bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do changes in beliefs and behaviours moderate improvement in insomnia after acquired brain injury?
Authors: Ford Marthe E. , Verkaik Frank , Bouwmeester Samantha , Geurtsen Gert J. 
Published: May 2024

SummaryKey mechanisms of change in cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia in the general population encompass changing sleep‐related beliefs and behaviours. In a population with acquired brain injury, cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia is effective as well, but little is known about the mechanisms of change. The aim of this study was to evaluate how changing sleep‐related beliefs and behaviours were associated with improvement in insomnia following blended cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia in a population with acquired brain injury. A secondary analysis was performed on data of a randomized–controlled trial, including 24 participants that received blended cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia, and 24 participants that received treatment as usual. Results showed that following blended cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia, significantly more participants improved on dysfunctional beliefs and sleep‐related behaviours and this was associated to improvement in insomnia severity. For sleep‐related behaviours, the association between improvement on behaviour and improvement on insomnia was significantly moderated by blended cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia. However, the relation between dysfunctional beliefs and insomnia was not moderated by type of treatment. Similar results were found for acquired brain injury‐adapted versions of the questionnaires in which up to half of the items were excluded as they could be regarded as not dysfunctional for people with acquired brain injury. These results show that improvement on insomnia severity is related to improvement in dysfunctional beliefs and behaviours, and cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia efficacy may be moderated by the improvement in behaviours in particular. A focus on these behaviours can enhance treatment efficacy, but caution is needed regarding the behaviours that may reflect adequate coping with the consequences of the acquired brain injury.
Soil microbial identity explains home‐field advantage for litter decomposition
Authors: Shigyo Nobuhiko , Umeki Kiyoshi , Hirao Toshihide 
Published: May 2024

Summary

Unraveling the mechanisms of home‐field advantage (HFA) is essential to gain a complete understanding of litter decomposition processes. However, knowledge of the relationships between HFA effects and microbial communities is lacking.

To examine HFA effects on litter decomposition, we identified the microbial communities and conducted a reciprocal transplant experiment, including all possible combinations of soil and litter, between sites at two elevations in cool‐temperate forests.

Soil origin, rather than HFA, was an important factor in controlling litter decomposition processes. Microbiome‐wide association analyses identified litter fungi and bacteria specific to the source soil, which completely differed at a low taxonomic level between litter types. The relative abundance of these microbes specific to source soil was positively correlated with litter mass loss.

The results indicated that the unique relationships between plant litter and soil microbes through plant–soil linkages drive litter decomposition processes. In the short term, soil disturbances resulting from land‐use changes have the potential to disrupt the effect of soil origin and hinder the advancement of litter decomposition. These findings contribute to an understanding of HFA mechanisms and the impacts of land‐use change on decomposition processes in forest ecosystems.
Levels of photoactivated phototropin modulate signal transmission during the chloroplast accumulation response
Authors: Hirano Satoyuki , Noguchi Minoru , Thagun Chonprakun , Nishio Haruki , Kodama Yutaka 
Published: May 2024

AbstractChloroplasts accumulate in regions of plant cells exposed to irradiation to maximize light reception for efficient photosynthesis. This response is mediated by the blue‐light receptor phototropin. Upon the perception of blue light, phototropin is photoactivated, an unknown signal is transmitted from the photoactivated phototropin to distant chloroplasts, and the chloroplasts begin their directional movement. How activated phototropin initiates this signal transmission is unknown. Here, using the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha, we analysed whether increased photoactive phototropin levels mediate signal transmission and chloroplast behaviour during the accumulation response. The signal transmission rate was higher in transgenic cells overexpressing phototropin than in wild‐type cells. However, the chloroplast directional movement was similar between wild‐type and transgenic cells. Consistent with the observation, increasing the amount of photoactivated phototropin through higher blue‐light intensity also accelerated signal transmission but did not affect chloroplast behaviour in wild‐type cells. Photoactivation of phototropin under weak blue‐light led to the greater protein level of phosphorylated phototropin in cells overexpressing phototropin than in wild‐type cells, whereas the autophosphorylation level within each phototropin molecule was similar. These results indicate that the abundance of photoactivated phototropin modulates the signal transmission rate to distant chloroplasts but does not affect chloroplast behaviour during the accumulation response.
Variation in labor skills and offshoring across time zones
Authors: Prasad Alaka Shree , Mandal Biswajit 
Published: May 2024

