl L , Sherk Vanessa D
Published: January 2024

Western diets are becoming increasingly common around the world. Western diets have high omega 6 (ω-6) and omega 3 (ω-3) fatty acids and are linked to bone loss in humans and animals. Dietary fats are not created equal; therefore, it is vital to understand the effects of specific dietary fats on bone. We aimed to determine how altering the endogenous ratios of ω-6:ω-3 fatty acids impacts bone accrual, strength, and fracture toughness. To accomplish this, we used the Fat-1 transgenic mice, which carry a gene responsible for encoding a ω-3 fatty acid desaturase that converts ω-6 to ω-3 fatty acids. Male and female Fat-1 positive mice (Fat-1) and Fat-1 negative littermates (WT) were given either a high-fat diet (HFD) or low-fat diet (LFD) at 4 wk of age for 16 wk. The Fat-1 transgene reduced fracture toughness in males. Additionally, male BMD, measured from DXA, decreased over the diet duration for HFD mice. In males, neither HFD feeding nor the presence of the Fat-1 transgene impacted cortical geometry, trabecular architecture, or whole-bone flexural properties, as detected by main group effects. In females, Fat-1-LFD mice experienced increases in BMD compared to WT-LFD mice; however, cortical area, distal femur trabecular thickness, and cortical stiffness were reduced in Fat-1 mice compared to pooled WT controls. However, reductions in stiffness were caused by a decrease in bone size and were not driven by changes in material properties. Together, these results demonstrate that the endogenous ω-6:ω-3 fatty acid ratio influences bone material properties in a sex-dependent manner. In addition, Fat-1 mediated fatty acid conversion was not able to mitigate the adverse effects of HFD on bone strength and accrual.
Adult neuro-oncology trials in the United States over 5 decades: Analysis of trials completion rate to guide the path forward
Authors: Smith Emily J , Naik Anant , Goel Mahima , Wen Patrick Y , Lim Michael , Chang Susan M , Germano Isabelle M
Published: January 2024

Background

Clinical trials are important to close the gap between therapeutic unmet needs and scientific advances in neuro-oncology. This study analyzes the landscape of neuro-oncology trials to identify completion rates and guide strategies for the path forward.

Methods

US-registered adult neuro-oncology clinical trials were extracted from www.clinicaltrials.gov (1966–2019), including funding source, trial type, scope, phase, and subjects’ demographics. Completed trials defined as those that had completed participants’ examinations or intervention administration for the purpose of the final collection of data for the primary outcome were dichotomized against those that failed to reach completion. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to detect differences across factors comparing the last 2 decades (2000–2009, 2010–2019).

Results

Our search yielded 4522 trials, of which 1257 are eligible for this study. In 25 US states, neuro-oncology trial availability is <0.85/100,000 population. Comparing the past 2 decades, trial completion rate decreased from 88% to 64% (P < .001) and National Institutes of Health funding decreased from 47% to 24% (P < .001). Inclusion of subjects >65-year-old and women increased, while inclusion of Hispanic subjects decreased (P < .001). The top 2 reasons for lack of completion included accrual and operational difficulties. A larger proportion of women, non-Hispanic subjects, and older adults were enrolled in completed trials than in those that failed completion.

Conclusions

Our study is the first report on the neuro-oncology clinical trial landscape in the United States and supports the development of strategies to further improve access to these trials. Additionally, attention is needed to identify and modify other factors contributing to lack of completion.
Exposure frequency and radiation dose from CT examinations in Huaian
Authors: Huo Binbin , Chen Xiaomin , Xu Zhiyong , He Dongdong , Wang Jin
Published: January 2024

This study quantified the exposure frequency and established the local diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for the most common computed tomography (CT) examinations. A combined method census and sampling survey was used to quantify both frequency and radiation dose of CT examinations. Data were acquired through Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) or Radiology Information System (RIS). The annual frequency of CT examinations was 239.8 per 1000 inhabitants. The P75 of volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) to adult patients from CT scanning for head, chest, abdomen and lumbar spine examinations were 63.0, 12.4, 20.0 and 24.0 mGy, respectively. The P75 of dose-length product were 858.6, 416.0, 620.7 and 559.2 mGy·cm, respectively. This dose audit of CT practice can act as a starting point for establishing Huaian local DRLs and could be a reference for dose optimisation in China. This study compared DRLs in different countries and analysed some reasons for the rapid growth of CT examination frequency in Huaian.
Incidence, types, and associated factors of external abdominal hernias among adult patients visiting the surgical outpatient department, eastern Ethiopia: a multicentre cross-sectional study
Authors: Miresa Fufa , Abdulhadi Munewor , Aliye Abdurahman , Beyene Badhaasaa , Sileshi Rahel
Published: January 2024

Background:

Abdominal hernia is the most common surgical alignment that affects all age groups and sexes. It is characterized by the protrusion of abdominal contents through the abdominal wall's muscles and fascia. In this study, the incidence, types, and associated factors of external abdominal hernias at Hiwotfana Comprehensive Specialized Hospital and Jugal Regional Hospital, eastern Ethiopia, were ascertained.

