bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Knowledge and Biosecurity Practices Related to Avian Influenza Among Poultry Workers in a District of South India
Authors: Mahadevan Chandan , Mikkilineni Roopashree , Vyas Navya , Karabasanavar Nagappa
Published: March 2024

Context:

Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is a contagious disease that affects both animals and humans, posing a significant threat to public health, animal welfare, and the economy. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge of avian influenza among poultry farmworkers and evaluate the biosecurity practices implemented on their farms.

Objective:

The study’s primary objective was to assess the knowledge regarding avian influenza among poultry farmworkers and the biosecurity practices they follow at the farm.

Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Setting:

The study was conducted in a district of South India.

Participants:

This study included 105 poultry farmworkers across 70 poultry farms in the district.

Main Outcome Measure(s):

Assessment of the participants’ knowledge related to avian influenza, and the association between knowledge levels, demographic, and farm-related factors such as working experience in the poultry farm, type of poultry farm, type of poultry reared, and biosecurity practices.

Results:

In the study, 90% of participants were aware of avian influenza, with 36% correctly identifying the virus as its cause, whereas 5% wrongly cited it to be a bacteria. Although 90% knew avian influenza was infectious, only 18% recognized its potential transmission to humans; however, 82% understood prevention methods. Participants with an education level beyond high school displayed significantly higher awareness (P < .05), emphasizing importance of the education.

Conclusions:

The study showed diverse awareness levels among poultry farmworkers regarding avian influenza, emphasizing gaps in the knowledge, particularly about its transmission to humans. This underscores the need for targeted awareness campaigns focusing on zoonotic risks to improve the level of understanding and implement effective preventive measures against avian influenza.
Supporting Error Management and Safety Climate in Ambulatory Care Practices: The CIRSforte Study
Authors: Müller Beate S. , Lüttel Dagmar , Schütze Dania , Blazejewski Tatjana , Pommée Marina , Müller Hardy , Rubin Katharina , Thomeczek Christian , Schadewitz Romy , Heuzeroth Reiner , Schwappach David , Güthlin Corina , Paulitsch Michael , Gerlach Ferdinand M.
Published: March 2024

Background

To improve patient safety, it is important that healthcare facilities learn from critical incidents. Tools such as reporting and learning systems and team meetings structure error management and promote learning from incidents. To enhance error management in ambulatory care practices, it is important to promote a climate of safety and ensure personnel share views on safety policies and procedures. In contrast to the hospital sector, little research has been dedicated to developing feasible approaches to supporting error management and safety climate in ambulatory care. In this study, we developed, implemented, and evaluated a multicomponent intervention to address how error management and safety climate can be improved in ambulatory care practices.

Methods

In a prospective 1-group pretest-posttest implementation study, we sought to encourage teams in German ambulatory practices to use proven methods such as guidelines, workshops, e-learning, (online) meetings, and e-mail newsletters. A pretest-posttest questionnaire was used to evaluate level and strength of safety climate and psychological behavioral determinants for systematic error management. Using 3 short surveys, we also assessed the state of error management in the participating practices. In semistructured interviews, we asked participants for their views on our intervention measures.

Results

Overall, 184 ambulatory care practices nationwide agreed to participate. Level of safety climate and safety climate strength (rwg) improved significantly. Of psychological behavioral determinants, significant improvements could be seen in “action/coping planning” and “action control.” Seventy-six percent of practices implemented a new reporting and learning system or modified their existing system. The exchange of information between practices also increased over time. Interviews showed that the introductory workshop and provided materials such as report forms or instructions for team meetings were regarded as helpful.

Conclusions

A significant improvement in safety climate level and strength, as well as participants’ knowledge of how to analyze critical incidents, derive preventive measures and develop concrete plans suggest that it is important to train practice teams, to provide practical tips and tools, and to facilitate the exchange of information between practices. Future randomized and controlled intervention trials should confirm the effectiveness of our multicomponent intervention.

Trial registration: Retrospectively registered on 18. November 2019 in German Clinical Trials Register No. DRKS00019053
Randomized Trial of Dynamic Choice HIV Prevention at Antenatal and Postnatal Care Clinics in Rural Uganda and Kenya
Authors: Kabami Jane , Koss Catherine A. , Sunday Helen , Biira Edith , Nyabuti Marilyn , Balzer Laura B. , Gupta Shalika , Chamie Gabriel , Ayieko James , Kakande Elijah , Bacon Melanie C. , Havlir Diane , Kamya Moses R. , Petersen Maya ,   SEARCH Study Team
Published: March 2024

Background:

Pregnant and postpartum women in Sub-Saharan Africa are at high risk of HIV acquisition. We evaluated a person-centered dynamic choice intervention for HIV prevention (DCP) among women attending antenatal and postnatal care.

Setting:

Rural Kenya and Uganda.

