bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antitoxin EndoAI can induce disease resistance in tobacco as a protein elicitor
Authors: Yan Bo Wei , Liu Wen Zhi , Yu Wen Qing , Li Peng , Zhao Chang Jiang , Yan Feng Chao , Wang Gui Jiang , Zhang Li Guo , Xie Hong Ping , Qiu Zu Ming 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background
The antitoxin EndoAI is a TA system component that directly inhibits EndoA activity in vitro. The targeted activation of a TA system represents a potentially novel antimicrobial or antiviral strategy. However, whether the antitoxin functions alone and can induce plant disease resistance remain unknown.

Results
An endoAI was previously identified in the genome of Paenibacillus terrae NK3-4. It underwent a bioinformatics analysis, cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Then the functions of EndoAI inducing plant resistance to diseases as an elicitor were evaluated. The results showed that, EndoAI is a stable, alkaline, and hydrophilic protein, with a J-shaped three-dimensional structure in the absence of a ligand. It was clustered on the same branch with an antitoxin from Paenibacillus polymyxa SC2. Ectopically expressed EndoAI triggered a reactive oxygen species burst and a positive hypersensitive response (HR) in tobacco leaves. Moreover, 2 μmol EndoAI induced HR activity in tomato leaf, and it remained active after a 15-min exposure at 4–50 °C, and pH 6–8. Additionally, EndoAI induced plant systemic resistance against Alternaria alternata and tobacco mosaic virus, and the up-regulated transcription of PR genes, including PR1a, PR1b, PR5, PDF1.2, COL1, NPR1, and PAL.

Conclusions
These results imply that EndoAI may enhance the disease resistance of tobacco by promoting a series of early defense responses and up-regulating PR gene expression. These findings are relevant for future investigations on the mechanism underlying the EndoAI–plant interaction that leads to enhanced disease resistance. Furthermore, the endoAI may be useful for developing effective biocontrol agents to protect plants from diseases.

Graphical Abstract
Estimating proportion of days covered (PDC) using real-world online medicine suppliers’ datasets
Authors: Prieto-Merino David , Mulick Amy , Armstrong Craig , Hoult Helen , Fawcett Scott , Eliasson Lina , Clifford Sarah 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background
The proportion of days covered (PDC) is used to estimate medication adherence by looking at the proportion of days in which a person has access to the medication, over a given period of interest. This study aimed to adapt the PDC algorithm to allow for plausible assumptions about prescription refill behaviour when applied to data from online pharmacy suppliers.

Methods
Three PDC algorithms, the conventional approach (PDC1) and two alternative approaches (PDC2 and PDC3), were used to estimate adherence in a real-world dataset from an online pharmacy. Each algorithm has different denominators and increasing levels of complexity. PDC1, the conventional approach, is the total number of days between first dispensation and a defined end date. PDC2 counts the days until the end of supply date. PDC3 removes from the denominator specifically defined large gaps between refills, which could indicate legitimate reasons for treatment discontinuation. The distribution of the three PDCs across four different follow-up lengths was compared.

Results
The dataset included people taking ACE inhibitors (n = 65,905), statins (n = 100,362), and/or thyroid hormones (n = 30,637). The proportion of people taking ACE inhibitors with PDC ≥ 0.8 was 50–74% for PDC1, 81–91% for PDC2, and 86–100% for PDC3 with values depending on drug and length of follow-up. Similar ranges were identified in people taking statins and thyroid hormones.

