bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk Perception, Behavior, and Knowledge of Typhoid Fever Diagnosis, Treatment, and Vaccination: Insights from Patients in Kano, Nigeria
Authors: Ravi Nirmal , Ayando Oluwaseunayo Deborah 
Published: November 2024

AbstractBackgroundTyphoid fever, caused bySalmonella entericaserovar Typhi andS. Paratyphi, remains a major public health issue in Nigeria, exacerbated by limited access to clean water, inadequate sanitation, and a lack of awareness about vaccination. To inform future interventions, this study investigates patients’ knowledge and perceptions of typhoid fever, including its diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.MethodA prospective cross-sectional study was conducted among adults attending EHA Clinics in Kano, Nigeria. A structured survey assessed participants’ knowledge of typhoid fever, its transmission, its symptoms, and their attitudes toward the typhoid vaccine. Data were analyzed using R software, with descriptive statistics and associations between variables examined.ResultsOut of 443 participants, 71.4% were aware of typhoid fever, with 98% expressing confidence in its curability through appropriate treatment. Awareness of the typhoid vaccine, however, was low at 31.1%. Risk perception was high, with 75.5% of participants likely to trust a positive test result, and 63.4% believed they had a chance of contracting typhoid within the next year. Although antibiotics were widely regarded as beneficial (51.9%), misconceptions about vaccine harm persisted among some of the participants. Socio-demographic factors, particularly gender and education, were significantly associated with vaccine interest, with males and those with lower education levels showing greater interest in vaccination.ConclusionDespite high awareness of typhoid fever, misconceptions and limited knowledge about the vaccine pose challenges for prevention in Nigeria. Targeted educational campaigns could address these gaps and promote better attitudes toward vaccination and preventive behaviors.
The Maximal Expected Benefit of SARS-CoV-2 Interventions Among University Students: A Simulation Study Using Latent Class Analysis
Authors: Arnold Callum R.K. , Bharti Nita , Exten Cara , Small Meg , Srinivasan Sreenidhi , Kuchipudi Suresh V. , Kapur Vivek , Ferrari Matthew J. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractNon-pharmaceutical public health measures (PHMs) were central to pre-vaccination efforts to reduce Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) exposure risk; heterogeneity in adherence placed bounds on their potential effectiveness, and correlation in their adoption makes assessing the impact attributable to an individual PHM difficult. During the Fall 2020 semester, we used a longitudinal cohort design in a university student population to conduct a behavioral survey of intention to adhere to PHMs, paired with an IgG serosurvey to quantify SARS-CoV-2 exposure at the end of the semester. Using Latent Class Analysis on behavioral survey responses, we identified three distinct groups among the 673 students with IgG samples: 256 (38.04%) students were in the most adherent group, intending to follow all guidelines, 306 (46.21%) in the moderately-adherent group, and 111 (15.75%) in the least-adherent group, rarely intending to follow any measure, with adherence negatively correlated with seropositivity of 25.4%, 32.2% and 37.7%, respectively. Moving all individuals in an SIR model into the most adherent group resulted in a 76-93% reduction in seroprevalence, dependent on assumed assortativity. The potential impact of increasing PHM adherence was limited by the substantial exposure risk in the large proportion of students already following all PHMs.
Long-term left atrial function after transcatheter device closure of patent foramen ovale in patients with cryptogenic stroke
Authors: Gil-Jiménez Teresa , García-Orta Rocía , Villegas-Rodriguez Inmaculada , Caballero-Borrego Juan , Moreno-Escobar Eduardo 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTAimsThe implantation of percutaneous atrial septal occluder (ASO) devices for patent foramen ovale (PFO) may affect left atrial (LA) function. Some studies have reported short- to mid-term impairment of this function, though it remains unclear whether this is a transient or permanent negative effect, nor if all patients are equally susceptible to these changes.Methods and resultsObservational, prospective study of consecutive patients with cryptogenic stroke (CS) undergoing percutaneous closure of PFO. Echocardiographic evaluation of evolving structural and functional parameters of the LA was carried out before procedure, inmediately after (within 24 hours), 6 and 18 months after device insertion.From March 2019 to October 2023, 170 patients with CS were enrolled, 82 eligible for PFO closure and 65 undergoing percutaneous closure. Baseline structural and functional parameters were within normal limits. At 6 months follow-up, there is a significant increase in LA volumes and a deterioration of reservoir and conduit functions measured by strain. There is a subsequent trend toward normalization, but baseline parameters are not reached by 18 months.ConclusionsPFO device closure negatively impacts on LA function, resulting in increased atrial volumes, worsening of left ventricular diastolic function, decreased reservoir and conduit function, and a compensatory increase in pump function. These changes are significant at 6 months, with partial improvement but without full normalization of parameters at 18 months follow-up.
