bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Worlds in Motion Redux? Expanding Migration Theories and Their Interconnections
Authors: Riosmena Fernando
Published: July 2024

Migration theorizing has coalesced around sets encompassing several frameworks. Despite many contributions of these collections, contemporary migration theorizing exhibits three important shortcomings, which this paper aims to address. First, sets of theories have traditionally not explicitly and jointly addressed fundamental questions in migration, namely (i) key motivations beyond those related to “labor” (turmoil; environmental strain; family, or self‐realization factors); (ii) how important axes of social difference produce distinct motivations and mechanisms (e.g., by gender and sexuality); (iii) the (in)direct roles of the state; (iv) important spatial considerations, that is, immobility, internal versus international movement, step/onward/secondary migrations; and (v) key issues of temporality, that is, return migration, its timing, and intentionality. Engaging with classical and contemporary scholarship, I provide an updated, revised, and broadened set of frameworks and analytical lenses that better incorporate these issues. Second, the most common typology used to categorize frameworks into “initiation” and “continuation” suffers from ambiguity and imprecision. I offer a new classification, typifying mechanisms as more/less endogenous to prior migrations. Third, scholarship has advanced little in systematically examining whether/how theories relate to each other. I provide a basic taxonomy of mechanism “competition,” “coexistence,” co‐occurrence, and interrelation. I conclude by proposing a new and expanded set of frameworks and analytical lenses, reflecting on the implications of these modifications.
Prognostic value of clinical and radiomic parameters in patients with liver metastases from uveal melanoma
Authors: Lever Mael , Bogner Simon , Giousmas Melina , Mairinger Fabian D. , Baba Hideo A. , Richly Heike , Gromke Tanja , Schuler Martin , Bechrakis Nikolaos E. , Kalkavan Halime
Published: July 2024

Approximately every second patient with uveal melanoma develops distant metastases, with the liver as the predominant target organ. While the median survival after diagnosis of distant metastases is limited to a year, yet‐to‐be‐defined subgroups of patients experience a more favorable outcome. Therefore, prognostic biomarkers could help identify distinct risk groups to guide patient counseling, therapeutic decision‐making, and stratification of study populations. To this end, we retrospectively analyzed a cohort of 101 patients with newly diagnosed hepatic metastases from uveal melanoma by using Cox‐Lasso regression machine learning, adapted to a high‐dimensional input parameter space. We show that substantial binary risk stratification can be performed, based on (i) clinical and laboratory parameters, (ii) measures of quantitative overall hepatic tumor burden, and (iii) radiomic parameters. Yet, combining two or all three domains failed to improve prognostic separation of patients. Additionally, we identified highly relevant clinical parameters (including lactate dehydrogenase, thrombocyte counts, aspartate transaminase, and the metastasis‐free interval) at first diagnosis of metastatic disease as predictors for time‐to‐treatment failure and overall survival. Taken together, the risk stratification models, built by our machine‐learning algorithm, identified a comparable and independent prognostic value of clinical, radiological, and radiomic parameters in uveal melanoma patients with hepatic metastases.
Norovirus Management and Outcomes in a Multicenter Pediatric Kidney Transplant Population
Authors: Engen Rachel M. , Keyser Michelle , Jiang Ziou , Kizilbash Sarah
Published: July 2024

Background

Norovirus is the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis. Studies in adult kidney recipients have documented significant morbidity associated with norovirus infection, but there are few studies in pediatric recipients.

Methods

Multicenter retrospective cohort study of pediatric kidney transplant recipients with norovirus, confirmed by stool PCR, between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2018. Outcomes of interest included duration of diarrhea, incidence of chronic diarrhea, management strategies, and graft function.

Results

Forty pediatric kidney transplant recipients from four centers were identified for inclusion. Median age at transplant was 5.4 years (IQR 2.2–11.2 years), and median time post‐transplant was 1.9 years (IQR 0.8–3.8 years). Median diarrheal duration was 16 days (IQR 6.0–41.5 days); 15 patients (43%) had acute diarrhea, 8 (23%) had persistent, and 12 (30%) had chronic diarrhea. Twenty‐one (53%) patients developed acute kidney injury. Thirty‐five (88%) patients required supplemental fluids, 8 (20%) patients underwent immunosuppression reduction for a median of 22 days, 5 (13%) were treated with nitazoxanide, and 5 (13%) received oral immunoglobulin. Acute rejection was diagnosed in 3 (8%) patients within 6 months of norovirus diagnosis. We observed no sustained decline in eGFR at 12 months after diarrhea resolution (median eGFR difference: 2.8 mL/min/1.73 m2 [IQR: −17.1, 7.4]). Of the patients in the cohort, two lost their graft at 6.8 and 30.0 months after the onset of diarrhea.

