bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Statin treatment intensity and cerebral vasomotor reactivity response in patients with ischemic stroke
Authors: Sabayan Behnam , Akhavan Sigari Amirhossein , Modir Royya , Meyer Brett C. , Hemmen Thomas , Meyer Dawn , Bavarsad Shahripour Reza 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackground and PurposeCerebral vasomotor reactivity (VMR) is vital for regulating brain blood flow and maintaining neurological function. Impaired cerebral VMR is linked to a higher risk of stroke and poor post‐stroke outcomes. This study explores the relationship between statin treatment intensity and VMR in patients with ischemic stroke.MethodsSeventy‐four consecutive patients (mean age 69.3 years, 59.4% male) with recent ischemic stroke were included. VMR levels were assessed 4 weeks after the index stroke using transcranial Doppler, measuring the breath‐holding index (BHI) as an indicator of the percentage increase in middle cerebral artery blood flow (higher BHI signifies higher VMR). Multistep multivariable regression models, adjusted for demographic and cerebrovascular risk factors, were employed to examine the association between statin intensity treatment and BHI levels.ResultsForty‐one patients (55%) received high‐intensity statins. Patients receiving high‐intensity statins exhibited a mean BHI of 0.85, whereas those on low‐intensity statins had a mean BHI of 0.67 (mean difference 0.18, 95% confidence interval: 0.13‐0.22, p‐value<.001). This significant difference persisted in the fully adjusted model (adjusted mean values: 0.84 vs. 0.68, p‐value: .008). No significant differences were observed in BHI values within patient groups on high‐intensity or low‐intensity statin therapy (all p‐values>.05). Furthermore, no significant association was found between baseline low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) levels and BHI.ConclusionsHigh‐intensity statin treatment post‐ischemic stroke is linked to elevated VMR independent of demographic and clinical characteristics, including baseline LDL level. Further research is needed to explore statin therapy's impact on preserving brain vascular function beyond lipid‐lowering effects.
Case–control study of heart rate variability and sleep apnea in childhood sickle cell disease
Authors: Bokov Plamen , Koehl Bérengère , Dudoignon Benjamin , Benkerrou Malika , Delclaux Christophe 
Published: April 2024

SummaryObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is common in sickle cell disease (SCD) despite the absence of overweight, suggesting a specific pathophysiology. We previously showed that otherwise healthy children with increased pharyngeal compliance, a main endotype of OSA, exhibited decreased sympathetic modulation. Our objective was to assess whether modifications of heart rate variability (HRV) and compliance are associated in SCD. Cases (children with SCD, African or Caribbean ethnicity) and controls (otherwise healthy children, same ethnicity), aged 4–18 years, were selected from our database of children referred for OSA and matched for sex, age, and obstructive apnea–hypopnoea index (OAHI) score. The children underwent polysomnography and acoustic pharyngometry (to compute compliance). HRV analyses were performed from 5 min ECG recordings in wakeful, NREM, and REM sleep states and from the whole night. Twenty‐one pairs were analysed (median age 10.5 years, 24 girls). Children with SCD had lower BMI z‐scores and more tonsil hypertrophy than control children. Children with SCD and OSA (OAHI ≥2/hour) were characterised by lower compliance than children with SCD without OSA. An inverse relationship between compliance and SD2 (HRV from whole night, inversely related to sympathetic modulation) was evidenced (negative relationship in SCD: R = −0.63, p = 0.002 vs. positive relationship in controls R = 0.59, p = 0.006). In conclusion, while the decrease in sympathetic modulation in control children may contribute to increasing pharyngeal compliance, its decrease seems protective in children with sickle cell disease, which underlines the specificity of OSAS pathophysiology in SCD that could be due to sickle cell disease related smooth muscle dystonia.
Antiviral therapy response in patients with chronic hepatitis B and fatty liver: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Rui Fajuan , Garcia Elizabeth , Hu Xinyu , Ni Wenjing , Xue Qi , Xu Yayun , Xu Xiaoming , Shi Junping , Nguyen Mindie H. , Cheung Ramsey C. , Li Jie 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe impact of concurrent fatty liver (FL) on response to antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients has not been well characterized. We aimed to systematically review and analyse antiviral treatment response in CHB patients with and without FL. We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library databases from inception to 31 May 2023 for relevant studies. Biochemical response (BR), complete viral suppression (CVS) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion in CHB patients with FL (CHB‐FL) and without FL (non‐FL CHB) were compared. In an initial pool of 2101 citations, a total of 10 studies involving 2108 patients were included. After 12 weeks of treatment, CHB‐FL patients as compared with non‐FL CHB patients had lower BR rate (48.37% [108/227] vs. 72.98% [126/174], p = .04) but similar trend for CVS (36.86% [80/227] vs. 68.81% [114/174], p = .05) and similar rates of HBeAg seroconversion (6.59% [7/103] vs. 7.40% [7/110], p = .89). However, at week 48, there were no statistically significant differences between CHB‐FL and non‐FL CHB patients in any of the outcomes, including BR (60.03% [213/471] vs. 69.37% [314/717], p = .67), CVS (65.63% [459/746] vs. 73.81% [743/1132], p = .27) and HBeAg seroconversion (10.01% [30/275] vs. 14.06% [65/453], p = .58) with similar findings for week 96. BR rate was lower in CHB‐FL patients after 12 weeks of antiviral treatment. However, after a longer follow‐up of either 48 or 96 weeks, no statistically significant differences were observed in BR, CVS or HBeAg seroconversion rates between CHB patients with and without FL.
Respiratory symptoms due to a twisted nasogastric tube: A case report
Authors: Edalatifard Maryam , Roostaei Ghazal , Rahimi Besharat , Abtahi Hamidreza , Kazemizadeh Hossein , Asadi Sanaz , Khoshnam Rad Niloofar 
Published: April 2024

