bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Post-campaign coverage evaluation of a measles and rubella supplementary immunization activity in five districts in India, 2019–2020
Authors: Thangaraj Jeromie Wesley Vivian , Prosperi Christine , Kumar Muthusamy Santhosh , Hasan Alvira Z. , Kumar V. Saravana , Winter Amy K. , Bansal Avi Kumar , Chauhan Sanjay L. , Grover Gagandeep Singh , Jain Arun Kumar , Kulkarni Ragini N. , Sharma Santanu Kumar , Soman Biju , Chaaithanya Itta K. , Kharwal Sanchit , Mishra Sunil K. , Salvi Neha R. , Sarmah Nilanju P. , Sharma Sandeep , Varghese Adarsh , Sabarinathan R. , Duraiswamy Augustine , Rani D. Sudha , Kanagasabai K. , Lachyan Abhishek , Gawali Poonam , Kapoor Mitali , Chonker Saurabh Kumar , Sangal Lucky , Mehendale Sanjay M. , Sapkal Gajanan N. , Gupta Nivedita , Hayford Kyla , Moss William J. , Murherkar Manoj V.
Published: March 2024

Background

In alignment with the Measles and Rubella (MR) Strategic Elimination plan, India conducted a mass measles and rubella vaccination campaign across the country between 2017 and 2020 to provide a dose of MR containing vaccine to all children aged 9 months to 15 years. We estimated campaign vaccination coverage in five districts in India and assessed campaign awareness and factors associated with vaccination during the campaign to better understand reasons for not receiving the dose.

Methods and findings

Community-based cross-sectional serosurveys were conducted in five districts of India among children aged 9 months to 15 years after the vaccination campaign. Campaign coverage was estimated based on home-based immunization record or caregiver recall. Campaign coverage was stratified by child- and household-level risk factors and descriptive analyses were performed to assess reasons for not receiving the campaign dose. Three thousand three hundred and fifty-seven children aged 9 months to 15 years at the time of the campaign were enrolled. Campaign coverage among children aged 9 months to 5 years documented or by recall ranged from 74.2% in Kanpur Nagar District to 90.4% in Dibrugarh District, Assam. Similar coverage was observed for older children. Caregiver awareness of the campaign varied from 88.3% in Hoshiarpur District, Punjab to 97.6% in Dibrugarh District, Assam, although 8% of children whose caregivers were aware of the campaign were not vaccinated during the campaign. Failure to receive the campaign dose was associated with urban settings, low maternal education, and lack of school attendance although the associations varied by district.

Conclusion

Awareness of the MR vaccination campaign was high; however, campaign coverage varied by district and did not reach the elimination target of 95% coverage in any of the districts studied. Areas with lower coverage among younger children must be prioritized by strengthening the routine immunization programme and implementing strategies to identify and reach under-vaccinated children.
Towards personalised anti-microbial and immune approaches to infections in acute care. Can real-time genomic-informed diagnosis of pathogens, and immune-focused therapies improve outcomes for patients? An observational, experimental study protocol
Authors: Quarton Samuel , McGee Kirsty , Cumley Nicola , Behruznia Mahboobeh , Jeff Charlotte , Belchamber Kylie , Cox Michael , Thickett David , Scott Aaron , Parekh Dhruv , McNally Alan , Sapey Elizabeth
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Infection causes a vast burden of disease, with significant mortality, morbidity and costs to health-care systems. However, identifying the pathogen causative infection can be challenging, resulting in high use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, much of which may be inappropriate. Novel metagenomic methods have potential to rapidly identify pathogens, however their clinical utility for many infections is currently unclear. Outcome from infection is also impacted by the effectiveness of immune responses, which can be impaired by age, co-morbidity and the infection itself. The aims of this study are twofold:

To compare diversity of organisms identified and time-to-result using metagenomic methods versus traditional culture -based techniques, to explore the potential clinical role of metagenomic approaches to pathogen identification in a range of infections.

To characterise the ex vivo function of immune cells from patients with acute infection, exploring host and pathogen-specific factors which may affect immune function and overall outcomes.

Methods

This is a prospective observational study of patients with acute infection. Patients with symptoms suggestive of an acute infection will be recruited, and blood and bodily fluid relevant to the site of infection collected (for example, sputum and naso-oropharyngeal swabs for respiratory tract infections, or urine for a suspected urinary tract infection). Metagenomic analysis of samples will be compared to traditional microbiology, alongside the antimicrobials received. Blood and respiratory samples such as bronchoalveolar lavage will be used to isolate immune cells and interrogate immune cell function. Where possible, similar samples will be collected from matched participants without a suspected infection to determine the impact of infection on both microbiome and immune cell function.
Shear strength and particle breakage of construction and demolition waste as a function of moisture state and compaction level: Insights for sustainable highway engineering
Authors: Yosri Ahmed M. , Azam Abdelhalim , Alanazi Fayez , Alshehri Abdulaziz H. , Okail Mohamed Ahmed
Published: March 2024

