bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes in Hip Isometric Strength of Female College Soccer Players After High-Workload Training Session
Authors: Furtado Mesa Maxine , Stout Jeffrey R. , Mangum L. Colby , Beyer Kyle S. , Redd Michael J. , Fukuda David H. 
Published: July 2024

Context: The hip adductor and abductor muscles play vital roles as stabilizers in the lower-extremity. Their activation during soccer-specific actions is essential, but local muscular fatigue can hinder athletic performance and increase the risk of injury. Design: This study aimed to observe the variations in frontal plane hip strength in female college soccer players before and after a high-workload soccer-specific training session. Furthermore, the study sought to compare the relative changes in hip strength with the internal and external load measures obtained during that session. Methods: Twenty female college soccer players participated in a retrospective observational study. Isometric hip adductor and abductor strength were measured before and after a training session in the college spring season. Measurements were taken with a handheld dynamometer (MicroFET 2) while the players were supine. Global positioning system sensors (Catapult Vector S7), commonly worn by players during training sessions and competitive matches, were used to measure external and internal loads. Statistical analyses were performed using paired samples t test to assess hip adductor and abductor strength changes before and after the training session. Spearman rank was used to identify correlation coefficients between global positioning system data and isometric hip strength. Results: The findings revealed significant decreases in the strength of the right hip adduction (P = .012, −7% relative change), right abduction (P = .009, −7.6% relative change), and left abduction (P = .016, −4.9% relative change) after the training session. Furthermore, relative decreases in hip isometric adduction and abduction strength are related to the distance covered at high speeds. Conclusion: The results of this study highlight that hip isometric adduction and abduction strength tend to decrease after exposure to high workloads during soccer-specific training.
A longitudinal study on the bacterial quality of baby spinach cultivated in Arizona and California
Authors: Sunil Sriya , Walsky Tamara , Henry Mikayla , Kemmerling Leonie , Pajor Magdalena , Guo Xiaodong , Murphy Sarah I. , Ivanek Renata , Wiedmann Martin 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT

In the U.S., baby spinach is mostly produced in Arizona (AZ) and California (CA). Characterizing the impact of growing region on the bacterial quality of baby spinach can inform quality management practices in industry. Between December 2021 and December 2022, baby spinach was sampled after harvest and packaging for microbiological testing, including shelf-life testing of packaged samples that were stored at 4°C. Samples were tested to (i) determine bacterial concentration, and (ii) obtain and identify bacterial isolates. Packaged samples from the Salinas, CA, area (
n
= 13), compared to those from the Yuma, AZ, area (
n
= 9), had a significantly higher bacterial concentration, on average, by 0.78 log
10
CFU/g (
P
< 0.01, based on aerobic, mesophilic plate count data) or 0.67 log
10
CFU/g (
P
< 0.01, based on psychrotolerant plate count data); the bacterial concentrations of harvest samples from the Yuma and Salinas areas were not significantly different. Our data also support that an increase in preharvest temperature is significantly associated with an increase in the bacterial concentration on harvested and packaged spinach. A Fisher’s exact test and linear discriminant analysis (effect size), respectively, demonstrated that (i) the genera of 2,186 bacterial isolates were associated (
P
< 0.01) with growing region and (ii)
Pseudomonas
spp. and
Exiguobacterium
spp. were enriched in spinach from the Yuma and Salinas areas, respectively. Our findings provide preliminary evidence that growing region and preharvest temperature may impact the bacterial quality of spinach and thus could inform more targeted strategies to manage produce quality.