Objective:

To identify the incidence, types, and associated factors of external abdominal hernia among adult patients who visited the surgical outpatient department of Hiwotfana comprehensive specialized hospital and Jugal regional hospital from 20 October to 5 December 2022.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted from 20 October to 5 December 2022, on adult patients who visited the surgical outpatient department at the Hiwotfana Comprehensive Specialized Hospital and Jugal Regional Hospital in eastern Ethiopia. All adult patients who visited the surgical outpatient department of each hospital were enroled in the study using a stratified random sampling technique. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted, and the results were presented in text, graphs, and tables. Odd ratios for the strength and directions of association were used with a 95% CI, and a P value of less than 0.05 was considered to declare statistical significance.

Result:

A total of 403 participants were included in this study from two different governmental hospitals in Harar town, with a 100% response rate. The incidence of the external abdominal wall hernia was 41 (10.2%). The epigastric hernia had the highest prevalence (41.5%, n=17). Constipation [adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=2.91, CI=1.119–7.579), prolonged cough (AOR=3.993, CI=1.358–11.741), history of abdominal surgery (AOR=5.764, CI=1.837–18.083) and heavy lifting (AOR=5.476, CI=2.505–11.969) had statistically significant association (P≤0.05).

Conclusion:

The incidence of external abdominal wall hernia in our area is similar to the other existing literature reported from different areas. Epigastric hernia is the most prevalent type of external abdominal hernia and is commonly encountered in female patients. Constipation, a prolonged cough, previous abdominal surgery, and heavy lifting are significantly associated with an external abdominal wall hernia.
Vegetal agency: the sap controversy in early eighteenth-century France treatises on plants and gardening
Authors: Benharrech Sarah
Published: January 2024

This article examines how the apologetics of the abbé Noël-Antoine Pluche (1688–1761) impacted his presentation of botanical knowledge in the ten dialogues published in the first and second volumes of his natural history book
Le Spectacle de la nature
(1732–1750). Pluche popularized a conception of the physical world where plants are reducible to inert mechanisms, devoid of life and agency. First, I examine the various intertwinements of science and theology in his depiction of plant anatomy, by investigating his use of mechanical analogies, his adoption of the sap circulation hypothesis, and his application of the pre-existence theory to account for both generation and vegetative multiplication. I then compare Pluche's understanding of plant growth with those offered by contemporaneous gardening treatises, demonstrating that part of Pluche's project included opposing the materialist and animist undertones found in these gardening treatises that emphasized vegetal life, self-organization, and sap agency.
Creating life in the laboratory: Francis Bacon's journey from living spirits to animate bodies
Authors: Jalobeanu Dana
Published: January 2024

This article aims to reconstruct a complex inquiry into the nature of life delineated in Francis Bacon's ‘last writings’, a series of manuscripts discovered at the end of the twentieth century. I show that these fragmentary texts can be understood if we place them in the larger context of Bacon's posthumous works: the
Sylva Sylvarum
and the
Historia densi et rari
. Taken together, these texts unveil Bacon's last bold project of a
History and inquisition into the nature of animate and inanimate
[
Historia et inquisitio de animato et inanimato
], an investigation focusing on the possibility of creating life in the laboratory. I show that Bacon's last project marks a revaluation of earlier definitions and explanations regarding the nature of life, as well as a change in the vocabulary. I suggest that some of these changes might have originated in practice; and I show how various recipes, observations and experiments recorded in Bacon's late writings can illuminate and justify some of his new terminology.
Movement of avian predators points to biodiversity hotspots in agricultural landscape
Authors: Mirski Paweł , Grosberg Jaan , Kull Thea , Mellov Pelle , Tõnisalu Grete , Väli Vivika , Väli Ülo
Published: January 2024