Methods:

Women (aged 15 years or older) at risk of HIV acquisition seen at antenatal and postnatal care clinics were individually randomized to DCP vs. standard of care (SEARCH; NCT04810650). The DCP intervention included structured client choice of product (daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis or postexposure prophylaxis), service location (clinic or out of facility), and HIV testing modality (self-test or provider-administered), with option to switch over time and person-centered care (phone access to clinician, structured barrier assessment and counseling, and provider training). The primary outcome was biomedical prevention coverage—proportion of 48-week follow-up with self-reported pre-exposure prophylaxis or postexposure prophylaxis use, compared between arms using targeted maximum likelihood estimation.

Results:

Between April and July 2021, we enrolled 400 women (203 intervention and 197 control); 38% were pregnant, 52% were aged 15–24 years, and 94% reported no pre-exposure prophylaxis or postexposure prophylaxis use for ≥6 months before baseline. Among 384/400 participants (96%) with outcome ascertained, DCP increased biomedical prevention coverage 40% (95% CI: 34% to 47%; P < 0.001); the coverage was 70% in intervention vs. 29% in control. DCP also increased coverage during months at risk of HIV (81% in intervention, 43% in control; 38% absolute increase; 95% CI: 31% to 45%; P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

A person-centered dynamic choice intervention that provided flexibility in product, testing, and service location more than doubled biomedical HIV prevention coverage in a high-risk population already routinely offered access to biomedical prevention options.
Improved Prediction of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Status by Combined Radiomics of Primary Nonsmall-Cell Lung Cancer and Distant Metastasis
Authors: Hu Yue , Geng Yikang , Wang Huan , Chen Huanhuan , Wang Zekun , Fu Langyuan , Huang Bo , Jiang Wenyan
Published: March 2024

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate radiomics based on primary nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and distant metastases to predict epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status.

Methods

A total of 290 patients (mean age, 58.21 ± 9.28) diagnosed with brain (BM, n = 150) or spinal bone metastasis (SM, n = 140) from primary NSCLC were enrolled as a primary cohort. An external validation cohort, consisting of 69 patients (mean age, 59.87 ± 7.23; BM, n = 36; SM, n = 33), was enrolled from another center. Thoracic computed tomography–based features were extracted from the primary tumor and peritumoral area and selected using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression to build a radiomic signature (RS-primary). Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging–based features were calculated and selected from the BM and SM to build RS-BM and RS-SM, respectively. The RS-BM-Com and RS-SM-Com were developed by integrating the most important features from the primary tumor, BM, and SM.

Results

Six computed tomography–based features showed high association with EGFR mutation status: 3 from intratumoral and 3 from peritumoral areas. By combination of features from primary tumor and metastases, the developed RS-BM-Com and RS-SM-Com performed well with areas under curve in the training (RS-BM-Com vs RS-BM, 0.936 vs 0.885, P = 0.177; RS-SM-Com vs RS-SM, 0.929 vs 0.843, P = 0.003), internal validation (RS-BM-Com vs RS-BM, 0.920 vs 0.858, P = 0.492; RS-SM-Com vs RS-SM, 0.896 vs 0.859, P = 0.379), and external validation (RS-BM-Com vs RS-BM, 0.882 vs 0.805, P = 0.263; RS-SM-Com vs RS-SM, 0.865 vs 0.816, P = 0.312) cohorts.

Conclusions

This study indicates that the accuracy of detecting EGFR mutations significantly enhanced in the presence of metastases in primary NSCLC. The established radiomic signatures from this approach may be useful as new predictors for patients with distant metastases.
18F-FDG Brain PET/MRI in Chronic Lymphocytic Inflammation With Pontine Perivascular Enhancement Responsive to Steroids
Authors: Mashriqi Faizullah , Saks Rachel , Alkabie Samir , Franceschi Ana Marija
Published: March 2024

An 89-year-old man presented with progressive gait disturbance, diplopia, and ataxia. Initial brain MRI demonstrated T2/FLAIR hyperintense signal abnormality in the pons extending along the middle cerebellar peduncles into the cerebellum, with associated punctate, patchy, and linear enhancement on postcontrast imaging. Initially, this was attributed to brainstem encephalitis; however, sarcoidosis, histiocytosis, and paraneoplastic/autoimmune encephalitis remained on the differential. One month after initial MRI, 18F-FDG brain PET/MRI was performed and showed marked pontine hypermetabolism corresponding to the signal abnormality and enhancement on structural imaging. Collectively, these findings are characteristic of chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids.
Remarkable research achievements in traditional Chinese medicine during 2012–2022
Authors: Zhang Xiaoxiao , He Xianghong , You Liangzhen , Chen Junfeng , Ma Jun , Wang Guochen , Chen Kaixian
Published: March 2024

The period since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has witnessed the emerging of innovative achievements in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). To fulfill the requirements proposed at the 20th National Congress of the CPC and in the Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Promoting the Preservation, Innovation, and Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine and give play to the demonstrative role of major research achievements, the China Association of Chinese Medicine has organized TCM researchers and practitioners to comprehensively review the major research achievements in TCM since the 18th National Congress of the CPC. After collection and organization of achievements, report writing, expert evaluation, and public opinion soliciting, we have compiled the Remarkable Research Achievements of Traditional Chinese Medicine during 2012–2022.
Progress in Primary Progressive Aphasia: A Review
Authors: Kertesz Andrew , Finger Elizabeth , Munoz David G.
Published: March 2024