In this study, the variation of shear strength behavior and particle breakage (after shearing), as a function of moisture state and compaction level, is investigated for recycled concrete aggregate blended with recycled clay masonry. Recycled masonry was blended with concrete aggregate in percentages ranging from 0% to 30% by total weight. Tests include; basic engineering characteristics (particle size, modified compaction, hydraulic conductivity, and California Bearing Ratio, CBR) as well as unconsolidated undrained static triaxial testing. In triaxial tests, moisture levels ranged from 60% to 100% of optimum moisture content, but compaction levels ranged from 90% to 98% of maximum dry density. The hydraulic conductivity for blends is approximately 2x10-6 cm/s, which indicates a relatively low hydraulic conductivity. Results show a proportional linear relationship between the shear strength of blends and the level of compaction. Despite this, both apparent cohesion and shear strength exhibited reverse linear trends. As expected, more compaction effort resulted in more particle breakage. Strict control should be performed over the compaction process to achieve the required compaction level which resulting in pavement materials being stiffer.
Japanese clinical practice patterns of rituximab treatment for minimal change disease in adults 2021: A web-based questionnaire survey of certified nephrologists
Authors: Koizumi Masahiro , Ishimoto Takuji , Shimizu Sayaka , Sasaki Sho , Kurita Noriaki , Wada Takehiko
Published: March 2024

Background

In Japan, rituximab (RTX) for adult-onset frequently relapsing (FR)/steroid-dependent (SD) minimal change disease (MCD) is not explicitly reimbursed by insurance, and its standard regimen has not been established.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional web-based survey between November and December 2021. The participants were nephrologists certified by the Japanese Society of Nephrology and answered 7 items about RTX for adult MCD. Factors related to the experience of RTX administration at their facilities were estimated by generalized estimating equations.

Results

Of 380 respondents, 181 (47.6%) reported the experience of RTX use for adult MCD at their current facilities. Those who worked at university hospitals (vs. non-university hospitals, proportion difference 13.7%) and at facilities with frequent kidney biopsies (vs. 0 cases/year, 19.2% for 1–40 cases/year; 37.9% for 41–80 cases/year; 51.9% for ≥ 81 cases/year) used RTX more frequently. Of 181 respondents, 28 (15.5%) answered that there was no insurance coverage for RTX treatment. Of 327 respondents who had the opportunity to treat MCD, which was a possible indication for RTX, 178 (54.4%) indicated withholding of RTX administration. The most common reason was the cost due to lack of insurance coverage (141, 79.2%). Regarding RTX regimens for FR/SD MCD, introduction treatment with a single body surface area-based dose of 375 mg/m2 and maintenance treatment with a 6-month interval were the most common.

Conclusion

This survey revealed the nephrologists’ characteristics associated with RTX use, the barriers to RTX use, and the variation in the regimens for adult MCD in Japan.
The network characteristics of classic red tourist attractions in Shaanxi province, China
Authors: Yuxin Feng , Yunxia Tian , Xiaoyu Lv
Published: March 2024

Red tourism is a distinctive form of tourism in China. Its network attention serves as a typical indicator to measure the level of promotion and publicity for red tourism, as well as an important reflection of its influence. Understanding the network structure of red tourism is of significant importance for optimizing the spatial pattern of tourism and promoting the development of the tourism industry. Based on this, this study takes the classic red tourism attractions in Shaanxi province, China as an example and constructs a multi-source data network attention evaluation index. Additionally, it employs social network theory to explore the network attention and tourist flow characteristics of the case study area. Research shows that: (1) Overall, the network attention to case-based destinations is relatively low, and there are significant differences in network attention among different attractions. Spatially, the distribution of network attention is uneven. This is manifested by higher network attention to attractions in Yan’an city and lower network attention to attractions in other regions. (2) There are differences in the network attention of different types of attractions. High-level attractions have a higher level of online attention, while low-level attractions have a lower level of network attention. Additionally, archaeological sites tend to receive a higher level of online attention. (3) The network density of tourist flow is low, and the tourism connections between nodes are not closely linked. The linkage between core nodes and edge nodes in tourism is poor. Developed tourism routes only exist in core nodes. (4) Nodes such as Zaoyuan revolution site, Yangjialing revolution site, and Wangjiaping revolution site have a significant influence in the network structure. In addition, the integration and development between red nodes and non-red nodes have been achieved. (5) There is a correlation between network attention and tourist flow, as well as a ‘misplacement’ feature. Based on the characteristics of attractions, they can be divided into four types: bright-star attractions, cash-cow attractions, thin-dog attractions, and question attractions. Based on the above conclusions, this study proposes targeted development recommendations.
Brain connectivity changes underlying depression and fatigue in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: A systematic review
Authors: Kampaite Agniete , Gustafsson Rebecka , York Elizabeth N. , Foley Peter , MacDougall Niall J. J. , Bastin Mark E. , Chandran Siddharthan , Waldman Adam D. , Meijboom Rozanna
Published: March 2024

