bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between nocturnal polyuria and 24‐h blood pressure fluctuations in males with lower urinary tract symptoms: A multicenter prospective study
Authors: Kato Yoichiro , Akaihata Hidenori , Takezawa Kentaro , Maekawa Shigekatsu , Matsuoka Kanako , Fukuhara Shinichiro , Kato Renpei , Kojima Yoshiyuki , Nonomura Norio , Obara Wataru
Published: December 2023

Objectives

Nocturnal polyuria (NP) is one of the causes of nocturia that impairs quality of life. It is necessary to consider that NP is latent when the initial treatment for nocturia is unsatisfactory. Therefore, it is important to establish a treatment for NP based on the pathophysiology. We have previously reported the relationship between NP and fluctuation in blood pressure. The present study aimed to investigate the association between NP and 24‐h blood pressure fluctuations in a multicenter prospective study.

Methods

This study included male patients with lower urinary tract symptoms. We categorized the patients into the nonnocturnal polyuria (non‐NP) group (≤0.33) and the NP group (>0.33) based on the nocturnal polyuria index from the frequency volume chart. We measured the 24‐h diurnal blood pressure and compared the two groups.

Results

Among 90 patients, 46 in the non‐NP group and 44 in the NP group were included. There was no significant difference in the systolic and diastolic blood pressure during waking time between the two groups; however, the degree of systolic blood pressure reduction during sleep time in the NP group was significantly less than that in the non‐NP group (p = 0.039). In the multivariate analysis, systolic BP during sleep was significantly associated with NP (OR 0.970, p = 0.028).

Conclusion

NP is associated with inadequate nocturnal blood pressure reduction in males, suggesting that reduction in nocturnal blood pressure may lead to improvement in nocturia.
Changes in parental anxiety and intention to demand antibiotics: A longitudinal study among parents during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Alejandro Aaron Lapuz , Bruce Mieghan , Leo Wei Wei Cheryl
Published: December 2023

Aims

Assessing the effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic on parental anxiety and preferences for antibiotic treatment can help inform antibiotic stewardship strategies. Therefore, this study aimed to examine COVID‐19 pandemic‐related changes in parental anxiety levels, their intentions to demand antibiotics and frequencies of practising preventative behaviours.

Design

This longitudinal quantitative study compared two groups of parents, those from Victoria and Western Australia, who experienced high and low COVID‐19 risk, respectively.

Methods

Participants were recruited through an online panel to complete three waves of surveys between October 2020 and August 2021. Anxiety scores and frequency of preventative behaviours were analysed using mixed‐effects tobit regression, considering time, state, and their interaction as fixed effects predictors. Intention to demand antibiotics was modelled using multinomial logistic regression, with time, state, and their interaction as the predictors.

Results

The final longitudinal sample comprised 50 participants from Victoria and 51 from Western Australia. Parental anxiety did not significantly change over time for either state. Intention to demand antibiotics was also stable over time within each state; however, participants from Victoria exhibited stronger intentions to demand antibiotics compared to those from Western Australia. Frequencies of parental preventative behaviours declined from Wave 1 to Wave 2 before increasing again in Wave 3, but only for Western Australia.

Conclusion

This longitudinal study among Australian parents found stable parental anxiety and intention to demand antibiotics within each state. However, the intention to demand antibiotics and preventative behaviours varied between states as per the COVID‐19 risk. Thus, viral pandemics may not affect judicious antibiotic use, though the intention to demand antibiotics may increase in states with high COVID‐19 risk.

Impact

Though parental anxiety may not impact antibiotic stewardship during viral respiratory illness outbreaks, tailored messaging to maintain appropriate antibiotic use may be necessary, especially when the disease risk is high.
The relationship between phylogeny, range size, niche breadth and niche overlap in European orchids (Orchidaceae)
Authors: Jacquemyn Hans , De Coensel Ben , Evans Alexandra , Wang Deyi , Merckx Vincent S. F. T.
Published: December 2023

Aim

Understanding the various factors that contribute to the distribution and geographical ranges of plant and animal species has been a central issue in ecology, evolution and biogeography for more than two centuries. In this study, we investigated whether (i) niche breadth is phylogenetically conserved, (ii) niche overlap is negatively correlated with orchid evolutionary distance, and (iii) more recently diverged sister species show more niche overlap compared to older sister species.

Location

Europe.

Taxon

Orchids (Orchidaceae).

Methods

Ecological niche models were created for 107 European orchid species distributed across 17 genera using occurrence and environmental data. A time‐calibrated phylogeny was reconstructed and the phylogenetic signal for range size and niche breadth was estimated. Phylogenetic distances among species were calculated to test the hypothesis that niche overlap is explained by evolutionary history. Finally, we investigated whether the divergence age of sister taxa was negatively related to niche overlap.

Results

Range size and niche breadth in both geographical and environmental space varied by more than three orders of magnitude and were strongly correlated with each other. We did not find strong evidence for phylogenetic conservatism in range size, niche breadth and niche overlap. However, sister taxa pairs with older divergence age showed less overlap in their environmental niche compared to more recently diverged sister taxa.

