bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of indicators for assessing wasting among children younger than 5 years: a longitudinal study in northern Kenya
Authors: Wilunda Calistus , Thuita Faith , Mwangi Bonventure , Flax Valerie L. , Lutter Chessa K. , Adair Linda , Amugsi Dickson , Odhiambo Hazel , Anono Esther , Webale Albert , Chepkwony Gillian , Ekiru Stephen , Kimani-Murage Elizabeth , Sidze Estelle 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACTMid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) or weight-for-height/length Z-score (WHZ) are recommended in wasting diagnosis, but there are discrepancies between these indicators in identifying children as wasted. We compared the extent to which WHZ, MUAC, MUAC-for-age Z-score (MAZ) identify the same children as wasted and assessed the predictors of discordance and concordance in wasting diagnosis by these indicators using data from a longitudinal study of children younger than 3 years at recruitment in Turkana and Samburu counties. Wasting prevalence was consistently lower based on MUAC than WHZ and MAZ. Compared to WHZ, MAZ had higher sensitivity than MUAC, with the sensitivity of MAZ increasing and MUAC decreasing with age. Both indicators had high specificity. WHZ had a better agreement with MAZ than MUAC in wasting diagnosis. Older children were less likely to be classified as wasted by MUAC alone or by both MUAC and WHZ but were more likely to be classified as wasted by WHZ alone, MAZ alone or by both MAZ and WHZ. Compared to girls, boys were less likely to be classified as wasted by MUAC alone but more likely to be classified as wasted by WHZ alone. Stunted children were more likely to be classified as wasted by MUAC alone, MAZ alone, both MUAC and WHZ, and both MAZ and WHZ but not by WHZ alone. Classifications of wasting based on WHZ, MAZ, and MUAC are age, sex, and stunting status dependent. Compared to WHZ, MAZ is a more reliable and valid indicator than MUAC in these settings.
Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment Form in Greece; a pilot cross-sectional descriptive study
Authors: Moustakas Dimitrios C. , Bani Alexia , Ntalaouti Eleni , Vechlidis Nikolaos , Charalampidis Charalampos , Chalvatzis Stamatios , Grigoropoulou Sotiria , Faltsetas Stylianos , Boumpas Dimitrios T. , Kravvariti Evrydiki , Trokanas Theodoros , Vayena Effy , Tsiodras Sotirios 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACTThe current legal framework in Greece does not permit withholding medical interventions to allow natural death, leading to a lack of documented advance directives to guide clinical practice. The aim of this pilot descriptive study is to culturally adapt the Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form, and use it as a framework with which to assess the readiness of Greek residents for discussions on medical care near the end of life. Patients with severely limited prognosis and/or their family members were interviewed by attending physicians who then recorded their wish with regards to Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) status on the adapted POLST form, as well as their level of agreement with signing a similar form. Thirty-one patients with an age range of 18 to 109 years old participated. All had severe prognosis due to various end-stage diseases. Sixteen patients (51.6%) wished for DNR status and didn’t wish for further intervention in case they suffered cardio-respiratory arrest. Presence of an end-stage malignancy was associated with a higher chance of DNR preference (OR: 8.8, 95%CI 1.5-50, p = 0.017) or comfort measures only (OR: 5.6, 95%CI 1.1-30, p = 0.05). This pilot study of patients with severe prognosis hospitalized in a tertiary care center in Greece showed preliminary evidence of high acceptance of natural death and DNR status. POLST forms could be used as a framework for advance care planning through shared decision-making, thus reducing unwarranted treatments and enhancing trust between healthcare professionals and patients at the end of life.
