bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sandfly Fever Sicilian Virus-Leishmania major co-infection modulates innate inflammatory response favoring myeloid cell infections and skin hyperinflammation
Authors: Heirwegh Ellen , MacLean Emily , He Jinlei , Kamhawi Shaden , Sagan Selena M. , Olivier Martin 
Published: July 2021

Background
The leishmaniases are a group of sandfly-transmitted diseases caused by species of the protozoan parasite, Leishmania. With an annual incidence of 1 million cases, 1 billion people living in Leishmania-endemic regions, and nearly 30,000 deaths each year, leishmaniasis is a major global public health concern. While phlebotomine sandflies are well-known as vectors of Leishmania, they are also the vectors of various phleboviruses, including Sandfly Fever Sicilian Virus (SFSV).
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), caused by Leishmania major (L. major), among other species, results in development of skin lesions on the infected host. Importantly, there exists much variation in the clinical manifestation between individuals. We propose that phleboviruses, vectored by and found in the same sandfly guts as Leishmania, may be a factor in determining CL severity. It was reported by our group that Leishmania exosomes are released into the gut of the sandfly vector and co-inoculated during blood meals, where they exacerbate CL skin lesions. We hypothesized that, when taking a blood meal, the sandfly vector infects the host with Leishmania parasites and exosomes as well as phleboviruses, and that this viral co-infection results in a modulation of leishmaniasis.

Methodology/Principal findings
In vitro, we observed modulation by SFSV in MAP kinase signaling as well as in the IRF3 pathway that resulted in a pro-inflammatory phenotype. Additionally, we found that SFSV and L. major co-infection resulted in an exacerbation of leishmaniasis in vivo, and by using endosomal (Toll-like receptor) TLR3, and MAVS knock-out mice, deduced that SFSV’s hyperinflammatory effect was TLR3- and MAVS-dependent. Critically, we observed that L. major and SFSV co-infected C57BL/6 mice demonstrated significantly higher parasite burden than mice solely infected with L. major. Furthermore, viral presence increased leukocyte influx in vivo. This influx was accompanied by elevated total extracellular vesicle numbers. Interestingly, L. major displayed higher infectiveness with coincident phleboviral infection compared to L. major infection alone.

Conclusion/Significance
Overall our work represents novel findings that contribute towards understanding the causal mechanisms governing cutaneous leishmaniasis pathology. Better comprehension of the potential role of viral co-infection could lead to treatment regimens with enhanced effectiveness.
Introducing the Rapid Alert Supply Network Extractor (RASNEX) tool to mine supply chain information from food and feed contamination notifications in Europe
Authors: Lorenzen Marc C. , Weiser Armin A. , Pieper Robert , Lahrssen-Wiederholt Monika , Numata Jorge 
Published: July 2021

Background
During food or feed contamination events, it is of utmost importance to ensure their rapid resolution to minimize impact on human health, animal health and finances. The existing Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) is used by the European Commission, national competent authorities of member countries and the European Food Safety Authority to report information on any direct or indirect human health risk arising from food or feed, or serious risks to animal health or the environment in relation to feed. Nevertheless, no methods exist to to collectively evaluate this vast source of supply chain information.

Methods
To aid in the extraction, evaluation and visualization of the data in RASFF notifications, we present the Rapid Alert Supply Network Extractor (RASNEX) open-source tool available from https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4322555 freely. Among RASNEX’s functions is the graphical mapping of food and feed supply chain operators implicated in contamination events. RASNEX can be used during ongoing events as a support tool for risk analysis using RASFF notifications as input.

Results
In a first use case, we showcase the functionality of RASNEX with the RASFF notification on a 2017/2018 contamination event in eggs caused by the illegal use of fipronil. The information in this RASFF notification is used to visualize nine different flows of main and related food products. In a second use case, we combine RASFF notifications from different types of food safety hazards (Salmonella spp., fipronil and others) to obtain wider coverage of the visualized egg supply network compared to the first use case. Actors in the egg supply chain were identified mainly for Italy, Poland and Benelux. Other countries (although involved in the egg supply chain) were underrepresented.

