bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
HIV outcomes during the COVID‐19 pandemic in people of Black ethnicities living with HIV in England
Authors: Ottaway Zoe , Campbell Lucy , Fox Julie , Burns Fiona , Hamzah Lisa , Kegg Stephen , Rosenvinge Melanie , Schoeman Sarah , Price David , Jones Rachael , Miller Robert F. , Tariq Shema , Post Frank A. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractObjectivesTo describe HIV care outcomes in people of Black ethnicities living in England during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2; coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID‐19]) pandemic.MethodsThis was an observational cohort study of people of self‐reported Black ethnicities attending for HIV care at nine HIV clinics across England. The primary outcome was a composite of antiretroviral therapy (ART) interruption and HIV viraemia (HIV RNA ≥200 copies/mL) ascertained via self‐completed questionnaires and review of medical records. We used multivariable logistic regression to explore associations between ART interruption/HIV viraemia and demographic factors, pre‐pandemic HIV immunovirological control, comorbidity status, and COVID‐19 disease and vaccination status.ResultsWe included 2290 people (median age 49.3 years; 56% female; median CD4 cell count 555 cells/mm3; 92% pre‐pandemic HIV RNA <200 copies/mL), of whom 302 (13%) reported one or more ART interruption, 312 (14%) had documented HIV viraemia ≥200 copies/mL, and 401 (18%) experienced the composite endpoint of ART interruption/HIV viraemia. In multivariable analysis, a pre‐pandemic HIV RNA <200 copies/mL (odds ratio [OR] 0.21; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.15–0.30) and being vaccinated against SARS‐CoV‐2 (OR 0.41; 95% CI 0.30–0.55) were associated with reduced odds of ART interruption/HIV viraemia; pandemic‐related disruptions to HIV care were common self‐reported additional factors.ConclusionsDuring the COVID‐19 pandemic, one in six people of Black ethnicities in this HIV cohort experienced an ART interruption/HIV viraemia. Some of these episodes resulted from pandemic‐related healthcare disruptions. Associations with suboptimal engagement in HIV care pre‐pandemic and not being vaccinated against SARS‐CoV‐2 suggest that wider health beliefs and/or poor healthcare access may have been contributory factors.
Wearing face masks in different speech styles during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A study of Thai L2 English learners
Authors: Kitikanan Patchanok , Leung Alex Ho‐Cheong 
Published: March 2024

AbstractDuring the COVID‐19 epidemic, the effect of mask wearing on communication has been questioned and explored. However, the study on the impact of face mask wearing on L2 speech is still limited. The main goal of the present study was to explore the extent to which face masks affect interlocutors’ L2 speech perception. Factors that varied were face mask (no mask, transparent mask, and disposable face mask), presentation mode (audio only vs. audiovisual), and speaking style (conversational vs. clear). The relationship between these three variables on the L2 processing was also investigated. Fifty‐three Thai undergraduates who were L2 learners of English participated in an Internet‐based perceptual task. They listened to 60 English sentences and typed the sentences they heard over an online form. The results showed that the participants did well when the L2 communication was in clear speech regardless of type of face mask and presentation mode. The improvement of the L2 perception of clear speech occurred even when the speaker produced sentences with disposable face mask as opposed to conversational speech suggesting that clear speech could enhance intelligibility in communication. As expected, the perceptual score was the lowest when the speech was in audio‐only mode with conversational style and disposable face mask. These results suggest that in L2 classroom contexts, speaking clearly could lessen the negative effects of the face mask and unavailability of visual information of the speaker.