We present a review of the definition, classification, and epidemiology of primary progressive aphasia (PPA); an update of the taxonomy of the clinical syndrome of PPA; and recent advances in the neuroanatomy, pathology, and genetics of PPA, as well as the search for biomarkers and treatment. PPA studies that have contributed to concepts of language organization and disease propagation in neurodegeneration are also reviewed. In addition, the issues of heterogeneity versus the relationships of the clinical phenotypes and their relationship to biological, pathological, and genetic advances are discussed, as is PPA’s relationship to other conditions such as frontotemporal dementia, corticobasal degeneration, progressive supranuclear palsy, Pick disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Arguments are presented in favor of considering these conditions as one entity versus many.
Dual stressors of infection and warming can destabilize host microbiomes
Authors: Li J. D. , Gao Y. Y. , Stevens E. J. , King K. C.
Published: March 2024

Climate change is causing extreme heating events and intensifying infectious disease outbreaks. Animals harbour microbial communities, which are vital for their survival and fitness under stressful conditions. Understanding how microbiome structures change in response to infection and warming may be important for forecasting host performance under global change. Here, we evaluated alterations in the microbiomes of several wild
Caenorhabditis elegans
isolates spanning a range of latitudes, upon warming temperatures and infection by the parasite
Leucobacter musarum
. Using 16S rRNA sequencing, we found that microbiome diversity decreased, and dispersion increased over time, with the former being more prominent in uninfected adults and the latter aggravated by infection. Infection reduced dominance of specific microbial taxa, and increased microbiome dispersion, indicating destabilizing effects on host microbial communities. Exposing infected hosts to warming did not have an additive destabilizing effect on their microbiomes. Moreover, warming during pre-adult development alleviated the destabilizing effects of infection on host microbiomes. These results revealed an opposing interaction between biotic and abiotic factors on microbiome structure. Lastly, we showed that increased microbiome dispersion might be associated with decreased variability in microbial species interaction strength. Overall, these findings improve our understanding of animal microbiome dynamics amidst concurrent climate change and epidemics.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Sculpting the microbiome: how host factors determine and respond to microbial colonization’.
Effects of storage temperature on quality characteristics of texturized vegetable protein
Authors: Lee Seul , Jung Sun Young , Seo Mi Sook , Park Chan Soon
Published: March 2024

This study evaluated the impact of storage temperature on the quality characteristics of texturized vegetable protein (TVP). TVP was prepared by mixing defatted Daewon soybean flour at 80°C, gluten, and corn starch in a 5:3:2 ratio, which was then extruded at a screw speed of 250 rpm and a barrel temperature of 190°C with moisture addition at 9 rpm. Subsequently, the extruded TVP was vacuum-sealed in polyethylene packaging and stored at −20°C, 0°C, and 4°C for 9 days. Texture analysis revealed that the curing rate followed 4°C > 0°C > −20°C sequence. No significant color variation was observed across the storage conditions, although water content increased at all temperatures. Notable changes were detected in moisture absorption capacity (%) and solid leaching (%), following the order of −20°C > 0°C > 4°C. The turbidity of the solution released during cooking varied, with the highest to the lowest sequence being −20°C > 4°C > 0°C, while pH levels remained neutral. Regarding free amino acids, sweetness and textural quality improved with storage across all temperatures, whereas bitterness components diminished at 4°C. The study suggests that refrigerated storage at 4°C is a viable method for distributing TVP, which was previously distributed only in a frozen and dry state.
Characterizing an electronic–robotic targeting platform for precise and fast brain stimulation with multi-locus transcranial magnetic stimulation
Authors: Matsuda Renan H. , Souza Victor H. , Marchetti Thais C. , Soto Ana M. , Kahilakoski Olli-Pekka , Laine Mikael , Sinisalo Heikki , Kicic Dubravko , Lioumis Pantelis , Ilmoniemi Risto J. , Baffa Oswaldo
Published: March 2024

1.

Background

Multi-locus TMS (mTMS) enables precise electronic control of brain stimulation targeting, eliminating the need for physical coil movement. However, with a small number of coils, the stimulation area is constrained, and manually handling the coil array is cumbersome. Combining electronic mTMS targeting with robotics will enable automated, user-independent, and precise brain stimulation protocols.

Objective

Characterizing an open-source electronic–robotic mTMS platform for rapid and accurate brain stimulation targeting.

Methods

We developed an automated robotic mTMS positioning platform. The accuracy of the system was quantified with a TMS characterizer that measures the TMS-induced electric field on a spherical cortex model. We used a 5-coil mTMS device equipped with a set of five coils coupled to a collaborative robot. The induced electric-field distortion generated by robot coupling was evaluated for each coil. We compared the accuracy of robotic–electronic targeting by repositioning the mTMS coil set with the robotic and the conventional manual positioning.

Results

Our collaborative robot-based system offers submillimeter precision and autonomy in positioning mTMS coil sets. The electronic–robotic mTMS platform was approximately 1.8 mm and 1.0° more accurate than the conventional manual positioning. Integrating robotics and mTMS automates brain stimulation procedures, resulting in minimal reliance on user expertise and subjective analysis.

