bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Skin microbiome profiling reveals the crucial role of microbial metabolites in anti‐photoaging
Authors: Li Ying , Chen Huizhen , Xie Xinqiang , Pang Rui , Huang Shixuan , Ying Hang , Chen Moutong , Xue Liang , Zhang Jumei , Ding Yu , Wu Qingping 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundSkin microbiota is essential for health maintenance. Photoaging is the primary environmental factor that affects skin homeostasis, but whether it influences the skin microbiota remains unclear.ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between photoaging and skin microbiome.MethodsA cohort of senior bus drivers was considered as a long‐term unilateral ultraviolet (UV) irradiated population. 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing was conducted to assess skin microbial composition variations on different sides of their faces. The microbiome characteristics of the photoaged population were further examined by photoaging guinea pig models, and the correlations between microbial metabolites and aging‐related cytokines were analyzed by high‐throughput sequencing and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.ResultsPhotoaging decreased the relative abundance of microorganisms including Georgenia and Thermobifida in human skin and downregulated the generation of skin microbe‐derived antioxidative metabolites such as ectoin. In animal models, Lactobacillus and Streptobacillus abundance in both the epidermis and dermis dropped after UV irradiation, resulting in low levels of skin antioxidative molecules and leading to elevated expressions of the collagen degradation factors matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐1 and MMP‐2 and inflammatory factors such as interleukin (IL)‐1β and IL‐6.ConclusionsSkin microbial characteristics have an impact in photoaging and the loss of microbe‐derived antioxidative metabolites impairs skin cells and accelerates the aging process. Therefore, microbiome‐based therapeutics may have potential in delaying skin aging.
Policy growth and maintenance in comparative perspective
Authors: Knill Christoph , Steinbacher Christina , Steinebach Yves , Trein Philipp 
Published: July 2024

AbstractPolicy growth comes with multiple challenges for policy implementation. Congested policy portfolios increase the likelihood of interactions and contradictions between different policy objectives and instruments. Moreover, policy growth can lead to difficulties during implementation when many public and private organizations must cooperate and manage increasing complexity and overlapping responsibilities. Consequently, policy growth should ideally be accompanied by maintenance activities, namely institutional reforms aimed at (1) preventing policy contradictions, or (2) improving administrative coordination. We test this relationship through a comparative analysis that examines the level of policy growth and maintenance activities in 13 OECD countries in environmental and unemployment policy over 35 years. We find that policy growth and maintenance activities are not systematically linked but occur independently, even when controlling for the influence of moderating factors such as government effectiveness or the presence of veto players. Consequently, modern governments seem to struggle with managing the downsides of policy growth.
Analysis of factors influencing the recurrence of diabetic foot ulcers
Authors: Hu Ling , Liu Wenjuan , Yin Liqin , Yi Xiaoling , Zou Yi , Sheng Xia 
Published: July 2024

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study is to investigate the factors influencing the recurrence of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) and provide guidance for reducing the recurrence rate.MethodsA total of 211 patients diagnosed with DFU who were hospitalized and discharged from the hospital from October 2015 to January 2020 were included as the study cohort. Participants were divided into two groups according to whether the foot ulcer recurred during the 2‐year follow‐up period: a recurrence group (n = 84) and a non‐recurrence group (n = 127). The following data were collected and analyzed for the two groups of patients: general information, foot information, laboratory indicators, diabetes comorbidities, and complications.Results(1) The overall recurrence rate of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) within 2 years was 39.8%, indicating a high recurrence rate. (2) Significant differences were observed between the two patient groups in terms of BMI, HbA1c, TBIL, CRP, financial situation, foot deformity, first ulcer on the sole of the foot, previous amputation history, Wagner grade of the first ulcer, osteomyelitis, DFU duration (>60 days), lower limb vascular reconstruction, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) (t = 2.455; Z = −1.988, −3.731, −3.618; χ2 = 7.88, 5.004, 3.906, 17.178, 16.237, 5.007, 24.642, 4.782, 29.334, 10.253). No significant differences were found for the other indicators. (3) Logistic regression analysis revealed that TBIL (OR = 0.886, p = 0.036) was a protective factor against ulcer recurrence. In contrast, PAD, previous amputation history, DPN, and the first ulcer on the sole of the foot (OR = 3.987, 6.758, 4.681, 2.405; p < 0.05 or p < 0.01) were identified as risk factors for ulcer recurrence.ConclusionEarly screening and preventive education targeting high‐risk factors such as DPN, PAD and the initial ulcer location on the sole of the foot are essential to mitigate the high long‐term recurrence rate of DFU. Furthermore, the protective role of TBIL in preventing ulcer recurrence underscores the importance of monitoring bilirubin levels as part of a comprehensive management strategy for DFU patients.