Conclusions
We hypothesize that biases may be caused by inconsistent RASFF reporting behaviors by its members. These inconsistencies may be counteracted by implementing standardized decision-making tools to harmonize decisions whether to launch a RASFF notification, in turn resulting in a more uniform future coverage across European food and feed supply chains with RASNEX.
Prevalence of loneliness amongst older people in high-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chawla Kavita , Kunonga Tafadzwa Patience , Stow Daniel , Barker Robert , Craig Dawn , Hanratty Barbara 
Published: July 2021

Background and objective
Loneliness is associated with increased rates of morbidity and mortality, and is a growing public health concern in later life. This study aimed to produce an evidence-based estimate of the prevalence of loneliness amongst older people (aged 60 years and above).

Study design and setting
Systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis of observational studies from high income countries 2008 to 2020, identified from searches of five electronic databases (Medline, EMBASE, PsychINFO, CINAHL, Proquest Social Sciences Premium Collection). Studies were included if they measured loneliness in an unselected population.

Results
Thirty-nine studies reported data on 120,000 older people from 29 countries. Thirty-one studies were suitable for meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence estimate of loneliness was 28.5% (95%CI: 23.9% - 33.2%). In twenty-nine studies reporting loneliness severity, the pooled prevalence was 25.9% (95%CI: 21.6% - 30.3%) for moderate loneliness and 7.9% (95%CI: 4.8% - 11.6%) for severe loneliness (z = -6.1, p < 0.001). Similar pooled prevalence estimates were observed for people aged 65–75 years (27.6%, 95%CI: 22.6% - 33.0%) and over 75 years (31.3%, 95%CI: 21.0% - 42.7%, z = 0.64, p = 0.52). Lower levels of loneliness were reported in studies from Northern Europe compared to South and Eastern Europe.

Conclusions
Loneliness is common amongst older adults affecting approximately one in four in high income countries. There is no evidence of an increase in the prevalence of loneliness with age in the older population. The burden of loneliness is an important public health and social problem, despite severe loneliness being uncommon.

PROSPERO registration
CRD42017060472.
Lower serum 25(OH)D levels associated with higher risk of COVID-19 infection in U.S. Black women
Authors: Cozier Yvette C. , Castro-Webb Nelsy , Hochberg Natasha S. , Rosenberg Lynn , Albert Michelle A. , Palmer Julie R. 
Published: July 2021

Objective
Limited evidence suggests that higher levels of serum vitamin D (25(OH)D) protect against SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19) infection. Black women commonly experience 25(OH)D insufficiency and are overrepresented among COVID-19 cases. We conducted a prospective analysis of serum 25(OH)D levels in relation to COVID-19 infection among participants in the Black Women’s Health Study.

Methods
Since 1995, the Black Women’s Health Study has followed 59,000 U.S. Black women through biennial mailed or online questionnaires. Over 13,000 study participants provided a blood sample in 2013–2017. 25(OH)D assays were performed in a certified national laboratory shortly after collection of the samples. In 2020, participants who had completed the online version of the 2019 biennial health questionnaire were invited to complete a supplemental online questionnaire assessing their experiences related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including whether they had been tested for COVID-19 infection and the result of the test. We used logistic regression analysis to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association of 25(OH)D level with COVID-19 positivity, adjusting for age, number of people living in the household, neighborhood socioeconomic status, and other potential confounders.

Results
Among 5,081 eligible participants whose blood sample had been assayed for 25(OH)D, 1,974 reported having had a COVID-19 test in 2020. Relative to women with 25(OH)D levels of 30 ng/mL (75 nmol/l) or more, multivariable-adjusted ORs for COVID-19 infection in women with levels of 20–29 ng/mL (50–72.5 nmol/l) and <20 ng/mL (<50 nmol/l) were, respectively, 1.48 (95% CI 0.95–2.30) and 1.69 (95% CI 1.04–2.72) (p trend 0.02).

