bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interpretation of Guidelines for Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention of Pertussis in China (2024 Edition)
Authors: Zeng Mei , Shao Zhujun , Xia Jun , Zhang Wenhong , Feng Tianxing , Cai Jiehao , Chen Mingliang 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
The resurgence of pertussis in China has recently attracted much attention. The incidence and burden of pertussis are largely underestimated in China owing to the lack of active pertussis surveillance and insufficient laboratory diagnosis. The high prevalence of macrolide-resistant Bordetella pertussis imposes a major challenge for the management of pertussis cases. To address a series of practice issues regarding pertussis diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, especially immunization practices, a multidisciplinary guideline development group (GDG) consisting of experts in the fields of infectious diseases, pediatric critical care medicine, clinical microbiology, epidemiology, and immunization planning jointly developed the first clinical practice guidelines for pertussis in China. Utilizing the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation Evidence-to-Decision framework recommended by the World Health Organization, the GDG formulated corresponding recommendations and suggestions. Good Practice Statements were created for issues not suitable for conventional evidence rating through the presentation of evidence and expert experience. The implementation suggestions for the 12 priority clinical questions given in this paper fully considered Chinese and international experiences as well as the national situation and policy. The primary target audience of these guidelines includes clinicians, microbiology laboratory staff, public health professionals, and policymakers.
Unveiling the spectrum of Respiratory Syncytial Virus disease in Adults: from Community to Hospital
Authors: Korsten Koos , Welkers Matthijs R.A. , van de Laar Thijs , Wagemakers Alex , van Hengel Peter , Wever Peter C. , Kolwijck Eva 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundRespiratory syncytial virus can cause severe disease in the older adult population. Three vaccines for RSV are currently market approved but the risk of RSV-hospitalization in (older) adults from a community level remains elusive. We aimed to estimate the risk of RSV-hospitalization and characterize the patients that end up in hospital.MethodsWe manually analyzed records of adults aged ≥20 with RSV-infection between 2022-2024 in three hospitals in the Netherlands. These hospitals implemented routine RSV-testing at emergency departments. Using population-based data in combination with the in-hospital data, we estimated the population risk of RSV-hospitalization. Hospital records were analyzed to characterize the role RSV played in their course of disease.ResultsWe analyzed 709 RSV cases of whom 503 (70.9%) were hospitalized. 526 patients were ≥60, and 183 were <60 years of age. The population risk of RSV-hospitalization was 0.006-0.02% for patients aged 20-59 years and 0.04-0.24% for those ≥60. The highest risks were seen in older patients with congestive heart disease (0.14-5.0%) and COPD (0.17-1.76%). RSV caused clinically relevant infection in 88% of hospitalized cases but was only mentioned using specific ICD-codes in 4.4%. Comorbidity was prevalent (88.5%) and exacerbation of underlying disease caused of 46.3% of RSV-related hospital admissions. ICU admittance was 11.2% and in-hospital mortality was 8.1%.ConclusionThe risk of RSV-hospitalization from the community is low but is increased substantially in those with underlying disease. RSV is often clinically relevant in hospitalized patients by causing exacerbation of underlying disease but is infrequently mentioned in specific ICD-codes.