Genetic association between asthma and alopecia areata: A two‐sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Du Wenqian , He Ke , Liu Xinyi , Yin Tingyi , Xiao Shengxiang , Zheng Yan 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundMany patients with asthma experience alopecia areata (AA) in their lives. However, it is unclear whether asthma causes or results from AA. Our objective was to investigate the genetic causal relationship between asthma and AA.MethodsTwo‐sample Mendelian randomization (MR) was used to assess the causal relationship between asthma and AA based on the largest publicly available genome‐wide association study summary statistics. Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and cicatricial alopecia (CA) were chosen as the control groups for AA. The main estimates were obtained using inverse variance weighting meta‐analysis (IVW), Mendelian randomization‐Egger (MR‐Egger), maximum likelihood estimation, and the weighted median. Sensitivity analyses were conducted using Cochran's Q test, MR‐Egger, and leave‐one‐out methods. Lastly, we conducted a reverse MR analysis to evaluate the possibility of reverse causation.ResultsGenetically, asthma is associated with an increased risk of AA, while the association between genetically predicted AGA or CA and asthma was negative. The risk of AA increased by 1.86 times in patients with asthma under the IVW method (OR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.31–2.629, p < 0.001). The reverse MR analysis did not find evidence supporting reverse causality from three phenotypes of alopecia to asthma. Sensitivity analyses yielded consistent causal estimates.ConclusionThis study suggests that asthma is causally associated with AA. The findings deepen our understanding of the role of asthma in the pathology of AA, which emphasizes the potential for opening a new vista for the prevention and diagnosis of AA.
A genome‐wide association study of alloimmunization in the TOPMed OMG‐SCD cohort identifies a locus on chromosome 12
Authors: Sun Quan , Karafin Matthew S. , Garrett Melanie E. , Li Yun , Ashley‐Koch Allison , Telen Marilyn J. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundRed cell alloimmunization after exposure to donor red cells is a very common complication of transfusion for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), resulting frequently in accelerated donor red blood cell destruction. Patients show substantial differences in their predisposition to alloimmunization, and genetic variability is one proposed component. Although several genetic association studies have been conducted for alloimmunization, the results have been inconsistent, and the genetic determinants of alloimmunization remain largely unknown.Study Design and MethodsWe performed a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) in 236 African American (AA) SCD patients from the Outcome Modifying Genes in Sickle Cell Disease (OMG‐SCD) cohort, which is part of Trans‐Omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMed), with whole‐genome sequencing data available. We also performed sensitivity analyses adjusting for different sets of covariates and applied different sample grouping strategies based on the number of alloantibodies patients developed.ResultsWe identified one genome‐wide significant locus on chr12 (p = 3.1e‐9) with no evidence of genomic inflation (lambda = 1.003). Further leveraging QTL evidence from GTEx whole blood and/or Jackson Heart Study PBMC RNA‐Seq data, we identified a number of potential genes, such as ARHGAP9, STAT6, and ATP23, that may be driving the association signal. We also discovered some suggestive loci using different analysis strategies.DiscussionWe call for the community to collect additional alloantibody information within SCD cohorts to further the understanding of the genetic basis of alloimmunization in order to improve transfusion outcomes.
