bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ingrained city rhythms: flexible activity timing but more persistent circadian pace in urban birds
Authors: Tomotani Barbara M. , Timpen Fabian , Spoelstra Kamiel
Published: May 2023

Urbanization dramatically increases the amount of light at night, which may disrupt avian circadian organization. We measured activity patterns of great tits breeding in the city and forest, and subsequently measured two clock properties of these birds under controlled conditions: tau (endogenous circadian clock speed) and after-effects (history dependency of the clock relative to previous conditions). City and forest birds showed a high repeatability of activity onset (0.60 and 0.41, respectively), with no difference between habitats after controlling for date effects. Activity duration and offset showed more variance, without a difference between birds from the two habitats. Tau did not differ between city and forest birds, however, city birds showed stronger after-effects, taking more days to revert to their endogenous circadian period. Finally, onset of activity was correlated with clocks speed in both habitats. Our results suggest that potential differences in activity timing of city birds is not caused by different clock speeds, but by a direct response to light. Persistence in after-effects suggests a reduced sensitivity of the clock to light at night. Urbanization may select for clock properties that increase the inertia of the endogenous circadian system to improve accuracy of activity rhythms when exposed to noisier lighting cues.
When death comes: linking predator–prey activity patterns to timing of mortality to understand predation risk
Authors: Shiratsuru Shotaro , Studd Emily K. , Boutin Stan , Peers Michael J. L. , Majchrzak Yasmine N. , Menzies Allyson K. , Derbyshire Rachael , Jung Thomas S. , Krebs Charles J. , Boonstra Rudy , Murray Dennis L.
Published: May 2023

The assumption that activity and foraging are risky for prey underlies many predator–prey theories and has led to the use of predator–prey activity overlap as a proxy of predation risk. However, the simultaneous measures of prey and predator activity along with timing of predation required to test this assumption have not been available. Here, we used accelerometry data on snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) and Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) to determine activity patterns of prey and predators and match these to precise timing of predation. Surprisingly we found that lynx kills of hares were as likely to occur during the day when hares were inactive as at night when hares were active. We also found that activity rates of hares were not related to the chance of predation at daily and weekly scales, whereas lynx activity rates positively affected the diel pattern of lynx predation on hares and their weekly kill rates of hares. Our findings suggest that predator–prey diel activity overlap may not always be a good proxy of predation risk, and highlight a need for examining the link between predation and spatio-temporal behaviour of predator and prey to improve our understanding of how predator–prey behavioural interactions drive predation risk.
A community genomics approach to natural hybridization
Authors: Zbinden Zachery D. , Douglas Marlis R. , Chafin Tyler K. , Douglas Michael E.
Published: May 2023

Hybridization is a complicated, oft-misunderstood process. Once deemed unnatural and uncommon, hybridization is now recognized as ubiquitous among species. But hybridization rates within and among communities are poorly understood despite the relevance to ecology, evolution and conservation. To clarify, we examined hybridization across 75 freshwater fish communities within the Ozarks of the North American Interior Highlands (USA) by single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping 33 species (
N
=
2865 individuals; double-digest restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD)). We found evidence of hybridization (70 putative hybrids; 2.4% of individuals) among 18 species-pairs involving 73% (24/33) of study species, with the majority being concentrated within one family (Leuciscidae/minnows; 15 species; 66 hybrids). Interspecific genetic exchange—or introgression—was evident from 24 backcrossed individuals (10/18 species-pairs). Hybrids occurred within 42 of 75 communities (56%). Four selected environmental variables (species richness, protected area extent, precipitation (May and annually)) exhibited 73–78% accuracy in predicting hybrid occurrence via random forest classification. Our community-level assessment identified hybridization as spatially widespread and environmentally dependent (albeit predominantly within one diverse, omnipresent family). Our approach provides a more holistic survey of natural hybridization by testing a wide range of species-pairs, thus contrasting with more conventional evaluations.
Bacteremia and obstructive pyelonephritis caused by Bifidobacterium breve in an elderly woman: A case report and literature review
Authors: Nishio Mitsuru , Morioka Hiroshi , Takai Shun , Osada Yukari , Seki Yoshie , Osugi Takato , Oba Airi , Miyaki Yuki
Published: May 2023

Bifidobacterium spp. are non-spore-forming gram-positive anaerobes that are indigenous to the human gastrointestinal tract and vagina. They are believed to be a non-pathogenic organism to humans, thus they are widely used as probiotics. 
 An 83-year-old woman taking cephalexin for 4 days was diagnosed with obstructive pyelonephritis. Y-branched gram-positive rods were found in both anaerobic and aerobic blood culture bottles, and in an anaerobic urine culture. Bifidobacterium breve was finally identified. Ceftriaxone and metronidazole were administered to the patient, and she was discharged after intermittent catheterization for dysuria.
 Urinary tract infection caused by Bifidobacterium spp. is believed to be rare, but it can develop in patients with underlying urological conditions. Recognition of the characteristic morphology and conducting anaerobic urine culture may help in identifying more cases of Bifidobacterium urinary tract infections.
Improvement of speed-accuracy tradeoff during practice of a point to point task in children with secondary dystonia
Authors: Kasiri Maral , Biffi Emilia , Ambrosini Emilia , Pedrocchi Alessandra , Sanger Terence D.
Published: May 2023

