bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reduced leaf numbers due to shade avoidance allows sugar beet to maintain biomass under drought stress
Authors: Ballenger Joe , Adjesiwor Albert T. , Ewers Brent , Weinig Cynthia , Kniss Andrew R. 
Published: July 2024

SUMMARYThe physical environment is complex even in managed agroecosystems, and plants often experience multiple stressors such as light competition and drought simultaneously. Phenotypic responses to multiple stressors may exhibit tradeoffs or constraints, such that harvestable yield is reduced In this study, we investigate how sugar beets respond to combinations of neighbor presence, resource competition, and water stress, and test the hypothesis that shade avoidance cues from neighboring vegetation may cause yield loss similar to, or even greater than, resource depletion by neighboring vegetation. Sugar beets were grown in 19L pails surrounded by Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratiensis). Competition treatments included “shade avoidance only” whereB. vulgarisleaves were exposed to reflected light from neighbors without shading or root competition, “shade avoidance plus root interaction” where crop and competitor roots interacted, and “no competition” as a control. Sugar beets in each competition treatment were subjected to 3 levels of irrigation: 100% of estimated evapotranspiration (ET), 80% ET and 60% ET. When grown without drought stress (100% ET), the shade avoidance treatment had 16% less root biomass compared to the no competition control (P = 0.007); however, under the most severe drought treatment (60% ET) root biomass was similar between the shade avoidance and no competition treatments (P = 0.48). Under 60% ET, plants in the shade avoidance only treatment produced 15% fewer leaves (P < 0.001) but 14% greater leaf area (P = 0.049) compared to the no competition control. The reduced number of leaves produced due to shade avoidance resulted in less structural tissue to be maintained under drought stress, and thus provides a potential benefit to ‘shade avoidance’ responses that are not directly related to avoiding shade.
Deep mutational scanning reveals sequence to function constraints for SWEET family transporters
Authors: Narayanan Krishna K. , Weigle Austin T. , Xu Lingyun , Mi Xuenan , Zhang Chen , Chen Li-Qing , Procko Erik , Shukla Diwakar 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACTProtein science is entering a transformative phase enabled by deep mutational scans that provide an unbiased view of the residue level interactions that mediate function. However, it has yet to be extensively used to characterize the mutational and evolutionary landscapes of plant proteins. Here, we apply the method to explore sequence-function relationships within the sugar transporter AtSWEET13. DMS results describe how mutational interrogation throughout different regions of the protein affects AtSWEET13 abundance and transport function. Our results identify novel transport-enhancing mutations that are validated using the FRET sensor assays. Extending DMS results to phylogenetic analyses reveal the role of transmembrane helix 4 (TM4) which makes the SWEET family transporters distinct from prokaryotic SemiSWEETs. We show that transmembrane helix 4 is intolerant to motif swapping with other clade-specific SWEET TM4 compositions, despite accommodating single point-mutations towards aromatic and charged polar amino acids. We further show that the transfer learning approaches based on physics and ML basedIn silicovariant prediction tools have limited utility for engineering plant proteins as they were unable to reproduce our experimental results. We conclude that DMS can produce datasets which, when combined with the right predictive computational frameworks, can direct plant engineering efforts through derivative phenotype selection and evolutionary insights.
Healthcare Disparities Among Older Adults: Exploring Social Determinants of Health and Cognition Levels
Authors: Rahemi Zahra , Bacsu Juanita-Dawne R. , Shalhout Sophia Z. , Sadafipoor Maryam S. , Smith Matthew Lee , Adams Swann Arp 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe purpose was to investigate the impact of sociodemographic factors on healthcare utilization among adults with different cognition levels (normal and impairment/dementia).MethodsWe used cross-sectional data from the Health and Retirement Study (N=17,698) to assess healthcare utilization: hospital stay, nursing home stay, hospice care, and doctor visits.ResultsA cohort comparison between normal and dementia/impaired cognition groups revealed significant differences. The dementia/impaired group had lower education levels, higher single/widowed status, and more racial and ethnic minorities. They experienced longer hospital and nursing home stays, varied doctor visit frequencies, and had higher mean age, greater loneliness scores, and lower family social support scores. Differences in hospitalization, nursing home, hospice care, and doctor visits were influenced by factors such as race, age, marital status, education, and rurality.ConclusionThere were disparities in healthcare utilization based on participants’ characteristics and cognition levels, especially in terms of race/ethnicity, education, and rural location.