Conclusion

Norovirus is associated with significant morbidity in pediatric kidney transplant recipients. Various treatment interventions are being employed for norovirus infection. Larger studies, both observational and interventional, are needed to determine the optimal treatment.
Autopsy case of linear nevus sebaceous syndrome with KRAS (G12D) mutation
Authors: Ohishi Akira , Enomoto Yasunori , Iwafuchi Hideto , Meguro Shiori , Kosugi Isao , Baba Satoshi , Iwashita Toshihide , Segawa Yuki , Ueno Daizo , Iijima Shigeo
Published: July 2024

Linear nevus sebaceous syndrome (LNSS) is a neurocutaneous syndrome associated with systemic complications that involve multiple organs, including the skin, central nervous system, eyes, and skeleton. LNSS is considered to be caused by mosaic RAS gene mutation. In this report, we present an autopsy case of LNSS in a Japanese boy. The affected neonate had hydrops fetalis and was born at 28 weeks and 4 days of gestation, weighing 2104 g. He had bilateral inverted eyelids, verrucous linear nevus separated along Blaschko's line, myocardial hypertrophy, and pharyngeal constriction, and underwent intensive treatment in NICU for arrhythmia, hydrocephalus, and respiratory distress. The hydrocephalus progressed gradually and he died at the age of 181 days, 12 days after a sudden cardiac arrest and recovery. KRAS G12D mutation was found in a skin biopsy specimen but not in blood cells, suggesting a postzygotic mosaicism. Autopsy revealed novel pathological findings related to LNSS, including intracranial lipomatous hamartoma and mesenteric lymphangioma, in addition to previously reported findings such as multicystic dysplastic kidney. There was the limited expression of mutated KRAS protein in kidneys.
Do actions structure auditory memory? Action‐based event segmentation effects on sensory responses, pupil dilation and sequential memory
Authors: Font‐Alaminos Marta , Paraskevoudi Nadia , Costa‐Faidella Jordi , SanMiguel Iria
Published: July 2024

Our actions shape our everyday experience: what we experience, how we perceive, and remember it are deeply affected by how we interact with the world. Performing an action to deliver a stimulus engages neurophysiological processes which are reflected in the modulation of sensory and pupil responses. We hypothesized that these processes shape memory encoding, parsing the experience by grouping self‐ and externally generated stimuli into differentiated events. Participants encoded sound sequences, in which either the first or last few sounds were self‐generated and the rest externally generated. We tested recall of the sequential order of sounds that had originated from the same (within event) or different sources (across events). Memory performance was not higher for within‐event sounds, suggesting that actions did not structure the memory representation. However, during encoding, we observed the expected electrophysiological response attenuation for self‐generated sounds, together with increased pupil dilation triggered by actions. Moreover, at the boundary between events, physiological responses to the first sound from the new source were influenced by the direction of the source switch. Our results suggest that introducing actions creates a stronger contextual shift than removing them, even though actions do not directly contribute to memory performance. This study contributes to our understanding of how interacting with sensory input shapes experiences by exploring the relationships between action effects on sensory responses, pupil dilation, and memory encoding. Importantly, it challenges the notion of a meaningful contribution from low‐level neurophysiological mechanisms associated with action execution in the modulation of the self‐generation effect.
Uncontrolled mild‐to‐moderate asthma may not be mild or moderate, or even asthma: The benefits of early phenotyping
Authors: Melhorn James , Lavoie Gabriel
Published: July 2024

See related article
Nonlinear systems of PDEs admitting infinite‐dimensional Lie algebras and their connection with Ricci flows
Authors: Cherniha Roman , King John R.
Published: July 2024

A wide class of two‐component evolution systems is constructed admitting an infinite‐dimensional Lie algebra. Some examples of such systems that are relevant to reaction–diffusion systems with cross‐diffusion are highlighted. It is shown that a nonlinear evolution system related to the Ricci flow on warped product manifold, which has been extensively studied by several authors, follows from the above‐mentioned class as a very particular case. The Lie symmetry properties of this system and its natural generalization are identified and a wide range of exact solutions is constructed using the Lie symmetry obtained. Moreover, a special case is identified when the system in question is reducible to the fast diffusion equation in one space dimension. Finally, another class of two‐component evolution systems with an infinite‐dimensional Lie symmetry that possess essentially different structures is presented.
Identifying latent classes of suicidal ambivalence: Associations with suicide risk correlates and outcomes
Authors: Mitchell Sean , Marvin Cole , Mitaj Dea , Rogers Megan L.
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Research has largely conceptualized suicidal ambivalence as the difference between one's wish to live and wish to die without fully considering other suicide ideation (SI) experiences included on measures like the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSS). We utilized BSS items to identify SI latent classes and examined relevant correlates and outcomes.

Methods

We collected self‐report data from two samples of US adults who: (1) self‐identified as LGBTQ+ (N = 349; cross‐sectional) and (2) self‐reported past‐week SI (BSS score ≥ 11; N = 133; 3 timepoints).

Results

Latent class analyses supported three‐class (Sample 1) and four‐class solutions (Sample 2), which included ambivalent classes. In Sample 1, sexual orientation, gender, depression, anxiety, SI, and suicide‐specific rumination were concurrently associated with class membership. In Sample 2, depression, SI, suicide‐specific rumination, and physical/psychological distance from suicide methods were concurrently associated with class membership. In Sample 2, at both follow‐ups, suicide plans/preparations and Acute Suicidal Affective Disturbance symptom frequencies were provided by class membership, and suicidal intent significantly differed by class membership.