Global agricultural landscapes are witnessing a concerning decline in biodiversity, and this trend is predicted to persist. To safeguard these biodiversity-rich areas, it is crucial to pinpoint hotspots effectively. In doing so, we used various species of avian predators as suitable sentinel animals due to their mobility and dependence on prey diversity and abundance. Between 2019 and 2021, we tracked 62 individuals from four bird of prey species using GPS loggers in Estonian farmland. Dividing the study area into 50 m grids and overlaying them with tracked individuals' locations enabled us to differentiate between hotspots of their activity and control sites. We conducted surveys on amphibian, bird, small mammal and plant abundance and diversity to determine if avian predator activity hotspots correlated with overall biodiversity. Our findings revealed significantly higher diversity and abundance in the surveyed groups within activity hotspots compared to control sites. These hotspots continued to be frequently used by raptors in the subsequent year, albeit not two years later. In conclusion, multispecies GPS telemetry of avian predators emerges as an objective, dependable and spatially accurate biodiversity indicator. With the accumulation of movement data, we anticipate increased interest and adoption of this approach in biodiversity monitoring.
Organ registration from partial surface data in augmented surgery from an optimal control perspective
Authors: Cotin Stéphane , Mestdagh Guillaume , Privat Yannick
Published: January 2024

We address the problem of organ registration in augmented surgery, where the deformation of the patient’s organ is reconstructed in real-time from a partial observation of its surface. Physics-based registration methods rely on adding artificial forces to drive the registration, which may result in implausible displacement fields. In this paper, we look at this inverse problem through the lens of optimal control, in an attempt to reconstruct a physically consistent surface load. The resulting optimization problem features an elastic model, a least-squares data attachment term based on orthogonal projections, and an admissible set of surface loads defined prior to reconstruction in the mechanical model. After a discussion about the existence of solutions, we analyse the necessary optimality conditions and use them to derive a suitable optimization algorithm. We implement an adjoint method and we test our approach on multiple examples, including the so-called
Sparse Data Challenge
. We obtain very promising results, that illustrate the feasibility of our approach with linear and nonlinear models.
Resource adaptation drives the size–complexity rule in termites
Authors: Pequeno Pedro A. C. L.
Published: January 2024

The size–complexity rule posits that the evolution of larger cooperative groups should favour more division of labour. Examples include more cell types in larger multicellular organisms, and more polymorphic castes in larger eusocial colonies. However, a correlation between division of labour and group size may reflect a shared response of both traits to resource availability and/or profitability. Here, this possibility was addressed by investigating the evolution of sterile caste number (worker and soldier morphotypes) in termites, a major clade of eusocial insects in which the drivers of caste polymorphism are poorly understood. A novel dataset on 90 termite species was compiled from the published literature. The analysis showed that sterile caste number did increase markedly with colony size. However, after controlling for resource adaptations and phylogeny, there was no evidence for this relationship. Rather, sterile caste number increased with increasing nest–food separation and decreased with soil-feeding, through changes in worker (but not soldier) morphotype number. Further, colony size increased with nest–food separation, thus driving the false correlation between sterile caste number and colony size. These findings support adaptation to higher energy acquisition as key to the rise of complex insect societies, with larger size being a by-product.
Predator-induced transgenerational plasticity of parental care behaviour in male three-spined stickleback fish across two generations
Authors: Hellmann Jennifer K. , Keagy Jason , Carlson Erika R. , Kempfer Shayne , Bell Alison M.
Published: January 2024

Parental care is a critical determinant of offspring fitness, and parents adjust their care in response to ecological challenges, including predation risk. The experiences of both mothers and fathers can influence phenotypes of future generations (transgenerational plasticity). If it is adaptive for parents to alter parental care in response to predation risk, then we expect F
1
and F
2
offspring who receive transgenerational cues of predation risk to shift their parental care behaviour if these ancestral cues reliably predict a similarly risky environment as their F
0
parents. Here, we used three-spined sticklebacks (
Gasterosteus aculeatus
) to understand how paternal exposure to predation risk prior to mating alters reproductive traits and parental care behaviour in unexposed F
1
sons and F
2
grandsons. Sons of predator-exposed fathers took more attempts to mate than sons of control fathers. F
1
sons and F
2
grandsons with two (maternal and paternal) predator-exposed grandfathers shifted their paternal care (fanning) behaviour in strikingly similar ways: they fanned less initially, but fanned more near egg hatching. This shift in fanning behaviour matches shifts observed in response to direct exposure to predation risk, suggesting a highly conserved response to pre-fertilization predator exposure that persists from the F
0
to the F
1
and F
2
generations.
Tardiphaga alba sp. nov., a heavy-metal-tolerant bacterium isolated from garden soil
Authors: Bao Zhihua , Wang Chaojun , Cao Jiahui , Zhang Tingting , Guo Yong , Sato Yoshinori , Nishizawa Tomoyasu , Ohta Hiroyuki
Published: January 2024