Brain transcriptomic signatures for mood disorders and suicide phenotypes: an anterior insula and subgenual ACC network postmortem study
Authors: Arasappan Dhivya , Spears Abigail , Shah Simran , Mayfield Roy D , Akula Nirmala , McMahon Francis J. , Jabbi Mbemba 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACTMood disorders affect over ten percent of humans, but studies dissecting the brain anatomical and molecular neurobiological mechanisms underlying mood (dys)functions have not consistently identified the patterns of pathological changes in relevant brain regions. Recent studies have identified pathological changes in the anterior insula (Ant-Ins) and subgenual anterior cingulate (sgACC) brain network in mood disorders, in line with this network’s role in regulating mood/affective feeling states. Here, we applied whole-tissue RNA-sequencing measures of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in mood disorders versus (vs.) psychiatrically unaffected controls (controls) to identify postmortem molecular pathological markers for mood disorder phenotypes. Using data-driven factor analysis of the postmortem phenotypic variables to determine relevant sources of population variances, we identified DEGs associated with mood disorder-related diagnostic phenotypes by combining gene co-expression, differential gene expression, and pathway-enrichment analyses. We found downregulation/under expression of inflammatory, and protein synthesis-related genes associated with psychiatric morbidity (i.e., all co-occurring mental disorders and suicide outcomes/death by suicide) in Ant-Ins, in contrasts to upregulation of synaptic membrane and ion channel-related genes with increasedpsychiatric morbidityin sgACC. Our results identified a preponderance of downregulated metabolic, protein synthesis, inflammatory, and synaptic membrane DEGs associated withsuicideoutcomes in relation to a factor representinglongevityin the Ant-Ins and sgACC (AIAC) network. Our study revealed a critical brain network molecular repertoire for mood disorder phenotypes, including suicide outcomes and longevity, and provides a framework for defining dosage-sensitive (i.e., downregulated vs. upregulated) molecular signatures for mood disorder phenotypic complexity and pathological outcomes.
SARS-CoV-2 and Mycobacterium tuberculosis co-infection in vitro
Authors: de Lucena Thays Maria Costa , de Oliveira Miranda Débora Elienai , de Barros Arcoverde Juliana Vieira , Bezerra Cavalcanti Mariana Souza , da Silva Rabello Michelle Christiane , de Azevêdo Silva Jaqueline 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACTIn less than a year, SARS-CoV-2 (SARS2) has managed to displaceMycobacterium tuberculosis(Mtb) as the leading cause of death worldwide due to a single infectious agent. Both pathogens affect the respiratory tract, mainly the lungs. However, the impact that a possible Mtb + SARS2 co-infection can have on the host response is still unknown. Herein we propose (depict) a rigorous system to evaluate the complex interaction between the two infectionsin vitroin a lung epithelial cell line (A549). Overall, the process includes eight steps: (I) Mtb culture, (II) cell maintenance, (III) preparation of viral stocks, (IV) determination of infectious titers, (V) Mtb and SARS2 co-infection, (VI) determination of intracellular bacterial load, (VII) SARS2 viability test, and (VIII) decontamination of supernatants. This comprehensive protocol will allow experimentalists to study the pathogenesis of co-infectionin vitro, and facilitate collaborative work in the literature.
Dopaminergic modulation of behavioral and electrocortical markers of interpersonal performance monitoring in Parkinson’s Disease: insights from multivariate and univariate analyses
Authors: Era V. , Pesci U.G. , Moreau Q. , Pezzetta R. , Zabberoni S. , Peppe A. , Costa A. , Taglieri S. , Candidi M. , Aglioti S.M. 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACTEffective interpersonal interaction necessitates constant monitoring and adaptation to others’ actions, a process known as interpersonal performance monitoring, which is influenced by the dopaminergic system and marked by specific electrocortical signatures. To explore the connection between deficits in interpersonal performance monitoring and altered neural markers, we assessed patients with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) performing coordination tasks with a virtual partner (VP) under two conditions: on dopaminergic medication (PD ON) and after withdrawal (PD OFF). In Interactive trials, which required adaptation to the VP’s actions, PD OFF performance was impaired compared to PD ON. EEG analysis revealed in PD OFF increased midfrontal Delta-Theta activity during Interactive trials. Higher Delta-Theta synchronization was associated with improved performance, suggesting compensatory mechanisms. Multivariate EEG analysis distinguished Interactive from Cued trials, especially in PD OFF. Our findings highlight dopamine’ s role in modulating electrocortical markers of interpersonal performance monitor, with significant implications for understanding and treating PD.