Conclusion

Our open-source platform combining rapid mTMS targeting with robotic precision enhances the safety and reproducibility of brain stimulation techniques, enabling more efficient and reliable outcomes than previous techniques.
Neurexin drivesC. elegansavoidance behavior independently of its post-synaptic binding partner Neuroligin
Authors: Muirhead Caroline S. , Reddy Kirthi C. , Guerra Sophia , Rieger Michael , Hart Michael P. , Srinivasan Jagan , Chalasani Sreekanth H.
Published: March 2024

Neurexins and their canonical binding partners, neuroligins, are localized to neuronal pre-, and post-synapses, respectively, but less is known about their role in driving behaviors. Here, we use the nematodeC. elegansto show that neurexin, but not neuroligin, is required for avoiding specific chemorepellents. We find that adults with knockouts of the entire neurexin locus exhibit a strong avoidance deficit in response to glycerol and a weaker defect in response to copper. Notably, theC. elegansneurexin (nrx-1) locus, like its mammalian homologs, encodes multiple isoforms, α and γ. Using isoform-specific mutations, we find that the γ isoform is selectively required for glycerol avoidance. Next, we used transgenic rescue experiments to show that this isoform functions at least partially in the nervous system. We also confirm that the transgenes are expressed in the neurons and observe protein accumulation in neurites. Furthermore, we tested whether these mutants affect the behavioral responses of juveniles. We find that juveniles (4thlarval stages) of mutants knocking out the entire locus or the α-isoforms, but not γ-isoform, are defective in avoiding glycerol. These results suggest that the different neurexin isoforms affect chemosensory avoidance behavior in juveniles and adults, providing a general principle of how isoforms of this conserved gene affect behavior across species.

Article Summary

The conserved neurexin locus can encode multiple isoforms via alternate splicing, but very little is known about the function of individual isoforms. We show that theC. elegansneurexin γ isoform is specifically required for glycerol, but not copper or quinine avoidance in adults. In contrast, we find that α, but not γ, isoforms are required for avoiding glycerol in juveniles. Collectively, we suggest that different neurexin isoforms are required in juveniles and adults to modify chemosensory behavior.
Widespread variation in molecular interactions and regulatory properties among transcription factor isoforms
Authors: Lambourne Luke , Mattioli Kaia , Santoso Clarissa , Sheynkman Gloria , Inukai Sachi , Kaundal Babita , Berenson Anna , Spirohn-Fitzgerald Kerstin , Bhattacharjee Anukana , Rothman Elisabeth , Shrestha Shaleen , Laval Florent , Yang Zhipeng , Bisht Deepa , Sewell Jared A. , Li Guangyuan , Prasad Anisa , Phanor Sabrina , Lane Ryan , Campbell Devlin M. , Hunt Toby , Balcha Dawit , Gebbia Marinella , Twizere Jean-Claude , Hao Tong , Frankish Adam , Riback Josh A. , Salomonis Nathan , Calderwood Michael A. , Hill David E. , Sahni Nidhi , Vidal Marc , Bulyk Martha L. , Fuxman Bass Juan I.
Published: March 2024

Most human Transcription factors (TFs) genes encode multiple protein isoforms differing in DNA binding domains, effector domains, or other protein regions. The global extent to which this results in functional differences between isoforms remains unknown. Here, we systematically compared 693 isoforms of 246 TF genes, assessing DNA binding, protein binding, transcriptional activation, subcellular localization, and condensate formation. Relative to reference isoforms, two-thirds of alternative TF isoforms exhibit differences in one or more molecular activities, which often could not be predicted from sequence. We observed two primary categories of alternative TF isoforms: “rewirers” and “negative regulators”, both of which were associated with differentiation and cancer. Our results support a model wherein the relative expression levels of, and interactions involving, TF isoforms add an understudied layer of complexity to gene regulatory networks, demonstrating the importance of isoform-aware characterization of TF functions and providing a rich resource for further studies.
Programmable marine bacteria catalyze the valorization of lignin monomers
Authors: Wei Ying , Wang Shu-Guang , Xia Peng-Fei
Published: March 2024

Efficiently converting lignin, the second most abundant biopolymer on Earth, into valuable chemicals is pivotal for a circular economy and net-zero future. However, lignin is recalcitrant to bio-upcycling, demanding innovative solutions. We report here the biological valorization of lignin-derived aromatic carbon to value-added chemicals without requesting extra organic carbon and freshwater via reprogramming the marineRoseobacterclade bacteriumRoseovarius nubinhibens. We discovered the unusual catalytic advantages of this strain for the oxidation of lignin monomers and implemented a CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) system with thelacI-Ptrcinducible module, nuclease-deactivated Cas9, and programmable gRNAs. This enabled precise and efficient repression of target genes. By deploying the customized CRISPRi, we reprogrammed the carbon flux from a lignin monomer, 4-hydroxybenzoate, to achieve maximum production of protocatechuate, a pharmaceutical compound, while maintaining essential carbon for cell growth and biocatalysis. As a result, we achieved a 4.89-fold increase in protocatechuate yield with a dual-targeting CRISPRi system. Our study introduces a new-to-the-field lineage of marine bacteria and underscores the potential of blue biotechnology leveraging resources from the ocean for simultaneous carbon and water conservation.
Species-level verification of Phascolarctobacterium association to colorectal cancer
Authors: Bucher-Johannessen Cecilie , Senthakumaran Thulasika , Avershina Ekaterina , Birkeland Einar Elvbakken , Hoff Geir , Bemanian Vahid , Tunsjoe Hege Smith , Rounge Trine B
Published: March 2024