Main Conclusions

We conclude that orchid species that have broader ecological niches tend to display larger range sizes. Our results further show that the current distribution of orchid species across the European continent is best explained by recent speciation events and relative rapid adaptation to local environmental conditions, while deep‐level phylogenetic relationships are not correlated with ecological niche breadth.
Effects of nurse‐led self‐care interventions on health outcomes among people with heart failure: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Huang Zehao , Liu Ting , Gao Ruitong , Chair Sek Ying
Published: December 2023

Aim

To estimate the effects of nurse‐led self‐care interventions on people with heart failure (HF).

Background

Research evidence of the effects of nurse‐led HF self‐care interventions on patient outcomes is scant.

Design

A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs).

Data Sources

Six databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, CENTRAL, CINAHL and PsycINFO) were searched from the inception to December 2022 to identify eligible studies.

Methods

RCTs published in English that evaluated the impact of nurse‐led HF self‐care interventions on quality of life, anxiety, symptom burden, sleep quality, healthcare service utilisation and mortality were included. The risk of bias in included studies was assessed using RoB 2.0. We conducted data syntheses using the R software and graded the quality of the evidence using the GRADE approach. The systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA.

Results

Twenty‐five studies with 2746 subjects were included. Our findings demonstrated, that compared to the controls, nurse‐led self‐care interventions improved QOL (SMD: .83, 95% CI: .50–1.15, moderate evidence), anxiety (MD: 1.39, 95% CI: .49–2.29, high evidence) and symptom burden (SMD: .81, 95% CI: .24–1.38, low evidence) in people with HF. No significant effects were found in all‐cause hospital readmission and all‐cause emergency department visit. Research evidence on sleep quality, cardiac‐related hospital readmission, cardiac‐related emergency department visit and all‐cause mortality remained unclear.

Conclusions

Our review suggests that nurse‐led HF self‐care interventions have favourable effects on the QOL, anxiety and symptom burden. Further, well‐designed RCTs are warranted to address the gaps identified in this review.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

The results indicated that nurse‐led HF self‐care interventions could improve QOL, anxiety and symptom burden in people with HF. Nurse‐led self‐care intervention could be integrated into current HF management practices.
Five angry men: advocating for and mobilizing EU gender equality law to advance men's rights
Authors: AYADA SOPHIA
Published: December 2023

This article analyses the impact of a men's rights organization involved in political lobbying and legal mobilization around gender equality issues at the European level since 1986. Drawing on the as‐yet unexplored archival materials of the Campaign for Equal State Pension Ages (CESPA), an organization that had a membership of about 1,200 individuals in the 1990s and later rebranded itself as PARITY, the article explores the meaning of European Union gender equality advocacy and mobilization by and for an organization initially composed exclusively of men based in the United Kingdom. It argues that anti‐discrimination law was successively used as a strategic tool by this organization to further class equality and as a potentially anti‐feminist instrument to defend men's rights.
Observing videos of mastication in dementia: Results of a clustered randomised controlled trial
Authors: Douma Johanna Gerdine , Vuijk Pieter Jelle , Volkers Karin Mariëlle , Scherder Erik Johan Anton
Published: December 2023

Objectives

The aim of this study was to examine effects of the observation of video‐recorded chewing in a daily setting on mixing ability, cognition, activities of daily living, depressive symptoms and quality of life of older adults with dementia.

Methods

A clustered randomised controlled trial was carried out with residents from 14 residential care facilities. n = 56 participants' data were analysed. An experimental group watched videos of people chewing, displayed on tablet‐PCs during lunch, while a control group watched videos of nature and buildings. This was scheduled to take place 5 days a week for 12 weeks. A two‐colour chewing gum test was used to measure mixing ability, neuropsychological tests for cognition and questionnaires for the other outcomes. Effects were examined via hierarchical linear mixed model analyses for T1–T3 (i.e. pre‐, halfway and post‐intervention). When a significant interaction effect was found, T4 (follow‐up) was also included.

Results

The experimental (n = 27) and control (n = 28) groups differed on a few variables at baseline. A significant Time*Group interaction effect was found for the Mini‐Mental State Examination only (b = 1.18, t(48.35) = 2.53, p = .015), in favour of the experimental group. A significant effect was also found, albeit smaller, when T4 was included.

Conclusion

One potential reason for the intervention effect on cognition is activation of specific brain areas. Some challenges associated with conducting this intervention in a daily setting are presented. Further research is required before a well‐considered decision can be made regarding any potential implementation.

Trial Registration

Number: NTR5124. Date of registration: 30 March 2015, retrospectively registered (during participant inclusion).
Melatonin improves cholestatic liver disease via the gut‐liver axis
Authors: Liu Xianjiao , Li Jinyan , Shi Mengdie , Fu Jun , Wang Yubo , Kang Weili , Liu Jinyan , Zhu Fenxia , Huang Kehe , Chen Xingxiang , Liu Yunhuan
Published: December 2023

