bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Understanding the effective reproduction number ofPlasmodium falciparummalaria with seasonal variation at sub-national level in Nigeria
Authors: Musa Rabiu , Afeez Abidemi , Isaac Olasupo Idowu , Akinlo Mogbojuri Oluwaseun , Osikoya Samuel Abidemi , Onyebuchi Nwana Aaron , Oluwaseun Oniyelu Dolapo , Samson Olagbami Oluwafemi , Afolabi Bakare Emmanuel 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundWith the highest burden in northern Nigeria, malaria is a vector-borne disease that causes serious illness. Nigeria contributed 27% (61.8 million) of malaria burden worldwide and 23% (94 million) of malaria deaths globally in 2019. Despite the fact that Nigeria has made a significant step in malaria elimination, the process has remained stagnant in recent years. The global technical strategy targets of reducing malaria death to less than 50 per 1000 population at risk was unachievable for the past 5 years. As part of the national malaria strategic plan of 2021-2025 to roll back malaria, it’s imperative to provide a framework that will aid in understanding the effective reproduction number (ℛe) and the time dependent-contact ratesC(t) of malaria in Nigeria which is quite missing in the literature.MethodsThe data of the reported malaria cases between January 2014 and December 2017 and demography of all the northern states are used to estimateC(t) and ℛeusing Bayesian statistical inference. We formulated a compartmental model with seasonal-forcing term in order to account for seasonal variation of the malaria cases. In order to limit the infectiousness of the asymptomatic individuals, super-infection was also incorporated into the model.ResultsThe posterior mean obtained shows that Adamawa state has the highest mean ℛeof 5.92 (95% CrI : 1.60-10.59) while Bauchi has the lowest 3.72 (95% CrI : 1.11-7.08). Niger state has the highest mean contact rateC(t) 0.40 (95% CrI : 0.08-0.77) and the lowest was Gombe 0.26 (95% CrI: 0.04-0.55 ). The results also confirm that there is a mosquito abundance and high reproduction number during the rainy season compared to the dry season. The results further show that over 60% of the reported cases are from the asymptomatic individuals.ConclusionThis research continues to add to our understanding of the epidemiology of malaria in Nigeria. It is strongly advised that a complete grasp of the malaria reproduction number and the contact rate between human and mosquitoes are necessary in order to develop more effective prevention and control strategies. It will support the public health practitioner’s strategy and effective planning for malaria eradication.
Multiple Sclerosis Cognitive Scale (MSCS): A Brief Psychometrically-Robust Metric of Patient-Reported Cognitive Difficulty
Authors: Sumowski James F. , Sandry Joshua 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundCognitive decline is common in multiple sclerosis (MS), but existing metrics of patient-reported cognitive difficulties are lengthy, lack psychometric rigor, and/or fail to query expressive language deficits prevalent in MS.ObjectiveTo develop the Multiple Sclerosis Cognitive Scale (MSCS) as a brief psychometrically-robust metric of patient-reported cognitive deficits.MethodExploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted on 20 items of the Perceived Deficits Questionnaire (PDQ) plus five newly developed language questions in a large sample of patients with MS and matched respondents without neurologic disease. Confirmatory principal components analysis (PCA) in an independent sample assessed the EFA factor structure. Reliability of the new scale and subscales was assessed, and we evaluated the relationship between the new scale and objective cognitive impairment.ResultsEFA in patients (n=502) and controls (n=350), item analyses, and confirmatory PCA in an independent sample of patients (n=361) and controls (n=150) supported construction of an eight-item scale with four 2-item subscales assessing Executive / Speed, Working Memory, Expressive Language, and Episodic Memory. Internal consistency was excellent for the total MSCS (α=0.93) and good for each subscale (Executive / Speed, α=0.85; Working Memory, α=0.83, Expressive Language, α=0.87; Episodic Memory, α=0.85). There was a medium-sized relationship between objective cognitive impairment and MSCS scores (η2[95%CI] = 0.06 [0.01, 0.13], but cognitive impairment was not related to the traditional PDQ (0.01 [0.00, 0.06]).ConclusionThe MSCS is supported as a brief, psychometrically-robust, reliable, and valid metric of patient-reported cognitive deficits in MS. The MSCS holds promise for improving assessment of MS cognitive dysfunction in clinical and research settings.