Utility of mean nocturnal baseline impedance and post‐reflux swallow‐induced peristaltic wave index in clinical pH‐impedance reflux study
Authors: Angelica Bianca , Tippett Marcus , Lim Amanda , Wong Stephanie , Kuo Paul 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackground and AimsAnalysis of mean nocturnal baseline impedance (MNBI) and post‐reflux swallow‐induced peristaltic wave index (PSPWi) have been proposed to increase the diagnostic yield of pH‐impedance studies in reflux disease. However, routine use of these indices in clinical studies is yet to be established, particularly with PSPWi, which requires laborious manual analysis. Our study aimed to assess the utility of MNBI and PSPWi and their potential for future incorporation into clinical practice.MethodspH‐impedance recordings from consecutive patients referred to the Motility Laboratory at Royal Adelaide Hospital for evaluation of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) were prospectively collected and manually analysed. Baseline demographic characteristics, symptoms, acid exposure time (AET), number of reflux episodes, and MNBI and PSPWi were collected.ResultsEighty‐nine patients were included in the study (age 50 ± 17 years, 35 males). MNBI and PSPWi inversely correlated with AET (R = −0.678, P < 0.0001 and R = −0.460, P < 0.0001 respectively) and with reflux episodes (R = −0.391, P = 0.0002 and R = −0.305, P = 0.0037 respectively). In patients with a negative pH study, but with typical reflux symptoms, 4/30 (13%) had pathologic MNBI and PSPWi. There was a positive correlation between MNBI and PSPWi values (R = 0.525, P < 0.0001). Performing analysis of PSPWi was substantially more laborious than MNBI.ConclusionMNBI and PSPWi are both useful adjuncts in the diagnosis of reflux disease, although in our cohort MNBI showed stronger correlation with AET with less time to analyse. The role of these indices remains to be further explored, particularly in patients with inconclusive AET and in those with positive compared to negative symptom association.
2‐Year‐olds’ free play during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Tisborn Katharina , Seehagen Sabine 
Published: March 2024

AbstractFree play is a natural activity in toddlerhood, depending on environmental conditions like available objects and the social environment. The COVID‐19 pandemic and its consequences for parents’ mental health held the potential to change toddlers’ play environment. This cross‐sectional study investigated 2‐year‐olds’ (N = 97) free play with objects, and aspects of caregiver mental well‐being in three cohorts during the pandemic in Germany. Caregivers reported their positive mental health (PMH), threat perception, perception of current family situation from negative to positive, and workload. We categorized toddlers’ behavior in free play sessions in their homes with a fixed set of objects through behavioral coding. Play behavior did not differ between cohorts and did not correlate with caregivers’ positive mental health, threat perception, and perception of family situation. A MANOVA revealed a significant main effect of cohort on PMH, threat perception and perception of family situation, qualified by two discriminant functions. Full sample analyses revealed that toddlers of caregivers perceiving a workload increase compared to the time before the pandemic showed less pretend play, and less functional and nonfunctional play. The results provide insights into 2‐year‐olds’ play behavior during a global pandemic and highlight the role of caregiver availability for children’s play.
The role of dispersal limitation in the forest biome shifts of Europe in the last 18,000 years
Authors: Zani Deborah , Lischke Heike , Lehsten Veiko 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAimHow the ability of plants to move towards newly favourable habitats (dispersal limitation) impacts the change of biome distribution and transition under fast climate warming is still debated. Analysing vegetation change in the past may help to clarify the relative importance of underlying ecological processes such as climate, biotic interactions, and dispersal. In this study, we investigated how dispersal limitation affected the distribution of European forests in the last 18,000 years.LocationSouthern and Central Europe.TaxonSpermatophyta.MethodsUsing the LPJ‐GM 2.0 model (an extension of LPJ‐GUESS), we simulated European vegetation from the end of the Last Glacial Maximum (18.5 ka) to the current time (0 ka). Using biome reconstructions from pollen data as reference, we compared the performance of two dispersal modes: with no migration constraints or seed limitation (free dispersal mode), and with plant establishment depending on seed dynamics and dispersal (dispersal limitation mode).ResultsThe model run, including migration processes, was better at capturing the post‐glacial expansion of European temperate forests (and the longer persistence of boreal forests) than the setting assuming free dispersal, especially during periods of rapid warming. This suggests that a number of (temperate) tree taxa experienced delayed occupancy of climatically suitable habitats due to a limited dispersal capacity, i.e., post‐glacial migration lags.Main ConclusionsOur results show that including migration processes in model simulations allows for more realistic reconstructions of forest patterns under rapid climate change, with consequences for future projections of carbon sequestration and climate reconstructions with vegetation feedback, assisted migration and forest conservation.
