bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is Dry Needling Applied by Physical Therapists Effective for Pain in Musculoskeletal Conditions? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Sánchez-Infante Jorge , Navarro-Santana Marcos J , Bravo-Sánchez Alfredo , Jiménez-Diaz Fernando , Abián-Vicén Javier 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Objective
The main objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the short-, medium-, and long-term effectiveness of dry needling (DN) applied by physical therapists to myofascial trigger points for the treatment of pain.

Methods
PubMed, Scopus, SportDiscus, and Web of Science databases were searched from their inception to February 2020. Randomized controlled trials that compared DN with other treatments or placebo and measured pain with a visual analog Scale or another numerical pain rating scale were included. Two authors used a personalized form to collect the following data relevant to the objectives of the review from each article independently: study design, purpose, sample size, diagnosis, characteristics of DN intervention, characteristics of placebo intervention, outcome measures, period of assessment, body region, DN technique, and number of sessions. The initial search identified 1771 articles. After the selection, 102 articles were assessed for eligibility; 42 of these articles measuring pain were used for the meta-analysis. Four meta-analyses were performed according to the follow-up period from the last reported treatment.

Results
This meta-analysis found a large effect to decrease pain within 72 hours (standardized mean difference [SMD] = −0.81; 95% CI = −1.21 to −0.40), a moderate effect in 1 to 3 weeks (SMD = −0.69; 95% CI = −1.02 to −0.35), a large effect in 4 to 12 weeks (SMD = −0.85; 95% CI = −1.30 to −0.40), and a large effect in 13 to 24 weeks (SMD = −0.81; 95% CI = −1.64 to −0.03). The risk of bias was generally low; however, the heterogeneity of the results downgraded the level of evidence.

Conclusions
Low-quality evidence that the immediate to 72-hour (large) effect, 4- to 12-week (large) effect, 13- to 24-week (large) effect, and moderate-quality 1- to 3-week (moderate) effect suggested that DN performed by physical therapists was more effective than no treatment, sham DN, and other therapies for reducing pain.

Impact
DN is commonly used by physical therapists to treat musculoskeletal pain, and it is very important for physical therapists to know the clinical conditions and time periods for which DN is effective in reducing pain in their patients.
SSH researchers make an impact differently. Looking at public research from the perspective of users
Authors: Bonaccorsi Andrea , Chiarello Filippo , Fantoni Gualtiero 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
With the rise of the impact assessment revolution, governments and public opinion have started to ask researchers to give evidence of their impact outside the traditional audiences, i.e. students and researchers. There is a mismatch between the request to demonstrate the impact and the current methodologies for impact assessment. This mismatch is particularly worrisome for the research in Social Sciences and Humanities. This paper gives a contribution by examining systematically a key element of impact, i.e. the social groups that are directly or indirectly affected by the results of research. We use a Text mining approach applied to the Research Excellence Framework (REF) collection of 6,637 impact case studies in order to identify social groups mentioned by researchers. Differently from previous studies, we employ a lexicon of user groups that includes 76,857 entries, which saturates the semantic field, permits the identification of all users and opens the way to normalization. We then develop three new metrics measuring Frequency, Diversity and Specificity of user expressions. We find that Social Sciences and Humanities exhibit a distinctive structure with respect to frequency and specificity of users.
Expression of sterile-α and armadillo motif containing protein (SARM) in rheumatoid arthritis monocytes correlates with TLR2-induced IL-1β and disease activity
Authors: Thwaites Ryan S , Unterberger Sarah , Chamberlain Giselle , Gray Henry , Jordan Kelsey , Davies Kevin A , Harrison Neil A , Sacre Sandra 
Published: February 2021