Correlates of behavioral and emotional disorders among school-going adolescents in Uganda
Authors: Bobholz Max , Dickson-Gomez Julia , Abbo Catherine , Kiconco Arthur , Shour Abdul , Kasasa Simon , Cassidy Laura , Anguzu Ronald 
Published: October 2024

AbstractBackgroundAdolescence is a critical development transition period that increases vulnerability to poor mental health outcomes. Recent evidence suggests that 9.6% and 11.5% of adolescents in Uganda experienced behavioral and emotional disorders, respectively. We examined the factors associated with emotional and behavioral health outcomes among school-going adolescents in Uganda.MethodsThis cross-sectional study surveyed 1,953 students aged 10-24 enrolled in Central and Eastern Uganda secondary schools selected by stratified random sampling. Our outcome variables were (i) emotional and (ii) behavioral disorders that were measured using the Child and Adolescent Symptom Inventory-5 (CASI-5) diagnostic criteria outlined in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual-5 (DSM-5). Emotional disorders included major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and separation anxiety disorder. Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, and oppositional defiant disorder were considered behavioral disorders. Covariates included socio-demographic, hardship-related experiences, and school-related characteristics. Modified Poisson and logistic regression models were appropriately run for the factors independently associated with respective outcomes. Prevalence ratios (PR), odds ratios (OR), and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were reported with p<0.05 considered significant.ResultsParticipants’ mean age was 15.5 (SD=2.0) years; 54.7% were female, 5.7% had a behavioral disorder, and 17.4% had an emotional disorder. In the adjusted models, factors independently associated with higher odds of behavioral disorder were age (OR=1.2; 95%CI 1.1,1.4) and family history of mental illness (OR=1.9; 95%CI 1.2,3.3). Factors independently associated with a higher risk of emotional disorder were being female (PR=1.5; 95%CI 1.2,1.8), being enrolled in advanced education (PR=1.7; 95%CI 1.2,2.4), and attending private school (PR=1.4; 95%CI 1.1,1.8).ConclusionBehavioral and emotional disorders are prevalent among adolescents enrolled in secondary schools in Central and Eastern Uganda. Further inquiry using longitudinal designs is essential to understanding pathways for potential causality of the identified associations. School-based programs may consider routine screening for multi-level risk factors to improve the mental health of school-going adolescents.
A new phylogenetic framework for the genusKalanchoe(Crassulaceae) and implications for infrageneric classification
Authors: Rodewald Seraina E. , Klein David-Paul , Shtein Ronen , Smith Gideon F. , Joyce Elizabeth , Morales Briones Diego F. , Bernhard Sven , Letsara Rokiman , Mertes Hannah , Hühn Philipp , Kadereit Gudrun 
Published: October 2024

AbstractBackground and AimsKalanchoeis a diverse genus in the Crassulaceae, with a centre of diversity in Madagascar and sub-Saharan Africa. The genus is known for its popularity in horticulture, its use as a model system for research on CAM photosynthesis and vegetative reproduction, its high invasive potential, and its use in traditional medicine. The genus-rank circumscription and infrageneric classification ofKalanchoehas been the subject of debate for centuries, especially regarding the status and rank of what is now treated asK.subg.BryophyllumandK.subg.Kitchingia. We aim to generate a densely sampled phylogeny ofKalanchoe s.l.and evaluate the current infrageneric classification system.MethodsWe inferred a phylogenetic tree forKalanchoeusing a ddRAD sequencing approach, covering 70% of taxa and four out of five subgenera currently recognised in the genus.Key ResultsWe recovered four well-supported clades, partially corresponding to the current subgeneric classification.Kalanchoesubg.Calophygiaresolves as sister to the rest of the genus. The relationships among the three remaining clades, however, receive less support. The predominantly mainland AfricanK.subg. Kalanchoeforms a strongly supported clade that resolves as sister toK.subg.Bryophyllum. These two clades are together sister to a clade containing mainly species fromK.subg.KitchingiaandK.sect.Pubescentes.ConclusionsThe current subgeneric classification ofKalanchoeis partially backed up by our phylogenetic tree but requires further refinement. The tree topology suggests a Malagasy origin of the genus and one dispersal event to the African mainland, with subsequent dispersal from continental Africa to the Arabian Peninsula and Southeast Asia. The formation of bulbils on the leaf margin is restricted to a larger clade withinK.subg.Bryophyllumand thus only evolved once. Our tree provides a framework for further taxonomic, evolutionary, and physiological research on the genus.