Conclusions

SI classes differed by sample and evidenced nuances in SI and suicidal ambivalence. Risk factors and suicide‐related outcomes also differed by class membership. Implications and limitations are discussed.
Diabetes, glycemic profile and risk of vitiligo: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Hu Shucheng , Che Yuhui , Cai Jiaying , Chen Siyan , Gao Ruifan , Huang Xiaopeng
Published: July 2024

Backgroud

Previous observational studies have shown that vitiligo usually co‐manifests with a variety of dysglycemic diseases, such as Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was performed to further evaluate the causal association between fasting plasma glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), T1DM, T2DM and vitiligo.

Materials and methods

We used aggregated genome‐wide association data from the Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU) online database of European adults vitiligo; HbA1c data were from IEU. Fasting blood glucose data were obtained from the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI). T1DM and T2DM data were from FinnGen. We used bidirectional two‐sample and multivariate MR analyses to test whether dysglycemic measures (fasting blood glucose, HbA1c), diabetes‐related measures (T1DM, T2DM) are causatively associated with vitiligo. Inverse variance weighting (IVW) method was used as the main test method, MR‐Egger, Weighted mode and Weighted median were used as supplementary methods.

Results

We found no statistically significant evidence to support a causal association between dysglycemic traits and vitiligo, but in the correlation analysis of diabetic traits, our data supported a positive causal association between T1DM and vitiligo (p = 0.018). In the follow‐up multivariate MR analysis, our results still supported this conclusion (p = 0.016), and suggested that HbA1c was not a mediator of T1DM affecting the pathogenesis of vitiligo. No reverse causality was found in any of the reverse MR Analyses of dysglycemic traits and diabetic traits.

Conclusions

Our findings support that T1DM is a risk factor for the development of vitiligo, and this conclusion may explain why the co‐presentation of T1DM and vitiligo is often seen in observational studies. Clinical use of measures related to T1DM may be a new idea for the prevention or treatment of vitiligo.
Buruli ulcer, tuberculosis and leprosy: Exploring the One Health dimensions of three most prevalent mycobacterial diseases: A narrative review
Authors: Spiliopoulos Orestis , Solomos Zisimangelos , Puchner Karl Philipp
Published: July 2024

Οbjectives

Although Buruli ulcer, tuberculosis, and leprosy are the three most common mycobacterial diseases, One Health dimensions of these infections remain poorly understood. This narrative review aims at exploring the scientific literature with respect to the presence of animal reservoir(s) and other environmental sources for the pathogens of these infections, their role in transmission to humans and the research on/practical implementation of One Health relevant control efforts.

Methods

The literature review was conducted using the online databases PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest and Google Scholar, reviewing articles that were written in English in the last 15 years. Grey literature, published by intergovernmental agencies, was also reviewed.

Results

For the pathogen of Buruli ulcer, evidence suggests possums as a possible animal reservoir and thus having an active role in disease transmission to humans. Cattle and some wildlife species are deemed as established animal reservoirs for tuberculosis pathogens, with a non‐negligible proportion of infections in humans being of zoonotic origin. Armadillos constitute an established animal reservoir for leprosy pathogens with the transmission of the disease from armadillos to humans being deemed possible. Lentic environments, soil and other aquatic sources may represent further abiotic reservoirs for viable Buruli ulcer and leprosy pathogens infecting humans. Ongoing investigation and implementation of public health measures, targeting (sapro)zoonotic transmission can be found in all three diseases.

Conclusion

Buruli ulcer, tuberculosis and leprosy exhibit important yet still poorly understood One Health aspects. Despite the microbiological affinity of the respective causative mycobacteria, considerable differences in their animal reservoirs, potential environmental sources and modes of zoonotic transmission are being observed. Whether these differences reflect actual variations between these diseases or rather knowledge gaps remains unclear. For improved disease control, further investigation of zoonotic aspects of all three diseases and formulation of One Health relevant interventions is urgently needed.
Stored platelet hemostatic phenotype and function is not altered when donors are on testosterone replacement therapy
Authors: Chitrakar Alisha , Bean Scott‐Wesley M. , Kanias Tamir , Thomas Kimberly A.
Published: July 2024

Background

Critical shortages in the national blood supply have led to a re‐evaluation of previously overlooked donor sources for blood products. As a part of that effort, red blood cells collected from therapeutic phlebotomy of donors on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) have been conditionally approved for transfusion. However, platelets from TRT donors are not currently approved for use due to limited data on effects of supraphysiologic testosterone on recipient safety and platelet function. The objective of this study was to provide a comprehensive profile of phenotype and function in platelets from TRT and control donors.

Study Design and Methods

Platelets in plasma were collected from TRT and control donors (N = 10 per group; age‐ and sex‐matched) and stored at room temperature for 7 days. On storage Day 1 (D1) and Day 7 (D7), platelet products were analyzed for platelet count, metabolic parameters (i.e., glucose, lactate, mitochondrial function), surface receptor expression, aggregation, thrombin generation, and thrombus formation under physiological flow conditions.

