bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Visual Experience Evaluation Tool: A Myopia Research Instrument for Quantifying Visual Experience
Authors: Sullivan David , Nicholls Aaron , Hatoun George , Thompson Samuel , Schwarzmiller Cory , Memarzanjany Fathollah , Gunderson Alyssa , Danielson Alexander , Lowes John , Petersen Jon , Backes Sam , Thomas Micah , Eha Hanna , Rutherford Lisa 
Published: September 2024

AbstractCurrent myopia research has demonstrated the role of extended visual experience in healthy ocular development. Optical cues and the spectrum, intensity, and temporal characteristics of light landing on the retina are all known factors affecting the development of the eye. However, there is still limited understanding as to which of these extrinsic factors are most important or how they interplay with intrinsic physical and neural differences between individuals. Part of the problem is inadequate tooling. Our team at Reality Labs Research created the Visual Environment Evaluation Tool (VEET), a non-commercial research instrument, to accelerate myopia research. In this paper, we describe the VEET’s physical design, sensor suite and capabilities, and the associated software which makes it well-suited for research of quantified visual experience.
County by county estimation of deaths averted, infections averted, and cost savings of overdose prevention health centers in the United States
Authors: Sportiello Mike , Palli Rohith 
Published: September 2024

AbstractOverdose prevention health centers (OPHCs), also known as overdose prevention centers or safe injection centers, are an evidence-based strategy for people to use drugs in an environment monitored by health care professionals with access to drug use education, sterile supplies, and referral infrastructure to access higher levels of medical and behavioral health resources. Though still illegal under federal law throughout the United States, many legal or quasi-legal (including some in the United States) have operated since the 1980s (Beletsky, Baker et al. 2018). Using CDC overdose deaths and United States Census Bureau population data, we estimate over 14,000 deaths could be averted between 2020 and 2022 if 1 out of 20 injections had taken place at an OPHC. At this rate, over 100 HIV transmissions and 57,000 Hepatitis C Virus transmissions would have been averted as well. Almost 20 billion dollars in discounted lifetime costs to treat those infections could have been saved as well. This data supports OPHCs as a viable public health intervention to avert deaths and avoid infections.
Prevalence of and risk factors for high-risk HPV and cervical cytological abnormalities in women living with HIV in Bali, Indonesia
Authors: Agus Somia I Ketut , Purwanta Made Lady Adelaida , Winarti Ni Wayan , Putra Dwija Ida Bagus Nyoman , Putri Pidari Desak Made , Sawitri A.A.S. , Yuli Gayatri Anak Agung Ayu , Gede Budiana I Nyoman , Putra Pinatih Komang Januartha , Parwati Merati Ketut Tuti 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackgroundWomen living with HIV face a higher risk of developing cervical cancer compared to those without HIV. However, comprehensive cervical cancer screening programs for this population are still lacking in Indonesia. This has resulted in many cases of late-stage cervical cancer being diagnosed, especially in Bali, which has experienced an increase in cases of HIV and cervical cancer. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for cervical cytological abnormalities in women living with HIV in Bali and to explore their relationship with high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) types.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study with eligible participants recruited from outpatient HIV clinics in Bali. Between July to December 2023, participants were interviewed to collect demographic and historical medical information, followed by physical examination including collection of cervical swabs and blood samples. Pap smear sampling and swab collection using ThinPrep for cytology. HPV DNA was then identified by PCR and genotyped for HR-HPV 16,18,31,33,35,39,45,51,52,56,58,59,66,68. Blood samples were analyzed for CD4 and CD8 cell counts.ResultsA total of 245 women with HIV at median age of 38 years old (24-50 years) and with median time of ARV therapy of 7 years (0-18 years) were enrolled. Only 239 participants were included in the analysis for their valid initial results. Overall, 26 (10.87%) of samples showed abnormal cytology including 6 (2.5%) ASC-H, 9 (3.8%) ASC-US, 4 (1.7%) H-SIL and 7 (2.9%) L-SIL. Of the 58 (24%) that tested positive for HPV DNA, 18 (31%) samples had abnormal cytology. HPV 18 was the most common genotype detected (n=16 or 28%). Bivariate analysis revealed a significant association between positive HPV DNA and abnormal cytology, with those testing HPV-positive having seven times higher risk of ASC-US or greater (PR=7.022;95%CI=3.223-15.295). Multivariate regression identified having HPV 18 infection as an independent risk factor for abnormal cytology (ExpB=9.029;p=0.007), and a history of Pap smear screening associated with reduced risk of HR-HPV infection (ExpB=0.358;p=0.013).ConclusionIn our study, 10.87% of women living with HIV had abnormal cytology and 24% had positive HPV DNA tests. HPV 18 was associated with a greater risk of abnormal cytology compared to other high-risk HPV strains, but our sample size was small. History of pap smear was also shown to decrease the risk of HR-HPV infection. The results underscore the need for increased vaccination of younger women and screening of all women living with HIV in Indonesia in order to improve their cervical health outcomes.