Cholestatic liver disease is characterized by disturbances in the intestinal microbiota and excessive accumulation of toxic bile acids (BA) in the liver. Melatonin (MT) can improve liver diseases. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the mechanism of MT on hepatic BA synthesis, liver injury, and fibrosis in 3,5‐diethoxycarbonyl‐1,4‐dihydrocollidine (DDC)‐fed and Mdr2–/– mice. MT significantly improved hepatic injury and fibrosis with a significant decrease in hepatic BA accumulation in DDC‐fed and Mdr2–/– mice. MT reprogramed gut microbiota and augmented fecal bile salt hydrolase activity, which was related to increasing intestinal BA deconjugation and fecal BA excretion in both DDC‐fed and Mdr2–/– mice. MT significantly activated the intestinal farnesoid X receptor (FXR)/fibroblast growth factor 15 (FGF‐15) axis and subsequently inhibited hepatic BA synthesis in DDC‐fed and Mdr2–/– mice. MT failed to improve DDC‐induced liver fibrosis and BA synthesis in antibiotic‐treated mice. Furthermore, MT provided protection against DDC‐induced liver injury and fibrosis in fecal microbiota transplantation mice. MT did not decrease liver injury and fibrosis in DDC‐fed intestinal epithelial cell‐specific FXR knockout mice, suggesting that the intestinal FXR mediated the anti‐fibrosis effect of MT. In conclusion, MT ameliorates cholestatic liver diseases by remodeling gut microbiota and activating intestinal FXR/FGF‐15 axis‐mediated inhibition of hepatic BA synthesis and promotion of BA excretion in mice.
Guava fibre characterization and effects on digestibility, fermentation products, gastrointestinal transit time and palatability of dry diets for dogs
Authors: Monti Mariana , Loureiro Bruna A. , Pedreira Raquel Silveira , Mendonça Fernanda S. , Putarov Thaila C. , Villaverde Cecilia , Carciofi Aulus Cavalieri
Published: December 2023

The use of fruit fibres as a way of reusing industrial waste is attractive and necessary, increasing the efficiency and reducing the environmental impact of the industry. This study characterized guava fibre as a fibrous ingredient and evaluated its effects when included in extruded diets for dogs on nutrient digestibility, faecal traits, fermentation products, gastrointestinal transit time and palatability. Four diets were formulated: CO (control diet, no fibrous ingredients added), GF3 (3% guava fibre), GF6 (6% guava fibre) and GF12 (12% guava fibre). The guava fibre was added to diets in replacement of maize, with small adjustments in the other ingredients to ensure similar contents of protein and fat. The diets were fed to 24 adult Beagle dogs (6 per diet) during 15 days for adaptation followed by 15 days for assessment of digestibility, fermentation end products and gastrointestinal transit time. The palatability of G6 and G12 treatments was evaluated against the CO by the two‐pan test. Results were compared by analysis of variance and polynomial contrasts according to the guava fibre inclusion level (p < 0.05). The addition of guava fibre did not change nutrient intake except for the increase on dietary fibre (p < 0.001). Fibre inclusion resulted in a quadratic reduction in total tract apparent digestibility for dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and crude energy (p < 0.001), and on the metabolizable energy content of the foods (p < 0.001). Guava fibre addition did not change the faecal concentration of ammonia, lactic acid, faecal pH and branched chain fatty acids but it decreased acetic and propionic acids concentration (p < 0.01). The inclusion of 12% guava fibre did result in a faster transit time (p = 0.046) compared to the control diet. Guava fibre can be characterized as a novel insoluble non‐fermentable fibre source that could be safely used in levels up to 12% in canine extruded diets.
How age and sex affect treatment outcomes for children with severe malnutrition: A multi‐country secondary data analysis
Authors: Thurstans Susan , Opondo Charles , Bailey Jeanette , Stobaugh Heather , Loddo Fabrizio , Wrottesley Stephanie V. , Seal Andy , Myatt Mark , Briend André , Garenne Michel , Mertens Andrew , Wells Jonathan , Sear Rebecca , Kerac Marko
Published: December 2023

Age and sex influence the risk of childhood wasting. We aimed to determine if wasting treatment outcomes differ by age and sex in children under 5 years, enroled in therapeutic and supplementary feeding programmes. Utilising data from stage 1 of the ComPAS trial, we used logistic regression to assess the association between age, sex and wasting treatment outcomes (recovery, death, default, non‐response, and transfer), modelling the likelihood of recovery versus all other outcomes. We used linear regression to calculate differences in mean length of stay (LOS) and mean daily weight gain by age and sex. Data from 6929 children from Kenya, Chad, Yemen and South Sudan was analysed. Girls in therapeutic feeding programmes were less likely to recover than boys (pooled odds ratio [OR]: 0.84, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.72–0.97, p = 0.018). This association was statistically significant in Chad (OR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.39–0.95, p = 0.030) and Yemen (OR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.27–0.81, p = 0.006), but not in Kenya and South Sudan. Multinomial analysis, however, showed no difference in recovery between sexes. There was no difference between sexes for LOS, but older children (24–59 months) had a shorter mean LOS than younger children (6–23 months). Mean daily weight gain was consistently lower in boys compared with girls. We found few differences in wasting treatment outcomes by sex and age. The results do not indicate a need to change current programme inclusion requirements or treatment protocols on the basis of sex or age, but future research in other settings should continue to investigate the aetiology of differences in recovery and implications for treatment protocols.
Genomic landscape of introgression from the ghost lineage in a gobiid fish uncovers the generality of forces shaping hybrid genomes
Authors: Kato Shuya , Arakaki Seiji , Nagano Atsushi J. , Kikuchi Kiyoshi , Hirase Shotaro
Published: December 2023