Microbes display broad diversity in cobamide preferences
Authors: Mok Kenny C. , Sokolovskaya Olga M. , Deutschbauer Adam M. , Carlson Hans K. , Taga Michiko E. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractCobamides, the vitamin B12(cobalamin) family of cofactors, are used by most organisms but produced by only a fraction of prokaryotes, and are thus considered key shared nutrients among microbes. Cobamides are structurally diverse, with multiple different cobamides found in most microbial communities. The ability to use different cobamides has been tested for several bacteria and microalgae, and nearly all show preferences for certain cobamides. This approach is limited by the commercial unavailability of cobamides other than cobalamin. Here, we have extracted and purified seven commercially unavailable cobamides to characterize bacterial cobamide preferences based on growth in specific cobamide-dependent conditions. The tested bacteria include engineered strains ofEscherichia coli, Sinorhizobium meliloti, andBacillus subtilisexpressing native or heterologous cobamide-dependent enzymes, cultured under conditions that functionally isolate specific cobamide-dependent processes such as methionine synthesis. Comparison of these results to previous studies of diverse bacteria and microalgae revealed that a broad diversity of cobamide preferences exists not only across different organisms, but also between different cobamide-dependent metabolic pathways within the same organism. The microbes differed in the cobamides that support growth most efficiently, cobamides that do not support growth, and the minimum cobamide concentrations required for growth. The latter differ by up to four orders of magnitude across organisms from different environments and by up to 20-fold between cobamide-dependent enzymes within the same organism. Given that cobamides are shared, required for use of specific growth substrates, and essential for central metabolism in certain organisms, cobamide preferences likely impact community structure and function.
dArc1controls sugar reward valuation inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Bervoets Sven , Jacob Miles Solomon , Devineni Anita V. , Mahoney Brennan Dale , Sullivan Kaelan R. , Butts Andrew R. , Sung Hayeon , Einstein Jenifer , Metzstein Mark M. , Dus Monica , Shepherd Jason D. , Caron Sophie Jeanne Cécile 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTTheArcgenes — which includeDrosophila Arc1andArc2(dArc) — evolved from Ty3 retrotransposons and encode proteins that form virus-like capsids. These capsids enable a novel form of intercellular communication by transferring RNAs between cells. However, the specific neuronal circuits and brain processes Arc intercellular signaling regulates remain unknown. Here, we show that loss of bothdArcgenes inDrosophila melanogasterenhances associative learning in an appetitive conditioning paradigm, where flies associate an odor with sugar rewards. This increased learning performance arises from an increased valuation of sugar rewards: unlike wild-type flies,dArc-/-flies form abnormally strong associations even when the sugar reward is small or has no caloric value. We found that the γ5-dopaminergic neurons of the protocerebral anterior medial (PAM) cluster, which encode the positive valence of sugar rewards, show heightened activity in response to sucrose indArc-/-flies. We further show that the learning phenotype ofdArc-/-flies depends on the formation of capsids, underscoring a direct role for capsid-mediated Arc signaling in sugar valuation. Our findings establishdArcgenes as critical regulators of reward valuation inD. melanogaster, acting through a non-cell autonomous mechanism that relies on capsid-mediated communication between cells.