A previously undescribed, heavy-metal-tolerant, motile, Gram-negative bacterium, designated strain SK50-23T, was characterized using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain SK50-23T was closely related to

Tardiphaga robiniae

LMG 26467T and the non-phototrophic ‘Rhodopseudomonas boonkerdii’ NS23T (98.1 and 97.3 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, respectively). Strain SK50-23T possessed a circular genome of 5.86 Mb, with a DNA G+C content of 61.9 mol%. Digital DNA–DNA hybridization showed 20.8–21.6 % similarity between strain SK50-23T and related species. In addition, the whole-genome average nucleotide identity values between strain SK50-23T and related species ranged from 75.1 to 83.5 %. The major cellular fatty acid identified in strain SK50-23T was C18 : 1ω7c, and the main isoprenoid quinone present was ubiquinone Q-10. Strain SK50-23T could be assigned to the genus

Tardiphaga

with the species name Tardiphaga alba sp. nov. based on morphological, chemotaxonomic and genome-based taxonomic characteristics, and 16S rRNA gene-based phylogenetic characteristics. The type strain of the proposed novel species is SK50-23T (=NBRC 108825T=CGMCC No. 1.12037T).
Insights gained from sequencing Australian non-invasive and invasive Streptococcus pyogenes isolates
Authors: Butler Trent A.J. , Story Chloe , Green Emily , Williamson Kirsten M. , Newton Peter , Jenkins Frances , Varadhan Hemalatha , van Hal Sebastiaan
Published: January 2024

Epidemiological data have indicated that invasive infections caused by the Gram-positive cocci

Streptococcus pyogenes

(group A streptococcus, GAS) have increased in many Australian states over the past two decades. In July 2022, invasive GAS (iGAS) infections became nationally notifiable in Australia via public-health agencies. Surveillance for

S. pyogenes

infections has been sporadic within the state of New South Wales (NSW). This has led to a lack of genetic data on GAS strains in circulation, particularly for non-invasive infections, which are the leading cause of GAS’s burden on the Australian healthcare system. To address this gap, we used whole-genome sequencing to analyse the genomes of 318 

S

.

pyogenes

isolates collected within two geographical regions of NSW. Invasive isolates were collected in 2007–2017, whilst non-invasive isolates were collected in 2019–2021. We found that at least 66 different emm-types were associated with clinical disease within NSW. There was no evidence of any Australian-specific clones in circulation. The M1UK variant of the emm1 global pandemic clone (M1global) has been detected in our isolates from 2013 onwards. We detected antimicrobial-resistance genes (mainly tetM, ermA or ermB genes) in less than 10 % of our 318 isolates, which were more commonly associated with non-invasive infections. Superantigen virulence gene carriage was reasonably proportionate between non-invasive and invasive infection isolates. Our study adds rich data on the genetic makeup of historical

S. pyogenes

infections within Australia. Ongoing surveillance of invasive and non-invasive GAS infections within NSW by whole-genome sequencing is warranted to inform on outbreaks, antimicrobial resistance and vaccine coverage.
Genetic Markers and Predictive Factors Influencing the Aggressive Behavior of Cerebral Cavernous Malformation
Authors: Galvão Gustavo F. , Trefilio Luisa M. , Salvio Andreza L. , da Silva Elielson V. , Alves-Leon Soniza V. , Fontes-Dantas Fabrícia L. , de Souza Jorge M.
Published: January 2024