The tradeoff between speed and accuracy is a well-known constraint for human movement, but previous work has shown that this tradeoff can be modified by practice, and the quantitative relationship between speed and accuracy may be an indicator of skill in some tasks. We have previously shown that children with dystonia are able to adapt their movement strategy in a ballistic throwing game to compensate for increased variability of movement. Here we test whether children with dystonia can adapt and improve skill learnt on a trajectory task. We use a novel task in which children move a spoon with a marble between two targets. Difficulty is modified by changing the depth of the spoon. Our results show that both healthy children and children with secondary dystonia move more slowly with the more difficult spoons, and both groups improve the relationship between speed and spoon difficulty following one week of practice. By tracking the marble position in the spoon, we show that children with dystonia use a larger fraction of the available variability, whereas healthy children adopt a much safer strategy and remain farther from the margins, as well as learning to adopt and have more control over the marble’s utilized area by practice. Together, our results show that both healthy children and children with dystonia choose trajectories that compensate for risk and inherent variability, and that the increased variability in dystonia can be modified with continued practice.
Uncovering genetic associations in the human diseasome using an endophenotype-augmented disease network
Authors: Woerner Jakob , Sriram Vivek , Nam Yonghyun , Verma Anurag , Kim Dokyoon
Published: May 2023

Many diseases exhibit complex multimorbidities with one another. An intuitive way to model the connections between phenotypes is with a disease-disease network (DDN), where nodes represent diseases and edges represent associations, such as shared single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), between pairs of diseases. To gain further genetic understanding of molecular contributors to disease associations, we propose a novel version of the shared-SNP DDN (ssDDN), denoted as ssDDN+, which includes connections between diseases derived from genetic correlations with endophenotypes. We hypothesize that a ssDDN+ can provide complementary information to the disease connections in a ssDDN, yielding insight into the role of clinical laboratory measurements in disease interactions. Using PheWAS summary statistics from the UK Biobank, we constructed a ssDDN+ revealing hundreds of genetic correlations between disease phenotypes and quantitative traits. Our augmented network uncovers genetic associations across different disease categories, connects relevant cardiometabolic diseases, and highlights specific biomarkers that are associated with cross-phenotype associations. Out of the 31 clinical measurements under consideration, HDL-C connects the greatest number of diseases and is strongly associated with both type 2 diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. Triglycerides, another blood lipid with known genetics causes in non-mendelian diseases, also adds a substantial number of edges to the ssDDN. Our study can facilitate future network-based investigations of cross-phenotype associations involving pleiotropy and genetic heterogeneity, potentially uncovering sources of missing heritability in multimorbidities.
Prevalence and factors associated with tobacco use among patients with tobacco related illness in four national referral hospitals of Kenya
Authors: Mwenda Valerian , Odeny Lazarus , Mohamed Shukri , Gathecha Gladwell , Kendagor Anne , Kiptui Dorcas , Jaguga Florence , Mugi Beatrice , Mithi Caroline , Okinda Kennedy , Mwai Daniel , Njuguna David , Awuor Winnie , Kitonyo-Devotsu Rachel , Ong’ang’o Jane Rahedi
Published: May 2023

Background

Tobacco use is a risk factor for many chronic health conditions. Demonstrating the link between tobacco use and disease burden can strengthen tobacco control. We estimated the prevalence and correlates of tobacco use among patients with tobacco related illnesses (TRI) at four national referral hospitals in Kenya.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study among patients with four TRI (cancer, cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular disease and pulmonary tuberculosis) during January–October 2022. Cases were identified from medical records and a questionnaire used to collect socio-demographic information and tobacco use history. Descriptive statistics were used to estimate prevalence of tobacco use. Multiple logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated tobacco use among patients with TRI.

Results

We identified 2032 individuals with TRI; 46% (939/2,032) had age ≥60 years, and 61% (1,241/2,032) were male. About 45% (923/2,032) were ever tobacco users (6% percent current and 39% former tobacco users). Comorbidities were present in 28% of the participants. Most (92%) of the patients had been diagnosed with the TRI within the previous five years. The most frequent TRI were oral pharyngeal cancer (36% [725/2,032]), nasopharyngeal cancer (12% [246/2.032]) and lung cancer (10% [202/2,032]). Patients >60 years (aOR 2.24, 95% CI: 1.84, 2.73) and not in a marital union (aOR 1.21, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.42) had higher odds of tobacco use. Female patients (aOR 0.35, 95% CI: 0.30, 0.41) and those with no history of alcohol use (aOR 0.27, 95% CI: 0.23, 0.31), had less odds of tobacco use. Odds of tobacco use increased with age and decreased with increasing education level.

