bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prácticas afectivo-sexuales, profilaxis previa a la exposición al virus de la inmunodeficiencia adquirida y riesgos asociados
Authors: Lima Mônica , Gómez Vargas Maricelly , Iñiguez-Rueda Lupicinio , Fernández-Gonzalez Emmanuelle , Vasconcelos da Silva Luis Augusto , Mascort Roca Juan José
Published: March 2024

Este artículo tiene como objetivo comprender los sentidos de las prácticas afectivo-sexuales de usuarios de profilaxis previa a la exposición (PrEP) al virus de la inmunodeficiencia adquirida - VIH bajo los riesgos de otras infecciones transmisibles sexualmente (ITS). Adoptamos la perspectiva de la psicología social, prácticas discursivas y producción de sentido como referencial teórico-metodológico y el concepto de vulnerabilidad de la salud pública. Utilizamos como procedimiento de muestreo la técnica de bola de nieve y entrevistamos a 10 Hombres Gay, Bisexuales y otros Hombres que tienen Sexo con Hombres (HSH), en Barcelona-España. Concluimos que la vida afectivo-sexual no cambió con el uso de la PrEP, pero disipó sentimientos como miedo, ansiedad y culpa que sintieron los entrevistados al vivir sus sexualidades bajo la cultura homofóbica. El riesgo de ITS no los amenaza, entienden que son tratables y que la visión moral y los enfoques biomédicos sobre tales infecciones no van a protegerlos de nuevos estigmas y prejuicios, ya presentes en otras fases de la pandemia de VIH.
Bring in the B team
Authors: Baek Amy E.
Published: March 2024

ATP released by osteoblasts signals through the purinergic receptor P2RX4 to optimize plasma cell survival.
Estradiol mediates greater germinal center responses to influenza vaccination in female than male mice
Authors: Dhakal Santosh , Park Han-Sol , Seddu Kumba , Lee John S. , Creisher Patrick S. , Seibert Brittany , Davis Kimberly M. , Hernandez Isabella R. , Maul Robert W. , Klein Sabra L.
Published: March 2024

Adult females of reproductive age develop greater antibody responses to inactivated influenza vaccines (IIV) than males. How sex, age, and sex steroid concentrations impact B cells and durability of IIV-induced immunity and protection over 4 months post-vaccination (mpv) was analyzed. Vaccinated adult females had greater germinal center B cell and plasmablast frequencies in lymphoid tissues, higher neutralizing antibody responses 1–4 mpv, and better protection against live H1N1 challenge than adult males. Aged mice, regardless of sex, had reduced B cell frequencies, less durable antibody responses, and inferior protection after challenge than adult mice, which correlated with diminished estradiol among aged females. To confirm that greater IIV-induced immunity was caused by sex hormones, four core genotype (FCG) mice were used, in which the testes-determining gene,
Sry
, was deleted from chromosome Y (ChrY) and transferred to Chr3 to separate gonadal sex (i.e., ovaries or testes) from sex chromosome complement (i.e., XX or XY complement). Vaccinated, gonadal female FCG mice (XXF and XYF) had greater numbers of B cells, higher antiviral antibody titers, and reduced pulmonary virus titers following live H1N1 challenge than gonadal FCG males (XYM and XXM). To establish that lower estradiol concentrations cause diminished immunity, adult and aged females received either a placebo or estradiol replacement therapy prior to IIV. Estradiol replacement significantly increased IIV-induced antibody responses and reduced morbidity after the H1N1 challenge among aged females. These data highlight that estradiol is a targetable mechanism mediating greater humoral immunity following vaccination among adult females.

IMPORTANCE

Females of reproductive ages develop greater antibody responses to influenza vaccines than males. We hypothesized that female-biased immunity and protection against influenza were mediated by estradiol signaling in B cells. Using diverse mouse models ranging from advanced-age mice to transgenic mice that separate sex steroids from sex chromosome complement, those mice with greater concentrations of estradiol consistently had greater numbers of antibody-producing B cells in lymphoid tissue, higher antiviral antibody titers, and greater protection against live influenza virus challenge. Treatment of aged female mice with estradiol enhanced vaccine-induced immunity and protection against disease, suggesting that estradiol signaling in B cells is critical for improved vaccine outcomes in females.
Complete genome sequence of an ovine ancestral strain of
Mycobacterium avium
subspecies
paratuberculosis
6756
Authors: Biet Franck , Conde Cyril , Cochard Thierry , Mcintoch Fiona A. , Behr Marcel A. , Bannantine John P.
Published: March 2024

The complete genome sequence of the most ancestral type SI strain of
Mycobacterium avium
subspecies
paratuberculosis
6756, isolated from a sheep, was determined. The genome was sequenced using PacBio technology, yielding a genome size of 4,830,294 nucleotides with no identified plasmids.
Upregulation of outer membrane porin gene
ompC
contributed to enhancement of azithromycin susceptibility in multidrug-resistant
Escherichia coli
Authors: Luo Xing-Wei , Li Peng-Liang , Zhai Ya-Jun , Pan Yu-Shan , Hu Gong-Zheng , He Dan-Dan
Published: March 2024

