bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Bilateral Symmetry Assumption in Manual Wheelchair Propulsion
Authors: Rum Lorenzo , Goosey-Tolfrey Vicky , Vegter Riemer , Bergamini Elena 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
This systematic review aimed to 1) verify bilateral symmetry assumption in manual wheelchair propulsion in daily life and sports, and its relationship with injury risk and sports performance, and 2) evaluate methods for assessing bilateral symmetry. Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and EBSCO databases were searched for articles published before January 2024 investigating bilateral symmetry in manual wheelchair users and/or healthy participants during manual wheelchair propulsion. Two independent reviewers screened, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality of retrieved papers. Twenty-five studies were included. In daily ground-level propulsion, minimal asymmetries were observed in kinematic, kinetic, and temporal parameters when averaging three or more push cycles. In the sports context, diverse findings emerged, ranging from up to 27% side-to-side differences in propulsion kinetics and kinematics during sprinting, to descriptions of both symmetrical and asymmetrical upper limb motions. Limited evidence exists regarding the role of asymmetry in manual wheelchair propulsion as a risk factor for injury and pain, as well as the association between sprinting performance and symmetry. In conclusion, bilateral symmetry assumption in manual wheelchair propulsion is valid only under specific conditions (i.e., slow/moderate speed, averaging ≥3 push cycles, smooth level ground). The wheeling environment and interindividual variability impact symmetry research outcome and require consideration in future studies.
Impact of methamphetamine use on HIV and other health outcomes at an urban HIV medicine clinic
Authors: Bamford Laura , Rajagopal Amutha , Grelotti David , Justice-Royster Vernay , Karim Afsana , Montoya Jessica 
Published: July 2024

Background:
The methamphetamine epidemic threatens progress towards ending the HIV epidemic in the United States. Further characterizing the prevalence and impact of methamphetamine use among people with HIV (PWH) is necessary to inform integrated HIV and methamphetamine treatment strategies.

Methods:
We conducted a retrospective chart review to characterize methamphetamine use among 3092 PWH at an urban HIV Medicine clinic between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023. The chi-squared test was utilized to assess for statistically significant differences in demographics and HIV and other health outcomes among PWH who use and do not use methamphetamine.

Results:
The prevalence of methamphetamine use among PWH in this cohort was 17%. PWH who used methamphetamine were more likely to be <40 years of age, identify as White race, live in neighborhoods with low Healthy Places Index scores, identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual, report male sex with men (MSM), MSM and injection drug use (IDU), or IDU as HIV transmission risk factor, miss scheduled HIV primary care visits, and screen positive for hepatitis C virus antibody, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and major depressive disorder. PWH who use methamphetamine were also less likely to be virally suppressed and have a CD4+ cell count ≥200 cells/mm3.

Conclusion:
Methamphetamine use is prevalent among PWH at this urban HIV Medicine Clinic and is associated with worse HIV and other health outcomes which likely increase the risk of HIV transmission. The integration of methamphetamine use disorder treatment into HIV primary care is necessary to work toward ending the syndemics of methamphetamine and HIV.
Two-Year Mortality Predictors in Fragility Fractures—A Medical Records Review Study
Authors: Azevedo Sofia Ferreira , Mazeda Carolina , Silva Susana Pinto , Barcelos Anabela 
Published: July 2024

Purpose
To evaluate two-year mortality predictors in all subtypes of fragility fractures.

Methods
Medical records review, single-center study with Portuguese patients with fragility fractures; A univariate analysis, with chi-square for categorical variables and parametric t-student and non-parametric Wilcoxon tests for continuous variables, was performed. Posteriorly, a survival analysis, with subsequent Cox regression was conducted to establish independent risk factors/ predictors of two-year mortality in fragility fractures.

Results
758 patients were enrolled in the study. We found a total of 151 deaths within the first two years post-fracture. On Cox regression, older age [OR1.10 CI (1.05-1.11)], male sex [OR1.85 CI(1.24-2.75)], anemia at baseline [OR2.44 CI(1.67-3.57)], malignancy [OR4.68 CI (2.13-10.27)], and multimorbidity [OR1.78 CI(1.11-2.87)] were found as independent predictors for two-year post-fracture mortality.