Seasonal increase in syphilis screening reactivity rates in whole blood donors, United States, 2011–2023
Authors: Miller Maureen J. , Long James O. , Conry‐Cantilena Kathleen , Chen Leonard N. , West‐Mitchell Kamille A. , De Giorgi Valeria 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundIn December 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration published a letter to clinical laboratory staff and healthcare providers detailing a risk of false Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) when using the Bio‐Rad Laboratories BioPlex 2200 Syphilis Total & RPR kit in people who had received COVID‐19 vaccination; Treponema pallidum particle agglutination assays did not appear to be impacted by this issue. We evaluated reactivity rates of syphilis screening with negative confirmatory testing at our institution by year and seasonality.MethodsWe performed a retrospective study of routine syphilis testing of whole blood (WB) collections at an academic hospital‐based donor center in the eastern United States. All WB donations from 2011 to 2023 which demonstrated reactive syphilis screening (Beckman Coulter PK TP Microhemagglutination) with negative confirmatory testing (CAPTIA Syphilis (T. pallidum)‐G) were evaluated. Reactivity rates by year and season of donation were compared using unpaired t‐tests.ResultsA total of 109 WB donations from 86 unique donors who donated from 2011 to 2023 screened reactive for syphilis with negative confirmatory testing. The unconfirmed syphilis reactivity rate increased from 2018 to 2023 (mean: 0.360%) compared to 2011–2017 (mean: 0.071%, p < .05). An autumnal peak in unconfirmed reactives was observed.ConclusionThe unconfirmed syphilis reactivity rate among WB donors at our institution increased markedly since 2017 compared to the 7 years prior and doubled from 2020 to 2021. No testing assay changes explain these results. The autumnal peak in unconfirmed reactives suggests a possible environmental trigger such as viral infection or vaccination.
Outdoor worker knowledge of ticks and Lyme disease in Québec
Authors: Fellin Erica , Varin Mathieu , Millien Virginie 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackground and AimsLyme disease is a well‐known occupational risk across North America caused by exposure to Borrelia burgdorferi via blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis). As the geographic range of B. burgdorferi advances with the increasing distribution of blacklegged ticks, more outdoor workers are at risk of contracting Lyme disease. In this study, we examined the demography and personal perceptions of outdoor workers within one framework to better determine the overall risk for those working outdoors.Methods and ResultsWe analysed outdoor worker knowledge of ticks and of behaviours that can prevent tick bites and Lyme disease. We then compared these risk perceptions of individuals across age, sex, education, and industry, as well as time spent outdoors. We tested the hypothesis that the risk perception of an individual and their knowledge of Lyme disease transmission was dependent on their demographics, experience in their job, and the region in which they spend time outdoors. We estimated a knowledge‐based risk score based on individuals' answers to a questionnaire on risk perception given to voluntary participants who work outdoors. Those who had higher risk scores were more at risk. We found that knowledge‐based risk scores were correlated with geographic risk levels and with the number of hours per day spent outdoors. Those who work longer hours and who work in areas with mid‐level risk had higher risk scores. Those who spend more time outdoors recreationally had lower risk scores.ConclusionsFurther examination and acknowledgment of the reasoning behind why these factors are affecting workers' risks must be considered to recognize that it is not necessarily demographics or geographically high‐risk areas that affect an individual's risk. Workers' knowledge of these risks is affected by several variables that should be taken into consideration when implementing safety measures and awareness programs.
Rectifiable paths with polynomial log‐signature are straight lines
Authors: Friz Peter K. , Lyons Terry , Seigal Anna 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe signature of a rectifiable path is a tensor series in the tensor algebra whose coefficients are definite iterated integrals of the path. The signature characterizes the path up to a generalized form of reparameterization. It is a classical result of Chen that the log‐signature (the logarithm of the signature) is a Lie series. A Lie series is polynomial if it has finite degree. We show that the log‐signature is polynomial if and only if the path is a straight line up to reparameterization. Consequently, the log‐signature of a rectifiable path either has degree one or infinite support. Though our result pertains to rectifiable paths, the proof uses rough path theory, in particular that the signature characterizes a rough path up to reparameterization.