Mechanical control of germ cell specification in Arabidopsis anthers
Authors: Liu Chan , Shi Hui , Han Yuting , Wang Pan , Li Kexin , Zhang Zhishuai , Liu Jiazheng , Zheng Yafeng , Li Linlin , Lin Limei , Liang Chen , Qin Binjun , Han Hua , Bai Shunong , Liu Xiao , Chen Wenqian , Zhao Feng 
Published: October 2024

AbstractA central question in developmental biology is how the germline is established. We have studied the specification of the male germ cells (GCs) within the anther1–3. Hereby, we have focused on the potential role of mechanics, an aspect of anther development which has been very poorly characterized2,4. Using a combination of live imaging and mechanical measurements, we provide evidence that GCs originate in a special micro-mechanical niche, where inner tissues exert ‘push’ on outer cell layers, placing them under compression. Mechanical perturbations significantly disrupted the GC specification and patterning. Moreover, we found that the master genetic regulator SPOROCYTELESS/NOZZLE (SPL/NZZ)5,6is central in establishing this micro-mechanical environment by softening the cell wall. The mechanical cues, in turn, stabilize the transcription ofSPL/NZZ. We propose here an intrinsic growth-derived mechano-chemical feedback loop that drives germ-cell fate acquisition.
Dissecting RNA Selectivity Mediated by Tandem RNA-Binding Domains
Authors: Harris Sarah E. , Hu Yue , Bridges Kaitlin , Guzmán Bryan B. , Cavazos Francisco F. , Martyr Justin G. , Murn Jernej , Aleman Maria M. , Dominguez Daniel 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTRNA-protein interactions are pivotal to proper gene regulation. Many RNA-binding proteins possess multiple RNA-binding domains; however, how these domains interplay to specify and regulate RNA targets remains poorly understood. Here, we investigate three multi-domain proteins, Musashi-1, Musashi-2, and Unkempt, three factors which share a high degree of RNA specificity. We use a combination of massively parallelin vitroassays with random or naturally derived RNA sequences and find that individual domains within a protein can have differing affinities, specificities, and spacing preferences. Further, we emphasize that while all three proteins have overlapping motif specificities, non-overlapping sequences may allow for target discrimination. We carry out large scale competition assays between these proteins and determine how individual protein specificities and affinities influence competitive binding. Integration ofin vivobinding and regulation within vitrospecificities shows that target selection involves a combination of the protein intrinsic specificities described here, but cellular context is critical to drive these proteins to motifs in specific transcript regions. Finally, evolutionarily conserved RNA regions display evidence of binding multiple RBPsin vivo, and these RNA regions recapitulate this trend with the highest affinityin vitro. We highlight the importance of understanding features of complex RNA-protein interactions and how protein-target discrimination can be established.
Patients’ perspectives on ecologically sustainable healthcare in general practice
Authors: Visser E.H. , Brakema E.A. , Slootweg I.A. , Vos H.M.M. , Adriaanse M.A. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractBackgroundHealthcare contributes substantially to climate change. GPs want to implement sustainable healthcare, but are hesitant; worried that this may jeopardise their patient-physician relationship. However, whether this concern is valid is yet to be assessed.AimTo explore patients’ perspectives on sustainable healthcare in general practice.Design and settingIn 2022 and 2023 we performed an online study, among Dutch GP patients, using experimental vignettes and a questionnaire.MethodThe vignettes described GP appointments for three health complaints with randomly allocated treatment advice, varying in sustainability and explanation, but with comparable health outcomes. The questionnaire assessed patients’ perspectives on sustainable healthcare in general practice. We analysed the vignettes using mixed-design ANOVA and the questionnaire using descriptive statistics and correlations.Results801 participants completed the vignettes, and 397 the questionnaire. We found no difference on satisfaction with a doctor’s visit (P’s>.238) when comparing a sustainable and a non-sustainable treatment option. The effect of explicitly mentioning sustainability differed per health complaint (dyspnoea: no difference; knee pain: MD=.319,P=.002; erythema: MD=-.227,P=.003). In the questionnaire, participants reported positive expectations, and trust in the GP and treatment when delivering sustainable healthcare, but were more neutral about the GPs’ role.ConclusionWe found no indication that sustainable treatment advice leads to lower satisfaction with healthcare. The effect of explicitly mentioning sustainability was minimal and differed per health complaint. When directly asked, patients were mainly positive about sustainable healthcare. These results could encourage GPs to introduce sustainable treatment advice, without worrying about negatively influencing patient satisfaction.How this fits inGPs and other healthcare professionals increasingly want to implement sustainable healthcare, but are hesitant to do so, fearing that it will jeopardise their patient-physician relationship. However, no studies have been conducted to assess how patients actually respond to sustainable healthcare in general practice. In this study among GP patients, we found: no indication that sustainable treatment advice, in scenarios with comparable health outcomes, leads to lower satisfaction with a doctor’s visit; that the effect of explicitly mentioning sustainability on satisfaction with a doctor’s visit had a minimal effect that differed per health complaint; and that patients were mainly positive about sustainable healthcare when reflecting on this topic in a questionnaire. These findings may encourage GPs to introduce sustainable treatment options in their consultations, without worrying about negatively influencing patient satisfaction.
