bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mathematical model of intestinal lipolysis of a long-chain triglyceride
Authors: Rezhdo Oljora , West Richard , Kim Myriel , Ng Brandon , Saphier Sigal , Carrier Rebecca L. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractLipids are an important component of food and oral drug formulations. Upon release into gastrointestinal fluids, triglycerides, common components of foods and drug delivery systems, form emulsions and are digested into simpler amphiphilic lipids (e.g., fatty acids) that can associate with intestinal bile micelles and impact their drug solubilization capacity. Digestion of triglycerides is dynamic and dependent on lipid quantity and type, and quantities of other components in the intestinal environment (e.g., bile salts, lipases). The ability to predict lipid digestion kinetics in the intestine could enhance understanding of lipid impact on the fate of co-administered compounds (e.g., drugs, nutrients). In this study, we present a kinetic model that can predict the lipolysis of emulsions of triolein, a model long-chain triglyceride, as a function of triglyceride amount, droplet size, and quantity of pancreatic lipase in an intestinal environment containing bile micelles. The model is based on a Ping Pong Bi Bi mechanism coupled with quantitative analysis of partitioning of lipolysis products in colloids, including bile micelles, in solution. The agreement of lipolysis model predictions with experimental data suggests that the mechanism and proposed assumptions adequately represent triglyceride digestion in a simulated intestinal environment. In addition, we demonstrate the value of such a model over simpler, semi-mechanistic models reported in the literature. This lipolysis framework can serve as a basis for modeling digestion kinetics of different classes of triglycerides and other complex lipids as relevant in food and drug delivery systems.
PROPEL: a scalable model for postbaccalaureate training to promote diversity in the biomedical workforce
Authors: Allen Jessica , Abdiwahab Ekland , Morris Meghan D. , Le Saux Claude Jourdan , Betancur Paola , Ansel K. Mark , Hernandez Ryan D. , Nystul Todd G. 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACTPromoting diversity in the scientific workforce is crucial for harnessing the potential of available talent and ensuring equitable access to Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEM-M) careers. We have developed an innovative program called Post-baccalaureate Research Opportunity to Promote Equity in Learning (PROPEL) that provides scientific and career development training for postbaccalaureate scholars from historically excluded backgrounds in STEM-M fields with an interest in pursuing a PhD or MD/PhD degree. Our program is distinct from other postbaccalaureate programs in that scholars are hired by individual labs rather than funded centrally by the program. This funding mechanism removes the idea that central funding is necessary to encourage faculty to train diverse scholars and allows the program to scale dynamically according to the needs of the scientific community. The PROPEL program started in 2020 with six scholars and has since grown to an enrollment of over 100, making it the largest postbaccalaureate program for biomedical research in the country. Here, we describe the program structure and curriculum, our strategy for recruitment, the enrollment trends; the program demographics; metrics of scholar engagement; and outcomes for scholars who completed the program in 2023. Our experience demonstrates the strong demand from both scholars and faculty for programming of this type and describes the feasibility of implementation.
Detection of High-Frequency Oscillations from Intracranial EEG Data with Switching State Space Model
Authors: Gu Zeyu , Yang Shihao , Yu Zhongyuan , Liu Feng 
Published: May 2024

AbstractHigh Frequency Oscillations (HFOs) is an important biomarker that can potentially pinpoint the epileptogenic zones (EZs). However, the duration of HFO is short with around 4 cycles, which might be hard to recognize when embedded within signals of lower frequency oscillatory background. In addition, annotating HFOs manually can be time-consuming given long-time recordings and up to hundreds of intracranial electrodes. We propose to leverage a Switching State Space Model (SSSM) to identify the HFOs events automatically and instantaneously without relying on extracting features from sliding windows. The effectiveness of the SSSM for HFOs detection is fully validated in the intracranial EEG recording from human subjects undergoing the presurgical evaluations and showed improved accuracy when capturing the HFOs occurrence and their duration.