Graph convex hull bounds as generalized Jensen inequalities
Authors: Klebanov Ilja 
Published: July 2024

AbstractJensen's inequality is ubiquitous in measure and probability theory, statistics, machine learning, information theory and many other areas of mathematics and data science. It states that, for any convex function defined on a convex domain and any random variable taking values in , . In this paper, sharp upper and lower bounds on , termed ‘graph convex hull bounds’, are derived for arbitrary functions on arbitrary domains , thereby extensively generalizing Jensen's inequality. The derivation of these bounds necessitates the investigation of the convex hull of the graph of , which can be challenging for complex functions. On the other hand, once these inequalities are established, they hold, just like Jensen's inequality, for any ‐valued random variable . Therefore, these bounds are of particular interest in cases where is relatively simple and is complicated or unknown. Both finite‐ and infinite‐dimensional domains and codomains of are covered as well as analogous bounds for conditional expectations and Markov operators.
Targeted in vitro- confirmation of the antiviral activity of Tenvir (Tenofovir) drug against the SARS-COV-2 virus variant B. in Kazakhstan and identifying NSP12 in the viral genome
Authors: Khaidarov S. , Burashev Y. , Kozhabergenov N. , Usserbayev B. , Melisbek A. , Shirinbekov M. , Moldakaryzova A. , Beisenova A. , Mustafaeva A. , Kydyrbaeva A. 
Published: July 2024

COVID-19 became a true medication target worldwide due to its pandemic scale in 2020. Viral infections are generally hard to cope with, especially, if the viral load and spreading speed seriously surpass the immune reaction, both innate and adaptive. Thus, only relatively few drugs were used clinically to stop either in the early stages of viral reproduction like with the help of Tenvir (Tenofovir) or vaccination to gain collective immunity in a particular population. None of the interferon-based drugs showed clear medical effects in medical trials and during pandemic hospitalization protocols. However, purine-analogs like Tenvir and others showed sustainable survival and recovery rates among SARS-COV-2 virus-infected patients at moderate and severe stages of pneumonia caused by this virus. This article reveals the invitro testing of the Tenvir drug on virus strain, Variant B.1.1, Sampled from Kazakhstan and molecular-genetic characterization of NSP12 (non-structural protein 12) located in ORF1b region of the SARS-COV 2 genome. Tenvir or tenofovir was broadly used against HIV infection and this study shows a sufficient effect on viral spread due to RdRP-inhibiting properties in-vitro.
Complete genomes of two
Variovorax
endophytes isolated from surface-sterilized alfalfa nodules
Authors: Hirsch Ann M. , Humm Ethan , Rubbi Mila , del Vecchio Giorgia , Ha Sung Min , Pellegrini Matteo , Gunsalus Robert P. 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT

Variovorax
species catabolize a wide range of natural and industrial products and have been shown to be integral rhizosphere inhabitants. Here, we report the complete genomes of
V. paradoxus
2u118 and
V
. sp. SPNA7, which were isolated from alfalfa root nodules and possess plant growth-promoting properties.
Genome drafts of
Pseudogracilibacillus
spp. from soil and sediment of Mount Makiling, a dormant volcano in the Philippines
Authors: Tan Gana Noel H. , Ruz Cernan P. , Alcantara Edwin P. , Diaz Maria Genaleen Q. , Marfori Eufrocinio C. , Villegas Lucille C. , Creencia Armi R. , Arguelles Eldrin D. L. R. , Tan Gana Neil H. , Monsalud Rosario G. , Opulencia Rina B. 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT

We present the draft whole-genome sequences of
Pseudogracilibacillus
spp. isolated from the soils and sediments of Sipit Creek located at Mount Makiling, a dormant volcano in the southern part of Luzon Island, Philippines. This P
seudogracilibacillus
spp. genome report extends the body of knowledge on a lesser-known genus of Bacillaceae.