Single-cell RNA sequencing of mutant whole mouse embryos: from the epiblast to the end of gastrulation
Authors: Abraham Elizabeth , Zubillaga Mikel , Roule Thomas , Stronati Eleonora , Akizu Naiara , Estaras Conchi 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACTOver the last decade, single-cell approaches have become the gold standard for studying gene expression dynamics, cell heterogeneity, and cell states within samples. Before single-cell advances, the feasibility of capturing the dynamic cellular landscape and rapid cell transitions during early development was limited. In this paper, we designed a robust pipeline to perform single-cell and nuclei analysis on mouse embryos from E6.5 to E8, corresponding to the onset and completion of gastrulation. Gastrulation is a fundamental process during development that establishes the three germinal layers: mesoderm, ectoderm, and endoderm, which are essential for organogenesis. Extensive literature is available on single-cell omics applied to WT perigastrulating embryos. However, single-cell analysis of mutant embryos is still scarce and often limited to FACS-sorted populations. This is partially due to the technical constraints associated with the need for genotyping, timed pregnancies, the count of embryos with desired genotypes per pregnancy, and the number of cells per embryo at these stages. Here, we present a methodology designed to overcome these limitations. This method establishes breeding and timed pregnancy guidelines to achieve a higher chance of synchronized pregnancies with desired genotypes. Optimization steps in the embryo isolation process coupled with FAST genotyping protocol (3 hours) allow for microdroplet-based single-cell to be performed on the same day, ensuring the high viability of cells and robust results. We also include guidelines for optimal nuclei isolations from embryos. Thus, these approaches increase the feasibility of single-cell approaches of mutant embryos at the gastrulation stage. We anticipate this method will facilitate the analysis of how mutations shape the cellular landscape of the gastrula.SUMMARYWe establish a pipeline for high-quality single-cell and nuclei suspensions of gastrulating mouse embryos for sequencing of single cells and nuclei.
Validity of Umbilical Cord Blood Procalcitonin in the Diagnosis of Early-Onset Neonatal Infection
Authors: Tran Uyen Le , Giang Linh Tran Phuong , Nguyen Tinh Thu 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACTIntroductionEarly-onset neonatal infection (EONI) poses significant risks to neonatal health, necessitating reliable diagnostic markers for early detection. This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic validity of procalcitonin (PCT) concentration in umbilical cord blood as a biomarker for EONI.MethodsThis prospective study was conducted at Ho Chi Minh University Medical Center from April 2022 to September 2022. One hundred eighty neonates with risk factors for EONI were recruited. The PCT level was measured in umbilical cord blood at birth. Based on clinical, laboratory, and microbiologic results, neonates were classified into infected and non-infected groups.ResultsAmong the neonates studied, 22 (12.2%) were classified as infected and 158 (87.8%) as non-infected. The median PCT in the infected group was significantly higher than that in the non-infected group (0.389 ng/mL vs 0.127 ng/mL, p = 0.007). The optimal PCT cut-off was found by Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) to be 0.23 ng/mL, with an area under the curve of 0.87. The results were 59.1%, 98.7%, 86.2%, 94%, 45, and 0.41 for sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, positive and negative likelihood ratios, respectively. The post-test probability was 86% if the test was positive and 5% if it was negative.ConclusionUmbilical cord blood PCT is a reliable marker in the diagnosis of EONI, and its value helps limit the harmful effects of unnecessary prescriptions in non-infected neonates.
