bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Healthcare system barriers impacting the care of Canadians with myalgic encephalomyelitis: A scoping review
Authors: Hussein Said , Eiriksson Lauren , MacQuarrie Maureen , Merriam Scot , Dalton Maria , Stein Eleanor , Twomey Rosie 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackgroundMyalgic encephalomyelitis (ME, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome or ME/CFS) is a debilitating, complex, multisystem illness. Developing a comprehensive understanding of the multiple and interconnected barriers to optimal care will help advance strategies and care models to improve quality of life for people living with ME in Canada.ObjectivesTo: (1) identify and systematically map the available evidence; (2) investigate the design and conduct of research; (3) identify and categorize key characteristics; and (4) identify and analyse knowledge gaps related to healthcare system barriers for people living with ME in Canada.MethodsThe protocol was preregistered in July 2022. Peer‐reviewed and grey literature was searched, and patient partners retrieved additional records. Eligible records were Canadian, included people with ME/CFS and included data or synthesis relevant to healthcare system barriers.ResultsIn total, 1821 records were identified, 406 were reviewed in full, and 21 were included. Healthcare system barriers arose from an underlying lack of consensus and research on ME and ME care; the impact of long‐standing stigma, disbelief, and sexism; inadequate or inconsistent healthcare provider education and training on ME; and the heterogeneity of care coordinated by family physicians.ConclusionsPeople living with ME in Canada face significant barriers to care, though this has received relatively limited attention. This synthesis, which points to several areas for future research, can be used as a starting point for researchers, healthcare providers and decision‐makers who are new to the area or encountering ME more frequently due to the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Evaluation of quantitative bias analysis in epidemiological research: A systematic review from 2010 to mid‐2023
Authors: Akbaş Kübra Elif , Hark Betül Dağoğlu 
Published: June 2024

AbstractObjectiveWe aimed to demonstrate the use of quantitative bias analysis (QBA), which reveals the effects of systematic error, including confounding, misclassification and selection bias, on study results in epidemiological studies published in the period from 2010 to mid‐23.MethodThe articles identified through a keyword search using Pubmed and Scopus were included in the study. The articles obtained from this search were eliminated according to the exclusion criteria, and the articles in which QBA analysis was applied were included in the detailed evaluation.ResultsIt can be said that the application of QBA analysis has gradually increased over the 13‐year period. Accordingly, the number of articles in which simple is used as a method in QBA analysis is 9 (9.89%), the number of articles in which the multidimensional approach is used is 10 (10.99%), the number of articles in which the probabilistic approach is used is 60 (65.93%) and the number of articles in which the method is not specified is 12 (13.19%). The number of articles with misclassification bias model is 44 (48.35%), the number of articles with uncontrolled confounder(s) bias model is 32 (35.16%), the number of articles with selection bias model is 7 (7.69%) and the number of articles using more than one bias model is 8 (8.79%). Of the 49 (53.85%) articles in which the bias parameter source was specified, 19 (38.78%) used internal validation, 26 (53.06%) used external validation and 4 (8.16%) used educated guess, data constraints and hypothetical data. Probabilistic approach was used as a bias method in 60 (65.93%) of the articles, and mostly beta (8 [13.33%)], normal (9 [15.00%]) and uniform (8 [13.33%]) distributions were selected.ConclusionThe application of QBA is rare in the literature but is increasing over time. Future researchers should include detailed analyzes such as QBA analysis to obtain inferences with higher evidence value, taking into account systematic errors.
Development of barnyard millet flour rich in bioactive compounds with enhanced functional properties by application of multipin atmospheric cold plasma
Authors: Sharma Vishal , Tomar Mahipal Singh , Sahoo Sibasish , Pradhan Rama Chandra 
Published: June 2024

