bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The rise of the opportunists: What are the drivers of the increase in infectious diseases caused by environmental and commensal bacteria?
Authors: Samsing Francisca , Barnes Andrew C. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe aquaculture sector is currently experiencing a global disease crisis. Emerging bacterial diseases—often opportunistic or syndromic—have collapsed production in nations across the world. Losses in the shrimp industry associated with opportunistic Vibrio spp. exceed 40% of global capacity. This paper reviews potential drivers of syndromic diseases involving opportunistic bacterial pathogens affecting global aquaculture. We provide key examples from major industries where such conditions have prompted greater antibiotic use and have resulted in significant mortality. We challenge the conventional definitions of opportunistic pathogens and propose a fluid categorisation that acknowledges the continuum of host adaptation and the complexity of microbial ecology. We discuss the implications of environmental and dietary stressors such as climate change, coastal eutrophication and pollution, and the transition to plant‐based feeds, which have been linked to impaired epithelial barrier function, gut health disorders and increased disease susceptibility. We critique the ‘one‐pathogen one‐disease’ paradigm, suggesting that Rothman's causal pie model is more useful for understanding opportunistic infections as it emphasises the multicausal nature of disease. We provide examples of bacterial and viral interactions in aquatic disease and occurrence of bacterial diseases resulting from host damage from eukaryotic parasites or increasing frequency and severity of interventions to control such parasites. We recognise the need for corroborative evidence to validate the rise of opportunistic bacterial pathogens as a global trend, and we advocate for the application of nuanced disease causation models to reduce the incidence of opportunistic infections and improve the sustainability of the aquaculture industry.
Visualizing a bivariate discrete distribution and other distributions derived from it
Authors: Sarkar Jyotirmoy , Rashid Mamunur 
Published: April 2024

AbstractA single discrete random variable is depicted by a stick diagram, a 2D picture. Naturally, to visualize a bivariate discrete distribution, one can use a bivariate stick diagram, a 3D picture. Unfortunately, many students have difficulty understanding and processing 3D pictures. Therefore, we construct an alternative 2D disc plot to depict the bivariate distribution of (, ), from which we obtain graphically the conditional distributions of given , and given ; the marginal distributions of , , , . Furthermore, we depict the mean and the standard deviation of each distribution using a single‐headed arrow. We hope these visualizations will help students better comprehend these concepts and avoid some misconceptions.
Improving resilience to high temperature in drought: water replenishment enhances sucrose and amino acid metabolisms in maize grain
Authors: Wang Xinglong , Wang Junhao , Zhu Yupeng , Qu Ziren , Liu Xiwei , Wang Pu , Meng Qingfeng 
Published: April 2024

SUMMARYHeat stress poses a significant threat to maize, especially when combined with drought. Recent research highlights the potential of water replenishment to ameliorate grain weight loss. However, the mitigating mechanisms of heat in drought stress, especially during the crucial early grain‐filling stage, remain poorly understood. We investigated the mechanism for mitigating heat in drought stress by water replenishment from the 12th to the 32nd days after silking in a controlled greenhouse experiment (Exp. I) and field trial (Exp. II). A significant reduction in grain weight was observed in heat stress compared to normal conditions. When water replenishment was applied to increase soil water content (SWC) under heat stress, the grain yield exhibited a notable increase ranging from 28.4 to 76.9%. XY335 variety was used for transcriptome sequencing to analyze starch biosynthesis and amino acid metabolisms in Exp. I. With water replenishment, the transcripts of genes responsible for trehalose 6‐phosphate phosphates (TPP), alpha‐trehalase (TRE), ADP‐glcpyrophosphorylase, and starch synthase activity were stimulated. Additionally, the expression of genes encoding TPP and TRE contributed to an enhanced conversion of trehalose to glucose. This led to the conversion of sucrose from glucose‐1‐phosphate to ADP‐glucose and ADP‐glucose to amylopectin, ultimately increasing starch production by 45.1%. Water replenishment to boost SWC during heat stress also elevated the levels of essential amino acids in maize, including arginine, serine, tyrosine, leucine, glutamic acid, and methionine, providing valuable support to maize plants in adversity. Field trials further validated the positive impact of water replenishment on SWC, resulting in a notable increase in grain yield ranging from 7.1 to 9.2%. This study highlights the vital importance of adapting to abiotic stress and underscores the necessity of developing strategies to counteract its adverse effects on crop yield.
A note on r$r$‐gaps between zeros of the Riemann zeta‐function
Authors: Inoue Shōta 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIn this paper, we prove Selberg's announced result on ‐gaps between zeros of the Riemann zeta‐function . Our proof uses a result on variations of by Tsang based on Selberg's method. The same result with explicit constants under the Riemann Hypothesis has been obtained by Conrey and Turnage‐Butterbaugh using a different method. We explain how to obtain explicit constants under the Riemann Hypothesis using our approach which is based on Selberg's and Tsang's arguments.
Bactericidal and sterilizing activity of sudapyridine-clofazimine-TB47 combined with linezolid or pyrazinamide in a murine model of tuberculosis
Authors: Yu Wei , Ju Yanan , Han Xingli , Tian Xirong , Ding Jie , Wang Shuai , Hameed H. M. Adnan , Gao Yamin , Li Lei , Li Yongguo , Zhong Nanshan , Zhang Tianyu 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACT

As an obligate aerobe,
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
relies on its branched electron transport chain (ETC) for energy production through oxidative phosphorylation. Regimens targeting ETC exhibit promising potential to enhance bactericidal activity against
M. tuberculosis
and hold the prospect of shortening treatment duration. Our previous research demonstrated that the bacteriostatic drug candidate TB47 (T) inhibited the growth of
M. tuberculosis
by targeting the cytochrome
bc1
complex and exhibited synergistic activity with clofazimine (C). Here, we found synergistic activities between C and sudapyridine (S), a structural analog of bedaquiline (B). S has shown similar anti-tuberculosis efficacy and may share a mechanism of action with B, which inhibits ATP synthesis and the energy metabolism of bacteria. We evaluated the efficacy of SCT in combination with linezolid (L) or pyrazinamide (Z) using a well-established murine model of tuberculosis. Compared to the BPa(pretomanid)L regimen, SCT and SCTL demonstrated similar bactericidal and sterilizing activities. There was no significant difference in activity between SCT and SCTL. In contrast, SCZ and SCTZ showed much higher activities, with none of the 15 mice experiencing relapse after 2 months of treatment with either SCZ or SCTZ. However, T did not contribute to the activity of the SCZ. Our findings emphasize the efficacy and the potential clinical significance of combination therapy with ETC inhibitors. Additionally, cross-resistance exists not only between S and B but also between S/B and C. This is supported by our findings, as spontaneous S-resistant mutants exhibited mutations in
Rv0678
, which are associated with cross-resistance to B and C.
Malária
Authors: Boulos Marcos 
Published: April 2024

Este trabalho de revisão objetiva rever aspectos gerais da malária, caracterizando a importância da mesma nos dias de hoje. Malária é a principal doença endêmica existente no mundo com centenas de milhões de casos novos anualmente e com aproximadamente 2 milhões de mortes devidas a ela neste mesmo período. No Brasil represente importante Ônus social, principalmente na região amazônica, onde ocorre quase a totalidade dos casos. Após período de incubação variável apresenta quadro clínico caracterizado por "acessos" com calafrio, febre e sudorese na sua forma mais típica, podendo porém cursar com sintomas mais intensos e diversos e até mesmo com ausência de sintomas característicos em regiões de intensa endemicidade. O plasmódio, parasita causador da malária, pode levar a comprometimento diverso no hospedeiro humano na dependência da espécie do mesmo e de características imunes do homem. Estão envolvidos na patogenia da doença alterações decorrentes do processo mecânico de invasão e destruição da hemácia e reação inflamatóriadevido a participação de citocinas em intensidade maior que a necessária para o controle, com destaque para o FNT-a. O diagnóstico é realizado pela pesquisa direta do hematozoário, e o tratamento vem se modificando devido ao desenvolvimento de resistência do Plasmodium falciparum aos diferentes medicamentos. A profilaxia individual é realizada impedindo-se o contato do anofelino com a pele ou através medicamentos em áreas de malária sensível à cloroquina, enquanto que a coletiva é feita com medidas de saneamento, drenagem de coleções de água e emprego de inseticidas de depósito em paredes de casas em regiões endêmicas.
O estudo do genoma humano contribuindo para a compreensão, o diagnóstico e a prevenção de doenças genéticas: o exemplo das doenças neuromusculares
Authors: Zatz Mayana 
Published: April 2024