The outer membrane (OM) in gram-negative bacteria contains proteins that regulate the passive or active uptake of small molecules for growth and cell function, as well as mediate the emergence of antibiotic resistance. This study aims to explore the potential mechanisms for restoring bacteria to azithromycin susceptibility based on transcriptome analysis of bacterial membrane-related genes. Transcriptome sequencing was performed by treating multidrug-resistant
Escherichia coli
T28R with azithromycin or in combination with colistin and confirmed by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Azithromycin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test,
ompC
gene overexpression, and molecular docking were utilized to conduct the confirmatory research of the potential mechanisms. We found that colistin combined with azithromycin led to 48 differentially expressed genes, compared to azithromycin alone, such as downregulation of
tolA
,
eptB
,
lpxP
, and
opgE
and upregulation of
ompC
gene. Interestingly, the addition of colistin to azithromycin differentially downregulated the
mph
(A) gene mediating azithromycin resistance, facilitating the intracellular accumulation of azithromycin. Also, overexpression of the
ompC
elevated azithromycin susceptibility, and colistin contributed to further suppression of the Mph(A) activity in the presence of azithromycin. These findings suggested that colistin firstly enhanced the permeability of bacterial OM, causing intracellular drug accumulation, and then had a repressive effect on the Mph(A) activity along with azithromycin. Our study provides a novel perspective that the improvement of azithromycin susceptibility is related not only to the downregulation of the
mph
(A) gene and conformational remodeling of the Mph(A) protein but also the upregulation of the membrane porin gene
ompC
.

IMPORTANCE

Usually, active efflux via efflux pumps is an important mechanism of antimicrobial resistance, such as the AcrAB-TolC complex and MdtEF. Also, bacterial porins exhibited a substantial fraction of the total number of outer membrane proteins in Enterobacteriaceae, which are involved in mediating the development of the resistance. We found that the upregulation or overexpression of the
ompC
gene contributed to the enhancement of resistant bacteria to azithromycin susceptibility, probably due to the augment of drug uptakes caused and the opportunity of Mph(A) function suppressed by azithromycin with colistin. Under the combination of colistin and azithromycin treatment, OmpC exhibited an increased selectivity for cationic molecules and played a key role in the restoral of the antibiotic susceptibility. Investigations on the regulation of porin expression that mediated drug resistance would be important in clinical isolates treated with antibiotics.
Development and utilization of new O
2
-independent bioreporters
Authors: Agranier Eva , Crétin Pauline , Joublin-Delavat Aurélie , Veillard Léa , Touahri Katia , Delavat François
Published: March 2024

Fluorescent proteins have revolutionized science since their discovery in 1962. They have enabled imaging experiments to decipher the function of proteins, cells, and organisms, as well as gene regulation. Green fluorescent protein and all its derivatives are now standard tools in cell biology, immunology, molecular biology, and microbiology laboratories around the world. A common feature of these proteins is their dioxygen (O
2
)-dependent maturation allowing fluorescence, which precludes their use in anoxic contexts. In this work, we report the development and
in cellulo
characterization of genetic circuits encoding the O
2
-independent KOFP-7 protein, a flavin-binding fluorescent protein. We have optimized the genetic circuit for high bacterial fluorescence at population and single-cell level, implemented this circuit in various plasmids differing in host range, and quantified their fluorescence under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Finally, we showed that KOFP-7-based constructions can be used to produce fluorescing cells of
Vibrio diazotrophicus
, a facultative anaerobe, demonstrating the usefulness of the genetic circuits for various anaerobic bacteria. These genetic circuits can thus be modified at will, both to solve basic and applied research questions, opening a highway to shed light on the obscure anaerobic world.

IMPORTANCE

Fluorescent proteins are used for decades, and have allowed major discoveries in biology in a wide variety of fields, and are used in environmental as well as clinical contexts. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) and all its derivatives share a common feature: they rely on the presence of dioxygen (O
2
) for protein maturation and fluorescence. This dependency precludes their use in anoxic environments. Here, we constructed a series of genetic circuits allowing production of KOFP-7, an O
2
-independant flavin-binding fluorescent protein. We demonstrated that
Escherichia coli
cells producing KOFP-7 are fluorescent, both at the population and single-cell levels. Importantly, we showed that, unlike cells producing GFP, cells producing KOFP-7 are fluorescent in anoxia. Finally, we demonstrated that
Vibrio diazotrophicus
NS1, a facultative anaerobe, is fluorescent in the absence of O
2
when KOFP-7 is produced. Altogether, the development of new genetic circuits allowing O
2
-independent fluorescence will open new perspective to study anaerobic processes.
Pantoea agglomeransbacteraemia after uterine artery embolisation: an unusual pathogen
Authors: Nimma Induja Reddy , Brahmbhatt Pavan , Nimma Sindhuja , Stancampiano Fernando
Published: March 2024

A woman in her 40s presented to the emergency department (ED) with a 3-week history of nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Blood cultures were positive forSerratiaandPantoea agglomeransspp. One month before her ED visit, she underwent targeted uterine artery embolisation with particles by an interventional radiologist. Uterine artery embolisation is considered a safe alternative to surgical removal of fibroids or hysterectomy. The patient was initially treated with targeted antibiotics for a large infected uterine fibroid but ultimately required a hysterectomy for source control. To our knowledge, this is the first documented case ofP. agglomeransinfecting a uterine fibroid.
Significance of genetic analysis in adult patients with inherited chronic kidney disease
Authors: Maity Indradip , Barwad Adarsh Wamanrao , Bhowmik Dipankar , Bagchi Soumita
Published: March 2024

