bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Precision measurement of rehabilitation interventions—a secondary analysis of motor error in a clinical trial with young children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Skorup Julie C. , Pierce Samuel R. , Paremski Athylia C. , Alcott Morgan , Prosser Laura A. 
Published: September 2024

IntroductionThe delivery of precision medicine in rehabilitation will require not only precise measurement of participant response, but also precise measurement of the “ingredients” of intervention and their dose. As an example, we report the measurement of motor error in two treatment groups from a randomized controlled trial in toddlers (mean age 26.3 months) with cerebral palsy (CP). Our objective was to measure the type and amount of motor error during physical therapy sessions in young children with CP.MethodsParticipants were stratified by motor function and age and randomly allocated to “conventional” physical therapy that generally prevented falls or to an intervention that encouraged error experience by not preventing falls (experimental group). Baseline motor and cognitive function were measured using the Gross Motor Function Measure-66 (GMFM-66) and Bayley 3 cognitive subscale (B3-C) prior to randomization. Randomly selected video recorded therapy sessions were manually coded to identify losses of balance defined as falls (child contacted floor), rescues (therapist prevented fall) or saves (child recovered their balance independently).ResultsAverage number of losses of balance per session were higher in the experimental group than the conventional group due to significantly greater falls. Saves were infrequent in both groups but were also significantly higher in the experimental group. Average number of rescues did not differ between groups. In the experimental group, greater frequency of falls was significantly related to GMFM-66. In both groups, greater frequency of saves was related to GMFM-66. Neither total losses of balance per session nor rescues were related to GMFM-66 in either group. There were no significant relationships between losses of balance and baseline cognition in either group, except greater frequency of saves was related to higher cognitive ability in the experimental group.DiscussionOur observations suggest that motor error experience is lower in toddlers with CP compared to peers with typical development but can be manipulated to higher doses of error during therapy sessions. Future work should investigate the relationship between type and amount of error experience and rehabilitation outcomes, as well as other “ingredients” of rehabilitation therapy. Tools to automate the precise measurement of intervention content are necessary for broad scale implementation.
A practical assessment protocol for clinically relevant P-glycoprotein-mediated drug-drug interactions
Authors: Bogaard Leonie , Tsoi Kayan , van de Steeg Bas , Brandon Esther F. A. , Geers Lisanne , van Herwaarden Margreet , Jansman Frank , Maas Dominique , Monster-Simons Margje , Ong David S. Y. , Borgsteede Sander D. 
Published: September 2024

BackgroundDrug-drug interactions (DDIs) may influence the effectiveness and safety of medication treatment, which may require additional monitoring, dose adjustment or avoidance of certain drugs. DDIs involving P-glycoprotein (P-gp) affect many drugs, but current official product information is often insufficient to guide the management of these DDIs in clinical practice. The aim of this paper is to describe a protocol to assess DDIs involving P-gp and to develop and implement practice recommendations for clinically relevant P-gp-mediated DDIs that affect clinical outcomes through changes in systemic drug exposure.MethodsA combined literature review and expert opinion approach will be used according to the following seven steps: set up an expert panel (step 1), establish core concepts and definitions (step 2), select potential P-gp-modulators (i.e., P-gp-inducers and -inhibitors) and P-gp-substrates to be evaluated (step 3), select and extract evidence-based data, and present findings in standardized assessment reports (step 4), discuss and adopt classifications and practice recommendations with the expert panel (step 5), publish and integrate information and alerts in clinical decision support systems (CDSS) (step 6), (re)assessments of DDIs and potential new DDIs when new information is available or when initiated by healthcare providers (step 7).Anticipated resultsThe expert panel will classify potential P-gp-modulators and -substrates as clinically relevant P-gp-inducer, -inhibitor and/or -substrate and draw conclusions about which combinations of classified modulators and substrates will lead to clinically relevant DDIs. This may include the extrapolation of conclusions for DDIs where limited or no data are available, based on the pharmacological characteristics of these drugs. For (potential) DDIs that are considered to be clinically relevant, practice recommendations will be developed.DiscussionThis protocol describes a standardized, evidence- and expert opinion-based assessment of P-gp-mediated DDIs that affect clinical outcomes. This approach will generate alerts with practice recommendations for clinically relevant DDIs and transparent rationales for DDIs that are considered to be irrelevant. These recommendations will improve individual patient care by supporting healthcare professionals to make consistent decisions on how to manage P-gp mediated DDIs.
Gaucher disease in Brazil: a comprehensive 16 year retrospective study on survival, cost, and treatment insights
Authors: Borin Marcus Carvalho , Alvares-Teodoro Juliana , Acurcio Francisco Assis , Guerra Augusto Afonso 
Published: September 2024