Availability, Price and Nutritional Assessment of Plant-Based Meat Alternatives in Hypermarkets and Supermarkets in Petaling, the Most Populated District in Malaysia
Authors: Qi Lou Katty Jia , Rajaram Nadia Nantheni , Say Yee-How 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThis study investigated the availability, price, nutritional composition, and quality of PBMAs in supermarkets and hypermarkets in Petaling, the most populated district in Malaysia. The survey covered 85 stores through on-site visits, identifying 251 unique PBMA products from 42 brands. The PBMAs were categorized into nine groups: Burgers/Patties, Coated Meat, Luncheon Meat, Minced Meat, Pastries, Pieces/Chunks/Fillets/Strips, Prepacked Cooked Meals, Sausages, and Seafood Balls/Cakes/Meatballs. The survey indicated widespread availability of PBMAs in Petaling, with premium supermarkets offering the most extensive selection. The median prices of PBMAs across categories were below MYR 7 (∼USD 1.6) per 100 grams, with Pieces/Chunks/Fillets/Strips being the most affordable. Nutritionally, PBMAs exhibited lower energy, total fat, saturated fat, sodium, and protein levels than meat equivalents, while showing higher carbohydrate content. Nutri-Score profiling revealed generally favourable scores (Grade A to C), indicating moderate to good nutritional quality. These findings suggest that PBMAs offer a viable alternative for consumers in Malaysia seeking healthier and more sustainable food options, particularly for those aiming to reduce their intake of fat and sodium. However, PBMAs may not be recommended for individuals seeking a higher protein and lower carbohydrate diet. Further research is recommended to explore micronutrient profiles to enhance dietary decision-making.
“Implementing a policy is something else”: Governance of complex health information systems in Tanzania
Authors: Unkels Regine , Mkumbo Elibariki , Kapologwe Ntuli A , Manzi Fatuma , Hanson Claudia , Alvesson Helle Mølsted , Pembe Andrea B 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACTIntroductionHealth management information systems are crucial for a country’s health service planning and monitoring. Research indicates that generated data is often of low quality or not used for decision-making in low-resource settings. Digitalization potentially alleviates these problems, but scale-up in these countries is hampered by unreliable availability of resources.We aimed to understand how health policymakers perceive and experience working with data, data systems and the introduction of digital technology related to the governance of health management information systems in Tanzania.MethodsWe conducted 16 interviews with national, regional and district health care managers experienced in using health information systems in Tanzania. Reflexive thematic analysis was used. Themes were developed underpinned by complexity theory and M. Lipsky’s theory of street-level bureaucracy.ResultsHealth care managers experienced challenges in health management information system governance in an unpredictable environment. Different power practices for system governance and implementation were used: Institutional power was applied to areas with existing international guidance and strategic examples. Subnational managers contextualized implementation through discretionary power practices where uncertainties prevailed. This led to transformed agendas in some cases, but also allowed for innovations to make policies work.ConclusionsAcknowledging the complexity of health management information system governance with constant adaptation can allow policymakers and senior managers to direct discretionary power where policy implementation would otherwise fail in the Tanzanian context. This can be achieved by identifying a set of social values around data processes that resonates with all actor groups and may support governance of this complex system.
Research Priorities of Individuals and Families with Sex Chromosome Aneuploidies
Authors: Carl Alexandra , Bothwell Samantha , Farah Fathia , Swenson Karli , Hong David , Prakash Siddharth , Strang John , Tartaglia Nicole , Raznahan Armin , Ross Judith ,   INSIGHTS Consortium,   GALAXY Consortium, Davis Shanlee 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACTSex chromosome aneuploidies (SCAs) are chromosomal variations that result from an atypical number of X and/or Y chromosomes. Combined, SCAs affect ~1/400 live births, including individuals with Klinefelter syndrome (47,XXY), Turner syndrome (45,X and variants), Double Y syndrome (47,XYY), Trisomy X (47,XXX), and rarer tetrasomies and pentasomies. Individuals with SCAs experience a wide variety of physical health, mental health, and healthcare experiences that differ from the standard population. To understand the priorities of the SCA community we surveyed participants in two large SCA registries, the Inspiring New Science in Guiding Healthcare in Turner Syndrome (INSIGHTS) Registry and the Generating Advancements in Longitudinal Analysis in X and Y Variations (GALAXY) Registry. 303/629 (48.1% response rate) individuals from 13 sites across the United States responded to the survey, including 251 caregivers and 52 self-advocates, with a range of ages from 3 weeks to 73 years old and represented SCAs including Turner syndrome, XXX, XXY, XYY, XXYY, and combined rare tetrasomies and pentasomies. Results demonstrate the priorities for physical health and emotional/behavioral health identified by the SCA community, as well as preferred types of research. All SCA subtypes indicated intervention studies as the top priority, emphasizing the need for researchers to focus on clinical treatments in response to priorities of the SCA community.STATEMENTS RELATING TO ETHICS AND INTEGRITY POLICIESThe data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. This study was funded by the Turner Syndrome Global Alliance, Association for X and Y Chromosome Variations, Living with XXY, the XXYY Project, and the University of Colorado School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics. Data collection and storage was supported by NIH/NCATS Colorado CTSA Grant Number UM1 TR004399. The authors do not have any conflicts of interest to disclose. This study was reviewed and approved by the Colorado Multiple Institutional Review Board (COMIRB # 20-0482 and # 19-3027). All participants provided informed consent for participation - participants under 18 years old provided assent along with parental informed consent prior to any study procedures. Contents are the authors’ sole responsibility and do not necessarily represent official NIH views.