AbstractInsertion of a nasogastric tube (NGT) is generally considered safe; however, it is not without risk, and in cases of misplacement, complications and even death may occur. In this article, we reported a case of NGT misplacement in a 75‐year‐old male, which resulted in aspiration pneumonia. We also reviewed published cases of NGT misplacement. Clinicians should pay enough attention to the confirmation of the proper placement of an NGT. A systematic approach for NGT insertion and confirmation is required to prevent misplacement.
Association between serum cytokines and timeframe for conversion from clinical high‐risk to psychosis
Authors: Zhang TianHong , Wei YanYan , Xu LiHua , Tang XiaoChen , Hu YeGang , Liu HaiChun , Wang ZiXuan , Chen Tao , Li ChunBo , Wang JiJun 
Published: April 2024

AimAlthough many studies have explored the link between inflammatory markers and psychosis, there is a paucity of research investigating the temporal progression in individuals at clinical high‐risk (CHR) who eventually develop full psychosis. To address this gap, we investigated the correlation between serum cytokine levels and Timeframe for Conversion to Psychosis (TCP) in individuals with CHR.MethodsWe enrolled 53 individuals with CHR who completed a 5‐year follow‐up with a confirmed conversion to psychosis. Granulocyte macrophage‐colony stimulating factor (GM‐CSF), interleukin (IL)‐1β, 2, 6, 8, 10, tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were measured at baseline and 1‐year. Correlation and quantile regression analyses were performed.ResultsThe median TCP duration was 14 months. A significantly shorter TCP was associated with higher levels of TNF‐α (P = 0.022) and VEGF (P = 0.016). A negative correlation was observed between TCP and TNF‐α level (P = 0.006) and VEGF level (P = 0.04). Quantile regression indicated negative associations between TCP and GM‐CSF levels below the 0.5 quantile, IL‐10 levels below the 0.3 quantile, IL‐2 levels below the 0.25 quantile, IL‐6 levels between the 0.65 and 0.75 quantiles, TNF‐α levels below the 0.8 quantile, and VEGF levels below the 0.7 quantile. A mixed linear effects model identified significant time effects for IL‐10 and IL‐2, and significant group effects for changes in IL‐2 and TNF‐α.ConclusionsOur findings underscore that a more pronounced baseline inflammatory state is associated with faster progression of psychosis in individuals with CHR. This highlights the importance of considering individual inflammatory profiles during early intervention and of tailoring preventive measures for risk profiles.
Intraspecific chemical variation of Tanacetum vulgare affects plant growth and reproductive traits in field plant communities
Authors: Ojeda‐Prieto L. , Medina‐van Berkum P. , Unsicker S. B. , Heinen R. , Weisser W. W. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
The study investigated the impact of intraspecific plant chemodiversity on plant growth and reproductive traits at both the plant and plot levels. It also aimed to understand how chemodiversity at stand level affects ecosystem functioning and plant–plant interactions.
We describe a biodiversity experiment in which we manipulated intraspecific plant chemodiversity at the plot level using six different chemotypes of common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare L., Asteraceae). We tested the effects of chemotype identity and plot‐level chemotype richness on plant growth and reproductive traits and plot‐level headspace emissions.
The study found that plant chemotypes differed in growth and reproductive traits and that traits were affected by the chemotype richness of the plots. Although morphological differences among chemotypes became less pronounced over time, reproductive phenology patterns persisted. Plot‐level trait means were also affected by the presence or absence of certain chemotypes in a plot, and the direction of the effect depended on the specific chemotype. However, chemotype richness did not lead to overyielding effects. Lastly, chemotype blends released from plant communities were neither richer nor more diverse with increasing plot‐level chemotype richness, but became more dissimilar as they became more dissimilar in their leaf terpenoid profiles.
We found that intraspecific plant chemodiversity is crucial in plant–plant interactions. We also found that the effects of chemodiversity on plant growth and reproductive traits were complex and varied depending on the chemotype richness of the plots. This long‐term field experiment will allow further investigation into plant–insect interactions and insect community assembly in response to intraspecific chemodiversity.
Exploring oxidative stress, immunological and metabolic biomarkers in dairy cows with postpartum pyometra
Authors: El‐Deeb Wael , Abdelghani Mohammed A. , Alhaider Abdulrahman , Al‐Hammadi Mohammed , Gomaa Naglaa , Venugopala Katharigatta , Fayez Mahmoud 
Published: April 2024

