bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Structural and social changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic and their impact on engagement in substance use disorder treatment services: a qualitative study among people with a recent history of injection drug use in Baltimore, Maryland
Authors: Patel Eshan U. , Grieb Suzanne M. , Winiker Abigail K. , Ching Jennifer , Schluth Catherine G. , Mehta Shruti H. , Kirk Gregory D. , Genberg Becky L. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Background
Substance use disorder treatment and recovery support services are critical for achieving and maintaining recovery. There are limited data on how structural and social changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic impacted individual-level experiences with substance use disorder treatment-related services among community-based samples of people who inject drugs.

Methods
People with a recent history of injection drug use who were enrolled in the community-based AIDS Linked to the IntraVenous Experience study in Baltimore, Maryland participated in a one-time, semi-structured interview between July 2021 and February 2022 about their experiences living through the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 28). An iterative inductive coding process was used to identify themes describing how structural and social changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic affected participants’ experiences with substance use disorder treatment-related services.

Results
The median age of participants was 54 years (range = 24–73); 10 (36%) participants were female, 16 (57%) were non-Hispanic Black, and 8 (29%) were living with HIV. We identified several structural and social changes due the pandemic that acted as barriers and facilitators to individual-level engagement in treatment with medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and recovery support services (e.g., support group meetings). New take-home methadone flexibility policies temporarily facilitated engagement in MOUD treatment, but other pre-existing rigid policies and practices (e.g., zero-tolerance) were counteracting barriers. Changes in the illicit drug market were both a facilitator and barrier to MOUD treatment. Decreased availability and pandemic-related adaptations to in-person services were a barrier to recovery support services. While telehealth expansion facilitated engagement in recovery support group meetings for some participants, other participants faced digital and technological barriers. These changes in service provision also led to diminished perceived quality of both virtual and in-person recovery support group meetings. However, a facilitator of recovery support was increased accessibility of individual service providers (e.g., counselors and Sponsors).

Conclusions
Structural and social changes across several socioecological levels created new barriers and facilitators of individual-level engagement in substance use disorder treatment-related services. Multilevel interventions are needed to improve access to and engagement in high-quality substance use disorder treatment and recovery support services among people who inject drugs.
Microinvasion in hepatocellular carcinoma: predictive factor and application for definition of clinical target volume for radiotherapy
Authors: Yan Huamei , Liu Lili , Wang Donghui , Xu Jianliang , Sun Yaling , Liang Shaobo , Huang Yongheng , Hao Xinzhao , Lin Nan , Xu Xiangying 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Background
To investigate the correlation between microinvasion and various features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to clarify the microinvasion distance from visible HCC lesions to subclinical lesions, so as to provide clinical basis for the expandable boundary of clinical target volume (CTV) from gross tumor volume (GTV) in the radiotherapy of HCC.

Methods
HCC patients underwent hepatectomy of liver cancer in our hospital between July 2019 and November 2021 were enrolled. Data on various features and tumor microinvasion distance were collected. The distribution characteristics of microinvasion distance were analyzed to investigate its potential correlation with various features. Tumor size compared between radiographic and pathologic samples was analyzed to clarify the application of pathologic microinvasion to identify subclinical lesions of radiographic imaging.

Results
The average microinvasion distance was 0.6 mm, with 95% patients exhibiting microinvasion distance less than 3.0 mm, and the maximum microinvasion distance was 4.0 mm. A significant correlation was found between microinvasion and liver cirrhosis (P = 0.036), serum albumin level (P = 0.049). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that HCC patients with cirrhosis had a significantly lower risk of microinvasion (OR = 0.09, 95%CI = 0.02 ~ 0.50, P = 0.006). Tumor size was overestimated by 1.6 mm (95%CI=-12.8 ~ 16.0 mm) on radiographic size compared to pathologic size, with a mean %Δsize of 2.96% (95%CI=-0.57%~6.50%). The %Δsize ranged from − 29.03% to 34.78%.