Self-reported access to specialty clinics and receipt of health surveillance among U.S. patients with neurofibromatosis 1: A national survey
Authors: Merker Vanessa L. , Ma Yidan , Chibnik Lori B. , Radtke Heather B. , Kelts Kate , Yohay Kaleb , Ullrich Nicole J. , Plotkin Scott R. , Jordan Justin T. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackgroundNeurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is a rare, neurogenetic disorder predisposing individuals to central and peripheral nervous system tumors, as well as a wide range of other physical, neurocognitive, and psychosocial issues. Regular health monitoring throughout the lifespan is needed to identify these heterogenous disease complications, but the degree to which this is implemented in routine clinical practice is unknown. This, this study aimed to investigate U.S. patients’ access to specialized NF1 clinics and receipt of evidence-informed health surveillance.MethodsAn online cross-sectional survey was distributed in May 2021 to adults with NF1 and parents of children with NF1 enrolled in the NF Registry (n=6908). Rate of NF1 clinic attendance and self-reported receipt of health surveillance amongst all NF Registry participants was estimated using inverse propensity scores. Differences in these outcomes based on participant demographics were assessed using weighted logistic regression and robust linear regression, respectively.Results322 individuals responded (160 adults, 162 parents; 4.7% overall response rate). We estimate that 51.7% of children and 35.6% of adults attend NF1 clinics. Younger children were more likely to attend an NF1 clinic, as were adults living in urban areas, with a college degree or higher, or with a household income ≥$130,000 (all ps<0.05). Completion rates for each individual health surveillance evaluation ranged from 41%-79% for children and 33%-61% for adults. Higher rates of recommended evaluations were reported by both adults and children who attend a specialized NF1 clinic, non-Hispanic White adults, and adults with commercial or Medicare insurance (all ps<0.05).DiscussionAdults with NF1 experience significant sociodemographic disparities in care, and patients of all ages attending NF1 specialty clinics receive more recommended health surveillance. Given the limited access to specialty NF clinics, quality improvement efforts are needed to increase access for underserved adults and improve provision of recommended health surveillance outside specialty clinics.
Centimeter-scale, physiologically relevant intestinal organoids generated entirely from pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Qi Zhen , Zuo Zhanguang , Dong Yi , Shao Jingyu , Wang Chong , Zhang Rosanna 
Published: August 2024

AbstractOver the past decade, intestinal organoids have shown great promise as a platform to study the development of intestine, elucidate the pathogenesis of diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and model physiological features of intestinal tissue for high-throughput drug screening. However, intestinal organoids derived from adult epithelial stem cells lack cellular diversity, especially those resides in the lamina propria. Intestinal organoids derived from embryonic stem (ES) cells or induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has greater cellular diversity, but are still limited in size and physiological features such as peristalsis. In this study, we generated centimeter-scale, full-thickness, and physiologically relevant intestinal organoids in suspension culture without usage of Matrigel. Using a series of optimized culture media, multiple lineages of cells were differentiated from iPSCs and spontaneously assembled to achieve the intestinal architecture. These bubble-like organoids have a thickness of 500 microns, exhibit a mature vasculature network, and have smooth muscle-like cells to conduct regular peristalsis. In addition, adipocyte-like cells and granulocyte-like cells are also observed in these organoids, which are important in immune homeostasis. Lastly, these organoids show mature crypt structures, response to lipopolysaccharides (LPS), and increases luminal influx upon forskolin treatment, suggesting the organoids have intact epithelial integrity. Thus, this study provides a highly reproducible approach to produce large and physiologically relevant intestinal organoids that are suitable for different biomedical applications.