PARP14 mediated SQSTM1/p62 cysteine ADP-ribosylation is counteracted by the SARS-CoV-2 macrodomain
Authors: Kubon David , Leslie Pedrioli Deena M. , Hottiger Michael O. 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACTSeveral ADP-ribosyltransferases are upregulated during viral infections and are crucial for the cellular immune response. While interferon-induced PARP14 ADP-ribosylates various substrates, viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 counteract this by reversing ADP-ribosylation. The exact mechanism of PARP14’s antiviral activity and the targets of viral macrodomains remain unknown. Here, we observe that PARP14 mono-ADP-ribosylates the selective autophagy adaptor SQSTM1/p62 at cysteine residues 113, 289/90, and 331 following interferon treatment. This correlates with the ADP-ribosylation of cytoplasmic p62 foci that colocalize with ubiquitin and PARP14 but not with LC3, thereby distinguishing them from classical autophagosomes. Moreover, the SARS-CoV-2 macrodomain effectively prevented this p62 modification, suggesting an antiviral function for this ADP-ribosylated target. Furthermore, our results indicate that TRIM21 prevents the autophagic degradation of ADP-ribosylated p62, suggesting that the identified p62 foci may have autophagy-independent roles. This study contributes to our understanding of the molecular dynamics involved in host-virus interactions and highlights the potential role of ADP-ribosylation in the regulation of innate immunity.
Awake prone positioning effectiveness in moderate to severe COVID-19 a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Phong Nguyen Thanh , Duc Du Hong , Hai Ho Bich , Nguyen Thanh Nguyen , Khoa Le Dinh Van , Khanh Le Thuy Thuy , Tran Luu Hoai Bao , Linh Nguyen Thi My , Van Cao Thi Cam , Thao Dang Phuong , Trinh Nguyen Thi Diem , Kieu Pham Tieu , Truong Nguyen Thanh , Hoang Vo Tan , Ngoc Nguyen Thanh , Vien Tran Thi Dong , Ly Vo Trieu , Khoa Tran Dang , Beane Abigail , Anibal James ,   Oucru Covid Reseach Group, Thwaites Guy E , Geskus Ronald B , Clifton David , Dung Nguyen Thi Phuong , Kestelyn Evelyne , Glover Guy , Tan Le Van , Yen Lam Minh , Tung Nguyen Le Nhu , Dung Nguyen Thanh , Thwaites C Louise 
Published: July 2024

AbstractObjectivesWe evaluated the efficacy and acceptability of awake-prone positioning (APP) in a randomised controlled trial, using a dedicated APP implementation team and wearable continuous-monitoring devices to monitor position and oximetry.MethodsThe trial was performed at a tertiary level hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, recruiting adults (≥18 years) hospitalised with moderate or severe COVID-19 and receiving supplemental oxygen therapy via nasal/facemask systems or high-flow nasal canulae. Participants were randomized (1:1) to standard care or APP. The primary outcome was escalation of respiratory support within 28 days of randomisation.ResultsNinety-three patients were enrolled between March 2022 and March 2023; 80 (86%) had received ≥2 doses of SARS-CoV2 vaccine. Significantly greater mean daily APP times were achieved in those allocated to APP, although most did not achieve the target 8 hours/day. We did not detect significant differences in the primary outcome (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.40-1.78, p=0.67) or secondary outcomes, including intubation rate and 28-day mortality. Particpants reported prone positioning was comfortable, although almost all preferred supine positioning. No adverse events associated with the intervention were reported.ConclusionsAPP was not associated with benefit, but was safe. Continuous monitoring with wearable devices was feasible and acceptable to patients.Clinical Trials RegistrationNCT05083130FundingWellcome Trust Grant 089276/B/09/7, 217650/Z/19/Z and FDCO/Wellcome Trust 225437/Z/22/Z
Women’s Health And Manifestos (WHAM): UK General Election 2024, a rapid voter information study