Conclusions
CTV expanding by 5.4 mm from radiographic GTV could include all pathologic microinvasive lesions in the radiotherapy of HCC. Liver cirrhosis was correlated with microinvasion and were independent predictive factor of microinvasion in HCC.
Modelling lung infection with Klebsiella pneumoniae after murine traumatic brain injury
Authors: Shad Ali , Rewell Sarah S. J. , Macowan Matthew , Gandasasmita Natasha , Wang Jiping , Chen Ke , Marsland Ben , O’Brien Terence J. , Li Jian , Semple Bridgette D. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractPneumonia is a common comorbidity in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. In this study, we established a model of intratracheal Klebsiella pneumoniae administration in young adult male and female mice, at 4 days following an experimental TBI, to investigate how K. pneumoniae infection influences acute post-TBI outcomes. A dose-response curve determined the optimal dose of K. pneumoniae for inoculation (1 x 10^6 colony forming units), and administration at 4 days post-TBI resulted in transient body weight loss and sickness behaviors (hypoactivity and acute dyspnea). K. pneumoniae infection led to an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid at 24 h post-infection, in both TBI and sham (uninjured) mice. By 7 days, when myeloperoxidase + neutrophil numbers had returned to baseline in all groups, lung histopathology was observed with an increase in airspace size in TBI + K. pneumoniae mice compared to TBI + vehicle mice. In the brain, increased neuroinflammatory gene expression was observed acutely in response to TBI, with an exacerbated increase in Ccl2 and Hmox1 in TBI + K. pneumoniae mice compared to either TBI or K. pneumoniae alone. However, the presence of neuroinflammatory immune cells in the injured brain, and the extent of damage to cortical and hippocampal brain tissue, was comparable between K. pneumoniae and vehicle-treated mice by 7 days. Examination of the fecal microbiome across a time course did not reveal any pronounced effects of either injury or K. pneumoniae on bacterial diversity or abundance. Together, these findings demonstrate that K. pneumoniae lung infection after TBI induces an acute and transient inflammatory response, primarily localized to the lungs with some systemic effects. However, this infection had minimal impact on secondary injury processes in the brain following TBI. Future studies are needed to evaluate the potential longer-term consequences of this dual-hit insult.
Social protection and the International Monetary Fund: promise versus performance
Authors: Kentikelenis Alexandros , Stubbs Thomas 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Background
Countries in the Global South are currently facing momentous economic and social challenges, including major debt service problems. As in previous periods of global financial instability, a growing number of countries have turned to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for financial assistance. The organization has a long track-record of advocating for extensive fiscal consolidation—commonly known as ‘austerity’—for its borrowers. However, in recent years, the IMF has announced major initiatives for ensuring that its loans support social spending, thus aiding countries in meeting their development targets and the Sustainable Development Goals. To assess this track record, we collected spending data on 21 loans signed in the 2020–2022 period, including from all their periodic reviews up to August 2023.

Results
We find that austerity measures remain a core part of the organization’s mandated policies for its borrowers: 15 of the 21 countries studied here experience a decrease in fiscal space over the course of their IMF programs. Against this fiscal backdrop, social spending floors have failed to live up to their promise. There is no streamlined definition of these floors, thus rendering their application haphazard and inconsistent. But even on their own terms, these floors lack ambition: they often do not foresee trajectories of meaningful social spending increases over time, and, when they do, many of these gains are eaten up by soaring inflation. In addition, a third of social spending floors are not implemented—a much lower implementation rate from that for austerity conditions, which the IMF prioritizes. In several instances, where floors are implemented, they are not meaningfully exceeded, thus—in practice—acting as social spending ceilings.