IMPORTANCE
In the U.S., most spinach is produced in Arizona (AZ) and California (CA) seasonally; typically, spinach is cultivated in the Yuma, AZ, area during the winter and in the Salinas, CA, area during the summer. As the bacterial quality of baby spinach can influence consumer acceptance of the product, it is important to assess whether the bacterial quality of baby spinach can vary between spinach-growing regions. The findings of this study provide insights that could be used to support region-specific quality management strategies for baby spinach. Our results also highlight the value of further evaluating the impact of growing region and preharvest temperature on the bacterial quality of different produce commodities.
Intestinal biofilms: pathophysiological relevance, host defense, and therapeutic opportunities
Authors: Jandl Bernhard , Dighe Satish , Gasche Christoph , Makristathis Athanasios , Muttenthaler Markus 
Published: July 2024

SUMMARY
The human intestinal tract harbors a profound variety of microorganisms that live in symbiosis with the host and each other. It is a complex and highly dynamic environment whose homeostasis directly relates to human health. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota and polymicrobial biofilms have been associated with gastrointestinal diseases, including irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases, and colorectal cancers. This review covers the molecular composition and organization of intestinal biofilms, mechanistic aspects of biofilm signaling networks for bacterial communication and behavior, and synergistic effects in polymicrobial biofilms. It further describes the clinical relevance and diseases associated with gut biofilms, the role of biofilms in antimicrobial resistance, and the intestinal host defense system and therapeutic strategies counteracting biofilms. Taken together, this review summarizes the latest knowledge and research on intestinal biofilms and their role in gut disorders and provides directions toward the development of biofilm-specific treatments.
The role of
Listeria monocytogenes
PstA in β-lactam resistance requires the cytochrome
bd
oxidase activity
Authors: Tu Zepeng , Stevenson David M. , McCaslin Darrel , Amador-Noguez Daniel , Huynh TuAnh N. 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT

c-di-AMP is an essential second messenger that binds and regulates several proteins of different functions within bacterial cells. Among those, PstA is a structurally conserved c-di-AMP-binding protein, but its function is largely unknown. PstA is structurally similar to PII signal transduction proteins, although it specifically binds c-di-AMP rather than other PII ligands such as ATP and α-ketoglutarate. In
Listeria monocytogenes
, we found that PstA increases β-lactam susceptibility at normal and low c-di-AMP levels, but increases β-lactam resistance upon c-di-AMP accumulation. Examining a PstA mutant defective for c-di-AMP binding, we found the apo form of PstA to be toxic for β-lactam resistance, and the c-di-AMP-bound form to be beneficial. Intriguingly, a role for PstA in β-lactam resistance is only prominent in aerobic cultures, and largely diminished under hypoxic conditions, suggesting that PstA function is linked to aerobic metabolism. However, PstA does not control aerobic growth rate, and has a modest influence on the tricarboxylic acid cycle and membrane potential—an indicator of cellular respiration. The regulatory role of PstA in β-lactam resistance is unrelated to reactive oxygen species or oxidative stress. Interestingly, during aerobic growth, PstA function requires the cytochrome
bd
oxidase (CydAB), a component of the respiratory electron transport chain. The requirement for CydAB might be related to its function in maintaining a membrane potential, or redox stress response activities. Altogether, we propose a model in which apo-PstA diminishes β-lactam resistance by interacting with an effector protein, and this activity can be countered by c-di-AMP binding or a by-product of redox stress.

IMPORTANCE
PstA is a structurally conserved c-di-AMP-binding protein that is broadly present among Firmicutes bacteria. Furthermore, PstA binds c-di-AMP at high affinity and specificity, indicating an important role in the c-di-AMP signaling network. However, the molecular function of PstA remains elusive. Our findings reveal contrasting roles of PstA in β-lactam resistance depending on c-di-AMP-binding status. We also define physiological conditions for PstA function during aerobic growth. Future efforts can exploit these conditions to identify PstA interaction partners under β-lactam stress.
Pharmacological interventions for preventing upper gastrointestinal bleeding in people admitted to intensive care units: a network meta-analysis
Authors: Toews Ingrid , Hussain Salman , Nyirenda John L Z , Willis Maria A , Kantorová Lucia , Slezáková Simona , Boltena Minyahil Tadesse , Peter John Victor , Fontes Luis Eduardo Santos , Klugar Miloslav , Sadeghirad Behnam , Meerpohl Joerg J 
Published: July 2024