Investigating Potential Microbial Contributors to Enhanced Metabolite Production under Oxygen Perturbations: An Integrated Metagenomic and Metabolomic Approach
Authors: Zhou Xueyang , Manna Bharat , Lyu Boyu , Singhal Naresh 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTThe specific impacts of oxygen perturbation on microbial communities and their synthesis of metabolites remain unclear. We systematically explored how oxygen perturbations alter microbial growth, subsequently affecting the abundance of functional genes and promoting the synthesis of metabolites such as amino acids. Analysis of microbial community structure indicates dynamic stability under oxygen perturbations, with only a fraction of the microbial abundance being altered. By comparing the abundance of functional genes with metabolic features, we revealed how changes in the microbial community impact the overall system performance. Amino acid biosynthesis has an enhanced potential under conditions of oxygen perturbation. Through biological and statistical correlation analyses, we identified microbial species significantly correlated with the efficiency of target metabolic reactions under oxygen perturbations.Mycolicibacterium madagascariense,Mycolicibacterium fortuitum, andBurkholderia pseudomalleidisplayed strong associations with proline and tryptophan synthesis reactions. Moreover, the abundance of microbial genera includingLabrys,Actinomyces, andNitrosopumilusexhibited a highlysignificant positive correlation with metabolite abundance in enriched metabolic pathways under oxygen perturbations. These results suggest that microbial systems might achieve dynamic stability in community structure under oxygen perturbations, while exhibiting slightly differential metabolic potentials. Notably, enhanced efficiency in amino acid biosynthesis could help to assimilate more carbon and nitrogen resources in activated sludge during wastewater treatment.SYNOPSISWe provide an in-depth investigation into the impact of oxygen perturbations on microbial growth in activated sludge systems and the subsequent variations in the abundance of metabolic genes. Our research highlights the potential for subtle changes in amino acid biosynthesis and identifies key microbial species associated with synthesis efficiency. These insights into the dynamic stability and differentiated metabolic potentials of microbial communities during oxygen perturbations can inform the development of more effective resource recovery strategies.
Systematic changes in neural selectivity reflect the acquired salience of category-diagnostic dimensions
Authors: Luthra Sahil , Razin Raha N. , Tierney Adam T. , Holt Lori L. , Dick Frederic 
Published: September 2024

AbstractHumans and other animals develop remarkable behavioral specializations for identifying, differentiating, and acting on classes of ecologically important signals. Ultimately, this expertise is flexible enough to support diverse perceptual judgments: a voice, for example, simultaneously conveys what a talker says as well as myriad cues about her identity and state. Mature perception across complex signals thus involves both discovering and learning regularities that best inform diverse perceptual judgments, and weighting this information flexibly as task demands change. Here, we test whether this flexibility may involve endogenous attentional gain to task-relevant dimensions. We use two prospective auditory category learning tasks to relate a complex, entirely novel soundscape to four classes of “alien identity” and two classes of “alien size.” Identity, but not size, categorization requires discovery and learning of patterned acoustic input situated in one of two simultaneous, frequency- delimited bands. This allows us to capitalize on the coarsely segregated frequency-band- specific channels of auditory tonotopic maps using fMRI to ask whether category-relevant perceptual information is prioritized relative to simultaneous, uninformative information. Among participants expert at alien identity categorization, we observe prioritization of the diagnostic frequency band that persists even when the diagnostic information becomes irrelevant in the size categorization task. Tellingly, the neural selectivity evoked implicitly in categorization aligns closely with activation driven by explicit, sustained selective attention to other sounds presented in the same frequency band. Additionally, we observe fingerprints of individual differences in the learning trajectories taken to achieve expert-level categorization in patterns of neural activity associated with the diagnostic dimension. In all, this indicates that acquiring categories can drive the emergence of acquired attentional salience to dimensions of acoustic input.