Genetic Semantic Dementia? Twins’ Data and Review of Autosomal Dominant Cases
Authors: Henderson Shalom K. , Lambon Ralph Matthew A. , Simon Jones P , Naessens Michelle , Cope Thomas E. , Whiteside David J. , Bouzigues Arabella , Russell Lucy L. , Foster Phoebe H. , Ferry-Bolder Eve , van Swieten John , Jiskoot Lize , Seelaar Harro , Sanchez-Valle Raquel , Galimberti Daniela , Synofzik Matthis , Borroni Barbara , Rohrer Jonathan D. ,   GENetic Frontotemporal dementia Initiative (GENFI), Rowe James B. , Patterson Karalyn E. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractBackgroundAmongst different subtypes of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), semantic dementia (SD, also known as the semantic variant of primary progressive aphasia, svPPA), is the least likely to have a genetic basis.MethodsOur study had two aims: (i) to describe two SD cases and detailed assessments of their unaffected monozygotic (MZ) twins, and (ii) to review cases with FTD-associated mutations or known family history classified as SD/svPPA either in the Genetic Frontotemporal dementia Initiative (GENFI) or in the published literature.ResultsThe two affected twins displayed characteristic features of SD, both in neuroimaging and cognition, whereas their MZ twins exhibited no abnormalities in either regard, even up to 15 years of follow-up for one affected twin. Only five cases out of more than 1300 people in GENFI were classified as svPPA, with a genetic mutation. The systematic review revealed 29 cases with sufficient clinical and language details regarding ‘genetic’ SD/svPPA. A comparison of these five GENFI and 29 literature cases to the patterns observed in a large number of sporadic cases revealed critical differences in presentation.ConclusionsBoth parts of our study suggest that true SD/svPPA is unlikely to have an autosomal dominant genetic aetiology and that, while mutation carriers may resemble SD/svPPA in some respects, they may not meet current clinical diagnostic criteria for this condition.What is already known on this topic: Approximately 30% of all frontotemporal dementia cases are associated with an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance but the reported prevalence of mutation in semantic dementia/semantic variant of primary progressive aphasia (SD/svPPA) is very low.What this study adds: From (a) outlining the discordance for SD/svPPA in two pairs of monozygotic twins and (b) comparing the clinical and cognitive profiles of people who had been classified as SD/svPPA with an FTD-associated genetic mutationversussporadic SD/svPPA, we conclude that true SD/svPPA is unlikely to have an autosomal dominant genetic aetiology.How this study might affect research, practice or policy: Our study highlights gaps in the understanding of environmental and epigenetic influences on sporadic SD/svPPA and a need for further unbiased genotyping and phenotyping of SD/svPPA and “SD-like” syndromes.Open access:For the purpose of open access, the authors have applied a CC BY public copyright licence to any Author Accepted Manuscript version arising from this submission.
A Scoping Review: How should fractures of the Anterior Process of the Calcaneus be managed in athletes?
Authors: Franklin Joseph , Offer Charlie , Hammond Lucy , White Hollie , Wilson-Thain Samantha 
Published: October 2024

Lay SummaryThe Anterior Process of the Calcaneus is part of the “heel bone” (calcaneus), located near to where this bone meets the Navicular bone. Both bones are in the foot. The main mechanism that causes this injury, in the sporting context, is an avulsion injury. Essentially, a ligament, that attaches the calcaneus to the navicular, is pulled with such force that it pulls off some of the attached calcaneus bone. Commonly this occurs when athletes “roll” their ankles.Historically, these fractures have often been misdiagnosed, with fractures being mistaken for bad “sprains” and soft tissue damage. This misdiagnosis has led to the mismanagement of these injuries with poor patient outcomes and recovery. Despite growing amounts of guidance available, there is still a lack of clarity in the literature. This is particularly the case in how this injury should be managed in the athlete looking to return to sport.This review seeks to analyse the preexisting guidance in the management of these injuries, pulling resources together, to better direct the clinician and improve patient/athlete outcomes. This review will also highlight areas where more research is needed.