BackgroundGaucher’s disease (GD), a lysosomal storage disorder, poses significant treatment challenges. This 23-year study assesses survival rates and treatment efficacy in Brazilian GD patients, integrating data from a 16-year cohort (2000–2015) and the TABNET/DATASUS medicines distribution data (1999–2022).ObjectiveTo investigate the survival of GD patients in Brazil, identifying key risk factors and evaluating the impact of treatments funded by the Brazilian National Health System (SUS).MethodologyA 16-year retrospective cohort study was conducted using the National Database of SUS. Patients diagnosed with GD and treated with Enzyme Replacement Therapy (ERT) or Substrate Synthesis Inhibition (SSI) from 2000 to 2015 were included. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model. The data from TABNET/DATASUS system from 1999 to 2022 was used to assess the trend in drug distribution beyond the main cohort.ResultsThe study included 1,234 patients. Survival rates at 5 and 10 years were 93.2% and 88.5%, respectively, with age and comorbidities like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and Parkinson’s disease significantly affecting survival. Patients who received doses lower than DDD (n = 880) demonstrated a survival probability of 91.8%. In contrast, those with doses equal to the DDD (n = 15) showed a 100% survival probability, as no events were observed in this group. The greater than DDD group (n = 339) exhibited a survival probability of 81%. A log-rank test indicated a borderline statistical significance (p = 0.058) in the survival distributions among the different DDD adherence, with the lower dose group showing a favorable trend.ConclusionThis study provides insights into the survival rates and associated risk factors for GD patients in Brazil, contributing to the global understanding of GD and its management. While we acknowledge the inherent limitations of relying largely on electronic medical records and categorical codes, our findings underscore the need for early diagnosis, timely initiation of treatment, effective management of comorbidities, and personalized dosing strategies to improve patient outcomes. Future studies should aim to incorporate clinical verification of electronic data to further enhance the reliability and applicability of these findings.
A survey in natural olive resources exposed to high inoculum pressure indicates the presence of traits of resistance to Xylella fastidiosa in Leccino offspring
Authors: La Notte Pierfederico , Saponari Maria , Mousavi Soraya , Mariotti Roberto , Abou Kubaa Raied , Nikbakht Roya , Melcarne Giovanni , Specchia Francesco , Altamura Giuseppe , Ligorio Angela , Boscia Donato , Surano Antony , Saldarelli Pasquale , Giampetruzzi Annalisa 
Published: September 2024

