bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relatedness of type IV pilin PilA amongst geographically diverse Moraxella bovoculi isolated from cattle with infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis
Authors: Angelos John A. , Clothier Kristin A. , Agulto Regina L. , Mandzyuk Boguslav , Tryland Morten 
Published: January 2021

Introduction.Moraxella bovoculiis frequently isolated from the eyes of cattle with infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK; pinkeye). As withM. bovis,which has been causally linked to IBK,M. bovoculiexpresses an RTX (repeats in the structural toxin) cytotoxin that is related toM. boviscytotoxin. Pilin, another pathogenic factor inM. bovis, is required for corneal attachment. Seven antigenically distinct pilin serogroups have been described inM. bovis.Hypothesis/Gap Statement.Multiple different serogroups exist amongst type IV pilin encoded byM. bovis, however, it is not known whetherM. bovoculiexhibits a similar degree of diversity in type IV pilin that it encodes.Aim.This study was done to characterize a structural pilin (PilA) encoded byM. bovoculiisolated from cases of IBK to determine if diversity exists amongst PilA sequences.Methodology.Ninety-four isolates ofM. bovoculicollected between 2002 and 2017 from 23 counties throughout California and from five counties in four other Western states were evaluated.Results.DNA sequencing and determination of deduced amino acid sequences revealed ten (designated groups A through J) unique PilA sequences that were ~96.1–99.3 % identical. Pilin groups A and C matched previously reported putative PilA sequences fromM. bovoculiisolated from IBK-affected cattle in the USA (Virginia, Nebraska, and Kansas) and Asia (Kazakhstan). The ten pilin sequences identified were only ~74–76 % identical to deduced amino acid sequences of putative pilin proteins identified from the previously reported whole-genome sequences ofM. bovoculiderived from deep nasopharyngeal swabs of IBK-asymptomatic cattle.Conclusions.Compared to the diversity reported between structural pilin proteins amongst different serogroups ofM. bovis,M. bovoculiPilA from geographically diverse isolates derived from IBK-affected cattle are more conserved.
Different selection dynamics of S and RdRp between SARS-CoV-2 genomes with and without the dominant mutations
Authors: Koçhan Necla , Eskier Doğa , Suner Aslı , Karakülah Gökhan , Oktay Yavuz 
Published: January 2021

AbstractSARS-CoV-2 is a betacoronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic that has affected millions of people worldwide, with no dedicated treatment or vaccine currently available. As pharmaceutical research against and the most frequently used tests for SARS-CoV-2 infection both depend on the genomic and peptide sequences of the virus for their efficacy, understanding the mutation rates and content of the virus is critical. Two key proteins for SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication are the S protein, responsible for viral entry into the cells, and RdRp, the RNA polymerase responsible for replicating the viral genome. Due to their roles in the viral cycle, these proteins are crucial for the fitness and infectiousness of the virus. Our previous findings had shown that the two most frequently observed mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 genome, 14408C>T in the RdRp coding region, and 23403A>G in the S gene, are correlated with higher mutation density over time. In this study, we further detail the selection dynamics and the mutation rates of SARS-CoV-2 genes, comparing them between isolates carrying both mutations, and isolates carrying neither. We find that the S gene and the RdRp coding region show the highest variance between the genotypes, and their selection dynamics contrast each other over time. The S gene displays higher positive selection in mutant isolates early on, and undergoes increasing negative selection over time, whereas the RdRp region in the mutant isolates shows strong negative selection throughout the pandemic.
State-level COVID-19 Trend Forecasting Using Mobility and Policy Data
Authors: Wang Yifei , Peng Hao (Michael) , Sha Long , Liu Zheyuan , Hong Pengyu 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe importance of pandemic forecast cannot be overemphasized. We propose an interpretable machine learning approach for forecasting pandemic transmission rates by utilizing local mobility statistics and government policies. A calibration step is introduced to deal with time-varying relationships between transmission rates and predictors. Experimental results demonstrate that our approach is able to make accurate two-week ahead predictions of the state-level COVID-19 infection trends in the US. Moreover, the models trained by our approach offer insights into the spread of COVID-19, such as the association between the baseline transmission rate and the state-level demographics, the effectiveness of local policies in reducing COVID-19 infections, and so on. This work provides a good understanding of COVID-19 evolution with respect to state-level characteristics and can potentially inform local policymakers in devising customized response strategies.