Genetic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is an important but underestimated cause of inherited proteinuric chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adults. We discuss a case of familial CKD due to inverted formin 2 (INF2) gene mutation, where three siblings had disparate phenotypic presentations ranging from CKD with subnephrotic proteinuria to nephrotic-range proteinuria with collapsing FSGS on kidney biopsy over a period of 8 years. The youngest sibling was the index case. The family agreed to undergo genetic testing only after two more siblings were diagnosed with kidney disease. This case highlights how clinical heterogeneity, absence of family history in the index case, initial lack of specific biopsy-proven diagnosis and reluctance to undergo genetic testing can delay the diagnosis of genetic kidney disease in adults.
A scoping review to map the research on the mental health of students and graduates during their university-to-work transitions
Authors: Edmonds David Matthew , Zayts-Spence Olga , Fortune Zoë , Chan Angus , Chou Jason Shang Guan
Published: March 2024

Objectives

This scoping review maps the extant literature on students’ and graduates’ mental health experiences throughout their university-to-work transitions. The current review investigates the methodological features of the studies, the main findings, and the theories that the studies draw on to conceptualise mental health and transitions.

Design

This project used a scoping review methodology created and developed by Peters and colleagues and the Joanna Briggs Institute. The review searched academic databases and screened existing studies that met predetermined inclusion criteria.

Data sources

Seven academic databases and Google Scholar were searched with sets of search terms.

Eligibility

The included studies examined participants who were final-year university students or those who had graduated from university within a 3-year period. Studies published in English since 2000 and from any country were included. The review included studies examining the negative dimensions of mental health. The review excluded studies focusing on medical students and graduates.

Data extraction

Basic information about the studies and their findings on mental health and university-to-work transitions was retrieved. The findings are presented in tables and in a qualitative thematic summary.

Results

The scoping review included 12 studies. Mental health was often not explicitly defined and it’s theoretical foundations were not clearly articulated. The review identified factors, including a lack of social support and economic precarity, as sources of adverse mental health. Otherprotectivefactors in these studies—variables that guard against mental health problems—were identified, such as career preparedness and having a good job.

Conclusions

Despite the methodological focus on the negative aspects of mental health, people’s mental health experiences during university-to-work transitions are not uniformly negative. Clear conceptualisations of mental health in future studies will aid in developing resources to improve well-being.

Trial registration number

This scoping review adhered to a protocol previously published in this journal and that is registered on the Open Science Framework website (https://osf.io/gw86x).
Importance of kidney function, number of chronic conditions and medications for hospitalisation in elderly in Blekinge County, Sweden: a case–control study
Authors: Norstedt Isabell , Thorell Kristine , Halling Anders
Published: March 2024

Objectives

To study the association between risk for hospitalisation in an elderly population related to renal function, number of chronic diseases and number of prescribed drugs.

Design

A case–control study. Persons hospitalised were included and their controls were obtained from electronic hospital medical records. If data were lacking on creatinine levels, multiple imputation was used.

Setting

Blekinge County in southwestern Sweden.

Participants

Study of individuals aged 75 years or older in 2013. We identified a total of 2,941 patients with a first hospitalisation. Of these, 81 were excluded, 78 due to incomplete data and 3 because of lack of control persons. Controls were matched to the same sex and birth year, which resulted in 5720 persons.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

To analyse the OR for hospitalisation conditional logistic regression was used.

Results

A total of 695 persons lacked creatinine value. Using imputation values comparing persons with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <30 mL/min/1.73 m2with ≥30 univariate analyses showed an increased OR 2.35 (95% CI 1.83 to 3.03). Adjusted analyses demonstrated an OR of 1.90 (95% CI 1.46 to 2.47). Comparing eGFR<45 mL/min/1.73 m2against ≥45 univariate analyses showed OR 1.38 (95% CI 1.22 to 1.57). Adjusted analyses OR for the same group were 1.17 (95% CI 1.03 to 1.33). In both models, the OR for five or more chronic conditions and five or more medications showed a statistically increased risk for hospitalisation.

Conclusions

There is a need for systems using data collected in routine care to follow elderly patients to minimise avoidable hospitalisations that can cause adverse effects. Renal function, number of chronic conditions and medications are factors that are of significant importance. This study demonstrates the complexity of this patient group.
Availability of essential, generic medicines before and during COVID-19 at selected public pharmaceutical supply agencies in Ethiopia: a comparative cross-sectional study
Authors: Melaku Tsegaye , Mekonnen Zeleke , Terefe Tucho Gudina , Mecha Mohammed , Årdal Christine , Jahre Marianne
Published: March 2024

Objectives

Lockdowns and border closures impacted medicine availability during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to assess the availability of essential, generic medicines for chronic diseases at public pharmaceutical supply agencies in Ethiopia.

Design

Comparative cross-sectional study.

Setting

The availability of essential, generic medicines for chronic diseases was assessed at two public pharmaceutical supply agency hubs.