Background and aims: We have previously demonstrated an association between increased abundance of Phascolarctobacterium and colorectal cancer (CRC) and adenomas in two independent Norwegian cohorts. Here we seek to verify our previous findings using new cohorts and methods. In addition, we characterize lifestyle and sex-specificity, the functional potential of the Phascolarctobacterium species and their interaction with other microbial species. Methods: We analyze Phascolarctobacterium with 16S rRNA sequencing, shotgun metagenome sequencing and species-specific qPCR, using 2350 samples from three Norwegian cohorts - CRCAhus, NORCCAP and CRCbiome - and a large publicly available dataset, Curatedmetagenomedata. Using metagenome assembled genomes from the CRCbiome study we explore genomic characteristics and functional potential of the Phascolarctobacterium pangenome. Results: Three species of Phascolarctobacterium associated with adenoma/CRC were consistently detected by qPCR and sequencing. Positive associations with adenomas/CRC were verified for P. succinatutens and negative associations were shown for P. faecium and adenoma in Curatedmetagenomedata. Men show higher prevalence of P. succinatutens across cohorts. Co-occurrence among Phascolarctobacterium species was low (<6%). Each of the three species show distinct microbial composition and form distinct correlation networks with other bacterial taxa, although Dialister invisus was negatively correlated to all investigated Phascolarctobacterium species. Pangenome analyses showed P. succinatutens to be enriched for genes related to porphyrin metabolism and degradation of complex carbohydrates, whereas glycoside hydrolase enzyme 3 was specific to P. faecium. Conclusion: We have verified that P. succinatutens is increased in adenoma and CRC and this species should therefore be recognised among the most important CRC-associated bacteria.
Nicotine strength of e-liquids used by adult vapers in Great Britain: a population survey 2016 to 2024
Authors: Jackson Sarah E. , Brown Jamie , Shahab Lion , Arnott Deborah , Bauld Linda , Cox Sharon
Published: March 2024

Background/Aims

In March-2024, the UK government announced plans to introduce a new Vaping Products Duty that will tax e-liquids based on their nicotine strength. This study examined trends in the nicotine strength of e-liquids used by adult vapers and differences in those currently used across relevant subgroups.

Design

Nationally-representative, cross-sectional household survey, July-2016 to January-2024.

Setting

Great Britain.

Participants

7,957 adult vapers.

Main outcome measures

Participants were asked whether the e-cigarette they mainly use contains nicotine and the e-liquid strength. We used logistic regression to estimate time trends in different nicotine strengths used (no nicotine/>0-≤6/7-11/12-19/≥20 mg/ml), overall in England and stratified by main device type (disposable/refillable/pod), age (≥18y), and smoking status. We explored current differences in nicotine strength among those surveyed between January-2022 and January-2024 in Great Britain by main device type, age (≥16y), gender, occupational social grade, history of ≥1 mental health conditions, smoking status, and (among past-year smokers) level of cigarette addiction.

Results

The proportion of vapers in England using high-strength (≥20mg/ml) e-liquids increased from an average of 3.8% [95%CI 2.9-5.0%] up to June-2021 to 32.5% [27.9-37.4%] in January-2024 (when 93.3% reported using exactly 20mg/ml). This rise was most pronounced among those using disposable e-cigarettes, those aged 18-24y, and all smoking statuses (including never smokers) except long-term (≥1y) ex-smokers. Of those surveyed in 2022-24 in Great Britain, overall, 89.5% [88.1-90.8%] said they usually used e-cigarettes containing nicotine, 8.7% [7.5-10.0%] used nicotine-free e-cigarettes, and 1.8% [1.2-2.4%] were unsure. The proportion using ≥20mg/ml was higher among those mainly using disposable (47.9%) compared with pod (16.3%) or refillable (11.5%) devices; never smokers (36.0%), current smokers (28.8%), or recent (<1y) ex-smokers (27.4%), compared with long-term ex-smokers (13.9%); and younger (16-24y; 44.2%) compared with older (≥25y; range 9.4-25.1%) age groups. There were no notable differences across other subgroups of interest.