Conclusions
The IMF’s lending programs are still heavily focused on austerity, and its strategy on social spending has not represented the sea-change that the organization advertised. At best, social spending floors act as damage control for the painful budget cuts: they are instruments of social amelioration, underpinned by principles of targeted assistance for highly disadvantaged groups. Alternative approaches rooted in principles of universalism can be employed to build up durable and resilient social protection systems.
Assessing the effect of sample storage time on viral detection using a rapid and cost-effective CTAB-based extraction method
Authors: Mark Deogratius , Tairo Fred , Ndunguru Joseph , Kweka Elisiana , Saggaf Maliha , Bachwenkizi Hilda , Chiunga Evangelista , Lusana James Leonard , Sikazwe Geofrey , Maghembe Reuben 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Background
Cassava leaf samples degrade quickly during storage and transportation from distant areas. Proper sampling and efficient, low-cost storage methods are critical for obtaining sufficient quality DNA and RNA for plant virus epidemiology and improving disease control understanding. This is useful when samples are collected from remote areas far from a laboratory or in developing countries where money and materials for virus diagnostics are scarce.

Results
The effect of sample storage duration on nucleic acid (N.A.) quality on virus detection was investigated in this study. A simple, rapid, and cost-effective CTAB-based approach (M3) for single N.A. extraction was optimized and tested alongside two existing CTAB-based methods (M1 and M2) for N.A. extraction from fresh and herbarium cassava leaves stored for; 1, 8, 26, and 56 months. The amount and quality of DNA and RNA were determined using Nanodrop 2000 c U.V.–vis Spectrophotometer and agarose gel electrophoreses. The sample degradation rate was estimated using a simple mathematical model in Matlab computational software. The results show no significant difference in mean DNA concentration between M1 and M2 but a significant difference between M3 and the other two methods at p < 0.005. The mean DNA concentration extracted using M3 was higher for 1 and 8 months of leave storage. M3 and M2 produced high concentrations at 26 and 56 months of leave storage. Using a developed scale for quality score, M3 and M2 produced high-quality DNA from fresh samples. All methods produced poor-quality DNA and RNA at 8 and 26 months of leave storage and no visual bands at the age of 56 months. Statistically, there was a significant difference in the mean DNA quality between M1 and M2, but there was no significant difference between M3 and the other two methods at p < 0.005. However, Cassava brown streak virus (CBSV) and Ugandan cassava brown streak virus (UCBSV) were readily detected by RT-PCR from RNA isolated using M3. The quality of DNA declined per storage time at 0.0493 and 0.0521/month, while RNA was 0.0678 and 0.0744/month. Compared to the existing two methods, modified CTAB extracted enough high-quality N.A. in one-third the time of the existing two methods.

Conclusion
Our method provides cost-effective, quick, and simple processing of fresh and dry samples, which will quicken and guide the decision on when and what type of sample to process for plant disease management and surveillance actions.
Safety and efficacy of autologous adipose tissue-derived stem cell transplantation in aging-related low-grade inflammation patients: a single-group, open-label, phase I clinical trial
Authors: Nguyen Ngoc-Huynh Ton , Phan Hao Thanh , Le Phong Minh , Nguyen Lan-Huong Thi , Do Thuy Thi , Phan Thien-Phuc Thanh , Van Le Trinh , Dang Thanh Minh , Phan Chinh-Nhan Lu , Dang Tung-Loan Thi , Truong Nhung Hai 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Background
Inflamm-aging is associated with the rate of aging and is significantly related to diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, atherosclerosis, heart disease, and age-related degenerative diseases such as type II diabetes and osteoporosis. This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficiency of autologous adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell (AD-MSC) transplantation in aging-related low-grade inflammation patients.

Methods
This study is a single-group, open-label, phase I clinical trial in which patients treated with 2 infusions (100 million cells i.v) of autologous AD-MSCs were initially evaluated in 12 inflamm-aging patients who concurrently had highly proinflammatory cytokines and 2 of the following 3 diseases: diabetes, dyslipidemia, and obesity. The treatment effects were evaluated based on plasma cytokines.

Results
During the study’s follow-up period, no adverse effects were observed in AD-MSC injection patients. Compared to baseline (D-44), the inflammatory cytokines IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-8, IL-6, and TNF-α were significantly reduced after 180 days (D180) of MSC infusion. IL-4/IL-10 at 90 days (D90) and IL-2/IL-10 at D180 increased, reversing the imbalance between proinflammatory and inflammatory ratios in the patients.