Conclusion

Prevalence of tobacco use was high among patients with TRI in Kenya, especially among older, male, less educated, unmarried, and alcohol users. We recommend sustained tobacco use screening and cessation programs among patients with TRI as part of clinical care.
Identifying occupational health inequities in the absence of suitable data: are there inequities in access to adequate bathrooms in U.S. workplaces?
Authors: Johnson Candice Y. , Fujishiro Kaori
Published: May 2023

Objectives

Our research questions are often chosen based on the existence of suitable data for analysis or prior research in the area. For new interdisciplinary research areas, such as occupational health equity, suitable data might not yet exist. In this manuscript, we describe how we approached a research project in the absence of suitable data, using the example of identifying inequities in adequate bathrooms in U.S. workplaces.

Methods

We created a conceptual model that explained the causation of occupational health inequities, and from this model identified a series of questions that could be answered using separate datasets. Breaking up the analysis into multiple steps allowed us to use multiple data sources and analysis methods, which helped compensate for limitations in each dataset.

Results

Using the conceptual model as a guide, we were able to identify jobs that likely have inadequate bathrooms as well as subpopulations potentially at higher risk for inadequate bathrooms. We also identified specific data gaps by reflecting on the challenges we faced in our multi-step analysis.

Conclusions

We share our conceptual model and our example analysis to motivate epidemiologists to avoid letting availability of data limit the research questions they pursue.

What is already known on this topic

Conducting research in interdisciplinary research areas, such as occupational health equity, can be challenging because suitable data often do not exist.

What this study adds

We created a conceptual model that explains the causation of occupational health inequities, which helps conduct analyses with less than optimal data.

How this study might affect research, practice or policy

Using this approach allows researchers to combine multiple data sources and analysis methods to answer a single research question, expanding the research questions that can be addressed with existing data.
Identifying key factors in predicting Chikungunya and Zika transmission in French Polynesia: a data-driven mathematical model
Authors: Yu Zhiyuan , Huo Xi , Thomas Peter J. , Huang Qimin
Published: May 2023

Background

Chikungunya and Zika are both arboviruses transmitted through theAedesmosquitoes, which are ectothermic, leading to seasonal outbreak patterns of virus infections in the human population. Mathematical models linked with mosquito trap data, human case data, or both, have proven to be powerful tools for understanding the transmission dynamics of arboviral diseases. However, while predictive models should consider a variety of features in the environment, vectors, and hosts, it is not clear which aspects are essential to assist with short-term forecasting.

Methodology

We consider four simple models with various assumptions, including mosquito dynamics, temperature impacts, or both, and apply each model to forecast the Chikungunya and Zika outbreaks of nine different regions in French Polynesia. We use standard statistical criteria to compare the accuracy of each model in predicting the magnitude of the outbreak to select the most appropriate model to use as an alert system for arbovirus infections. Moreover, by calibrating our “best model”, we estimate biologically meaningful parameter values to explore the commonality and difference between Chikungunya and Zika epidemics.

Conclusions

We show that incorporating the mosquito population dynamics in the arbovirus transmission model is essential for accurate arbovirus case prediction. In addition, such enhancement in the accuracy of prediction is more obvious for the Chikungunya data than the Zika data, suggesting that mosquito dynamics play a more important role in Chikungunya transmission than Zika transmission. In contrast, incorporating the effects of temperature may not be necessary for past outbreaks in French Polynesia. With the well-calibrated model, we observe that the Chikungunya virus has similar but slightly higher transmissibility than the Zika virus in most regions. The best-fit parameters for the mosquito model suggest that Chikungunya has a relatively longer mosquito infectious period and a higher mosquito-to-human transmission rate. Further, our findings suggest that universal vector control plans will help prevent future Zika outbreaks. In contrast, targeted control plans focusing on specific mosquito species could benefit the prevention of Chikungunya outbreaks.
Contrast Response Function Estimation with Nonparametric Bayesian Active Learning
Authors: Marticorena Dom CP , Wong Quinn Wai , Browning Jake , Wilbur Ken , Jayakumar Samyukta , Davey Pinakin , Seitz Aaron R. , Gardner Jacob R. , Barbour Dennis L.
Published: May 2023

Multidimensional psychometric functions can typically be estimated nonparametrically for greater accuracy or parametrically for greater efficiency. By recasting the estimation problem from regression to classification, however, powerful machine learning tools can be leveraged to provide an adjustable balance between accuracy and efficiency. Contrast Sensitivity Functions (CSFs) are behaviorally estimated curves that provide insight into both peripheral and central visual function. Because estimation can be impractically long, current clinical workflows must make compromises such as limited sampling across spatial frequency or strong assumptions on CSF shape. This paper describes the development of the Machine Learning Contrast Response Function (MLCRF) estimator, which quantifies the expected probability of success in performing a contrast detection or discrimination task. A machine learning CSF can then be derived from the MLCRF. Using simulated eyes created from canonical CSF curves and actual human contrast response data, the accuracy and efficiency of the MLCSF was evaluated in order to determine its potential utility for research and clinical applications. With stimuli selected randomly, the MLCSF estimator converged slowly toward ground truth. With optimal stimulus selection via Bayesian active learning, convergence was nearly an order of magnitude faster, requiring only tens of stimuli to achieve reasonable estimates. Inclusion of an informative prior provided no consistent advantage to the estimator as configured. MLCSF achieved efficiencies on par with quickCSF, a conventional parametric estimator, but with systematically higher accuracy. Because MLCSF design allows accuracy to be traded off against efficiency, it should be explored further to uncover its full potential.