Acceptability of Overground Wearable Powered Exoskeletons for People with Spinal Cord Injury: a Multicenter Qualitative Study
Authors: Fortin-Bédard Noémie , Pellichero Alice , Leplaideur Stéphanie , Delebecque Marie-Caroline , Charette Caroline , Allègre Willy , Champagne Alyson , Rahn Caroline , Blanchette Andréanne K. , Bouyer Laurent , Kerdraon Jacques , Lamontagne Marie-Eve , Routhier François 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackgroundExoskeletons are used in rehabilitation centers for people with spinal cord injury (SCI) due to the potential benefits they offer for locomotor rehabilitation. The acceptability of exoskeletons is crucial to promote rehabilitation and to ensure a successful implementation of this technology. The objective was to explore the acceptability of overground wearable powered exoskeleton used in rehabilitation among people with SCI.MethodsFourteen individuals with SCI (9 men, mean age 47 years [14,8], majority with traumatic and thoracic lesion (T6-T12)) who had utilized an exoskeleton in Canada or in France during their rehabilitation participated in a semi-structured interview. A thematic analysis using the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability was carried out.ResultsParticipants were motivated to use an exoskeleton during their rehabilitation. They reported several perceived benefits to its use, including better walking pattern, increased endurance and greater muscle mass. They also experienced mild pain, notable concentration demands and fatigue. Most participants reported that using exoskeletons in their rehabilitation process was appropriate and relevant to them.ConclusionsExoskeletons are generally well accepted by participants in this study. Adjustments in their use, such as conducting training sessions in obstacle-free environment and technological improvements to address the device’s restrictive characteristics, heaviness, and massiveness are however still needed.
Feasibility, Acceptability, and Effectiveness of Group Antenatal Care on the Continuum of Care and Perinatal Outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocol
Authors: Mengesha Meresa Berwo , Chekole Tesfaye Temesgen , Abraha Hiluf Ebuy , Tsegay Etsay Weldekidan , Atsbaha Abadi Hailay , Gebreslassie Mihretab , Gufue Zenawi Hagos 
Published: September 2024

AbstractIntroductionIn sub-Saharan Africa, the predominant model of individualized, one-on-one antenatal care has not significantly improved perinatal outcomes. Although the benefits of group antenatal care have been demonstrated in developed countries, its feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness in resource limited settings, particularly in sub-Saharan African countries, have yet to be fully investigated. However, pilot studies show promising evidence of its effectiveness in these areas. This systematic review and meta-analysis will, therefore, review and summarize available studies and provide comprehensive and robust evidence that tends to contribute to the ongoing efforts to implement group prenatal care models in low-resource settings.Methods and analysisThis systematic review protocol adheres to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols guidelines. A comprehensive literature search will be conducted across multiple electronic databases, including PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE, and CINHAL, to identify pertinent articles published from January 1, 2016, to June 30, 2024. Experimental studies (pre-post, quasi-experimental study, cluster randomized controlled trial), prospective cohort design, prospective comparative study, and qualitative and mixed method designs will be included in the review. Abstract and full-text screening will be conducted by three reviewers using Covidence, according to the eligibility criteria set. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Tools, specifically designed for JBI Systematic Reviews, will be utilized to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. Statistical heterogeneity will be assessed using the Higgins test. Meta-analysis will be performed using R version 3.6.1 software and STATA version 16; applying random effects models to determine the weights. Pre-specified subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis will be conducted as necessary. The study results will be reported sequentially, beginning with the primary outcomes, followed by secondary outcomes, and important subgroup analyses.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval is not applicable as no original data will be collected. The findings of this review will be disseminated through publication and conference presentations.PROSPERO registration number CRD42024565501.