Conclusion
Our study suggests that male sex, older age, anemia, malignancy, and multimorbidity are mortality predictors in the first two years after fragility fractures, reinforcing the importance of comorbidity management in preventing or, at least, minimizing adverse outcomes following fragility fractures.
Feasibility of Home Collection for Urogenital Microbiome Samples
Authors: Lukacz Emily S. , Fok Cynthia S. , Bryant MacKenzie , Rodriguez-Ponciano Dulce P. , Meister Melanie R. , Mueller Margaret G. , Lewis Cora E. , Lowder Jerry L. , Smith Ariana L. , Stapleton Ann , Ayala Amy , Pakpahan Ratna , Hortsch Sarah , McDonald Daniel , Putnam Sara , Rudser Kyle , Song Se Jin , Knight Rob , Brubaker Linda ,   the PLUS Research Consortium
Published: July 2024

Importance
Feasibility of home urogenital microbiome specimen collection is unknown.

Objectives
This study aimed to evaluate successful sample collection rates from home and clinical research centers.

Study Design
Adult women participants enrolled in a multicentered cohort study were recruited to an in-person research center evaluation, including self-collected urogenital samples. A nested feasibility substudy evaluated home biospecimen collection prior to the scheduled in-person evaluation using a home collection kit with written instructions, sample collection supplies, and a Peezy™ urine collection device. Participants self-collected samples at home and shipped them to a central laboratory 1 day prior to and the day of the in-person evaluation. We defined successful collection as receipt of at least one urine specimen that was visibly viable for sequencing.

Results
Of 156 participants invited to the feasibility substudy, 134 were enrolled and sent collection kits with 89% (119/134) returning at least 1 home urine specimen; the laboratory determined that 79% (106/134) of these urine samples were visually viable for analysis. The laboratory received self-collected urine from the research center visit in 97% (115/119); 76% (91/119) were visually viable for sequencing. Among 401 women who did not participate in the feasibility home collection substudy, 98% (394/401) self-collected urine at the research center with 80% (321/401) returned and visibly viable for sequencing.

Conclusions
Home collection of urogenital microbiome samples for research is feasible, with comparable success to clinical research center collection. Sample size adjustment should plan for technical and logistical difficulties, regardless of specimen collection site.
Reduced Auditory Perception and Brain Response with Quiet TMS Coil
Authors: Murphy David L. K. , Koponen Lari M. , Wood Eleanor , Li Yiru , Bukhari-Parlakturk Noreen , Goetz Stefan M. , Peterchev Angel V. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDElectromagnetic forces in transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) coils generate a loud clicking sound that produces confounding auditory activation and is potentially hazardous to hearing. To reduce this noise while maintaining stimulation efficiency similar to conventional TMS coils, we previously developed a quiet TMS double containment coil (qTMS-DCC).OBJECTIVETo compare the stimulation strength, perceived loudness, and EEG response between qTMS-DCC and a commercial TMS coil.METHODSNine healthy volunteers participated in a within-subject study design. The resting motor thresholds (RMTs) for qTMS-DCC and MagVenture Cool-B65 were measured. Psychoacoustic titration matched the Cool-B65 loudness to qTMS-DCC pulsed at 80, 100, and 120% RMT. Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded for both coils. The psychoacoustic titration and ERPs were acquired with the coils both on and 6 cm off the scalp, the latter isolating the effects of airborne auditory stimulation from body sound and electromagnetic stimulation. The ERP comparisons focused on a centro-frontal region that encompassed peak responses in the global signal.RESULTSRMT did not differ significantly between the coils, with or without the EEG cap on the head. qTMS-DCC was perceived to be substantially quieter than Cool-B65. For example, qTMS-DCC at 100% coil-specific RMT sounded like Cool-B65 at 34% RMT. The general ERP waveform and topography were similar between the two coils, as were early-latency components, indicating comparable electromagnetic brain stimulation in the on-scalp condition. qTMS-DCC had a significantly smaller P180 component in both on-scalp and off-scalp conditions, supporting reduced auditory activation.CONCLUSIONSThe stimulation efficiency of qTMS-DCC matched Cool-B65, while having substantially lower perceived loudness and auditory-evoked potentials.HighlightsqTMS coil is subjectively and objectively quieter than conventional Cool-B65 coilqTMS coil at 100% motor threshold was as loud as Cool-B65 at 34% motor thresholdAttenuated coil noise reduced auditory N100 and P180 evoked response componentsqTMS coil enables reduction of auditory activation without masking
HHV-6B, HHV-7, and B19V Are Frequently Found DNA Viruses in the Human Thymus but Show No Definitive Link with Myasthenia Gravis
Authors: Nowlan Kirsten , Hannolainen Leo , Assimakopoulou Irini M , Dürnsteiner Pia , Sarkkinen Joona , Suokas Santeri , Hedman Lea , Tienari Pentti J. , Hedman Klaus , Niku Mikael , Aaltonen Leena-Maija , Huuskanen Antti , Räsänen Jari , Ilonen Ilkka K , Mäyränpää Mikko I. , Dunkel Johannes , Laakso Sini M , Söderlund-Venermo Maria , Perdomo Maria F. , Kekäläinen Eliisa 
Published: July 2024

AbstractMyasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder characterised by autoantibodies that target components of the neuromuscular junction, primarily the acetylcholine receptor (AChR), resulting in muscle weakness. The thymus plays a significant role in MG pathogenesis, particularly in patients under the age of 50, who display pathological alterations and possess elements conducive to autoimmune reactions. Although viral infections are suspected drivers of thymic pathogenesis, the exact aetiology of MG remains elusive. This study investigates the potential link between MG and DNA viruses within the thymus. Using targeted next-generation sequencing and quantitative PCR, we analysed the presence of human parvovirus B19 (B19V) and nine human herpesviruses (HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV, EBV, CMV, HHV-6A, HHV-6B, HHV-7, and HHV-8) in fresh tissue samples from 19 non-thymomatous MG patients, 16 thymomas (3 with and 14 without MG), 41 normal thymus tissues, and 20 tonsils from healthy individuals. HHV-6B was the most common virus, found in over 50% of all tissue groups. B19V DNA was detected in 40% of adult control thymic tissue, 72% of MG thymus, 7.7% of non-MG thymoma, and 50% of tonsil samples. HHV-7 was present in 15-30% of thymus tissues and 95% of tonsils, while EBV was detected in less than 25% of all thymus samples but 85% of tonsils. In B19V seropositive individuals, B19V DNA was detected in 100% of thymic tissue from both MG patients and healthy individuals, except in thymomatous tissues, where it was found in only one of thirteen seropositive individuals. Immunohistochemistry for B19V protein expression did not show evident B19V VP1/VP2 protein expression, indicating dormant viral persistence. Laser capture microdissection (LCM) and RNAscope in situ hybridisation pinpointed B19V DNA localisation to the thymus medulla. This study is the first to demonstrate the persistence of various DNA viruses in the human thymus. However, neither B19V nor the nine human herpesviruses showed specific enrichment in MG thymic tissue compared to controls, suggesting that these viral infections are unlikely to be sole environmental triggers for MG.
Functional ultrasound neuroimaging reveals mesoscopic organization of saccades in the lateral intraparietal area of posterior parietal cortex
Authors: Griggs Whitney S. , Norman Sumner L. , Tanter Mickael , Liu Charles , Christopoulos Vasileios , Shapiro Mikhail G. , Andersen Richard A. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe lateral intraparietal cortex (LIP) located within the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) is an important area for the transformation of spatial information into accurate saccadic eye movements. Despite extensive research, we do not fully understand the functional anatomy of intended movement directions within LIP. This is in part due to technical challenges. Electrophysiology recordings can only record from small regions of the PPC, while fMRI and other whole-brain techniques lack sufficient spatiotemporal resolution. Here, we use functional ultrasound imaging (fUSI), an emerging technique with high sensitivity, large spatial coverage, and good spatial resolution, to determine how movement direction is encoded across PPC. We used fUSI to record local changes in cerebral blood volume in PPC as two monkeys performed memory-guided saccades to targets throughout their visual field. We then analyzed the distribution of preferred directional response fields within each coronal plane of PPC. Many subregions within LIP demonstrated strong directional tuning that was consistent across several months to years. These mesoscopic maps revealed a highly heterogenous organization within LIP with many small patches of neighboring cortex encoding different directions. LIP had a rough topography where anterior LIP represented more contralateral upward movements and posterior LIP represented more contralateral downward movements. These results address two fundamental gaps in our understanding of LIP’s functional organization: the neighborhood organization of patches and the broader organization across LIP. These findings were achieved by tracking the same LIP populations across many months to years and developing mesoscopic maps of direction specificity previously unattainable with fMRI or electrophysiology methods.
Prognostic Significance of Potential Target Networks and P16INK4a In Early Diagnosis of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Kundadka Varnika , Vatsa Radha , Kaur Navrinder 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThis study aimed to identify the prognostic signature of p16INK4a and related genes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Since non-small cell lung cancer shows a poor prognosis, the 5-year survival rate in advanced stages is low. This emphasizes the need to identify more reliable diagnostic biomarkers for the early diagnosis of NSCLC and understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the progression of the disease. The role of P16 in essential cellular pathways are still unknown. Understanding its function and the mechanisms underlying its dysregulation could potentially lead to the development of targeted therapies for certain cancers. To address this, bioinformatics analyses revealed differential expression of genes in lung tumour tissues vs control samples. The interactions among the identified DEGs can help better understand the underlying molecular mechanism of NSCLC. We investigated the correlation between p16INK4a expression and genes involved in the relevant interactive pathways in early-stage NSCLC. These can serve as potential diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers for NSCLC.
A smartphone-based genetically recombinant whole-cell biosensor for highly sensitive monitoring of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
Authors: Luo Qiangqiang , Zhang Faying , Zhang Mengjie , Hu Shantong , Li Xin , Pan Li , Lu Zhenghui , Wu Pan , Zhang Guimin 
Published: July 2024

AbstractPolychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are highly carcinogenic and persistent pollutants commonly found in ecosystems. Their complex congeners pose a huge challenge to instrumental analysis and ELISA methods, which prefer single and known targets. To overcome this limitation, here we developed anEscherichia coliwhole-cell biosensor (WCB) for simultaneously detecting multiple PCB congeners. In this sensor, PCBs were firstly converted into hydroxylated PCBs (OH-PCBs) bybphABdegradation circuits, which then serve as high-affinity targets of transcriptional factor HbpRCBP6-based sensing pathways for sensitive response through extensive chassis screening. The resulting biosensor BL21(DE3)/HbpRCBP6-bphABshows the lowest detection limits for 2-CBP (2-chlorobiphenyl) to date and can recognize various PCB homologues, including 3-CBP, 4-CBP, 2,3-diCBP and 2,2’-diCBP, with detection limits of 0.06-1 μM. Further investigation of the docking structure and binding energy reveal that HbpRCBP6has a stronger affinity for OH-PCBs than for PCBs, indicating that the conversion of PCB by BphAB enzymes is a key step to improve the sensitivity of WCB. Subsequently, we developed an immobilized hydrogel WCB and a smartphone-based detection procedure to facilitate real-time and user-friendly PCB detection. This study will not only advance the biomonitoring of PCB contaminants but also provide an innovative strategy for developing metabolic pathway-sensing proteins combined biosensor.Graphical Abstract
Pancreatic islets undergo functional and morphological adaptation during development of Barth Syndrome
Authors: Carlein Christopher , Hoffmann Markus D. A. , Amaral Andressa G. , Bickelmann Caroline , Lotfinia Ahmadali , de Selliers Laurie-Anne , Audoze-Chaud Johanne , Wrublewsky Selina , Lauterbach Marcel A. , von der Malsburg Karina , van der Laan Martin , Bozem Monika , Hoth Markus , Gilon Patrick , Ravier Magalie A. , Morgan Bruce , Ampofo Emmanuel , Maack Christoph , Roma Leticia Prates 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBarth syndrome is a multisystem genetic disorder caused by mutation inTAFAZZIN, a gene that encodes a phospholipid:lysophospholipid transacylase important for cardiolipin remodeling. Barth Syndrome patients suffer from a number of symptoms including early heart failure, fatigue, and systemic metabolic alterations, including hypoglycemia. The endocrine pancreas is central to glucose homeostasis, however, the impact of defective cardiolipin remodeling on pancreatic islet function and the consequences for systemic metabolism is unclear. Surprisingly, in a mouse model with globalTAFAZZINknockdown, we observed improved glucose tolerance compared to wildtype littermates. We show that pancreatic islet metabolism and secretory function are robustly maintained through various compensatory mechanisms including increased glucose uptake and increased mitochondrial volume. Transcriptomics analyses revealed increased expression of genes encoding proteins involved in N-acetylglucosamine synthesis and proteinO-linked N-acetylglucosaminylation. These pathways might provide a molecular mechanism for coupling metabolic changes to mitochondrial volume regulation.
Critical roles of ERK and Akt signaling in metabolically dependent memory formation inDrosophilalarvae
Authors: Franz Hanna R. , Widmann Annekathrin 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIn the fruit flyDrosophila, memory formation is intricately linked to metabolic state. Our previous findings showed that the preferential support of memory under increased energy levels is mediated by the insulin receptor in the mushroom body (MB), a key memory center in the insect brain. This study analyzed the role of the insulin receptor’s downstream pathways, Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK and PI3K/Akt, in metabolically dependent memory formation. We evaluated their impact on memory processes by employing RNA interference-mediated downregulation of key components, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and protein kinase B (Akt), in the MB ofDrosophilalarvae. To enhance energy levels, larvae were fed sugar for 60 minutes prior to aversive olfactory conditioning. Our findings revealed that genetically downregulating ERK and Akt in the MB significantly impaired metabolically dependent memory formation, without affecting naive sensory perception or olfactory learning. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the presence of active forms of ERK and Akt in the MB, underscoring their roles in modulating memory processes under elevated energy levels. The pivotal roles of these kinases suggest a broader implication of insulin signaling in memory formation under different metabolic conditions, and illuminate the connections between metabolic regulation and memory dynamics in the MB.
Convergent reductive evolution in bee-associated lactic acid bacteria
Authors: Pontes Ana , Harrison Marie-Claire , Rokas Antonis , Gonçalves Carla 
Published: July 2024