Conclusion
The present results suggest that U.S. Black women with lower levels of 25(OH)D are at increased risk of infection with COVID-19. Further work is needed to confirm these findings and determine the optimal level of 25(OH)D for a beneficial effect.
Perceived efficacy of existing waterpipe tobacco warning labels versus novel enhanced generic and waterpipe-specific sets
Authors: Mostafa Aya , El Houssinie Moustafa , Hussein Rasha Saad 
Published: July 2021

Introduction
Since 2008, Egypt has four existing generic bi-annually rotating warning labels (WLs) on 50% of the waterpipe tobacco packs (WTPs). The Ministry of Health Tobacco Control Unit proposed increasing WL size to 80%, removing colours and flavour imagery from WTPs, and plain packaging to help curb the rising epidemic of waterpipe tobacco smoking. Therefore, we measured the perceived efficacy of existing against novel enhanced (generic and waterpipe-specific) WTP WLs and the associated factors among Egyptian waterpipe smokers and nonsmokers.

Methods
A purposive quota sample of 2014 adults was surveyed in two rounds using face interviews. At each round, participants were randomly shown one of four existing WLs, then one of four novel WLs. Participants rated the perceived efficacy of existing and novel WLs regarding the salience, depth of processing, affective reactions, credibility, relevance, perceived harm and perceived behavioural control. Data were analysed using Generalized Estimating Equations.

Results
Participants rated novel WTP WLs with higher mean perceived efficacy scores than existing WLs for all measures, although both sets collectively scored modestly (59.7; 95% CI: 58.9–60.5 vs 53.0; 95% CI: 52.1–54.0, respectively; p<0.001). Relative to the existing WTP WLs, novel WLs were particularly able to induce higher salience, affective reactions, and depth of processing. Relative to the generic novel WTP WLs, waterpipe-specific WLs induced higher relevance, perceived harm, and affective reactions. Nonsmokers scored higher than waterpipe tobacco smokers, specifically for perceived behavioral control (65.0±32.5 vs 43.6±19.8, respectively; p<0.001). WTP WLs featuring proximal risks, such as dental effects (β = 9.70; 95% CI: 7.00–12.40), fetal harm (β = 9.42; 95% CI: 6.75–12.10), or toxic contents (β = 9.14; 95% CI: 6.58–11.70) were strongly associated with participants’ perceived efficacy scores. Among other independent factors, rural residence (β = 24.09; 95% CI: 22.21–25.97), being a nonsmoker (β = 10.51; 95% CI: 8.92–12.10), survey round 2 (β = 6.96, 95% CI: 5.73–8.19), the novel WTP WL set (β = 6.68; 95% CI: 6.19–7.17), and having higher education (β = 6.31; 95% CI: 4.34–8.27) were highly associated with participants’ perceived efficacy scores.

Conclusions
Waterpipe-specific WLs on plain WTPs that feature proximal risks and address different population subgroups need to be developed in conjunction with awareness raising campaigns on WTS harms to reinforce the credibility of WTP WLs. Our findings suggest the proposed WTP WL enhancements by the Tobacco Control Unit may support a more effective WTP labelling policy within a comprehensive waterpipe-specific tobacco control framework.
Usefulness of several factors and clinical scoring models in preoperative diagnosis of complicated appendicitis
Authors: Fujiwara Kenji , Abe Atsushi , Masatsugu Toshihiro , Hirano Tatsuya , Hiraka Kiyohisa , Sada Masayuki 
Published: July 2021