ObjectivesTo assess the efficacy and safety of pharmacological interventions for preventing upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in people admitted to intensive care units (ICUs).Design and settingSystematic review and frequentist network meta-analysis using standard methodological procedures as recommended by Cochrane for screening of records, data extraction and analysis. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to assess the certainty of evidence.ParticipantsRandomised controlled trials involving patients admitted to ICUs for longer than 24 hours were included.Search methodsThe Cochrane Gut Specialised Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase and Latin American and Caribbean Health Science Information database (LILACS) databases were searched from August 2017 to March 2022. The search in MEDLINE was updated in April 2023. We also searched ClinicalTrials.gov and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (WHO ICTRP).Main outcome measuresThe primary outcome was the prevention of clinically important upper GI bleeding.ResultsWe included 123 studies with 46 996 participants. Cimetidine (relative risk (RR) 0.56, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.77, moderate certainty), ranitidine (RR 0.54, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.76, moderate certainty), antacids (RR 0.48, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.68, moderate certainty), sucralfate (RR 0.54, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.75, moderate certainty) and a combination of ranitidine and antacids (RR 0.13, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.62, moderate certainty) are likely effective in preventing upper GI bleeding.The effect of any intervention on the prevention of nosocomial pneumonia, all-cause mortality in the ICU or the hospital, duration of the stay in the ICU, duration of intubation and (serious) adverse events remains unclear.ConclusionsSeveral interventions seem effective in preventing clinically important upper GI bleeding while there is limited evidence for other outcomes. Patient-relevant benefits and harms need to be assessed under consideration of the patients’ underlying conditions.
Geographical targeting of active case finding for tuberculosis in Pakistan using hotspots identified by artificial intelligence software (SPOT-TB): study protocol for a pragmatic stepped wedge cluster randomised control trial
Authors: Zaidi Syed Mohammad Asad , Mahfooz Amna , Latif Abdullah , Nawaz Nainan , Fatima Razia , Rehman Fazal Ur , Reza Tahira Ezra , Emmanuel Faran 
Published: July 2024

IntroductionPakistan has significantly strengthened its capacity for active case finding (ACF) for tuberculosis (TB) that is being implemented at scale in the country. However, yields of ACF have been lower than expected, raising concerns on its effectiveness in the programmatic setting. Distribution of TB in communities is likely to be spatially heterogeneous and targeting of ACF in areas with higher TB prevalence may help improve yields. The primary aim of SPOT-TB is to investigate whether a policy change to use a geographically targeted approach towards ACF supported by an artificial intelligence (AI) software, MATCH-AI, can improve yields in Pakistan.Methods and analysisSPOT-TB will use a pragmatic, stepped wedge cluster randomised design. A total of 30 mobile X-ray units and their field teams will be randomised to receive the intervention. Site selection for ACF in the intervention areas will be guided primarily through the use of MATCH-AI software that models subdistrict TB prevalence and identifies potential disease hotspots. Control areas will use existing approaches towards site selection that are based on staff knowledge, experience and analysis of historical data. The primary outcome measure is the difference in bacteriologically confirmed incident TB detected in the intervention relative to control areas. All remaining ACF-related procedures and algorithms will remain unaffected by this trial.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been obtained from the Health Services Academy, Islamabad, Pakistan (7–82/IERC-HSA/2022–52) and from the Common Management Unit for TB, HIV and Malaria, Ministry of Health Services, Regulation and Coordination, Islamabad, Pakistan (26-IRB-CMU-2023). Findings from this study will be disseminated through publications in peer-reviewed journals and stakeholder meetings in Pakistan with the implementing partners and public-sector officials. Findings will also be presented at local and international medical and public health conferences.Trial registration numberNCT06017843.
Outcome clusters and their stability over 1 year in patients with SLE: self-reported and performance-based cognitive function, disease activity, mood and health-related quality of life
Authors: Gupta Ambika , Johnson Sindhu , Barraclough Michelle , Su Jiandong , Bingham Kathleen , Knight Andrea M , Diaz Martinez Juan Pablo , Kakvan Mahta , Tartaglia Maria Carmela , Ruttan Lesley , Marzouk Sherief , Wither Joan , Choi May , Bonilla Dennisse , Appenzeller Simone , Beaton Dorcas , Katz Patricia , Green Robin , Touma Zahi 
Published: July 2024