AbstractPyometra is a prevalent and severe infectious disease that affects the reproductive systems of cattle worldwide. This study's main goal was to investigate the biomarkers for oxidative stress (OS), adiponectin, leptin and neopterin (NPT) in cows suffering from postpartum pyometra. The study also aimed to determine which bacteria were most commonly implicated in the development of the disease. A total of 74 cows with pyometra were examined and compared to a control group of healthy cows (n = 20). In comparison to the healthy control and post‐treatment groups, the pyometra group showed higher mean values of leptin, adiponectin and malondialdehyde (MDA). In contrast, the glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) mean values were lower in the pyometra group as compared to the post‐treatment and control groups. NPT levels in the post‐treatment groups were lower than those in cows with pyometra but comparable to the healthy control group (p > .05). When compared to the other biomarkers, NPT, leptin and adiponectin showed higher sensitivity and specificity in identifying pyometra cases (AUC ≥0.99). The predominant bacterial isolates from the ptomtra‐affected cows consisted of Escherichia coli (N = 29; 39.2%), Arcanobacterium pyogenes (N = 27; 36.5%) and Fusobacterium necrophorum (N = 13; 17.6%). Mixed infection was determined in nine samples (12.2%). Conclusively, OS, adiponectin, leptin and NPT play crucial roles in comprehending the development of postpartum pyometra in cows and have the potential to serve as biomarkers for the disease.
The synergy effect of multi‐country policy actions announced in reaction to global risk: A network structure perspective
Authors: Wei Jiuchang , Ji Junkai , Li Yi‐Na 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe policy actions of countries reflect adaptive responses of local components within the system to the dynamic global risk landscape. These responses can generate interactions and synergy effects on alleviating the evolution of global risks. Adopting a network perspective, the study proposes a theoretical framework that connects three structural characteristics of policy synergy, namely, synergy scale, alignment intensity, and timing synchronization. Focusing on the Covid‐19 pandemic as a typical global risk context, the study finds that policy synergy with a larger scale, stronger alignment intensity, and more synchronized timing has a positive impact on mitigating global risks. The effect of alignment intensity is particularly pronounced when polycentric governance involves 20 countries facing severe risks, whereas the effect of timing synchronization is more significant when the multicenter group comprises more countries. Building upon the concept of an efficient scale of polycentric governance in various dimensions, this study develops a policy synergy index model. Through multiple empirical analyses, this study validates the causal relationship between policy synergy and the future evolution of global pandemic risk. Policymakers can leverage the dynamic changes in the policy synergy to predict future risk situations and implement well‐rounded and appropriate policy actions, thereby enhancing the efficacy of the synergy effect of multi‐country policy actions for risk governance.
Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson reproduction system: Implications for distribution and management strategies
Authors: Borgato Ednaldo A. , Ohadi Sara , Brunharo Caio A. C. G. , Patterson Eric L. , Matzrafi Maor 
Published: April 2024