BackgroundThe preoperative distinction between uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis is important to determine the appropriate treatments, such as antibiotics, surgery, or interval appendectomy. Computed tomography (CT) plays an important role; however, combining clinical and imaging factors may make preoperative evaluation more reliable. This study evaluated and analyzed cases and the usefulness of several preoperative factors and clinical scoring models to detect complicated appendicitis.MethodsA total of 203 patients preoperatively diagnosed with acute appendicitis at our facility were included. Complicated appendicitis was defined as appendicitis with gangrene, perforated appendix, and/or abscess formation. Preoperative factors were collected from published clinical scoring models; patient information, symptoms, signs, results of laboratory tests, and findings of CT. Factors were analyzed using a chi-squared test and the Mann-Whitney U test.ResultsThe preoperative factors were compared between 151 uncomplicated and 52 complicated appendicitis patients. The significant factors were age ≥40, duration of symptoms >24 hours, body temperature ≥37.3°C, high levels of CRP, findings in CT scan (appendix diameter ≥10 mm, stranding of the adjacent fat, presence of fluid collection, and suspicion of abscess or perforation). We also evaluated the usefulness of clinical scoring models for the detection of complicated appendicitis and found the Appendicitis Inflammatory Response score and two prediction models (Atema score and Imaoka score) showed significance (p< 0.05). High serum CRP level was significantly associated with complicated appendicitis (p< 0.001), and the predicted existence rates of complicated appendicitis were 52.7% for serum CRP level ≥50mg/L, 74.4% for ≥100mg/L, and 82.6% for ≥150mg/L.ConclusionThe results demonstrated several preoperative factors and clinical scoring models to increase suspicion of complicated appendicitis. Specifically, high serum levels of CRP may be a useful factor in predicting complicated appendicitis prior to surgery when supported by clinical findings and imaging; however, further research is needed.
Urinary actin, as a potential marker of sepsis-related acute kidney injury: A pilot study
Authors: Ragán Dániel , Kustán Péter , Horváth-Szalai Zoltán , Szirmay Balázs , Bugyi Beáta , Ludány Andrea , Miseta Attila , Nagy Bálint , Mühl Diána 
Published: July 2021

Introduction
A major complication of sepsis is the development of acute kidney injury (AKI). Recently, it was shown that intracellular actin released from damaged tissues appears in the urine of patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Our aims were to measure urinary actin (u-actin) concentrations of septic and control patients and to test if u-actin levels could predict AKI and mortality.

Methods
Blood and urine samples were collected from septic and sepsis-related AKI patients at three time points (T1-3): T1: within 24 hours after admission; T2: second day morning; T3: third day morning of follow-up. Patients with malignancies needing palliative care, end-stage renal disease or kidney transplantation were excluded. Serum and u-actin levels were determined by quantitative Western blot. Patients were categorized by the Sepsis-3 and KDIGO AKI classifications.

Results
In our study, 17 septic, 43 sepsis-induced AKI and 24 control patients were enrolled. U-actin levels were higher in septic patients compared with controls during follow-up (p<0.001). At T1, the septic and sepsis-related AKI groups also showed differences (p<0.001), yet this increase was not statistically significant at T2 and T3. We also detected significantly elevated u-actin concentrations in AKI-2 and AKI-3 septic patients compared with AKI-1 septic patients (p<0.05) at T1 and T3, along with a significant increase in AKI-2 septic patients compared with AKI-1 septic patients at T2 (p<0.01). This tendency remained the same when referring u-actin to urine creatinine. Parameters of first-day septic patient samples could discriminate AKI from non-AKI state (AUC ROC, p<0.001): u-actin: 0.876; se-creatinine: 0.875. Derived cut-off value for u-actin was 2.63 μg/L (sensitivity: 86.0%, specificity: 82.4%).

Conclusion
U-actin may be a complementary diagnostic biomarker to se-creatinine in sepsis-related AKI while higher u-actin levels also seem to reflect the severity of AKI. Further investigations may elucidate the importance of u-actin release in sepsis-related AKI.
The role of interleukin-6 as a prognostic biomarker for predicting acute exacerbation in interstitial lung diseases
Authors: Lee Jae Ha , Jang Ji Hoon , Park Jin Han , Jang Hang-Jea , Park Chan Sun , Lee Sunggun , Kim Seong-Ho , Kim Ji Yeon , Kim Hyun Kuk 
Published: July 2021

Background
Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are chronic, parenchymal lung diseases with a variable clinical course and a poor prognosis. Within various clinical courses, acute exacerbation (AE) is a devastating condition with significant morbidity and high mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of interleukin-6 (IL-6) to predict AE and prognosis in patients with ILD.

