bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phenotypic characterization of
HAM1
, a novel mating regulator of the fungal pathogen
Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Arsenault Yee Elizabeth , Ross Robbi L. , Santiago-Tirado Felipe H. 
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACT

Cryptococcus neoformans
is a fungal pathogen responsible for >200,000 yearly cases with a mortality as high as 81%. This burden results, in part, from an incomplete understanding of its pathogenesis and ineffective antifungal treatments; hence, there is a pressing need to understand the biology and host interactions of this yeast to develop improved treatments. Protein palmitoylation is important for cryptococcal virulence, and we previously identified the substrates of its main palmitoyl transferase. One of them was encoded by the uncharacterized gene CNAG_02129. In the filamentous fungus
Neurospora crassa
, a homolog of this gene named hyphal anastomosis protein 13 plays a role in proper cellular communication and filament fusion. In
Cryptococcus
, cellular communication is essential during mating; therefore, we hypothesized that CNAG_02129, which we named hyphal anastomosis protein 1 (
HAM1
), may play a role in mating. We found that
ham1
Δ mutants produce more fusion products during mating, filament more robustly, and exhibit competitive fitness defects under mating and non-mating conditions. Additionally, we found several differences with the major virulence factor, the polysaccharide capsule, that may affect virulence, consistent with prior studies linking virulence to mating. We observed that
ham1
Δ mutants have decreased capsule attachment and transfer but exhibit higher amounts of exopolysaccharide shedding and biofilm production. Finally,
HAM1
expression is significantly lower in mating media relative to non-mating conditions, consistent with it acting as a negative regulator of mating. Understanding the connection between mating and virulence in
C. neoformans
may open new avenues of investigation into ways to improve the treatment of this disease.

IMPORTANCE

Fungal mating is a vital part of the lifecycle of the pathogenic yeast
Cryptococcus neoformans
. More than just ensuring the propagation of the species, mating allows for sexual reproduction to occur and generates genetic diversity as well as infectious propagules that can invade mammalian hosts. Despite its importance in the biology of this pathogen, we still do not know all of the major players regulating the mating process and if they are involved or impact its pathogenesis. Here, we identified a novel negative regulator of mating that also affects certain cellular characteristics known to be important for virulence. This gene, which we call
HAM1
, is widely conserved across the cryptococcal family as well as in many pathogenic fungal species. This study will open new avenues of exploration regarding the function of uncharacterized but conserved genes in a variety of pathogenic fungal species and specifically in serotype A of
C. neoformans
.
Performance evaluation of the Alinity m system for quantifying cytomegalovirus DNA in samples of the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urinary tract
Authors: Albert Eliseo , Giménez Estela , Alberola Juan , Torres Ignacio , López Yolanda , Marcos Ana , Reinhardt Birgit , Navarro David 
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACT

Quantitation of cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA load in specimens other than blood such as bronchoalveolar lavages, intestinal biopsies, or urine has become a common practice as an ancillary tool for the diagnosis of CMV pneumonitis, intestinal disease, or congenital infection, respectively. Nevertheless, most commercially available CMV PCR platforms have not been validated for CMV DNA detection in these specimen types. In this study, a laboratory-developed test based on Alinity m CMV (“Alinity LDT”) was evaluated. Reproducibility assessment using spiked bronchial aspirate (BAS) or urine samples showed low standard deviations of 0.08 and 0.27 Log IU/mL, respectively. Evaluating the clinical performance of Alinity LDT in comparison to a laboratory-developed test based on RealTi
m
e CMV (“RealTi
m
e LDT”) showed good concordance across 200 clinical specimens including respiratory specimens, intestinal biopsies, urine, and stool. A high Pearson's correlation coefficient of r = 0.92, a low mean bias of −0.12 Log IU/mL, a good qualitative agreement of 90%, and a Cohen's kappa value of 0.76 (substantial agreement) were observed. In separate analyses of the sample types BAS, tracheal aspirates, bronchoalveolar lavage, biopsies, and urine, the assay results correlated well between the two platforms with r values between 0.88 and 0.99 and a bias <0.5 Log IU/mL. Overall, the fully automated, continuous, random access Alinity LDT yielded good reproducibility, high concordance, and good correlation to RealTi
m
e LDT in respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urine samples and may enhance patient management with rapid result reporting.