Participants

The current study included public supply agency hub managers, warehouse managers and forecasting officers at the study setting.

Outcomes

The assessment encompassed the availability of chronic medicines on the day of data collection, as well as records spanning 8 months before the outbreak and 1 year during the pandemic. A total of 22 medicines were selected based on their inclusion in the national essential drug list for public health facilities, including 17 medicines for cardiovascular disease and 5 for diabetes mellitus.

Results

The results of the study indicate that the mean availability of the selected basket medicines was 43.3% (95% CI: 37.1 to 49.5) during COVID-19, which was significantly lower than the availability of 67.4% (95% CI: 62.2 to 72.6) before the outbreak (p<0.001). Prior to COVID-19, the overall average line-item fill rate for the selected products was 78%, but it dropped to 49% during the pandemic. Furthermore, the mean number of days out of stock per month was 11.7 (95% CI: 9.9 to 13.5) before the outbreak of COVID-19, which significantly increased to 15.7 (95% CI: 13.2 to 18.2) during the pandemic, indicating a statistically significant difference (p<0.001). Although the prices for some drugs remained relatively stable, there were significant price hikes for some products. For example, the unit price of insulin increased by more than 130%.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic worsened the availability of essential chronic medicines, including higher rates of stockouts and unit price hikes for some products in the study setting. The study’s findings imply that the COVID-19 pandemic has aggravated already-existing medicine availability issues. Efforts should be made to develop contingency plans and establish mechanisms to monitor medicine availability and pricing during such crises.
Study protocol for a cross-sectional online survey investigating patient preferences and experiences of waiting for elective cardiac surgery
Authors: Russo Manuela , Watson Kathryn , Richards Katie , Olive Rachel Rowan , Krausova Barbora , Kumar Rashmi , Burridge Joanna , Goulding Lucy , Chua Kia-Chong , Hardy David , Vassilios Avlonitis , Kamran Baig , Bhudia Sunil , Alia Noorani , Habib Khan , Sevdalis Nick , Petrou Mario
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Being on a waiting list for elective (planned) cardiac surgery can be physically and psychologically challenging for patients. Research suggests that stress associated with waiting for surgery is dependent on different individual and contextual factors. However, most data on patients’ experiences of waiting for surgery and preferences for waiting list management derives from non-cardiac clinical populations. The aim of the current study is to explore patients’ experiences of being on a waiting list for elective cardiac surgery, and their views on how the waiting experience could be improved in the future. This work will inform the patient management strategy during the waiting period for surgery across the four major hospitals in London directly involved in this study, and potentially beyond by transferring learning to other services.

Methods and analysis

This is a mixed-methods study that will collect quantitative and qualitative data using a cross-sectional online survey. Patients who are on waiting lists for elective surgery across four major cardiac surgery departments in London hospitals, and are at least 18 years old, will be invited by their healthcare team via text message or letter to complete the survey. The target sample size of non-randomly selected participants will be 268. Bivariable and multivariable regression models will be used to assess associations between survey items measuring the impact of the cardiac condition on specific life domains (eg, daily activities, social and family relationships, hobbies, sexual life), anxiety and depression symptoms as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 and survey items evaluating experiences of health services. Data on experience and preferences for improvements to the waiting experience will be analysed with qualitative content analysis using an inductive approach.

Ethics and dissemination

This study was reviewed and granted ethical approval by the East of England—East Cambridge Research Ethics Committee. Findings from this study will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, a research website and social media and with an online event engaging patients, members of the public, healthcare professionals and other relevant stakeholders.

Trial registration numb

NCT05996640
Defining and assessing psychological frailty in older adults: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Lameirinhas Joanes , Gorostiaga Arantxa , Etxeberria Igone
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Frailty is widely acknowledged as a multidimensional construct encompassing physical, psychological and social aspects. However, the lack of consensus in defining and operationalising psychological frailty challenges the holistic approach to frailty advocated by health professionals. Consequently, there is a need to develop a comprehensive definition of psychological frailty based on contributions made by experts in the field, primarily existing frailty assessment tools. This scoping review will aim to identify the key psychological variables that are considered in frailty assessment tools used with older adults as well as to analyse how these psychological variables have been operationalised.

Methods and analysis

The study will be conducted in accordance with recommendations from several methodological frameworks for scoping reviews and will be reported following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews statement guidelines. A systematic literature search will be performed in the CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycInfo, Scopus and Web of Science databases, supplemented by a search in Google Scholar and reference lists. The focus will be on studies that describe the development of multicomponent frailty assessment tools including at least one psychological variable. Study selection and data extraction will be independently conducted by three reviewers working in pairs. Data will be presented in tabular form, and the data will be analysed using qualitative content analysis.

Ethics and dissemination

This study does not require ethical approval since it is based on secondary data analysis. The findings of the review will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal and will be presented at conferences and seminars.

Trial registration number

The scoping review was registered in Open Science Framework on 29 March 2022 (https://osf.io/bn24y).
First mobilisation after abdominal and cardiothoracic surgery: when is it
actually performed? A national, multicentre, cross-sectional study
Authors: Fagevik Olsén Monika , Sehlin Maria , Westerdahl Elisabeth , Schandl Anna , Block Linda , Nygren-Bonnier Malin , Svensson-Raskh Anna
Published: March 2024

Objectives

Knowledge of clinical practice regarding mobilisation after surgery
is lacking. This study therefore aimed to reveal current mobilisation
routines after abdominal and cardiothoracic surgery and to identify
factors associated with mobilisation within 6 hours
postoperatively.