Energetics of substrate transport in proton-dependent oligopeptide transporters
Authors: Selvam Balaji , Chiang Nicole , Shukla Diwakar 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe PepTSotransporter mediates the transport of peptides across biological membranes. Despite advancements in structural biology, including cryogenic electron microscopy structures resolving PepTSoin different states, the molecular basis of peptide recognition and transport by PepTSois not fully elucidated. In this study, we employed molecular dynamics simulations, Markov State Models (MSMs), and Transition Path Theory (TPT) to investigate the transport mechanism of an alanine-alanine peptide (Ala-Ala) through the PepTSotransporter. Our simulations revealed conformational changes and key intermediate states involved in peptide translocation. We observed that the presence of the Ala-Ala peptide substrate lowers the free energy barriers associated with transition to the inward-facing state. Furthermore, we elucidated the proton transport model and analyzed the pharmacophore features of intermediate states, providing insights for rational drug design. These findings highlight the significance of substrate binding in modulating the conformational dynamics of PepTSoand identify critical residues that facilitate transport.
The correlation between lumbar and pelvic dysfunctions in non-post-surgical adult patients: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Manni Tiziana , Coaro Francesca , Nativo Monica , Stocco Marina 
Published: May 2024

AbstractObjectiveThe objective of this scoping review is to understand the extent and type of evidence available on the correlation between pelvic and lumbar region dysfunction in adult non-surgical patients.IntroductionIt is well known that the pelvic and lumbar regions are connected, but the information about them is conflicting and often not useful for clinical practice. For this reason, we want to conduct a scoping review, to map all available evidence on the topic and provide clearer information for clinical work with on patients.Inclusion criteriaThis scoping review will consider adult patients with pelvic floor and and low back disfunction with related clinical conditions. The only limitation is post-surgical patients, who will be excluded from this review. This scoping review will consider any study design or type of publication.MethodsAn initial limited search of MEDLINE (PubMed) will be undertaken followed by analysis of the text words contained in the title and abstract, and of the index terms used to describe these articles. This will lead to the development of a search strategy including identified keywords and index terms that fit each included database: CINAHL, Cochrane Library, PEDro, Scopus and grey literature. The research will be performed from inception to February 2024. No geographical, setting and language restrictions will be applied. Potentially relevant sources will be retrieved in full, and their citation details imported into Rayyan — a web and mobile app for systematic reviews. Additional records will be identified through searching in grey literature and the reference lists of all relevant studies. No study design, publication type, data and language restrictions will be applied. Two reviewers will independently screen all abstracts and full-text studies for inclusion. A data collection form will be used to extract the characteristics of the studies included. A tabular and accompanying narrative summary of the information will be provided. The results of the search and the study inclusion process will be presented in a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses extension for scoping review (PRISMA-ScR) flow diagram.
An Accelerated PETALUTE MRI Sequence forIn VivoQuantification of Sodium Content in Human Articular Cartilage at 3T
Authors: Villarreal Cameron X. , Shen Xin , Alhulail Ahmad A. , Buffo Nicholas M. , Zhou Xiaopeng , Pogue Evan , Özen Ali Caglar , Chiew Mark , Sawiak Stephen , Emir Uzay , Chan Deva D. 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACTIn this work, we demonstrate the sodium magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) capabilities of a three-dimensional (3D) dual-echo ultrashort echo time (UTE) sequence with a novel rosette petal trajectory (PETALUTE), in comparison to the 3D density-adapted (DA) radial spokes UTE sequence. We scanned five healthy subjects using a 3D dual-echo PETALUTE acquisition and two comparable implementations of 3D DA-radial spokes acquisitions, one matching the number of k-space projections (Radial – Matched Spokes) and the other matching the total number of samples (Radial – Matched Samples) acquired in k-space. The PETALUTE acquisition enabled equivalent sodium quantification in articular cartilage volumes of interest (168.8 ± 29.9 mM) to those derived from the 3D radial acquisitions (171.62 ± 28.7 mM and 149.8 ± 22.2 mM, respectively). We achieved a 41% shorter scan time of 2:06 for 3D PETALUTE, compared to 3:36 for 3D radial acquisitions. We also evaluated the feasibility of further acceleration of the PETALUTE sequence through retrospective compressed sensing with 2× and 4× acceleration of the first echo and showed structural similarity of 0.89 ± 0.03 and 0.87 ± 0.03 when compared to non-retrospectively accelerated reconstruction. Together, these results demonstrate improved scan time with equivalent performance of the PETALUTE sequence compared to the 3D DA-radial sequence for sodium MRI of articular cartilage.