Results

TRT donor platelets were not significantly different than control donor platelets in terms of count, surface phenotype, metabolic function, ability to aggregate, thrombin generation, or ability to form occlusive thrombus under arterial flow regimes. Both groups were similar to each other by D7, but had significantly lost hemostatic function compared to D1.

Discussion

Platelets derived from donors undergoing TRT have similar phenotypic and functional profiles compared to those derived from control donors. This suggests that therapeutic phlebotomy of TRT donors may provide a useful source for platelet products.
Absolute and size‐adjusted trade flows: An analysis of RTAs and GATT/WTO membership
Authors: Braithwaite Samuel
Published: July 2024

This paper contributes to the debate on whether membership of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade/World Trade Organisation (GATT/WTO) promotes greater levels of international trade. A size‐adjusted measure of trade flows vis‐á‐vis absolute trade flows (the traditional dependent variable) is used. The size‐adjusted trade flows dependent variable reduces the importance of bilateral trade with larger countries yielding a greater balance between large and small trade partners and provides an opportunity to test the importance of membership of the GATT/WTO relative to the numerous regional trade agreements (RTAs) which have grown exponentially over the years. In keeping with the recent literature, a structural gravity model of trade framework is used with a Poisson pseudo‐maximum‐likelihood estimator and high dimensional fixed effects. Furthermore, the data set consists of both international and intra‐national (domestic) trade flows. In the case of both approaches (size‐adjusted and absolute trade flows) the results are statistically significant and positive as regards the impact of GATT/WTO membership and RTAs on trade flows. Furthermore, the estimates resulting from size‐adjusted trade flows maintain the greater importance of GATT/WTO membership relative to RTAs.
Subrank and optimal reduction of scalar multiplications to generic tensors
Authors: Derksen Harm , Makam Visu , Zuiddam Jeroen
Published: July 2024

The subrank of a tensor measures how much a tensor can be diagonalized. We determine this parameter precisely for essentially all (i.e., generic) tensors. Namely, we prove for generic tensors in with that the subrank is . Our result significantly improves on the previous upper bound from the work of Strassen (1991) and Bürgisser (1990) which was . Our result is tight up to an additive constant. Our full result covers not only 3‐tensors but also ‐tensors, for which we find that the generic subrank is . Moreover, as an application, we prove that the subrank is not additive under the direct sum. As a consequence of our result, we obtain several large separations between the subrank and tensor methods that have received much interest recently, notably the slice rank (Tao, 2016), analytic rank (Gowers–Wolf, 2011; Lovett, 2018; Bhrushundi–Harsha–Hatami–Kopparty–Kumar, 2020), geometric rank (Kopparty–Moshkovitz–Zuiddam, 2020), and G‐stable rank (Derksen, 2020). Our proofs of the lower bounds rely on a new technical result about an optimal decomposition of tensor space into structured subspaces, which we think may be of independent interest.
Artificial bee colony algorithm for operating room scheduling problem with dedicated/flexible resources and cooperative operations
Authors: Bektur Gulcin , Aslan Hatice Kübra
Published: July 2024

In this study operating room scheduling (ORS) problem is addressed in multi-resource manner. In the addressed problem, besides operating rooms (ORs) and surgeons, the anesthesia team is also considered as an additional resource. The surgeon(s) who will perform the operation have already been assigned to the patients and is a dedicated resource. The assignment of the anesthesia team has been considered as a decision problem and a flexible resource. In this study, cooperative operations are also considered. A mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model is proposed for the problem. Since the problem is NP-hard, an artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm is proposed for the problem. The solutions of the ABC are compared with the MILP model and random search.
Intuitionistic fuzzy eigenvalue problem
Authors: Ceylan Tahir
Published: July 2024

The purpose of this paper is the study of the eigenvalues of the second order fuzzy boundary value problem (FBVP). By using the (alpha-beta)-level set of intuitionistic fuzzy numbers and Zadeh's extension principle, the FBVP is solved with the proposed method. Furthermore, a numerical example is illustrated and the advantages of the proposed approach are compared with other well-known methods such as the solutions based on the generalized Hukuhara derivative.
Generalized Method for the Conceptual Design of Compact Heat Exchangers
Authors: Miltén Petter , Johnsson Isak , Lundbladh Anders , Xisto Carlos
Published: July 2024

The paper introduces a novel method for generalized heat exchanger (HX) design and evaluation, freeing the process from predefined geometries. It aims to facilitate early-stage conceptual exploration, allowing the designer to make informed decisions. The paper explores heat transfer and fluid friction principles in order to set key parameters for estimating aerothermal performance, introduced by LaHaye et al. Arguing against a single metric, the paper proposes a custom cost function (CF) for evaluating the integrated generalized heat exchanger. A case study applies the method to a particular aircraft engine scenario, using cost functions to evaluate intercooler designs based on pressure loss and heat transfer surface weight. The study determines suitable heat exchanger families for further development, considering factors like finned area, compactness, and flow distribution.
Simulation Study on Hydraulic Braking Control of Engine Motor of Hybrid Electric Vehicle
Authors: Kang Fan , Qiao Min
Published: July 2024