AbstractWe check the role of time‐zone difference on offshoring of service tasks when the skill of labors varies between the partner countries. We frame a model where partner countries are located in non‐overlapping time zones, and the skill level of the partner‐country labors is lower. In our model, service production is divided into two sequential stages, and output is a supermodular function of the skill of labors and time. The problem of the producers is to choose between domestic production and offshoring. Domestic production employs high‐skill labors though the time management is inefficient. On the other hand, offshoring to a non‐overlapping time zone helps to work round the clock and reduce the cost, but the lower expertise of skilled labor lowers the output. In such a framework, we check conditions for beneficial offshoring. The condition derived in our analysis provides combinations of skill and time that can make offshoring beneficial. Results show that offshoring across time zones is beneficial even when the complexity of stages of production vary. However, only the relatively less‐critical task is offshored. We further find that availability of domestic low‐skill labor does not benefit the firm, while foreign low‐skill labor may be beneficially utilized through time‐zone exploitation.
Epidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis in children of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Authors: Lu Chao , Khan Khurshaid , Khan Fawad , Shah Safeer Ullah , Jamal Muhsin , Badshah Noor 
Published: May 2024

AbstractObjectivesIn Pakistan, cutaneous leishmaniasis is an emerging tropical disease and a very high number (>70%) of children are afflicted by this marring infection. This study aimed to scrutinise the prevalence, spatial distribution and socio‐demographic and behavioural risk factors associated with cutaneous leishmaniasis in children aged <5–15  years in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.MethodsA total of 1, 559 clinically confirmed records of children diagnosed with cutaneous leishmaniasis (January–December) from 2020 and 2022 were obtained from selected district hospitals. In addition, a risk factors‐related questionnaire was administered to 1, 011 households (400 in 2020 and 611 in 2022) in nine districts during a household survey.ResultsThe maximum number of cutaneous leishmaniasis cases was recorded in 2022 (n = 877, 56.25%) as compared to 2020 (n = 682, 43.75%). The hospital records showed a greater number of male patients in the 2022 cohort (n = 603, 68.76%). The highest number of cases were observed in children aged 5–9 years in 2022 (n = 282, 32.16%) and 2020 (n = 255, 37.39%). In 2020 and 2022, cutaneous leishmaniasis cases showed peak aggregation in March (n = 118, 17.3%) and January (n = 322, 36.72%). From a spatial analysis, the maximum number of cutaneous leishmaniasis cases was recorded at 59–1700 m elevation in various land‐use/land‐cover and climatic regions with quaternary alluvium rock formations. A multivariate logistic regression model analysis of risk factors from the households survey suggested that age group, socio‐economic status, construction materials of the house, use of insect repellents, Afghan refugee camps in the village/district, knowledge and biting times of sand flies, frequent use of mosquito bed nets, presence of domestic animals in the house, knowledge of the transmission period and peak month of leishmaniasis infection increased the risk of acquiring cutaneous leishmaniasis (p  value < 0.05).ConclusionOur analysis demonstrated that cutaneous leishmaniasis in children is influenced by a variety of environmental, socio‐demographic and behavioural risk factors in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The increase in recorded cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis in children in 2022 compared to 2020 suggests that the infection likely extended to new foci in the province.
Views of general practice staff on sharing general practice data for research: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Green Heidi , Fabrianesi Belinda , Carolan Lucy , Braunack-Mayer Annette 
Published: May 2024

Objective:
The objective of this scoping review is to understand the range and types of evidence in relation to the views of general practitioner and other general practice staff on sharing general practice data for research purposes.

Introduction:
The use of general practice data for research has the potential to drive transformative improvements in health care. The vast amount of patient data collected in general practice is valuable and provides researchers with data to conduct large-scale studies and generate evidence that can inform policy decisions, support the development of personalized medicine, and enhance patient outcomes. However, despite there being clear benefits to using general practice data for research, there are also potential harms, such as data misuse, loss of trust between the general practitioner and patient, and data breaches.