Compressive forces induce epigenetic activation of aged human dermal fibroblasts through ERK signaling pathway
Authors: Liu Hui , Yuan Luezhen , Baldi Lucrezia , Sornapudi Trinadha Rao , Shivashankar G.V. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractAge-related changes in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) contribute to impaired wound healing and skin aging. While these changes result in altered mechanotransduction, the epigenetic basis of rejuvenating aging cells remains a significant challenge. This study investigates the effects of compressive forces on nuclear mechanotransduction and epigenetic rejuvenation in aged HDFs. Using a compressive force application model, the activation of HDFs through alpha-smooth muscle actin (ɑ-SMA) is demonstrated. Sustained compressive forces induce significant epigenetic modifications, including chromatin remodeling and altered histone methylation patterns. These epigenetic changes correlate with enhanced cellular migration and rejuvenation. Small-scale drug screening identifies the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway as a key mediator of compression-induced epigenetic activation. Furthermore, implanting aged cell spheroids to an aged skin model and subjecting the tissue with compressing forces resulted in increased collagen I protein levels. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that applying compressive force to aged fibroblasts activates global epigenetic changes through the ERK signaling pathway, ultimately rejuvenating cellular functions with potential applications for wound healing and skin tissue regeneration.Significance StatementPartial rejuvenation of aging cells is desirable but is still a major challenge. In this paper, we demonstrate that aged human dermal fibroblasts, embedded in a 3D collagen hydrogel matrix as spheroids, subjected to external static compressive force exhibit partial rejuvenation. Through immunofluorescence, small-scale inhibitor screen and gene expression analysis, we identify some of the critical mechanotransduction pathways in this process. Collectively, our results provide compelling evidence that tissue compression results in the activation of potential rejuvenation pathways in aging cells.
Modulating Neurotoxic Effects of Prenatal Chlorpyrifos Exposure Through Probiotic and Vitamin D Gestational Supplementation: Unexpected Effects on Neurodevelopment and Sociability
Authors: Coca Mario , Perez-Fernandez Cristian , Abreu Ana C. , Salmerón Ana M. , Morales-Navas Miguel , Ruiz-Sobremazas Diego , Colomina Teresa , Fernández Ignacio , Sanchez-Santed Fernando 
Published: November 2024

AbstractAutism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in sociability and communication. Prenatal exposure to Chlorpyrifos has been associated with autism-like behaviors in preclinical models. Interest has grown in the gut-brain axis and the role of microbiota modulation through dietetic supplementation to reduce this ASD-like phenotype. This study examines the effects of prenatal CPF exposure in Wistar Rats and assesses the potential of gestational probiotic and vitamin D supplementation to mitigate these effects in offspring. CPF exposure significantly impaired sociability in adolescence, and supplementation did not reverse these deficits. However, in control animals, supplementation induced neurodevelopmental changes, including alterations in metabolic status, the pattern of expression of ASD-related genes, the regulation of oxytocin and vasopressin receptors, and the GABAergic system in the brain. Additionally, supplementation accelerated overall development, increased ultrasonic vocalization emission and modified the typical responses to social novelty. CPF exposure blocked most of these effects at both behavioral and molecular levels. While supplementation did not block CPF-induced impairments, CPF exposure altered the observed effects of supplementation in controls, possibly indicating shared molecular mechanisms. These findings highlight the need for further research into the safety of probiotic and vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy.
Identification of Novel FosX Family Determinants from Diverse Environmental Samples
Authors: Kieffer Nicolas , Böhm Maria-Elisabeth , Berglund Fanny , Marathe Nachiket P. , Gillings Michael R , Larsson D. G. Joakim 
Published: November 2024

AbstractObjectivesThis study aimed to identify novel fosfomycin resistance genes across diverse environmental samples, ranging in levels of anthropogenic pollution. We focused on fosfomycin resistance, and given its increasing clinical importance, explored the prevalence of these genes within different environmental contexts.MethodsMetagenomic DNA was extracted from wastewater and sediment samples collected from sites in India, Sweden, and Antarctica. Class 1 integron gene cassette libraries were prepared, and resistant clones were selected on fosfomycin-supplemented media. Long-read sequencing was performed, followed by bioinformatics analysis to identify novel fosfomycin resistance genes. The genes were cloned and functionally characterized inE. coli, and the impact of phosphonoformate on the enzymes was assessed.ResultsFour novel fosfomycin resistance genes were identified. Phylogenetic analysis placed these genes within the FosX family, a group of metalloenzymes that hydrolyse fosfomycin without thiol conjugation. The genes were subsequently renamedfosE2, fosI2, fosI3, andfosP. Functional assays confirmed that these genes conferred resistance to fosfomycin inE. coli, with with MIC ranging from 32 μg/ml to 256μg/ml. Unlike FosA/B enzymes, these FosX-like proteins were resistant to phosphonoformate inhibitory action. AfosI3homolog was identified inPseudomonas aeruginosa, highlighting potential clinical relevance.ConclusionsThis study expands the understanding of fosfomycin resistance by identifying new FosX family members across diverse environments. The lack of phosphonoformate inhibition underscores the clinical importance of these poorly studied enzymes, which warrant further investigation, particularly in pathogenic contexts.