Conclusion
These algorithms enable researchers and healthcare providers to assess pharmacy services and individual levels of adherence in real-world databases, particularly in settings where people may switch between different suppliers of medicines, meaning an individual supplier’s data may show temporary but legitimate gaps in access to medication. Accurately identifying problems with adherence provides the foundation for opportunities to improve experience, adherence and outcomes and to reduce medicines wastage. Research with people taking medications and prescribers is required to validate the algorithms’ assumptions.
Global impact of vaccine nationalism during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Riaz Mehr Muhammad Adeel , Ahmad Unaiza , Mohan Anmol , dos Santos Costa Ana Carla , Khan Hiba , Babar Maryam Salma , Hasan Mohammad Mehedi , Essar Mohammad Yasir , Zil-E-Ali Ahsan 
Published: December 2021

AbstractVaccines are the best chance to control the pandemic—unless leaders succumb to vaccine nationalism. Vaccine nationalism is a frequent recurrence, especially during a brand-new market distribution. The development of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines in such a short space of time is a testament to modern scientific abilities. It will also test the world's political will and moral commitment to end this pandemic. As desperate as the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine nationalism is already setting a foundation for itself and is considered socially and economically counterproductive. Vaccine equity is not just a theoretical slogan, and it protects people worldwide from new vaccine-resistant variants. Understanding and anticipating the consequences is vital, and creating a global solution approach to avoid them. This article evaluates the common issues previously faced and the plausible ones during this pandemic. A few recommendations are made to warn and accentuate the reality of this dire matter.
Post-synaptic scaffold protein TANC2 in psychiatric and somatic disease risk
Authors: Garrett Lillian , Da Silva-Buttkus Patricia , Rathkolb Birgit , Gerlini Raffaele , Becker Lore , Sanz-Moreno Adrian , Seisenberger Claudia , Zimprich Annemarie , Aguilar-Pimentel Antonio , Amarie Oana V. , Cho Yi-Li , Kraiger Markus , Spielmann Nadine , Calzada-Wack Julia , Marschall Susan , Busch Dirk , Schmitt-Weber Carsten , Wolf Eckhard , Wurst Wolfgang , Fuchs Helmut , Gailus-Durner Valerie , Hölter Sabine M. , Hrabě de Angelis Martin 
Published: December 2021

ABSTRACTUnderstanding the shared genetic aetiology of psychiatric and medical comorbidity in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) could improve patient diagnosis, stratification and treatment options. Rare tetratricopeptide repeat, ankyrin repeat and coiled-coil containing 2 (TANC2)-disrupting variants were disease causing in NDD patients. The post-synaptic scaffold protein TANC2 is essential for dendrite formation in synaptic plasticity and plays an unclarified but critical role in development. We here report a novel homozygous-viable Tanc2-disrupted function model in which mutant mice were hyperactive and had impaired sensorimotor gating consistent with NDD patient psychiatric endophenotypes. Yet, a multi-systemic analysis revealed the pleiotropic effects of Tanc2 outside the brain, such as growth failure and hepatocellular damage. This was associated with aberrant liver function including altered hepatocellular metabolism. Integrative analysis indicates that these disrupted Tanc2 systemic effects relate to interaction with Hippo developmental signalling pathway proteins and will increase the risk for comorbid somatic disease. This highlights how NDD gene pleiotropy can augment medical comorbidity susceptibility, underscoring the benefit of holistic NDD patient diagnosis and treatment for which large-scale preclinical functional genomics can provide complementary pleiotropic gene function information.
Step Monitor Accuracy during Poststroke Physical Therapy and Simulated Activities
Authors: Henderson Christopher E. , Toth Lindsay , Kaplan Andrew , Hornby Thomas George 
Published: December 2021

ABSTRACT

Introduction/Purpose
The amount of stepping activity during rehabilitation after stroke can predict walking outcomes, although the most accurate methods to evaluate stepping activity are uncertain with conflicting findings on available stepping monitors during walking assessments. Rehabilitation sessions also include nonstepping activities, and the ability of activity monitors to differentiate these activities from stepping is unclear. The objective of this study was to examine the accuracy of different activity monitors worn by individuals after stroke with variable walking speeds during clinical physical therapy (PT) and research interventions focused on walking.

Methods
In part I, 28 participants after stroke wore a StepWatch, ActiGraph with and without a low-frequency extension (LFE) filter, and Fitbit on paretic and nonparetic distal shanks at or above the ankle during clinical PT or research interventions with steps simultaneously hand counted. Mean absolute percent errors were compared between limbs and tasks performed. In part II, 12 healthy adults completed eight walking and nine nonwalking tasks observed during clinical PT or research. Data were descriptively analyzed and used to assist interpretation of part I results.

