bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anodal tsDCS restores the structure and function of the disrupted proprioceptive Ia synapses on spinal motoneurons in the SOD1 G93A mouse model of ALS
Authors: Jankowiak T. , Cholewiński M. , Kryściak K. , Krok E. , Grycz K. , Bączyk M. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractAn imbalance between cells’ intrinsic excitability and synaptic excitation levels is the basis of spinal motoneuron (MN) pathophysiology in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Recently, a restoration of the deficient Ia synaptic excitation of spinal MNs was achieved by applying acute trans-spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) to presymptomatic SOD1 G93A mice. Here we investigate whether two-week repeated tsDCS applied to presymptomatic SOD1 animals can provoke spinal MN neuroplasticity and reduce the disease burden. Anodal, cathodal or sham polarisation of 100 µA was applied to P30-P35 SOD1 G93A mice; passive membrane properties and Ia excitatory post-synaptic potential (EPSP) characteristics were investigated by intracellular recordings of spinal MNs in vivo. A second cohort of polarized animals was used to test the impact of our intervention on Ia synapse morphology, MN intracellular metabolic pathways activity, and disease markers. Anodal tsDCS evoked a strong increase in maximal Ia EPSPs, coupled with a significant upregulation of vesicular glutamate transporter levels and GlurR4 subunits of AMPA receptors at the Ia synapse. On the other hand, cathodal polarisation failed to induce any significant alteration to Ia synapse morphology but did increase both peak and plateau input resistance and recovered the abnormal paired-pulse ratio. Unexpectedly, the changes in MN electrophysiological profile and Ia synapse morphology did not translate into alterations of intracellular pathways ctivity and did not decrease the disease burden. Altogether our results indicate a strong polarity-dependent plasticity of spinal MNs in SOD1 G93A mice in response to tsDCS, which nevertheless appears insufficient to alter disease dynamics.Highlights14-days of trans-spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) alters the electrophysiological properties and morphology of Ia proprioceptive synapses on spinal MNs in SOD1 G93A mouse model of ALSAnodal (depolarising) tsDCS increases MN synaptic excitation and restores the postsynaptic elements of the Ia synapseCathodal (hyperpolarising) tsDCS increases MN input resistance but does not impact Ia synapse morphologyBoth anodal and cathodal tsDCS fail to significantly modify the cellular burden of the disease
Heat Shock Factor Regulation of Antimicrobial Peptides Expression Suggests a Conserved Defense Mechanism Induced by Febrile Temperature in Arthropods
Authors: Xiao Bang , Chen Shihan , Wang Yue , Liao Xuzheng , He Jianguo , Li Chaozheng 
Published: August 2024

AbstractTemperature is a critical factor influencing the outbreak and progression of viral diseases in organisms. Febrile temperatures have been shown to enhance immune competence and reduce viral replication in various species. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigate the molecular mechanisms by which elevated temperatures confer resistance to viral infections, focusing on the role of heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) in regulating antimicrobial effectors rather than the traditional target genes molecular chaperones. Using shrimpLitopenaeus vannameias a model, we demonstrate that febrile temperatures induce HSF1, which in turn upregulates antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that target viral envelope proteins and inhibit viral replication. Importantly, this is the first to show that HSF1 directly binds to the heat shock elements (HSE) motifs of AMPs both in shrimp andDrosophila, suggesting this may be a conserved regulatory mechanism in arthropods. Additionally, our findings highlight the role of HSF1 beyond the classical heat shock response, revealing its critical function in modulating innate immunity. These insights provide new avenues for managing viral infections in aquaculture and other settings by leveraging environmental temperature control.
AROMHA Brain Health Test: A Remote Olfactory Assessment as a Screen for Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Jobin Benoît , Magdamo Colin , Delphus Daniela , Runde Andreas , Reineke Sean , Soto Alysa Alejandro , Ergun Beyzanur , Albers Alefiya Dhilla , Albers Mark W. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractCost-effective, noninvasive screening methods for preclinical Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other neurocognitive disorders remain an unmet need. The olfactory neural circuits develop AD pathological changes prior to symptom onset. To probe these vulnerable circuits, we developed the digital remote AROMHA Brain Health Test (ABHT), an at-home odor identification, discrimination, memory, and intensity assessment.The ABHT was self-administered among cognitively normal (CN) English and Spanish speakers (n=127), participants with subjective cognitive complaints (SCC; n=34), and mild cognitive impairment (MCI; n=19). Self-administered tests took place remotely at home under unobserved (among interested CN participants) and observed modalities (CN, SCC, and MCI), as well as in-person with a research assistant present (CN, SCC, and MCI).Olfactory performance was similar across observed and unobserved remote self-administration and between English and Spanish speakers. Odor memory, identification, and discrimination scores decreased with age, and olfactory identification and discrimination were lower in the MCI group compared to CN and SCC groups, independent of age, sex, and education.The ABHT revealed age-related olfactory decline, and discriminated CN older adults from those with cognitive impairment. Replication of our results in other populations would support the use of the ABHT to identify and monitor individuals at risk for developing dementia.
Transforming Childhood Vaccination Rates in Rural Egypt: A Case Study on Results-Based Management in Healthcare Programs
Authors: Shultz Tanya , Gabriel Sandra , Hussein Muhammad , Swint Jennifer , ElBoray Mona , Peter Amanda , Zeinhom Zahra , Abbas Hend , Anwar Samah , Zhang Wei 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThis case study examines the implementation of a results-based management (RBM) approach in a childhood vaccination program across rural Egypt. The project, initiated in 2020, aimed to address the persistently low immunization rates in remote areas by restructuring healthcare delivery and resource allocation.The study details how the RBM framework was applied to set clear, measurable objectives, develop key performance indicators, and establish a robust monitoring and evaluation system. It highlights the innovative use of mobile health technologies for data collection and analysis, enabling real-time adjustments to the program strategy.Over a three-year period, the initiative achieved a remarkable 40% increase in vaccination coverage, significantly reducing the incidence of preventable childhood diseases in the target regions. The case study explores the challenges encountered, including cultural barriers and logistical hurdles, and describes the adaptive management techniques employed to overcome these obstacles.This research provides valuable insights into the effective application of RBM principles in resource-constrained settings, demonstrating how data-driven decision-making and stakeholder engagement can lead to substantial improvements in public health outcomes. The findings offer practical guidelines for healthcare managers and policymakers seeking to enhance the efficiency and impact of their programs in similar contexts.
Novel Amplicons based Method for Near-Full-Length Genome (NFLG) Sequencing of HIV-1 Group M Recombinant Forms
Authors: Moscona Roy , Wagner Tali , Geva Miranda , Bucris Efrat , Erster Oran , Zuckerman Neta S. , Mor Orna 
Published: August 2024