The tryptophan catabolite or kynurenine pathway in Long COVID disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Almulla Abbas F. , Thipakorn Yanin , Zhou Bo , Vojdani Aristo , Paunova Rossitsa , Maes Michael 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundRecent studies confirm the involvement of activated immune-inflammatory responses and increased oxidative and nitrosative stress in Long COVID (LC) disease. However, the influence of these pathways on the metabolism of tryptophan (TRP) through the TRP catabolite (TRYCAT) pathway and their mediating effects on LC pathophysiology, has not been fully explored.ObjectiveThis meta-analysis investigates peripheral TRP and TRYCAT levels and the TRYCAT pathway in patients with LC disease.MethodThis review utilized systematic searches of PubMed, Google Scholar, and SciFinder, including 14 full-text articles and 1,167 participants, consisting of 480 patients with LC and 687 normal controls.ResultsThe results indicated a significant increase in the kynurenine (KYN)/TRP ratio, with a large effect size (standardized mean difference, SMD = 0.755; confidence intervals, CI: 0.119;1.392), in LC patients compared to normal controls. Additionally, LC patients exhibited a significant decrease in TRP levels (SMD = -0.520, CI: -0.793; -0.246) and an increase in KYN levels after imputing missing studies (SMD = 1.176, CI: 0.474; 1.877), suggesting activation of the Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) enzyme and upregulation of the TRYCAT pathway. No significant elevation in TRYCAT-related neurotoxicity, kynurenic acid (KA)/KYN and 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK)/KYN ratios were observed in LC patients compared to normal controls.ConclusionThe current findings indicate that an activated TRYCAT pathway, characterized by decreased TRP levels and maybe elevated KYN levels, plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of LC.
Stepping in Place (SIP) as a Novel Physical Ability Assessment in Neurorehabilitation: A Wearable Device-based Validation Study
Authors: Hu Bin , Amini Doreen , Ghani Izma , Ahmed Abdul-Samad , Wasif Shahryar , Chomiak Taylor 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe assessment of physical ability is a critical component in developing personalized exercise prescriptions, monitoring disease progression, and evaluating intervention outcomes across various clinical and general populations. This study evaluates how objective physical performance parameters, measured during a stepping in place (SIP) exercise via Ambulosono wearable system, relate to subjective perceptions of fatigue and breathlessness using Borg and Fatigue Scores. Our overall results show that SIP, as a convenient and simple exercise modality, can be used to rank a user’s physical ability level based on both objective and subjective parameters. Furthermore, while the objective walking/gait parameters may have some predictive ability for the such parameter as cadence, they do not appear to significantly predict the subjective fatigue or breathlessness scores, either before or after the activity. This lack of significant relationships suggests that factors other than the measured objective gait metrics may play a more important role in determining subjective experiences of fatigue and breathlessness during the stepping exercise.
Analysis of changes in inter-cellular communications during Alzheimer’s Disease pathogenesis reveals conserved changes in glutamatergic transmission in mice and humans
Authors: Bartas Katrina , Hui May , Zhao Wei , Macchia Desiree , Nie Qing , Beier Kevin T. 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACTAnalysis of system-wide cellular communication changes in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has recently been enabled by single nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) and new computational methods. Here, we combined these to analyze data from postmortem human tissue from the entorhinal cortex of AD patients and compared our findings to those from multiomic data from the 5xFAD amyloidogenic mouse model at two different time points. Using the cellular communication inference tool CellChat we found that disease-related changes were largely related to neuronal excitability as well as synaptic communication, with specific signaling pathways including BMP, EGF, and EPHA, and relatively poor conservation of glial-related changes during disease. Further analysis using the neuron-specific NeuronChat revealed changes relating to metabotropic glutamate receptors as well as neuronal adhesion molecules including neurexins and neuroligins. Our results that cellular processes relating to excitotoxicity are the best conserved between 5xFAD mice and AD suggest that excitotoxicity is the main common feature between pathogenesis in 5xFAD mice and AD patients.