Precis

Machine learning classifiers enable accurate and efficient contrast sensitivity function estimation with item-level prediction for individual eyes.
Balloon guide catheter effect on first pass and revascularization success
Authors: Modzelewski Michael D , Perlman Sabrina M , Duggan Mark C , Liang Conrad W
Published: May 2023

Background

The benefit of balloon guide catheter (BGC) use in endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) of patients with acute ischemic stroke remains uncertain. This study assessed the influence of BGC use during EVT on first pass (FP) and revascularization (RV) success in a cohort of stroke patients from a multi-hospital health system.

Methods

Patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (LVO) undergoing EVT with stent-retriever or aspiration between 2012 and 2018 at three Kaiser Permanente Southern California (KPSC) region hospitals were identified. A chi-squared test compared the relationship of BGC use with the primary outcomes of FP and RV success using a dichotomized thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) score of 2b or greater.

Results

218 patients were included. 35 (16%) underwent EVT with BGC. FP success rate did not significantly differ with 37.1% (95% CI 21.5% to 55.1%) FP success in patients that received EVT with BGC and 41.5% (95% CI 34.3% to 49.0%) in patients that received EVT without BGC (p = 0.71). Successful final RV did not significantly differ between the two groups with 85.7% (95% CI 69.7% to 95.2%) final RV success in the EVT with BGC group and 88.5% (95% CI 83.0% to 92.8%) in the EVT without BGC group (p = 0.78). There was no significant difference in FP (p = 0.88) or RV success (p = 0.42) between the BGC (37% FP and 86% RV), non-BGC stent-retriever (42% FP and 92% RV), and aspiration thrombectomy groups (41% FP and 86% RV).

Conclusion

There was no observed association between BGC use in EVT of anterior circulation LVO and rates of first pass revascularization or final revascularization.
Adrenaline rush in athletes: Visualizing glucose fluctuations during high-intensity races
Authors: Kajisa Taira , Sakai Toshiyuki
Published: May 2023

Under stressful or exciting conditions, athletes can perform beyond their typical capabilities during a so-called “adrenaline rush.” In the preliminary study by one sub-elite runner, we found that even in the fasted state, hyperglycemia occurs during high loaded running by the fact that both blood glucose and interstitial fluid glucose levels rose rapidly to 11-12 mM. This suggests that glycogen in the liver is degraded by anti-stress hormones, leading to an increase in glucose concentration. In the next, we analyzed the temporal changes in interstitial glucose concentration before, during, and after races using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data obtained from a total of 36 elite long-distance athletes including walking race (non-fasting state). We found that even healthy subjects recorded high glucose levels (mean 8.3 ± 1.5 mM) before the start of the race and the glucose fluctuations during the race were also recorded at 11.2 ± 2.2 mM, suggesting not only blood glucose level fluctuation due to supplementation before the races, but also due to the effects of stress hormones such as epinephrine, cortisol and glucagon. Furthermore, the mean glucose level during the daytime for the three days before the race event was significantly different by 0.3 mM (p<0.001) compared to the mean during the daytime for the three days after the race. These results suggested that efficient utilization of liver glycogen is important to keep high performance throughout the race, since the liver glycogen also consumed under stress.
Heterogeneous changes in mobility in response to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2 outbreak in Shanghai
Authors: Zhang Juanjuan , Tan Suoyi , Peng Cheng , Xu Xiangyanyu , Wang Mengning , Lu Wanying , Wu Yanpeng , Sai Bin , Cai Mengsi , Kummer Allisandra G. , Chen Zhiyuan , Zou Junyi , Li Wenxin , Zheng Wen , Liang Yuxia , Zhao Yuchen , Vespignani Alessandro , Ajelli Marco , Lu Xin , Yu Hongjie
Published: May 2023

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the measures taken by authorities to control its spread had altered human behavior and mobility patterns in an unprecedented way. However, it remains unclear whether the population response to a COVID-19 outbreak varies within a city or among demographic groups. Here we utilized passively recorded cellular signaling data at a spatial resolution of 1km × 1km for over 5 million users and epidemiological surveillance data collected during the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2 outbreak from February to June 2022 in Shanghai, China, to investigate the heterogeneous response of different segments of the population at the within-city level and examine its relationship with the actual risk of infection. Changes in behavior were spatially heterogenous within the city and population groups, and associated with both the infection incidence and adopted interventions. We also found that males and individuals aged 30-59 years old traveled more frequently, traveled longer distances, and their communities were more connected; the same groups were also associated with the highest SARS-CoV-2 incidence. Our results highlight the heterogeneous behavioral change of the Shanghai population to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2 outbreak and the its effect on the heterogenous spread of COVID-19, both spatially and demographically. These findings could be instrumental for the design of targeted interventions for the control and mitigation of future outbreaks of COVID-19 and, more broadly, of respiratory pathogens.