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system, characterised by neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Fatigue and depression are common, debilitating, and intertwined symptoms in people with relapsing-remitting MS (pwRRMS). An increased understanding of brain changes and mechanisms underlying fatigue and depression in RRMS could lead to more effective interventions and enhancement of quality of life. To elucidate the relationship between depression and fatigue and brain connectivity in pwRRMS we conducted a systematic review. Searched databases were PubMed, Web-of-Science and Scopus. Inclusion criteria were: studied participants with RRMS (n ≥ 20; ≥ 18 years old) and differentiated between MS subtypes; published between 2001-01-01 and 2023-01-18; used fatigue and depression assessments validated for MS; included brain structural, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) or diffusion MRI (dMRI). Sixty studies met the criteria: 18 dMRI (15 fatigue, 5 depression) and 22 fMRI (20 fatigue, 5 depression) studies. The literature was heterogeneous; half of studies reported no correlation between brain connectivity measures and fatigue or depression. Positive findings showed that abnormal cortico-limbic structural and functional connectivity was associated with depression. Fatigue was linked to connectivity measures in cortico-thalamic-basal-ganglial networks. Additionally, both depression and fatigue were related to altered cingulum structural connectivity, and functional connectivity involving thalamus, cerebellum, frontal lobe, ventral tegmental area, striatum, default mode and attention networks, and supramarginal, precentral, and postcentral gyri. Qualitative analysis suggests structural and functional connectivity changes, possibly due to axonal and/or myelin loss, in the cortico-thalamic-basal-ganglial and cortico-limbic network may underlie fatigue and depression in pwRRMS, respectively, but the overall results were inconclusive, possibly explained by heterogeneity and limited number of studies. This highlights the need for further studies including advanced MRI to detect more subtle brain changes in association with depression and fatigue. Future studies using optimised imaging protocols and validated depression and fatigue measures are required to clarify the substrates underlying these symptoms in pwRRMS.
Examining the stability and change in age-crime relation in South Korea, 1980–2019: An age-period-cohort analysis
Authors: Lu Yunmei
Published: March 2024

The aggregate-level age-crime distributions in Western countries are predominantly right-skewed and adolescent-spiked. Based on Western data, Hirschi and Gottfredson (1983) asserted that this age-crime pattern is universally invariant across time and places. This study’s overall goal is to rigorously examine Hirschi and Gottfredson’s invariant premise within a non-Western country, focusing on the stability and change in the age-crime patterns of South Korea from 1980 to 2019. Specifically, two research questions are addressed: (1) whether the average age-arrest curves in South Korea diverge from the invariant premise after adjusting for period and cohort effects; (2) how period and cohort effects modify the age-arrest curves. To examine these questions, I applied the age-period-cohort-interaction model (APC-I) to analyze the official age-specific arrest statistics for various offense types from 1980 to 2019 in South Korea. Findings suggested that the age-crime patterns of homicide, assault, and fraud are characterized by spread-out distributions and advanced peak ages. After adjusting for period and cohort effects, most of the age-crime curves are still robustly divergent from the age-crime distributions found in Western countries. Cohort and period effects have modified the age-crime patterns, but arrests in South Korea are largely concentrated among midlife age groups older than 30. These results provide additional compelling evidence contesting Hirschi and Gottfredson’s invariance thesis, underscoring the substantial impact of country-specific processes, historical context, and cultural factors on the age-crime relationship.
Comparative effectiveness of cervical vs thoracic spinal-thrust manipulation for care of cervicogenic headache: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Nambi Gopal , Alghadier Mshari , Eltayeb Mudathir Mohamedahmed , Aldhafian Osama R. , Saleh Ayman K. , Alsanousi Nesreen , Albarakati Alaa Jameel A. , Omar Mohamed A. , Ibrahim Mohamed Nagah Ahmed , Attallah Abdehamid A. , Ismail Mohammed Abdelgwad , Elfeshawy Mohamed
Published: March 2024

Background

There is ample evidence supporting the use of different manipulative therapy techniques for Cervicogenic Headache (CgH). However, no technique can be singled as the best available treatment for patients with CgH. Therefore, the objective of the study is to find and compare the clinical effects of cervical spine over thoracic spine manipulation and conventional physiotherapy in patients with CgH.

Design, setting, and participants

It is a prospective, randomized controlled study conducted between July 2020 and January 2023 at the University hospital. N = 96 eligible patients with CgH were selected based on selection criteria and they were divided into cervical spine manipulation (CSM; n = 32), thoracic spine manipulation (TSM; n = 32) and conventional physiotherapy (CPT; n = 32) groups, and received the respective treatment for four weeks. Primary (CgH frequency) and secondary CgH pain intensity, CgH disability, neck pain frequency, neck pain intensity, neck pain threshold, cervical flexion rotation test (CFRT), neck disability index (NDI) and quality of life (QoL) scores were measured. The effects of treatment at various intervals were analyzed using a 3 × 4 linear mixed model analysis (LMM), with treatment group (cervical spine manipulation, thoracic spine manipulation, and conventional physiotherapy) and time intervals (baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 6 months), and the statistical significance level was set atP< 0.05.