Results
Part I results indicate most devices did not demonstrate an optimal limb configuration during research sessions focused on walking, with larger errors during clinical PT on the nonparetic limb. Using the limb that minimized errors for each device, the StepWatch had smaller errors than the ActiGraph and Fitbit (P < 0.01), particularly in those who walked <0.8 m·s−1. Conversely, errors from the ActiGraph-LFE demonstrated inconsistent differences in step counts between Fitbit and ActiGraph. Part II results indicate that errors observed during different stepping and nonstepping activities were often device-specific, with nonstepping tasks frequently detected as stepping.

Conclusions
The StepWatch and ActiGraph-LFE had smaller errors than the Fitbit or ActiGraph, with greater errors in those walking at slower speeds. Inclusion of nonstepping activities affected step counts and should be considered when measuring stepping activity in individuals after stroke to predict locomotor outcomes after rehabilitation.
Exercise and PTSD Symptoms in Emergency Service and Frontline Medical Workers: A Systematic Review
Authors: McKeon Grace , Steel Zachary , Wells Ruth , Fitzpatrick Alice , Vancampfort Davy , Rosenbaum Simon 
Published: December 2021

ABSTRACT

Context: Emergency service and medical frontline workers are exposed to significant occupational stressors that may confer an increased risk of poor mental health, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Emerging evidence suggests that physical activity and its structured subset, exercise, may be effective in improving symptoms of PTSD in veterans; however, the potential efficacy for other populations at high risk of occupational trauma exposure is currently unclear. Given the potential of physical activity interventions to improve both PTSD symptoms and physical comorbidities, there has been increasing interest in the potential role in the treatment of PTSD. Objective: The purpose of this review was to investigate the associations between physical activity levels and PTSD symptoms in emergency service and frontline medical workers. Design: A systematic review was conducted by searching major electronic databases for relevant studies published from database inception until February 2021. Eligibility Criteria: Studies among traditional emergency service occupations, e.g., police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and medical frontline workers, including doctors and nurses, were included. Study Selection: Experimental and observational studies with or without control groups were eligible for inclusion. Main Outcome Measure: The primary outcome measure was symptoms of PTSD. Results: The search identified eight eligible studies (four experimental and four observational). Three of the experimental studies showed that exercise significantly reduced symptoms of PTSD in emergency service personnel, including police and nurses. Based on the results of results of three studies, physical activity may be inversely associated with PTSD symptom severity among nurses and firefighters. Conclusions: Existing research suggests that physical activity may improve symptoms of PTSD in emergency service personnel and frontline workers. Considering physical activity promotion initiatives for occupations at high risk of trauma exposure may therefore be warranted to promote mental health. The existing research has several methodological limitations, and findings should therefore be interpreted with caution until further robust studies are available.
Can Information Reduce Ethnic Discrimination? Evidence from Airbnb
Authors: Laouénan Morgane , Rathelot Roland 
Published: December 2021

We use data from Airbnb to identify the mechanisms underlying discrimination against ethnic minority hosts. Within the same neighborhood, hosts from minority groups charge 3.2 percent less for comparable listings. Since ratings provide guests with increasingly rich information about a listing’s quality, we can measure the contribution of statistical discrimination, building upon Altonji and Pierret (2001). We find that statistical discrimination can account for the whole ethnic price gap: ethnic gaps would disappear if all unobservables were revealed. Also, three-quarters (2.5 points) of the initial ethnic gap can be attributed to inaccurate beliefs of potential guests about hosts’ average group quality. (JEL D83, J15, L84)
What Can Explain Momentum? Evidence from Decomposition
Authors: Guo Jiaqi , Li Peng , Li Youwei 
Published: December 2021

