bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Blocking HXA
3
-mediated neutrophil elastase release during
S. pneumoniae
lung infection limits pulmonary epithelial barrier disruption and bacteremia
Authors: Xu Shuying , Tan Shumin , Romanos Patricia , Reedy Jennifer L. , Zhang Yihan , Mansour Michael K. , Vyas Jatin M. , Mecsas Joan , Mou Hongmei , Leong John M. 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACT

Streptococcus pneumoniae
(
Sp
), a leading cause of community-acquired pneumonia, can spread from the lung into the bloodstream to cause septicemia and meningitis, with a concomitant threefold increase in mortality. Limitations in vaccine efficacy and a rise in antimicrobial resistance have spurred searches for host-directed therapies that target pathogenic immune processes. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) are essential for infection control but can also promote tissue damage and pathogen spread. The major
Sp
virulence factor, pneumolysin, triggers acute inflammation by stimulating the 12-lipoxygenase (12-LOX) eicosanoid synthesis pathway in epithelial cells. This pathway is required for systemic spread in a mouse pneumonia model and produces a number of bioactive lipids, including hepoxilin A3 (HXA
3
), a hydroxy epoxide PMN chemoattractant that has been hypothesized to facilitate breach of mucosal barriers. To understand how 12-LOX-dependent inflammation promotes dissemination during
Sp
lung infection and dissemination, we utilized bronchial stem cell-derived air–liquid interface cultures that lack this enzyme to show that HXA
3
methyl ester (HXA
3
-ME) is sufficient to promote basolateral-to-apical PMN transmigration, monolayer disruption, and concomitant
Sp
barrier breach. In contrast, PMN transmigration in response to the non-eicosanoid chemoattractant N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) did not lead to epithelial disruption or bacterial translocation. Correspondingly, HXA
3
-ME but not fMLP increased the release of neutrophil elastase (NE) from
Sp
-infected PMNs. Pharmacologic blockade of NE secretion or activity diminished epithelial barrier disruption and bacteremia after pulmonary challenge of mice. Thus, HXA
3
promotes barrier-disrupting PMN transmigration and NE release, pathological events that can be targeted to curtail systemic disease following pneumococcal pneumonia.

IMPORTANCE

Streptococcus pneumoniae
(
Sp
), a leading cause of pneumonia, can spread from the lung into the bloodstream to cause systemic disease. Limitations in vaccine efficacy and a rise in antimicrobial resistance have spurred searches for host-directed therapies that limit pathologic host immune responses to
Sp
. Excessive polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) infiltration into
Sp
-infected airways promotes systemic disease. Using stem cell-derived respiratory cultures that reflect bona fide lung epithelium, we identified eicosanoid hepoxilin A3 as a critical pulmonary PMN chemoattractant that is sufficient to drive PMN-mediated epithelial damage by inducing the release of neutrophil elastase. Inhibition of the release or activity of this protease in mice limited epithelial barrier disruption and bacterial dissemination, suggesting a new host-directed treatment for
Sp
lung infection.
Two cyanobacterial species exhibit stress responses when grown together in visible light or far-red light
Authors: Nien Ting-Shuo , Chan Ting-Hsuan , Li Ying-Yang , Liu Ting-So , Shiau Yo-Jin , Ho Ming-Yang 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACT

Although most cyanobacteria grow in visible light (VL;
λ
= 400–700 nm), some cyanobacteria can also use far-red light (FRL;
λ
= 700–800 nm) for oxygenic photosynthesis by performing far-red light photoacclimation. These two types of cyanobacteria can be found in the same environment. However, how they respond to each other remains unknown. Here, we reveal that coculture stresses FRL-using
Chlorogloeopsis fritschii
PCC 9212 and VL-using
Synechocystis
sp. PCC 6803. No significant growth difference was found in
Synechocystis
sp. PCC 6803 between the coculture and the monoculture. Conversely, the growth of
Chlorogloeopsis fritschii
PCC 9212 was suppressed in VL under coculture. According to transcriptomic analysis,
Chlorogloeopsis fritschii
PCC 9212 in coculture shows low transcript levels of metabolic activities and high transcript levels of ion transporters, with the differences being more noticeable in VL than in FRL. The transcript levels of stress responses in coculture were likewise higher than in monoculture in
Synechocystis
sp. PCC 6803 under FRL. The low transcript level of metabolic activities in coculture or the inhibition of cyanobacterial growth indicates a possible negative interaction between these two cyanobacterial strains.