ObjectiveTo determine if self-reported fatigue, anxiety, depression, cognitive difficulties, health-related quality of life, disease activity scores and neuropsychological battery (NB) cluster into distinct groups in patients with SLE based on symptom intensity and if they change at 1-year follow-up.MethodsThis is a retrospective analysis of consecutive consenting patients, followed at a single centre. Patients completed a comprehensive NB, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Fatigue Severity Scale, Short-Form Health Survey Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary scores and the Perceived Deficits Questionnaire. Disease activity was assessed by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000. Ward’s method was used for clustering and principal component analysis was used to visualise the number of clusters. Stability at 1 year was assessed with kappa statistic.ResultsAmong 142 patients, three clusters were found:cluster 1had mild symptom intensity,cluster 2had moderate symptom intensity andcluster 3had severe symptom intensity. At 1-year follow-up, 49% of patients remained in their baseline cluster. The mild cluster had the highest stability (77% of patients stayed in the same cluster), followed by the severe cluster (51%), and moderate cluster had the lowest stability (3%). A minority of patients from mild cluster moved to severe cluster (19%). In severe cluster, a larger number moved to moderate cluster (40%) and fewer to mild cluster (9%).ConclusionThree distinct clusters of symptom intensity were documented in patients with SLE in association with cognitive function. There was a lower tendency for patients in the mild and severe clusters to move but not moderate cluster over the course of a year. This may demonstrate an opportunity for intervention to have moderate cluster patients move to mild cluster instead of moving to severe cluster. Further studies are necessary to assess factors that affect movement into moderate cluster.
Real-world effectiveness of belimumab in patients with lupus in China: RELIABLE observational cohort study protocol
Authors: Fan Liya , Tang Zhiliu , He Xin , He Xintong , Zhang Zhuoli , Juliao Patricia 
Published: July 2024

IntroductionThe efficacy of belimumab in SLE has been demonstrated in randomised clinical trials, and its real-world effectiveness has been shown in studies in several countries. While belimumab was approved for treating SLE in China in 2019, data on its benefit in clinical practice are limited. This study will evaluate belimumab’s effectiveness in China, using practical clinical measures, such as Lupus Low Disease Activity State (LLDAS), to add to the body of real-world evidence.Methods and analysisThe Real-world Effectiveness of beLImumAB in patients with systemic Lupus Erythematosus in China (RELIABLE) is an ambidirectional, observational descriptive cohort study across approximately 15 centres in China. Adults with SLE newly initiating belimumab with ≥1 measure of all five LLDAS components (SLE Disease Activity Index-2000; no new lupus disease activity; Physician Global Assessment; prednisolone-equivalent dose; immunosuppressants/biologics use) in the 3 months preceding belimumab initiation (index date) will be eligible and retrospectively and/or prospectively enrolled, depending on data availability. The retrospective follow-up will be ≤6 months, and retrospective and prospective patients will have a maximum 24-month follow-up. The primary objectives will be to describe the proportion of patients achieving LLDAS at 12 and 24 months post-index. The key secondary objective will be to describe the proportion of patients achieving LLDAS and each component at 3, 6, 9 and 18 months post-index. All data will be analysed descriptively; a statistical estimand will be applied to account for intercurrent events expected in a real-world setting.Ethics and disseminationThis study will comply with all applicable laws regarding patient privacy; institutional review board approval will be obtained before the study commencement.ConclusionsThis study will evaluate belimumab’s effectiveness in patients with SLE initiating belimumab in clinical practice in China. Using LLDAS will provide clinicians with valuable insights into the impact of belimumab on the treat-to-target strategy with a relevant measure that can be repeated across the clinical practice.
Japanese millet: effects of seeding rate and harvest stage on forage yields
Authors: Seguin Philippe 
Published: July 2024