Conclusions

Use of high-strength nicotine e-liquids in England has increased sharply in recent years. Most adult vapers in Great Britain use e-cigarettes that contain nicotine but different subgroups use different strengths: they tend to be higher among those who mainly use disposable devices, those aged 16-24y, and lower among long-term ex-smokers.
The association between periodontitis and the impact of oral health on the quality of life of individuals with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis
Authors: Costa Amanda Almeida , Cota Luís Otávio Miranda , Esteves Lima Rafael Paschoal , Oliveira Alcione Maria Soares Dutra , Cortelli Sheila Cavalca , Cortelli José Roberto , Cyrino Renata Magalhães , Mendes Victor Silva , Silva Tarcília Aparecida , Costa Fernando Oliveira
Published: March 2024

Objective

To evaluate the association between psoriasis (PSO), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and periodontitis (PE), and the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) impacts on individuals with psoriatic disease’s daily activities compared to the non-psoriatic ones.

Materials & Methods

296 individuals with psoriatic disease (PSO n= 210, APS n= 86) (cases) and 359 without these diseases (controls) were included. Complete periodontal examinations and collection of variables of interest were performed. The Brazilian version of theOral Impacts on Daily Performance(OIDP) instrument was applied.

Results

The prevalence of PE was higher in PsA (57.0%; OR=2.67 95%CI 1.65–4.32; p<0.001) than in PSO (34.3%; OR=1.05 95% CI 0.73–1.51; p<0.001) compared to controls (33.1%). Both PsA and PSO groups showed more sites and teeth with 4-6mm probing depth (PD) and had higher OIDP scores than controls (p<0.001), thus indicating worse self-reported quality of life. PE, PSO+PE and consumption of alcohol/anxiolytics significantly influenced OHRQoL (p<0.05). The influence of periodontal parameters on OHRQoL was observed for the presence of PE; PD >6 mm; clinical attachment level >6 mm; higher plaque index, % sites and teeth with bleeding on probing (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Negative impacts of PE on the OHRQoL were demonstrated. The ones having PSO and especially PsA and PE presented significantly worse indicators.
Non-Medical Management of Hypertension and Its associated Factors among Hypertensive Patients Attending Public Hospitals in Hawassa City, Ethiopia
Authors: Mekonnen Meheret , Eshetu Merihun , Tefessse Feleke , Geleta Dereje
Published: March 2024

Background

Hypertension is a major health issue, affecting the young population worldwide. A non-medical management approach can decrease the effects of high blood pressure levels in hypertensive patients. Even though NMM is one of the most effective ways to prevent & control hypertension, only little emphasis has been given to it compared with treating hypertension with medication. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the practice of non-medical management of hypertension and associated factors among hypertensive patients attending selected public hospitals in Hawassa City, Sidama, Ethiopia.

Method

Facility based cross-sectional study was conducted from April-May 2023. A simple random sampling technique was used to select study participants, and data was collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data was entered into Epi-Data version 4.2 and exported into SPSS version 26 for analysis. Binary logistic regression was used to identify the association between dependent variables and independent variables.

Result

The study revealed that 62.3 % of participants had good practice of non-medical management of hypertension (95%CI: 56.5-67.3). Additionally, 74.7 % had good knowledge, (AOR=2.054; 95% CI: 1.180-3.575, P-value=0.011) and 65% exhibited favourable attitudes towards non-medical management of hypertension (AOR =2.368; 95% CI: 1.354-4.141, p-value=0.003). Factors such as good knowledge, rural residence (AOR=1.939 95% CI, 0.943, 3.987, P-value=0.072) and having a family history of hypertension (AOR=1.764; 95% CI: 1.073-2.899, p-value=0.025) were statistically significant in association with non-medical management practice.

Conclusion

This study found that nearly two-thirds of participants demonstrated good practice of non-medical management of Hypertension. Good knowledge, favourable attitude towards non-medical management, rural residence and having a family history of hypertension were significantly associated with non-medical management of hypertension.

Therefore, public health interventions focusing on non-medical management of hypertension and strengthening NCD control programs are essential. Moreover, the provision of targeted Health education and behavioural change communication to patients can improve disease knowledge and improve Non-medical management practices.
Inhibition of Acyl-CoA Synthetase Long Chain Isozymes Decreases Multiple Myeloma Cell Proliferation and Causes Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Authors: Murphy Connor S. , DeMambro Victoria E. , Fadel Samaa , Fairfield Heather , Garter Carlos A. , Rodriguez Princess , Qiang Ya-Wei , Vary Calvin P. H. , Reagan Michaela R.
Published: March 2024

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable cancer of plasma cells with a 5-year survival rate of 59%. Dysregulation of fatty acid (FA) metabolism is associated with MM development and progression; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family members (ACSLs) convert free long-chain fatty acids into fatty acyl-CoA esters and play key roles in catabolic and anabolic fatty acid metabolism. The Cancer Dependency Map data suggested that ACSL3 and ACSL4 were among the top 25% Hallmark Fatty Acid Metabolism genes that support MM fitness. Here, we show that inhibition of ACSLs in human myeloma cell lines using the pharmacological inhibitor Triascin C (TriC) causes apoptosis and decreases proliferation in a dose– and time-dependent manner. RNA-seq of MM.1S cells treated with TriC for 24 h showed a significant enrichment in apoptosis, ferroptosis, and ER stress. Proteomics of MM.1S cells treated with TriC for 48 h revealed that mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative phosphorylation were significantly enriched pathways of interest, consistent with our observations of decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and increased mitochondrial superoxide levels. Interestingly, MM.1S cells treated with TriC for 24 h also showed decreased mitochondrial ATP production rates and overall lower cellular respiration.