Significance Statement

Our study utilized passively recorded cellular signaling data and epidemiological surveillance data to investigate the changes human mobility to a COVID-19 outbreak at an unprecedented within-city level and examine its relationship with the actual risk of infection. Our findings highlight the heterogeneous behavioral change of the Shanghai population to the 2022 SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2 outbreak and its heterogenous effect on the SARS-CoV-2 spread, both spatially and demographically. The implications of our findings could be instrumental to inform spatially targeted interventions at the within-city scale to mitigate possible new surges of COVID-19 cases as well as fostering preparedness for future respiratory infections disease outbreaks.
Rapid and Portable Quantification of HIV RNA via a Smartphone-enabled Digital CRISPR Device and Deep Learning
Authors: Ngo Hoan T. , Akarapipad Patarajarin , Lee Pei-Wei , Park Joon Soo , Chen Fan-En , Trick Alexander Y. , Hsieh Kuangwen , Wang Tza-Huei
Published: May 2023

For the 28.2 million people in the world living with HIV/AIDS and receiving antiretroviral therapy, it is crucial to monitor their HIV viral loads with ease. To this end, rapid and portable diagnostic tools that can quantify HIV RNA are critically needed. We report herein a rapid and quantitative digital CRISPR-assisted HIV RNA detection assay that has been implemented within a portable smartphone-based device as a potential solution. Specifically, we first developed a fluorescence-based reverse transcription recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA)-CRISPR assay for isothermally and rapidly detecting HIV RNA at 42 °C in < 30 min. When realized within a commercial stamp-sized digital chip, this assay yields strongly fluorescent digital reaction wells corresponding to HIV RNA. The isothermal reaction condition and the strong fluorescence in the small digital chip unlock compact thermal and optical components in our device, allowing us to engineer a palm-size (70 × 115 × 80 mm) and lightweight (< 0.6 kg) device. Further leveraging the smartphone, we wrote a custom app to control the device, perform the digital assay, and acquire fluorescence images throughout the assay time. We additionally trained and verified a Deep Learning-based algorithm for analyzing fluorescence images and detecting strongly fluorescent digital reaction wells. Using our smartphone-enabled digital CRISPR device, we were able to detect 75 copies of HIV RNA in 15 min and demonstrate the potential of our device toward convenient monitoring of HIV viral loads and combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Determinants of obesity among rural adolescents in Vhembe district, Limpopo Province, South Africa
Authors: Baloyi Brenda , Mushaphi Lindelani Fumudzani , Mabapa Ngoako Solomon
Published: May 2023

The increased prevalence of obesity is due to a decreased level of physical activity and increased intake of fast food. Furthermore, obesity among children and adolescent is a risk factor for life-threatening conditions including cardiovascular diseases (CVD), Cardio-metabolic disorders, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cancer and reproductive disorders. The aim of this study is to describe the determinants of obesity. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 377 adolescents aged 13 to 20 years from 16 secondary schools in Thulamela Municipality, Vhembe District Limpopo Province, South Africa. Information about socio-demographic characteristics, household income, disease family history, and level of education of parents was obtained using a self-administered questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements such as weight, height and waist circumference were taken by trained field workers and body mass index (BMI), and the waist-hip ratio were determined. Biochemical measurements and clinical assessment were done by a professional nurse following standard procedures. The prevalence of obesity is 22.2% in males and 32.6% in females by abdominal obesity by (waist circumference), whilst 11.1% (males) and 28.3% (females) by waist to hip ratio (WHR). Gender (β=0.32, p=0.018, 95%CI); age (β=1.28, p=0.015, 95%CI); source of income (β=3.25, p=0.008, 95%CI) and systolic blood pressure (β=1.04, p=0.01, 95%CI) were associated with obesity. Overweight and obesity were more prevalent in females than in males in Thulamela municipality. There is a need to bring up children and adolescents in a health-promoting environment in an effort to reverse and stop the increasing trend of overweight and obesity.
ChatGPT versus human in generating medical graduate exam questions – An international prospective study
Authors: Cheung Billy Ho Hung , Lau Gary Kui Kai , Wong Gordon Tin Chun , Lee Elaine Yuen Phin , Kulkarni Dhananjay , Seow Choon Sheong , Wong Ruby , Co Michael Tiong Hong
Published: May 2023

Introduction

This is a prospective study on the quality of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) generated by the language model ChatGPT for the use in medical graduate examination.

Methods

50 MCQs were generated by ChatGPT with reference to two standard undergraduate medical textbooks (Harrison’s, and Bailey & Love’s). Another 50 MCQs were drafted by two university professoriate staffs using the same medical textbooks. All 100 MCQ were individually numbered, randomized and sent to five independent international assessors for MCQ quality assessment using a standardized assessment score on five assessment domains; namely, appropriateness of the question, clarity and specificity, relevance, discriminative power of alternatives, and suitability for medical graduate examination.

Results

The total time required for ChatGPT to create the 50 questions was 20 minutes 25 seconds while it took two human examiners a total of 211 minutes 33 seconds for drafting the 50 questions.

When a comparison of the mean score was made between the questions constructed by AI with those drafted by human, only in the relevance domain that the AI was inferior to human (AI: 7.56 +/- 0.94 vs human: 7.88 +/- 0.52; p = 0.04). There was no significant difference in question quality between questions drafted by AI versus human, in the total assessment score as well as in other domains.