AbstractCold plasma, a nonthermal technology, aids in modifying food materials with the least thermal damage and negligible rise in temperature. This research explains the implications of multipin atmospheric cold plasma (MACP) treatment on barnyard millet flour (BMF), focusing on its functional properties and bioactive compounds, such as total phenols and flavonoids, along with antinutrients, as well as its physicochemical properties, including color, pH, moisture content, proximate composition, and morphological alterations. Dehulled and ground barnyard millet was treated with MACP at different power levels (10–30 kV) for 10–30 min. The higher voltage–time treatments (30 kV:20 min and 30 kV:30 min) were found significantly affecting the samples compared to the control. Specifically, the 30 kV:30 min treatment showed a prominent increase in water solubility index (0.83–3.92 g/g), water absorption capacity (1.08–1.59 g/g), viscosity (164.31–180.14 centipoise), oil absorption (1.94–2.35 g/g), emulsifying (37.40%–44.51%), and foaming capacity (20.61%–24.99%), along with the bioactive compounds such as phenol content (229.33–280.54 mg gallic acid equivalents/100 g) and flavonoid content (173.75–244.71 mg quercetin equivalents/100 g). Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry analysis revealed shifts in functional groups, X‐ray diffraction analysis demonstrated changes in crystallinity, and scanning electron microscopy imaging depicted morphological alterations post‐MACP treatment. The antinutrient factors, phytic and tannic acid, decreased significantly (p < .05), with the most prominent decrease at 30 kV:20 min for the latter. The 30 kV:30 min treated flour, in particular, demonstrated significant improvements in BMF properties, and MACP can be further employed for better solubility and dispersibility of powdered food products, offering versatile applications in baked, functional, and gluten‐free products.Practical applicationsBarnyard millet, a naturally gluten‐free grain rich in protein and fiber, upon the multipin atmospheric cold plasma treatment, offers opportunities in a wide range of practical applications due to the increased functional properties, including water solubility, water absorption, oil binding capacity, foaming–emulsifying abilities, and viscosity. Additionally, the enhanced properties allow for the development of better extruded products, including nutritious breakfast cereals and healthy snacks with improved texture and stability, while promoting the utilization of underutilized grains like barnyard millet.
PagMYB128 regulates secondary cell wall formation by direct activation of cell wall biosynthetic genes during wood formation in poplar
Authors: Hao Yuanyuan , Lu Fachuang , Pyo Seung‐Won , Kim Min‐Ha , Ko Jae‐Heung , Yan Xiaojing , Ralph John , Li Quanzi 
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACTThe biosynthesis of cellulose, lignin, and hemicelluloses in plant secondary cell walls (SCWs) is regulated by a hierarchical transcriptional regulatory network. This network features orthologous transcription factors shared between poplar and Arabidopsis, highlighting a foundational similarity in their genetic regulation. However, knowledge on the discrepant behavior of the transcriptional‐level molecular regulatory mechanisms between poplar and Arabidopsis remains limited. In this study, we investigated the function of PagMYB128 during wood formation and found it had broader impacts on SCW formation compared to its Arabidopsis ortholog, AtMYB103. Transgenic poplar trees overexpressing PagMYB128 exhibited significantly enhanced xylem development, with fiber cells and vessels displaying thicker walls, and an increase in the levels of cellulose, lignin, and hemicelluloses in the wood. In contrast, plants with dominant repression of PagMYB128 demonstrated the opposite phenotypes. RNA sequencing and reverse transcription – quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed that PagMYB128 could activate SCW biosynthetic gene expression, and chromatin immunoprecipitation along with yeast one‐hybrid, and effector–reporter assays showed this regulation was direct. Further analysis revealed that PagSND1 (SECONDARY WALL‐ASSOCIATED NAC‐DOMAIN PROTEIN1) directly regulates PagMYB128 but not cell wall metabolic genes, highlighting the pivotal role of PagMYB128 in the SND1‐driven regulatory network for wood development, thereby creating a feedforward loop in SCW biosynthesis.
Scurvy and vitamin C deficiency in an Australian tertiary children's hospital
Authors: van Heerden Carolyn , Cheng Daryl R , McNab Sarah , Burgess Rosemary , Russell Ashleigh , Wang Yichun , Bleathman Freya , Maharaj Isabella , Zhang Jerry , Easterbrook Marley , Papadopulos Marie , Ibrahim Laila F 
Published: June 2024

