bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gender Gap for Accelerometry-Based Physical Activity Across Different Age Groups in 5 Brazilian Cohort Studies
Authors: Ricardo Luiza I.C. , Wendt Andrea , Tornquist Debora , Gonçalves Helen , Wehrmeister Fernando , da Silva Bruna Gonçalves C. , Tovo-Rodrigues Luciana , Santos Iná , Barros Aluisio , Matijasevich Alicia , Hallal Pedro C. , Domingues Marlos , Ekelund Ulf , Bielemann Renata M. , Crochemore-Silva Inácio 
Published: October 2024

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the gender inequalities in accelerometer-based physical activity (PA) across different age groups using data from 5 Pelotas (Brazil) cohorts. Methods: The data come from 4 birth cohort studies, covering all live births in the urban area of Pelotas for each respective year (1982, 1993, 2004, and 2015), and the Como vai? cohort study focusing on 60 years and above. Raw accelerometry data were collected on the nondominant wrist using GENEActive/ActiGraph devices and processed with the GGIR package. Overall PA was calculated at ages 1, 2, 4, 6, 11, 15, 18, 23, 30, and 60+ years, while moderate to vigorous PA was calculated from 6 years onward. Absolute (difference) and relative (ratio) gender inequalities were calculated and intersectionality between gender and wealth was also evaluated. Results: The sample sizes per cohort ranged from 965 to 3462 participants. The mean absolute gender gap was 19.3 minutes (95% confidence interval, 12.7–25.9), with the widest gap at 18 years (32.9 min; 95% confidence interval, 30.1–35.7) for moderate to vigorous PA. The highest relative inequality was found in older adults (ratio 2.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.92–2.08). Our intersectionality results showed that the poorest men being the most active group, accumulating around 60 minutes more moderate to vigorous PA per day compared with the wealthiest women at age 18. Conclusions: Men were more physically active than women in all ages evaluated. PA gender inequalities start at an early age and intensify in transition periods of life. Relative inequalities were marked among older adults.
How Racial Tasking Leads to Inequitable Financial Remuneration Among Power-5 College Football Coaches
Authors: Corr Chris , Macaulay Charles D.T. , Atwater Christopher , Sellars Nicole 
Published: October 2024

While occupying a significant number of coaching positions in Power-5 college football, Black coaches are routinely overlooked as head coach or coordinator candidates. Although Black Power-5 football coaches generate significant value for their respective teams, such stagnation within the promotion and hiring of Black assistant coaches raises concerns about whether Black coaches receive equitable compensation for the value they generate. Utilizing Ray’s theory of racialized organizations, this study examined the race and salary of Power-5 football coaches to determine whether Black and White coaches receive equitable compensation. Results reveal that while Black coaches create inordinate value in recruiting prospective athletes, compensation among White Power-5 football coaches is exponentially greater than their Black counterparts. The economic value of Black and White stakeholders (e.g., coaches and athletes) to the college football enterprise is also discussed.
Molecular diagnostics in cerebrospinal fluid for the diagnosis of central nervous system infections
Authors: Olie Sabine E. , Andersen Christian Ø. , van de Beek Diederik , Brouwer Matthijs C. 
Published: October 2024

SUMMARY
Central nervous system (CNS) infections can be caused by various pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Molecular diagnostic methods are pivotal for identifying the different causative pathogens of these infections in clinical settings. The efficacy and specificity of these methods can vary per pathogen involved, and in a substantial part of patients, no pathogen is identified in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Over recent decades, various molecular methodologies have been developed and applied to patients with CNS infections. This review provides an overview of the accuracy of nucleic acid amplification methods in CSF for a diverse range of pathogens, examines the potential value of multiplex PCR panels, and explores the broad-range bacterial and fungal PCR/sequencing panels. In addition, it evaluates innovative molecular approaches to enhance the diagnosis of CNS infections.
Harnessing the host response for precision infectious disease diagnosis
Authors: Woodhouse E. Wilbur , McClain Micah T. , Woods Christopher W. 
Published: October 2024