The ER stress transcription factor Luman/CREB3 is a novel regulator of Schwann cell survival and myelinating capacity through the activation of the unfolded protein response and cholesterol biosynthesis pathways
Authors: Naniong Justin Michael A. , Misra Vikram , Verge Valerie M. K. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractMisfolded protein accumulation in demyelinating disorders or injury can trigger internal endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress alleviation mechanisms, namely the unfolded protein response (UPR) and cholesterol biosynthesis pathways. Here we demonstrate that the ER stress-associated transcription factor Luman/CREB3, herein called Luman, shown to drive axon regeneration by UPR-dependent regulation of adaptive low-level stress, also positively regulates rat Schwann cell (SC) survival, myelination, the UPR, and cholesterol productionin vitro. siRNA knockdown of SC Luman expression decreased SC viability and increased apoptosis 48 hours post-transfection. Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neuron/SC co-cultures where SCs overexpressed Luman exhibited increased myelination. Simulation of unstressed, mild and moderate ER stress by tunicamycin-mediated UPR induction in SCs, allowed examination of Luman on expression of known UPR regulators, includingXbp1, Xbp1s, CHOP, and pIRE1. They collectively demonstrate a cytoprotective role for Luman under manageable ER stress. Total cholesterol levels and sterol precursorSrebf1expression, key to myelination, also decreased following Luman knockdown. Finally, levels of mature brain-derived neurotrophic factor (mBDNF), a positive regulator of myelination and also regulated by the UPR, decreased with Luman knockdown. In contrast, pro-apoptotic BDNF precursor (proBDNF) levels increased in Luman-deficient SCs at higher ER stress levels, indicating that any protection Luman confers at moderate ER stress levels is lost upon its reduced expression. In conclusion, a connection between Luman and adaptive beneficial ER stress pathways linked to survival and myelination capacity in SCs exists. These Luman-driven cytoprotective mechanisms including survival and myelination open avenues for targeting this pathway in nerve trauma and myelinating disorders.
Lysosomal LRRC8 complex regulates lysosomal pH, morphology and systemic glucose metabolism
Authors: Kumar Ashutosh , Zhao Yonghui , Xie Litao , Chadda Rahul , Abraham Nihil , Hong Juan , Feng Ethan , Tranter John D. , Rawnsley David , Liu Haiyan , Henry Kyla M , Meyer Gretchen , Hu Meiqin , Xu Haoxing , Hinton Antentor , Grueter Chad E , Abel E. Dale , Norris Andrew W , Diwan Abhinav , Sah Rajan 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe lysosome integrates anabolic signalling and nutrient-sensing to regulate intracellular growth pathways. The leucine-rich repeat containing 8 (LRRC8) channel complex forms a lysosomal anion channel and regulates PI3K-AKT-mTOR signalling, skeletal muscle differentiation, growth, and systemic glucose metabolism. Here, we define the endogenous LRRC8 subunits localized to a subset of lysosomes in differentiated myotubes. We show LRRC8A regulates leucine-stimulated mTOR, lysosome size, number, pH, and expression of lysosomal proteins LAMP2, P62, LC3B, suggesting impaired autophagic flux. Mutating a LRRC8A lysosomal targeting dileucine motif sequence (LRRC8A-L706A;L707A) in myotubes recapitulates the abnormal AKT signalling and altered lysosomal morphology and pH observed in LRRC8A KO cells.In vivo, LRRC8A-L706A;L707A KI mice exhibit increased adiposity, impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance characterized by reduced skeletal muscle glucose-uptake, and impaired incorporation of glucose into glycogen. These data reveal a lysosomal LRRC8 mediated metabolic signalling function that regulates lysosomal activity, systemic glucose homeostasis and insulin-sensitivity.