AbstractOver the years the spread of HIV-1 across the globe resulted in the creation of multiple subtypes and new recombinant forms (RFs). While the pol gene region of the HIV-1 genome is used for resistance mutations analysis and initial detection of RFs, whole genome sequencing analysis is required to determine recombination events across the viral genome. Here, we present a novel robust near-full length genome (NFLG) sequencing approach for the sequencing of HIV-1 genomes, out of clinical whole blood samples. This method has been successfully tested for various HIV-1 subtypes and RFs.The method is based on an in-house developed set of 32 pan-genotypic primer pairs, divided into two pools, each containing 16 primer pairs covering the entire HIV-1 genome. Two parallel multiplex PCR reactions were used to generate 32 overlapping DNA fragments spanning the HIV-1 genome. Nextera XT protocol was used to obtain barcoded DNA libraries, which were sequenced with the Illumina Miseq platform using a V3 kit. A consensus sequence was determined for each sample and was used to define recombination events across the genome. For this aim, a combined analysis of several computational tools including HIV BLAST, phylogenetic analysis, RIP, SimPlot++ and jpHMM were employed. Overall, plasma samples from 33 patients suspected to carry RFs and 2 different, known pure subtypes controls, were included in this study. Genome coverage varied between RFs, while the gag and pol genes were nearly fully covered, the highly variable env gene region was not. Yet, these NFLG analyses enabled the identification of recombination events genome wide.In summary, we describe a methodology for HIV-1 NFLG sequencing, which is based on partially overlapping, multiple PCR fragments, spanning the HIV-1 genome. Additionally, this newly refined method was compared to HIV-1 NFLG results of PCR-free metagenomic sequencing and proved to obtain greater coverage of the HXB2 reference genome. Yet, further testing and validation on a larger cohort is required. Still, this method enables sequencing of 20 different patient samples in a single MiSeq sequencing run and was used for the characterization of different HIV-1 RFs and pure subtypes circulating in Israel.
Syncing Strategy and Execution: A Systematic Review of Public Health Preparedness Policy Implementation
Authors: Swint Jennifer , Zhang Wei , Marrison Amanda , Gabriel Sandra 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe gap between public health preparedness and response policies and their practical implementation remains a critical challenge in global health security. This systematic review synthesizes evidence on barriers to effective policy implementation and identifies strategies for bridging this policy- practice gap.MethodsWe systematically searched six electronic databases for peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2023 focusing on the implementation of public health preparedness and response policies. Study quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) and AMSTAR-2.ResultsOf 2,456 initially identified studies, 87 met the inclusion criteria. Studies addressed various public health emergencies, including infectious disease outbreaks (n=41, 47.1%), natural disasters (n=23, 26.4%), and man-made disasters (n=8, 9.2%). Key barriers to policy implementation included organizational factors (76 studies, 87.4%), resource constraints (72 studies, 82.8%), and communication challenges (68 studies, 78.2%). Promising strategies for bridging the gap included adaptive management approaches (38 studies, 43.7%), participatory policy development (35 studies, 40.2%), and integrated information systems (31 studies, 35.6%). Only 23 studies (26.4%) were assessed as high quality, with limited quantitative evidence on strategy effectiveness.ConclusionsWhile several promising strategies for bridging the policy-practice gap have been identified, there is a critical need for more rigorous evaluations of their effectiveness. Future research should focus on organizational reforms, flexible resource allocation, and leveraging emerging technologies to enhance policy implementation in public health preparedness and response.
The Effect of a Post-Bronchodilator FEV1/FVC<0.7 on COPD Diagnosis and Treatment: A Regression Discontinuity Design
Authors: Moffett Alexander T. , Halpern Scott D. , Weissman Gary E. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackgroundGlobal Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines recommend the diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) only in patients with a post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second to forced vital capacity ratio (FEV1/FVC) less than 0.7. However the impact of this recommendation on clinical practice is unknown.Research QuestionWhat is the effect of a documented post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC<0.7 on the diagnosis and treatment of COPD?Study Design and MethodsWe used a national electronic health record database to identify clinical encounters between 2007 to 2022 with patients 18 years of age and older in which a post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC value was documented. An encounter was associated with a COPD diagnosis if a diagnostic code for COPD was assigned, and was associated with COPD treatment if a prescription for a medication commonly used to treat COPD was filled within 90 days. We used a regression discontinuity design to measure the effect of a post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC<0.7 on COPD diagnosis and treatment.ResultsAmong 27 817 clinical encounters, involving 18 991 patients, a post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC<0.7 was present in 14 876 (53.4%). The presence of a documented post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC<0.7 had a small effect on the probability of a COPD diagnosis, increasing by 6.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1% to 10.9%) from 38.0% just above the 0.7 cutoff to 44.0% just below this cutoff. The presence of a documented post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC had no effect on the probability of COPD treatment (−2.1%, 95% CI−7.2% to 3.0%).InterpretationThe presence of a documented post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC<0.7 has only a small effect on the probability that a clinician will make a guideline-concordant diagnosis of COPD and has no effect on corresponding treatment decisions.
Toward Predicting Peripheral Artery Disease Treatment Outcomes Using Non-Clinical Data
Authors: Ramini Ali Al , Fallahtafti Farahnaz , TakallouIraklis Mohammad Ali , Pipinos Iraklis , Myers Sara , Alsaleem Fadi 
Published: August 2024