DNAAF9 (Shulin) and ARL3 regulate the transport and activation of ciliary Outer Dynein Arms (ODAs)
Authors: Issa Karim Housseini B , Ren Muyang , Burnet Bradley , Melia Charlotte , Heesom Kate , Mali Girish R. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractMulticiliogenesis requires large-scale biosynthesis of motility-powering axonemal inner and outer dynein arm motors (IDA and ODA) prior to their intraflagellar transport (IFT) into cilia. ODAs are inhibited by the packaging chaperone Shulin during ciliogenesis inT. thermophila.How Shulin is released for ODAs to become active inside cilia remains unclear. We establish interactions between DNAAF9 (human Shulin) and mammalian ODA subunits, IFT proteins and the ciliary small GTPase ARL3 using proteomics andin vitroreconstitutions. Mutagenesis combined with biochemical and structural studies reveal that DNAAF9 and Shulin preferentially bind the active Arl3-GTP state. GTP-loaded Arl3 can access, bind and displace Shulin from the packaged ODA-Shulin complex. We propose that once the inhibited ODA complex enters growing cilia, Arl3-GTP displaces Shulin (DNAAF9) and sequesters it away from ODAs promoting activation of their motility specifically inside cilia.
Competition and Compromise between Exogenous Probiotics and Native Microbiota
Authors: Han Zhe , Sun Zheng , Zhao Qian , Du Lingwei , Zhen Dongyu , Liu Xinlei , Jiang Shuaiming , Liu Yang-Yu , Zhang Jiachao 
Published: August 2024

SUMMARYProbiotic interventions are effective strategies to modulate the gut microbiome, but how exogenous probiotics compete with native gut microbiota remains elusive. Here, we use a mouse model and a well-documented probioticBifidobacterium animalissubsp. lactisV9 (BV9) to mechanistically investigate its competitive strategies. We perform metagenomic and whole genome sequencing of stool samples and isolated BV9, longitudinally collected from 24 mice orally administered with BV9 and different diets. Results show that a high-fiber diet most effectively supports the colonization of BV9, where BV9 selectively competes withParabacteroides distasonis(P. distasonis), rather than extensively with other gut bacteria. By comparing the genomic structures of BV9 andP. distasonisisolated during the washout period, we infer their co-evolution mechanisms, highlighting their competition and compromise in utilizing inulin-derived glucose. Finally, ourin vitroco-culture experiments validate such competitive dynamics. This study fills a critical gap in our understanding of niche competition in colonization.
Enhanced auxin signaling hub triggers root hair growth at moderate low temperature inArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Gabarain Victoria Berdion , Núñez-Lillo Gerardo , Pěnčík Aleš , Ibeas Miguel Angel , Pacheco Javier Martínez , Lopez Leonel , Carignani Sardoy Mariana , Zhongtao Jia , Novák Ondřej , Giehl Ricardo F.H. , von Wiren Nicolaus , Meneses Claudio , Estevez José M. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractRoot hairs (RH) as a mixed tip- and non-tip growing protrusions that develop from root epidermal cells are important for nutrient and water uptake, root anchoring, and interaction with soil microorganisms. Although nutrient availability and temperature are critical interlinked factors for sustained plant growth, the molecular mechanisms underlying their sensing and downstream signaling pathways remain unclear. Here, we identified a moderate low temperature (10°C) condition that triggers a strong RH elongation response involving several molecular components of the auxin pathway. Then, we have determined that auxin biosynthesis carried out by YUCCAs/TAA1, the auxin transport conducted by PIN2/PIN4 and AUX1/PGP4, and the auxin signaling controlled by TIR1/AFB2 coupled to four specific ARFs (ARF6/ARF8 and ARF7/ARF19), are all crucial for the RH response at moderate low temperature. These results uncover the auxin pathway as one central hub under moderate low temperature in the roots to trigger RH growth. Our work highlights the importance of moderate low temperature stimulus as a complex nutritional signal from the media soil into the roots that may be fine-tuned for future biotechnological applications to enhance nutrient uptake.