Authors: Mullins E , Womersley K , Abdi Fardowsa , Donovan-Bradley Celestine , Ekechi Christine , Hazard Leah , Hirst Jane , Nana Melanie , Perry Alison , Pinho-Gomes Ana-Catarina , Ripullone Katherine , Williams Stephanie 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe UK 2024 general election manifestos publicly set out the political parties’ priorities for the eventuality that they are voted into government. We determined to evaluate whether already agreed, evidenced and promoted issues affecting women’s health in the UK had been included in the major parties’ manifestos.MethodsWe curated a longlist of priorities and recommendations drawn from major women’s health reports, white papers, national inquiries and health strategies published in the UK over the last 10 years which are publicly available and invited our public contributors to suggest additional topics. We selected the shortlist of women’s health-related priorities – our top 15 ‘asks’ –using a Delphi process. We then devised a scoring system whereby manifestos were marked against the 15 priorities with a maximum of 2 points for each priority. We tested inter-rater reliability on the 2019 Manifesto.ResultsOverall, the limited inclusion of prominent issues for women’s health in party manifestos was disappointing across the board. There was little difference between most major parties’ coverage of women’s health in their manifestos. All were limited. Most parties addressed two issues well: childcare and women returning to work after pregnancy; and violence against women and girls and the prosecution of perpetrators.Several other issues, including assurance that all policy is built in consultation with women; decriminalisation and access to abortion; and women’s health hubs for reproductive, menopause and lifelong health, were considered by none or only one of the major parties.DiscussionWomen’s health remains a fringe issue in UK politics, despite the efforts of patients, advocates and healthcare professionals to highlight the suffering that many women live with every day, and at particularly vulnerable and high risk periods of their life such as in pregnancy and the postpartum.Our analysis highlights the importance of developing previous efforts in women’s health to strengthen existing infrastructure, collaboration and innovation. The next government should build on the work in progress, such as delivering the Women’s Health Strategy (2022) rather than starting afresh.
Knot Guilty? An Examination of Testicular Torsion Litigation Trends from 2014 to 2022
Authors: Menshawey Rahma , Menshawey Esraa 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundTesticular torsion is a true urological emergency that occurs when the testes twists around the spermatic cord, cutting off its blood supply. The failure to diagnose testicular torsion is a common medicolegal pitfall due to the uncertainty and urgency of the diagnosis and the potential for testicular loss. In this study, we examined the current medicolegal cases that involved testicular torsion using the LexisNexis database for all cases from 2014 to 2022, using the search terms “testicular torsion” and “medical malpractice”. Our final examination included a total of 20 cases.ResultsTrends reveal that Emergency doctors and urologists are the most commonly named defendants. Adults and incarcerated persons are common plaintiffs. The average time from presentation to diagnosis of testicular torsion was 8 ±13 days. The right testicle was the most commonly implicated, and a misdiagnosis was a commonly cited. The average time from testicular torsion diagnosis to filing a case was 4.35 years.ConclusionsTrends reaffirm that testicular torsion remains a high risk of litigation diagnosis, and continued training and education may be needed to remedy the medicolegal pitfalls for this emergency condition.
Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of smoking behavior with central arterial hemodynamic measures: The Framingham Heart Study
Authors: Cooper Leroy L. , Majid Sana , Wang Na , Fetterman Jessica L. , Palmisano Joseph N. , Benjamin Emelia J. , Vasan Ramachandran S. , Mitchell Gary F. , Hamburg Naomi M. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundCigarette smoking is a leading modifiable cardiovascular disease risk factor. Cross-sectional studies demonstrated variable relations of smoking behavior with measures of vascular function. Additionally, the impact of persistent versus changes in smoking behaviors on alterations in central arterial function is unclear.Methods and ResultsWe assessed associations of smoking behavior and intensity with measures of central arterial hemodynamics in 6597 participants (51.5% never smoked, 34.8% formerly quit, 4.3% recent quit, and 9.3% currently smoking) of the Framingham Heart Study (N=3606 [55%] women). In cross-sectional models, central vascular measures were different across categories of smoking behavior. For example, augmentation index was higher among participants who formerly quit smoking (least squares mean±standard error=14.1±0.4%;P<0.001) and were currently smoking (18.1±0.5%;P<0.001) compared to participants who never smoked (12.6±0.3%). Among participants who were currently smoking, higher cigarettes per day (estimatedB=1.41; 95% CI, 0.47—2.34;P=0.003) was associated with higher augmentation index. Among participants who had quit smoking, higher pack-years was associated with higher augmentation index (est.B=0.85; 95% CI, 0.60—1.14) and central pulse pressure (est.B=0.84; 95% CI, 0.46—1.21). Using restricted cubic splines, we observed a negative linear association for augmentation index, but a distinct nonlinear association for characteristic impedance and central pulse pressure, with higher time since quit (allP<0.001). In longitudinal models, we observed higher increases in augmentation index among participants who persistently quit (4.62±0.41%;P<0.001) and persistently smoked (5.48±0.70%;P=0.002) compared to participants who persistently never smoked (3.45±0.37%).ConclusionCentral arterial measures are sensitive to smoking status and intensity and changes in smoking behavior. Longer smoking cessation may partially revert central arterial measures to levels comparable to those with lower smoking exposure.
Longitudinal trajectories of muscle impairments in growing boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Vandekerckhove Ines , Hauwe Marleen Van den , Dewit Tijl , Molenberghs Geert , Goemans Nathalie , Waele Liesbeth De , Campenhout Anja Van , Groote Friedl De , Desloovere Kaat 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundInsights into the progression of muscle impairments in growing boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) remains incomplete due to the frequent oversight of normal maturation as confounding factor, thereby restricting the delineation of sole pathological processes.ObjectiveTo establish longitudinal trajectories for a comprehensive integrated set of muscle impairments, including muscle weakness, contractures and muscle size alterations, whilst correcting for normal maturation, in DMD.MethodsThirty-five boys with DMD (aged 4.3-17 years) were included. Fixed dynamometry, goniometry and 3D freehand ultrasound were used to repeatedly asses lower limb muscle strength, passive range of motion (ROM) and muscle size, resulting in 165, 182 and 67 assessments for the strength, ROM and ultrasound dataset, respectively. To account for natural strength development, ROM reduction and muscle growth in growing children, muscle impairments were converted to unit-less z-scores calculated in reference to typically developing (TD) peers. This allows the interpretation of the muscle impairments as deficits or alterations with respect to TD. Mixed-effect models estimated the longitudinal change in muscle impairments.ResultsThe pathological trajectories of most muscle impairments with age followed a similar non-linear, piecewise pattern, characterized by an initial phase of improvement or stability lasting until 6.6-9.5 years, and a subsequent decline after these ages. The muscle strength outcomes and several ROMs showed already initial deficits at young ages. General muscle weakness and plantar flexion contractures exhibited the steepest declines, resulting in large deficits at older ages. The muscle size alterations with age were muscle-specific.ConclusionsThe established longitudinal trajectories of muscle impairments will serve as the basis to enhance understanding of their relationship with the progressive gait pathology in DMD. Our study provides outcome measures, which will be useful for future clinical trials that assess the efficacy of novel therapeutic strategies.