Design

A prospective observational national multicentre study.

Setting

18 different hospitals in Sweden.

Participants

1492 adult patients undergoing abdominal and cardiothoracic surgery
with duration of anaesthesia>2 hours.

Primary and secondary outcomes

Primary outcome was time to first postoperative mobilisation.
Secondary outcomes were the type and duration of the first mobilisation.
Data were analysed using multivariate logistic regression and general
structural equation modelling, and data are presented as ORs with 95%
CIs.

Results

Among the included patients, 52% were mobilised to at least sitting
on the edge of the bed within 6 hours, 70% within 12 hours and 96%
within 24 hours. Besides sitting on the edge of the bed, 76% stood up by
the bed and 22% were walking away from the bedside the first time they
were mobilised. Patients undergoing major upper abdominal surgery
required the longest time before mobilisation with an average time of 11
hours post surgery. Factors associated with increased likelihood of
mobilisation within 6 hours of surgery were daytime arrival at the
postoperative recovery unit (OR: 5.13, 95% CI: 2.16 to 12.18),
anaesthesia <4 hours (OR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.17 to 2.40) and American
Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) classification 1–2, (OR: 1.63, 95%
CI: 1.13 to 2.36).

Conclusions

In total, 96% if the patients were mobilised within 24 hours after
surgery and 52% within 6 hours. Daytime arrival at the postoperative
recovery unit, low ASA classification and shorter duration of
anaesthesia were associated with a shorter time to
mobilisation.

Trial registration number

FoU, Forskning och Utveckling in VGR, Vastra Gotaland Region
(Id:275357) and Clinical Trials (NCT04729634).
Factors associated with satisfaction with social roles and activities
among people with systemic sclerosis: a Scleroderma Patient-centered
Intervention Network (SPIN) cohort cross-sectional study
Authors: Dal Santo Tiffany , Rice Danielle , Carrier Marie-Eve , Virgili-Gervais Gabrielle , Levis Brooke , Kwakkenbos Linda , Bartlett Susan J , Gietzen Amy , Gottesman Karen , Guillot Genevieve , Hudson Marie , Hummers Laura K , Malcarne Vanessa , Mayes Maureen , Mouthon Luc , Richard Michelle , Sauve Maureen , Wojeck Robyn , Geoffroy Marie-Claude , Benedetti Andrea , Thombs Brett
Published: March 2024

Objective

The objectives were to (1) compare satisfaction with social roles
and activities in a large multinational systemic sclerosis (SSc) cohort
to general population normative data and (2) identify sociodemographic,
lifestyle and SSc disease factors associated with satisfaction with
social roles and activities.

Methods

Participants in the Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention
Network Cohort completed the Patient Reported Outcomes Information
System Version 2 satisfaction with social roles and activities domain
questionnaire. Multivariable regression was used to assess associations
with sociodemographic, lifestyle and disease factors.

Results

Among 2385 participants, mean satisfaction with social roles and
activities T-score (48.1, SD=9.9) was slightly lower than the US general
population (mean=50, SD=10). Factors independently associated with
satisfaction were years of education (0.54 per SD, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.93);
non-White race or ethnicity (−1.13, 95% CI −2.18 to –0.08); living in
Canada (−1.33, 95% CI −2.40 to –0.26 (reference USA)) or the UK (−2.49,
95% CI −3.92 to –1.06); body mass index (−1.08 per SD, 95% CI −1.47 to
–0.69); gastrointestinal involvement (−3.16, 95% CI −4.27 to –2.05);
digital ulcers (−1.90, 95% CI −3.05 to –0.76); moderate (−1.62, 95% CI
−2.78 to –0.45) or severe (−2.26, 95% CI −3.99 to –0.52) small joint
contractures; interstitial lung disease (−1.11, 95% CI −1.97 to –0.25);
pulmonary arterial hypertension (−2.69, 95% CI −4.08 to –1.30);
rheumatoid arthritis (−2.51, 95% CI −4.28 to –0.73); and Sjogren’s
syndrome (−2.42, 95% CI −3.96 to –0.88).

Conclusion

Mean satisfaction with social roles and activities is slightly lower
in SSc than the general population and associated with multiple
sociodemographic and disease factors.
Effectiveness and safety of adalimumab compared with leflunomide in patients with Takayasu arteritis: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Peron Filho Faustino , Moreira Andressa de Souza , Janes Anna Larissa Faria , de Souza Alexandre W S
Published: March 2024

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of adalimumab (ADA) compared with leflunomide (LEF) in patients with Takayasu arteritis (TAK).

Method

A retrospective cohort study was performed with the following inclusion criteria: the fulfilment of the 2022 American College Classification/European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology criteria for TAK, age ≥18 years, and written informed consent. Forty-four patients were treated with LEF (n=28) or ADA (n=16) therapy due to relapsing/refractory disease or toxicity from previous therapy. Patients were evaluated at baseline (T0), at a median of 7.0 months (T1) and at 15.0 months of follow-up (T2). Data regarding disease activity, daily dose of prednisone, side effects and angiographic progression were analysed.