Prevalence and Factors associated with Mental health impact of COVID-19 Pandemic in Bangladesh: A survey based cross sectional study
Authors: Abir Tanvir , Kalimullah Nazmul Ahsan , Osuagwu Uchechukwu L , Nur –A Yazdani Dewan Muhammad , Husain Taha , Goson Piwuna Christopher , Basak Palash , Rahman Md Adnan , Mamun Abdullah Al , Permarupan P. Yukthamarani , Khan Md Yusuf Hossein , Agho Kingsley 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundFeelings of isolation, insecurity, and instability triggered by COVID-19 could have a long-term impact on the mental health status of individuals. This study examined the prevalence and factors associated with the mental health symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh.MethodsFrom 1st– 30thApril 2020, we used a validated self-administered questionnaire to conduct a cross-sectional study on 10,609 participants through an online survey platform. We assessed mental health status using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). The total depression, anxiety, and stress subscale scores were divided into normal, mild, moderate, severe, and multinomial logistic regression was used to examine associated factors.ResultsThe prevalence of depressive symptoms was 15%, 34%, and 15% for mild, moderate, and severe depressive symptoms, respectively. The prevalence of anxiety symptoms was 59% for severe anxiety symptoms, 14% for moderate anxiety symptoms, and 14% for mild anxiety symptoms while, the prevalence for stress levels were 16% for severe stress level, 22% for moderate stress level and 13% for mild stress level. Multivariate analyses revealed that the most consistent factors associated with mild, moderate, and severe of the three mental health subscales (depression, anxiety, and stress) were respondents who lived in Dhaka and Rangpur division, females, those who self-quarantine in the previous 7 days before the survey and those respondents who experienced chills, breathing difficulty, dizziness, and sore throat.ConclusionOur results showed that about 64%, 87%, and 61% experienced depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and levels of stress, respectively. In Bangladesh, there is a need for better mental health support for females especially those that lived in Dhaka and Rangpur division and experienced chills, breathing difficulty, dizziness, and sore throat during COVID-19 and other future pandemics.
Codon composition in human oocytes reveals age-associated defects in mRNA decay
Authors: Alvarez Nehemiah S. , Brachova Pavla , Christenson Lane K. 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACTOocytes from women of advanced reproductive age have lower developmental potential, yet the underlying mechanisms of this phenomena are incompletely understood. Oocyte maturation is dependent upon translational control of stored maternal mRNA that were synthesized during oocyte growth. We observed that GC content of mRNA was negatively associated with half-life in oocytes from reproductively young women (< 30 years), contrastingly directly with oocytes from reproductively aged women (≥ 40 years) where mRNA half-lives were positively associated with GC nucleotide content. Additionally, we observed that mRNA half-lives were negatively associated with protein abundance in young oocytes, while GC content was positively associated with protein abundance in aged oocytes. Examination of codon composition during the GV-to-MII transition revealed that codons that facilitate rapid translation promoted mRNA stability and are considered optimal, while codons that slow translation destabilized mRNA, and are considered non-optimal. GC-containing codons were more optimal in reproductive aging, and also correlated positively with protein abundance. This study indicates that reproductive aging coincides with the stabilization of a subset of mRNA that have the potential to be over-translated during oocyte maturation, this is likely to lead to observed decreases in oocyte quality in older women. Because oocyte mRNA decay is translationally linked, this suggests that maternal aging causes defects in translation, which results in reduced translational efficiency and the retention of maternal mRNA that are normally degraded in oocytes from young women. In the case of oocytes, defects in translation can alter the RNA decay pathways and result in incorrect maternal mRNA dosage, which may negatively impact embryonic development.