AbstractObjectiveCartilage and bone damage in RA are associated with elevated IL-1β. The effects of IL-1β can be reduced by biological therapies that target IL-1β or TNF-α. However, the mechanisms responsible for increased IL-1β and the effect of anti-TNF-α have not been fully elucidated. Recently, sterile-α and armadillo motif containing protein (SARM) was identified as a negative regulator of toll-like receptor (TLR) induced IL-1β secretion through an interaction with the inflammasome. This study set out to investigate SARM during TLR-induced IL-1β secretion in RA peripheral blood monocytes and in patients commencing anti-TNF-α treatment.MethodsMonocytes were isolated from RA patients and healthy controls; disease activity was measured by DAS28. IL-1β secretion was measured by ELISA following TLR1/2, TLR4 and TLR7/8 stimulation. The mRNA expression of SARM1, IL-1β and the components of the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome were measured by quantitative PCR. SARM protein expression was measured by western blotting.ResultsTLR1/2 activation induced elevated IL-1β in RA monocytes compared with healthy controls (P = 0.0009), which negatively correlated with SARM1 expression (P = 0.0086). Lower SARM expression also correlated with higher disease activity (P = 0.0246). Additionally, patients responding to anti-TNF-α treatment demonstrated a rapid upregulation of SARM, which was not observed in non-responders.ConclusionTogether, these data highlight a potential contribution from SARM to RA pathophysiology where decreased SARM may lead to elevated IL-1β associated with RA pathogenesis. Furthermore, the data additionally present a potential mechanism by which TNF-α blockade can modify IL-1β secretion.
THE CONCEPT OF X-RAY CT DOSE EVALUATION METHOD USING RADIOCHROMIC FILM AND FILM-FOLDING PHANTOM
Authors: Tanki Nobuyoshi , Katsuda Toshizo , Gotanda Rumi , Gotanda Tatsuhiro , Imai Shinya , Kawaji Yasuyuki , Noguchi Atsushi , Kuwano Tadao , Fujita Hideki , Takeda Yoshihiro 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
In this paper, we propose a novel radiochromic film (RCF)-based computed tomography (CT) dosimetry method, which is different from the method based on CT dose index. RCF dosimetry using Gafchromic QA2 films was performed using two lengths of film-folding phantoms. The phantom was exposed to X-ray CT through a single scan, while the RCF was sandwiched between the phantoms. We analysed the dose profile curve in two directions to investigate the dose distribution. We observed a difference in the dose distribution as the phantom size changed. Our results contradict with the results of previous studies such as Monte Carlo simulation or direct measurement. The ability to visually evaluate 2D dose distributions is an advantage of RCF dosimetry over other methods. This research investigated the ability of 2D X-ray CT dose evaluation using RCF and film-folding phantom.
Evolution of DNA packaging in gene transfer agents
Authors: Esterman Emma S , Wolf Yuri I , Kogay Roman , Koonin Eugene V , Zhaxybayeva Olga 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Gene transfer agents (GTAs) are virus-like particles encoded and produced by many bacteria and archaea. Unlike viruses, GTAs package fragments of the host genome instead of the genes that encode the components of the GTA itself. As a result of this non-specific DNA packaging, GTAs can transfer genes within bacterial and archaeal communities. GTAs clearly evolved from viruses and are thought to have been maintained in prokaryotic genomes due to the advantages associated with their DNA transfer capacity. The most-studied GTA is produced by the alphaproteobacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus (RcGTA), which packages random portions of the host genome at a lower DNA density than usually observed in tailed bacterial viruses. How the DNA packaging properties of RcGTA evolved from those of the ancestral virus remains unknown. To address this question, we reconstructed the evolutionary history of the large subunit of the terminase (TerL), a highly conserved enzyme used by viruses and GTAs to package DNA. We found that RcGTA-like TerLs grouped within viruses that employ the headful packaging strategy. Because distinct mechanisms of viral DNA packaging correspond to differences in the TerL amino acid sequence, our finding suggests that RcGTA evolved from a headful packaging virus. Headful packaging is the least sequence-specific mode of DNA packaging, which would facilitate the switch from packaging of the viral genome to packaging random pieces of the host genome during GTA evolution.
A Seed Mucilage-Degrading Fungus From the Rhizosphere Strengthens the Plant-Soil-Microbe Continuum and Potentially Regulates Root Nutrients of a Cold Desert Shrub
Authors: Hu Dandan , Baskin Jerry M. , Baskin Carol C. , Liu Rong , Yang Xuejun , Huang Zhenying 
Published: February 2021

