bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of severe periodontitis on arterial stiffness using cardio‐ankle vascular index in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Torumtay Cin Gizem , Fenkci Semin Melahat , Kiliç Ismail Doğu , Aslan Halil Serdar , Sevgican Cihan İlyas , Şenol Hande 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBackground and ObjectiveArterial stiffness, which is a measure of the elasticity of the arteries, is also a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases and its measurement is important for evaluating the atherosclerosis process. The purpose of this cross‐sectional study to investigate whether severe periodontitis in short‐term type 2 diabetes may be associated with increased cardio‐ankle vascular index (CAVI) values specified for subclinical atherosclerosis risk.MethodsA total of 136 subjects, including 69 subjects with short‐term type 2 diabetes (35 with severe periodontitis and 34 with periodontally healthy) and 67 systemically healthy subjects (32 with severe periodontitis and 35 with periodontally healthy) were enrolled to this study. Assessment of all participants included in this study in terms of arterial stiffness was determined by CAVI. Serum fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), triglyceride (TRG), high‐density lipoprotein (HDL), low‐density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol (TC) and C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels were calculated using standard methods. Full mouth periodontal measurements were recorded. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between periodontal parameters and mean CAVI values of the groups.ResultsMean CAVI levels were significantly higher in diabetic and periodontitis group compared to the other study groups (p < .05). In diabetes and periodontitis group, CAVI was showed positive correlations with CRP (r = .337, p = .048) and HbA1c (r = .442, p = .008). Also, positive significant correlations were found with probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) in the periodontitis groups. Multiple regression analysis revealed that CAL independently predicted CAVI levels in periodontitis groups (β = .433, p = .019 in diabetes and periodontitis groups and β = .57, p = .001 in systemically healthy and periodontitis group respectively).ConclusionThis is the first study investigating the association between severe periodontitis and CAVI in patients with short‐term diabetes. Our findings suggest that severe periodontitis may be an intermediate factor in the pathway between type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease by increasing the arterial stiffness.
Muslim Brotherhood Memoirs: Prison as a Link among Hostile Groups
Authors: Porat Liad 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIn Egypt's 2012 elections, the Muslim Brotherhood came to power after many years of repression, an unprecedented victory for the country's most active opposition movement. The Brotherhood's journey can be divided into several stages. One of the most important, which has not received enough attention, is the imprisonment of many of its major figures. Long before the coup that overthrew President Mohamed Morsi in 2013, the Arab nationalist President Gamal Abdel Nasser brutally put down the movement with mass arrests. The Brotherhood's members dominated Egypt's prisons, but they were far from the only activists in the system, which also held communists, Zionists, and other Jewish prisoners. This article uses the memoirs of the incarcerated enemies of the state to examine the struggles of these groups inside Egypt's prisons and show how the institutions served as platforms to promote the ideological struggle against the regime.
Review Article White Piedra: Review of 131 cases
Authors: Guerrero‐Ponce Ana Elena , Araiza Javier , Tirado‐Sánchez Andrés , Bonifaz Alexandro 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThis study analyzes the clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with White Piedra through a systematic review of cases in the literature. A sample of 131 subjects was considered, of which 91.6% were female and most were 18 years of age or younger. Most studies were conducted in Brazil, followed by India, and Mexico. The most common etiologic agent found was Trichosporon spp (34.3%). Most affected patients were asymptomatic (94.6%) and predisposing factors included long hair, use of a hair band or hair accessories, and wet hair. The most common clinical feature was the presence of nodules. The evaluation of treatment effectiveness was hindered by the scarcity of follow‐up information in the majority of the studies. It is concluded that White Piedra infection is more common in young women and is associated with hair‐related factors.
Respiration is essential for aerobic growth of
Zymomonas mobilis
ZM4
Authors: Felczak Magdalena M. , Bernard Matthew P. , TerAvest Michaela A. 
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT

Zymomonas mobilis
is an alpha-proteobacterium that is a promising platform for industrial scale production of biofuels due to its efficient ethanol fermentation and low biomass generation.
Z. mobilis
is aerotolerant and encodes a complete respiratory electron transport chain, but the benefit of respiration for growth in oxic conditions has never been confirmed, despite decades of research. Growth and ethanol production of wild-type
Z. mobilis
is poor in oxic conditions indicating that it does not benefit from oxidative phosphorylation. Additionally, in previous studies, aerobic growth improved significantly when respiratory genes were disrupted (
ndh
) or acquired point mutations (
cydA
and
cydB
), even if respiration was significantly reduced by these changes. Here, we obtained clean deletions of respiratory genes
ndh
and
cydAB
, individually and in combination, and showed, for the first time, that deletion of
cydAB
completely inhibited O
2
respiration and dramatically reduced growth in oxic conditions. Both respiration and aerobic growth were restored by expressing a heterologous, water-forming NADH oxidase,
noxE
. Oxygen can have many negative effects, including formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or directly inactivating oxygen sensitive enzymes. Our results suggest that the effect of molecular oxygen on enzymes had a greater negative impact on
Z. mobilis
than formation of ROS. This result shows that the main role of the electron transport chain in
Z. mobilis
is reducing the intracellular concentration of molecular oxygen, helping to explain why it is beneficial for
Z. mobilis
to use electron transport chain complexes that have little capacity to contribute to oxidative phosphorylation.