Spatial characterizations of bacterial dynamics for food safety: Modeling for shared water processing environments
Authors: Munther Daniel , Ryan Shawn D. , Kothapalli Chandrasekhar R. , Zekaj Nerion 
Published: November 2024

AbstractBacterial dynamics occurring in shared water environments during food processing are typically modeled assuming a homogeneous mixing profile. However, given the tank configurations, and water recirculation and reuse specifications used in many facilities, uniform mixing is not always applicable. Towards this goal, we here developed a novel reaction-diffusion-advection model that captures temporal and spatial variations in the water tanks under dynamic conditions. We utilize the dynamics involved in poultry chilling as an example, as this process features a comprehensive interplay of bacteria, water chemistry and water flow dynamics, as well as determining bacteria levels on carcasses moving into final phases of the food production chain, thus directly influencing public health risk. Well-posedness, existence and uniqueness of positive steady-state solutions with global stability are proved, as well as an estimation of the time scale of convergence to the steady-state solution provided. Simulations are used to verify the analytical results incorporating parameters informed by experimental data from generic, non-pathogenicE. coli, and predictively estimate the time to equilibrium. We show that during a typical 8 h processing shift, the model reaches steady state within 2 h, applying this result to validate model simulations against commercial data. The calibrated model predicts a distribution ofE. colilevels on post-chill carcasses with mean and standard deviation of 3.35 ± 0.56 Log10 CFU/carcass, which closely compares to the experimentally observed distribution of 3.55 ± 0.64 Log10 CFU/carcass in an industrial setting. Our results reinforce the key role of space in quantifying essential mechanisms that govern water chemistry andE. colidynamics during poultry chilling. Our model is an important tool to improve decision making for pathogen control during poultry chilling, as well as a blueprint from which models for processing other commodities like fresh produce and pork can be established.
Perisomatic Synaptic Targeting by Cholecystokinin-Basket Interneurons through NrCAM and Ankyrin B
Authors: Oldre Erik N. , Webb Barrett D. , Sperringer Justin E. , Maness Patricia F. 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTThe perisomatic region of cortical pyramidal neurons (PNs) integrates local and long-range inputs and regulates firing.This domain receives GABAergic inputs from cholecystokinin (CCK)- and parvalbumin (PV)-expressing basket cells (BCs) but how synaptic contacts are established is unclear. Neuron-glial related cell adhesion molecule (NrCAM) is a homophilic transmembrane protein that binds the scaffold protein Ankyrin B. Here we show that NrCAM and Ankyrin B mediate perisomatic synaptic contact between CCK-BCs and PNs in mouse prefrontal cortex (PFC). Immunolabeling of CCK-BC terminals for vesicular glutamate transporter-3 (VGlut3) or vesicular glutamate transporter (VGAT) revealed a significant decrease in CCK-BC synaptic puncta on PN soma in NrCAM-null mice, however no decrease in PV-BC puncta, or cell loss. VGlut3+ CCK-BC puncta were also decreased by Ankyrin B deletion from PNs in Nex1Cre-ERT2:Ank2flox/flox:EGFP mice. A novel CCK-BC reporter mouse expressing tdTomato (tdT) at the Synuclein-γ (Sncg) locus showed NCAM localized to presynaptic Sncg+ CCK-BCs, as well as to postsynaptic PN soma of WT mice. Results implicate NrCAM homophilic interactions and Ankyrin B binding with development of inhibitory connectivity between CCK-BCs and excitatory neurons of the PFC.