Results

The reports of the CSM, TSM and CPT groups were compared between the groups. Four weeks following treatment CSM group showed more significant changes in primary (CgH frequency) and secondary (CgH pain intensity, CgH disability, neck pain frequency, pain intensity, pain threshold, CFRT, NDI and QoL) than the TSM and CPT groups (p = 0.001). The same gradual improvement was seen in the CSM group when compared to TSM and CPT groups (p = 0.001) in the above variables at 8 weeks and 6 months follow-up.

Conclusion

The reports of the current randomized clinical study found that CSM resulted in significantly better improvements in pain parameters (intensity, frequency and threshold) functional disability and quality of life in patients with CgH than thoracic spine manipulation and conventional physiotherapy.

Trial registration

Clinical trial registration:CTRI/2020/06/026092trial was registered prospectively on 24/06/2020.
Attitudes and purchase intentions of polish university students towards food made from insects—A modelling approach
Authors: Mikulec Anna T. , Platta Anna M. , Radzymińska Monika , Ruszkowska Millena , Mikulec Karolina , Suwała Grzegorz , Kowalski Stanisław , Kowalczewski Przemysław Łukasz , Nowicki Marcin
Published: March 2024

The marketing of insect-derived protein has led to the development of respective legal regulations on such insects-based foods in the European Union. Despite the interest in the area of insect-based food, European researchers have paid relatively little attention to consumer attitudes and behaviors towards such products or the factors that may affect them. Attempts undertaken so far in this respect are insufficient; therefore, there is a need to continue and expand research in this field. The present study attempts to verify the following research hypotheses: H1. Attitudes towards food containing insects are related to the attributes/characteristics of these products, care for health and the natural environment, and attitudes towards novelty (neophilic/neophobic); H2. Intentions to purchase food containing insects can be predicted based on attitudes towards food from insects, product attributes, and attitudes towards environmental health and novelties. An empirical study was conducted among university students (N = 1063) by an indirect interview method using a specially designed questionnaire, via an online platform (Computer-Assisted Web Interview, CAWI) in November 2023. The questionnaire was validated by assessing the construction validity and estimating the reliability of the scales used. The study results demonstrated that the attributes of insect-based food products can influence the positive attitudes towards them and behavioral intentions to consume them, and that the strength of the impact of health quality traits is far greater than that of the organoleptic or functional traits. A negative, statistically significant value of the correlation coefficient between neophobic attitude and intention to purchase this type of food was observed. Thus, respondents without food neophobia were characterized by a positive attitude towards the purchase of foods containing edible insects in their composition.
Using network science to examine audio-visual speech perception with a multi-layer graph
Authors: Vitevitch Michael S. , Lachs Lorin
Published: March 2024

To examine visual speech perception (i.e., lip-reading), we created a multi-layer network (the AV-net) that contained: (1) an auditory layer with nodes representing phonological word-forms and edges connecting words that were phonologically related, and (2) a visual layer with nodes representing the viseme representations of words and edges connecting viseme representations that differed by a single viseme (and additional edges to connect related nodes in the two layers). The results of several computer simulations (in which activation diffused across the network to simulate word identification) are reported and compared to the performance of human participants who identified the same words in a condition in which audio and visual information were both presented (Simulation 1), in an audio-only presentation condition (Simulation 2), and a visual-only presentation condition (Simulation 3). Another simulation (Simulation 4) examined the influence of phonological information on visual speech perception by comparing performance in the multi-layer AV-net to a single-layer network that contained only a visual layer with nodes representing the viseme representations of words and edges connecting viseme representations that differed by a single viseme. We also report the results of several analyses of the errors made by human participants in the visual-only presentation condition. The results of our analyses have implications for future research and training of lip-reading, and for the development of automatic lip-reading devices and software for individuals with certain developmental or acquired disorders or for listeners with normal hearing in noisy conditions.
Network science for museums
Authors: Yoshimura Yuji , Krebs Anne , Ratti Carlo
Published: March 2024

This paper introduces network science to museum studies. The spatial structure of the museum and the exhibit display largely determine what visitors see and in which order, thereby shaping their visit experience. Despite the importance of spatial properties in museum studies, few scientific tools have been developed to analyze and compare the results across museums. This paper introduces the six habitually used network science indices and assesses their applicability to museum studies. Network science is an empirical research field that focuses on analyzing the relationships between components in an attempt to understand how individual behaviors can be converted into collective behaviors. By taking the museum and the visitors as the network, this methodology could reveal unknown aspects of museum functions and visitor behavior, which could enhance exhibition knowledge and lead to better methods for creating museum narratives along the routes.
Extracting bioactive compounds and proteins from Bacopa monnieri using natural deep eutectic solvents
Authors: Vo Tan Phat , Nguyen Tran Ha Phuong , Nguyen Vy Khang , Dang Thi Cam Tu , Nguyen Le Gia Kiet , Chung Thanh Quynh , Vo Thi Thanh Huong , Nguyen Dinh Quan
Published: March 2024