AimWe aimed to investigate the frequency of vitamin C deficiency scurvy in the Australian paediatric context, describe cohorts at risk, and identify factors associated with development of symptoms in children with vitamin C deficiency. We also aimed to propose a management guideline for children with features of scurvy.MethodA retrospective study was done at a tertiary paediatric hospital in Australia over a three‐year period, from August 2019 to July 2022. Children from birth to 18 years old, whose vitamin C levels were low (<23 μmol/L), were included. Data extracted from hospital medical records included demographics, weight, co‐morbidities, eating disorder diagnoses, clinical features, investigations and treatment. Descriptive statistics and risk statistics were performed.ResultsIn a cohort of 887 patients who had their vitamin C levels checked, we identified 272 (31%) who had a vitamin C level <23 μmol/L. Of these, 13 (5%) were symptomatic of vitamin C deficiency and 19 (7%) may have been symptomatic. In patients with vitamin C deficiency, 248 (91%) had comorbidities, neurodevelopmental disorders being most common, and 176 (65%) had restricted eating. When the asymptomatic and symptomatic groups were compared, in the symptomatic group, there was a significantly lower vitamin C level and disordered eating related to autism spectrum disorders was more common.ConclusionIn order to avoid delayed diagnoses and unnecessary investigations, clinicians should be familiar with symptoms of scurvy and perform a dietary assessment, vitamin C assay, and commence empiric vitamin C supplementation where appropriate.
Impact of blur on clinical and occupational colour vision test results
Authors: Álvaro Leticia , Formankiewicz Monika A. , Waugh Sarah J. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate whether colour vision normal (CVN) adults pass two Fletcher–Evans (CAM) lantern tests and to investigate the impact of imposed blur on Ishihara, CAM lantern and computerised colour discrimination test (colour assessment and diagnosis test [CAD] and Cambridge colour test [CCT]) results.MethodsIn a pilot experiment, 20 (16 CVN and 4 colour vision deficient [CVD]) participants with normal VA were tested with the CAM lantern. In the main experiment, the impact of imposed dioptric blur (up to +8.00 D) on visual acuity and the Ishihara test, CAM lantern, CAD and CCT was assessed for 15 CVN participants.ResultsCVN participants can fail the CAM lantern, with specificity of 81.25% (aviation mode) and 75% (clinical mode), despite following the test requirements of participants having at least 0.18 logMAR (6/9) in the better eye. With blur, test accuracy was affected. As expected, significant detrimental effects of blur on test results were found for logMAR VA and CAM lantern (aviation) with +1.00 D or higher. Ishihara, CAD and CCT results were not detrimentally affected until +8.00 D. Yellow‐blue discrimination was more affected by blur for the CAD than the CCT, which was not explained by the different colour spaces used or vectors tested.ConclusionFalse‐positive findings on lantern colour vision tests with small apertures are likely to be increased in patients with blur due to uncorrected refractive error or ocular and visual pathway disease. Other colour vision tests with larger stimuli are more robust to blur.
A renaissance of microRNAs as taxonomic and phylogenetic markers in animals
Authors: Fromm Bastian 
Published: June 2024