IntroductionThe epidemic spread of the harmful bacterium Xylella fastidiosa causing the “olive quick decline syndrome”, decimating olive trees in southern Italy, in the region of Apulia, prompted investigations to search for olive genotypes harbouring traits of resistance.MethodsA prospecting survey was carried out to identify, in the heavily infected area of Apulia, olive genotypes bearing resistance. Given the limited genetic diversity in the commercial olive groves with few cultivars widely cultivated, surveys targeted predominantly spontaneous olive genotypes in natural and uncultivated areas. Trees, selected for the absence of symptoms, were subjected to diagnostic tests and parentage analysis to disclose their genetic background. Transcriptomic analyses were also employed to decipher the molecular pathways in resistant genotypes. Artificial inoculations were carried out to confirm the resistant phenotypes of four open-pollinated seedlings of the cultivar Leccino.ResultsAmong the 171 olive collected genotypes, 139 had unique simple sequence repeat (SSR) profiles, with the cultivars Leccino, Cellina di Nardò, and Ogliarola salentina being the most frequent candidate parents. Among the Leccino progeny (n. 61), 67% showed a highly resistant (HR), resistant (R), or tolerant (T) phenotype to infection by X. fastidiosa. The occurrence of such phenotypes among those deriving from Cellina di Nardò and Ogliarola salentina was 32% and 49%, respectively. Analyses of the transcriptomic profiles of three Leccino-bearing genotypes, naturally infected and not showing symptoms, unravelled that a total of 17,227, 13,031, and 4,513 genes were found altered in the expression, including genes involved in photosynthesis, cell wall, or primary and secondary metabolism.DiscussionIndeed, transcriptomic analyses showed that one of these genotypes (S105) was more resilient to changes induced by the natural bacterial infection than the remaining two (S215 and S234). This study consolidates the evidence on the presence and heritage of resistance traits associated with the cv. Leccino. Moreover, valuable insights were gathered when analysing their transcriptomic profiles, i.e., genes involved in mechanisms of response to the bacterium, which can be used in functional genetic approaches to introduce resistance in susceptible cultivars and initiate strategies in olive-breeding programs through marker-assisted selection.
The German Communities That Care Youth Survey: dimensionality and validity of risk factors
Authors: Reder Maren , Runge Ronja A. , Schlüter Helge , Soellner Renate 
Published: September 2024

BackgroundCommunities That Care (CTC) is an evidence-based community change strategy for supporting healthy youth development. One of its key elements is the development of a community profile to identify and prioritise risk factors for health and behavioural problems in adolescents based on the CTC Youth Survey. The strategy was originally developed and evaluated in the United States. An adapted version of the survey has been used in Germany since its first implementation in 2008. However, the dimensionality and validity of the adapted risk factor scales have not yet been evaluated. Therefore, this study aimed to confirm the assumed unidimensional structure and to establish the concurrent criterion validity of each risk factor.MethodsA sample of 1,911 adolescents attending grades six to eleven in Lower-Saxony, Germany, was used to evaluate 23 risk factor scales of the German CTC Youth Survey covering the domains peer/individual, family, school, and community. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess the dimensional structure of all risk factors with sufficient item numbers. Goodness of fit was determined using CFI, SRMR, and RMSEA. Latent regression analysis tested the concurrent criterion validity of all unidimensional risk factors. For this, violent and delinquent behaviour, substance use, and depressive symptomatology were regressed on each risk factor.ResultsAll evaluable risk factors demonstrated acceptable to good model fit regarding unidimensionality and predicted violent and delinquent behaviour, and substance use better than depressive symptomatology. Regarding the peer/individual risk factors, there are particularly high correlations with violent and delinquent behaviour, and substance use. In contrast, two risk factors were not correlated with substance use, whilst two other risk factors were not correlated with depressive symptomatology.ConclusionOverall, the results indicate that most risk factors demonstrate unidimensionality and are valid in terms of concurrent criterion validity. Although some risk factors were not correlated with every outcome, they still predicted most outcomes, suggesting that the CTC Youth Survey is a viable tool for communities to assess their community risk profile. Risk factors that did not demonstrate unidimensionality or concurrent criterion validity should be monitored in future surveys and interpreted with caution until further evidence is available.
Enhancing resistant starch fraction in modified elephant foot yam starch: optimizing preparation conditions and exploring tribological properties
Authors: Barua Sreejani , Srivastav Prem Prakash , Vilgis Thomas A. 
Published: September 2024