This study employed novel extraction methods with natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) to extract bioactive compounds and proteins from Bacopa monnieri leaves. The conditional influence of ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), and enzymatic-assisted extraction (EAE) on the recovery efficiency of phenolics, proteins, flavonoids, and terpenoids was evaluated. The conditions of UAE were 50 mL/g LSR, 600W of ultrasonic power, and 30% water content with 40°C for 1 min to obtain the highest bioactive compounds and protein contents. The conditions of MAE were 40 mL/g LSR, 400W of microwave power with 30% water content for 3 min to reach the highest contents of biological compounds. The conditions of EAE were 30 mL/g of LSR, 20 U/g of enzyme concentration with L-Gly-Na molar ratio at 2:4:1, and 40% water content for 60 min to acquire the highest bioactive compound contents. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is employed to analyze the surface of Bacopa monnieri leaves before and after extraction. Comparing seven extraction methods was conducted to find the most favorable ones. The result showed that the UMEAE method was the most effective way to exploit the compounds. The study suggested that UMEAE effectively extracts phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, and protein from DBMP.
The relationship between money supply and inflation in Pakistan
Authors: Stylianou Tasos , Nasir Rakia , Waqas Muhammad
Published: March 2024

This paper investigates the long-run and short-run relationship between money supply and inflation in Pakistan, utilizing annual data spanning from 1981 to 2021. The key objective is to assess the impact of monetary policy, specifically money supply, on inflation dynamics in the country. To achieve this, the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach is employed, which is suitable for analyzing cointegration among variables with mixed integration orders. The results reveal both short and long-run cointegration between inflation, money supply, unemployment, and interest rates. Notably, unemployment demonstrates a negative correlation with inflation, while money supply and interest rates exhibit a positive relationship. These findings underscore the importance of dedicated policy measures to manage inflation effectively. The paper concludes by recommending the establishment of a policy implementation body and collaboration between the government and the central bank to ensure financial stability and control inflation through well-calibrated monetary and fiscal policies.
A spider mating plug functions to protect sperm
Authors: Jiang He , Zhan Yongjia , Wu Qingqing , Zhang Huitao , Kuntner Matjaž , Tu Lihong
Published: March 2024

Mating plugs in animals are ubiquitous and are commonly interpreted to be products of mating strategies. In spiders, however, mating plugs may also take on functions beyond female remating prevention. Due to the vagaries of female genital (spermathecal) anatomy, most spiders face the problem of having to secure additional, non-anatomical, protection for transferred sperm. Here, we test the hypothesis that mating plugs, rather than (or in addition to) being adaptations for mating strategies, may serve as sperm protection mechanism. Based on a comparative study on 411 epigyna sampled from 36 families, 187 genera, 330 species of entelegyne spiders, our results confirm the necessity of a sperm protection mechanism. We divided the entelegyne spermathecae into four types: SEG, SED, SCG and SCD. We also studied detailed morphology of epigynal tracts in the spiderDiphya wulingensishaving the SEG type spermathecae, using 3D-reconstruction based on semi thin histological series section. In this species, we hypothesize that two distinct types of mating plug, the sperm plug and the secretion plug, serve different functions. Morphological details support this: sperm plugs are formed on a modified spermathecal wall by the spilled sperm, and function as a temporary protection mechanism to prevent sperm from leaking and desiccating, while secretion plugs function in postcopulation both as a permanent protection mechanism, and to prevent additional mating. Furthermore, with the modified spermathecal wall of S2stalk, the problem of shunt of sperm input and output, and the possibility of female multiple mating have been resolved. Variation in spermathecal morphology also suggests that the problem of sperm protection might be resolved in different ways in spiders. Considering mating plugs of varying shapes and origins in the vast morphospace of spiders, we conclude that mating plugs might serve different purposes that relate both to mating strategies, as well as to sperm protection.
High-dose oral thiamine versus placebo for chronic fatigue in patients with primary biliary cholangitis: A crossover randomized clinical trial
Authors: Bager Palle , Bossen Lars , Gantzel Rasmus , Grønbæk Henning
Published: March 2024

Background & aims

Fatigue has high negative impact on many patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and treatment options are limited. Recently we showed favorable effects of four weeks of high-dose thiamine treatment on fatigue in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. We aimed to investigate the effect and safety of high-dose (600–1800 mg daily) oral thiamine treatment on chronic fatigue in patients with PBC.

Methods

Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover trial including patients with severe PBC-related fatigue. Participants were allocated 1:1 to either group 1) 4 weeks of high-dose thiamine, 4 weeks of washout, and 4 weeks of placebo; or group 2) 4 weeks of placebo, washout, and high-dose thiamine, respectively. Fatigue severity was quantified using the fatigue subscale of the PBC-40 questionnaire. The primary outcome was a fatigue reduction of ≥ 5 points after 4 weeks of high-dose thiamine treatment.

Results

We enrolled 36 patients; 34 completed the study. The overall mean reduction in fatigue was 5.0 points (95% CI: 2.5 to 7.5; p < 0.001) for the combined group 1 and group 2. Crossover analysis showed a mean increase in fatigue of 0.3 points (95% CI: -4.2 to 3.8) after high-dose thiamine treatment compared to a 1.4 points (95% CI: 6.2 to –3.4) mean reduction after placebo (p = 0.55). Only mild and transient adverse events were recorded.