IMPORTANCE

In transplant recipients, a major cause for morbidity and mortality is end-organ disease by primary or secondary CMV infection of the respiratory or gastrointestinal tract. In addition, sensorineural hearing loss and neurodevelopmental abnormalities are frequent sequelae of congenital CMV infections in newborns. Standard of care for highly sensitive detection and quantitation of the CMV DNA load in plasma and whole blood specimens is real-time PCR testing. Beyond that, there is a need for quantitative determination of CMV DNA levels in respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urinary tract specimens using a highly automated, random access CMV PCR assay with a short turnaround time to enable early diagnosis and treatment. In the present study, clinical performance of the fully automated Alinity m analyzer in comparison to the current RealTi
m
e LDT assay was evaluated in eight different off-label sample types.
Caregiving for China’s one-child generation: a simulation study of caregiving responsibility and impact on women’s time use
Authors: Kwete Xiaoxiao , Knaul Felicia Marie , Essue Beverley M. , Touchton Michael , Arreola-Ornelas Héctor , Langer Ana , Calderon-Anyosa Renzo , Nargund Renu Sara 
Published: June 2024

IntroductionThe introduction, strict enforcement and recent exit of China’s one-child policy (OCP) resulted in China’s demographical changes, and, alongside its epidemiological transition, disproportionately impacted caregiving needs and demands on women. This study examines women’s caregiving responsibilities in contemporary China and evaluates how the OCP affected them.MethodsWe simulated the female population aged 25–54 years in 2020 in China and their caregiving responsibilities based on epidemiological and demographic data for women, their parents and parents-in-law, and children under 10. Three different health states were simulated for children and the senior generation: (1) healthy, (2) end of life—decedents and (3) non-decedents in need of palliative care. We combine the care responsibility for senior family members and for children using an aggregate indicator—the Care Responsibility Score (CRS) –to compare the impact of the OCP across different generations of women.ResultsApproximately 60 million working-age women are living with medium to high levels of care responsibilities (a CRS over 0.8), which is equivalent to caring for a senior family member with palliative care needs without any assistance from siblings. This includes more than one-third of the 156 million women born after the OCP and only 5% of women born before the OCP.ConclusionFor women born under the OCP, the additional responsibility generated by a lack of siblings outweighs the benefit of having four dedicated grandparents to support them in raising children.
Reaching the unreached through building trust: a mixed-method study on COVID-19 vaccination in rural Lao PDR
Authors: Phrasisombath Ketkesone , Kubota Shogo , Elliott Elizabeth M , Horiuchi Sayaka , Ounaphom Phonepaseuth , Phimmachak Laty , Souksavanh Ounkham , Vongsouvanh Pavina , Rakotomalala Robinson Dimbintsoa , Channavong Souliya , Deharo Eric , Seal William Robert Everett , Lo Ying-Ru Jacqueline , Phoummalaysith Bounfeng 
Published: June 2024