Taking the hybrid electric vehicle as the research object, under the premise of ensuring braking safety, aiming at maximizing the use of motor regenerative braking force and improving the coordination performance of motor hydraulic braking, a simulation study of motor hydraulic braking control based on hybrid electric vehicle engine is proposed. According to the dynamic model and ideal braking force distribution curve of the hybrid electric vehicle, combined with the common idea of electro-hydraulic compound braking force distribution, a three-layer braking control structure of the hybrid electric vehicle is constructed. The management determines the braking intention through the driver's pedal action and calculates the expected torque, and the control layer obtains the target braking force distribution relationship through the logic gate limit control method based on the expected torque. According to the actual motor torque signal fed back by the executive layer and the wheel cylinder pressure signal of the hydraulic braking system, the braking force and regenerative braking force of the hydraulic system are dynamically coordinated and controlled to ensure that the state switching of each component can be rapid, stable, and timely, and the control instruction is transmitted to the motor hydraulic braking system of the executive layer through the vehicle controller to complete the motor hydraulic braking of the hybrid electric vehicle engine. The experimental results show that this method can realize the reasonable distribution of motor hydraulic braking under different braking intensities, different initial braking speeds, and different pedal dip amplitudes, which makes the reaction speed of the hybrid electric vehicle in the braking process faster, the braking switching more stable and safe, effectively improves the energy utilization rate of the hybrid electric vehicle, and ensures the economy and safety of braking control of the hybrid electric vehicle.
Electron emission from HfC(100) single-crystal tip
Authors: Kusunoki Toshiaki , Arai Noriaki
Published: July 2024

We investigated electron emission characteristics of a hafnium carbide [HfC(100)] single-crystal tip at various temperatures toward finding a candidate of the next generation of emitters for electron microscopes. The emission mode changed from cold-field emission (CFE) to low-temperature and high-temperature thermal-field emission and, finally, to extended Schottky emission. The energy width at full width of half maximum of the emitted electrons was 0.2 eV in the CFE mode at an angular current of 20 μA/sr, and it showed good emission stability with current noise less than 3.5% in an electron gun of a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Spatial resolution of the SEM at an acceleration voltage of 0.5 kV improved 14% by using the HfC(100)-CFE tip instead of a conventional W(310)-CFE tip. High monochromaticity and stable electron emission of the HfC(100)-CFE tip are suitable for the next generation of emitters for ultrahigh-resolution field emission SEMs.
Respiratory Muscle Training in Para-Athletes: A Systematic Review on the Training Protocols and Effects on Reported Outcomes
Authors: Akinci Buket , Emirza Cilbir Cigdem , Kocyigit Ahmet , Kuran Aslan Goksen
Published: July 2024

Context and Objectives: Respiratory muscle training (RMT) is considered an effective tool to improve cardiorespiratory limitations in athletes. The goals of this systematic review were to explore the role of RMT and its implementation within sport rehabilitation programs in para-athletes. Evidence Acquisition: Several databases were searched until January 2024. Eligible studies were independently reviewed by 2 reviewers. Quality assessment was made using the PEDro scale and version 2 of the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias Tool for Randomized Trials. Eight studies (a total of 108 participants) were selected for the analysis. Evidence Synthesis: Five studies preferred using resistive loading, while 2 studies used normocapnic hyperpnea, and 1 study used threshold inspiratory muscle training. Respiratory functions (respiratory muscle strength and endurance, spirometry measures) and exercise performance were assessed as the main outcomes. Significant increases in respiratory muscle strength were reported in 5 studies. Two studies observed improvement in respiratory muscle endurance and 3 studies reported increased exercise capacity. Conclusions: This review suggests that although RMT can enhance respiratory muscle strength and endurance, it should not be considered the primary method for boosting the exercise performance of para-athletes. Additional research is necessary to explore the impact of various RMT techniques on different outcomes from the perspective of sport rehabilitation in para-athletes.
Changes in Hip Isometric Strength of Female College Soccer Players After High-Workload Training Session
Authors: Furtado Mesa Maxine , Stout Jeffrey R. , Mangum L. Colby , Beyer Kyle S. , Redd Michael J. , Fukuda David H.
Published: July 2024