Biological behavior of Cerebral Cavernous Malformation (CCM) is still controversial without clear-cut signature for biological mechanistic explanation of lesion aggressiveness. There is plenty evidence implicating dysregulated inflammatory and immune responses in vascular malformation pathogenesis, including CCM. In the present study, we evaluated the predictive capacity of the SNPsVDRrs7975232, VDRrs731236, VDRrs11568820as well as expanded the analysis ofPTPN2rs72872125andFCGR2Ars1801274in relation to the aggressive behavior of CCM and its implications in biological processes. This was a single-site prospective observational cohort study with 103 patients enrolled, 42 had close follow-up visits for a period of 4 years, focused on 2 main aspects of the disease: (1) symptomatic event that composed both intracranial bleeding or epilepsy and (2) precocity of symptoms. We report a novel observation that thePTPN2rs72872125CT and theVDRrs7975232CC genotype were independently associated with an asymptomatic phenotype. Additionally,PTPN2rs72872125CC genotype and serum level of GM-CSF could predict a diagnostic association with symptomatic phenotype in CCM patients, while theFCGR2Ars1801274GG genotype could predict a symptomatic event during follow-up. The study also found a correlation betweenVDRrs731236AA andVDRrs11568820CC genotype to the time to first symptomatic event. In summary, this study provides valuable insights into the genetic markers that could potentially impact the development and advancement of CCM.
A Novel Fluorescent Immuno-Lectin Assay to Identify Osteoarthritis Associated Glycoforms of Lubricin
Authors: Afshari Ali Reza , Thomsson Kristina A. , Höglund Jennifer , Ryberg Henrik , Gidwani Kamlesh , Pettersson Kim , Rolfson Ola , Björkman Lena I , Eisler Thomas , Schmidt Tannin A. , Jay Gregory D. , Karlsson Niclas G.
Published: January 2024

Lubricin or proteoglycan-4 (PRG-4) is a mucinous glycoprotein lubricating the cartilage and maintaining normal tissue function and cell-homeostasis. AlteredO-glycoforms of lubricin has been found in osteoarthritis (OA) synovial fluid (SF). Here, we utilized a Fluorescent Immuno-Lectin Assay (FILA) to measure the levels of lubricin glycoforms in plasma/SF and their potential as biomarkers for disease. Five different lectins were used in the assay: Macrophage Galactose-type lectin (MGL),Sambucus NigraAgglutinin (SNA),Maackia AmurensisAgglutinin (MAA), Peanut Agglutinin (PNA), and Galectin-3 (Gal-3). Our results showed that the levels of lubricin glycoforms in late-stage knee OA plasma (typically <10 μg/ml) are 1-3 order of magnitude lower than in OA SF (typically> 100 μg/ml). Furthermore, plasma lubricin glycans displayed higher level of sialylation, while SF derived lubricin displayed higher level of Tn-antigens. In OA patients we found decreased level in plasma of SNA binding lubricin (p=0.0023) compared to controls. This lectin binds 6 linked sialic acid. In addition, we found that lubricin glycoforms correlated both with Body Mass Index (BMI) and age, especially in regards of sialylation as measured by both MAA and SNA. Our data suggest that glycosylation of lubricin is different comparing SF with plasma. Moreover, the glycosylation of plasma lubricin is altered in OA patients compared controls.
Validation of the Arabic version of the Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire
Authors: Agou Shoroog Hassan
Published: January 2024

The Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire (OQLQ) was developed just over twenty years ago to measure quality of life (QoL) changes in patients with dentofacial deformities undergoing orthognathic surgery. However, despite being used in several studies conducted in Arabic-speaking nations of the Middle East and North Africa region, there has yet to be a formal psychometric evaluation of an Arabic OQLQ. The aim of this study was to develop and assess the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of an Arabic version of the OQLQ in a cohort of Saudi Arabian patients with malocclusions and dentofacial deformities. The translation of the OQLQ used an established method for adapting health questionnaires, where the questionnaire underwent translation and back-translation by bilinguals with subsequent consultation with professionals. Cronbach’s α coefficient for internal consistency was 0.92, denoting “excellent” internal consistency, and test-retest reliability was good to excellent. Overall OQOL scores were weakly but positively correlated with satisfaction with surgical treatment and were significantly lower after surgery than before surgery. The Arabic version of the OQLQ is conceptually similar to the English version, comprehensible, reliable, valid, and responsive. Future studies should now use this standardized version to ensure reliability of the results and allow comparisons between studies.
Clinical features and outcomes of scorpion sting in western lowland of Eritrea: a prospective descriptive study
Authors: Frezgi Okbu , Berhane Araia , Gebreyohannes Adiam , Ghebrewelde Ghide , Tekie Henok , Kiflezgi Tsegezab , Mohamedsied Abdulaziz , Tekie Yonas , Alem Abel , Ahmed Hagos , Gebrejesus Tewaldemedhine
Published: January 2024

Background

Scorpion envenomation is a public health problem that results in a life-threatening medical emergency in tropical and subtropical regions. Paediatric victims are more at risk to severe envenomation compared to adults.