IntroductionThe global COVID-19 vaccine rollout has been impacted by socioeconomic disparities and vaccine hesitancy, but few studies examine reasons for changed attitudes. In Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), a nationwide government-led initiative was developed in response to COVID-19, focused on community health ownership and trust in primary healthcare. The intervention team including health and governance sectors conducted capacity-building workshops with local staff and community representatives and visited villages for vaccination outreach. This study investigates the impact of this intervention on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in rural communities.MethodsConducted in Xiengkhuang province, Lao PDR, from December 2022 to February 2023, the study employed a sequential mixed-methods research design. Data on vaccinated individuals from 25 villages were collected from 11 primary healthcare units; pre-post analysis was applied. Qualitative data, gathered through interviews and focus group discussions with villagers, village authorities, health staff and local government (n=102) in six villages, underwent inductive thematic analysis.ResultsFirst-dose vaccine uptake after the intervention increased significantly (6.9 times). Qualitative analysis identified key reasons for vaccination hesitancy: (1) mistrust due to rumours and past experiences; (2) poor communication and inconsistent messaging and (3) challenges in access for priority groups. Influencing factors during the intervention included (1) effective local-context communication; (2) leveraging existing community structures and influential individuals in a multisectoral approach and (3) increased community motivation through improved satisfaction, ownership and relationships.ConclusionThis study highlights the impact and methods of building trust with unreached populations in health interventions, emphasising locally led solutions. Successful reversal of vaccine hesitancy was achieved by addressing root causes and fostering ownership at community and local government levels through a ‘positive approach’. This diverges from conventional supplemental immunisation activities and holds potential for systematically building trust between unreached populations and health systems. Further research could explore the impacts of routine vaccination for sustained improvements in health equity.
Development of a risk prediction score for screening for HBV, HCV and HIV among migrants in France: results from a multicentre observational study (STRADA study)
Authors: Duracinsky Martin , Yaya Issifou , Yombo-Kokule Lisa , Bessonneau Pascal , Thonon Frédérique , Rousset-Torrente Olivia , Roudot-Thoraval Françoise , Lert France , Zucman David , Chassany Olivier 
Published: June 2024

ObjectivesMigrants from high HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) endemicity regions have a great burden of these infections and related diseases in the host countries. This study aimed to assess the predictive capacity of the Test Rapide d'Orientation Diagnostique (TROD) Screen questionnaire for HIV, HBV and HCV infections among migrants arriving in France.DesignAn observational and multicentre study was conducted among migrants. A self-questionnaire on demographic characteristics, personal medical history and sexual behaviours was completed.SettingThe study was conducted in the centres of the French Office for Immigration and Integration (OFII).ParticipantsConvenience sampling was used to select and recruit adult migrants between January 2017 and March 2020.Outcome measuresParticipants were tested for HIV, HBV and HCV with rapid tests. For each infection, the test performance was assessed using receiver operating characteristics curves, using area under the curve (AUC) as a measure of accuracy.ResultsAmong 21 133 regular migrants seen in OFII centres, 15 343 were included in the study. The participants’ mean age was 35.6 years (SD±11.1). The prevalence (95% CI) of HBV, HCV and HIV was 2.0% (1.8% to 2.2%), 0.3% (0.2% to 0.4%) and 0.3% (0.2% to 0.4%), respectively. Based on the sensitivity–specificity curve analysis, the cut-off points (95% CI) chosen for the risk score were: 2.5 (2.5 to 7.5) for HBV infection in men; 6.5 (0.5 to 6.5) for HBV infection in women; 9.5 (9.5 to 12.5) for HCV infection; and 10.5 (10.0 to 18.5) for HIV infection. Test performance was highest for HIV (AUC=82.15% (95% CI 74.54% to 87.99%)), followed by that for HBV in men (AUC=79.22%, (95% CI 76.18% to 82.26%)), for HBV in women (AUC=78.83 (95% CI 74.54% to 82.10%)) and that for HCV (AUC=75.95% (95% CI 68.58% to 83.32%)).ConclusionThe TROD screen questionnaire showed good overall performance for predicting HIV, HBV and HCV infections among migrants in OFII centres. It could be used to optimise screening for these infections and to propose rapid screening tests to those who are at high risk.Trial registration numberNCT02959684.
Event segmentation in ADHD: neglect of social information and deviant theta activity point to a mechanism underlying ADHD
Authors: Prochnow Astrid , Zhou Xianzhen , Ghorbani Foroogh , Roessner Veit , Hommel Bernhard , Beste Christian 
Published: June 2024

BackgroundAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most frequently diagnosed psychiatric conditions in children and adolescents. Although the symptoms appear to be well described, no coherent conceptual mechanistic framework integrates their occurrence and variance and the associated problems that people with ADHD face.AimsThe current study proposes that altered event segmentation processes provide a novel mechanistic framework for understanding deficits in ADHD.MethodsAdolescents with ADHD and neurotypically developing (NT) peers watched a short movie and were then asked to indicate the boundaries between meaningful segments of the movie. Concomitantly recorded electroencephalography (EEG) data were analysed for differences in frequency band activity and effective connectivity between brain areas.ResultsCompared with their NT peers, the ADHD group showed less dependence of their segmentation behaviour on social information, indicating that they did not consider social information to the same extent as their unaffected peers. This divergence was accompanied by differences in EEG theta band activity and a different effective connectivity network architecture at the source level. Specifically, NT adolescents primarily showed error signalling in and between the left and right fusiform gyri related to social information processing, which was not the case in the ADHD group. For the ADHD group, the inferior frontal cortex associated with attentional sampling served as a hub instead, indicating problems in the deployment of attentional control.ConclusionsThis study shows that adolescents with ADHD perceive events differently from their NT peers, in association with a different brain network architecture that reflects less adaptation to the situation and problems in attentional sampling of environmental information. The results call for a novel conceptual view of ADHD, based on event segmentation theory.
Matched-pair hybrid test paradigm for behind armor blunt trauma using an experimental animal model
Authors: Yoganandan Narayan , Shah Alok , Baisden Jamie , Stemper Brian , Otterson Mary , Somberg Lewis , Bass Cameron , Salzar Robert , McMahon Justin , Chancey Carol , McEntire Joseph 
Published: June 2024

BackgroundThe current behind armor blunt trauma (BABT) injury criterion uses a single penetration limit of 44 mm in Roma Plastilina clay and is not specific to thoracoabdominal regions. However, different regions in the human body have different injury tolerances. This manuscript presents a matched-pair hybrid test paradigm with different experimental models and candidate metrics to develop regional human injury criteria.MethodsLive and cadaver swine were used as matched pair experimental models. An impactor simulating backface deformation profiles produced by body armor from military-relevant ballistics was used to deliver BABT loading to liver and lung regions in cadaver and live swine. Impact loading was characterized using peak accelerations and energy. For live swine, physiological parameters were monitored for 6 hours, animals were euthanized, and a detailed necropsy was done to identify injuries to skeletal structures, organs and soft tissues. A similar process was used to identify injuries to the cadaver swine for targeted thoracoabdominal regions.ResultsTwo cadavers and one live swine were subjected to BABT impacts to the liver. One cadaver and one live swine were subjected to BABT impacts to the left lung. Injuries to both regions were similar at similar energies between the cadaver and live models.ConclusionsSwine is an established animal for thoracoabdominal impact studies in automotive standards, although at lower insult levels. Similarities in BABT responses between cadaver and live swine allow for extending testing protocols to human cadavers and for the development of scaling relationships between animal and human cadavers, acting as a hybrid protocol between species and live and cadaver models. Injury tolerances and injury risk curves from live animals can be converted to human tolerances via structural scaling using these outcomes. The present experimental paradigm can be used to develop region-based BABT injury criteria, which are not currently available.
Chest trauma clinical practice guideline protects against delirium in patients with rib fractures
Authors: Kroeker Jenna , Wess Anas , Yang Yuwei , Al-Zeer Bader , Uppal Harjot , Balmes Patricia , Som Robin , Courval Valerie , Lakha Nasira , Brisson Angie , Sakai Jennifer , Garraway Naisan , Tang Raymond , Rose Peter , Joos Emilie 
Published: June 2024