AbstractMolecular markers for tracing animal sample origins and compositions are critical for applications such as parasite detection, contamination screening, and sample authentication. Among these, microRNAs have emerged as promising candidates due to their deep conservation, near‐hierarchical evolution, and stability. I here review the suitability of microRNAs as taxonomic and also phylogenetic markers and show how careful annotation efforts and the establishment of the curated microRNA gene database MirGeneDB and tools like MirMachine have revitalized microRNA research. These advancements enable accurate phylogenetic and taxonomic studies, highlighting microRNAs' potential in resolving long‐standing questions in animal relationships and extending to applications in ancient DNA and environmental RNA analysis. Future research must focus on expanding microRNA complements across all Metazoa and further improving annotation methodologies.
Combustion and Emission Characteristics of an Ammonia Microgas Turbine Combustor With a Twin-Fluid Atomizer
Authors: Jo Hyun , Shimura Masayasu , Kurata Osamu , Okafor Ekenechukwu Chijioke , Yamashita Hirofumi , Inoue Takahiro , Tsujimura Taku , Iki Norihiko , Fan Yong 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
In this study, combustion and emission characteristics in the test rig of microgas turbine with liquid ammonia fuel injection using the twin-fluid atomizers (TFAs) are investigated and compared with the previous result using the pressure-swirl atomizer (PSA). The combustion situation was simulated using the test rig of microgas turbine, and experiments were conducted by controlling the ratio of ammonia and methane to create a pure ammonia combustion situation. The TFA has spray cone angles of 60 deg, 90 deg, and 120 deg, and its combustion characteristics were analyzed and compared with the PSA. At 60 deg TFA, the blow-off of ammonia flame occurred before the pure ammonia combustion stage, and the flame blow-off occurred after the pure ammonia combustion at the 90 deg and 120 deg TFAs. This means that the blow-off of ammonia flame easily occurred when the spray cone angle of the atomizer is small, because the recirculation flow to the upstream of ammonia flame is weak. In addition, the 90 deg and 120 deg TFAs showed significantly reduced emissions of NO, N2O, and unburned NH3 compared to the 60 deg TFA and PSA. This can be concluded that a large spray cone angle forms a strong recirculation flow within the combustor, and emissions are reduced because the high-temperature zone sufficiently stays in the primary combustion zone.
The Integration of Robotic Arm and Vision System With Magnetic Tractor Beam Control for Precision Catheter Manipulation in Medical Procedures
Authors: Limpabandhu Chayabhan , Tse Zion Tsz Ho 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
This study addresses the challenges of traditional catheterization techniques by integrating UFACTORY's uArm Swift Pro robotic arm with the OpenMV camera module, enhanced by the magnetic tractor beam (MTB) method. The goal is to improve precision, stability, and minimally invasive operation in catheter-based medical procedures. The uArm Swift Pro offers a robust and adaptable platform, while the OpenMV camera provides accurate real-time tracking of catheter tips. To evaluate the system's effectiveness, experimental models replicating realistic anatomical scenarios were created using advanced three-dimensional (3D) printing techniques. Preliminary results demonstrate that this integrated system enhances the accuracy and safety of catheterization, suggesting its potential to advance medical robotics and contribute to more patient-friendly interventions. This work underscores the potential for robotics to revolutionize medical procedures, ensuring better outcomes and reduced patient discomfort.
Efficacy of ivermectin and its metabolites against
Plasmodium falciparum
liver stages in primary human hepatocytes
Authors: Annamalai Subramani Pradeep , Tipthara Phornpimon , Kolli Surendra Kumar , Nicholas Justin , Barnes Samantha J. , Ogbondah Madison M. , Kobylinski Kevin C. , Tarning Joel , Adams John H. 
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACT

Ivermectin, a broad-spectrum anti-parasitic drug, has been proposed as a novel vector control tool to reduce malaria transmission by mass drug administration. Ivermectin and some metabolites have mosquito-lethal effect, reducing
Anopheles
mosquito survival. Ivermectin inhibits liver stage development in a rodent malaria model, but no inhibition was observed in a primate malaria model or in a human malaria challenge trial. In the liver, cytochrome P450 3A4 and 3A5 enzymes metabolize ivermectin, which may impact drug efficacy. Thus, understanding ivermectin metabolism and assessing this impact on
Plasmodium
liver stage development is critical. Using primary human hepatocytes (PHHs), we characterized ivermectin metabolism and evaluated the efficacy of ivermectin and its primary metabolites M1 (3″-
O
-demethyl ivermectin) and M3 (4-hydroxymethyl ivermectin) against
Plasmodium falciparum
liver stages. Two different modes of ivermectin exposure were evaluated: prophylactic mode (days 0–3 post-infection) and curative mode (days 3–5 post-infection). We used two different PHH donors and modes to determine the inhibitory concentration (IC
50
) of ivermectin, M1, M3, and the known anti-malarial drug pyrimethamine, with IC
50
values ranging from 1.391 to 14.44, 9.95–23.71, 4.767–8.384, and 0.9073–5.416 µM, respectively. In our PHH model, ivermectin and metabolites M1 and M3 demonstrated inhibitory activity against
P. falciparum
liver stages in curative treatment mode (days 3–5) and marginal activity in prophylactic treatment mode (days 0–3). Ivermectin had improved efficacy when co-administered with ketoconazole, a specific inhibitor of cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme. Further studies should be performed to examine ivermectin liver stage efficacy when co-administered with CYP3A4 inhibitors and anti-malarial drugs to understand the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic drug-drug interactions that enhance efficacy against human malaria parasites
in vitro
.
Enterovirus 3A protein disrupts endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis through interaction with GBF1
Authors: Hirano Junki , Hayashi Tsuyoshi , Kitamura Kouichi , Nishimura Yorihiro , Shimizu Hiroyuki , Okamoto Toru , Okada Kazuma , Uemura Kentaro , Yeh Ming Te , Ono Chikako , Taguwa Shuhei , Muramatsu Masamichi , Matsuura Yoshiharu 
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACT

Enteroviruses are single-stranded, positive-sense RNA viruses causing endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress to induce or modulate downstream signaling pathways known as the unfolded protein responses (UPR). However, viral and host factors involved in the UPR related to viral pathogenesis remain unclear. In the present study, we aimed to identify the major regulator of enterovirus-induced UPR and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. We showed that host Golgi-specific brefeldin A-resistant guanine nucleotide exchange factor 1 (GBF1), which supports enteroviruses replication, was a major regulator of the UPR caused by infection with enteroviruses. In addition, we found that severe UPR was induced by the expression of 3A proteins encoded in human pathogenic enteroviruses, such as enterovirus A71, coxsackievirus B3, poliovirus, and enterovirus D68. The N-terminal-conserved residues of 3A protein interact with the GBF1 and induce UPR through inhibition of ADP-ribosylation factor 1 (ARF1) activation via GBF1 sequestration. Remodeling and expansion of ER and accumulation of ER-resident proteins were observed in cells infected with enteroviruses. Finally, 3A induced apoptosis in cells infected with enteroviruses via activation of the protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK)/C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) pathway of UPR. Pharmaceutical inhibition of PERK suppressed the cell death caused by infection with enteroviruses, suggesting the UPR pathway is a therapeutic target for treating diseases caused by infection with enteroviruses.

IMPORTANCE
Infection caused by several plus-stranded RNA viruses leads to dysregulated ER homeostasis in the host cells. The mechanisms underlying the disruption and impairment of ER homeostasis and its significance in pathogenesis upon enteroviral infection remain unclear. Our findings suggested that the 3A protein encoded in human pathogenic enteroviruses disrupts ER homeostasis by interacting with GBF1, a major regulator of UPR. Enterovirus-mediated infections drive ER into pathogenic conditions, where ER-resident proteins are accumulated. Furthermore, in such scenarios, the PERK/CHOP signaling pathway induced by an unresolved imbalance of ER homeostasis essentially drives apoptosis. Therefore, elucidating the mechanisms underlying the virus-induced disruption of ER homeostasis might be a potential target to mitigate the pathogenesis of enteroviruses.
Phage SEP1 hijacks
Staphylococcus epidermidis
stationary cells’ metabolism to replicate
Authors: Silva Maria Daniela , Pinto Graça , França Angela , Azeredo Joana , Melo Luís D. R. 
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACT

In nature, bacteria often survive in a stationary state with low metabolic activity. Phages use the metabolic machinery of the host cell to replicate, and, therefore, their efficacy against non-dividing cells is usually limited. Nevertheless, it was previously shown that the
Staphylococcus epidermidis
phage SEP1 has the remarkable capacity to actively replicate in stationary-phase cells, reducing their numbers. Here, we studied for the first time the transcriptomic profiles of both exponential and stationary cells infected with SEP1 phage using RNA-seq to gain a better understanding of this rare phenomenon. We showed that SEP1 successfully takes over the transcriptional apparatus of both exponential and stationary cells. Infection was, however, delayed in stationary cells, with genes within the
gp142-gp154
module putatively implicated in host takeover.
S. epidermidis
responded to SEP1 infection by upregulating three genes involved in a DNA modification system, with this being observed already 5 min after infection in exponential cells and later in stationary cells. In stationary cells, a significant number of genes involved in translation and RNA metabolic and biosynthetic processes were upregulated after 15 and 30 min of SEP1 infection in comparison with the uninfected control, showing that SEP1 activates metabolic and biosynthetic pathways necessary to its successful replication.

IMPORTANCE

Most phage-host interaction studies are performed with exponentially growing cells. However, this cell state is not representative of what happens in natural environments. Additionally, most phages fail to replicate in stationary cells. The
Staphylococcus epidermidis
phage SEP1 is one of the few phages reported to date to be able to infect stationary cells. Here, we unveiled the interaction of SEP1 with its host in both exponential and stationary states of growth at the transcriptomic level. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for a better implementation of phage therapy since phages able to infect stationary cells could be more efficient in the treatment of recalcitrant infections.