The association between hidradenitis suppurativa and male and female infertility: A population‐based study
Authors: Tzur Bitan Dana , Kridin Khalaf , Hodak Emmilia , Cohen Arnon , Sherman Shany 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundEndocrine and metabolic associations have been recently reported in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS); however, fertility was only rarely investigated in women and not at all in men.ObjectiveTo evaluate the association of HS with male and female infertility.MethodsA cross‐sectional, matched controlled, population‐based study was designed. The association between HS and male and female infertility was evaluated in patients with HS (n = 4191) and age‐ and gender‐matched controls (n = 20 941), while utilising the Clalit Health Services databases, the largest community‐based health maintenance organisation in Israel.ResultsHidradenitis suppurativa was associated with infertility in males and females over all reproductive‐age groups, especially among individuals aged 36–45 years (OR 4.50, 95%CI 2.55–7.93, P < 0.001), and in female patients (OR 3.10, 95%CI 2.57–3.74, P < 0.001). After adjustment for demographic and clinical factors, the association remained significant only in females (OR 1.26 95%CI 1.04–1.55, P < 0.05).ConclusionPatients with HS are at increased risk of infertility, particularly females and patients in the 36‐ to 45‐year age group. Physicians should take the additional physiological and psychological burden of infertility among HS patients into account, primarily among female patients at procreative age.
Chemical composition and in vitro ruminal digestibility of Ludwigia grandiflora
Authors: Oku Misaki , Inoue Chiho , Hieda Shinya , Noma Naohiko , Nakagawa Toshinori 
Published: January 2021

AbstractLudwigia grandiflora is an amphibious plant that has been designated as a specific alien plant in Japan. Due to the risk of regeneration on land, plants are burned after eradication. Since L. grandiflora is fertile and rich in biomass, this study investigated the use of L. grandiflora as a feed for ruminants. We measured general components, detergent fiber components, and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) using rumen microbes for three forms (terrestrial form, emergent form, and floating‐leaved form) of L. grandiflora. In addition, concentrations of hazardous metallic elements were also measured from the viewpoint of feed safety. Crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and acid detergent lignin were contained 10.31–14.62, 27.83–42.28, 20.54–36.05, and 6.94–18.90 (%DM), respectively. IVDMD was 50.75%–68.24%. Toxic elements such as Pb, Cd, and Hg were not detected in all forms. These results suggest that L. grandiflora could be partially used as alternative roughage for ruminants.
Adaptation and evolution of institutions and governance in community‐based conservation
Authors: Salerno Jonathan , Romulo Chelsie , Galvin Kathleen A , Brooks Jeremy , Mupeta‐Muyamwa Patricia , Glew Louise 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWithin conservation science and practice, community‐based conservation (CBC) includes policy and management interventions incorporating engagement or participation of local communities and resource users. Evidence across scales points to the importance of supporting local actors and management institutions for better social and ecological outcomes of CBC interventions. However, the institutional and governance processes underlying CBC outcomes remain poorly understood, specifically how institutions respond to opportunities and constraints posed by CBC. In response, this special issue ofConservation Science & Practicesolicited contributions investigating adaptation and evolution of institutions and governance in CBC. In this paper, we introduce the special issue and its 13 contributions, representing cases from Africa, Asia, and the Americas across organizational scales and resource systems. We assess the state of knowledge of CBC, identify common themes and lessons learned, and suggest future priorities for research and practice.
Skeletal deformities and meristic trait variations are common in the intertidal fish Bathygobiuscocosensis (Perciformes‐Gobiidae)
Authors: Malard Lucie , Riginos Cynthia , McGuigan Katrina 
Published: January 2021

AbstractExtreme environmental conditions, such as temperature, can lead to meristic trait variation and skeletal deformities, which may have major impacts on individual fitness. As intertidal ecosystems experience rapid temperature and physicochemical fluctuations, intertidal fish living and reproducing in these environmental conditions may have phenotypes influenced by such variable environments. The impact of intertidal variability on fish development, however, has not been previously investigated. Skeletal deformities and meristic traits were assessed for Bathygobius cocosensis, a common intertidal fish living across the Indo‐Pacific region, using a clearing and staining method on 72 individuals. Over 87% of individuals presented meristic variation and over 70% exhibited at least one type of skeletal deformity, mostly recorded in the caudal fin area. The unexpected prevalence of skeletal deformities among this intertidal fish population suggests that such deformities may be suitable markers to evaluate an individual's stress exposure during development and the subsequent fitness effects.