IMPORTANCE
The interaction between two cyanobacterial species is the primary focus of this study. One species harvests visible light, while the other can harvest far-red and visible light. Prior research on cyanobacteria interaction concentrated on its interactions with algal, coral, and fungal species. Interactions between cyanobacterial species were, nevertheless, rarely discussed. Thus, we characterized the interaction between two cyanobacterial species, one capable of photosynthesis using far-red light and the other not. Through experimental and bioinformatic approaches, we demonstrate that when one cyanobacterium thrives under optimal light conditions, it stresses the remaining cyanobacterial species. We contribute to an ecological understanding of these two kinds of cyanobacteria distribution patterns. Cyanobacteria that utilize far-red light probably disperse in environments with limited visible light to avoid competition with other cyanobacteria. From a biotechnological standpoint, this study suggests that the simultaneous cultivation of two cyanobacterial species in large-scale cultivation facilities may reduce the overall biomass yield.
Human papillomavirus molecular prevalence in south China and the impact on vaginal microbiome of unvaccinated women
Authors: Wang Tingting , Li Weili , Cai Mingya , Ji Shushen , Wang Yufang , Huang Nan , Jiang Yancheng , Zhang Zhishan 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACT

The vaginal microbiome (VM) is associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and progression, but a thorough understanding of the relation between HPV infection, and VM needs to be elucidated. From August to December 2022, women who underwent routine gynecological examinations were screened for HPV infection. The distribution of HPV variants and clinical characteristics were collected. Then, a total of 185 participants were enrolled and divided into HPV-negative (HC), high-risk HPV (H), low-risk HPV (L), multiple high-risk HPV (HH), and mixed high-low risk HPV (HL) groups. Samples were collected from the mid-vagina of these 185 participants and sent for 16S rDNA sequencing (V3–V4 region). Among 712 HPV-positive women, the top 3 most frequently detected genotypes were HPV52, HPV58, and HPV16. Among 185 participants in the microbiology study, the β diversity of the HC group was significantly different from HPV-positive groups (
P
< 0.001). LEfSe analysis showed that
Lactobacillus iners
was a potential biomarker for H group, while
Lactobacillus crispatus
was for L group. Regarding HPV-positive patients, the α diversity of cervical lesion patients was remarkably lower than those with normal cervix (
P
< 0.05). Differential abundance analysis showed that
Lactobacillus jensenii
significantly reduced in cervical lesion patients (
P
< 0.001). Further community state type (CST) clustering displayed that CST IV was more common than other types in HC group (
P
< 0.05), while CST I was higher than CST IV in H group (
P
< 0.05). Different HPV infections had distinct vaginal microbiome features. HPV infection might lead to the imbalance of
Lactobacillus
spp. and cause cervical lesions.

IMPORTANCE

In this study, we first investigated the prevalence of different HPV genotypes in south China, which could provide more information for HPV vaccinations. Then, a total of 185 subjects were selected from HPV-negative, high-risk, low-risk, multiple hr-hr HPV infection, and mixed hr-lr HPV infection populations to explore the vaginal microbiome changes. This study displayed that HPV52, HPV58, and HPV16 were the most prevalent high-risk variants in south China. In addition, high-risk HPV infection was featured by
Lactobacillus iners
, while low-risk HPV infection was by
Lactobacillus crispatus
. Further sub-group analysis showed that
Lactobacillus jensenii
was significantly reduced in patients with cervical lesions. Finally, CST clustering showed that CST IV was the most common type in HC group, while CST I accounted the most in H group. In a word, this study for the first time systemically profiled vaginal microbiome of different HPV infections, which may add bricks to current knowledge on HPV infection and lay the foundation for novel treatment/prevention development.
Early hypophosphataemia and refeeding syndrome in extremely low birthweight babies and outcomes to 2 years of age: secondary cohort analysis from the ProVIDe trial
Authors: Ford Nadia , Bloomfield Frank Harry , Jiang Yannan , Cormack Barbara Elizabeth 
Published: August 2024

Objective

To investigate in extremely low birthweight (ELBW; <1000 g) babies the associations between refeeding syndrome (serum phosphate <1.4 mmol·L
-1
and serum total calcium>2.8 mmol·L
-1
) and hypophosphataemia in the first week and death or neurodisability at 2 years’ corrected age (CA).