Context: The hip adductor and abductor muscles play vital roles as stabilizers in the lower-extremity. Their activation during soccer-specific actions is essential, but local muscular fatigue can hinder athletic performance and increase the risk of injury. Design: This study aimed to observe the variations in frontal plane hip strength in female college soccer players before and after a high-workload soccer-specific training session. Furthermore, the study sought to compare the relative changes in hip strength with the internal and external load measures obtained during that session. Methods: Twenty female college soccer players participated in a retrospective observational study. Isometric hip adductor and abductor strength were measured before and after a training session in the college spring season. Measurements were taken with a handheld dynamometer (MicroFET 2) while the players were supine. Global positioning system sensors (Catapult Vector S7), commonly worn by players during training sessions and competitive matches, were used to measure external and internal loads. Statistical analyses were performed using paired samples t test to assess hip adductor and abductor strength changes before and after the training session. Spearman rank was used to identify correlation coefficients between global positioning system data and isometric hip strength. Results: The findings revealed significant decreases in the strength of the right hip adduction (P = .012, −7% relative change), right abduction (P = .009, −7.6% relative change), and left abduction (P = .016, −4.9% relative change) after the training session. Furthermore, relative decreases in hip isometric adduction and abduction strength are related to the distance covered at high speeds. Conclusion: The results of this study highlight that hip isometric adduction and abduction strength tend to decrease after exposure to high workloads during soccer-specific training.
Injectable shear-thinning hydrogels promote oligodendrocyte progenitor cell survival and remyelination in the central nervous system
Authors: Kumar Podder Ashis , Mohamed Mohamed Alaa , Seidman Richard A. , Tseropoulos Georgios , Polanco Jessie J. , Lei Pedro , Sim Fraser J. , Andreadis Stelios T.
Published: July 2024

Cell therapy for the treatment of demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis is hampered by poor survival of donor oligodendrocyte cell preparations, resulting in limited therapeutic outcomes. Excessive cell death leads to the release of intracellular alloantigens, which likely exacerbate local inflammation and may predispose the graft to eventual rejection. Here, we engineered innovative cell-instructive shear-thinning hydrogels (STHs) with tunable viscoelasticity and bioactivity for minimally invasive delivery of primary human oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (hOPCs) to the brain of a
shiverer/rag2
mouse, a model of congenital hypomyelinating disease. The STHs enabled immobilization of prosurvival signals, including a recombinantly designed bidomain peptide and platelet-derived growth factor. Notably, STHs reduced the death rate of hOPCs significantly, promoted the production of myelinating oligodendrocytes, and enhanced myelination of the mouse brain 12 weeks post-implantation. Our results demonstrate the potential of STHs loaded with biological cues to improve cell therapies for the treatment of devastating myelopathies.
Functional brain networks are associated with both sex and gender in children
Authors: Dhamala Elvisha , Bassett Dani S. , Yeo B.T. , Holmes Avram J.
Published: July 2024

Sex and gender are associated with human behavior throughout the life span and across health and disease, but whether they are associated with similar or distinct neural phenotypes is unknown. Here, we demonstrate that, in children, sex and gender are uniquely reflected in the intrinsic functional connectivity of the brain. Somatomotor, visual, control, and limbic networks are preferentially associated with sex, while network correlates of gender are more distributed throughout the cortex. These results suggest that sex and gender are irreducible to one another not only in society but also in biology.
Long-lived enhanced magnetization—A practical metabolic MRI contrast material
Authors: Katz Itai , Schmidt Asher , Ben-Shir Ira , Javitt Marcia , Kouřil Karel , Capozzi Andrea , Meier Benno , Lang Arad , Pokroy Boaz , Blank Aharon
Published: July 2024

Noninvasive tracking of biochemical processes in the body is paramount in diagnostic medicine. Among the leading techniques is spectroscopic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which tracks metabolites with an amplified (hyperpolarized) magnetization signal injected into the subject just before scanning. Traditionally, the brief enhanced magnetization period of these agents limited clinical imaging. We propose a solution based on amalgamating two materials—one having diagnostic-metabolic activity and the other characterized by robust magnetization retention. This combination slows the magnetization decay in the diagnostic metabolic probe, which receives continuously replenished magnetization from the companion material. Thus, it extends the magnetization lifetime in some of our measurements to beyond 4 min, with net magnetization enhanced by more than four orders of magnitude. This could allow the metabolic probes to remain magnetized from injection until they reach the targeted organ, improving tissue signatures in clinical imaging. Upon validation, this metabolic MRI technique promises wide-ranging clinical applications, including diagnostic imaging, therapeutic monitoring, and posttreatment surveillance.
Initiator cell death event induced by SARS-CoV-2 in the human airway epithelium
Authors: Liang Kaixin , Barnett Katherine C. , Hsu Martin , Chou Wei-Chun , Bais Sachendra S. , Riebe Kristina , Xie Yuying , Nguyen Tuong Thien , Oguin Thomas H. , Vannella Kevin M. , Hewitt Stephen M. , Chertow Daniel S. , Blasi Maria , Sempowski Gregory D. , Karlsson Amelia , Koller Beverly H. , Lenschow Deborah J. , Randell Scott H. , Ting Jenny P.-Y.
Published: July 2024

Virus-induced cell death is a key contributor to COVID-19 pathology. Cell death induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is well studied in myeloid cells but less in its primary host cell type, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)–expressing human airway epithelia (HAE). SARS-CoV-2 induces apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis in HAE organotypic cultures. Single-cell and limiting-dilution analysis revealed that necroptosis is the primary cell death event in infected cells, whereas uninfected bystanders undergo apoptosis, and pyroptosis occurs later during infection. Mechanistically, necroptosis is induced by viral Z-RNA binding to Z-DNA–binding protein 1 (ZBP1) in HAE and lung tissues from patients with COVID-19. The Delta (B.1.617.2) variant, which causes more severe disease than Omicron (B1.1.529) in humans, is associated with orders of magnitude–greater Z-RNA/ZBP1 interactions, necroptosis, and disease severity in animal models. Thus, Delta induces robust ZBP1-mediated necroptosis and more disease severity.
A longitudinal study on the bacterial quality of baby spinach cultivated in Arizona and California
Authors: Sunil Sriya , Walsky Tamara , Henry Mikayla , Kemmerling Leonie , Pajor Magdalena , Guo Xiaodong , Murphy Sarah I. , Ivanek Renata , Wiedmann Martin
Published: July 2024