IntroductionTraumatic rib fractures present a considerable risk to patient well-being, contributing to morbidity and mortality in trauma patients. To address the risks associated with rib fractures, evidence-based interventions have been implemented, including effective pain management, pulmonary hygiene, and early walking. Vancouver General Hospital, a level 1 trauma center in British Columbia, Canada, developed a comprehensive multidisciplinary chest trauma clinical practice guideline (CTCPG) to optimize the management of patients with rib fractures. This prospective cohort study aimed to assess the impact of the CTCPG on pain management interventions and patient outcomes.MethodsThe study involved patients admitted between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021 (post-CTCPG cohort) and a historical control group admitted between November 1, 2018 and December 31, 2019 (pre-CTCPG cohort). Patient data were collected from patient charts and the British Columbia Trauma Registry, including demographics, injury characteristics, pain management interventions, and relevant outcomes.ResultsImplementation of the CTCPG resulted in an increased use of multimodal pain therapy (99.4% vs 96.1%; p=0.03) and a significant reduction in the incidence of delirium in the post-CTCPG cohort (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.80, p=0.0099). There were no significant differences in hospital length of stay, ICU (intensive care unit) days, non-invasive positive pressure ventilation requirement, ventilator days, pneumonia incidence, or mortality between the two cohorts.DiscussionAdoption of a CTCPG improved chest trauma management by enhancing pain management and reducing the incidence of delirium. Further research, including multicenter studies, is warranted to validate these findings and explore additional potential benefits of the CTCPG in the management of chest trauma patients.Level of evidenceIIb.
Decorrelation using optimal transport
Authors: Algren Malte , Raine John Andrew , Golling Tobias 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBeing able to decorrelate a feature space from protected attributes is an area of active research and study in ethics, fairness, and also natural sciences. We introduce a novel decorrelation method using Convex Neural Optimal Transport Solvers (Cnots) that is able to decorrelate a continuous feature space against protected attributes with optimal transport. We demonstrate how well it performs in the context of jet classification in high energy physics, where classifier scores are desired to be decorrelated from the mass of a jet. The decorrelation achieved in binary classification approaches the levels achieved by the state-of-the-art using conditional normalising flows. When moving to multiclass outputs the optimal transport approach performs significantly better than the state-of-the-art, suggesting substantial gains at decorrelating multidimensional feature spaces.
Energy from Ellwood invariant for solutions involving $$X^0$$ variables
Authors: Ando Yuji , Suda Tomoya 
Published: June 2024

AbstractFor some classical solutions $$\Psi _\textrm{sol}$$

Ψ
sol

in Witten’s bosonic string field theory, it was proven that energy of the solution is proportional to the Ellwood invariant $$\textrm{Tr}(\mathcal {V}\Psi _\textrm{sol})$$

Tr
(
V

Ψ
sol

)

with $$\mathcal {V}=c\bar{c}\partial X^0\bar{\partial }X^0$$

V
=
c

c

¯

∂

X
0

∂

¯

X
0

. We examine the relation for solutions involving $$X^0$$

X
0

variables. As a result, we obtain that the relation may not hold for such solutions. Namely, there is a possibility that the energy is not proportional to the Ellwood invariant.
T-odd gluon distribution functions in a spectator model
Authors: Bacchetta Alessandro , Celiberto Francesco Giovanni , Radici Marco 
Published: June 2024

AbstractWe present a model calculation of T-odd transverse-momentum-dependent distributions of gluons in the nucleon. The model is based on the assumption that a nucleon contains a gluon and a remainder treated as a single on-shell spectator particle. The mass of this spectator particle is allowed to take a continuous range of values, described by a spectral function. The final-state interaction that is necessary to generate T-odd functions is modeled as the exchange of a single gluon between the spectator and the outgoing parton.
Schwarzschild black hole and redshift rapidity: a new approach towards measuring cosmic distances
Authors: Momennia Mehrab , Banerjee Pritam , Herrera-Aguilar Alfredo , Nucamendi Ulises 
Published: June 2024

AbstractMotivated by recent achievements of a full general relativistic method in estimating the mass-to-distance ratio of supermassive black holes hosted at the core of active galactic nuclei, we introduce the new concept redshift rapidity in order to express the Schwarzschild black hole mass and its distance from the Earth just in terms of observational quantities. The redshift rapidity is also an observable relativistic invariant that represents the evolution of the frequency shift with respect to proper time in the Schwarzschild spacetime. We extract concise and elegant analytic formulas that allow us to disentangle mass and distance to black holes in the Schwarzschild background and estimate these parameters separately. This procedure is performed in a completely general relativistic way with the aim of improving the precision in measuring cosmic distances to astrophysical compact objects. Our exact formulas are valid on the midline and close to the line of sight, having direct astrophysical applications for megamaser systems, whereas the general relations can be employed in black hole parameter estimation studies. We also computed the frequency shift and the redshift rapidity for emitter eccentric orbits and calculated their relative error with respect to their numerical exact value for different eccentricities.