Seed mucilage plays important roles in the adaptation of desert plants to the stressful environment. Artemisia sphaerocephala is an important pioneer plant in the Central Asian cold desert, and it produces a large quantity of seed mucilage. Seed mucilage of A. sphaerocephala can be degraded by soil microbes, but it is unknown which microorganisms can degrade mucilage or how the mucilage-degrading microorganisms affect rhizosphere microbial communities or root nutrients. Here, mucilage-degrading microorganisms were isolated from the rhizosphere of A. sphaerocephala, were screened by incubation with mucilage stained with Congo red, and were identified by sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. Fungal-bacterial networks based on high-throughput sequencing of rhizosphere microbes were constructed to explore the seasonal dynamic of interactions between a mucilage-degrading microorganism and its closely related microorganisms. The structural equation model was used to analyze effects of the mucilage-degrading microorganism, rhizosphere fungal-bacterial communities, and soil physicochemical properties on root C and N. The fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium was identified as a mucilage-degrading microorganism. Relative abundance of the mucilage-degrading fungus (MDF) was highest in May. Subnetworks showed that the abundance of fungi and bacteria closely related to the MDF also were highest in May. Interactions between the MDF and related fungi and bacteria were positive, which might enhance mucilage degradation. In addition, the MDF might regulate root C and N by affecting rhizosphere microbial community structure. Our results suggest that MDF from the rhizosphere strengthens the plant-soil-microbe continuum, thereby potentially regulating microbial interactions and root nutrients of A. sphaerocephala. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Dickeya dianthicola Is Not Vectored by Two Common Insect Pests of Potato
Authors: Insinga Jonas K. , Alyokhin Andrei , Hao Jianjun , Ge Tongling , Marangoni Nayara Fabiola , Baron Alex 
Published: February 2021

Dickeya dianthicola (Samson) is an important pathogen causing blackleg disease of potato. Previous work suggested that insects might vector species of Pectobacteriaceae between plants but no conclusive work has confirmed this. Green peach aphids (Myzus persicae Sulzer) and Colorado potato beetles (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say) are aggressive potato pests and related to known vectors of several species of bacteria other than D. dianthicola. This study sought to determine whether these insects vector D. dianthicola for potato infection. Neither insect species showed olfactory discrimination based on the presence of infection in laboratory tests but beetles were repelled by uninfected foliage treated with 2,3-butanediol, a primary Dickeya metabolite. Beetle recruitment to plants was not affected by their infection status; however, aphids preferred uninfected foliage when conspecifics were present. In the laboratory, neither insect acquired or transmitted D. dianthicola through feeding. In the field, neither insect’s abundance was significantly correlated with disease spread. Overall, this study did not find indications that D. dianthicola is vectored by the tested insect species. Therefore, efforts to limit Dickeya spread should focus on sanitation, water management, and seed screening—not on the control of these insect species. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Description of Sphingobium psychrophilum sp. nov., a cold-adapted bacterium isolated from Arctic soil
Authors: Dahal Ram Hari , Chaudhary Dhiraj Kumar , Kim Dong-Uk , Kim Jaisoo 
Published: February 2021

A yellow-coloured, Gram-stain-negative, non-sporulating, psychrotolerant and motile bacterium, designated AR-3-1T, was isolated from the Arctic soil of Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, Canada. Strain AR-3-1T could grow at 4–32 °C and pH 5.0– 11.0. Phylogenetic analysis based on its 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain AR-3-1T formed a lineage within the family