Design
Secondary cohort analysis of the ProVIDe trial participants with serum biochemistry within 7 days of birth. At 2 years’ CA, neurodisability was assessed by Bayley Scales of Infant Development Edition III and neurological examination. Associations between neurodisability and other variables were analysed using t-tests and logistic regression adjusted for sex and smallness-for-gestational age.

Setting
Six tertiary neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in New Zealand.

Participants
352 ELBW babies born between 29 April 2014 and 30 October 2018.

Main outcome measure
Death or neurodisability at 2 years’ CA.

Results

Fifty-nine babies died, two after discharge from the NICU. Of the 336 babies who survived to 2 years’ CA, 277 had neurodevelopmental assessment and 107 (39%) had a neurodisability. Death or neurodisability was more likely in babies who had refeeding syndrome (aOR 1.96 (95% CI 1.09 to 3.53), p=0.02) and in babies who had hypophosphataemia (aOR 1.74 (95% CI 1.09 to 2.79), p=0.02). Hypophosphataemia was associated with increased risk of death (aOR 2.07 (95% CI 1.09 to 3.95), p=0.03)) and severe hypophosphataemia (<0.9 mmol·L
-1
) with increased risk of death (aOR 2.67 (95% CI 1.41 to 5.00), p=0.002) and neurodisability (aOR 2.31 (95% CI 1.22 to 4.35), p=0.01).

Conclusions
In ELBW babies, refeeding syndrome and hypophosphataemia in the first week are associated with death or neurodisability. Until optimal phosphate requirements are determined through further research, monitoring for hypophosphataemia and mitigation strategies are indicated.

Trial registration number
ACTRN12612001084875
Lower indoor spatial frequency increases the risk of myopia in children
Authors: Li Dan-Lin , Dong Xing-Xuan , Yang Jin-Liu-Xing , Lanca Carla , Grzybowski Andrzej , Pan Chen-Wei 
Published: August 2024

Background/aims
Animal models have shown that the absence of high-frequency visual information can precipitate the onset of myopia, but this relationship remains unclear in humans. This study aims to explore the association between the spatial frequency content of the visual environment and myopia in children.

Methods
Images from the rooms of children and their frequently visited outdoor areas were taken by their parents and collected by the researcher through questionnaires. The spatial frequency was quantified using Matlab. Cycloplegic refraction was used to measure the spherical equivalent (SE), and IOL Master was used to measure axial length (AL) and corneal radius (CR). AL/CR ratio was calculated.

Results
The study included 566 children with an average age of (8.04±1.47) years, of which 270 were girls (47.7%), and the average SE was (0.70±1.21) D. Image analysis revealed that indoor spatial frequency slope was lower than that of the outdoor environment (−1.43±0.18 vs −1.11±0.23, p<0.001). There were 79 myopic individuals (14.0%). Images from indoor content of myopic children had a lower spatial frequency slope than non-myopic children (−1.47±0.16 vs 1.43±0.18, p=0.03) while there was no significant difference in outdoor spatial frequency slope. Regression analysis indicated that the indoor spatial frequency slope was positively associated with SE value (β=0.60, p=0.02) and inversely related to myopia (OR=0.24, p<0.05).