Biostimulation methods based on chemical communication improve semen quality in male breeder rabbits
Authors: Villamayor Paula R. , Yañez Uxía , Gullón Julián , Sánchez-Quinteiro Pablo , Peña Ana I. , Becerra Juan J. , Herradón Pedro G. , Martínez Paulino , Quintela Luis A. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBiostimulation aims to optimize reproductive parameters as part of animal management practices by modulating animal sensory systems. Chemical signals, mostly known as pheromones, have a great potential in this regard. This study was conducted to determine the influence of short-term male rabbit exposure to different biological secretions, potentially pheromone-mediated, on reproductive parameters of males. Four groups of 18 males each were exposed to A) doe urine, B) 2-phenoxyethanol, C) doe vaginal swab, and D) distilled water (control), three times over a 2.5h exposure window, just before semen collection. Semen volume, sperm concentration and motility, as well as subpopulation analysis of the spermatozoa were assessed for each condition. Additionally, testosterone levels in blood samples were monitored at five time points over the 2.5 h exposure window. We found a higher percentage of motile, progressive, fast progressive and mid-progressive spermatozoa in any of the three experimental groups compared to the control group. In contrast, the semen volume and the percentage of immotile and non-progressive spermatozoa was generally higher in the control group. We then identified a higher proportion of a subpopulation of fast and progressive spermatozoa in groups A, B, and C compared to group D. Our data indicates that sperm motility increases when animals are exposed to specific biological fluids potentially containing pheromones, and that an increase in sperm volume does not correlate with an increase in spermatozoa concentration, progressiveness, and speed. Finally, no differences in testosterone levels were found among comparisons, although males of groups A and C (exposed to natural female biological fluids) showed a tendency towards higher testosterone levels. In conclusion, our results indicate that rabbit sperm quality increases upon exposure to the biological secretions proposed, thereby supporting further investigation into their molecular identity. This exploration could eventually pave the way for implementing the use of pheromones in rabbit husbandry to enhance reproductive and productive parameters in farmed rabbits.
Neural pathway activation in the subthalamic region depends on stimulation polarity
Authors: Borgheai Seyyed Bahram , Opri Enrico , Isbaine Faical , Cole Eric , Deligani Roohollah Jafari , Laxpati Nealen , Risk Benjamin B , Willie Jon T , Gross Robert E , Yong Nicholas Au , McIntyre Cameron C , Miocinovic Svjetlana 
Published: May 2024

AbstractDeep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective treatment for Parkinson’s disease (PD); however, there is limited understanding of which subthalamic pathways are recruited in response to stimulation. Here, by focusing on the polarity of the stimulus waveform (cathodic vs. anodic), our goal was to elucidate biophysical mechanisms that underlie electrical stimulation in the human brain. In clinical studies, cathodic stimulation more easily triggers behavioral responses, but anodic DBS broadens the therapeutic window. This suggests that neural pathways involved respond preferentially depending on stimulus polarity. To experimentally compare the activation of therapeutically relevant pathways during cathodic and anodic subthalamic nucleus (STN) DBS, pathway activation was quantified by measuring evoked potentials resulting from antidromic or orthodromic activation in 15 PD patients undergoing DBS implantation. Cortical evoked potentials (cEP) were recorded using subdural electrocorticography, DBS local evoked potentials (DLEP) were recorded from non-stimulating contacts and EMG activity was recorded from arm and face muscles. We measured: 1) the amplitude of short-latency cEP, previously demonstrated to reflect activation of the cortico-STN hyperdirect pathway, 2) DLEP amplitude thought to reflect activation of STN-globus pallidus (GP) pathway, and 3) amplitudes of very short-latency cEP and motor evoked potentials (mEP) for activation of cortico-spinal/bulbar tract (CSBT). We constructed recruitment and strength-duration curves for each EP/pathway to compare the excitability for different stimulation polarities. We compared experimental data with the most advanced DBS computational models. Our results provide experimental evidence that subcortical cathodic and anodic stimulation activate the same pathways in the STN region and that cathodic stimulation is in general more efficient. However, relative efficiency varies for different pathways so that anodic stimulation is the least efficient in activating CSBT, more efficient in activating the HDP and as efficient as cathodic in activating STN-GP pathway. Our experiments confirm biophysical model predictions regarding neural activations in the central nervous system and provide evidence that stimulus polarity has differential effects on passing axons, terminal synapses, and local neurons. Comparison of experimental results with clinical DBS studies provides further evidence that the hyperdirect pathway may be involved in the therapeutic mechanisms of DBS.