In the U.S., baby spinach is mostly produced in Arizona (AZ) and California (CA). Characterizing the impact of growing region on the bacterial quality of baby spinach can inform quality management practices in industry. Between December 2021 and December 2022, baby spinach was sampled after harvest and packaging for microbiological testing, including shelf-life testing of packaged samples that were stored at 4°C. Samples were tested to (i) determine bacterial concentration, and (ii) obtain and identify bacterial isolates. Packaged samples from the Salinas, CA, area (
n
= 13), compared to those from the Yuma, AZ, area (
n
= 9), had a significantly higher bacterial concentration, on average, by 0.78 log
10
CFU/g (
P
< 0.01, based on aerobic, mesophilic plate count data) or 0.67 log
10
CFU/g (
P
< 0.01, based on psychrotolerant plate count data); the bacterial concentrations of harvest samples from the Yuma and Salinas areas were not significantly different. Our data also support that an increase in preharvest temperature is significantly associated with an increase in the bacterial concentration on harvested and packaged spinach. A Fisher’s exact test and linear discriminant analysis (effect size), respectively, demonstrated that (i) the genera of 2,186 bacterial isolates were associated (
P
< 0.01) with growing region and (ii)
Pseudomonas
spp. and
Exiguobacterium
spp. were enriched in spinach from the Yuma and Salinas areas, respectively. Our findings provide preliminary evidence that growing region and preharvest temperature may impact the bacterial quality of spinach and thus could inform more targeted strategies to manage produce quality.

IMPORTANCE

In the U.S., most spinach is produced in Arizona (AZ) and California (CA) seasonally; typically, spinach is cultivated in the Yuma, AZ, area during the winter and in the Salinas, CA, area during the summer. As the bacterial quality of baby spinach can influence consumer acceptance of the product, it is important to assess whether the bacterial quality of baby spinach can vary between spinach-growing regions. The findings of this study provide insights that could be used to support region-specific quality management strategies for baby spinach. Our results also highlight the value of further evaluating the impact of growing region and preharvest temperature on the bacterial quality of different produce commodities.
Intestinal biofilms: pathophysiological relevance, host defense, and therapeutic opportunities
Authors: Jandl Bernhard , Dighe Satish , Gasche Christoph , Makristathis Athanasios , Muttenthaler Markus
Published: July 2024

The human intestinal tract harbors a profound variety of microorganisms that live in symbiosis with the host and each other. It is a complex and highly dynamic environment whose homeostasis directly relates to human health. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota and polymicrobial biofilms have been associated with gastrointestinal diseases, including irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases, and colorectal cancers. This review covers the molecular composition and organization of intestinal biofilms, mechanistic aspects of biofilm signaling networks for bacterial communication and behavior, and synergistic effects in polymicrobial biofilms. It further describes the clinical relevance and diseases associated with gut biofilms, the role of biofilms in antimicrobial resistance, and the intestinal host defense system and therapeutic strategies counteracting biofilms. Taken together, this review summarizes the latest knowledge and research on intestinal biofilms and their role in gut disorders and provides directions toward the development of biofilm-specific treatments.
The role of
Listeria monocytogenes
PstA in β-lactam resistance requires the cytochrome
bd
oxidase activity
Authors: Tu Zepeng , Stevenson David M. , McCaslin Darrel , Amador-Noguez Daniel , Huynh TuAnh N.
Published: July 2024

c-di-AMP is an essential second messenger that binds and regulates several proteins of different functions within bacterial cells. Among those, PstA is a structurally conserved c-di-AMP-binding protein, but its function is largely unknown. PstA is structurally similar to PII signal transduction proteins, although it specifically binds c-di-AMP rather than other PII ligands such as ATP and α-ketoglutarate. In
Listeria monocytogenes
, we found that PstA increases β-lactam susceptibility at normal and low c-di-AMP levels, but increases β-lactam resistance upon c-di-AMP accumulation. Examining a PstA mutant defective for c-di-AMP binding, we found the apo form of PstA to be toxic for β-lactam resistance, and the c-di-AMP-bound form to be beneficial. Intriguingly, a role for PstA in β-lactam resistance is only prominent in aerobic cultures, and largely diminished under hypoxic conditions, suggesting that PstA function is linked to aerobic metabolism. However, PstA does not control aerobic growth rate, and has a modest influence on the tricarboxylic acid cycle and membrane potential—an indicator of cellular respiration. The regulatory role of PstA in β-lactam resistance is unrelated to reactive oxygen species or oxidative stress. Interestingly, during aerobic growth, PstA function requires the cytochrome
bd
oxidase (CydAB), a component of the respiratory electron transport chain. The requirement for CydAB might be related to its function in maintaining a membrane potential, or redox stress response activities. Altogether, we propose a model in which apo-PstA diminishes β-lactam resistance by interacting with an effector protein, and this activity can be countered by c-di-AMP binding or a by-product of redox stress.