Implications

Overall, our data support the hypothesis that suppression of ACSL in human MM cells inhibit their growth and viability, indicating that ACSL proteins may be promising therapeutic targets in treating myeloma progression.
Pre-stimulus alpha oscillations encode stimulus-specific visual predictions
Authors: Hetenyi Dorottya , Haarsma Joost , Kok Peter
Published: March 2024

Predictions of future events have a major impact on how we process sensory signals. However, it remains unclear how the brain keeps predictions online in anticipation of future inputs. Here, we combined magnetoencephalography (MEG) and multivariate decoding techniques to investigate the content of perceptual predictions and their frequency characteristics. Participants were engaged in a shape discrimination task, while auditory cues predicted which specific shape would likely appear. Frequency analysis revealed significant oscillatory fluctuations of predicted shape representations in the pre-stimulus window in the alpha band (10 – 11Hz). Furthermore, we found that this stimulus-specific alpha power was linked to expectation effects on shape discrimination. Our findings demonstrate that sensory predictions are embedded in pre-stimulus alpha oscillations and modulate subsequent perceptual performance, providing a neural mechanism through which the brain deploys perceptual predictions.
Increased perceptual reliability reduces membrane potential variability in cortical neurons
Authors: von Hünerbein Ben , Jordan Jakob , Lohuis Matthijs Oude , Marchesi Pietro , Olcese Umberto , Pennartz Cyriel M.A. , Senn Walter , Petrovici Mihai A.
Published: March 2024

Uncertainty is omnipresent. While humans and other animals take uncertainty into account during decision making, it remains unclear how it is represented in cortex. To investigate the effect of stimulus reliability on uncertainty representation in cortical neurons, we analyzed single unit activity data recorded in mouse PPC, while animals performed a multisensory change detection task. We further used simulation-based inference (SBI) to infer membrane potential statistics underlying the spiking activity. Our analysis shows that stimulus changes increase spiking rate while decreasing its variability. The inferred membrane potential statistics suggest that PPC neurons decrease their membrane potential variability in response to task relevant stimuli. Furthermore, more perceptually reliable stimuli lead to a larger decrease in membrane potential variability than less reliable ones. These findings suggest that individual cortical neurons track uncertainty, providing Bayesian benefits for downstream computations.
Automated Seminal Root Angle Measurement with Corrective Annotation
Authors: Smith Abraham George , Malinowska Marta , Janss Luc , Ruud Anja Karine , Krusell Lene , Jensen Jens Due , Asp Torben
Published: March 2024

Measuring seminal root angle is an important aspect of root phenotyping, yet automated methods are lacking. We introduce SeminalRootAngle, a novel open-source automated method that measures seminal root angles from images. To ensure our method is flexible and user-friendly we build on an established corrective annotation training method for image segmentation. We tested SeminalRootAngle on a heterogeneous dataset of 662 spring barley rhizobox images, which presented challenges in terms of image clarity and root obstruction. Validation of our new automated pipeline against manual measurements yielded a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.71. We also measure inter-annotator agreement, obtaining a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.68, indicating that our new pipeline provides similar root angle measurement accuracy to manual approaches. We use our new SeminalRootAngle tool to identify SNPs significantly associated with angle and length, shedding light on the genetic basis of root architecture.
Evolution of Virulence in Emerging Epidemics: From Theory to Experimental Evolution and Back
Authors: Benhamou Wakinyan , Blanquart François , Choisy Marc , Berngruber Thomas W. , Choquet Rémi , Gandon Sylvain
Published: March 2024

The experimental validation of theoretical predictions is a crucial step in demonstrating the predictive power of a model. While quantitative validations are common in infectious diseases epidemiology, experimental microbiology primarily focuses on the evaluation of a qualitative match between model predictions and experiments. In this study, we develop a method to deepen the quantitative validation process with a polymorphic viral population. We analyse the data from an experiment carried out to monitor the evolution of the temperate bacteriophage λ spreading in continuous cultures ofEscherichia coli. This experimental work confirmed the influence of the epidemiological dynamics on the evolution of transmission and virulence of the virus. A variant with larger propensity to lyse bacterial cells was favoured in emerging epidemics (when the density of susceptible cells was large), but counter-selected when most cells were infected. Although this approach qualitatively validated an important theoretical prediction, no attempt was made to fit the model to the data nor to further develop the model to improve the goodness of fit. Here, we show how theoretical analysis – including calculations of the selection gradients – and model fitting can be used to estimate key parameters of the phage life cycle and yield new insights on the evolutionary epidemiology of the phage λ. First, we show that modelling explicitly the infected bacterial cells which will eventually be lysed improves the fit of the transient dynamics of the model to the data. Second, we carry out a theoretical analysis that yields useful approximations that capture at the onset and at the end of an epidemic the effects of epidemiological dynamics on selection and differentiation across distinct life stages of the virus. Finally, we estimate key phenotypic traits characterizing the two strains of the virus used in our experiment such as the rates of prophage reactivation or the probabilities of lysogenization. This study illustrates the synergy between experimental, theoretical and statistical approaches; and especially how interpreting the temporal variation in the selection gradient and the differentiation across distinct life stages of a novel variant is a powerful tool to elucidate the evolutionary epidemiology of emerging infectious diseases.
Assessing tooth wear progression in primates: A longitudinal study using intraoral scanning technology
Authors: Towle Ian , Krueger Kristin L. , Hernando Raquel , Hlusko Leslea J.
Published: March 2024