Questions generated by AI yielded a wider range of scores while those created by human were consistent and within a narrower range.

Conclusion

ChatGPT has the potential to generate comparable-quality MCQs for medical graduate examination within a significantly shorter time.
A peptide derived from the SARS-CoV-2 S2-protein heptad-repeat-2 inhibits pseudoviral fusion at micromolar concentrations: Role of palmitic acid conjugation
Authors: Düzgüneş Nejat , Tao Zhihua , Zhang Yuxia , Krajewski Krzysztof
Published: May 2023

SARS-CoV-2 S protein-mediated fusion is thought to involve the interaction of the membrane-distal, or N-terminal heptad repeat (NHR) (“HR1”) of the cleaved S2 segment of the protein, and the membrane-proximal, or C-terminal heptad repeat (CHR) (“HR2”) regions of the protein. Following the observations of Xia et al (Xia S, Liu M, Wang C, Xu W, Lan Q, Feng S, Qi F, Bao L, Du L, Liu S, Qin C, Sun F, Shi Z, Zhu Y, Jiang S, Lu L. Cell Res. 2020b Apr;30(4):343-355), we examined the fusion inhibitory activity of a PEGylated HR2-derived peptide and its palmitoylated derivative, using a pseudovirus infection assay. The latter peptide caused a 76% reduction in fusion activity at 10 μM. Our results suggest that small variations in peptide derivatization and differences in the membrane composition of pseudovirus preparations may affect the inhibitory potency of HR2-derived peptides.
Utility of GPT-4 as an Informational Patient Resource in Otolaryngology
Authors: Suresh Krish , Rathi Vinay , Nwosu Obinna , Partain Matthew P. , Glicksman Jordan T. , Jowett Nathan , Crowson Matthew G.
Published: May 2023

We sought to understand the potential utility of ChatGPT as an informational resource for otolaryngology patients. We evaluated responses by GPT-4 to queries based on the American Academy of Otolaryngology’s Clinical Practice Guidelines. We found that while otolaryngology advice provided by ChatGPT is generally safe, it lacks accuracy and comprehensiveness, limiting its utility as an informational resource for patients.

Lay Summary

As the popularity of ChatGPT explodes, patients may turn to it for medical advice. We found that while otolaryngology advice provided by ChatGPT is generally safe, it lacks accuracy and comprehensiveness, limiting its utility as an informational resource for patients.
PrenatalBRCA1epimutations contribute significantly to triple-negative breast cancer development
Authors: Nikolaienko Oleksii , Eikesdal Hans P. , Gilje Bjørnar , Lundgren Steinar , Blix Egil S. , Espelid Helge , Geisler Jürgen , Geisler Stephanie , Janssen Emiel A.M. , Yndestad Synnøve , Minsaas Laura , Leirvaag Beryl , Lillestøl Reidun , Knappskog Stian , Lønning Per E.
Published: May 2023

Background

Normal cellBRCA1epimutations have been associated with increased risk of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, the fraction of TNBCs that may haveBRCA1epimutations as their underlying cause is unknown.

Methods

To address this question, we analyzedBRCA1methylation status in breast cancer tissue and matched white blood cells (WBC) from 411 patients with primary breast cancer, including 66 TNBCs, applying a highly sensitive sequencing assay, allowing allele-resolved methylation assessment. Further, to assess the time of origin and the characteristics of normal cellBRCA1methylation, we analyzed umbilical cord blood of 1260 newborn girls.

Results

We found concordant tumor and mosaic WBCBRCA1epimutations in 10 out of 66 patients with TNBC and in four out of six patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-low expression (<10%) tumors (combined: 14 out of 72; 19.4%; 95% CI 11.1–30.5). In contrast, we found concordance in only three out of 221 patients with ER≥10% tumors and zero out of 116 patients with HER2-positive tumors. Intraindividually,BRCA1epimutations affected the same allele in normal and tumor cells. AssessingBRCA1methylation in umbilical WBCs from girls, we found mosaic, predominantly monoallelicBRCA1epimutations, with qualitative features similar to those in adults, in 113/1260 (9.0%) of individuals.

Conclusions

Our findings reveal prenatalBRCA1epimutations to be the underlying cause of around 20% of TNBC and low-ER expression breast cancers.
Blood lead concentrations in exposed forecourt attendants and taxi drivers in parts of South Africa
Authors: Olowoyo J.O. , Tshoni U.A. , Kobyana A.S. , Lion G.N. , Mugivhisa L.L. , Koski L , Wärmländer S.K.T.S. , Roos P.M.
Published: May 2023

Background

Leaded fuel was banned in South Africa in 2006, in order to improve human health and reduce environmental pollution. Lead (Pb) has been suggested to contribute to the development of neurodegenerative disorders, and the role of respiratory exposure to Pb from petrol fumes should not be neglected in this context. In addition to Pb, petrol contains various harmful chemicals including other neurotoxic metals and hydrocarbons.

Objectives and Methods

Here, we investigated concentrations of Pb and other metals in blood from taxi drivers (n=21), petrol station forecourt attendants (n=38), and a control group (n=36). Participants were divided into three groups based on number of years worked as taxi drivers or forecourt attendants. A questionnaire was designed to investigate the health status of the participants. Blood samples were collected by medical professionals and analyzed for metal concentrations by ICP-MS.