This study comprehensively evaluates and ranks a large number of competing explanations for the momentum anomaly. As a benchmark for evaluation, firm fundamentals are found to be the most promising among well-known explanations of momentum, followed by prospect theory and mental accounting, and anchoring effect. Collectively, all explanations capture 31% of momentum, whereas 69% of momentum remains unexplained. This study thoroughly examines what fractions of the momentum anomaly emerge from the interaction effects between past returns and various firm characteristics. It is further found that strategies based on firm characteristics and residual momentum can significantly alleviate the severity of momentum crashes. Finally, robustness analysis is provided for choosing different formation and holding periods, excluding January observations, and analyze at the level of portfolio rather than individual stock. This paper was accepted by David Simchi-Levi, finance.
Ku80 is involved in telomere maintenance but dispensable for genomic stability in Leishmania mexicana
Authors: Poláková Ester , Albanaz Amanda T. S. , Zakharova Alexandra , Novozhilova Tatiana S. , Gerasimov Evgeny S. , Yurchenko Vyacheslav 
Published: December 2021

Background
Telomeres are indispensable for genome stability maintenance. They are maintained by the telomere-associated protein complex, which include Ku proteins and a telomerase among others. Here, we investigated a role of Ku80 in Leishmania mexicana. Leishmania is a genus of parasitic protists of the family Trypanosomatidae causing a vector-born disease called leishmaniasis.

Methodology/Principal findings
We used the previously established CRISPR/Cas9 system to mediate ablation of Ku80- and Ku70-encoding genes in L. mexicana. Complete knock-outs of both genes were confirmed by Southern blotting, whole-genome Illumina sequencing, and RT-qPCR. Resulting telomeric phenotypes were subsequently investigated using Southern blotting detection of terminal restriction fragments. The genome integrity in the Ku80- deficient cells was further investigated by whole-genome sequencing.
Our work revealed that telomeres in the ΔKu80 L. mexicana are elongated compared to those of the wild type. This is a surprising finding considering that in another model trypanosomatid, Trypanosoma brucei, they are shortened upon ablation of the same gene. A telomere elongation phenotype has been documented in other species and associated with a presence of telomerase-independent alternative telomere lengthening pathway. Our results also showed that Ku80 appears to be not involved in genome stability maintenance in L. mexicana.

Conclusion/Significance
Ablation of the Ku proteins in L. mexicana triggers telomere elongation, but does not have an adverse impact on genome integrity.
“What does it depend on?”: Perceptions of safety related to firearms in homes and neighborhoods
Authors: Pallin Rocco , Wintemute Garen J. , Kravitz-Wirtz Nicole 
Published: December 2021

Background
Though research has established that firearms in the home increase risk for injury and death, a substantial number of Americans, especially gun owners, believe that guns make their homes safer. More than half of gun owners in a nationally-representative survey said “it depends” when asked whether guns make their homes safer or more dangerous, but little is known about the factors that affect perceived safety.

Objective
To determine whether the relationship between the presence of firearms and perceived home or neighborhood safety is fixed or depends on additional factors and to identify the additional factors on which it depends.

Methods
A mixed-methods cross-sectional analysis of the 2018 state-representative California Safety and Wellbeing Survey (n = 2558, completion rate 49%), including calculation of weighted proportions and qualitative analysis of write-in responses.

Findings
One in six respondents (17.2%, 95% CI 14.9% to 19.7%) reported “it depends” when asked whether a gun in their home made the home a safer or more dangerous place to be (“the home scenario”). One in six (16.6%, 95% CI 14.3% to 19.2%) reported “it depends” when asked whether the neighborhood would be safer if all neighbors had guns in the home (“the neighborhood scenario”). For the home scenario, 28.3% (95% CI 21.9% to 35.7%) cited firearm owner characteristics (e.g., training and proficiency, temperament, and mental health), 28.4% (95% CI 22.3% to 35.5%) cited firearm storage and access, and 28.0% (95% CI 21.5% to 35.7%) cited intended use for guns as factors affecting perceived safety. For the neighborhood scenario, respondents overwhelmingly cited gun owner characteristics (72.1%, 95% CI 63.4% to 79.3%). Factors on which “it depends” varied by gun ownership status.