Challenges and benefits associated with educational materials: experiences of the Ghanaian nurse trainees
Authors: Adabre James Agamah , Bam Victoria Bubunyo 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundEducational Materials (EMs) are vital in teaching and learning activities and contribute significantly to the acquisition of knowledge and skills for an enhanced performance. The right educational resources help stimulate, reinforce and make it more impact and beneficial.AIMThis study’s main goal is to identify the learning materials that are used regularly in nursing training schools and analyze the experiences of nurse trainees on their impact on the achievement of academic objectives. And to guide stakeholders in nursing education policy formulation.SETTINGThis study was conducted in four (4) Nursing and Midwifery Training institutions in Ghana.MethodsA descriptive method was used for this study. An online survey was used to collect data from 47 nurse educators and 374 student nurses and analyzed using Stata version 16.0. The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology’s Committee on Human Research, Publication, and Ethics (CHRPE) was consulted for ethical approval.ResultsThe common available EMs were handouts (80.1%), recommended textbooks (55.9%), and smartphones (54.6%). The EMs that were commonly used by students were the handout (58.6%), recommended textbooks (39.6%), and both internet information and PowerPoint slides (18.8%) each. Majority of the students (64.1%) reported that the commonly used EMs made good contributions towards their academic performance and 22.6% indicated that the used EMs made excellent contributions to their academic performance. Example e-books has OR of 0.43 and a p-value of 0.021.ConclusionModern Ems such as reliable internet access, 3D animation videos should be made readily available in schools to greatly help to improve the standards of nursing education and contribute to quality healthcare workforce.ContributionsEducational materials plays a vital role in health trainees’ education, increases nurses knowledge, and output on health care delivery.
Expanding Risks: Medicaid Expansion and Data Security
Authors: Clement Jeffrey , Greenwood Brad N , D’Arcy John , Angst Corey 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 led to the largest expansion of healthcare coverage since the instantiation of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965. Yet, limited attention has been given to the security aftereffects of the statute, specifically the potential for malfeasance in the form of consumer fraud and identity theft resulting from the vast influx of new patient data residing in various and highly dispersed sources. In this work, we fill this gap by exploiting the phased expansion of Medicaid into different states at different times. Using a difference in difference approach, we explore the data security-related aftereffects of the law. Results indicate a significantdecreasein claims of consumer fraud after the expansion of Medicaid, with no robust effect on identity theft. In empirical extensions, we find a material drop in data breaches and compromised records after the expansion of Medicaid. Taken in sum, these findings suggest that the expansion of Medicaid had a consequential effect on the security of consumer data and created significant positive externalities for consumers.
Combined pre-dialysis systolic blood pressure and pulse rate assessment for all-cause and cardiovascular mortalities: A nationwide cohort study on patients undergoing haemodialysis
Authors: Joki Nobuhiko , Toida Tatsunori , Niihata Kakuya , Inanaga Ryohei , Nakata Kenji , Abe Masanori , Hanafusa Norio , Kurita Noriaki 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackground and AimsThe prognostic utility of the combined assessment of pre-haemodialysis systolic blood pressure (SBP) and pulse rate (PR) compared with their individual assessment is unclear. This study aimed to determine whether the combined assessment could enhance the prognostic utility in patients on haemodialysis.MethodsThis nationwide cohort study involved patients undergoing maintenance haemodialysis using the Japanese Renal Data Registry database. Exposure was defined as a combination of SBP and PR. Forty-eight levels of exposure groups were created: SBP (six levels; <100, 100-<120, 120-<140, 140-<160 [reference], 160-<180, and ≥180 mmHg) and PR (eight levels; <50, 50-<60, 60-<70 [reference], 70-<80, 80-<90, 90-<100, 100-<110, and ≥110 per minute). The primary and secondary outcomes were one-year all-cause and cardiovascular mortalities, respectively. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used, and multiplicative interactions were assessed to determine the superiority of the combined model over the individual models. Additive interactions were assessed using relative excess risk due to interactions (RERI).ResultsThe combined model explained mortality and cardiac mortality better than the individual SBP and PR models (P<0.001 andP<0.002, respectively). A lower SBP was associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality regardless of the PR. Most categories of lower SBP or higher PR vs. the 120-<140 mmHg and 70-<80/min category had positive RERIs. Similar findings were also observed for cardiac mortality.ConclusionsThe combined assessment of pre-dialysis SBP and PR may help in the simple stratification of patients with excess risks that cannot be identified by individual SBP or PR assessment.