Results

A positive correlation between number of years worked and Pb blood concentrations was found. The highest Pb concentration (60.2 μg/L) was observed in a forecourt attendant who had worked 11 to 20 years, and the average Pb concentration in this group (24.5 μg/L) was significantly higher (p<0.05) than in forecourt attendants who had worked 2 to 5 years (10.4 μg/L). Some individuals had elevated concentrations of manganese, arsenic, cadmium, chromium and cobalt, yet not significantly elevated at the group level. The blood levels of arsenic appeared to be related to smoking. Mood swings, dizziness, headaches and tiredness were reported by the participants.

Conclusion

Blood Pb concentrations in petrol station forecourt attendants and taxi drivers exposed to petrol are elevated and correlate to exposure time. A health monitoring program should be erected for all individuals working in these industries, and preventive measures should be implemented to eliminate metal exposure from petrol.
Network anatomy in logopenic variant of primary progressive aphasia
Authors: Mandelli Maria Luisa , Lorca-Puls Diego L. , Lukic Sladjana , Montembeault Maxime , Gajardo-Vidal Andrea , Licata Abigail , Scheffler Aaron , Battistella Giovanni , Grasso Stephanie M , Bogley Rian , Ratnasiri Buddhika M. , La Joie Renaud , Mundada Nidhi S. , Europa Eduardo , Rabinovici Gil , Miller Bruce L. , De Leon Jessica , Henry Maya L. , Miller Zachary , Gorno-Tempini Maria Luisa
Published: May 2023

The logopenic variant of primary progressive aphasia (lvPPA) is a neurodegenerative syndrome characterized linguistically by gradual loss of repetition and naming skills, resulting from left posterior temporal and inferior parietal atrophy. Here, we sought to identify which specific cortical loci are initially targeted by the disease (epicenters) and investigate whether atrophy spreads through pre-determined networks. First, we used cross-sectional structural MRI data from individuals with lvPPA to define putative disease epicenters using a surface-based approach paired with an anatomically-fine-grained parcellation of the cortical surface (i.e., HCP-MMP1.0 atlas). Second, we combined cross-sectional functional MRI data from healthy controls and longitudinal structural MRI data from individuals with lvPPA to derive the epicenter-seeded resting-state networks most relevant to lvPPA symptomatology and ascertain whether functional connectivity in these networks predicts longitudinal atrophy spread in lvPPA. Our results show that two partially distinct brain networks anchored to the left anterior angular and posterior superior temporal gyri epicenters were preferentially associated with sentence repetition and naming skills in lvPPA. Critically, the strength of connectivity within these two networks in the neurologically-intact brain significantly predicted longitudinal atrophy progression in lvPPA. Taken together, our findings indicate that atrophy progression in lvPPA, starting from inferior parietal and temporo-parietal junction regions, predominantly follows at least two partially non-overlapping pathways, which may influence the heterogeneity in clinical presentation and prognosis.
Educating the Next Generation of Cancer Researchers: Evaluation of A Cancer Research Partnership Training Program
Authors: Zhu Lin , Dodd SJ , Chen Yuku , Kaminsky Emily R. , Liu Zhiqing Elaine , Ma Grace X. , Ogunwobi Olorunseun O. , Fang Carolyn Y.
Published: May 2023

African American, American Indian and Alaska Native, Hispanic (or Latinx), Native Hawaiian, and other Pacific Islander groups are underrepresented in the biomedical workforce, which is one of the barriers to addressing cancer disparities among minority populations. The creation of a more inclusive biomedical workforce dedicated to reducing the burden of cancer health disparities requires structured, mentored research and cancer-related research exposure during the earlier stages of training. The Summer Cancer Research Institute (SCRI), a multicomponent 8-week intensive summer program funded under the Partnership between a Minority Serving Institute and a National Institutes of Health-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. This study assessed whether students who participated in the SCRI Program report greater knowledge and interest in pursuing careers in cancer-related fields than their counterparts who did not participate in SCRI. Successes, challenges, and solutions in providing training in cancer and cancer health disparities research to improve diversity in the biomedical fields were also discussed.
Convergent imaging-transcriptomic evidence for disturbed iron homeostasis in Gilles de la Tourette syndrome
Authors: Kanaan Ahmad Seif , Yu Dongmei , Metere Riccardo , Schäfer Andreas , Schlumm Torsten , Bilgic Berkin , Anwander Alfred , Mathews Carol A. , Scharf Jeremiah M. , Müller-Vahl Kirsten , Möller Harald E.
Published: May 2023

Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS) is a neuropsychiatric movement disorder with reported abnormalities in various neurotransmitter systems. Considering the integral role of iron in neurotransmitter synthesis and transport, it is hypothesized that iron exhibits a role in GTS pathophysiology. As a surrogate measure of brain iron, quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) was performed in 28 patients with GTS and 26 matched controls. Significant susceptibility reductions in the patient cohort, consistent with reduced local iron content, were obtained in subcortical regions known to be implicated in GTS. Regression analysis revealed a significant negative association of tic scores and striatal susceptibility. To interrogate genetic mechanisms that may drive these reductions, spatially specific relationships between susceptibility and gene-expression patterns extracted from the Allen Human Brain Atlas were assessed. Correlations in the striatum were enriched for excitatory, inhibitory, and modulatory neurochemical signaling mechanisms in the motor regions, mitochondrial processes driving ATP production and iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis in the executive subdivision, and phosphorylation-related mechanisms that affect receptor expression and long-term potentiation. This link between susceptibility reductions and normative transcriptional profiles suggests that disruptions in iron regulatory mechanisms are involved in GTS pathophysiology and may lead to pervasive abnormalities in mechanisms regulated by iron-containing enzymes.
The spectrum of psychiatric manifestations in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis: a systematic review of published case reports and case series
Authors: Garg Ravindra Kumar , Kar Sujita Kumar , Malhotra Hardeep Singh , Pandey Shweta , Jain Amita , Rizvi Imran , Uniyal Ravi , Kumar Neeraj
Published: May 2023

Background

Data related to psychiatric manifestations in SSPE is currently available only in form of isolated case reports. In this systematic review, we evaluated the spectrum of psychiatric manifestations and their impact on the course and outcome of SSPE.

Methods

Data were obtained from four databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar), with the most recent search conducted on 27/03/2023. The PRISMA guidelines were followed, and the PROSPERO registration number for the protocol is CRD42023408227. SSPE was diagnosed using Dyken’s criteria. Extracted data were recorded in an Excel spreadsheet. To evaluate the quality of the data, the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tool was employed.

Results

Our search resulted in 30 published reports of 32 patients. The mean age was 17.9 years. Schizophrenia, catatonia, and poorly characterized psychotic illnesses were the three most common psychiatric presentations (60%) in SSPE cases. Mania or depression was reported among 23% (7/32) cases. In 10% of cases, the initial clinical presentation of SSPE was considered functional/ hysterical. In approximately 81% (26/32) cases, the course of SSPE was rapidly progressive (either acute fulminant or subacute). Treatment with antipsychotic drugs had poor or no response. Out of 17 patients who received antipsychotic drugs 6 patients noted severe extrapyramidal adverse effects, that further deteriorated the clinical condition of the patients.

Conclusion

Several patients with SSPE inadvertently end up in psychiatric care due to some psychiatric manifestation. Early psychiatric disorders in SSPE are often subtle and diagnosis of SSPE is easily missed.
Microtubules under mechanical pressure can breach dense actin networks
Authors: Gélin Matthieu , Schaeffer Alexandre , Gaillard Jérémie , Guérin Christophe , Vianay Benoit , Orhant-Prioux Magali , Braun Marcus , Leterrier Christophe , Blanchoin Laurent , Théry Manuel
Published: May 2023

The crosstalk between actin network and microtubules is key to the establishment of cell polarity. It ensures that the asymmetry of actin architec ture along cell periphery directs the organization of microtubules in cell interior. In particular, the way the two networks are physically inter-twined regulates the spatial organization and the distribution of forces in the microtubule network. While their biochemical crosstalk is getting uncovered, their mechanical crosstalk is still poorly understood. Here we designed an in vitro reconstitution assay to study the physical interaction between dynamic microtubules with various structures made of actin fil aments. We found that microtubules can align and move by their polymerization force along linear bundles of actin filaments. But they cannot enter dense and branched actin meshworks, such as those found in the lamellipodium along cell periphery. However, when microtubules are immobilized, by their crosslinking with actin structures or others means, the force of polymerization builds up pressure in the microtubules that is sufficient to allow them to breach and penetrate these dense actin meshworks. This mechanism may explain the final progression of microtubules up to cell periphery through the denser parts of the actin network.
Annotating Macromolecular Complexes in the Protein Data Bank: Improving the FAIRness of Structure Data
Authors: Appasamy Sri Devan , Berrisford John , Gaborova Romana , Nair Sreenath , Anyango Stephen , Grudinin Sergei , Deshpande Mandar , Armstrong David , Pidruchna Ivanna , Ellaway Joseph I. J. , Leines Grisell Díaz , Gupta Deepti , Harrus Deborah , Varadi Mihaly , Velankar Sameer
Published: May 2023

Macromolecular complexes are essential functional units in nearly all cellular processes, and their atomic-level understanding is critical for elucidating and modulating molecular mechanisms. The Protein Data Bank (PDB) serves as the global repository for experimentally determined structures of macromolecules. Structural data in the PDB offer valuable insights into the dynamics, conformation, and functional states of biological assemblies. However, the current annotation practices lack standardised naming conventions for assemblies in the PDB, complicating the identification of instances representing the same assembly.

In this study, we introduce a method leveraging resources external to PDB, such as the Complex Portal, UniProt and Gene Ontology, to describe assemblies and contextualise them within their biological settings accurately. Employing the proposed approach, we assigned standard names and provided value-added annotations to over 90% of unique assemblies in the PDB. This standardisation of assembly data enhances the PDB, facilitating a deeper understanding of these cellular components. Furthermore, the data standardisation improves the PDB’s FAIR attributes, fostering more effective basic and translational research and education across scientific disciplines.