Conclusion

Four weeks of high-dose oral thiamine treatment in patients with PBC was well tolerated and safe. However, high-dose thiamine was not superior to placebo in reducing PBC-related fatigue.

Trial registration

The trial was registered in the ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04893993) and EudraCT (2020-004935-26).
A divergent protein kinase A regulatory subunit essential for morphogenesis of the human pathogen Leishmania
Authors: Fischer Weinberger Renana , Bachmaier Sabine , Ober Veronica , Githure George B. , Dandugudumula Ramu , Phan Isabelle Q. , Almoznino Michal , Polatoglou Eleni , Tsigankov Polina , Nitzan Koren Roni , Myler Peter J. , Boshart Michael , Zilberstein Dan
Published: March 2024

Parasitic protozoa of the genusLeishmaniacycle between the phagolysosome of mammalian macrophages, where they reside as rounded intracellular amastigotes, and the midgut of female sand flies, which they colonize as elongated extracellular promastigotes. Previous studies indicated that protein kinase A (PKA) plays an important role in the initial steps of promastigote differentiation into amastigotes. Here, we describe a novel regulatory subunit of PKA (which we have named PKAR3) that is unique toLeishmaniaand most (but not all) other Kinetoplastidae. PKAR3 is localized to subpellicular microtubules (SPMT) in the cell cortex, where it recruits a specific catalytic subunit (PKAC3). Promastigotes ofpkar3orpkac3null mutants lose their elongated shape and become rounded but remain flagellated. Truncation of an N-terminal formin homology (FH)-like domain of PKAR3 results in its detachment from the SPMT, also leading to rounded promastigotes. Thus, the tethering of PKAC3viaPKAR3 at the cell cortex is essential for maintenance of the elongated shape of promastigotes. This role of PKAR3 is reminiscent of PKARIβ and PKARIIβ binding to microtubules of mammalian neurons, which is essential for the elongation of dendrites and axons, respectively. Interestingly, PKAR3 binds nucleoside analogs, but not cAMP, with a high affinity similar to the PKAR1 isoform ofTrypanosoma. We propose that these early-diverged protists have re-purposed PKA for a novel signaling pathway that spatiotemporally controls microtubule remodeling and cell shape.
Classical swine fever virus non-structural protein 5B hijacks host METTL14-mediated m6A modification to counteract host antiviral immune response
Authors: Chen Jing , Song Hui-xin , Hu Jia-huan , Bai Ji-shan , Li Xiao-han , Sun Rui-cong , Zhao Bing-qian , Li Mei-zhen , Zhou Bin
Published: March 2024

Classical Swine Fever (CSF), caused by the Classical Swine Fever Virus (CSFV), inflicts significant economic losses on the global pig industry. A key factor in the challenge of eradicating this virus is its ability to evade the host’s innate immune response, leading to persistent infections. In our study, we elucidate the molecular mechanism through which CSFV exploits m6A modifications to circumvent host immune surveillance, thus facilitating its proliferation. We initially discovered that m6A modifications were elevated both in vivo and in vitro upon CSFV infection, particularly noting an increase in the expression of the methyltransferase METTL14. CSFV non-structural protein 5B was found to hijack HRD1, the E3 ubiquitin ligase for METTL14, preventing METTL14 degradation. MeRIP-seq analysis further revealed that METTL14 specifically targeted and methylated TLRs, notably TLR4. METTL14-mediated regulation of TLR4 degradation, facilitated by YTHDF2, led to the accelerated mRNA decay of TLR4. Consequently, TLR4-mediated NF-κB signaling, a crucial component of the innate immune response, is suppressed by CSFV. Collectively, these data effectively highlight the viral evasion tactics, shedding light on potential antiviral strategies targeting METTL14 to curb CSFV infection.
Systemic Amyloid A Protein Amyloidosis With Gastrointestinal Involvement
Authors: Akharume Olubunmi , Ojeniyi Solabomi , Naqvi Haider A.
Published: March 2024

Systemic amyloidosis is a multiorgan deposition of misfolded amyloid protein fibrils. The systemic amyloid A protein (AA) amyloidosis type predominantly involves the kidney and is mostly an under-recognized complication among persons who inject drugs. Gastrointestinal involvement in systemic AA amyloidosis that is associated with illicit drug use is uncommon. In this report, we present a case of a 40-year-old man with history of injection drug use, recurrent skin and soft-tissue infection, and renal AA amyloidosis that presented with painless bloody bowel movement, which initially resolved with conservative management. Upon further evaluation, the patient was found to have empyema that required antibiotic therapy and bilateral pleural drain. His hospital course was further complicated by multiple episodes of hematochezia requiring gastrointestinal consultation. Subsequent gastrointestinal biopsy revealed amyloid deposit.
Comparative Performance of Textured Yarn Drawn through Apron and Godet in Draw Texturing Machine
Authors: Maity Subhankar , Basu Bibekananda , Mishra Abhishek
Published: March 2024