Associations Between Trauma, Sleep, and Cognitive Impairment Among Latino and Asian Older Adults
Authors: Saadi Altaf , Cruz‐Gonzalez Mario , Hwang Andrew , Cohen Lauren , Alegria Margarita 
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESTrauma survivors with chronic post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been found to have cognitive impairment. But little is known about these outcomes among Latino and Asians who comprise more than 80% of the U.S. immigrant population. They also experience disparities in PTSD and dementia care albeit increased exposure to trauma. This study aimed to (1) examine the association between trauma exposures and PTSD with cognitive impairment in a sample of Latino and Asian older adults; and (2) assess whether sleep quality attenuated the PTSD‐cognitive impairment association.DESIGNCross‐sectional secondary analysis of baseline data from the Positive Minds‐Strong Bodies randomized controlled trial on disability prevention.SETTINGCommunity‐based organizations serving minority or immigrant older adults in Massachusetts, New York, Florida, or Puerto Rico.PARTICIPANTSHispanic/Latino and Asian/Pacific Islander adults aged 60 or older eligible per randomized controlled trial screening for elevated mood symptoms and minor‐to‐moderate physical dysfunction (n = 134 and n = 86, respectively).MEASUREMENTSNeuropsychiatric measures were cognitive impairment (Mini Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)), PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual‐5), trauma exposure (Brief Trauma Questionnaire), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire‐9), generalized anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale‐7), and daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale).RESULTSMean age was 72.8 years and 77.5 years for the Latino and Asian groups, respectively. The Asian group was 100% immigrant, whereas 70.2% (n = 92) of the Latino group was foreign‐born. In unadjusted models, higher Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual‐5 scores were associated with decreased odds of normal cognitive functioning (MoCA ≥25) in the Asian group (odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = .93 (.87, .99)), but not the Latino group (odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = .99 (.95, 1.05)). This association remained significant after adjusting for covariates. Daytime sleepiness did not moderate the association between PTSD and cognitive functioning in the Asian group.CONCLUSIONHigher PTSD symptoms were associated with cognitive impairment in Asian, but not Latino, older adults. Clinicians serving older Asians should integrate trauma and cognitive screening to ensure this growing, underserved population receives appropriate evidence‐based treatments.
IFN‐γ or IL‐4 polarization impacts the response of gingival fibroblasts to oral bacteria
Authors: Jang Ju Young , Choi Geum Hee , Ji Suk 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackground and objectiveWe previously reported that gingival fibroblasts (GFs) can be polarized into functionally distinct subtypes, immune‐activating but tissue‐destructive or tissue‐reparative, in response to T helper (Th1) and Th2 stimuli, respectively. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of polarization on GFs responses to oral bacteria.MethodsUnprimed (GF(−)) and IFN‐γ (GF(IFN‐γ)) or IL‐4 primed (GF(IL‐4)) GFs were stimulated with live Fusobacterium nucleatum or Porphyromonas gingivalis. The mRNA expression of IL‐1β, IL‐4, LPS‐recognizing components (Toll‐like receptor (TLR) 4, CD14), molecules involved in antigen presentation (human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐ABC, HLA‐DP, CD74, CD40), chemokines (C‐X‐C motif chemokine (CXCL)10, CXCL11, chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 20 (CCL20)), collagen type 1 alpha 1 (COL1A1), and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐1, and the protein levels of IL‐1β, CD14, CXCL11, CCL20, and COL1A1 accumulated in supernatants were analyzed using real‐time PCR and ELISA.ResultsIn response to oral bacteria, the GF(IFN‐γ) significantly upregulated the expression of LPS‐recognizing components, molecules involved in antigen presentation, CXCL10, and CXCL11, whereas the levels of IL‐4 and COL1A1 were downregulated, compared with GF(−). The levels of IL‐1β, CCL20, and MMP‐1 from GF(IFN‐γ) were differently regulated between both bacteria; F. nucleatum was synergistically upregulated, but P. gingivalis was downregulated. The GF(IL‐4) stimulated with both bacteria upregulated the levels of IL‐4, whereas the levels of TLR4 and chemokines were downregulated, compared with GF(−). The regulation of IL‐1β, CD14, CXCL11, CCL20, and COL1A1 proteins showed a similar tendency with mRNA regulation.ConclusionPolarization of GFs with IFN‐γ or IL‐4 affected the way that GFs responded to oral bacteria through up or downregulation of inflammatory responses and extracellular matrix control.