Quantifying compound flood event uncertainties in a wave and tidally dominated coastal region: The impacts of copula selection, sampling, record length, and precipitation gauge selection
Authors: Lucey Joseph T. D. , Gallien Timu W. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractCoastal flooding is a growing hazard. Compound event characterization and uncertainty quantification are critical to accurate flood risk assessment. This study presents univariate, conditional, and joint probabilities for observed water levels, precipitation, and waves. Design events for 10‐ and 100‐year marine water level and precipitation events are developed. A total water level formulation explicitly accounting for wave impacts is presented. Uncertainties associated with sampling method, copula selection, data record length, and utilized rainfall gauge are determined. Eight copulas are used to quantify multivariate uncertainty. Generally, copulas present similar results, except the BB5. Sampling method uncertainty was quantified using four sampling types; annual maximum, annual coinciding, wet season monthly maximum, and wet season monthly coinciding sampling. Annual coinciding sampling typically produced the lowest event magnitude estimates. Uncertainty associated with record length was explored by partitioning a 100‐year record into various subsets. Withholding 30 years of observations (i.e., records of less than 70 years) resulted in substantial variability of both the 10‐ and 100‐year return period estimates. Approximately equidistant rainfall gauges led to large event estimate differences, suggesting microclimatology and gauge selection play a key role in characterizing compound events. Generally, event estimate uncertainty was dominated by sampling method and rainfall gauge selection.
The importance of romantic relationships in preventing suicide
Authors: Carter Sarah P. , Cobb Erin , Novak Laura A. , Ekman Eric , Ton Andrew , LaCroix Jessica M. , Ghahramanlou‐Holloway Marjan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractRomantic relationships can both attenuate and exacerbate suicide risk. Suicide prevention strategies in the United States have emphasized the importance of healthy connections with others; however, suicide prevention efforts overwhelmingly continue to focus on individual‐level interventions. This presents a missed opportunity to prevent suicide through a focus on romantic relationship factors that are strongly associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviors. To identify underutilized or new avenues for improving suicide prevention, the current article aims to (a) provide an overview of the literature on romantic relationship functioning and suicide risk in adults to elucidate potential prevention targets, and (b) use a public health framework to highlight evidence‐based and emerging avenues to prevent suicide by targeting relevant relationship factors.
Exposure to Holocaust is associated with chronic morbidity in older adults–Results from national health and nutrition surveys
Authors: Lubel Shay Y. , Dichtiar Rita , Sinai Tali , Keinan‐Boker Lital 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundAlthough studies have suggested that Holocaust survivors are more likely than their non‐Holocaust‐exposed counterparts to suffer from mental and chronic morbidity, methodology differences and potential confounders often compromise result replicability and external validity. We examined associations between Holocaust exposure and chronic morbidity, as well as overall risk of mortality.MethodsSociodemographic, health‐related behavior and nutritional‐intake data from two representative National Health and Nutrition Survey Ages 65 and Over—the 2005–2006 MABAT ZAHAV 1 (MZ1) and the 2014–2015 MZ2, including face‐to‐face interviews and anthropometric measurements—were analyzed. Demographic, health, nutritional and lifestyle characteristics, and exposure to the Holocaust were self‐reported. Longitudinal data on overall mortality were obtained by linking the MZ1 population to the population registry dataset. Associations between Holocaust exposure and prevalence of chronic morbidity and risk factors were estimated by multivariable logistic regression analyses, and to risk of overall mortality by Cox regression analysis, both adjusted to significant covariates.ResultsAmong 2096 study participants aged 75.7 ± 6.1 years, 47.0% male, 518 were Holocaust survivors. In the fully adjusted model, Holocaust exposure was associated with increased prevalence of heart disease (odds ratio [OR] 1.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07–1.83), metabolic syndrome (OR 2.28, CI 1.23–4.21), and stroke (OR 1.77, CI 1.17–2.69), but not cancer or osteoporosis. Holocaust exposure did not substantially affect the overall risk of mortality (hazard ratio 1.10, CI 0.92–1.32).ConclusionsFurther research is needed to understand the mechanisms governing long‐term outcomes of exposure to acute physical or mental trauma.