Extinct lineages can leave legacies in the genomes of extant lineages through ancient introgressive hybridization. The patterns of genomic survival of these extinct lineages provide insight into the role of extinct lineages in current biodiversity. However, our understanding on the genomic landscape of introgression from extinct lineages remains limited due to challenges associated with locating the traces of unsampled ‘ghost’ extinct lineages without ancient genomes. Herein, we conducted population genomic analyses on the East China Sea (ECS) lineage of Chaenogobius annularis, which was suspected to have originated from ghost introgression, with the aim of elucidating its genomic origins and characterizing its landscape of introgression. By combining phylogeographic analysis and demographic modelling, we demonstrated that the ECS lineage originated from ancient hybridization with an extinct ghost lineage. Forward simulations based on the estimated demography indicated that the statistic γ of the HyDe analysis can be used to distinguish the differences in local introgression rates in our data. Consistent with introgression between extant organisms, we found reduced introgression from extinct lineage in regions with low recombination rates and with functional importance, thereby suggesting a role of linked selection that has eliminated the extinct lineage in shaping the hybrid genome. Moreover, we identified enrichment of repetitive elements in regions associated with ghost introgression, which was hitherto little known but was also observed in the re‐analysis of published data on introgression between extant organisms. Overall, our findings underscore the unexpected similarities in the characteristics of introgression landscapes across different taxa, even in cases of ghost introgression.
Demonstration of differential ventricular overdrive pacing during long RP’ supraventricular tachycardia
Authors: Nagase Masaru , Nakashima Takashi , Nakatani Yosuke , Vlachos Konstantinos , Morimoto Mikihito , Shibahara Taro , Ono Daiju , Yamada Takehiro , Suzuki Keita , Yamaura Makoto , Ido Takahisa , Takahashi Shigekiyo , Aoyama Takuma
Published: December 2023

We described the differential ventricular overdrive pacing during long RP' supraventricular tachycardia and discussed about its response leading to the dianosis.
Theoretical insights into the photophysics of an unnatural base Z: A MS‐CASPT2 investigation
Authors: Chen Xin‐Rui , Jiang Wen‐Jun , Guo Qian‐Hong , Liu Xiang‐Yang , Cui Ganglong , Li Laicai
Published: December 2023

We have employed the highly accurate multistate complete active space second‐order perturbation theory (MS‐CASPT2) method to investigate the photoinduced excited state relaxation properties of one unnatural base, namely Z. Upon excitation to the S2 state of Z, the internal conversion to the S1 state would be dominant. From the S1 state, two intersystem crossing paths leading to the T2 and T1 states and one internal conversion path to the S0 state are possible. However, considering the large barrier to access the S1/S0 conical intersection and the strong spin‐orbit coupling between S1 and T2 states (>40 cm−1), the intersystem crossing to the triplet manifolds is predicted to be more preferred. Arriving at the T2 state, the internal conversion to the T1 state and the intersystem crossing back to the S1 state are both possible considering the S1/T2/T1 three‐state intersection near the T2 minimum. Upon arrival at the T1 state, the deactivation to S0 can be efficient after overcoming a small barrier to access T1/S0 crossing point, where the spin‐orbit coupling (SOC) is as large as 39.7 cm−1. Our present work not only provides in‐depth insights into the photoinduced process of unnatural base Z, but can also help the future design of novel unnatural bases with better photostability.
The impact of electrode selection for ocular correction on the reward positivity and late positive potential components in adolescents
Authors: Pegg Samantha , Dao Anh , Venanzi Lisa , Hill Kaylin , Kujawa Autumn
Published: December 2023

Electroencephalography (EEG) data processing to derive event‐related potentials (ERPs) follows a standard set of procedures to maximize signal‐to‐noise ratio. This often includes ocular correction, which corrects for artifacts introduced by eye movements, typically measured by electrooculogram (EOG) using facial electrodes near the eyes. Yet, attaching electrodes to the face may be uncomfortable for some populations, best to avoid in some situations, and contribute to data loss. Eye movements can also be measured using electrodes in a standard 10–20 EEG cap. An examination of the impact of electrode selection on ERPs is needed to inform best practices. The present study examined data quality when using different electrodes to measure eye movements for ocular correction (i.e., facial electrodes, cap electrodes, and no ocular correction) for two well‐established and widely studied ERP components (i.e., reward positivity, RewP; and late positive potential, LPP) elicited in adolescents (N = 34). Results revealed comparable split‐half reliability and standardized measurement error (SME) between facial and cap electrode approaches, with lower SME for the RewP with facial or cap electrodes compared to no ocular correction. Few significant differences in mean amplitude of ERPs were observed, but the LPP to positive images differed when using facial compared to cap electrodes. Findings provide preliminary evidence of the ability to collect high‐quality ERP data without facial electrodes. However, when using cap electrodes for EOG measurement and ocular correction, it is recommended to use consistent procedures across the sample or statistically examine the impact of ocular correction procedures on results.
The desirability bias in personality‐related syllogistic reasoning
Authors: Hadžiahmetović Nina , Opačić Goran , Teovanović Predrag , Kolenović‐Đapo Jadranka
Published: December 2023

Introduction

The belief‐bias effect is a tendency to evaluate syllogistic statements based on believability rather than on formal logic validity. Following this rationale, the study examines desirability bias as the tendency to evaluate syllogistic conclusions based on their desirability when reasoning is conducted on personality‐relevant categorical syllogisms.