Results

LEF and ADA groups had similar features on the baseline visit. However, intravenous methylprednisolone was more frequently prescribed for the ADA group (p=0.019). On T1 and T2 visits, complete response rates were similar for ADA and LEF groups (75.0% and 88.5%; p=0.397 and 62.5% vs 78.3%; p=0.307), respectively. The differences remained non-significant after adjusting for baseline variables by propensity score matching. Although the ADA group had a higher median daily prednisone on visit T1 (p=0.004), it was similar on visit T2 (p=0.595). Similar rates of angiographic progression were observed in ADA and LEF groups (40% vs 25%; p=0.467). Mild-to-moderate adverse events were observed only in the LEF group (17.9%).

Conclusion

LEF and ADA had comparable outcomes after a median of 15.0 months of follow-up. However, withdrawal from therapy and mild-to-moderate adverse events were only observed in the LEF group.
Modulation of functional activity of heat-stressed chicken macrophages by poultry-derived probiotic lactobacilli
Authors: Abdelaziz Khaled , Nixon Thandi , Joye Annie , Hassan Hosni , Alizadeh Mohammadali , Sharif Shayan , Kulkarni Raveendra R.
Published: March 2024

This study investigated the potential role of lactobacilli in mitigating the negative effects of heat stress on the functional activity of chicken macrophages. Macrophage-like MQ-NCSU cells were incubated at 40 and 44 °C in the presence or absence of a single or a mixture of different poultry-derived Lactobacillus spp., including Lactobacillus animalis, L. acidophilus, L. reuteri, and L. crispatus. Macrophage activation was evaluated by measuring nitric oxide (NO) production, phagocytic activity, and the transcription levels of cytokines, chemokine, and Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Macrophages exposed to heat stress exhibited increased production of NO, diminished expression of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-12p40, and elevated expression of TLR2 and TLR4, whereas no significant alterations in the phagocytic activity of macrophages were observed. Conversely, treatment of macrophages with probiotic lactobacilli counteracted the effects associated with heat stress. This was evidenced by a notable enhancement in macrophage phagocytic activity, NO production and expression of IL-1β, IL-12p40, IL-18, and chemokine CXCL8, coupled with a reduction in TLR2 and TLR4 expression. These findings suggest that probiotic lactobacilli could be given to chickens to mitigate the negative effects of heat stress on their innate immune system. However, further studies are required to validate the observed effects in an in vivo model.
MHD Darcy–Forchheimer flow and double-diffusive modeling of Maxwell fluid over rotating stretchable surface: A computational study
Authors: Upreti Himanshu , Bisht Ankita , Joshi Navneet
Published: March 2024

In this work, the Cattaneo–Christov double diffusion model is used to analyze the three-dimensional boundary layer flow of an upper-convected Maxwell fluid flowing over a bi-directional stretching surface. The model assumes that the fluid’s diffusivity is concentration-dependent, whereas dynamic viscosity and thermal conductivity are temperature-dependent; and the model takes into account the influence of the magnetic field of uniform strength. The problem is formulated using the conservation rules of mass, momentum, and energy as well as the boundary layer approximation. The resulting nonlinear system is then numerically solved using the bvp4c procedure in MATLAB. The obtained results are set forth graphically to illustrate the variations of different parameters. It is contemplated that the increase in thermal relaxation parameter results in a drop in fluid temperature while there is an enhancement in the concentration profile. Also, the temperature field has a direct relationship with the temperature-dependent viscosity. This research has proven its utility in industries where there is a need to analyze fluid flow over surfaces that can stretch in two directions.
Mathematical modeling and component generalization of (2+1)-dimensional Schwarz–Kortweg–de Vries model in shallow water waves
Authors: Shehzad Farrukh , Seadawy Aly R. , Ahmed Sarfaraz , Rizvi Syed T. R.
Published: March 2024

This work employs the sub-ODE method to compute new soliton solutions for the component generalization of [Formula: see text]-dimensional Schwarz–Kortweg–de Vries (SKdV) equation in shallow water waves. The rational soliton solutions (RSS), Jacobian elliptic function (JEF), periodic solutions (PS), hyperbolic function solutions (HFS), positive solitons, dark soliton solutions (DSS) and bright soliton solutions (BSS) are constructed with this technique. Solitons-like solutions, HFS and trigonometric-function solutions (TFS) are also found as the JEF’s parameter m approaches values of 1 and 0, respectively. The suggested approach for the nonlinear equations in mathematical physics is concise, simple, effective, and promising.
Insight into Oligocene–Early Miocene palaeogeography of the Carpathians in Poland: first cycle and recycled detrital zircon provenance in the Menilite and Krosno formations
Authors: Nawrocki Jerzy , Pańczyk Magdalena , Malata Tomasz , S. Dziadzio Piotr , Balicki Leszek , Derkowski Paweł
Published: March 2024