Conclusion
AD-MSCs represent a potential intervention to prevent age-related inflammation in patients.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov number is NCT05827757, first registered on 13th Oct 2020
Characterizing genetic variation on the Z chromosome in Schistosoma japonicum reveals host-parasite co-evolution
Authors: Zhou An , Zhang Wei , Ge Xueling , Liu Qi , Luo Fang , Xu Shuhua , Hu Wei , Lu Yan 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Background
Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease that afflicts millions of people worldwide; it is caused by Schistosoma, the only dioecious flukes with ZW systems. Schistosoma japonicum is endemic to Asia; the Z chromosome of S. japonicum comprises one-quarter of the entire genome. Detection of positive selection using resequencing data to understand adaptive evolution has been applied to a variety of pathogens, including S. japonicum. However, the contribution of the Z chromosome to evolution and adaptation is often neglected.

Methods
We obtained 1,077,526 high-quality SNPs on the Z chromosome in 72 S. japonicum using re-sequencing data publicly. To examine the faster Z effect, we compared the sequence divergence of S. japonicum with two closely related species, Schistosoma haematobium and S. mansoni. Genetic diversity was compared between the Z chromosome and autosomes in S. japonicum by calculating the nucleotide diversity (π) and Dxy values. Population structure was also assessed based on PCA and structure analysis. Besides, we employed multiple methods including Tajima’s D, FST, iHS, XP-EHH, and CMS to detect positive selection signals on the Z chromosome. Further RNAi knockdown experiments were performed to investigate the potential biological functions of the candidate genes.

Results
Our study found that the Z chromosome of S. japonicum showed faster evolution and more pronounced genetic divergence than autosomes, although the effect may be smaller than the variation among genes. Compared with autosomes, the Z chromosome in S. japonicum had a more pronounced genetic divergence of sub-populations. Notably, we identified a set of candidate genes associated with host-parasite co-evolution. In particular, LCAT exhibited significant selection signals within the Taiwan population. Further RNA interference experiments suggested that LCAT is necessary for S. japonicum survival and propagation in the definitive host. In addition, we identified several genes related to the specificity of the intermediate host in the C-M population, including Rab6 and VCP, which are involved in adaptive immune evasion to the host.

Conclusions
Our study provides valuable insights into the adaptive evolution of the Z chromosome in S. japonicum and further advances our understanding of the co-evolution of this medically important parasite and its hosts.

Graphical Abstract
The nutritional benefits of maize-soybean rotational systems in the North-Western Free State, South Africa
Authors: de Bruyn Melanie , Nel Andrè , van Niekerk Johan 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Background
Malnutrition is one of the major health concerns, particularly in the developing and under-developed world. In South Africa, maize is produced as a staple food and is the primary food for most of the country’s population. The North-Western Free State which forms part of the Nala municipality in the Lejweleputswa district of South Africa is a main producer of the country’s maize. However, the area is known for its sandy soil which contains little organic material, silt and clay. Maize in this area is normally grown in monoculture but with a focus on sustainable agriculture has recently incorporated soybean. As a means of fighting malnutrition, the objective of this study was to determine the influence that soybean incorporation as a rotation crop has on the nutritional value of maize.

Methods
A trial was conducted on the farm Christinasrus in the North-Western Free State to compare the nutritional value of monoculture maize and maize in rotation with soybean over three consecutive seasons. Maize kernel samples were taken each season and its nutritional properties analyzed. Subsequent data were further analyzed using statistical analysis.

Results
Results showed that there was a seasonal effect on all nutritional properties with a general decrease in nutritional values in wetter years. Cropping systems had an effect on fibre content, with increased values observed in maize after soybean. In addition, there was a significant interaction between season and cropping systems on the total digestible nutritional value, with maize after soybean being more nutritious in wetter seasons.