Objectives

This study aimed to determine clinical features and outcome of patients hospitalized due to scorpion stings at the Tesseney Community Hospital.

Methods

A prospective, descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from 1stJune 2019 to 31stMay 2020 on patients hospitalized due to scorpion stings at the Tesseney Community Hospital.

Results

165 scorpion sting patients were admitted during the study period. Majority were older than 15 years old (61.8%) with an approximately equal male-to-female sex ratio (0.94:1). Scorpion sting cases largely belonged to urban (57%) compared to rural areas. The black scorpion (38.8%) was the predominately identified scorpion, but in a proportion of cases the scorpion colour was undetermined (31.5%). The foot was predominate sting site (64.8%) followed by hand (31.5%). A single sting (91.5%) was more frequently presented compared to multiple stings (8.5%). Majority (94.8%) of scorpion sting cases occurred during the summer period with highest scorpion stings counts belonging to September and October. The main clinical manifestations upon presentation were localized pain (70.3%) and sweating (56.4%) with more severe symptoms exhibited amongst age groups less than 15 years old. The fatality rate (4.8%) was largely associated age groups less than 15 years old with (p = 0.006, OR: 2.845; 95% CI: 0.656-12.343).

Conclusion

Our study found children experienced more severe envenoming symptoms with related mortality compared to adults. This study may be a tool to identify at-risk population groups and build measures to prevent scorpion stings within the western lowlands of Eritrea.
A mobile app providing individually-tailored psychoeducation about sleep for older adults with chronic health conditions and low health literacy
Authors: Ownby Raymond L , Thomas-Purcell Kamilah , Purcell Donrie , Caballero Joshua , Tewary Sweta , Davenport Rosemary , Simonson Michael
Published: January 2024

Objective

This paper reports the effect of a mobile app that provides tailored information about sleep to individuals aged 40 and older who have chronic health conditions and low health literacy.

Methods

The sleep module was a part of a multitopic app focused on chronic disease self-management. Participants were randomly assigned to receive sleep psychoeducation at reading levels equivalent to 3rd, 6thor 8thgrade. The primary outcome measure was the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), which was completed at baseline, after the intervention, and again three months later. Outcomes were assessed using repeated measures mixed effects models.

Results

Most participants were Black, Indigenous, or Other Persons of Color (BIPOC; 87%); they had average reading level at the 7thgrade. Health literacy, socioeconomic status, number of health conditions, and the intervention’s effect were related to the PSQI. The PSQI score significantly decreased over the course of the three study visits for all groups, consistent with a small to medium effect size (d= 0.40). No effect of treatment group was observed.

Conclusion

Results suggest that a brief tailored information intervention may be beneficial for individuals aged 40 and older who have low health literacy and chronic health conditions. Further development of the intervention may enhance its clinical effectiveness.

Registered atclinicaltrials.govNCT02922439.
Occupational cancer risk surveillance in HIV-infected individuals exposed to chemicals: Role of p53 molecular marker
Authors: Udah Donald C. , Bakarey Adeleye S. , Anetor Gloria O. , Omabe Maxwell , Edem Victory F. , Ademowo Olusegun G. , Anetor John I.
Published: January 2024

The growing exposure to occupational chemicals and HIV infection are both major global health issues. However, there is little data on the carcinogenic risk profile of HIV-infected individuals who have been occupationally exposed to chemical mixtures. This study therefore investigated the levels of cancer risk biomarkers in HIV-infected individuals exposed to occupational chemicals, exploring the relationship between apoptotic regulatory markers and DNA oxidative response markers as a measure of cancer risk.

Apparently healthy adults (mean age 38.35±0.72years) were divided into four groups according to their HIV status and occupational chemical exposure: 62 HIV positive exposed (HPE), 66 HIV positive unexposed (HPU), 60 HIV negative exposed (HNE), and 60 HIV negative unexposed (HNU). Serum p53, bcl2, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were estimated by standard methods. Blood samples were analysed for CD4 cell count by flow cytometry.