Interventions to increase adherence to micronutrient supplementation during pregnancy: a systematic review
Authors: Gomes Filomena , King Shannon E. , Dallmann Diana , Golan Jenna , da Silva Ana Carolina Feldenheimer , Hurley Kristen M. , Bergeron Gilles , Bourassa Megan W. , Mehta Saurabh 
Published: January 2021

AbstractPrenatal micronutrient supplements are cost‐effective in reducing nutritional deficiencies and adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes. However, poor adherence remains a potential barrier to the successful implementation of these supplementation programs. This systematic review assessed the effectiveness of interventions designed to increase adherence to prenatal micronutrient supplementation. Following the Cochrane Collaboration Methodology, literature searches were conducted in six electronic databases and gray literature (on July 24, 2020), and abstract screening, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment were conducted independently by two reviewers. We included 22 studies. Interventions that resulted in increased adherence were most of the education‐based strategies, consumption monitoring by volunteer health workers or family members, SMS reminders, free provision of supplements, a multicomponent intervention with community mobilization, and a participatory action research intervention. In several studies, increased adherence was accompanied by beneficial effects on pregnancy and birth outcomes. Given the heterogeneity of study designs and methods used to define and measure adherence, a meta‐analysis was not appropriate. We identified several potentially effective strategies to improve supplementation adherence, which may need to be adapted to specific contexts when considered for program implementation. However, additional high‐quality studies are critically needed to effectively guide policies and programs.
Identifying organisational capability of hospitals amid the new healthcare reform in China: a Delphi study
Authors: Shi Jingyu , Sun Xinyue , Meng Kai 
Published: January 2021

ObjectiveSince China launched its nationwide systemic healthcare reform in 2009, policies such as the elimination of drug markups and the reform of medical insurance payments have forced some hospitals into a crisis threatening their survival. Both public and private hospitals have been building and strengthening their capacity to achieve sustainable development. However, the existing research has not provided a comprehensive evaluation tool required to support this effort. Therefore, this study develops an organisational capability evaluation index system to help public and private hospitals assess their current conditions.DesignThe Delphi method was used to construct a hospital organisational capability evaluation index system in conjunction with the boundary value method and an analytic hierarchical process. Then, a questionnaire survey was administered in 55 hospitals (32 non-profit and 23 for-profit hospitals), and Cronbach’s α and a factor analysis were used to verify the index system’s reliability and validity.Setting and participantsA literature review and semistructured interviews with 23 hospital managers and scholars clarified the definition of hospital organisational capability and formed an indicator pool. Additionally, 20 hospital directors were selected from public and private hospitals to participate in two rounds of the Delphi consultation.ResultsThe Delphi consultation resulted in an index system including 12 primary and 40 secondary indicators demonstrated to be reliable and valid. The three indicators with the largest weights were ‘regulation capability’ (0.251), ‘decision-making capability’ (0.121) and ‘executive capability’ (0.105).ConclusionThis study constructed an index system based on theoretical and practical considerations, and is expected to be applied to quantitatively evaluate the organisational capability of both public and private hospitals in China, and support their adaptation to external environmental changes.