O anúncio da finalização do Genoma Humano passará a trazer muitas respostas relacionadas ao aspecto molecular de diversas patologias mas também trará muitas perguntas como: Qual o benefício para a Medicina ao se estudar os genes? Quais os aspectos éticos envolvidos? Quais as perspectivas reais diante dessa decoberta? Estudar doenças genéticas auxilia o estudo dos genes até mesmo em seu aspecto ético, mesmo tendo em vista que o Genoma Humano pouco tenha trazido de novidades para as principais doenças genéticas, já que seus genes já eram conhecidos. Aqui será mostrado o exemplo das Doenças Neuromusculares, mais exatamente as Distrofias Musculares, desde seus aspectos genéticos e moleculares até suas diferentes apresentações, seu diagnóstico, os fatores de risco e as questões envolvidas no aconselhamento genético.
Aspectos moleculares das craniossinostoses: implicações no diagnóstico e aconselhamento genético
Authors: Passos-Bueno Maria Rita , Jehee Fernanda Sarquis , Armelin Lúcia Maria Libório 
Published: April 2024

Graniossinostose caracteriza-se pelo fechamento prematuro de uma ou mais suturas cranianas. As craniossinostoses formam um grupo bastante heterogêneo, com uma incidência de 1 para 2000-3000 nascimentos. Tanto fatores ambientais como genéticos podem estar relacionados com o surgimento das craniossinostoses. Na última década, verificou-se que mutações em 4 genes (FGFR1, FGFR2, FGFR3, TWIST) podem causar formas sindrômicas de craniossinostose bem definidas clinicamente, a saber: Sindromes de Apert, Pfeiffer, Crouzon, Jackson-Weiss, Beare-Stevenson e Saethre-Chotzen. Ainda, duas novas síndromes foram clinicamente e molecularmente caracterizadas: a síndrome de Muenke e a de Boston. O quadro clínico associado com estas duas formas de craniossinostose é bastante variado. incluindo desde paciente com crânio em trevo até aqueles com apenas craniossinostose da sutura coronal (bilateral ou unilateral), os quais são classificados como portadores de craniossinostose não sindrômica. Uma precisa correlação fenótipo-genótipo têm sido difícil na grande maioria dos casos devido à sobreposição do quadro clínico e pela heterogeneidade genética do grupo, e portanto o teste molecular pode ser importante para o diagnóstico de um grande número de pacientes. O padrão de herança das craniossinostoses acima referidas é o autossômico dominante, o que significa que um indivíduo afetado possui 50% de chance de vir a ter um filho afetado com a mesma condição. Outros padrões de herança também têm sido relatados, sendo sempre importante uma avaliação genética e clínica de todos os membros da família do afetado. Exemplificamos com dois casos atendidos em nosso laboratório, a importância do uso de testes moleculares para a confirmação do diagnóstico e realização precisa do aconselhamento genético.
Neurofilament light chain is elevated in patients with newly diagnosed idiopathic intracranial hypertension: A prospective study
Authors: Svart Katrine , Korsbæk Johanne Juhl , Jensen Rigmor Højland , Parkner Tina , Knudsen Cindy Søndersø , Hasselbalch Steen Gregers , Hagen Snorre Malm , Wibroe Elisabeth Arnberg , Molander Laleh Dehghani , Beier Dagmar 
Published: May 2024