A 21‐bp deletion in the complement regulator CD55 promotor region is associated with multifocal motor neuropathy and its disease course
Authors: Bos Jeroen W. , Groen Ewout J. N. , Otten Henny G. , Budding Kevin , van Eijk Ruben P. A. , Curial Chantall , Kardol‐Hoefnagel Tineke , Goedee H. Stephan , van den Berg Leonard H. , van der Pol W. Ludo 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackground and AimsTo further substantiate the role of antibody‐mediated complement activation in multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) immunopathology, we investigated the distribution of promotor polymorphisms of genes encoding the membrane‐bound complement regulators CD46, CD55, and CD59 in patients with MMN and controls, and evaluated their association with disease course.MethodsWe used Sanger sequencing to genotype five common polymorphisms in the promotor regions of CD46, CD55, and CD59 in 133 patients with MMN and 380 controls. We correlated each polymorphism to clinical parameters.ResultsThe genotype frequencies of rs28371582, a 21‐bp deletion in the CD55 promotor region, were altered in patients with MMN as compared to controls (p .009; Del/Del genotype 16.8% vs. 7.7%, p .005, odds ratio: 2.43 [1.27–4.58]), and patients carrying this deletion had a more favorable disease course (mean difference 0.26 Medical Research Council [MRC] points/year; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.040–0.490, p .019). The presence of CD59 rs141385724 was associated with less severe pre‐diagnostic disease course (mean difference 0.940 MRC point/year; 95% CI: 0.083–1.80, p .032).InterpretationMMN susceptibility is associated with a 21‐bp deletion in the CD55 promotor region (rs2871582), which is associated with lower CD55 expression. Patients carrying this deletion may have a more favorable long‐term disease outcome. Taken together, these results point out the relevance of the pre‐C5 level of the complement cascade in the inflammatory processes underlying MMN.
First report of oat crown rust caused by Puccinia coronata var. avenae f.sp. avenae in South Korea
Authors: Kim Yu Na , Lee Jang Hoon , Kim Young Cheol 
Published: March 2024

AbstractOats (Avena sativa L. cv. Joyang), cultivated during June 2023 in experimental fields of Naju County, South Korea, exhibited crown rust symptoms resembling those caused by isolates of Puccinia coronata. Yellow urediniospores measuring 15.3 ± 3.2 × 13.6 ± 3.0 μm were identified through microscopic examination. Multilocus sequence typing of housekeeping genes in the DNA of this fungal isolate showed identity with P. coronata var. avenae f.sp. avenae, a pathogen of oats in South Korea previously lacking in taxonomic classification. This finding raises concerns of escalated crown rust disease in South Korea due to enhanced temperatures and humidity from climate shifts. Addressing these emerging concerns may require proactive strategies to protect oat cultivation in South Korea.
First worldwide record of Colletotrichum siamense and Colletotrichum truncatum causing leaf anthracnose on desert rose (Adenium obesum)
Authors: Nuñez‐García Perla R. , Salazar‐Mesta Rita J. , Camacho‐Tapia Moisés , Vieira Willie A. S. , Contreras‐Soto María B. , Tovar‐Pedraza Juan M. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn September 2022, symptoms of leaf anthracnose were observed on desert rose (Adenium obesum) plants distributed in parks and gardens in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico. Two morphotypes of Colletotrichum isolates were obtained from symptomatic tissues. Based on morphological characterization in combination with multilocus phylogenetic analyses including data from internal transcribed spacer, actin, glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase, and β‐tubulin, and pathogenicity tests, it was confirmed that C. siamense and C. truncatum are the causal agents of the disease. This is the first report of C. siamense and C. truncatum causing leaf anthracnose in desert rose worldwide.