Long-read sequencing unravels the complexity of structural variants inPRKNin two individuals with early-onset Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Cogan Guillaume , Daida Kensuke , Billingsley Kimberley J. , Tesson Christelle , Forlani Sylvie , Jornea Ludmila , Arnaud Lionel , Tissier Laurene , LeGuern Eric , Singleton Andrew B. , Ferrien Mélanie , Gervais Bernard Hélène , Lesage Suzanne , Blauwendraat Cornelis , Brice Alexis 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundPRKNbiallelic pathogenic variants are the most common cause of autosomal recessive early-onset Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, the variants responsible for suspectedPRKN-PD individuals are not always identified with standard genetic testing.ObjectivesIdentify the genetic cause in two siblings with aPRKN-PD phenotype using long-read sequencing (LRS).MethodsThe genetic investigation involved standard testing using successively multiple ligation probe amplification (MLPA), Sanger sequencing, targeted sequencing, whole-exome sequencing and LRS.ResultsMLPA and targeted sequencing identified one copy of exon four inPRKNbut no other variants were identified. Subsequently, LRS unveiled a large deletion encompassing exon 3 to 4 on one allele and a duplication of exon 3 on the second allele; explaining the siblings’ phenotype. MLPA could not identify the balanced rearrangement of exon 3.ConclusionsThis study highlights the potential utility of long-read sequencing in the context of unsolved typicalPRKN-PD individuals.
Assessment of 3D hemi-diaphragmatic motion via free-breathing dynamic MRI in pediatric thoracic insufficiency syndrome
Authors: Hosseini Mahdie , Udupa Jayaram K. , Hao You , Tong Yubing , Wu Caiyun , Akhtar Yusuf , Al-Noury Mostafa , Shaghaghi Shiva , McDonough Joseph M. , Biko David M. , Gogel Samantha , Mayer Oscar H. , Cahill Patrick J. , Torigian Drew A. , Anari Jason B. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractPurposeThoracic insufficiency syndrome (TIS) affects ventilatory function due to spinal and thoracic deformities limiting lung space and diaphragmatic motion. Corrective orthopedic surgery can be used to help normalize skeletal anatomy, restoring lung space and diaphragmatic motion. This study employs free-breathing dynamic MRI (dMRI) and quantifies the 3D motion of each hemi-diaphragm surface in normal and TIS patients, and evaluates effects of surgical intervention.Materials and MethodsIn a retrospective study of 149 pediatric patients with TIS and 190 healthy children, we constructed 4D images from free-breathing dMRI and manually delineated the diaphragm at end-expiration (EE) and end-inspiration (EI) time points. We automatically selected 25 points uniformly on each hemi-diaphragm surface, calculated their relative velocities between EE and EI, and derived mean velocities in 13 homologous regions for each hemi-diaphragm to provide measures of regional 3D hemi-diaphragm motion. T-testing was used to compare velocity changes before and after surgery, and to velocities in healthy controls.ResultsThe posterior-central region of the right hemi-diaphragm exhibited the highest average velocity post-operatively. Posterior regions showed greater velocity changes after surgery in both right and left hemi-diaphragms. Surgical reduction of thoracic Cobb angle displayed a stronger correlation with changes in diaphragm velocity than reduction in lumbar Cobb angle. Following surgery, the anterior regions of the left hemi-diaphragm tended to approach a more normal state.ConclusionQuantification of regional motion of the 3D diaphragm surface in normal subjects and TIS patients via free-breathing dMRI is feasible. Derived measurements can be assessed in comparison to normal subjects to study TIS and the effects of surgery.