Methods

For this purpose, 60 syllogisms were constructed based on the items of the Big Five questionnaire. Syllogisms were subsequently categorized as desirable (e.g., “I empathize with others”) and undesirable (e.g., “I am passive”) based on their conclusion. In each task, the second premise and the conclusion were formulated in the first person to increase a respondent's identification with the content. A total of 300 university students (Mage = 20.08, SD = 2.02) participated in the study.

Results

A 2 (syllogism validity: valid, invalid) × 2 (syllogism desirability: desirable, undesirable) repeated measures ANOVA was employed. The analysis showed a greater tendency to accept desirable conclusions on valid syllogisms (valid desirable rather than valid undesirable) and reject undesirable conclusions on invalid syllogisms (invalid undesirable rather than invalid desirable).

Conclusion

These findings have implications for socially desirable responding in cognitive tasks, which may be further developed as a source of self‐relevant content as well as for further extension of belief bias in the form of desirability bias.
Nonparametric conditional mean testing via an extreme‐type statistic in high dimension
Authors: Liu Yiming , Pan Guangming , Yang Guangren , Zhou Wang
Published: December 2023

We propose a new test to investigate the conditional mean dependence between a response variable and the corresponding covariates in the high‐dimensional regimes. The test statistic is an extreme‐type one built on the nonparametric method. The limiting null distribution of the proposed extreme type statistic under a mild mixing condition is established. Moreover, to make the test more powerful in general structures we propose a more general test statistic and develop its asymptotic properties. The power analysis of both methods is also considered. In real data analysis, we also propose a new way to conduct the feature screening based on our results. To evaluate the performance of our estimators and other methods, extensive simulations are conducted.
Canine cutaneous lupus erythematosus with prominent interdigital lesions in two greyhounds
Authors: Wyatt Eleanor K. , Schmidt Vanessa , Legnani Sara
Published: December 2023

Canine cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CCLE) is a well‐described, yet uncommon, autoimmune disease which can present clinically with different variants. This case report describes the clinical and histopathological presentation, and treatment response, of CCLE affecting a novel location, the interdigital skin, in two unrelated greyhounds.
Diagnosis of traumatic urethral stricture in a canine patient with contrast‐enhanced voiding urosonography : A case report
Authors: Trikoupi Georgia , Papadopoulou Paraskevi , Adamama‐Moraitou Katerina , Papazoglou Lysimachos
Published: December 2023

A 5‐year‐old intact male mixed‐breed dog presented with a 3‐day history of stranguria and dysuria. Results of physical examination, plain radiographs, and ultrasonography were consistent with a traumatic urethral stricture in the prescrotal urethra just under the previous trauma region, resulting in partial obstruction of urine outflow. Contrast‐enhanced voiding urosonography (CE‐VUS) was performed, and a urethral stricture was confirmed. The dog underwent surgery. A scrotal urethrostomy was performed. After 3 days of hospitalization, the dog was discharged from the Clinic. Based on an extensive literature review, this is the first report using CE‐VUS to evaluate urethral pathology in a canine patient.
An Improved Similarity-based Fuzzy Group Decision Making Model through Preference Transformation and K-Means Clustering Algorithm
Authors: Zaid Afiqah Sofiya , Kamis Nor Hanimah , Md Rodzi Zahari , Kilicman Adem , A Kadir Norhidayah
Published: December 2023

Group decision making plays a crucial role in organizational and community contexts, facilitating the exchange of expert opinions to arrive at effective decisions. The concept of preference, reflecting an individual's subjective evaluation of criteria or alternatives, forms a foundational element in this process. This study focuses on transforming non-fuzzy preferences, such as preference ordering and utility functions, into fuzzy preference relations (FPR) to address the uncertainty and uniformity inherent in expert preferences. To further enhance decision-making, we assess and visualize the similarity among the experts' uniform preferences. Integrating the K-means clustering algorithm into the fuzzy group decision making model allows for the predetermination of an appropriate number of groups based on the available alternatives. By aggregating individual preferences, we present a final ranking of alternatives. The enhanced methodology, as demonstrated through comparative analysis, showcases its ability to yield positive benefits when applied to decision-making applications.
A Comparative Study of Alpha Frequency Analysis between Medical and Consumer-grade Electroencephalography Devices on the Measurement of Male Healthy Subjects
Authors: Suwandi Galih Restu Fardian , Risyad Syaukha Ahmad , Khotimah Siti Nurul , Haryanto Freddy , - Suprijadi
Published: December 2023

The relatively high cost of medical-grade electroencephalography (EEG) devices has pushed the production of low-cost wireless consumer-grade devices. Therefore, it is essential to assess the performance of wireless consumer devices to determine whether they are sufficient for medical purposes. This research assessed consumer-grade EEG (C-EEG) recording quality by quantitatively comparing the consumer-grade EEG with a medical-grade EEG device (M-EEG). Recording data from C-EEG and M-EEG were obtained from 20 male subjects in age 19-23 years old. Recording for both devices was done sequentially with similar methods of recording. Upon EEG recording, the subject is asked to sit in a chair facing the screen. EEG recording was performed when the subject was asked to open and close their eyes for 30 seconds each. Subsequently, subjects took a verbal memory test. This research compared the following parameters: power spectral density (PSD), full width at half max (FWHM) from PSD, and individual peak alpha frequency (IPAF) shift. P-value, standard error, mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) and mean squared error (MSE) were also obtained based on mentioned parameters. Based on the IPAF shift, it was concluded that C-EEG could read EEG signals against time well. Based on PSD and FWHM results, it was concluded that the C-EEG could not read EEG signal amplitudes well compared to the M-EEG device. The results of this research are important as a benchmark for carrying out further research using EEG, both medical and consumer-grade.
Tools to assess the risk of bias of evidence syntheses: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Hasanoff Sabira , Pollock Danielle , Barker Timothy H. , Munn Zachary
Published: December 2023

Objective:

The aim of this scoping review is to identify and examine risk of bias tools, critical appraisal tools, and/or assessment of methodological quality tools (including their items and domains) developed to assess all types of evidence syntheses.