Inclusion criteria:
This scoping review will focus on the views of general practice staff, including general practitioners, practice nurses, and practice managers, about sharing general practice data for the purposes of research. This scoping review will exclude sources of evidence that are conducted outside of the general practice setting, and papers that report on public, patient, or community views on data sharing.

Methods:
This scoping review will be conducted in accordance with JBI methodology for scoping reviews. A 3-step search strategy will be used to acquire both published and unpublished sources of evidence. Two reviewers will independently select sources of evidence in line with the inclusion and exclusion criteria. No limits on the date of the search or language will be applied. Data will be extracted and the results will be summarized descriptively and presented in a tabular format.

Review registration:
Open Science Framework https://osf.io/49yw5
Discordant results between Xpert MTB/RIF assay and Bactec MGIT 960 culture system regarding the detection of rifampin-resistant
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
isolates in Wenzhou, China
Authors: He Guiqing , Zheng Qingyong , Wu Jing , Wu Lianpeng , Geng Zhi , Jiang Guanglu , Huang Hairong , Jiang Xiangao , Yu Xia 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to assess the possible causes of discordant results between Xpert MTB/RIF (Xpert) and Bactec MGIT 960 Culture System (MGIT960) regarding rifampicin (RIF) susceptibility in
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
. Patients with previous RIF-resistant tuberculosis who were admitted to Wenzhou Central Hospital from January 2020 to December 2022 were enrolled. The isolates obtained from these patients were subjected to RIF susceptibility tests using Xpert and MGIT960, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of RIF was determined by the MYCOTB MIC plate test. Additionally, molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed to evaluate the binding efficacy of rpoB and RIF based on rpoB mutations detected in the isolates with discordant RIF susceptibility results. A total of 28 isolates with discordant RIF susceptibility test results were detected, 15 of them were RIF susceptible with MICs ≤ 0.5 µg/mL. Twelve out of 15 isolates contained borderline RIF resistance-associated mutations [L430P (
n
= 6), H445N (
n
= 6)], 1 isolate had D435Y and Q429H double mutation, and the remaining 2 isolates had a silent (Q432Q) mutation. Compared with the affinity of RIF toward the wild type (WT) (−45.83 kcal/mol) by MD, its affinity toward L452P (−55.52 kcal/mol), D435Y (−47.39 kcal/mol), L430P (approximately −69.72 kcal/mol), H445N (−49.53 kcal/mol), and Q429H (−55.67 kcal/mol) increased. Borderline RIF resistance-associated mutations were the main cause for the discordant RIF susceptibility results between Xpert and MGIT960, and the mechanisms of the resistance need further investigated.

IMPORTANCE

This study is aimed at assessing discordant results between Xpert MTB/RIF (Xpert) assay and Bactec MGIT 960 Culture System (MGIT960) regarding the detection of rifampicin (RIF)-resistant
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
isolates in Wenzhou, China. The discordant results of RIF between these two assays were mainly caused by borderline RIF resistance-associated mutations, subsequently by silent mutations of rpoB. Borderline RIF resistance- associated mutations detected in our study were demonstrated to not be affected by the affinity of rpoB and RIF by molecular dynamics, and the mechanism of resistance was needed to be clarified. For the discordant results of RIF by Xpert and MGIT960 that occurred,
rpoB
DNA sequencing was recommended to investigate its association with resistance to RIF.
Rapid biotransformation of STW 5 constituents by human gut microbiome from IBS- and non-IBS donors
Authors: Thumann Timo A. , Pferschy-Wenzig Eva-Maria , Kumpitsch Christina , Duller Stefanie , Högenauer Christoph , Kump Patrizia , Aziz-Kalbhenn Heba , Ammar Ramy M. , Rabini Sabine , Moissl-Eichinger Christine , Bauer Rudolf 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACT

STW 5, a blend of nine medicinal plant extracts, exhibits promising efficacy in treating functional gastrointestinal disorders, notably irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Nonetheless, its effects on the gastrointestinal microbiome and the role of microbiota on the conversion of its constituents are still largely unexplored. This study employed an experimental
ex vivo
model to investigate STW 5’s differential effects on fecal microbial communities and metabolite production in samples from individuals with and without IBS. Using 560 fecal microcosms (IBS patients,
n
= 6; healthy controls,
n
= 10), we evaluated the influence of pre-digested STW 5 and controls on microbial and metabolite composition at time points 0, 0.5, 4, and 24 h. Our findings demonstrate the potential of this
ex vivo
platform to analyze herbal medicine turnover within 4 h with minimal microbiome shifts due to abiotic factors. While only minor taxonomic disparities were noted between IBS- and non-IBS samples and upon treatment with STW 5, rapid metabolic turnover of STW 5 components into specific degradation products, such as 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid, davidigenin, herniarin, 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)propanoic acid, and 3-(2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)propanoic acid occurred. For davidigenin, 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)propanoic acid and 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid, anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective, or spasmolytic activities have been previously described. Notably, the microbiome-driven metabolic transformation did not induce a global microbiome shift, and the detected metabolites were minimally linked to specific taxa. Observed biotransformations were independent of IBS diagnosis, suggesting potential benefits for IBS patients from biotransformation products of STW 5.

IMPORTANCE
STW 5 is an herbal medicinal product with proven clinical efficacy in the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders, like functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The effects of STW 5 on fecal microbial communities and metabolite production effects have been studied in an experimental model with fecal samples from individuals with and without IBS. While only minor taxonomic disparities were noted between IBS- and non-IBS samples and upon treatment with STW 5, rapid metabolic turnover of STW 5 components into specific degradation products with reported anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective, or spasmolytic activities was observed, which may be relevant for the pharmacological activity of STW 5.
Association of ultra-processed food consumption with all cause and cause specific mortality: population based cohort study
Authors: Fang Zhe , Rossato Sinara Laurini , Hang Dong , Khandpur Neha , Wang Kai , Lo Chun-Han , Willett Walter C , Giovannucci Edward L , Song Mingyang 
Published: May 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the association of ultra-processed food consumption with all cause mortality and cause specific mortality.DesignPopulation based cohort study.SettingFemale registered nurses from 11 US states in the Nurses’ Health Study (1984-2018) and male health professionals from all 50 US states in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (1986-2018).Participants74 563 women and 39 501 men with no history of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, or diabetes at baseline.Main outcome measuresMultivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the association of ultra-processed food intake measured by semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire every four years with all cause mortality and cause specific mortality due to cancer, cardiovascular, and other causes (including respiratory and neurodegenerative causes).Results30 188 deaths of women and 18 005 deaths of men were documented during a median of 34 and 31 years of follow-up, respectively. Compared with those in the lowest quarter of ultra-processed food consumption, participants in the highest quarter had a 4% higher all cause mortality (hazard ratio 1.04, 95% confidence interval 1.01 to 1.07) and 9% higher mortality from causes other than cancer or cardiovascular diseases (1.09, 1.05 to 1.13). The all cause mortality rate among participants in the lowest and highest quarter was 1472 and 1536 per 100 000 person years, respectively. No associations were found for cancer or cardiovascular mortality. Meat/poultry/seafood based ready-to-eat products (for example, processed meat) consistently showed strong associations with mortality outcomes (hazard ratios ranged from 1.06 to 1.43). Sugar sweetened and artificially sweetened beverages (1.09, 1.07 to 1.12), dairy based desserts (1.07, 1.04 to 1.10), and ultra-processed breakfast food (1.04, 1.02 to 1.07) were also associated with higher all cause mortality. No consistent associations between ultra-processed foods and mortality were observed within each quarter of dietary quality assessed by the Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010 score, whereas better dietary quality showed an inverse association with mortality within each quarter of ultra-processed foods.ConclusionsThis study found that a higher intake of ultra-processed foods was associated with slightly higher all cause mortality, driven by causes other than cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The associations varied across subgroups of ultra-processed foods, with meat/poultry/seafood based ready-to-eat products showing particularly strong associations with mortality.
Early versus late parenteral nutrition in term and late preterm infants: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Moon Kwi , McKinnon Elizabeth , Croft Kevin , Mori Trevor A , Simmer Karen , Patole Sanjay , Rao Shripada 
Published: May 2024