Methods
Eighty-three patients who were diagnosed with ILD from 2016 to 2019 at the Haeundae Paik Hospital, Busan, South Korea, were included and their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed.

Results
The median follow-up period was 20 months. The mean age was 68.1 years and 65.1% of the patients were men with 60.2% of patients being ever-smokers. Among ILDs, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis was the most common disease (68.7%), followed by connective tissue disease-associated ILD (14.5%), cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (9.6%), and nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (6.0%). The serum levels of IL-6 were measured at diagnosis with ILD and sequentially at follow-up visits. During the follow-ups, 15 (18.1%) patients experienced an acute exacerbation (AE) of ILD and among them, four (26.7%) patients died. In the multivariable analysis, high levels of IL-6 (OR 1.014, 95% CI: 1.001–1.027, p = 0.036) along with lower baseline saturations of peripheral oxygen (SpO2) were independent risk factors for AE. In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the area under the curve was 0.815 (p < 0.001) and the optimal cut-off value of serum IL-6 to predict AE was 25.20 pg/mL with a sensitivity of 66.7% and specificity of 80.6%. In the multivariable Cox analysis, a high level of serum IL-6 (HR 1.007, 95% CI: 1.001–1.014, p = 0.018) was only an independent risk factor for mortality in ILD patients.

Conclusions
In our study, a high level of serum IL-6 is a useful biomarker to predict AE and poor prognosis in patients with ILD.
“We are fed up …Being research objects!” negotiating identities and solidarities in militant ethnography
Authors: Sztandara Magdalena 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
This article describes experiences of long-term ethnographic fieldwork on disobedience, disloyalty and dissensus among women in public space in selected (post-)Yugoslav cities. I focus on the opportunities and pitfalls of feminist ethnography and methodology in the context of positionality, engagement and solidarity as essential elements of research into activist networks. In order to problematize the emerging field positionalities and solidarities, I examine the “militant ethnography” methodological approach (Jeffrey Juris), which seeks to move beyond the divide between research practice and politically engaged participation. It is about being among and within the activist network and adopting many identities and roles by constantly shifting between reflective solidarity and analysis. In trying to shed light on the critical self-reflective research process of embodied understandings and experiences, I focus on ethnographic practices embedded in transnational “crowded fields” that encompass the dynamics of relationships and dependencies between knowledge producers.
Flight schedule adjustment for hub airports using multi-objective optimization
Authors: Tao Mei , Ma Lan , Ma Yiming 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Based on the concept of “passengers self-help hubbing,” we build a flight schedule optimization model where maximizing the number of feasible flight connections, indicating transfer opportunities, as one objective and minimizing total slot displacements as the other objective. At the same time, the “Demand Smoothing Model” is introduced into the flight schedule optimization model to reduce the queuing delays for arrival and departure flights. We take into account all aircraft itineraries, the difficulty level of schedule coordination, and the maximum displacement of any single flight acceptable to airlines when optimizing flight schedule. Given an original schedule, the model produces a feasible modified schedule that obeys the slot limits specified for an airport without canceling any flights, increases transfer opportunities, and improves on-time performance for hub airports while reducing interference with airline scheduling preferences. The model was verified with the operating data of the Urumqi international airport, and the results show that minor adjustments to flight schedules can increase the transfer opportunities of the airport and significantly reduce flight queuing delays.
Multidirectional Speed in Youth Soccer Players: Programming Considerations and Practical Applications
Authors: McBurnie Alistair J. , Parr James , Kelly David M. , Dos'Santos Thomas 
Published: July 2021

ABSTRACT
Multidirectional speed (MDS) can be defined as ‟the competency and capacity to accelerate, decelerate, change direction, and maintain speed in multiple directions and movements, within the context of sport-specific scenarios.” The components of MDS are linear speed, change of direction speed, curvilinear speed, contextual speed, and agility. A MDS development framework is provided for the practitioner who considers the complexities of the growing athlete within a progressive sequence of skill learning and adaptation. Practical examples for each MDS component are provided and discussed within weekly microcycle examples that represent different stages of development for the youth athlete.