Intraoral scanners are widely used in a clinical setting for orthodontic treatments and tooth restorations, and are also useful for assessing dental wear and pathology progression. In this study, we assess the utility of using an intraoral scanner and associated software for quantifying dental tissue loss in non-human primates. An upper and lower second molar for 31 captive hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas) were assessed for dental tissue loss progression over multiple years (n= 62 teeth). The animals are part of the Southwest National Primate Research Center and were all fed the same monkey-chow diet over their lifetimes. Two molds of each dentition were taken at either two- or three-year intervals, and the associated casts scanned using an intraoral scanner (Medit i700). Tissue loss was calculated inWearCompareby superimposition of the two scans followed by subtraction analysis. Four individuals had dental caries, and were assessed separately. The results demonstrate the reliability of these techniques in capturing tissue loss data, evidenced by the alignment consistency between scans, lack of erroneous tissue gain between scans, and uniformity of tissue loss patterns among individuals (e.g., functional cusps showing the highest degree of wear). The average loss per mm² per year for all samples combined was 0.05 mm³ (0.04 mm³ for females and 0.08 mm³ for males). There was no significant difference in wear progression between upper and lower molars. Substantial variation in the amount of tissue loss among individuals was found, despite their uniform diet. These findings foster multiple avenues for future research, including the exploration of wear progression across dental crowns and arcades, correlation between different types of tissue loss (e.g., attrition, erosion, fractures, caries), interplay between tissue loss and microwear/topographic analysis, and the genetic underpinnings of tissue loss variation.
Versatile roles of protein flavinylation in bacterial extracyotosolic electron transfer
Authors: Huang Shuo , Méheust Raphaël , Barquera Blanca , Light Samuel H.
Published: March 2024

Bacteria perform diverse redox chemistries in the periplasm, cell wall, and extracellular space. Electron transfer for these extracytosolic activities is frequently mediated by proteins with covalently bound flavins, which are attached through post-translational flavinylation by the enzyme ApbE. Despite the significance of protein flavinylation to bacterial physiology, the basis and function of this modification remains unresolved. Here we apply genomic context analyses, computational structural biology, and biochemical studies to address the role of ApbE flavinylation throughout bacterial life. We find that ApbE flavinylation sites exhibit substantial structural heterogeneity. We identify two novel classes of flavinylation substrates that are related to characterized proteins with non-covalently bound flavins, providing evidence that protein flavinylation can evolve from a non-covalent flavoprotein precursor. We further find a group of structurally related flavinylation-associated cytochromes, including those with the domain of unknown function DUF4405, that presumably mediate electron transfer in the cytoplasmic membrane. DUF4405 homologs are widespread in bacteria and related to ferrosome iron storage organelle proteins that may facilitate iron redox cycling within ferrosomes. These studies reveal a complex basis for flavinylated electron transfer and highlight the discovery power of coupling comparative genomic analyses with high-quality structural models.
Hallucination- and delusion-like experiences are associated with increased precision of sensory evidence in perceptual inference
Authors: Scaramozzino Francesco , McKay Ryan , Furl Nicholas
Published: March 2024

BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS

Predictive coding proposes that psychotic phenomenology stems from alterations in precision encoding of neural signals. Previous studies indicate links between psychotic-like experiences, increased sensory evidence precision, and reduced data-gathering in probabilistic reasoning. If sensory precison is increased in bottom-up signalling, we would expect it to be present in perceptual inference. Here, we investigated whether increased sensory precision and reduced data-gathering relate to subclinical psychotic-like experiences in perceptual inference.

STUDY DESIGN

We fitted drift-diffusion models to performance on the Random Dot Motion task (RDM) of 191 participants from the general population. Drift rate (a proxy for precision of sensory evidence) and decision threshold parameters could vary: 1) between groups with higher vs. lower levels of psychotic phenotypes; 2) as dependent variables in a regression model having psychotic phenotypes as predictors. Using the beads task, we also attempted to replicate the finding that reduced data-gathering is associated with delusional ideation.

STUDY RESULTS

Both delusion- and hallucination-like experiences were associated with higher precision of sensory evidence (higher drift rates) in RDM. Hallucination-like experiences were also associated with lower decision thresholds. In probabilistic reasoning, we did not find reduced data-gathering associated with any psychotic-like experiences.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that psychotic-like experiences are associated with increased precision of sensory evidence when discriminating motion direction. A higher hallucinatory phenotype was also linked to reduced gathering of information. These specificities of information processing might represent underlying decision-making mechanisms contributing to the formation of psychotic phenomenology in the general population.