Using group norms to promote acceptance of HIV testing during household tuberculosis contact investigation: A household-randomized trial
Authors: Armstrong-Hough Mari , Gupta Amanda J. , Ggita Joseph , Nangendo Joan , Katamba Achilles , Davis J. Lucian 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundHIV status awareness and linkage to care are critical for ending the HIV epidemic and preventing tuberculosis (TB). Among household contacts of persons with TB, HIV greatly increases the risk of incident TB and death. However, almost half of household contacts in routine settings decline HIV test offers during routine contact investigation. We evaluated a brief social-behavioral norming intervention to increase acceptance of HIV testing during household TB contact investigation.MethodsWe carried out a household-randomized, controlled trial to evaluate the effect of the norming strategy among household contacts of persons with pulmonary TB in Kampala, Uganda (ClinicalTrials.gov#NCT05124665). Community health workers (CHW) visited homes of persons with TB to screen contacts for TB symptoms and offer free, optional, oral HIV testing. Households were randomized (1:1) to usual care or the norming strategy. Contacts were eligible if they were ≥ 15 years old, self-reported to be HIV-negative, and living in a multi-contact household. The primary outcome, the proportion of contacts accepting HIV testing, was analyzed using an intention-to-treat approach, using a mixed-effects model to account for clustering by household. We assessed HIV testing yield as a proportion of all contacts tested.ResultsWe randomized 328 contacts in 99 index households to the norming strategy, of whom 285 (87%) contacts were eligible. We randomized 224 contacts in 86 index households to the usual strategy, of whom 187 (84%) contacts were eligible. Acceptance of HIV testing was higher in the intervention arm (98% versus 92%, difference +6%, 95%CI +2% to +10%, p=0.004). Yield of HIV testing was 2.1% in the intervention arm and 0.6% in the control arm (p=0.22).ConclusionA norming intervention significantly improved uptake of HIV testing among household contacts of persons with TB.Funding/SupportThis work was supported by the Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS (P30MH062294) and the Fogarty International Center of the National Institutes of Health (R21TW011270). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH or other sponsors.
Mapping the Global Landscape of Task Shifting and Sharing: A Bibliographic Analysis from 1970 to 2022
Authors: Das Shukanto , Grant Liz 
Published: May 2024

AbstractTask shifting and sharing (TS/S) are strategies for redistributing healthcare services from more specialised to less-qualified providers. It aims to optimise service delivery, particularly in resource-constrained settings with workforce shortages. Our paper provides an overview of the global landscape of TS/S research, examining the geographic distribution, publication trends, variation in descriptors for TS/S and the disease focus of articles on TS/S. We searched five databases in October 2022, namely Medline, CINAHL Plus, Elsevier, Global Health and Google Scholar. Our bibliographic analysis included 2,072 articles related to TS/S. We extracted data on the countries where the studies were based, the terminology used to describe task redistribution, and the specific disease focus of the publications. The findings were then visualised and analysed to uncover trends and insights. The results revealed that TS/S research has been most extensively conducted in certain African and South Asian countries, particularly South Africa, India, Uganda, Kenya and Malawi. The terminology used to describe task redistribution varied, with “task shifting” being the most common term (66.0%), followed by “task sharing” (24.0%), “task delegation” (6.0%), and “task shifting and sharing” (3.9%). The disease focus of the publications was diverse, with HIV (n=450) and depression (n=375) being the most studied conditions, A major proportion of articles (42.5%) did not carry a disease focus, instead concentrated on broader health systems strengthening and policy issues. In conclusion, our study offers insights into the global landscape of TS/S research, highlighting the geographic disparities, terminology nuances and disease-specific applications. We believe our findings can inform future research and practice, including the need for standardisation of terminology, targeted implementation efforts, expansion of disease-specific applications and a focus on comprehensive systems strengthening. By addressing these considerations, stakeholders can optimise the impact of TS/S strategies and improve healthcare delivery and outcomes globally.