Cyclical transcription factor AP2XII-9 is a key activator for asexual division and apicoplast inheritance inToxoplasma gondiitachyzoite
Authors: Shi Yuehong , Li Xuan , Xue Yingying , Hu Dandan , Song Xingju 
Published: May 2024

AbstractToxoplasma gondiiis an intracellular parasitic protozoan that poses a significant risk to pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals. T. gondiitachyzoites duplicate rapidly in host cells during acute infection through endodyogeny. This highly regulated division process is accompanied by complex gene regulation networks. TgAP2XII-9 is a cyclical transcription factor, but its specific role in the parasite cell cycle is not fully understood. Here, we demonstrate that TgAP2XII-9 is identified as a nuclear transcription factor and is dominantly expressed during the S/M phase of the tachyzoite cell cycle. CUT&Tag results indicate that TgAP2XII-9 targets key genes for the moving junction machinery (RON2, 4, 8) and daughter cell inner membrane complex (IMC). TgAP2XII-9 deficiency resulted in a significant downregulation of rhoptry proteins and rhoptry neck proteins, leading to a severe defect in the invasion and egress efficiency of tachyzoites. Additionally, the loss of TgAP2XII-9 correlated with a substantial downregulation of multiple IMC and apicoplast proteins, leading to disorders of daughter bud formation and apicoplast inheritance, and further contributing to the inability of cell division and intracellular proliferation. Our study reveals that TgAP2XII-9 acts as a critical S/M-phase regulator that orchestrates the endodyogeny and apicoplast division inT. gondiitachyzoite. This study contributes to a broader understanding of the complexity of the parasite’s cell cycle and its key regulators.Significance: The intracellular apicoplast parasiteToxoplasma gondiiposts great threat to the public health. The acute infection ofT. gondiitachyzoite relies on efficient invasion by forming a moving junction structure and also fast replication by highly regulated endodyogeny. This study shows that an ApiAP2 transcription factor TgAP2XII-9 acts as an activator for the S/M-phase gene expression, including genes related to daughter buds and moving junction formation. Loss of TgAP2XII-9 results significant growth defects and disorders in endodyogeny and apicoplast inheritance of the parasites. Our results provide valuable insights into the transcriptional regulation of parasite cell cycle and invading machinery inT. gondii.
Short-voltage pulse generation for induction heating load detection on a multi-output inverter with shared power devices
Authors: Guillén Pablo , Sarnago Hector , Lucia Oscar , Burdio José M. 
Published: May 2024

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a load detection method for domestic induction cooktops. The solution aims to minimize its impact in the converter power transmission while enabling the estimation of the equivalent electrical parameters of the load. This method is suitable for a multi-output resonant inverter topology with shared power devices.

Design/methodology/approach
The considered multi-output converter presents power devices that are shared between several loads. Thus, applying load detection methods in the literature requires a halt in the power transfer to ensuring safe operation. The proposed method uses a complementary short-voltage pulse to excite the induction heating (IH) coil without stopping the power transfer to the remaining IH loads. With the current through the coil and the analytical equations, the equivalent inductance and resistance of the load is estimated. The precision of the method has been evaluated by simulation, and experimental results are provided.

Findings
The measurement of the current through the induction coil as a response to a short-time single-pulse voltage variation provides enough information to estimate the load equivalent parameters, allowing to differentiate between no-load, non-suitable IH load and suitable IH load situations.

Originality/value
The proposed method provides a solution for load detection without requiring additional circuitry. It aims for low power transmission to the load and ensures zero-voltage switching and reduced peak current even in no-load cases. Moreover, the proposed solution is extensible to less complex converters, as the half bridge.