A set of 6368 U–Pb isotope ages of detrital zircons from 53 samples of the Oligocene to Early Miocene Menilite and Krosno formations (Outer Western Carpathians) was obtained and interpreted in terms of their sources. In both units the most frequent are mid-Variscan and Cadomian zircons that were derived from the Variscan Internides underlying the studied basin, and from the Brunovistulia Terrane, respectively. The coincidence of detrital zircon ages and clast ages indicates that zircons of that age can be at least partly of first cycle. Sveconorwegian and Calymmian–Statherian recycled zircons of Baltica origin, highly frequent in the Menilite Formation, are most probably sourced from Lower Devonian sediments of the Małopolska Massif. The Oligocene basin of the Menilite Formation was supplied in detrital material largely from the north where the Meta-Carpathian Swell was elevated in the area of the Małopolska Massif and Brunovistulia Terrane. During sedimentation of the Krosno Formation this source expired. A considerable input to the Menilite Formation of Baltica derived zircons and a limited number of zircons from sources located SE of the study area suggests that they were deposited in a relatively shallow and isolated basin.

Supplementary material
: A list of samples collected, lithological features of sampled rocks and lithostratigraphic sub-units, methods of zircon separation and U–Pb dating, and detailed results of the dating of detrital zircons, with concordia plots and probability density diagrams are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.7100071
Professional Development in Computational Thinking: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Espinal Alejandro , Vieira Camilo , Magana Alejandra J.
Published: March 2024

This paper presents a systematic literature review of professional development programs in computational thinking (CT). CT has emerged as an essential set of skills that everyone should develop to participate in a global society. However, there were no pre-service or in-service teacher programs to integrate CT into the K–12 classrooms until very recently. Thus, it is important to identify how educators and researchers address the challenges to prepare the next generation of students and what gaps persist in the current literature. We review existing work in this field from two perspectives: First, we analyze the learning outcomes, assessment methods, pedagogical approaches, and pedagogical tools used in the professional development programs in CT. Second, we examine how these programs assess the teachers’ knowledge and skills as outcomes. We used the technological pedagogical and content knowledge (TPACK) framework to characterize existing literature and identify possible gaps in the preparation of pre-service and in-service teachers in CT. Our results suggest that (1) existing evidence is limited to developed countries; (2) many studies are only focusing on teachers understanding the concepts but do not explore how the participants evaluate or create learning activities; (3) no studies look into classroom observations as part of the program, which limits our understanding to how these programs work; and (4) most programs use block-based programming languages as the tool to develop student CT. While block-based programming languages are used for introductory training programs, students are often expected to transfer their learning to more professional programming languages.
Debugging Pathways: Open-Ended Discrepancy Noticing, Causal Reasoning, and Intervening
Authors: DeLiema David , Bye Jeffrey K. , Marupudi Vijay
Published: March 2024

Learning to respond to a computer program that is not working as intended is often characterized as finding a singular bug causing a singular problem. This framing underemphasizes the wide range of ways that students and teachers could notice discrepancies from their intention, propose causes of those discrepancies, and implement interventions. Weaving together a synthesis of the existing research literature with new multimodal interaction analyses of teacher–student conversations during coding, we propose a framework for debugging that foregrounds this open-endedness. We use the framework to structure an analysis of three naturalistic debugging situations (with US 5th–10th graders) that range from solo debugging to collaborative discourse. We argue that a broken computer program is a polysemous object through which teachers and students actively and publicly notice, reason about, and negotiate different debugging pathways. We document students and teachers improvisationally altering a debugging pathway, justifying a particular pathway, and outwardly discussing competing pathways. This paper provides a framework for structuring debugging pedagogy to be less about scaffolding a student toward a specific pathway to a fix and more about exploring multiple possible pathways and judging the (learning) value of various routes.
Protease-activated receptor 2 drives migration in a colon cancer cell line but not in noncancerous human epithelial cells
Authors: Périco Larissa Lucena , Vegso Andrew J. , Baggio Cristiane H. , MacNaughton Wallace K.
Published: March 2024

Protease-activated receptor 2 enhances wound healing in the T84 colon cancer cell line, but not in primary cells derived from patient biopsies, an effect that is synergistically enhanced in the presence of the inflammatory cytokines TNF and IFNγ.
P. aeruginosa tRNA-fMet halves secreted in outer membrane vesicles suppress lung inflammation in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Li Zhongyou , Barnaby Roxanna , Nymon Amanda , Roche Carolyn , Koeppen Katja , Ashare Alix , Hogan Deborah A. , Gerber Scott A. , Taatjes Douglas J. , Hampton Thomas H. , Stanton Bruce A.
Published: March 2024

The experiments in this report identify a novel mechanism, whereby tobramycin reduces inflammation in two models of CF. Tobramycin increased the secretion of tRNA-fMet halves in OMVs secreted by P. aeruginosa, which reduced the OMV-LPS-induced inflammatory response in primary cultures of CF-HBEC and in mouse lung, an effect predicted to reduce lung damage in pwCF.
Intercropping Maize with Faba Bean Improves Yield, Income, and Soil Fertility in Semiarid Environment
Authors: Gidey Tesfay , Berhe Daniel Hagos , Birhane Emiru , Gufi Yirga , Haileslassie Bereket
Published: March 2024