Serum p53 and bcl2 levels in HPE (0.91±0.11ng/ml and 122.37±15.77ng/ml) were significantly lower than HNU (1.49±0.15ng/ml and 225.52±33.67ng/ml) (p < 0.05), respectively. Wildtype p53 and bcl2 were positively and significantly correlated with 8-OHdG (r=0.35, p<0.001; r=0.36, p<0.001) and SOD (r=0.38, p<0.001; r=0.39, p<0.001). After controlling for gender, age, BMI, and cigarette smoking, both HIV status and SOD activity were significantly associated with wildtype p53 and bcl2 (p < 0.05). Malondialdehyde was significantly higher in the HPE (0.72 ± 0.01 mg/ml) than in the HNE (0.68 ± 0.01 mg/ml) and HNU (0.67 ± 0.01 mg/ml) groups (p < 0.05). Additionally, the HPE group (578.87±33.64 cells/µL) exhibited significantly lower CD4 counts than the HNE (785.35±36.8 cells/µL) and HNU (862.15±43.29 cells/µL) groups. Individuals infected with HIV and occupationally exposed to chemical substances exhibit compromised immunity, elevated oxidative stress, and depressed p53 (loss of tumour suppressive capacity) and bcl2; a convergence promoting the carcinogenic pathway and elevated cancer risk. These findings provide a mechanistic basis of cancer risk and scientific justification for preventive strategies against carcinogenesis in individuals who are HIV-infected.
Relationship between Physical Activity and Self-esteem of High School Students: Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Alparslan Zafer , Özer Ömür , Arslan Eda Nur , Aktaş İlknur Irem , Susuz İbrahım Erdem , Özaydın Ayşe Nilüfer
Published: January 2024

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between physical activity and self-esteem of high school students and contribute the literature from a different sociocultural area.

Methods

In this descriptive study, whole population of 10thand 11thgrade of Capa Science High School (Istanbul/Türkiye) students are invited to study. Voluntarily participating students were asked to answer the questions written on standard survey paper, under the observation of researchers. Survey papers included sociodemographic answers as well as Short Form of International Physical Activity Questionnaire to evaluate physical activity levels and Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale to evaluate self-esteem. IBM SPSS Statistics (Version 11) were used to analyse data. Level of p<0.05 was accepted as statistical significance.

Results

Data of 225 persons were succesfully collected (n=278, 80.93%). 16 persons’ data was excluded from physical activity related analyses due to incomplete answers. The 71.60% (n=161) of participants were male, 27.60% (n=62) were female and rest (n=2) did not want to express their genders. Males reported higher self-esteem (p=0.002) and higher physical activity (p=0.031) than females. Self-esteem was associated with regular exercise (p=0.034) status and self-evaluted school success (p=0.001). Self-esteem correlated with participants’ height (p=0.029, r=0.146). Finally, positive correlation between self-esteem and physical activity was found. (p=0.045, r=0.140).

Conclusion

Physical activity and self-esteem was correlated with each other in this study. Potential causational relation and underlying mechanisms should be investigated.
Reverse mutational scanning of spike BA.2.86 identifies epitopes contributing to immune escape from polyclonal sera
Authors: Bdeir Najat , Lüddecke Tatjana , Maaß Henrike , Schmelz Stefan , Rand Ulfert , Jacobsen Henning , Metzdorf Kristin , Kulkarni Upasana , Cossmann Anne , Stankov Metodi V. , Hoffmann Markus , Pöhlmann Stefan , Blankenfeldt Wulf , Dopfer-Jablonka Alexandra , Behrens Georg M.N. , Čičin-Šain Luka
Published: January 2024

The recently detected Omicron BA.2.86 lineage contains more than 30 amino acid mutations relative to BA.2. BA.2.86 and its JN.1 derivative evade neutralization by serum antibodies of fully vaccinated individuals. In this study, we elucidate epitopes driving the immune escape of BA.2.86 and JN.1 via pseudovirus neutralization. Thus, we have generated 33 BA.2.86 mutants, each reverting a single mutation back to BA.2. We use this library in an approach that we call reverse mutational scanning to define distinct neutralization titers against each epitope. Mutations within the receptor binding domain at K356T, V483Δ, and to a lesser extent N460K, A484K, and F486P enhance immune escape. Interestingly, 16insMPLF within the spike N-terminal domain and P621S within S1/S2 also significantly contribute to antibody escape of BA.2.86. Upon XBB.1.5 booster vaccination, neutralization titers against JN.1 and BA.2.86 improve considerably, and a residual immune escape is driven by 16insMPLF, N460K, E554K, and to a lesser extent P621S, and A484K.