Background Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is a secondary headache disorder potentially causing visual loss. Neurofilament light chain is a candidate, prognostic biomarker, but further studies of neuronal biomarkers are needed. Our objective was to investigate neurofilament light chain in cerebrospinal fluid (cNfL) and plasma (pNfL), amyloid-beta 42 (Aβ-42), total-tau and phosphorylated-tau in cerebrospinal fluid in new-onset idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Methods Prospective case-control study including new-onset idiopathic intracranial hypertension and age, sex and BMI matched controls. Biomarkers were compared between patients and controls and related to papilledema, visual fields and opening pressure. Results We included 37 patients and 35 controls. Patients had higher age-adjusted cNfL (1.4 vs. 0.6 pg/mL, p-adjusted < 0.001), pNfL (0.5 vs. 0.3 pg/mL, p-adjusted < 0.001) and total-tau/Aβ-42 (0.12 vs. 0.11, p-adjusted = 0.039). Significant, positive linear correlations were found between cNfL, pNfL, total-tau/Aβ-42 and opening pressure. Patients with severe papilledema had elevated cNfL compared to mild-moderate papilledema (median cNfL: 4.3 pg/mL (3.7) versus 1.0 pg/mL (1.4), p-adjusted = 0.009). cNFL was inversely associated with perimetric mean deviation (r = −0.47, p-adjusted < 0.001). Conclusions cNfL, pNfL and total-tau/Aβ-42 were elevated in new-onset idiopathic intracranial hypertension. cNfL was associated with severity of papilledema and visual field defects at diagnosis. This indicates early axonal damage. Neurofilament light chain is a candidate biomarker for disease severity.
Sustainability in endourology: Greening the stone theatre and beyond
Authors: Ramsey Sara 
Published: April 2024

Objective: Climate change has been described as the ‘biggest global health threat of the 21st century’ and NHS England has set out its plans to develop a ‘net zero’ NHS by 2040. This is a target of completely negating the amount of greenhouse gases produced by healthcare in the United Kingdom, currently estimated at 4% of the UK total carbon emissions. We need to consider as a community of endourologists how we can make sustainable choices. Methods: Recommendations for sustainable surgery in the United Kingdom have been considered and applied to the field of Endourology. There is a relatively little published evidence on this evolving area. Results: Areas for making sustainable choices in Endourology can broadly be divided into ‘Prevention and Education’, ‘Pre-operative’, ‘Planning’, ‘Operative’ and ‘After Care’. While reducing waste in theatre is clearly important, there are many other decisions we can make with our patients to create a lower carbon journey. Conclusion: Sustainability in Endourology strongly parallels GIRFT recommendations and the concept of realistic medicine. We should all make personal and professional choices to reduce our carbon footprint with the shared goal of Net zero in 2040. Level of evidence: 4
Central retinal artery occlusion after intravitreal brolucizumab injection for treatment-naïve neovascular age-related macular degeneration; a case report
Authors: Hong Sung Hwa , Kim Hoon Dong 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
To report a case of central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) after intravitreal injection of brolucizumab for a treatment-naïve neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) patient without comorbid cardiovascular disease history.

Case presentation
A 79-year-old Asian male without a cardiovascular disease history such as diabetes or hypertension underwent three times of monthly consecutive intravitreal brolucizumab injections for treatment of progressed nAMD in his left eye. Two days after the third injection, the patient presented with acute painless visual loss. Typical retinal whitening with a cherry red spot was observed on the fundus photograph, and retinal swelling with hyper-reflectivity was also identified on the optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan. On the fundus fluorescein angiography, arm-to-retina time and arteriovenous transit time were remarkedly delayed, but clinical findings suggesting an intraocular inflammation (IOI) were not observed. Therefore, CRAO was diagnosed, and anterior chamber paracentesis was administrated immediately. However, there had been no improvement in visual acuity during the follow-up period of three months, despite prolonged oral steroid and anti-platelet agent medication.