AbstractDistantly related organisms may evolve similar traits when exposed to similar environments or engaging in certain lifestyles.Several members of the Lactobacillaceae (LAB) family are frequently isolated from the floral niche, mostly from bees and flowers. In some floral LAB species (henceforth referred to as bee- associated), distinctive genomic (e.g., genome reduction) and phenotypic (e.g., preference for fructose over glucose or fructophily) features were recently documented. These features are found across distantly related species, raising the hypothesis that specific genomic and phenotypic traits evolved convergently during adaptation to the floral environment.To test this hypothesis, we examined representative genomes of 369 species of bee-associated and non-bee-associated LAB. Phylogenomic analysis unveiled seven independent ecological shifts towards the floral niche in LAB. In these bee-associated LAB, we observed pervasive, significant reductions of genome size, gene repertoire, and GC content.Using machine leaning, we could distinguish bee-associated from non-bee-associated species with 94% accuracy, based on the absence of genes involved in metabolism, osmotic stress, or DNA repair. Moreover, we found that the most important genes for the machine learning classifier were seemingly lost, independently, in multiple bee-associated lineages. One of these genes,adhE, encodes a bifunctional aldehyde-alcohol dehydrogenase associated with the evolution of fructophily, a rare phenotypic trait that was recently identified in many floral LAB species. These results suggest that the independent evolution of distinctive phenotypes in bee- associated LAB has been largely driven by independent loss of the same set of genes.ImportanceSeveral lactic acid bacteria (LAB) species are intimately associated with bees and exhibit unique biochemical properties with potential for food applications and honeybee health. Using a machine-learning based approach, our study shows that adaptation of LAB to the bee environment was accompanied by a distinctive genomic trajectory deeply shaped by gene loss. Several of these gene losses occurred independently in distantly related species and are linked to some of their unique biotechnologically relevant traits, such as the preference of fructose over glucose (fructophily). This study underscores the potential of machine learning in identifying fingerprints of adaptation and detecting instances of convergent evolution. Furthermore, it sheds light onto the genomic and phenotypic particularities of bee-associated bacteria, thereby deepening the understanding of their positive impact on honeybee health.