EDITOR’S SUMMARY

SARS COV2 Omicron lineage BA.2.86 has over 30 mutations compared to the parental BA.2 lineage. Here Bdeir and colleagues apply reverse mutational scanning to determine which among these mutations present in Omicron BA.2.86 are epitopes linked to immune escape from antibody recognition.
Longitudinal immunophenotyping to track motor progression in Parkinson’s Associated with a TH mutation
Authors: Gopinath A. , Ramirez-Zamora A. , Franks S. , Riaz T. , Smith A. , Dizon G. , Hornstein L. , Follett J. , Swartz C. , Bravo J. , Kugelmann E.L. , Farrer M. , Okun M.S. , Khoshbouei H.
Published: January 2024

Background and Objectives: PD is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder and the fastest growing. Genetic factors account for ∼15% of cases. Despite some consistency in symptoms across idiopathic and genetic PD cases, tracking progression and treatment response remains an important challenge especially in the development of new therapies. There have been many traditional approaches to tracking including DaTscan imaging, cardiac 123I-MIBG scintigraphy, MRI, CSF analysis, and following clinical symptom progression. Methods: Our previous work showed that peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) expressing dopamine transporter (DAT) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in PD patients may correlate with disease progression and with the response to treatment with levodopa. We describe a single case longitudinal follow up of a 40-45-year-old woman with PD who carried a heterozygous TH mutation. We assessed her clinical features over 18 months with DaT scans and immunophenotyping of her PBMCs. Her data were compared with idiopathic PD (n=130 subjects, both sexes) and healthy controls (n=80, age/sex matched). Results: The results revealed a rise in DAT+ immune cells which occurred coincident to documented worsening of her UPDRS-III motor scores. Unlike idiopathic PD patients, following levodopa therapy, the TH+ immune cell levels remained elevated, despite UPDRS-III score improvement. Discussion: The longitudinal immunophenotyping in this PD patient with a TH mutation suggested that DAT+ and TH+ PBMCs could be candidate biomarkers for PD progression and possibly treatment effectiveness. This study provides proof of concept to explore this approach to investigate immunophenotyping in PD progression.
Resumption of Sexual Activity After Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision: Data from a Population Based Cohort in Rakai, Uganda, 2013 to 2020
Authors: Daama Alex , Nalugoda Fred , Kankaka Edward , Kasango Asani , Nantume Betty , Kigozi Grace Nalwoga , Ssekubugu Robert , Namutundu Juliana , Ssettuba Absalom , Lutalo Tom , Kagaayi Joseph , Nakigozi Gertrude , Alamo Stella , Mills Lisa A. , Kabuye Geoffrey , Gray Ron , Wawer Maria , Serwadda David , Sewankambo Nelson , Kigozi Godfrey
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) reduces the risk of heterosexual acquisition of HIV by 50%–60%. The Uganda Ministry of Health recommends abstinence for 42 days after VMMC to allow complete wound healing. However, some men resume sex early before the recommended period. We estimated trends in prevalence and risk factors of early sex resumption (ESR) among VMMC clients in Rakai, Uganda, from 2013-2020.

Methods

Data from the Rakai Community Cohort Study, a cross-sectional study were analyzed. Data included consenting men aged 15–49 years in who self-reported having received VMMC in one of four successive surveys, (June 2013 to January 2015), (February 2015 to September 2016), (October 2016 to May 2018), and (June 2018 to October 2020). ESR prevalence and associated risk factors using modified Poisson regression to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) were estimated.

Results

Overall, 1,832 men participated in the study. ESR decreased from 45.1% in 2013 to 14.9% in 2020 (p<0.001). Across the three surveys, ESR prevalence was consistently higher among married than never married men, aPR=1.83, 95% CI: [1.30,2.57]; aPR=2.46, 95% CI: [1.50,4.06]; aPR=2.22, 95% CI: [1.22,4.03]. ESR prevalence was higher among men who reported more than one sexual partner than men with one partner, aPR=1.59, 95% CI: [1.16,2.20]. In the fourth survey (2018-2020), ESR prevalence was significantly higher among men with primary education than men with post-primary, aPR=2.38, 95% CI: [1.31, 4.30] while ESR prevalence was lower among men aged at least 45 men with no sexual relationship in the past 12 months but self-reported to have resumed sex activities, aPR= 0, 95% CI: [1.86-07, 2.69-06] and aPR=0, 95% CI: [3.61e-07, 2.12e-06], respectively. Overall, men who reported primary school as their highest level of education reported ESR more often than those with post-primary education aPR=2.38, 95% CI: [1.31, 4.30]. Occupation and known HIV status were not associated with ESR.

Conclusions

Self-reported ESR after VMMC declined between 2013 and 2020. Targeted efforts for counseling focusing on married men, men who had multiple sex partners, and men with lower levels of education can help decrease post-VMMC ESR.