Continuous adoption of improved maize varieties in the last three decades has changed farm landscapes from heterogeneity to maize homogeneity in semiarid areas of Ethiopia. This has substantially decreased maize productivity. Recently, farmers have integrated faba bean into maize-based farming systems aimed at increasing productivity. Yet, there is limited information on the effects of maize-faba bean intercropping on productivity and land-use efficiency. We studied the effects of maize intercrops with two faba bean varieties (Gora and Moti) at three different densities (25, 50, and 75%) of the recommended sole faba bean (250,000 plants ha−1) on yield, economic return, and some soil fertility indicators in Tigray, northern Ethiopia. Randomized complete block design with three replications was used for the experiment. The intercrops revealed that a significantly higher total grain yield, economic revenue, and land equivalent ratio (LER) over the sole cropping. Intercrops also showed higher soil organic carbon and total nitrogen compared to the preplanting soil and sole maize. Maize intercropped with the Gora faba bean variety at a density of 50% increased the total grain yields, economic return, and LER, respectively, by 13, 42, and 38% over the sole maize. The intercrop also increased soil total N by 55 and 22% compared to the preplanting soil and sole maize, respectively. Intercropping maize with faba bean significantly improved crop yield, income, land-use productivity, and some soil fertility indicators than either the sole maize or faba bean crop in the semiarid region of northern Ethiopia.
Model Predictive Control on Transient Flux Linkage and Reactive Power Compensation of Doubly Fed Induction Wind Generator
Authors: Zhu Jian-hong , Zhang Pengkun , Zhang Xinsong , Qin Lin , Sun Chengxiang , Li Han
Published: March 2024

For weak grid scenario with high new energy proportion, large fluctuations of load are prone to cause low‐voltage ride through. Moreover, stator transient magnetic flux will cause overvoltage and overcurrent problems in the rotor of doubly fed induction generator. Based on model predictive control, a control strategy for transient flux linkage and reactive power compensation is proposed. Firstly, regarding the issue of reactive power allocation of grid side converters (GSC) and rotor side converters (RSC), an allocation strategy is derived under minimizing winding energy loss on case of low‐voltage ride through, enabling the wind energy conversion system to provide reactive power support during grid voltage recovery process. Meanwhile, an improved mixed second‐ and third‐order generalized integrator (MSTOGI) phase‐locked loop (PLL) is used to extract the positive and negative sequence components of the power grid voltage, further for RSC control. Secondly, in response to power grid faults, considering the influence of stator DC transient flux and negative sequence flux components on rotor current, by injecting rotor transient compensation current and stator flux feedforward compensation into RSC, the rotor impulse voltage and loop current are reduced. Moreover, combined with model predictive control algorithm, a control strategy of rotor current is designed. Finally, a simulation platform is built to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method based on comparing with several traditional vector control low‐voltage ride through methods.
Power Data Access Viewer-Based Meteorological Drought Analysis and Rainfall Variability in the Nile River Basin
Authors: Gebeyhu Birara
Published: March 2024

Meteorological drought poses a frequent challenge in the Nile River basin, yet its comprehensive evaluation across the basin has been hindered by insufficient recorded rainfall data. Common indices like the standard precipitation index, coefficients of variation, and precipitation concentration index serve as pivotal tools in gauging drought severity. This research aimed to assess the meteorological drought status in the Nile River basin by using the Power Data Access Viewer product rainfall data. Bias correction procedures were implemented to refine the monthly rainfall data for Bahirdar, Markos, Nekemt, and Muger stations, resulting in notable improvements in the coefficient of determination (R2) that were increased from 0.74 to 0.93, 0.72 to 0.89, 0.71 to 0.96, and 0.69 to 0.84, respectively. The average spatial distribution of drought in the Nile basin was classified as extremely wet (3.81%), severely wet (9.01%), moderately wet (7.36%), near normal (9.97%), moderately drought (21.20%), severely drought (17.11%), and extremely drought (31.54%). Approximately 10.33% of the Nile River basin was situated in regions characterized by high rainfall variability, while around 21.17% was located in areas with a notably irregular precipitation concentration index. Overall, this study sheds light on the prevailing meteorological drought patterns in the Nile River basin, emphasizing the significance of understanding and managing these phenomena for the sustainable development of the region.
Supplementary Table 5 from The Salivary Microbiome and Predicted Metabolite Production Are Associated with Barrett's Esophagus and High-Grade Dysplasia or Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Solfisburg Quinn S. , Baldini Federico , Baldwin-Hunter Brittany , Austin George I. , Lee Harry H. , Park Heekuk , Freedberg Daniel E. , Lightdale Charles J. , Korem Tal , Abrams Julian A.
Published: March 2024

Supplementary Table 5: Multivariable Logistic Regression Analyses Assessing Association Between Tooth Loss and HGD/EAC.
Supplementary Table 3 from The Salivary Microbiome and Predicted Metabolite Production Are Associated with Barrett's Esophagus and High-Grade Dysplasia or Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Solfisburg Quinn S. , Baldini Federico , Baldwin-Hunter Brittany , Austin George I. , Lee Harry H. , Park Heekuk , Freedberg Daniel E. , Lightdale Charles J. , Korem Tal , Abrams Julian A.
Published: March 2024

Supplementary Table 3: Patient characteristics comparing those without Barrett's esophagus (non-BE), Barrett's esophagus without dypslasia (NDBE), and Barrett's esophagus with associated high grade dysplasia or adenocarcinoma (HGD/EAC).