Draft genome sequence of bacterium
Bacillus proteolyticus
strain IMGN4 from soil
Authors: Kim Yeongjun , Lee Sangmin , Kim Eunjeong , Han Jeong A. , Kim Eun Yu , Lee Ho-Seok 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT

Here, we present the draft genome of
Bacillus proteolyticus
IMGN4, the gram-positive, soil-dwelling bacterium discovered in mountain Maemi, Republic of Korea in May 2019. The assembly resulted in 7 contigs, comprising a total of 6,063,502 base pairs and have 6,115 coding sequences.
Peculiarities of the Interstellar Dust Distribution in the Heliosphere Induced by the Time-Dependent Magnetic Field
Authors: Godenko E. A. , Izmodenov V. V. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractInterstellar dust enters the heliosphere due to the relative motion of the Sun and the Local Interstellar Cloud, which contains the Sun. The dynamics of interstellar dust particles is governed mainly by the electromagnetic force. The direction of this force depends on the polarity of the heliospheric magnetic field. In turn, polarity is a function of position and time and depends on the orientation of the solar magnetic dipole axis relative to the solar rotation axis. Previously it was shown that for the case when the magnetic dipole axis coincides with the solar rotation axis, the electromagnetic force acting on dust particles is directed towards the solar equatorial plane in both the northern and southern solar hemispheres. As a result, under the influence of such a force, the distribution of interstellar dust becomes highly inhomogeneous and, in particular, thin regions of increased number density (caustics) are formed. The goal of this work is to study the nature of caustics for a more realistic time-dependent model, when it is assumed that the magnetic dipole axis rotates relative to the solar rotation axis with a period of 22 years in accordance with the 22-year solar cycle. In addition, the magnetic dipole axis rotates due to the rotation of the Sun with a period of 25 days. To calculate the dust number density, the Lagrangian Osiptsov method is used. The shape and evolution of the resulting caustics are examined and the physical mechanisms of their origin are discussed. It is shown that, when taking into account time-dependent effects, caustics appear only in certain phases of the 22-year solar cycle, and then disappear.
Thrombus age does not differentiate between cardiogenic and atherosclerotic strokes
Authors: Schwarze Jens Jürgen , Schumann Sophie , Brandt Silvio , Dirsch Olaf , Rosengarten Bernhard 
Published: July 2024

ObjectiveInterventional stroke therapy made thrombi available for histological analysis. Unfortunately, simple composition aspects such as erythrocyte versus fibrin/platelet rich did not allow a feasible allocation to thrombi’s cardiac or carotid origin. Since the mentioned criteria represent characteristics of thrombus age, we used established histological criteria for determining thrombus age in patients who had an atherosclerotic (TOAST (Trial of Org 10172 in Acute stroke Treatment) 1) stroke versus patients who had a cardioembolic (TOAST 2) stroke.MethodsWe assessed prospectively data from stroke patients presenting with occlusion of the middle cerebral artery eligible for catheter-based intervention. Besides patient characteristics and stroke workup, extracted thrombi were classified into different age categories according to their cellular to fibrotic transition. Thrombi were collected in an erythrocyte lysing solution to reduce acute clotting effects. Statistics were done with a non-parametric Kolmogorov-Smirnov test.Results170 patients were included, of which 50 (38 men; 73±12 years) had a TOAST 1 and 99 (59 women; 75±10 years) had a TOAST 2 categorised stroke. Age, National Institutes of Health Stroke Score (13±7 vs 15±7), Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (9±3 vs 9±2), Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction Score (2.9±0.2 vs 2.9±0.3), modified Rankin Score on discharge (3.2±2 vs 3.2±2), number of vascular risk factors (0.9±1.4 vs 1.0±1.1) or time span between symptom onset to reperfusion (266±115 vs 260±128 min) remained non-significant. Also, thrombus age did not differ between the groups. The mean age of thrombi was 5–8 days. However, the male–female ratio differed significantly (p<0.0005) between groups, with more men in TOAST 1 group and more women in TOAST 2 group.ConclusionAge aspects of thrombi seem not feasible to allow reliable source allocation. However, the young age of thrombi points to a rapid detachment. The difference in sex relation is in line with previous reports.