Sphingomonadaceae

and clustered as a member of the genus

Sphingobium

. The closest members within this genus were

Sphingobium cupriresistens

CU4T (98.1 % sequence similarity),

Sphingobium vermicomposti

VC-230T (97.6 %) and

Sphingobium lactosutens

DS20T (97.5 %). The only respiratory quinone was the ubiquinone Q-10. Spermidine was the predominant polyamine. The principal cellular fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1
ω7c and/or C18 : 1
ω6c), summed feature 3 (iso-C15  : 0 2-OH and/or C16  : 1
ω7c), C16 : 0 and C14 : 0 2-OH. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, sphingoglycolipid and phosphoglycolipid. The DNA G+C content was 63.1 %. The average nucleotide identity and in silico DNA–DNA hybridization relatedness values between strain AR-3-1T and its most closely related genus members were ≤89.6 and 39.6 %, respectively. The genome was 5 162 327 bp long, with 83 scaffolds and 4824 protein-coding genes. The genome showed six putative biosynthetic gene clusters responsible for various secondary metabolites. Based on this polyphasic study, strain AR-3-1T represents a novel species within the genus

Sphingobium

, for which the name Sphingobium psychrophilum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is AR-3-1T (=KACC 21613T=NBRC 114604T).
Pooled Surveillance Testing Program for Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infections in K-12 Schools and Universities
Authors: Bi Chongfeng , Mendoza Rachelle , Cheng Hui-Ting , Pagapas Gil , Gabutan Elmer , Khan Nadia , Hoxie Helen , Holmes Kelly , Gao Nicholas , Lewis Raychel , Wang Huaien , Neumann Daniel , Chan Angela , Takizawa Meril , Lowe James , Chen Xiao , Kelly Brianna , Asif Aneeza , Barnes Keena , Khan Nusrat , May Brandon , Wright Mecca , Chowdhury Tasnim , Pollonini Gabriella , Gouda Nourelhoda , Guy Chante , Gordon Candice , Ayoluwa Nana , Colon Elvin , Miller-Medzon Noah , Jones Shanique , Hossain Rauful , Dodson Arabia , Wang Meimei , McGaskey Miranda , Vasileva Ana , Seibel Sean , Connolly James , Esposito Michele , Kim Jane , Lincoln Andrew E. , Sikka Robby , Wyllie Anne L. , Berke Ethan M. , Libien Jenny , Pincus Matthew , Premsrirut Prem K. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe negative impact of continued school closures during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic warrants the establishment of new cost-effective strategies for surveillance and screening to safely reopen and monitor for potential in-school transmission. Here, we present a novel approach to increase the availability of repetitive and routine Covid-19 testing that may ultimately reduce the overall viral burden in the community. We describe implementation of a testing program that included students, faculty and staff from K-12 schools and universities participating in the SalivaClear™ pooled surveillance method (Mirimus Clinical Labs, Brooklyn, NY). Over 400,000 saliva specimens were self-collected from students, faculty and staff from 93 K-12 schools and 18 universities and tested in pools of up to 24 samples over a 20-week period during this pandemic. Peaks of positive cases were seen in the days following the Halloween, Thanksgiving and New Year holidays. Pooled testing did not significantly alter the sensitivity of the molecular assay in terms of both qualitative (100% detection rate on both pooled and individual samples) and quantitative (comparable cycle threshold (CT) values between pooled and individual samples) measures. Pooling samples substantially reduced the costs associated with PCR testing and allowed schools to rapidly assess transmission and adjust prevention protocols as necessary. By establishing low-cost, weekly testing of students and faculty, pooled saliva analysis enabled schools to determine whether transmission had occurred, make data-driven decisions, and adjust safety protocols. Pooled testing is a fundamental component to the reopening of schools, minimizing transmission among students and faculty.
Safety and efficacy of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) Covid-19 vaccine against the B.1.351 variant in South Africa