Conclusion
Perceived safety when firearms are in the home depends on numerous factors. Understanding these factors may inform tailored, targeted messaging and interventions for firearm injury prevention.
Determinants of severity among hospitalised COVID-19 patients: Hospital-based case-control study, India, 2020
Authors: Zodpey Sanjay P. , Negandhi Himanshu , Kamal Vineet Kumar , Bhatnagar Tarun , Ganeshkumar Parasuraman , Athavale Arvind , Kadri Amiruddin , Patel Amit , Bhagyalaxmi A. , Khismatrao Deepak , Theranirajan E. , Banumathi Getrude , Singh Krishna , Parameshwari P. , Kshirsagar Prasita , Saxena Rita , Deshpande Sanjay G. , Satyanand Kadloor , Hadke Saurabh , Dube Simmi , Subramaniam Sudarshini , Madan Surabhi , Kadam Swapnali , Anand Tanu , Jeyashree Kathiresan , Ponnaiah Manickam , Rana Manish , Murhekar Manoj V. , Reddy DCS 
Published: December 2021

Background
Risk factors for the development of severe COVID-19 disease and death have been widely reported across several studies. Knowledge about the determinants of severe disease and mortality in the Indian context can guide early clinical management.

Methods
We conducted a hospital-based case control study across nine sites in India to identify the determinants of severe and critical COVID-19 disease.

Findings
We identified age above 60 years, duration before admission >5 days, chronic kidney disease, leucocytosis, prothrombin time > 14 sec, serum ferritin >250 ng/mL, d-dimer >0.5 ng/mL, pro-calcitonin >0.15 μg/L, fibrin degradation products >5 μg/mL, C-reactive protein >5 mg/L, lactate dehydrogenase >150 U/L, interleukin-6 >25 pg/mL, NLR ≥3, and deranged liver function, renal function and serum electrolytes as significant factors associated with severe COVID-19 disease.

Interpretation
We have identified a set of parameters that can help in characterising severe COVID-19 cases in India. These parameters are part of routinely available investigations within Indian hospital settings, both public and private. Study findings have the potential to inform clinical management protocols and identify patients at high risk of severe outcomes at an early stage.
Effects of age and knee osteoarthritis on the modular control of walking: A pilot study
Authors: Roelker Sarah A. , Koehn Rebekah R. , Caruthers Elena J. , Schmitt Laura C. , Chaudhari Ajit M. W. , Siston Robert A. 
Published: December 2021

BackgroundOlder adults and individuals with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) often exhibit reduced locomotor function and altered muscle activity. Identifying age- and KOA-related changes to the modular control of gait may provide insight into the neurological mechanisms underlying reduced walking performance in these populations. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine if the modular control of walking differs between younger and older adults without KOA and adults with end-stage KOA.MethodsKinematic, kinetic, and electromyography data were collected from ten younger (23.5 ± 3.1 years) and ten older (63.5 ± 3.4 years) adults without KOA and ten adults with KOA (64.0 ± 4.0 years) walking at their self-selected speed. Separate non-negative matrix factorizations of 500 bootstrapped samples determined the number of modules required to reconstruct each participant’s electromyography. One-way Analysis of Variance tests assessed the effect of group on walking speed and the number of modules. Kendall rank correlations (τb) assessed the association between the number of modules and self-selected walking speed.ResultsThe number of modules required in the younger adults (3.2 ± 0.4) was greater than in the individuals with KOA (2.3 ± 0.7;p= 0.002), though neither cohorts’ required number of modules differed significantly from the unimpaired older adults (2.7 ± 0.5;p≥ 0.113). A significant association between module number and walking speed was observed (τb= 0.350,p= 0.021) and individuals with KOA walked significantly slower (0.095 ± 0.21 m/s) than younger adults (1.24 ± 0.15 m/s;p= 0.005). Individuals with KOA also exhibited altered module activation patterns and composition (which muscles are associated with each module) compared to unimpaired adults.ConclusionThese findings suggest aging alone may not significantly alter modular control; however, the combined effects of knee osteoarthritis and aging may together impair the modular control of gait.