Over the past 20 years, in filament draw texturing, very few developments and innovations have been introduced into production machineries. The growing demand for energy efficiency, faster production rates and greater production flexibility have prompted our investigation into non-traditional approaches to improve yarn control during the texturing. Instead of aprons, small individually driven godets are a solution for high-speed manufacturing, yarn control and energy saving. The drawing godets, where the yarn can be considered an elastic coupling element between two consecutive godets, pose a new challenge for consistency in velocity control. Though some machinery manufacturers have introduced the godet system, the yarn quality produced by the godet system is not systematically evaluated and compared vis-à-vis the apron system. The current study prepared textured yarns in both apron and godet systems while maintaining the same texturing parameters. Differences in the yarn’s bulk, modulus, breaking elongation, tenacity and boiling water shrinkage were assessed and compared. Woven and knitted fabrics were prepared from textured yarns, and a comparative analysis of fabric properties was performed with respect to their tearing strength, air permeability, drape and dyeability. Better quality of yarn and fabrics can be prepared in the godet system, which is energy saving, of higher speed and requires low maintenance technology in comparison to the apron system.
Neurological Deficits of an Rps19(Arg67del) Model of Diamond-Blackfan Anaemia
Authors: Kubik-Zahorodna Agnieszka , Schuster B. , Kanchev I. , Sedláček Radislav
Published: March 2024

Diamond-Blackfan anaemia is a rare disease caused by insufficient expression of ribosomal proteins and is characterized by erythroid hypoplasia often accompanied by growth retardation, congenital craniofacial and limb abnormalities. In addition, Diamond-Blackfan anaemia patients also exhibit a number of behavioural abnormalities. In this study we describe the behavioural effects observed in a new mouse mutant carrying a targeted single amino acid deletion in the ribosomal protein RPS19. This mutant, created by the deletion of arginine 67 in RPS19, exhibits craniofacial, skeletal, and brain abnormalities, accompanied by various neurobehavioural malfunctions. A battery of behavioural tests revealed a moderate cognitive impairment and neuromuscular dysfunction resulting in profound gait abnormalities. This novel Rps19 mutant shows behavioural phenotypes resembling that of the human Diamond-Blackfan anaemia syndrome, thus creating the possibility to use this mutant as a unique murine model for studying the molecular basis of ribosomal protein deficiencies.
Comparison of the Radiosensitizing Effect of ATR, ATM and DNA-PK Kinase Inhibitors on Cervical Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Vávrová Jiřina , Zárybnická L. , Jošt P. , Tichý A. , Řezáčová M. , Šinkorová Z. , Pejchal J.
Published: March 2024

Here, we compared the effects of inhibitors of three phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase-related kinases, ATM, ATR a DNA-PK, on radiosensitization of cervical carcinoma cells. We demonstrated that DNA-PK inhibitor NU7441 enhanced phosphorylation of Chk1 and Chk2 kinases 2 h after irradiation of HeLa cells at a dose of 8 Gy in contrast to ATM kinase inhibitor KU55933, which completely blocked the Chk2 kinase phosphorylation on threonine 68, and ATR kinase inhibitor VE-821, which blocked the Chk1 kinase phosphorylation on serine 345. Most HeLa cells were accumulated in G2 phase of the cell cycle 24 h after irradiation at a high dose of 15 Gy, which was even potentiated after adding the inhibitors NU7441 and KU55933. Compared to all other irradiated groups, inhibitor VE-821 increased the number of cells in S phase and reduced the number of cells in G2 phase 24 h after irradiation at the high dose of 15 Gy. HeLa cells entered the mitotic cycle with unrepaired DNA, which resulted in cell death and the radiosensitizing effect of VE-821. Short-term application of the inhibitors (2 h before and 30 min after the irradiation by the dose of 8 Gy) significantly decreased the colony-forming ability of HeLa cells. Using real-time monitoring of cell proliferation by the xCELLigence system we demonstrated that while the radiosensitizing effect of VE-821 (ATR inhibitor) is manifested early after the irradiation, the radiosensitizing effect of KU55933 (ATM inhibitor) and NU7441 (DNA-PK inhibitor) is only observed as late as 72 h after the irradiation.
Foregrounding Affectivity in the Pathways to Extremism
Authors: Shaheed Saad , Haq Hina
Published: March 2024

Literature increasingly indicates that affectivity plays a major role in violent extremism. Nevertheless, much of the work on affectivity in the context of violent extremism has so far remained a fragmented background issue. The purpose of this paper is to bring affect to the foreground through philosophical accounts of situated affectivity, while remaining compatible with contributions on emotions and affect from different disciplines in the context of extremism. The situated account explains how environmental structures affect individual affectivity and vice versa. With the help of this framework, we are able to analyze an individual’s affective dynamics simultaneously with multiple elements. By using different analytical vantage points, we can examine how the affectivity of individuals is shaped and regulated by other individuals, materials, spaces, discourses, and behaviors in extremist settings. The approach provides a broader and richer perspective on the complexities and dynamics of affect in extremism. Affect-centric counter- and preventive policies relating to violent extremism can benefit from this approach.
Presuppositions cross-linguistically: A comparison of soft and hard triggers in Chinese and German
Authors: Chen Yuqiu , Antomo Mailin
Published: March 2024