SUMMARY
Detection of the presence of infection and its etiology must be accurate and timely to facilitate appropriate antimicrobial use. Diagnostic strategies that rely solely on pathogen detection often are insufficient due to poor test characteristics, inability to differentiate colonization from infection, or protracted delay to result. Understanding the human response across different pathogens on a clinical and molecular level can provide more accurate, timely, and useful answers, especially in critical illness and diagnostic uncertainty. Improvements in understanding the human immune response including genomics, protein analysis, gene expression, and cellular morphology have led to rapid innovation of new host response-based diagnostic tests. This review describes the limitations of pathogen-focused technology and the benefits of examining the breadth of immune response to diagnose infection. It then explores biomarkers that have been studied for this purpose and scrutinizes the performance of host-based multianalyte testing. Currently cleared diagnostics and those in late-stage development are described in depth, with a focus on the purpose of testing and its utility for clinicians. Finally, it concludes by examining opportunities for further host response-derived diagnostic innovation.
Artemisinin-resistant malaria
Authors: White N. J. , Chotivanich K. 
Published: October 2024

SUMMARY

The artemisinin antimalarials are the cornerstone of current malaria treatment. The development of artemisinin resistance in
Plasmodium falciparum
poses a major threat to malaria control and elimination. Recognized first in the Greater Mekong subregion of Southeast Asia nearly 20 years ago, artemisinin resistance has now been documented in Guyana, South America, in Papua New Guinea, and most recently, it has emerged
de novo
in East Africa (Rwanda, Uganda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and eastern DRC) where it has now become firmly established. Artemisinin resistance is associated with mutations in the propeller region of the
Pf
Kelch gene, which play a causal role, although the parasites’ genetic background also makes an important contribution to the phenotype. Clinically, artemisinin resistance manifests as reduced parasiticidal activity and slower parasite clearance and thus an increased risk of treatment failure following artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). This results from the loss of artemisinin activity against the younger circulating ring stage parasites. This loss of activity is likely to diminish the life-saving advantage of artesunate in the treatment of severe falciparum malaria. Gametocytocidal and thus transmission blocking activities are also reduced. At current levels of resistance, artemisinin-resistant parasites still remain susceptible at the trophozoite stage of asexual development, and so, artemisinin still contributes to the therapeutic response. As ACTs are the most widely used antimalarial drugs in the world, it is essential from a malaria control perspective that ACT cure rates remain high. Better methods of identifying uncomplicated hyperparasitemia, the main cause of ACT treatment failure, are required so that longer courses of treatment can be given to these high-risk patients. Reducing the use of artemisinin monotherapies will reduce the continued selection pressure which could lead potentially to higher levels of artemisinin resistance. Triple artemisinin combination therapies should be deployed as soon as possible to protect the ACT partner drugs and thereby delay the emergence of higher levels of resistance. As new affordable antimalarial drugs are still several years away, the control of artemisinin resistance must depend on the better use of available tools.
Combinatorial control of type IVa pili formation by the four polarized regulators MglA, SgmX, FrzS, and SopA
Authors: Oklitschek Michel , Carreira Luís António Menezes , Muratoğlu Memduha , Søgaard-Andersen Lotte , Treuner-Lange Anke 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT

Type IVa pili (T4aP) are widespread and enable bacteria to translocate across surfaces. T4aP engage in cycles of extension, surface adhesion, and retraction, thereby pulling cells forward. Accordingly, the number and localization of T4aP are critical to efficient translocation. Here, we address how T4aP formation is regulated in
Myxococcus xanthus
, which translocates with a well-defined leading and lagging cell pole using T4aP at the leading pole. This localization is orchestrated by the small GTPase MglA and its downstream effector SgmX that both localize at the leading pole and recruit the PilB extension ATPase to the T4aP machinery at this pole. Here, we identify the previously uncharacterized protein SopA and show that it interacts directly with SgmX, localizes at the leading pole, stimulates polar localization of PilB, and is important for T4aP formation. We corroborate that MglA also recruits FrzS to the leading pole, and FrzS stimulates SgmX recruitment. In addition, FrzS and SgmX separately recruit SopA. Precise quantification of T4aP-formation and T4aP-dependent motility in various mutants supports a model whereby the main pathway for stimulating T4aP formation is the MglA/SgmX pathway. FrzS stimulates this pathway by recruiting SgmX and SopA. SopA stimulates the MglA/SgmX pathway by stimulating the function of SgmX, likely by promoting the SgmX-dependent recruitment of PilB to the T4aP machinery. The architecture of the MglA/SgmX/FrzS/SopA protein interaction network for orchestrating T4aP formation allows for combinatorial regulation of T4aP levels at the leading cell pole resulting in discrete levels of T4aP-dependent motility.

IMPORTANCE

Type IVa pili (T4aP) are widespread bacterial cell surface structures with important functions in translocation across surfaces, surface adhesion, biofilm formation, and virulence. T4aP-dependent translocation crucially depends on the number of pili. To address how the number of T4aP is regulated, we focused on
M. xanthus
, which assembles T4aP at the leading cell pole and is a model organism for T4aP biology. Our results support a model whereby the four proteins MglA, SgmX, FrzS, and the newly identified SopA protein establish a highly intricate interaction network for orchestrating T4aP formation at the leading cell pole. This network allows for combinatorial regulation of the number of T4aP resulting in discrete levels of T4aP-dependent motility.
Vibrio cholerae
: a fundamental model system for bacterial genetics and pathogenesis research
Authors: van Kessel Julia C. , Camilli Andrew 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT

Species of the
Vibrio
genus occupy diverse aquatic environments ranging from brackish water to warm equatorial seas to salty coastal regions. More than 80 species of
Vibrio
have been identified, many of them as pathogens of marine organisms, including fish, shellfish, and corals, causing disease and wreaking havoc on aquacultures and coral reefs. Moreover, many
Vibrio
species associate with and thrive on chitinous organisms abundant in the ocean. Among the many diverse
Vibrio
species, the most well-known and studied is
Vibrio cholerae
, discovered in the 19th century to cause cholera in humans when ingested. The
V. cholerae
field blossomed in the late 20th century, with studies broadly examining
V. cholerae
evolution as a human pathogen, natural competence, biofilm formation, and virulence mechanisms, including toxin biology and virulence gene regulation. This review discusses some of the historic discoveries of
V. cholerae
biology and ecology as one of the fundamental model systems of bacterial genetics and pathogenesis.
Corrinoid salvaging and cobamide remodeling in bacteria and archaea
Authors: Villa Elizabeth A. , Escalante-Semerena Jorge C. 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT

Cobamides (Cbas) are cobalt-containing cyclic tetrapyrroles used by cells from all domains of life as co-catalyst of diverse reactions. There are several structural features that distinguish Cbas from one another. The most relevant of those features discussed in this review is the lower ligand, which is the nucleobase of a ribotide located in the lower face of the cyclic tetrapyrrole ring. The above-mentioned ribotide is known as the nucleotide loop, which is attached to the ring by a short linker. In Cbas, the nucleobase of the ribotide can be benzimidazole or derivatives of it, purine or derivatives of it, or phenolic compounds. Given the importance of Cbas in prokaryotic metabolism, it is not surprising that prokaryotes have evolved enzymes that cleave part or the entire nucleotide loop. This function is advantageous when Cbas contain nucleobases that somehow interfere with the function of Cba-dependent enzymes in the organism. After cleavage, Cbas are rebuilt via the nucleotide loop assembly (NLA) pathway, which includes enzymes that activate the nucleobase and the ring intermediate, followed by condensation of activated intermediates and a final dephosphorylation reaction. This exchange of nucleobases is known as Cba remodeling. The NLA pathway is used to salvage Cba precursors from the environment.
Cyclosporine may reduce the risk of symptomatic COVID-19 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Li He-Jun , Lin Shu-Huan , Wang Yan-Qing , Chen Ling , Zheng Xiang-Xiong , Wei Li-Xin 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to explore the effect of cyclosporine (CsA) on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients to provide a valuable reference for clinical treatment strategies in the context of the long-term risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. SLE patients who visited the Rheumatology Outpatient Department of Fujian Medical University Union Hospital between 1 May and 31 October 2022 were included. Data on SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients between 1 November 2022 and 31 July 2023 were obtained by telephone follow-up. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether CsA was used during the observation period: the glucocorticoid or hydroxychloroquine group and the CsA group. To assess the robustness of the results, Data sets 1 and 2 were established to be analyzed independently. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for symptomatic coronavirus disease (COVID-19). A total of 184 patients were included, among whom 129 were definite symptomatic COVID-19 patients; 29 were presumptive symptomatic COVID-19 patients; and 4 had signs and symptoms of COVID-19, but tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 in a virological test. According to the multivariable-adjusted models, CsA was associated with lower odds of symptomatic COVID-19 (
P
= 0.042, OR = 0.316, 95% CI: 0.104–0.959 in Data set 1 and
P
= 0.021, OR = 0.257, 95% CI: 0.081–0.812 in Data set 2). CsA is associated with lower odds of contracting symptomatic COVID-19. The use of CsA may be considered an appropriate therapeutic option for disease management in patients with rheumatic diseases who have severe disease activity and persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection.

IMPORTANCE
Our study indicated that cyclosporine may reduce the risk of symptomatic COVID-19 in systemic lupus erythematosus patients in spite of its immunosuppressive effects. This study provides a reference for clinical treatment strategies for AIIRD patients in the context of the long-term risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Cohort profile: an observational population-based cohort study on COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness in the Netherlands – the VAccine Study COVID-19 (VASCO)
Authors: Huiberts Anne J , Hoeve Christina E , Kooijman Marjolein N , de Melker Hester E , Hahné Susan JM , Grobbee Diederick E , van Binnendijk Rob , den Hartog Gerco , van de Wijgert Janneke HHM , van den Hof Susan , Knol Mirjam J 
Published: October 2024

PurposeVAccine Study COVID-19 (VASCO) is a cohort study with a 5-year follow-up that was initiated when COVID-19 vaccination was introduced in the Netherlands. The primary objective is to estimate real-world vaccine effectiveness (VE) of COVID-19 vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 infection in the Netherlands, overall and in four subpopulations defined by age and medical risk.ParticipantsThe cohort consists of 45 547 community-dwelling participants aged 18–85 years who were included irrespective of their COVID-19 vaccination status or intention to get vaccinated. A medical risk condition is present in 4289 (19.8%) of 21 679 individuals aged 18–59 years, and in 9135 (38.3%) of 23 821 individuals aged 60–85 years. After 1 year of follow-up, 5502 participants had dropped out of the study. At inclusion and several times after inclusion, participants are asked to take a self-collected fingerprick blood sample in which nucleoprotein and spike protein receptor binding domain-specific antibody concentrations are assessed. Participants are also asked to complete monthly digital questionnaires in the first year, and 3 monthly in years 2–5, including questions on sociodemographic factors, health status, COVID-19 vaccination, SARS-CoV-2-related symptoms and testing results, and behavioural responses to COVID-19 measures.Findings to dateVASCO data have been used to describe VE against SARS-CoV-2 infection of primary vaccination, first and second booster and bivalent boosters, the impact of hybrid immunity on SARS-CoV-2 infection and VE against infectiousness. Furthermore, data were used to describe antibody response following vaccination and breakthrough infections and to investigate the relation between antibody response and reactogenicity.Future plansVASCO will be able to contribute to policy decision-making regarding future COVID-19 vaccination. Furthermore, VASCO provides an infrastructure to conduct further studies and to respond to changes in vaccination campaigns and testing policy, and new virus variants.Trial registration numberNL9279.
Screening, diagnosis, treatment and outcomes of developmental dysplasia of the hip in Brazilian population: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Jaleca Patrícia Eduarda Conrado Martins Ro , Liggio Daniel , Lam Sheila , Arora Sana , Schaeffer Emily , Grangeiro Patricia Moreno 
Published: October 2024

IntroductionDevelopmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) includes a spectrum of clinical and imaging findings at birth or early infancy. The circumstances in which this condition is detected and managed may be heterogeneous in Brazil owing to its large territory and regional socio-economic differences. Mapping DDH perspectives in a country is fundamental for designing guidelines and strategies for public policy. This scoping review aims to map the available literature related to screening, diagnosis, treatment and outcomes of DDH in the Brazilian population to provide an overview of this condition and to describe regional variations in presentation and management across the country.Methods and analysisThis study will follow the methods outlined in the Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewers manual for conducting a scoping review. Relevant publications will be first searched in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scientific Electronic Library Online, Web of Science, Scopus, “Biblioteca virtual em saúde” and “Biblioteca Digital Brasileira de Teses e Dissertações” using search terms developed from a brief preliminary search of those databases. There were no language or date range limitations for study inclusion. Databases will be searched from their inception until February 2024. Titles and abstracts will be analysed by two or more independent reviewers to assess them against the inclusion criteria for the review. The search results and study inclusion process will be reported in full in the final version of the scoping review and presented in a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses extension for scoping review (PRISMA-ScR) flowchart. The resulting data will be recorded and organised to present the key information contained in all examined articles.Ethics and disseminationThis review will include existing available studies and does not require a specific ethical review or approval. The final study will be submitted for presentation at conferences that focus on Brazilian healthcare and publication in peer-reviewed journals. This scoping review protocol was registered in the Open Science Framework. DOI registration (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/V3AYH).
Comparing qualitative and quantitative echocardiographic markers to assess cardiac contractility in newborn infants: protocol for a prospective cohort study
Authors: Pereira Sujith , Satas Saulius 
Published: October 2024

IntroductionNeonatologist-performed echocardiography (NPE) is increasingly used in the neonatal intensive care unit, aiding clinicians in enhancing diagnostic precision and guiding treatment decisions based on underlying pathophysiology. Experienced NPE operators typically use visual estimation of the cardiac contractility and if required confirm findings using quantitative echocardiographic markers.While various quantitative echocardiographic markers are available to assess left and right ventricular contractility, this study aims to compare the proficiency of NPE-experienced and non-experienced providers in accurately assessing cardiac contractility using a combination of commonly used qualitative and quantitative echocardiographic markers.Methods and analysisNewborn infants, both inborn and outborn, undergoing routine NPE by the authors at Homerton University Hospital and Aberdeen Maternity Hospital from 1 April 2024 to 1 October 2024 will be studied. Indications for NPE include murmur evaluation, infants receiving intensive care and the need to assess underlying cardiovascular physiology.Blinded experienced and non-experienced NPE operators will independently assess left and right ventricular contractility using qualitative echocardiographic markers. The results will be compared with standard quantitative echocardiographic markers for cardiac contractility, and reliability studies will also be conducted for quantitative makers.Clinical data will be sourced from electronic patient records and national neonatal database. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive and negative predictive values, and positive and negative likelihood ratios will be calculated.Ethics and disseminationThe study is approved by the Health and Care Research Wales Research Ethics Committee and the Health Research Authority (HRA) (reference 23/HRA/3066). The study findings will be presented at national/international conferences and published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.