Japanese millet ( Echinochloa esculenta (A. Braun) H. Scholz) is an annual warm-season grass species that can be used as emergency forage source. An experiment was conducted for 2 years in southwestern Quebec to determine the effects of seeding rate and developmental stage at harvest on forage yields. Seeding rates (15–30 kg ha−1) had no effect on yields; in contrast, response to harvest stage differed depending on the year but yields were always maximized with one harvest at heading stage (6569 kg dry matter (DM) ha−1) and lowest with two harvests at a vegetative stage (3166 kg DM ha−1).
On a nonhomogeneous heat equation on the complex plane
Authors: Son Duong Ngoc , Thuy Tran Van , Xuan Pham Truong 
Published: July 2024

In this paper, we investigate the existence, uniqueness, and asymptotic behaviors of mild solutions of parabolic evolution equations on complex plane, in which the diffusion operator has the form [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text], the function [Formula: see text] is smooth and subharmonic on [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] is the formal adjoint of [Formula: see text]. Our method combines certain estimates of heat kernel associating with the homogeneous linear equation of Raich [Heat equations in [Formula: see text], J. Funct. Anal. 240(1) (2006) 1–35] and a fixed point argument.
Critical points of modular forms
Authors: van Ittersum Jan-Willem , Ringeling Berend 
Published: July 2024

We count the number of critical points of a modular form with real Fourier coefficients in a [Formula: see text]-translate of the standard fundamental domain [Formula: see text] (with [Formula: see text]). Whereas by the valence formula the (weighted) number of zeros of this modular form in [Formula: see text] is a constant only depending on its weight, we give a closed formula for this number of critical points in terms of those zeros of the modular form lying on the boundary of [Formula: see text], the value of [Formula: see text] and the weight. More generally, we indicate what can be said about the number of zeros of a quasimodular form.
Code-Aware Prompting: A Study of Coverage-Guided Test Generation in Regression Setting using LLM
Authors: Ryan Gabriel , Jain Siddhartha , Shang Mingyue , Wang Shiqi , Ma Xiaofei , Ramanathan Murali Krishna , Ray Baishakhi 
Published: July 2024

Testing plays a pivotal role in ensuring software quality, yet conventional Search Based Software Testing (SBST) methods often struggle with complex software units, achieving suboptimal test coverage. Recent work using large language models (LLMs) for test generation have focused on improving generation quality through optimizing the test generation context and correcting errors in model outputs, but use fixed prompting strategies that prompt the model to generate tests without additional guidance. As a result LLM-generated testsuites still suffer from low coverage.
In this paper, we present SymPrompt, a code-aware prompting strategy for LLMs in test generation. SymPrompt’s approach is based on recent work that demonstrates LLMs can solve more complex logical problems when prompted to reason about the problem in a multi-step fashion. We apply this methodology to test generation by deconstructing the testsuite generation process into a multi-stage sequence, each of which is driven by a specific prompt aligned with the execution paths of the method under test, and exposing relevant type and dependency focal context to the model. Our approach enables pretrained LLMs to generate more complete test cases without any additional training. We implement SymPrompt using the TreeSitter parsing framework and evaluate on a benchmark challenging methods from open source Python projects. SymPrompt enhances correct test generations by a factor of 5 and bolsters relative coverage by 26% for CodeGen2. Notably, when applied to GPT-4, SymPrompt improves coverage by over 2x compared to baseline prompting strategies.