IntroductionElephant foot yam starch is highly susceptible to enzymatic digestion. To address this, heat-moisture treatment (HMT) has been used to modify its digestive properties and functionalities. However, when using modified starch in various food compositions, it is ultimately necessary to cook it in water-rich environments. The present work thus offers a systematic understanding of the heating and cooking procedures for modified starch, with a view to maintaining its structural and digestive properties.MethodsExperimental investigations employing X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and enzymatic digestion have been utilized to gain insights into the characteristics of cooked starches. The interactions between amylose and amylopectin in native starch are more susceptible to disruption during cooking, which results in changes in texture and a reduction in resistant starch (RS) retention. Additionally, these preparations have been investigated by tribology to test structure and and friction.Results and discussionThe application of HMT has been observed to induce changes that stabilize the interactions between amylose and amylopectin, thereby ensuring better maintenance of granular integrity and higher RS retention under specific cooking conditions. The findings indicate that following a 2-min cooking period at 100°C, the modified elephant foot yam starch (EFYS) demonstrated enhanced granular stability, which was subsequently compromised after 10 min of cooking. Additionally, when modified elephant foot yam starch (EFYS) was heated at a temperature of 86°C for 2 and 6 min, it demonstrated superior preservation of resistant starch (RS) in comparison to a cooking time of 10 min. Moreover, the HMT starch exhibited the highest RS retention when cooked at 100°C for 2 and 6 min at approximately 39.12% and 20.23%, respectively. However, this retention decreased significantly to 1.08% after 10 min of cooking. Furthermore, the insights from tribology, when combined with the proposed naive models, enhance the understanding of how preparation conditions affect the functionalities of starches, which is crucial for designing food products with desired textural and nutritional qualities, especially in water-rich environments, where maintaining structural integrity and RS content is important.
How free trade pilot zones enhance agricultural green total factor productivity? Theory and evidence from China
Authors: Zeng Huasheng , Cheng Long , Ma Guoqun , Luo Yuxi 
Published: September 2024

IntroductionGiven the dual constraints of limited resources and environmental concerns, achieving green development in agriculture helps to enhance national food security, resource security, and ecological security.MethodsUtilizing panel data sourced from 30 provinces within China, spanning the years from 2001 to 2021, this paper employs the super-efficiency Slack-Based Measure (SBM) model and the Global Malmquist-Luenberger (GML) index to measure agricultural green total factor productivity (AGTFP). It utilizes methods such as the stepwise Differences in Differences (DID), mediation effect models, and moderating effect models to systematically explore the impact of the implementation of Free Trade Pilot Zones (FTPZs) on AGTFP and its mechanisms of action.ResultsThe study finds: (1) Establishing FTPZs significantly boosts AGTFP, indicating a profound positive influence; (2) The promotional effect of FTPZs on AGTFP is stronger in the eastern and central regions, as well as in major grain-producing areas; (3) FTPZs may enhance AGTFP by promoting the effect of agricultural structure upgrading, i.e., a transmission mechanism exists from FTPZs to the agricultural structure upgrading effect to AGTFP; (4) The agricultural scale effect plays a positive moderating role in the impact of FTPZs on AGTFP.DiscussionIt is advisable to optimize agricultural measures related to FTPZs, promote agricultural structural upgrading and scale enhancement, adapt strategies to local conditions to advance green agricultural development, and thereby promote the coordinated development of FTPZs and AGTFP.
Intraoperative marking of pulmonary nodules in a hybrid operating room: electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy versus percutaneous marking
Authors: Gómez-Hernández María Teresa , Rivas Duarte Cristina E. , Fernández García-Hierro José María , Fuentes Marta G. , Colmenares Oscar , Forcada Barreda Clara , Gómez Valle Francisco , Jiménez García Irene , Jiménez Marcelo F. 
Published: September 2024

BackgroundIntraoperative identification of subsolid or small pulmonary nodules during minimally invasive procedures is challenging. Recent localization techniques show varying success and complications. Hybrid operating rooms (HORs), equipped with radiological tools, facilitate intraoperative imaging. This study compares the accuracy and safety of marking pulmonary nodules using electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB) combined with Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) vs. CBCT-guided percutaneous marking (PM).MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included patients with pulmonary nodules scheduled for minimally invasive resection in a HOR. Marking techniques included ENB assisted by CBCT and PM guided by CBCT. The study compared the success rate, procedure time, intraoperative complications and radiation dose of both techniques.ResultsA total of 104 patients with 114 nodules were included (October 2021—July 2024). Thirty nodules were marked using ENB, and 84 with PM. One case used both techniques due to ENB failure. No differences among groups were found in nodule characteristics. Success rates were similar (93.3% in ENB group vs. 91.7% in PM group, p = 1). Marking took significantly longer time in the ENB group (median 40 min) compared to PM group (25 min, p = 0.007). Five (6%) patients in the PM group experienced intraoperative complications compared to none in the ENB (p = 0.323). Radiation dose was significantly higher in the ENB group (p = 0.002).ConclusionsENB assisted by CBCT is a safe and effective technique, with success rates comparable to CBCT-guided PM, though it may result in longer procedural times and higher radiation doses.
Potential Performance of Two New RT-PCR and RT-qPCR Methods for Multiplex Detection of Dengue Virus Serotypes 1–4 and Chikungunya Virus in Mosquitoes
Authors: Gomgnimbou Michel Kiréopori , Belem Louis Robert Wendyam , Bilgo Etienne , Amara Miriam Félicité , Laouali Zouera , Ouari Ali , Bayala Toussaint , Gnada Kobo , Yao Raymond Kharlis , Namountougou Moussa , Sangaré Ibrahim 
Published: September 2024