The structural permissiveness of triosephosphate isomerase (TpiA) ofEscherichia coli
Authors: Calles Belen , Pitarch Borja , de Lorenzo Víctor 
Published: October 2024

AbstractTriosephosphate isomerase (TpiA) is widely regarded as an example of an optimally evolved enzyme due to its essential role in biological systems, its structural conservation, and its near-perfect kinetic parameters. In this study, we investigated the structural robustness of the archetypal TpiA variant fromEscherichia coliusing an in vitro 5- amino acid linker scanning method. The resulting library was introduced into atpiAmutant strain for functional complementation. From this library, 15 TpiA variants that were phenotypically indistinguishable from the wild-type enzyme were selected for further analysis. Although all variants retained enzymatic activities within the wild-type range, several insertions were found in highly structured protein domains where the linker was expected to cause significant structural perturbations. Despite these potentially disruptive additions, the enzymes maintained their activity even when expressed in adnaKmutant, suggesting that chaperones did not compensate for structural abnormalitiesin vivo.Additionally, when these mutant TpiA variants were produced using the PUREin vitrotranscription/translation system, they exhibited enzymatic activity comparable to, and in some cases exceeding, that of the non-mutated enzyme. AlphaFold2 revealed that insertions reconstructed the local architecture of the nearby amino acid sequences. The evolutionary implications of this remarkable structural resilience are discussed.
Teichoic acids in the periplasm and cell envelope ofStreptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Nguyen Mai , Bauda Elda , Boyat Célia , Laguri Cédric , Freton Céline , Chouquet Anne , Gallet Benoit , Baudoin Morgane , Wong Yung-Sing , Grangeasse Christophe , Moriscot Christine , Durmort Claire , Zapun André , Morlot Cecile 
Published: October 2024

AbstractTeichoic acids (TA) are linear phospho-saccharidic polymers and important constituents of the cell envelope of Gram-positive bacteria, either bound to the peptidoglycan as wall teichoic acids (WTA) or to the membrane as lipoteichoic acids (LTA). The chemical composition of TA varies greatly but the presence of both WTA and LTA is highly conserved, hinting at an underlying fundamental function that is distinct from their numerous specific roles in diverse organisms. We report here the observation of a periplasmic space in the Gram-positiveStreptococcus pneumoniaeby cryo-electron microscopy of vitreous sections. The thickness and appearance of this region change upon deletion of genes involved in the attachment of teichoic acids, supporting the role of TA in the maintenance of a periplasmic space in Gram-positive bacteria as a possible universal function. Consequences of these mutations were further examined by super-resolved microscopy (dSTORM), following metabolic and fluorophore coupling by click-chemistry in pulse and pulse-chase experiments. This novel labeling method also enabled in-gel analysis of cell fractions, revealing that LTA-containing membranes sediment at low centrifugal forces. Owing to this easy separation approach, we were able to titrate the actual amount of TA per cell and to determine the ratio of WTA to LTA. In addition, we followed the change of TA length during growth phases, and discovered that a mutant devoid of LTA accumulates the membrane-bound polymerized TA precursor.SignificanceThe existence of a periplasmic space in Gram-positive bacteria has long been debated. The finding that compromising the attachment of teichoic acids changes the appearance and thickness of the periplasm in the pneumococcus indicates a role of these polymers in the maintenance of this space between the membrane and the cell wall. Metabolic labeling and electrophoresis showed that LTA-containing membranes are easily sedimented. This finding indicates that the LTA/WTA ratios reported in previous studies were likely underestimated, since most LTA were probably unknowingly discarded in these studies. Our method of TA analysis opens a new era in the investigation of these important and poorly known bacterial polymers and their role in the periplasmic space of Gram-positive organisms.