Conclusion
The spatial frequency of the outdoor environment is significantly higher than that of the indoor environment. Indoor spatial frequency is related to children’s refractive status, with lower indoor spatial frequency being associated with a higher degree of myopia.
Mental health and well-being of elite youth athletes: a scoping review
Authors: Gwyther Kate , Pilkington Vita , Bailey Alan P , Mountjoy Margo , Bergeron Michael F , Rice Simon M , Purcell Rosemary 
Published: August 2024

BackgroundThere is increasing recognition of the prevalence and risk factors for mental health symptoms and disorders among adult elite athletes, with less research involving elite youth athletes. This scoping review aimed to characterise the mental health and well-being of elite youth athletes who travel internationally and compete for their sport.MethodFour databases were searched in March 2023. Inclusion criteria were studies with elite youth athlete populations (mean age 12–17 years) reporting mental health and well-being outcomes. Data from included studies were charted by outcome, and risk/protective factors identified.ResultsSearches retrieved 3088 records, of which 33 studies met inclusion criteria, encapsulating data from 5826 athletes (2538 males, 3288 females). The most frequently studied issue was disordered eating (k=16), followed by anxiety (k=7), depression (k=5) and mixed anxiety/depression (k=2). Caseness estimates (a symptom level where mental health treatment is typically indicated) for disordered eating were wide ranging (0%–14% for males; 11%–41% for females), whereas only two studies estimated caseness for depression (7% in a mixed-sex sample; 14% for males, 40% for females) and one for anxiety (8% for males, 28% for females). Common risk factors for mental ill-health included sex, athlete status (compared with non-athletes) and social/relationship factors (with coaches/parents/peers). Contradictory evidence was observed for elite/competition level, which was associated with higher and lower rates of disordered eating.ConclusionFurther representative research into the mental health and well-being of elite youth athletes is needed to enhance understanding and guide prevention and intervention measures.
Design and architecture of the CARA infrastructure for visualising and benchmarking patient data from general practice
Authors: Garzón-Orjuela Nathaly , Garcia Pereira Agustin , Vornhagen Heike , Stasiewicz Katarzyna , Parveen Sana , Amin Doaa , Porwol Lukasz , d’Aquin Mathieu , Collins Claire , Stanley Fintan , O’Callaghan Mike , Vellinga Akke 
Published: August 2024

ObjectiveCollaborate, Analyse, Research and Audit (CARA) project set out to provide an infrastructure to enable Irish general practitioners (GPs) to use their routinely collected patient management software (PMS) data to better understand their patient population, disease management and prescribing through data dashboards. This paper explains the design and development of the CARA infrastructure.MethodsThe first exemplar dashboard was developed with GPs and focused on antibiotic prescribing to develop and showcase the proposed infrastructure. The data integration process involved extracting, loading and transforming de-identified patient data into data models which connect to the interactive dashboards for GPs to visualise, compare and audit their data.ResultsThe architecture of the CARA infrastructure includes two main sections: extract, load and transform process (ELT, de-identified patient data into data models) and a Representational State Transfer Application Programming Interface (REST API) (which provides the security barrier between the data models and their visualisation on the CARA dashboard). CARAconnect was created to facilitate the extraction and de-identification of patient data from the practice database.DiscussionThe CARA infrastructure allows seamless connectivity with and compatibility with the main PMS in Irish general practice and provides a reproducible template to access and visualise patient data. CARA includes two dashboards, a practice overview and a topic-specific dashboard (example focused on antibiotic prescribing), which includes an audit tool, filters (within practice) and between-practice comparisons.ConclusionCARA supports evidence-based decision-making by providing GPs with valuable insights through interactive data dashboards to optimise patient care, identify potential areas for improvement and benchmark their performance against other practices.Supplementary file 1. Graphical abstract
Suicide deaths associated with climate change-induced heat anomalies in Australia: a time series regression analysis
Authors: Hertzog Lucas , Charlson Fiona , Tschakert Petra , Morgan Geoffrey G , Norman Richard , Pereira Gavin , Hanigan Ivan C 
Published: August 2024