Introduction:

Evidence synthesis is often the basis for policies, procedures, decisions, and evidence-based practice. It is imperative that evidence syntheses are of good quality, reproducible, and reliable. Despite methodological advancements, there remains a substantial risk that bias is present in the conduct of an evidence synthesis project, hindering the validity and reliability of the findings. One way to assess bias is through formal tools and assessments for assessing the risk of bias and/or methodological quality.

Inclusion criteria:

Published and unpublished papers presenting a risk of bias, critical appraisal, or methodological quality assessment tool for assessing an evidence synthesis will be included. Individual umbrella reviews proposing a de novo tool or modified tool will be excluded from the review, as will texts that do not present a tool.

Methods:

A 3-step search strategy will be conducted to locate both published and unpublished documents. An initial search of PubMed was developed with a librarian, which identified keywords and MeSH terms. A second search of MEDLINE (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCOhost), Embase (Ovid), Scopus, and Compendex will follow. Websites and databases, including Google, Cochrane, and JBI, will be searched for difficult-to-locate and unpublished literature. Documents will be independently screened, selected, and extracted by 2 researchers, and the data will be presented narratively and in tables.

Review registration:

Open Science Framework osf.io/mjcfy
Cardiac nitric oxide scavenging: role of myoglobin and mitochondria
Authors: Giles Abigail V. , Edwards Lanelle , Covian Raul , Lucotte Bertrand M. , Balaban Robert S.
Published: December 2023

Vascular production of nitric oxide (NO) regulates vascular tone. However, highly permeable NO entering the cardiomyocyte would profoundly impact metabolism and signalling without scavenging mechanisms. The purpose of this study was to establish mechanisms of cardiac NO scavenging. Quantitative optical studies of normoxic working hearts demonstrated that micromolar NO concentrations did not alter mitochondria redox state or respiration despite detecting NO oxidation of oxymyoglobin to metmyoglobin. These data are consistent with proposals that the myoglobin/myoglobin reductase (Mb/MbR) system is the major NO scavenging site. However, kinetic studies in intact hearts reveal a minor role (∼9%) for the Mb/MbR system in NO scavenging. In vitro, oxygenated mitochondria studies confirm that micromolar concentrations of NO bind cytochrome oxidase (COX) and inhibit respiration. Mitochondria had a very high capacity for NO scavenging, importantly, independent of NO binding to COX. NO is also known to quickly react with reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vitro. Stimulation of NO scavenging with antimycin and its inhibition by substrate depletion are consistent with NO interacting with ROS generated in Complex I or III under aerobic conditions. Extrapolating these in vitro data to the intact heart supports the hypothesis that mitochondria are a major site of cardiac NO scavenging.

image

Key points

Cardiomyocyte scavenging of vascular nitric oxide (NO) is critical in maintaining normal cardiac function.

Myoglobin redox cycling via myoglobin reductase has been proposed as a major NO scavenging site in the heart.

Non‐invasive optical spectroscopy was used to monitor the effect of NO on mitochondria and myoglobin redox state in intact beating heart and isolated mitochondria.

These non‐invasive studies reveal myoglobin/myoglobin reductase plays a minor role in cardiac NO scavenging.

A high capacity for NO scavenging by heart mitochondria was demonstrated, independent of cytochrome oxidase binding but dependent on oxygen and high redox potentials consistent with generation of reactive oxygen species.
Identification of Spalling Fault Size of Ball Bearing Based on Modified Energy Value
Authors: Zhang Ke , Zhang Ru , Wang Zinan , Bai Xiaotian , Shi Huaitao
Published: December 2023

The size of bearing outer ring spalling failures has a significant impact on the vibration and service life of rotating machinery. It is necessary to judge the size of the outer ring fault size. Most of the vibration analyses identify the bearing fault size only in terms of the shock interval. The decreasing impact of the shock on the vibration signal will be related to the identification accuracy of the shock interval. This study aims to identify some feasible vibration signal processing methods for the identification of outer ring spalling sizes of ball bearings based on a modified energy value. The method involves the influence of impact forces on the measured vibration characteristics. According to the simulation analysis, the mapping relationship between the vibration signals with different fault sizes and the modified energy value is obtained. Then, the size of the spalling failure size of the ball-bearing outer ring is determined. Compared to existing methods, the proposed method is less affected by impact forces. Simulation and experiment results have verified the accuracy of this fault size identification.
“They’ve Never Played the Game”: “Cool Sports Girls,” Gender Inequality, and Garbage Time in Sports Punditry
Authors: Henry Taylor M.
Published: December 2023