AbstractAmaranthus palmeri S. Watson is one of the most troublesome weed species worldwide, and is considered one of the most devastating weeds in agricultural fields in the United States. Recently, A. palmeri populations have spread beyond their native range, into the Mediterranean region, and have been reported in several European countries. Resistance to 5‐enolpyruvylshikimate‐3‐phosphate synthase (EPSPS) and acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors have been found in European populations, exacerbating the management problems with this species in the Mediterranean region. While the biology, ecology, herbicide resistance mechanisms, and agricultural significance of A. palmeri have been studied, there remains a need to discuss how A. palmeri's unique reproductive traits influence its ability to adapt to various environments, especially as an invasive species spreading into new habitats. We review how the genetic and genomic characteristics of A. palmeri interact with aspects of its reproductive biology, including its breeding system, and alter its ability to hybridize and develop herbicide resistance. Finally, we discuss the breeding system of A. palmeri in the context of weed management, and explore different approaches such as irradiated pollens, genetic manipulations, and RNA interference (RNAi).
The Relationship of Open- and Closed-Kinetic-Chain Rate of Force Development With Jump Performance Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Graham Megan C. , Reeves Kelsey A. , Janatova Tereza , Noehren Brian 
Published: April 2024

Purpose: To determine between-limbs differences in isometric rate of force development (RFD) measured during open- (OKC) and closed-kinetic-chain (CKC) strength testing and establish which method had the strongest relationship to single-leg vertical-jump performance and knee mechanics after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Methods: Subjects (n = 19) 1 to 5 years from ACL reconstruction performed isometric knee extensions (OKC), unilateral isometric midthigh pulls (CKC), and single-leg vertical jumps on the ACL-involved and -noninvolved limbs. Between-limbs differences were assessed using paired t tests, and the relationship between RFD, jump performance, and knee mechanics was assessed using correlation coefficients (r; P ≤ .05). Results: There were significant between-limbs differences in OKC RFD (P = .008, d = −0.69) but not CKC RFD. OKC RFD in the ACL-involved limb had a strong association with jump height (r = .64, P = .003), knee-joint power (r = .72, P < .001), and peak knee-flexion angle (r = .72, P = .001). CKC RFD in the ACL-involved limb had a strong association with jump height (r = .65, P = .004) and knee-joint power (r = .67, P = .002) but not peak knee-flexion angle (r = .40, P = .09). Conclusions: While both OKC and CKC RFD were strongly related to jump performance and knee-joint power, OKC RFD was able to detect between-limbs RFD asymmetries and was strongly related to knee-joint kinematics. These findings indicate that isometric knee extension may be optimal for assessing RFD after ACL reconstruction.
The virtue of training: extending phage host spectra against vancomycin-resistant
Enterococcus faecium
strains using the Appelmans method
Authors: Lossouarn Julien , Beurrier Elsa , Bouteau Astrid , Moncaut Elisabeth , Sir Silmane Maria , Portalier Heïdi , Zouari Asma , Cattoir Vincent , Serror Pascale , Petit Marie-Agnès 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACT

Phage therapy has (re)emerged as a serious possibility for combating multidrug-resistant bacterial infections, including those caused by vancomycin-resistant
Enterococcus faecium
strains. These opportunistic pathogens belong to a specific clonal complex 17, against which relatively few phages have been screened. We isolated a collection of 21 virulent phages growing on these vancomycin-resistant isolates. Each of these phages harbored a typical narrow plaquing host range, lysing at most 5 strains and covering together 10 strains of our panel of 14 clinical isolates. To enlarge the host spectrum of our phages, the Appelmans protocol was used. We mixed four out of our most complementary phages in a cocktail that we iteratively grew on eight naive strains from our panel, of which six were initially refractory to at least three of the combined phages. Fifteen successive passages permitted to significantly improve the lytic activity of the cocktail, from which phages with extended host ranges within the
E. faecium
species could be isolated. A single evolved phage able to kill up to 10 of the 14 initial
E. faecium
strains was obtained, and it barely infected nearby species. All evolved phages had acquired point mutations or a recombination event in the tail fiber genetic region, suggesting these genes might have driven phage evolution by contributing to their extended host spectra.
Progress toward a vaccine for extraintestinal pathogenic
E. coli
(ExPEC) II: efficacy of a toxin-autotransporter dual antigen approach
Authors: Xing Yikun , Clark Justin R. , Chang James D. , Zulk Jacob J. , Chirman Dylan M. , Piedra Felipe-Andres , Vaughan Ellen E. , Hernandez Santos Haroldo J. , Patras Kathryn A. , Maresso Anthony W. 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACT

Extraintestinal pathogenic
Escherichia coli
(ExPEC) is a leading cause of worldwide morbidity and mortality, the top cause of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) infections, and the most frequent cause of life-threatening sepsis and urinary tract infections (UTI) in adults. The development of an effective and universal vaccine is complicated by this pathogen’s pan-genome, its ability to mix and match virulence factors and AMR genes via horizontal gene transfer, an inability to decipher commensal from pathogens, and its intimate association and co-evolution with mammals. Using a pan virulome analysis of >20,000 sequenced
E. coli
strains, we identified the secreted cytolysin α-hemolysin (HlyA) as a high priority target for vaccine exploration studies. We demonstrate that a catalytically inactive pure form of HlyA, expressed in an autologous host using its own secretion system, is highly immunogenic in a murine host, protects against several forms of ExPEC infection (including lethal bacteremia), and significantly lowers bacterial burdens in multiple organ systems. Interestingly, the combination of a previously reported autotransporter (SinH) with HlyA was notably effective, inducing near complete protection against lethal challenge, including commonly used infection strains ST73 (CFT073) and ST95 (UTI89), as well as a mixture of 10 of the most highly virulent sequence types and strains from our clinical collection. Both HlyA and HlyA-SinH combinations also afforded some protection against UTI89 colonization in a murine UTI model. These findings suggest recombinant, inactive hemolysin and/or its combination with SinH warrant investigation in the development of an
E. coli
vaccine against invasive disease.
A nucleoid-associated protein is involved in the emergence of antibiotic resistance by promoting the frequent exchange of the replicative DNA polymerase in
Mycobacterium smegmatis
Authors: Ng Wei L. , Rego E. Hesper 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACT

Antibiotic resistance in
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
exclusively originates from chromosomal mutations, either during normal DNA replication or under stress, when the expression of error-prone DNA polymerases increases to repair damaged DNA. To bypass DNA lesions and catalyze error-prone DNA synthesis, translesion polymerases must be able to access the DNA, temporarily replacing the high-fidelity replicative polymerase. The mechanisms that govern polymerase exchange are not well understood, especially in mycobacteria. Here, using a suite of quantitative fluorescence imaging techniques, we discover that in
Mycobacterium smegmatis
, as in other bacterial species, the replicative polymerase, DnaE1, exchanges at a timescale much faster than that of DNA replication. Interestingly, this fast exchange rate depends on an actinobacteria-specific nucleoid-associated protein (NAP), Lsr2. In cells missing
lsr2
, DnaE1 exchanges less frequently, and the chromosome is replicated more faithfully. Additionally, in conditions that damage DNA, cells lacking
lsr2
load the complex needed to bypass DNA lesions less effectively and, consistently, replicate with higher fidelity but exhibit growth defects. Together, our results show that Lsr2 promotes dynamic flexibility of the mycobacterial replisome, which is critical for robust cell growth and lesion repair in conditions that damage DNA.

IMPORTANCE

Unlike many other pathogens,
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
has limited ability for horizontal gene transfer, a major mechanism for developing antibiotic resistance. Thus, the mechanisms that facilitate chromosomal mutagenesis are of particular importance in mycobacteria. Here, we show that Lsr2, a nucleoid-associated protein, has a novel role in DNA replication and mutagenesis in the model mycobacterium
Mycobacterium smegmatis
. We find that Lsr2 promotes the fast exchange rate of the replicative DNA polymerase, DnaE1, at the replication fork and is important for the effective loading of the DnaE2-ImuA′-ImuB translesion complex. Without
lsr2
,
M. smegmatis
replicates its chromosome more faithfully and acquires resistance to rifampin at a lower rate, but at the cost of impaired survival to DNA damaging agents. Together, our work establishes Lsr2 as a potential factor in the emergence of mycobacterial antibiotic resistance.