AbstractPeripheral Artery Disease (PAD) significantly impairs quality of life and presents varying degrees of severity that correctly identifying would help choose the proper treatment approach and enable personalized treatment approaches. However, the challenge is that there is no single agreed-on measure to quantify the severity of a patient with PAD. This led to a trial-and-error approach to deciding the course of treatment for a given patient with PAD. This study uses non-clinical data, such as biomechanical data and advanced machine-learning techniques, to detect PAD severity levels and enhance treatment selection to overcome this challenge. Our findings in this paper lay the groundwork for a more data-driven, patient-centric approach to PAD management, optimizing treatment strategies for better patient outcomes.
Active control of mitochondrial network morphology by metabolism driven redox state
Authors: Singh Gaurav , Vengayil Vineeth , Khanna Aayushee , Adhikary Swagata , Laxman Sunil 
Published: August 2024

AbstractMitochondria are dynamic organelles that constantly change morphology. What controls mitochondrial morphology however remains unresolved. Using actively respiring yeast cells growing in distinct carbon sources, we find that mitochondrial morphology and activity are unrelated. Cells can exhibit fragmented or networked mitochondrial morphology in different nutrient environments independent of mitochondrial activity. Instead, mitochondrial morphology is controlled by the intracellular redox state, which itself depends on the nature of electron entry into the Electron Transport Chain (ETC)— through complex I/II, or directly to coenzyme Q/cytochrome c. In metabolic conditions where direct electron entry is high, reactive oxygen species (ROS) increase, resulting in an oxidized cytosolic environment and rapid mitochondrial fragmentation. Decreasing direct electron entry into the ETC genetically or chemically, or reducing the cytosolic environment rapidly restores networked morphologies. Using controlled disruptions of electron flow to alter ROS and redox state, we demonstrate minute-scale, reversible control between networked and fragmented forms in an activity independent manner. Mechanistically, the fission machinery through Dnm1 responds in minute-scale to redox state changes, preceding the change in mitochondrial form. Thus, the metabolic state of the cell and its consequent cellular redox state actively controls mitochondrial form.
Uncoupling the functional roles of Coronavirus Nsp1
Authors: Bäumlin Emilie , Andenmatten Dominic , Luginbühl Jonas , Lalou Aurélien , Schwaller Nino , Karousis Evangelos D. 
Published: August 2024