In the 2010s, certain women in the sports television industry ascended beyond the often-reductive roles of studio hosts or sideline reporters, giving their sports opinions and occasionally hosting their own programs. This article argues that women who achieve this standing are forced to play a new role, that of the “cool sports girl.” Although “cool sports girls” gain male support through adopting masculine-coded traits, such as sports knowledge and smack talk, this article examines the misogynistic backlash these women face, interpreting the backlash as representing finite boundaries of the gains that women have achieved in a hypermasculine industry. This article reads the tenure of Katie Nolan at Fox Sports (2013–2017) as a representative example of how female television pundits exhibit agency amid entrenched industrial patriarchy.
Regulation of chlamydial spreading from the small intestine to the large intestine by IL-22-producing CD4
+
T cells
Authors: Xu Ying , Wang Yihui , Winner Halah , Yang Huijie , He Rongze , Wang Jie , Zhong Guangming
Published: December 2023

Following an oral inoculation,
Chlamydia muridarum
descends to the mouse large intestine for long-lasting colonization. However, a mutant
C. muridarum
that lacks the plasmid-encoded protein pGP3 due to an engineered premature stop codon (designated as CMpGP3S) failed to do so even following an intrajejunal inoculation. This was because a CD4
+
T cell-dependent immunity prevented the spread of CMpGP3S from the small intestine to the large intestine. In the current study, we found that mice deficient in IL-22 (IL-22
−/−
) allowed CMpGP3S to spread from the small intestine to the large intestine on day 3 after intrajejunal inoculation, indicating a critical role of IL-22 in regulating the chlamydial spread. The responsible IL-22 is produced by CD4
+
T cells since IL-22
−/−
mice were rescued to block the CMpGP3S spread by donor CD4
+
T cells from C57BL/6J mice. Consistently, CD4
+
T cells lacking IL-22 failed to block the spread of CMpGP3S in Rag2
−/−
mice, while IL-22-competent CD4
+
T cells did block. Furthermore, mice deficient in cathelicidin-related antimicrobial peptide (CRAMP) permitted the CMpGP3S spread, but donor CD4
+
T cells from CRAMP
−/−
mice were still sufficient for preventing the CMpGP3S spread in Rag2
−/−
mice, indicating a critical role of CRAMP in regulating chlamydial spreading, and the responsible CRAMP is not produced by CD4
+
T cells. Thus, the IL-22-producing CD4
+
T cell-dependent regulation of chlamydial spreading correlated with CRAMP produced by non-CD4
+
T cells. These findings provide a platform for further characterizing the subset(s) of CD4
+
T cells responsible for regulating bacterial spreading in the intestine.
An inhibitor/anti-inhibitor system controls the activity of lytic transglycosylase MltF in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Wang Michelle , Xiao Ma Sheya , Darwin Andrew J.
Published: December 2023

Most bacterial cell envelopes contain a cell wall layer made of peptidoglycan. The synthesis of new peptidoglycan is critical for cell growth, division, and morphogenesis and is also coordinated with peptidoglycan hydrolysis to accommodate the new material. However, the enzymes that cleave peptidoglycan must be carefully controlled to avoid autolysis. In recent years, some control mechanisms have begun to emerge, although there are many more questions than answers for how most cell wall hydrolases are regulated. Here, we report a novel cell wall hydrolase control mechanism in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, which we discovered during our characterization of a mutant sensitive to the overproduction of a secretin protein. The mutation affected an uncharacterized Sel1-like repeat protein encoded by the PA3978 locus. In addition to the secretin-sensitivity phenotype, PA3978 disruption also increased resistance to a β-lactam antibiotic used in the clinic.
In vivo
and
in vitro
analyses revealed that PA3978 binds to the catalytic domain of the lytic transglycosylase MltF and inhibits its activity. ∆PA3978 mutant phenotypes were suppressed by deleting
mltF
, consistent with them having been caused by elevated MltF activity. We also discovered another interaction partner of PA3978 encoded by the PA5502 locus. The phenotypes of a ∆PA5502 mutant suggested that PA5502 interferes with the inhibitory function of PA3978 toward MltF, and we confirmed that activity for PA5502
in vitro
. Therefore, PA3978 and PA5502 form an inhibitor/anti-inhibitor system that controls MltF activity. We propose to name these proteins IltA (
i
nhibitor A of
l
ytic
t
ransglycosylase) and LiiA (
l
ytic transglycosylase
i
nhibitor A’s
i
nhibitor).

IMPORTANCE

A peptidoglycan cell wall is an essential component of almost all bacterial cell envelopes, which determines cell shape and prevents osmotic rupture. Antibiotics that interfere with peptidoglycan synthesis have been one of the most important treatments for bacterial infections. Peptidoglycan must also be hydrolyzed to incorporate new material for cell growth and division and to help accommodate important envelope-spanning systems. However, the enzymes that hydrolyze peptidoglycan must be carefully controlled to prevent autolysis. Exactly how this control is achieved is poorly understood in most cases but is a highly active area of current research. Identifying hydrolase control mechanisms has the potential to provide new targets for therapeutic intervention. The work here reports the important discovery of a novel inhibitor/anti-inhibitor system that controls the activity of a cell wall hydrolase in the human pathogen
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, which also affects resistance to an antibiotic used in the clinic.
Efficacy of EHEC gold nanoparticle vaccines evaluated with the Shiga toxin-producing
Citrobacter rodentium
mouse model
Authors: Bowser Sarah , Melton-Celsa Angela , Chapartegui-González Itziar , Torres Alfredo G.
Published: December 2023