Optimizing Spatial Distribution of Wastewater-Based Disease Surveillance to Advance Health Equity
Authors: Daza–Torres Maria L. , Montesinos-López J. Cricelio , Herrera César , García Yury E. , Naughton Colleen C. , Bischel Heather N. , Nuño Miriam 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIn 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention commissioned the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to assess the role of community-level wastewater-based disease surveillance (WDS) beyond COVID-19. WDS is recognized as a promising mechanism for promptly identifying infectious diseases, including COVID-19 and other novel pathogens. An important conclusion drawn from this initiative is that it is crucial to maintain equity and expand access to maximize the advantages of WDS for marginalized communities. To address this need, we propose an optimization framework that focuses on the strategic allocation of wastewater monitoring resources at the wastewater treatment plant level. The framework’s purpose is to obtain a balanced spatial distribution, inclusive population coverage, and efficient representation of vulnerable communities in allocating resources for WDS. This study offers an opportunity to improve wastewater surveillance by tailoring location selection strategies to address specific priorities, improving decision-making in public health responses.
Numerical Cincinnati Stroke Scale versus Stroke Severity Screening Tools for the Prehospital Determination of LVO
Authors: Wagstaff Holden M. , Crowe Remle P. , Youngquist Scott T. , Stoecklein H. Hill , Treichel Ali , He Yao , Majersik Jennifer J. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundPrevious research demonstrated that the numerical Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale (CPSS) identifies large vessel occlusion (LVO) at similar rates compared to a limited number of stroke severity screening tools. We aimed to compare numerical CPSS to additional stroke scales using a national EMS database.MethodsUsing the ESO Data Collaborative, the largest EMS database with hospital linked data, we retrospectively analyzed prehospital patient records for the year 2022. Stroke and LVO diagnoses were determined by ICD-10 codes from linked hospital discharge and emergency department records. Prehospital CPSS was compared to the Cincinnati Stroke Triage Assessment Tool (C-STAT), the Field Assessment Stroke Triage for Emergency Destination (FAST-ED), and the Balance Eyes Face Arm Speech Time (BE-FAST). The optimal prediction cut-points for LVO screening were determined by intersecting the sensitivity and specificity curves for each scale. To compare the discriminative abilities of each scale among those diagnosed with LVO, we used the area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC).ResultsWe identified 17,442 prehospital records from 754 EMS agencies with ≥ 1 documented stroke scale of interest: 30.3% (n=5,278) had a hospital diagnosis of stroke, of which 71.6% (n=3,781) were ischemic; of those, 21.6% (n=817) were diagnosed with LVO. CPSS score ≥ 2 was found to be predictive of LVO with 76.9% sensitivity, 68.0% specificity, and AUROC 0.787 (95% CI 0.722-0.801). All other tools had similar predictive abilities, with sensitivity / specificity / AUROC of: C-STAT 62.5% / 76.5% / 0.727 (0.555-0.899); FAST-ED 61.4% / 76.1%/ 0.780 (0.725-0.836); BE-FAST 70.4% / 67.1% / 0.739 (0.697-0.788).ConclusionThe less complex CPSS exhibited comparable performance to three frequently employed LVO detection tools. EMS agency leadership, medical directors, stroke system directors, and other stroke leaders may consider the complexity of stroke severity instruments and challenges with ensuring accurate recall and consistent application when selecting which instrument to implement. Use of the simpler CPSS may enhance compliance with the utilization of LVO screening instruments while maintaining the accuracy of prehospital LVO determination.