IMPORTANCE

PstA is a structurally conserved c-di-AMP-binding protein that is broadly present among Firmicutes bacteria. Furthermore, PstA binds c-di-AMP at high affinity and specificity, indicating an important role in the c-di-AMP signaling network. However, the molecular function of PstA remains elusive. Our findings reveal contrasting roles of PstA in β-lactam resistance depending on c-di-AMP-binding status. We also define physiological conditions for PstA function during aerobic growth. Future efforts can exploit these conditions to identify PstA interaction partners under β-lactam stress.
Pharmacological interventions for preventing upper gastrointestinal bleeding in people admitted to intensive care units: a network meta-analysis
Authors: Toews Ingrid , Hussain Salman , Nyirenda John L Z , Willis Maria A , Kantorová Lucia , Slezáková Simona , Boltena Minyahil Tadesse , Peter John Victor , Fontes Luis Eduardo Santos , Klugar Miloslav , Sadeghirad Behnam , Meerpohl Joerg J
Published: July 2024

Objectives

To assess the efficacy and safety of pharmacological interventions for preventing upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in people admitted to intensive care units (ICUs).

Design and setting

Systematic review and frequentist network meta-analysis using standard methodological procedures as recommended by Cochrane for screening of records, data extraction and analysis. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to assess the certainty of evidence.

Participants

Randomised controlled trials involving patients admitted to ICUs for longer than 24 hours were included.

Search methods

The Cochrane Gut Specialised Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase and Latin American and Caribbean Health Science Information database (LILACS) databases were searched from August 2017 to March 2022. The search in MEDLINE was updated in April 2023. We also searched ClinicalTrials.gov and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (WHO ICTRP).

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome was the prevention of clinically important upper GI bleeding.

Results

We included 123 studies with 46 996 participants. Cimetidine (relative risk (RR) 0.56, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.77, moderate certainty), ranitidine (RR 0.54, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.76, moderate certainty), antacids (RR 0.48, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.68, moderate certainty), sucralfate (RR 0.54, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.75, moderate certainty) and a combination of ranitidine and antacids (RR 0.13, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.62, moderate certainty) are likely effective in preventing upper GI bleeding.

The effect of any intervention on the prevention of nosocomial pneumonia, all-cause mortality in the ICU or the hospital, duration of the stay in the ICU, duration of intubation and (serious) adverse events remains unclear.

Conclusions

Several interventions seem effective in preventing clinically important upper GI bleeding while there is limited evidence for other outcomes. Patient-relevant benefits and harms need to be assessed under consideration of the patients’ underlying conditions.
Geographical targeting of active case finding for tuberculosis in Pakistan using hotspots identified by artificial intelligence software (SPOT-TB): study protocol for a pragmatic stepped wedge cluster randomised control trial
Authors: Zaidi Syed Mohammad Asad , Mahfooz Amna , Latif Abdullah , Nawaz Nainan , Fatima Razia , Rehman Fazal Ur , Reza Tahira Ezra , Emmanuel Faran
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Pakistan has significantly strengthened its capacity for active case finding (ACF) for tuberculosis (TB) that is being implemented at scale in the country. However, yields of ACF have been lower than expected, raising concerns on its effectiveness in the programmatic setting. Distribution of TB in communities is likely to be spatially heterogeneous and targeting of ACF in areas with higher TB prevalence may help improve yields. The primary aim of SPOT-TB is to investigate whether a policy change to use a geographically targeted approach towards ACF supported by an artificial intelligence (AI) software, MATCH-AI, can improve yields in Pakistan.

Methods and analysis

SPOT-TB will use a pragmatic, stepped wedge cluster randomised design. A total of 30 mobile X-ray units and their field teams will be randomised to receive the intervention. Site selection for ACF in the intervention areas will be guided primarily through the use of MATCH-AI software that models subdistrict TB prevalence and identifies potential disease hotspots. Control areas will use existing approaches towards site selection that are based on staff knowledge, experience and analysis of historical data. The primary outcome measure is the difference in bacteriologically confirmed incident TB detected in the intervention relative to control areas. All remaining ACF-related procedures and algorithms will remain unaffected by this trial.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval has been obtained from the Health Services Academy, Islamabad, Pakistan (7–82/IERC-HSA/2022–52) and from the Common Management Unit for TB, HIV and Malaria, Ministry of Health Services, Regulation and Coordination, Islamabad, Pakistan (26-IRB-CMU-2023). Findings from this study will be disseminated through publications in peer-reviewed journals and stakeholder meetings in Pakistan with the implementing partners and public-sector officials. Findings will also be presented at local and international medical and public health conferences.

Trial registration number

NCT06017843.