Enterohemorrhagic
Escherichia coli
(EHEC) is a group of pathogenic bacteria responsible for several foodborne-associated outbreaks of human diarrheal disease. Although EHEC is a major cause of morbidity as well as the condition known as hemolytic uremic syndrome, linked to the production of Shiga toxins (Stx), there are no licensed vaccines approved for human use. Fully assessing vaccine efficacy against EHEC infections is challenging because conventional adult mice are inherently resistant to EHEC infection and do not develop hallmark symptoms of the disease. Therefore, in this study, we utilized a strain of the murine pathogen
Citrobacter rodentium
that has been lysogenized to produce Stx2d, which consistently causes lethal infection and other measurable disease outcomes following oral challenge, to further evaluate the protective efficacy of our previously formulated EHEC gold nanoparticle (AuNP) vaccines. Using this model, along with a non-Stx2d-producing
C. rodentium
strain, we assessed the protection conferred by AuNPs conjugated to three EHEC antigens: EscC, LomW, and intimin (Eae). We demonstrated that intranasally immunizing mice with AuNP-Eae provides partial protection against mortality caused by Stx2d-producing
C. rodentium
and that AuNP-EscC and AuNP-Eae moderately reduce intestinal burden of the non-Stx2d-producing
C. rodentium
strain compared with adjuvant-only-treated mice. Additionally, the AuNP-protein vaccines induced antigen- and pathogen-specific serum IgG and fecal IgA against both EHEC and
C. rodentium
while
in vitro
functional assays indicate that the elicited antibodies are bactericidal and prevent adherence of
C. rodentium
to intestinal epithelial cells. We propose that
C. rodentium
murine data could translate into correlates of protection.

IMPORTANCE

Enterohemorrhagic
Escherichia coli
(EHEC) remains an important cause of diarrheal disease and complications worldwide, especially in children, yet there are no available vaccines for human use. Inadequate pre-clinical evaluation due to inconsistent animal models remains a major barrier to novel vaccine development. We demonstrate the usefulness of Stx2d-producing
Citrobacter rodentium
in assessing vaccine effectiveness because it more closely recapitulates human disease caused by EHEC.
Combined usage of serodiagnosis and O antigen typing to isolate Shiga toxin-producing
Escherichia coli
O76:H7 from a hemolytic uremic syndrome case and genomic insights from the isolate
Authors: Lee Kenichi , Iguchi Atsushi , Terano Chikako , Hataya Hiroshi , Isobe Junko , Seto Kazuko , Ishijima Nozomi , Akeda Yukihiro , Ohnishi Makoto , Iyoda Sunao ,   EHEC Working Group in Japan, Morimoto Yo , Ogawa Keiko , Ishiguro Makoto , Kikuchi Masayuki , Sampei Mika , Aoki Yoko , Seto Junji , Ishikawa Kanako , Sato Takashi , Kikuchi Koji , Tomari Kentaro , Ueno Hiroyuki , Hazama Kyoko , Kikuchi Takashi , Yajima Masayuki , Kanazawa Satoko , Kawase Masao , Kimata Keiko , Yuruzume Saya , Shiroza Mika , Kitagawa Emiko , Yoshikawa Misa , Yokoyama Koji , Ono Satoko , Furukawa Yumi , Matsuyama Miki , Furuta Ayako , Noda Makiko , Kameyama Yoshihiko , Aota Tatsuaki , Katamune Chiharu , Shimoda Yuko , Abe Yuri , Tamura Sawako , Furukawa Yurika , Obara Atsumi
Published: December 2023

Minor O-serogroups of Shiga toxin-producing
Escherichia coli
(STEC) can cause severe clinical complications in humans, including hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). However, detection and isolation of these minor serogroups of STEC are challenging due to the lack of specific isolation methods. Here, we present a case of HUS in which STEC was not isolated by routine diagnostic tests for the major serotypes. Therefore, we tried a new diagnostic and isolation method that combines PCR screening, immunomagnetic bead separation, and serum agglutination tests and successfully isolated STEC O76. Subsequent genomic analyses of the STEC O76 isolates revealed that several isolates of this serogroup carrying
stx2
were related to severe infections. The complete genome of the HUS-derived isolates provided two important implications. First, using a complete genome as a reference in core genome single nucleotide polymorphism analysis leads to the highest resolution of the analysis. Second, the HUS-derived STEC O76:H7 possessed two copies of Stx2a prophages, and one of them showed a “prophage integrating into prophage” structure, as described in STEC O145:H28. These results demonstrate that our detection methods contribute to the diagnosis and isolation of minor serogroups of STECs and complete genomic analyses can illuminate the pathogenic potential of STECs.

IMPORTANCE

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a life-threatening disease caused by Shiga toxin-producing
Escherichia coli
(STEC) infection. The treatment approaches for STEC-mediated typical HUS and atypical HUS differ, underscoring the importance of rapid and accurate diagnosis. However, specific detection methods for STECs other than major serogroups, such as O157, O26, and O111, are limited. This study focuses on the utility of PCR-based O-serotyping, serum agglutination tests utilizing antibodies against the identified Og type, and isolation techniques employing antibody-conjugated immunomagnetic beads for STEC isolation. By employing these methods, we successfully isolated a STEC strain of a minor serotype, O76:H7, from a HUS patient.