BackgroundThere is limited evidence regarding the optimal time to commence parenteral nutrition (PN) in term and late preterm infants.DesignSingle-centre, non-blinded, exploratory randomised controlled trial.SettingA level-3 neonatal unit in a stand-alone paediatric hospital.PatientsInfants born ≥34 weeks of gestation and ≤28 days, who needed PN. Eligible infants were randomised on day 1 or day 2 of admission.InterventionsEarly (day 1 or day 2 of admission, N=30) or late (day 6 of admission, N=30) PN.Main outcome measuresPlasma phenylalanine and F2-isoprostane levels on day 4 and day 8 of admission. Secondary outcomes were amino-acid and fatty-acid profiles on day 4 and day 8, and clinical outcomes.ResultsThe postnatal age at randomisation was similar between the groups (2.3 (SD 0.8) vs 2.3 (0.7) days, p=0.90). On day 4, phenylalanine levels in early-PN infants were higher than in late-PN (mean (SD) 62.9 (26.7) vs 45.5 (15.3) µmol/L; baseline-adjusted percentage difference 25.8% (95% CI 11.6% to 39.9%), p<0.001). There was no significant difference in phenylalanine levels between the two groups on day 8. There was no significant difference between the groups for F2-isoprostane levels on day 4 (early-PN mean (SD) 389 (176) vs late-PN 419 (291) pg/mL; baseline-adjusted percentage difference: −4.4% (95% CI −21.5% to 12.8%) p=0.62) and day 8 (mean (SD) 305 (125) vs 354 (113) pg/mL; adjusted mean percentage difference −16.1 (95% CI −34.1 to 1.9) p=0.09).Postnatal growth restriction for weight was less severe in the early-PN group (change in weight z-score from baseline to discharge: −0.6 (0.6) vs −1.0 (0.6); p=0.02). The incidence of hyperglycaemia was greater in the early-PN group (20/30 (66.7%) vs 11/30 (36.7%), p=0.02).ConclusionsThe timing of the commencement of PN did not seem to affect the degree of oxidative stress in critically ill term and late preterm infants. The effect of transiently high plasma phenylalanine with early PN on clinical outcomes requires further investigation.Trial registration numberACTRN12620000324910.
P073 Do financial incentives (FI) and motivational interviewing (MI) promote adherence in vertically infected HIV positive adolescents?
Authors: Charania Asad , Webb Helen , Cox David , Jackson Charlotte , Prime Katia 
Published: May 2024

IntroductionFunding was received for 10 patients to participate in a FI & MI scheme aiming to achieve viral load (VL) reduction.MethodsEligibility criteria: 16-25 years, vertically acquired HIV-1 infection, CD4 <350 cells/ul, agrees to ART with treatable virus, poor adherence since diagnosis & failure to achieve VL <40 copies/ml. FIs received for VL reductions ≥ 1 log weeks 2 & 4 and VL <40 week 8, 3/12, 6/12, 9/12 and 1 year. £20 given for VL reduction ≥ 1 log and £50 for VL <40. Adherence support with motivational interviewing (MI) was provided at each visit.Results8 patients enrolled 1/8/12–1/12/15. 5 females, median age 24 years (range 20–26). Mean baseline VL 35750, this reduced to 1390 (mean VL reduction 21842 copies/ml). 5/8 patients achieved VL <40. N=1 had never achieved VL <40, yet during the scheme achieved VL <40 for 8/12. 3 patients were unable to achieve VL <40. Their lowest VL was 71, 883 and 90, representing a 1–2 log VL drop from baseline after 52/12, 4/12 and 1/12, respectively. 1 patient passed away following a Steven-Johnson reaction, never achieving VL <40. Financial incentives given totalled £640.DiscussionDespite widely available treatment options for HIV, preventable deaths still occur each year due to a lack of adherence. Within this cohort, 5 patients were able to achieve periods of VL <40 after years of detectability. These results highlight that FI in conjunction with MI, may have a role in improving adherence for the adolescent HIV infected population.