BackgroundAlthough environmental determinants play an important role in suicide mortality, the quantitative influence of climate change-induced heat anomalies on suicide deaths remains relatively underexamined.ObjectiveThe objective is to quantify the impact of climate change-induced heat anomalies on suicide deaths in Australia from 2000 to 2019.MethodsA time series regression analysis using a generalised additive model was employed to explore the potentially non-linear relationship between temperature anomalies and suicide, incorporating structural variables such as sex, age, season and geographic region. Suicide deaths data were obtained from the Australian National Mortality Database, and gridded climate data of gridded surface temperatures were sourced from the Australian Gridded Climate Dataset.FindingsHeat anomalies in the study period were between 0.02°C and 2.2°C hotter than the historical period due to climate change. Our analysis revealed that approximately 0.5% (264 suicides, 95% CI 257 to 271) of the total 50 733 suicides within the study period were attributable to climate change-induced heat anomalies. Death counts associated with heat anomalies were statistically significant (p value 0.03) among men aged 55+ years old. Seasonality was a significant factor, with increased deaths during spring and summer. The relationship between high heat anomalies and suicide deaths varied across different demographic segments.Conclusions and implicationsThis study highlights the measurable impact of climate change-induced heat anomalies on suicide deaths in Australia, emphasising the need for increased climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies in public health planning and suicide prevention efforts focusing on older adult men. The findings underscore the importance of considering environmental factors in addition to individual-level factors in understanding and reducing suicide mortality.
Reduction of head and neck cancer risk following smoking cessation: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Khalifeh Malak , Ginex Pamela , Boffetta Paolo 
Published: August 2024

ObjectiveHead and neck (HN) cancer comprises the neoplasms originating from the oral cavity, pharynx and larynx. We aimed at reviewing the available literature on the effect of smoking cessation on HN cancer risk.MethodWe conducted a systematic search in Medline, PubMed and Embase to June 2022. We abstracted or calculated relative risks (RR) and 95% CIs of HN cancer after cessation of tobacco smoking (both former smoking status and duration of quitting) and combined them using random effects meta-analyses. Papers included were case–control or cohort studies available in the English language. Studies investigating smoking cessation after cancer diagnosis, case reports, intervention studies or animal studies were excluded. Quality and susceptibility to bias of each included study were evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plot and Egger’s test.ResultsA total of 65 studies were included in the review, including 5 cohort and 60 case–control studies. The RR of HN cancer for former smokers compared with current smokers was 0.40 (95% CI 0.35 to 0.46). In an analysis by cancer site, the RR of oral cancer was 0.44 (95% CI 0.35 to 0.55), that of pharyngeal cancer 0.44 (95% CI 0.32 to 0.60) and that of laryngeal cancer 0.38 (95% CI 0.29 to 0.50). The dose-response meta-analysis was based on 37 studies. The RR per 10-year increase in smoking cessation was 0.47 (95% CI 0.43 to 0.52).ConclusionsThe risk of HN cancer declines within the first 5 years of quitting smoking. Quitting smoking is an essential element of HN cancer prevention.Trial registration numberThe protocol has been deposited in the PROSPERO repository (CRD42022338262).
Specialist intellectual disability liaison nurses in general hospitals in England: cohort study using a large mortality dataset
Authors: Sheehan Rory , Ding Jonathon , White Adam , Magill Nicholas , Chauhan Umesh , Marshall-Tate Karina , Strydom André 
Published: August 2024

ObjectiveIntellectual disability liaison nurses in general hospitals could enhance access to high-quality, adapted healthcare and improve outcomes. We aimed to explore associations between the input of intellectual disability liaison nurses and the quality of care in people with intellectual disability who are admitted to hospital.DesignRetrospective analysis of a national dataset of mortality reviews.SettingGeneral hospitals in England.Participants4742 adults with intellectual disability who died in hospital between 2016 and 2021 and whose deaths were reviewed as part of the Learning from Lives and Deaths mortality review programme.Outcome measuresWe used logistic regression to compare the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of those who did, and did not, receive input from an intellectual disability liaison nurse. We explored associations between liaison nurse input, care processes and overall quality of care.ResultsOne-third of people with intellectual disability who died in hospital in England between 2016 and 2021 had input from an intellectual disability liaison nurse. Intellectual disability liaison nurse input was not evenly distributed across England and was more common in those who died of cancer. Having an intellectual disability liaison nurse involved in an individual’s care was associated with increased likelihood of reasonable adjustments being made to care (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.95, 95% CI 1.63 to 2.32) and of best practice being identified (aOR 1.37, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.60) but was not associated with a rating of overall quality of care received (aOR 0.94, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.12).ConclusionsIntellectual disability liaison nurses see only a minority of people with intellectual disability who are admitted to hospital in England. Increasing the availability of intellectual disability liaison nurses could improve care for this disadvantaged group.