Conclusions
In rare cases, patients without cardiovascular comorbidities can develop CRAO after intravitreal brolucizumab injection without gross evidence of IOI. Therefore, CRAO should always be in consideration and careful observation is required after intravitreal brolucizumab injection for nAMD patients with old age, even if the patient does not have any other cardiovascular disease history.
Covid-19 hotlines, helplines and call centers: a systematic review of characteristics, challenges and lessons learned
Authors: Eslami Jahromi Maryam , Ayatollahi Haleh , Ebrazeh Ali 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
During the Covid-19 pandemic, a number of hotlines/helplines/call centers was implemented to provide remote services and support public health. The objective of this study was to investigate the characteristics, challenges and lessons learned of implementing Covid-19 hotlines/helplines/call centers during the pandemic.

Methods
PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, IEEE Xplore, and ProQuest databases as well as Google Scholar were searched between 1st January 2020 and 31st December 2023 to retrieve relevant articles published in English. The quality and risk of bias of the studies were assessed using the Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS), the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT), and Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) Checklist.

Results
In total, 43 out of 1440 articles were included in this study. About half of the hotlines/helplines/call centers were launched in March 2020 (n = 19). Providing psychological support (n = 23), reliable information about Covid-19 (n = 10), healthcare advices about Covid-19 (n = 8), and triage (n = 7) were the most common purposes of implementing these services. The most common challenges included a lack of physical examination, unavailability of hotlines/helplines/call centers at the point of need, and delay in updating Covid-19 information. The most common lessons learned were employing qualified staff, providing proper training, and getting feedback from the callers and operators.

Conclusion
According to the results, most of the Covid-19 hotlines/helplines/call centers were launched in the early months of the pandemic, and about half of them were active seven days a week. Most of the operators were mental health providers and clinicians. The findings show the importance of continuous psychological support during crises, particularly when adequate information about the situation is not available. The challenges experienced by the callers and operators as well as the lessons learned by the service providers also need to be considered for future crises to increase the effectiveness of similar services.
Association of serum sclerostin levels with marrow adiposity in postmenopausal women with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis
Authors: Li Wei , Wang Wei , Zhang Minlan , Chen Qi , Li Fengyi , Li Shaojun 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
Glucocorticoids and sclerostin act as inhibitors of the Wnt signaling pathway, thereby hindering bone formation. Given the pathway's intricate association with mesenchymal stem cells, the hypothesis suggests that heightened sclerostin levels may be intricately linked to an augmentation in marrow adiposity induced by glucocorticoids. This study endeavored to delve into the nuanced relationship between circulating sclerostin and bone marrow adipose tissue in postmenopausal women grappling with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO).

Methods
In this cross-sectional study, 103 patients with autoimmune-associated diseases underwent glucocorticoid treatment, boasting an average age of 61.3 years (standard deviation 7.1 years). The investigation encompassed a thorough assessment, incorporating medical history, anthropometric data, biochemical analysis, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measurements of lumbar and femoral bone mineral density (BMD). Osteoporosis criteria were established at a T-score of -2.5 or lower. Additionally, MR spectroscopy quantified the vertebral marrow fat fraction.

Results
BMD at the femoral neck, total hip, and lumbar spine showcased an inverse correlation with marrow fat fraction (r = –0.511 to – 0.647, P < 0.001). Serum sclerostin levels exhibited a positive correlation with BMD at various skeletal sites (r = 0.476 to 0.589, P < 0.001). A noteworthy correlation emerged between circulating sclerostin and marrow fat fraction at the lumbar spine (r = –0.731, 95% CI, –0.810 to –0.627, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis brought to light that vertebral marrow fat fraction significantly contributed to sclerostin serum concentrations (standardized regression coefficient ß = 0.462, P < 0.001). Even after adjusting for age, body mass index, physical activity, renal function, BMD, and the duration and doses of glucocorticoid treatment, serum sclerostin levels maintained a significant correlation with marrow fat fraction.

Conclusions
Circulating sclerostin levels exhibited a noteworthy association with marrow adiposity in postmenopausal women grappling with GIO.