Conclusion
Results suggest that maize in cropping systems with soybean has potential to be more nutritious while the soybean in the cropping system can act as a protein-rich companion, providing a more balanced diet for human consumption, thereby fighting malnutrition.
Changes in vitamins and trace elements after initiation of highly effective CFTR modulator therapy in children and adults with cystic fibrosis – a real-life insight
Authors: Fabricius Dorit , Knieling Tina , Zurmuehl Noelle , Makedon Leandra , Freihorst Joachim , Schmidt Hanna , Bode Sebastian 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Background
Highly-effective CFTR-modulator therapy with elexa-/teza-/ivacaftor (ETI) has led to improvements in pulmonary outcomes, sweat chloride, body mass index (BMI) and quality of life in people with cystic fibrosis (CF). Improved uptake of fat-soluble vitamins and micronutrients has been reported for CFTR-modulators but data regarding ETI therapy is lacking.

Methods
This single-center retrospective study evaluated forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV-1), sweat chloride, BMI, transaminases (AST, ALT), bilirubin, vitamins A, D, E, zinc and selenium in children and adults eligible for ETI. Parameters were assessed before and up to one year after initiation of ETI.

Results
58 patients (median age m = 28 years, SD ± 11.6 years, 51.7% female14 < 18 years old) were included. FEV-1 and sweat chloride improved significantly after ETI. There were no changes in BMI or AST. ALT was increased significantly after 4 weeks of ETI but returned to normal levels in further course. Bilirubin levels remained elevated after ETI. Vitamin A was significantly higher 12 months after ETI. No changes were found for vitamins D, E, zinc and selenium.

Conclusions
This study adds to the evidence that improvements of some fat-soluble vitamin levels can be found after ETI. No changes regarding micronutrients were noted. Individualized follow-up and supplementation are recommended.
Stress change in southwest Japan due to the 1944–1946 Nankai megathrust rupture sequence based on a 3-D heterogeneous rheological model
Authors: Hashima Akinori , Hori Takane , Iinuma Takeshi , Murakami Sota , Fujita Kohei , Ichimura Tsuyoshi 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe Nankai trough has repeatedly experienced large megathrust earthquakes at intervals of 100–200 years. The inland region of southwest (SW) Japan has a seismically active period from 50 years before to 10 years after megathrust earthquakes. To assess the activities of inland earthquakes after megathrust earthquakes, we need to quantitatively evaluate the postseismic stress accumulation on the inland source faults considering plausible viscoelastic relaxation. Recent studies have shown the importance of low-viscosity layers along the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary (LAB layer) in postseismic deformation. In the present study, we focus on the most recent ruptures, the 1944 M7.9 Tonankai and the 1946 M8.0 Nankai earthquakes, estimating the 4-year stress change on the source faults in SW Japan in a forward modeling approach. The 1944–1946 megathrust rupture sequence was followed by severe ~ M7 inland earthquakes, such as the 1945 M6.8 Mikawa and 1948 M7.1 Fukui earthquakes. For stress calculation, we used a highly detailed finite element model incorporating the actual topography and the plausible viscoelastic underground structure from past studies. The calculated inland stress field shows the dominance of the coseismic change during the 1944 and 1946 earthquakes and little contribution from viscoelastic relaxation. In contrast, viscoelastic relaxation has a significant effect on stress in the slab, indicating the importance of quantifying the viscosity of the LAB layer. Based on the calculated stress, we evaluated the change in the Coulomb failure stress (ΔCFS) on each source fault. The ΔCFS is generally positive on the strike-slip faults east of 135°E due to the 1944 rupture. In contrast, the ΔCFS on the faults west of 135°E, including the Median Tectonic Line segments, became positive due to the 1946 rupture. The occurrence of the damaging earthquakes in 1945 and 1948 can be explained by the calculated ΔCFS. The ΔCFS on the recent earthquake faults of the recent damaging earthquakes such as the 2016 M7.2 Kumamoto earthquake is generally negative, suggesting the delay in stress accumulation. The ΔCFS on the source faults of the intra-slab earthquakes differ significantly as large as tens of kilopascals depending on the viscosity of the LAB layer.
Graphical Abstract