Non-gonadal PIWI protein, Aubergine, regulates regenerative stem cell proliferation and tumourigenesis in theDrosophilaadult intestine
Authors: Bellec Karen , Carroll Lynsey R , Pennel Kathryn AF , Tian Yuanliangzi , Yu Yachuan , Cameron Alexander R , Herédia Fabiana , Gontijo Alisson M , Edwards Joanne , Hayashi Rippei , Cordero Julia B 
Published: November 2024

AbstractSomatic stem cells are executors of physiological and pathological proliferation of adult self-renewing tissues, such as the intestine. The actions of intestinal stem cells (ISCs) rely on the integration of cell intrinsic and niche-derived signals, which are necessary to achieve a balanced response to the multiple stimuli that constantly challenge tissue homeostasis and organismal health. Disruption of such balance is causative of age-associated tissue dysfunction and hyperproliferative conditions, including inflammation and cancer.The highly conserved PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) biosynthesis pathway, also known as the PIWI pathway, has been classically studied in theDrosophilagermline for its role in the repression of transposable elements (TEs) and the regulation of germline stem cell homeostasis. Recent reports have emerged on a role of Piwi, the founding member of the pathway, in the maintenance of ISC homeostasis in the adultDrosophilamidgut. The implications of these findings regarding a general role of the PIWI pathway and piRNAs in the intestine remain to be addressed. Here, we characterise a cell autonomous role of the PIWI family protein Aubergine (Aub) in ISCs. We show that, while dispensable for homeostatic self-renewal of the midgut, inducible Aub is essential to regulate ISC proliferation following acute damage of the intestinal epithelium and in oncogenic settings. Our work suggests that the role of Aub in ISCs is independent of its piRNAs regulatory function. Instead, Aub drives ISC proliferation through the regulation of protein synthesis, including induction of regenerative stem cell factors Myc and Sox21a, and a parallel pathway involving the eukaryotic initiation factor 3 complex (eIF3). In summary, our results discover a role for Aub in damage-induced proliferation of the adultDrosophilaintestine involving the regulation of major regenerative pathways and the protein translation machinery. Furthermore, we present genetically defined hyperplastic settings fostering distinct functions of Aub in intestinal tumourigenesis.
MINT: a toolbox for the analysis of multivariate neural information coding and transmission
Authors: Lorenz Gabriel Matías , Engel Nicola M. , Celotto Marco , Kocillari Loren , Curreli Sebastiano , Fellin Tommaso , Panzeri Stefano 
Published: November 2024

AbstractInformation theory has deeply influenced the conceptualization of brain information processing and is a mainstream framework for analyzing how neural networks in the brain process information to generate behavior. Information theory tools have been initially conceived and used to study how information about sensory variables is encoded by the activity of small neural populations. However, recent multivariate information theoretic advances have enabled addressing how information is exchanged across areas and used to inform behavior. Moreover, its integration with dimensionality-reduction techniques has enabled addressing information encoding and communication by the activity of large neural populations or many brain areas, as recorded by multichannel activity measurements in functional imaging and electrophysiology. Here, we provide a Multivariate Information in Neuroscience Toolbox (MINT) that combines these new methods with statistical tools for robust estimation from limited-size empirical datasets. We demonstrate the capabilities of MINT by applying it to both simulated and real neural data recorded with electrophysiology or calcium imaging, but all MINT functions are equally applicable to other brain-activity measurement modalities. We highlight the synergistic opportunities that combining its methods afford for reverse engineering of specific information processing and flow between neural populations or areas, and for discovering how information processing functions emerge from interactions between neurons or areas. MINT works on Linux, Windows and macOS operating systems, is written in MATLAB (requires MATLAB version 2018b or newer) and depends on 5 native MATLAB toolboxes. The calculation of one possible way to compute information redundancy requires the installation and compilation of C files (made available by us also as pre-compiled files). MINT is freely available athttps://github.com/panzerilab/MINTwith DOI 10.5281/zenodo.13998526 and operates under a GNU GPLv3 license.