Airway applied IVT mRNA vaccine needs specific sequence design and high standard purification that removes devastating dsRNA contaminant
Authors: Zhang Jingjing , Li Chao , Liu Yuheng , Liao Rui , He Dian , Xu Lifeng , Chen Tingting , Xiao Qin , Luo Mingxing , Chen Yang , Li Yali , Zhu Huaxing , Rosenecker Joseph , Ding Xiaoyan , Pei Shuchen , Guan Shan 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe development of next-generation mucosal mRNA vaccines is promising but extremely challenging. Major efforts have been focused on optimizing delivery systems, whereas it is still unknown whether the intrinsic quality of IVT mRNA significantly impacts the potency of airway inoculated mRNA vaccines. Here, we systematically demonstrate the mucosal mRNA vaccine requires a higher standard of purification and tailor-designed sequence to fulfil its potency compared to the parenteral route inoculated counterpart. We found double strand RNA (dsRNA) contaminants are prone to trigger innate immunoreaction in the airway that activates the mRNA degradation mechanism, thereby diminishing the mRNA expression and subsequent antigen-specific immune responses. To address these challenges, we developed a strategy that combines optimized untranslated regions (UTRs) screened from endogenous genes of pulmonary cells with affinity chromatography-based purification which removes almost all the dsRNA contaminants. The optimized mRNA administered via the airway route not only demonstrates superior protein expression (30-fold increase) and reduces inflammation in the lung, but also promotes robust immunity comprising significantly elevated systemic, cellular, and mucosal immune responses, which is in stark contrast to intramuscular injected counterpart that displays less pronounced benefits. Our findings offer new insight into the development of mucosal mRNA therapeutics from an overlooked but crucial perspective of optimizing mRNA components.
Early life milk diets shape infant gut microbiota: evidence of microbial plasticity in response to breast and formula milk
Authors: Lawson Melissa AE , Dalby Matthew , Caim Shabhonam , Richardson Larissa , Koulman Albert , Kiu Raymond , LeGall Gwen , Hall Lindsay J 
Published: September 2024

AbstractIn early life, diet plays a key role in shaping the infant microbiota, yet the impact of breast milk and formula on microbial ecosystems at different stages of infant development remains poorly understood. Here, we performed static batch culture experiments using infant faecal samples at ages 1, 12 and 18 months of age, supplemented with either breast milk or formula for 48 hours. We further removed small metabolites (e.g. small carbohydrates, proteins and lipids) from breast and formula milk through dialysis and also added this to the static batch cultures with faecal samples from each infant. Our results show that the one-month-old faecal microbiota exhibited the greatest sensitivity to dietary intervention, with significant changes in microbial composition, metabolites and lipids, particularly in response to formula supplementation. In contrast, the microbiota at 12 months displayed increased stability, while the 18-month-old infant samples were the most resilient to different dietary supplementation. We also observed that triglyceride (TG46:1) was produced in the youngest infant samples but consumed by the older infant microbiota, suggesting a shift in metabolic interactions as the gut microbiota diversifies with age. Metabolite profiles linked to KEGG pathways further indicated the older infants diverse microbiotas had greater functional capacity in comparison to the one-month-old infant, particularly in response to breast milk. Fewer overall metabolic pathways were affected when the infant samples were grown in formula. Collectively, our data underscores the importance of early life diet in shaping microbiota profiles, with more stable microbial ‘dynamics’ in more mature gut ecosystems, in response to dietary changes which are also associated with downstream functional (i.e. metabolite/lipid) readouts. Notably, the removal of small metabolites from breast milk by dialysis highlighted the potential role of milk lipids in promoting growth of foundational microbiota members likeBifidobacterium. Our data, along with further studies, are required to probe the mechanisms by which specific nutrients, particularly lipids, modulate microbial composition and support infant health during the first 2 years of life.