SummaryWhen host cells are infected with coronaviruses, the first viral protein produced is Nsp1. This protein inhibits host protein synthesis and induces host mRNA degradation to enhance viral proliferation. Despite its critical role, the mechanism by which Nsp1 mediates cellular mRNA degradation remains unclear. In this study, we use cell-free translation to address how the host mRNA stability is regulated by Nsp1. We reveal that SARS-CoV-2 Nsp1 binding to the ribosome is enough to trigger mRNA degradation independently of ribosome collisions or active translation. MERS-CoV Nsp1 inhibits translation without triggering degradation, highlighting mechanistic differences between the two Nsp1 counterparts. Nsp1 and viral mRNAs appear to co-evolve, rendering viral mRNAs immune to Nsp1-mediated degradation in SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV and Bat-Hp viruses. By providing new insights into the mode of action of Nsp1, our study helps to understand the biology of Nsp1 better and find new strategies for therapeutic targeting against coronaviral infections.SignificanceCell-free assays allow the decoupling of Nsp1-mediated translation inhibition from RNA degradation.Nsp1 interaction with the ribosome is crucial for mRNA degradation, but active translation is not required.SARS-CoV-2 Nsp1 induces mRNA degradation, while MERS-CoV Nsp1 inhibits translation without triggering degradation.5’UTR-specific protection of viral mRNAs from Nsp1 indicates a co-evolutionary adaptation between the two features
Statistics in service of metascience: Measuring replication distance with reproducibility rate
Authors: Buzbas Erkan , Devezer Berna 
Published: August 2024

AbstractMotivated by the recent putative reproducibility crisis, we discuss the relationship between replicability of scientific studies, reproducibility of results obtained in these replications, and the philosophy of statistics. Our approach focuses on challenges in specifying scientific studies for scientific inference via statistical inference, and is complementary to classical discussions in philosophy of statistics. We particularly consider the challenges in replicating studies exactly, using the notion of the idealized experiment. We argue against treating reproducibility as an inherently desirable property of scientific results, and in favor of viewing it as a tool to measure distance between an original study and its replications. To sensibly study the implications of replicability and results reproducibility on inference, such a measure of replication distance is needed. We present an effort to delineate such a framework here, addressing some challenges in capturing the components of scientific studies while identifying others as ongoing issues. We illustrate our measure of replication distance by simulations using a toy example. Rather than replications, we present purposefully planned modifications as an appropriate tool to inform scientific inquiry. Our ability to measure replication distance serves scientists in their search for replication-ready studies. We believe that likelihood-based and evidential approaches may play a critical role towards building a statistics that effectively serves the practical needs of science.
A novel technology for sequestration of corrosive ions in comparison with benzotriazole: a review
Authors: Idema Osuani Fyneface , Abdulwahab Malik , Arukalam Innocent Okechi , Ekeke Ifeyinwa , Njoku Chigoziri N. , Anyiam Chioma , Onyeachu Benedict , Oguzie Emeka Emmanuel 
Published: August 2024

Purpose
Hexavalent chromium has been a benchmark corrosion inhibitor before it was phased out because of its carcinogenic properties. However, because it was phased out, many alternative corrosion inhibitors have been introduced but failed to meet the performance of this benchmark inhibitor. Consequently, benzotriazole (BTA) was reported to exhibit chromate-like inhibition performance. Subsequently, Intelli-ion was reported by researchers to exhibit chromate-like performance also with claims of being a unique alternative. This paper aims to review the inhibition performance of these two alternatives. Above all, promotes the unique inhibition performance of Intelli-ion that makes it suitable for application in many sectors.

Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, the corrosion inhibition performances of BTA and Intelli-ion were compared systematically by reviewing some related literatures based on the opinion of the authors.

Findings
Different methodologies for measuring the inhibition performance of BTA showed that it’s an inhibitor of choice. However, the cut edge corrosion performance of Intelli-ion and BTA corrosion inhibitors on galvanized steel of 55% Wt.% Al, 44% Wt.% Zn and 1% Wt.% Si in 5 Wt.% NaCl solution was compared when subjected to scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET) for 24 h. The results showed faint blue-colored region depicting negative cathodic current density for the Intelli-ion while there was a high-intensity of red-colored region depicting a positive anodic current density for BTA. In other words, the Intelli-ion inhibitor had a better overall cut-edge corrosion inhibition performance than the BTA inhibitor.

Originality/value
This paper compares and further, summarizes the corrosion inhibition performance of Intelli-ion and BTA by evaluating SVET results from the literature. In addition, it serves as an overview and reference for the unique inhibition performance of Intelli-ion when applied in field applications.