You lick me, I like you: understanding the function of allogrooming in ungulates
Authors: Hodgson George M. W. , Flay Kate J. , Perroux Tania A. , McElligott Alan G. 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACT

Allogrooming is a common affiliative behaviour with hygienic, physiological and social consequences, and has historically been examined in non‐human primates in order to understand the evolution of sociality. In primates, allogrooming is well‐known to have evolved for an antiparasitic function, leading to physiological consequences and further adoption of the behaviour for social functions. This includes exchanging benefits in a biological market, post‐conflict reconciliation and long‐term social bond formation. The relevant importance of these functions is largely undetermined in many non‐primate taxa, including ungulates.

We aimed to evaluate the current evidence for allogrooming function in ungulates, asking whether the behaviour serves a social function, and if so, to what magnitude. Ungulates show large differences in their allogrooming behaviour, but the variation of these has not been truly understood.

We find that although allogrooming in ungulates has been co‐opted for social purposes such as bond formation, the variety of these has not been fully explored. Identifying species‐specific allogrooming functions can help to clarify the context of behaviour; this allows us to improve our knowledge of how individuals and groups interact within a population, and understand the implications of this behaviour when deducing animal state and sociality.

We conclude that there is great potential for additional research into the benefits of affiliative behaviour in ungulates, and we encourage further exploration into the social functions of allogrooming in ungulates.
Natural variation in the pattern‐triggered immunity response in plants: Investigations, implications and applications
Authors: Hudson Asher , Mullens Alexander , Hind Sarah , Jamann Tiffany , Balint‐Kurti Peter 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe pattern‐triggered immunity (PTI) response is triggered at the plant cell surface by the recognition of microbe‐derived molecules known as microbe‐ or pathogen‐associated molecular patterns or molecules derived from compromised host cells called damage‐associated molecular patterns. Membrane‐localized receptor proteins, known as pattern recognition receptors, are responsible for this recognition. Although much of the machinery of PTI is conserved, natural variation for the PTI response exists within and across species with respect to the components responsible for pattern recognition, activation of the response, and the strength of the response induced. This review describes what is known about this variation. We discuss how variation in the PTI response can be measured and how this knowledge might be utilized in the control of plant disease and in developing plant varieties with enhanced disease resistance.
Engineering RNA polymerase to construct biotechnological host strains of cyanobacteria
Authors: Turunen Otso , Saleem Tayyab , Kurkela Juha , Kallio Pauli , Tyystjärvi Taina 
Published: March 2024

AbstractApplication of cyanobacteria for bioproduction, bioremediation and biotransformation is being increasingly explored. Photoautotrophs are carbon‐negative by default, offering a direct pathway to reducing emissions in production systems. More robust and versatile host strains are needed for constructing production strains that would function as efficient and carbon‐neutral cyanofactories. We have tested if the engineering of sigma factors, regulatory units of the bacterial RNA polymerase, could be used to generate better host strains of the model cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Overexpressing the stress‐responsive sigB gene under the strong psbA2 promoter (SigB‐oe) led to improved tolerance against heat, oxidative stress and toxic end‐products. By targeting transcription initiation in the SigB‐oe strain, we could simultaneously activate a wide spectrum of cellular protective mechanisms, including carotenoids, the HspA heat shock protein, and highly activated non‐photochemical quenching. Yellow fluorescent protein was used to test the capacity of the SigB‐oe strain to produce heterologous proteins. In standard conditions, the SigB‐oe strain reached a similar production as the control strain, but when cultures were challenged with oxidative stress, the production capacity of SigB‐oe surpassed the control strain. We also tested the production of growth‐rate‐controlled host strains via manipulation of RNA polymerase, but post‐transcriptional regulation prevented excessive overexpression of the primary sigma factor SigA, and overproduction of the growth‐restricting SigC factor was lethal. Thus, more research is needed before cyanobacteria growth can be manipulated by engineering RNA polymerase.