Mosquitoes of the genus Aedes are the most important arthropod disease vector. Dengue virus (DENV) and Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) are the main arboviruses distributed throughout the world. Based on entomo-virological surveillance, appropriate public health strategies can be adopted to contain cases and control outbreaks. This study aims to show the potential performance of two new molecular methods for detecting DENV serotypes and CHIKV in mosquitoes. Mosquitoes were collected in urban and sylvatic areas of Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, between July and August 2023. DENV and CHIKV were screened using new multiplex RT-PCR and RT-qPCR methods. A total of 2150 mosquitoes were trapped, consisting of 976 Aedes (959 Ae. aegypti, 6 Ae. furcifer, and 11 Ae. vittatus) and 1174 Culex sp. These were grouped into 39 pools, with each pool containing a maximum of 30 mosquitoes. Molecular screening revealed that 7.7% (3/39) of the pools were positive for DENV. Specifically, DENV-1 was detected in one pool (1/3), and DENV-3 was found in two pools (2/3). All pools tested negative for CHIKV. The overall minimum infection rate (MIR) of DENV in this study was 3.07 (95% CI: 2.24–19.86). This study shows the usefulness of our new molecular tools for the surveillance of DENV serotypes and CHIKV.
Identification and Characterization of Germ Cell Genes Vasa and Nanos-2 in the Ovary and Testis of White Crappie (Pomoxis annularis) and the Ovary of Black Crappie (P. nigromaculatus)
Authors: Bhattarai Sujan , Renukdas Nilima N. , Kelly Anita M. , Sinha Amit Kumar , Joshi Sanjay , Perera Dayan A. 
Published: September 2024

The vasa gene, encoding an ATP-dependent RNA helicase, and the nanos-2 gene, an RNA-binding protein, are essential for germ cell origination, migration, maintenance, and development in vertebrates and invertebrates. The expression levels of the vasa and nanos-2 genes have not yet been investigated or reported in crappie species. These two genes were partially sequenced and characterized, and their expression patterns were analyzed using reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) according to age and sex. The vasa sequences of white crappie (WC) females and males showed significant similarity with the vasa homologs of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides; 93.1–93.98%) and smallmouth bass (M. dolomieu; 91.95–92.77%), indicating its conserved nature within the Family Centrarchidae. The vasa sequence of black crappie (BC) females showed significant similarity with the vasa homologs of white crappie (91.67%), largemouth bass (96.10%), smallmouth bass (96.10%), spotted scat (Scatophagus argus; 97.37%), mandarin fish (Siniperca chutasi; 96.15%), Japanese sea bass (Lateolabrax japonicus; 94.87%), lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus; 91.95%), southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii; 94.74%), large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea; 92.21%), and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus; 92.21%). The nanos-2 sequences of WC females, WC males, and BC females showed significant similarity with the nanos-2 of largemouth bass (92.92–96.36%), smallmouth bass (92.92–96.36%), and mandarin fish (92.66–94.34%). The expression of vasa in BC females was significantly higher at age-2 than at age-1, while WC males and females presented no significant age-related differences. Neither species had a significant difference in nanos-2 gene expression with age. The expression levels of vasa and nanos-2 were significantly higher in WC males than females.