Authors: Madhi Shabir A. , Baillie Vicky , Cutland Clare L. , Voysey Merryn , Koen Anthonet L. , Fairlie Lee , Padayachee Sherman D. , Dheda Keertan , Barnabas Shaun L. , Bhorat Qasim Ebrahim , Briner Carmen , Kwatra Gaurav ,   NGS-SA,   Wits-VIDA COVID team, Ahmed Khatija , Aley Parvinder , Bhikha Sutika , Bhiman Jinal N. , Bhorat As’ad Ebrahim , Plessis Jeanine du , Esmail Aliasgar , Groenewald Marisa , Horne Elizea , Hwa Shi-Hsia , Jose Aylin , Lambe Teresa , Laubscher Matt , Malahleha Mookho , Masenya Masebole , Masilela Mduduzi , McKenzie Shakeel , Molapo Kgaogelo , Moultrie Andrew , Oelofse Suzette , Patel Faeezah , Pillay Sureshnee , Rhead Sarah , Rodel Hylton , Rossouw Lindie , Taoushanis Carol , Tegally Houriiyah , Thombrayil Asha , Eck Samuel van , Wibmer Constantinos Kurt , Durham Nicholas M. , Kelly Elizabeth J , Villafana Tonya L , Gilbert Sarah , Pollard Andrew J , de Oliveira Tulio , Moore Penny L. , Sigal Alex , Izu Alane 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundAssessing safety and efficacy of Covid-19 vaccines in different populations is essential, as is investigation of efficacy against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern including the B.1.351 (501Y.V2) variant first identified in South Africa.MethodsWe conducted a randomized multicentre, double blinded controlled trial on safety and efficacy of ChAdOx1-nCoV19 in HIV-uninfected people in South Africa. Participants age 18 to <65 years randomized (1:1) to two doses of vaccine containing 5×1010viral particles or placebo (0.9%NaCl) 21-35 days apart. Post 2nd-dose serum samples (n=25) were tested by pseudotyped (PSVNA) and live virus (LVNA) neutralization assays against the D614G and B.1.351 variants. Primary endpoints were safety and vaccine efficacy (VE) >14 days following second dose against laboratory confirmed symptomatic Covid-19.Results2026 HIV-uninfected adults were enrolled between June 24thand Nov 9th, 2020; 1010 and 1011 received at least one dose of placebo or vaccine, respectively. Median age was 31 years. The B.1.351 variant showed increased resistance to vaccinee sera using the PSVNA and LVNA. In the primary endpoint analysis, 23/717 (3.2%) placebo and 19/750 (2.5%) vaccine recipients developed mild-moderate Covid-19; VE 21.9% (95%Confidence Interval: −49.9; 59.8). Of the primary endpoint cases, 39/42 (92.9%) were the B.1.351 variant; against which VE was 10.4% (95%CI: −76.8; 54.8) analyzed as a secondary objective. The incidence of serious adverse events was balanced between the vaccine and placebo groups.ConclusionsA two-dose regimen of ChAdOx1-nCoV19 did not show protection against mild-moderate Covid-19 due to B.1.351 variant, however, VE against severe Covid-19 is undetermined.(Funded by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and South African Medical Research Council; ClinicalTrails.gov number,NCT04444674).
A selective sweep in the Spike gene has driven SARS-CoV-2 human adaptation
Authors: Kang Lin , He Guijuan , Sharp Amanda K. , Wang Xiaofeng , Brown Anne M. , Michalak Pawel , Weger-Lucarelli James 
Published: February 2021

SummaryWhile SARS-CoV-2 likely has animal origins1, the viral genetic changes necessary to adapt this animal-derived ancestral virus to humans are largely unknown, mostly due to low levels of sequence polymorphism and the notorious difficulties in experimental manipulations of coronavirus genomes. We scanned more than 182,000 SARS-CoV-2 genomes for selective sweep signatures and found that a distinct footprint of positive selection is located around a non-synonymous change (A1114G; T372A) within the Receptor-Binding Domain of the Spike protein, which likely played a critical role in overcoming species barriers and accomplishing interspecies transmission from animals to humans. Structural analysis indicated that the substitution of threonine with an alanine in SARS-CoV-2 concomitantly removes a predicted glycosylation site at N370, resulting in more favorable binding predictions to human ACE2, the cellular receptor. Using a novel bacteria-free cloning system for manipulating RNA virus genomes, we experimentally validated that this SARS-CoV-2-unique substitution significantly increases replication in human cells relative to its putative ancestral variant. Notably, this mutation’s impact on virus replication in human cells was much greater than that of the Spike D614G mutant, which has been widely reported to have been selected for during human-to-human transmission2,3.