Presuppositions are typically considered as projective inferences that are triggered by certain expressions and taken for granted. Whereas Simons (Simons, Mandy. 2001. On the conversational basis of some presuppositions.Semantics and Linguistic Theory11. 431–448) observes that expressions with a similar semantic content belonging to the same language give rise to the same presupposition, this has not been investigated in a systematic way for semantically equivalent expressions from different languages. Furthermore, more recent research has shown that different presupposition triggers are characterized by differing projective strength, therefore, a distinction of highly projective hard triggers and less projective soft triggers has been proposed (Abusch, Dorit. 2002. Lexical alternatives as a source of pragmatic presuppositions.Semantics and Linguistic Theory12. 1–19, Abusch, Dorit. 2010. Presupposition triggering from alternatives.Journal of Semantics27(1). 37–80). Here, we present an experiment comparing four classical presupposition triggers from German and their counterparts in Chinese (cleft sentences,win, factive predicatesregretanddiscover) in order to a) investigate the cross-linguistic stability of their projective strength and b) to verify the heterogeneity of these triggers in both languages. Our results show that the projective behavior and the heterogeneity of presuppositions can be considered cross-linguistically stable, at least when suitable equivalences for both languages can be found. Furthermore, our data suggest that the group of soft triggers has to be more heterogeneous than previously assumed. More precisely, whereas hard triggers behave the same way, it is possible that each soft trigger might be soft in its own way. In sum, our experimental investigation aims to improve the understanding of presuppositions, the underlying triggering process and their projective behavior across different languages.
Overview on GRS CFD activities related to containment applications
Authors: Stewering Jörn , Schramm Berthold , Beck Sara
Published: March 2024

In the case of a severe accident in a nuclear power plant, hydrogen could be produced in the superheated reactor core. The hydrogen could flow through a leak in the primary circuit into the containment and a hydrogen deflagration could occur. A consequence of such an event was the Fukushima accident in 2011. For the analysis of such events, different phenomena in the reactor containment must be simulated correctly such as the distribution of steam and hydrogen, steam condensation, thermal radiation, conjugated heat transfer, hydrogen recombination and deflagration. The application of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods for such analyses is becoming more relevant. Selected models needed to simulate the different containment phenomena with OpenFOAM are currently being tested, validated or improved and further developed by a network of German research institutes and universities.
A Simulation and Empirical Study of the Maximum Likelihood Estimator for Stochastic Volatility Jump-Diffusion Models
Authors: Bégin Jean-François , Boudreault Mathieu
Published: March 2024

We investigate the behaviour of the maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) for stochastic volatility jump-diffusion models commonly used in financial risk management. A simulation study shows the practical conditions under which the MLE behaves according to theory. In an extensive empirical study based on nine indices and more than 6000 individual stocks, we nonetheless find that the MLE is unable to replicate key higher moments. We then introduce a moment-targeted MLE – robust to model misspecification – and revisit both simulation and empirical studies. We find it performs better than the MLE, improving the management of financial risk.
Study on Impression Techniques and Materials for Implant among Dentists in Erbil city: A Survey study.
Authors:   Department of Prosthodontics, College of Dentistry, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq., Omer Shahla Hama Rasheed , Muhammed Shang Hussein , Mamandi Shayma Abdulamir , Rashid Zina Zakaria
Published: March 2024

Background and Objectives: The Success and longevity of implant prosthesis is affected by an accurate fit which can be achieved through a proper impression technique and material, the techniques of impression taking can be made by either a closed or open tray impression procedures or by implant level impression technique. The main objective of the presented research was to investigate the most preferable impression material and technique for dental implant placement. Materials and methods: This research’s focus is on impression materials and the various impression techniques that can be used in implant restoration with a note on the recent advancements, with the help of a questionnaire given to dental professionals and postgraduate students who perform implants in Erbil City. Around 72 dentists were chosen, 24 of them were inside our teaching hospital, and 48 of them were chosen by random sampling. Results: The information gathered in this study sample group shows that the highest rate was for open tray technique about 54.2%, 37.5% responded closed tray and 8.3% responded abutment level. Regarding the most preferable material 75% responded for addition silicone, 23.6% responded for condensation silicone and 1.4% responded for alginate. According to most preferable type of tray 93.1% answered perforated stock tray and 6.9% answered special tray. 56.9% of the practitioners chose One step (heavy-light), 22.2% chose two step spaced putty wash, 13.9 % chose one step (monophase single viscosity) and 6.9% answered two-step unspaced putty wash. Conclusions: In conclusion open tray technique, stock tray, addition type of silicon and one-step (heavy-light) impression technique is the most preferable in this study. Keywords: Implant, Impression, open tray, closed tray, abutment, materials.