IMPORTANCE

A key to producing next-generation biofuels is to engineer microbes that efficiently convert non-food materials into drop-in fuels, and to engineer microbes effectively, we must understand their metabolism thoroughly.
Zymomonas mobilis
is a bacterium that is a promising candidate biofuel producer, but its metabolism remains poorly understood, especially its metabolism when exposed to oxygen. Although
Z. mobilis
respires with oxygen, its aerobic growth is poor, and disruption of genes related to respiration counterintuitively improves aerobic growth. This unusual result has sparked decades of research and debate regarding the function of respiration in
Z. mobilis
. Here, we used a new set of mutants to determine that respiration is essential for aerobic growth and likely protects the cells from damage caused by oxygen. We conclude that the respiratory pathway of
Z. mobilis
should not be deleted from chassis strains for industrial production because this would yield a strain that is intolerant of oxygen, which is more difficult to manage in industrial settings.
Single-cell phenotypes revealed as a key biomarker in bacterial–fungal interactions: a case study of
Staphylococcus
and
Malassezia
Authors: Lyou Eun Sun , Kim Min Sung , Kim Soo Bin , Park MinJi , Kim Kyong-Dong , Jung Won Hee , Lee Tae Kwon 
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT

Microbial interactions are determined by competition, cooperation, and inaction, depending on the transcriptional response to the metabolites secreted by each other. The consequence of these interactions is reflected in the cell phenotype by the composition of cell materials, including lipids, nucleotides, and proteins. We studied the phenotypic plasticity of single cells involved in microbial interactions using Raman spectroscopy and evaluated the types of interactions by linking phenotypes to transcriptional profiles. We used a membrane-based co-culture system to induce chemical interactions between skin-dominant bacteria and fungi,
Staphylococcus
and
Malassezia. Staphylococcus
species exhibited an amensalism interaction with
Malassezia
based on growth and cell viability.
Malassezia
co-cultured with
S. epidermidis
and
S. aureus
resulted in significant changes in the Raman spectra of nucleic acids and proteins in the Raman phenotypes, respectively. The observed differences in phenotypes during co-culture with
Malassezia
were significantly associated with changes in transcriptomic profiles, which demonstrated variations in the defense/resistance and biofilm-formation mechanisms of
S. epidermidis,
whereas no meaningful changes were observed for the transcriptome of
S. aureus
. These approaches provide a robust, simple, and reproducible method for comprehending bacterial–fungal interactions.

IMPORTANCE
Evaluating bacterial–fungal interactions is important for understanding ecological functions in a natural habitat. Many studies have defined bacterial–fungal interactions according to changes in growth rates when co-cultivated. However, the current literature lacks detailed studies on phenotypic changes in single cells associated with transcriptomic profiles to understand the bacterial-fungal interactions. In our study, we measured the single-cell phenotypes of bacteria co-cultivated with fungi using Raman spectroscopy with its transcriptomic profiles and determined the consequence of these interactions in detail. This rapid and reliable phenotyping approach has the potential to provide new insights regarding bacterial–fungal interactions.
HBHA-IGRA and cytotoxic mediators release assays for the diagnosis of cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis
Authors: Bchiri Soumaya , Bouzekri Asma , Ouni Rym , Lahiani Rim , Romdhane Emna , Dekhil Neira , Ben Hamouda Sonia , Mardassi Helmi , Ferjani Asma , Petit Emanuelle , Corbière Véronique , Rammeh Soumaya , Mascart Françoise , Locht Camille , Ben Salah Mamia , Barbouche Mohamed Ridha , Benabdessalem Chaouki 
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT

Cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis (CTL), the most frequent extrapulmonary form of tuberculosis, is a serious health problem in Tunisia. CTL diagnosis is challenging mainly due to the paucibacillary nature of the disease and the potential misdiagnosis as cervical non-tuberculous lymphadenitis (CNTL). Here, we evaluated the performance of heparin-binding hemagglutinin (HBHA) interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) release assay (IGRA) for the diagnosis of CTL. In addition, we evaluated granzyme B, granulysin, and perforin release assays as CTL biomarkers and assessed their potential contribution to improve HBHA-IGRA performance. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from CTL-suspected patients were stimulated with HBHA, early secreted antigenic target 6 (ESAT-6), or purified protein derivative (PPD) for 24 h in the presence of IL-7. Cytotoxic mediators and IFN-γ release were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate the capacity of HBHA, ESAT-6, and PPD to discriminate between CTL (
n
= 27) and CNTL (
n
= 21). After applying bivariate and multivariate analyses, IFN-γ responses to HBHA appeared to offer the best distinction between CTL and CNTL, with an area under the curve of 0.9947, associated with 95.24% and 100% sensitivity and specificity, respectively. A principal component analysis showed clear clustering of the CTL versus the CNTL groups. This clustering was mainly attributed to HBHA-induced IFN-γ, PPD-induced granzyme B, and PPD-induced IFN-γ. These results thus suggest that the HBHA-IGRA provides high diagnostic accuracy for CTL versus CNTL, with high sensitivity and specificity. Combining HBHA-induced IFN-γ and PPD-induced granzyme B improves the accuracy to identify CTL.

IMPORTANCE
Cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis (CTL), the most frequent extrapulmonary form of tuberculosis, is currently a major health problem in Tunisia and in several regions around the world. CTL diagnosis is challenging mainly due to the paucibacillary nature of the disease and the potential misdiagnosis as cervical non-tuberculous lymphadenitis. This study demonstrates the added value of the heparin-binding hemagglutinin-interferon-gamma release assay as an immunoassay in the context of CTL.
Small protein mediates inhibition of ammonium transport in
Methanosarcina mazei
—an ancient mechanism?
Authors: Habenicht Tim , Weidenbach Katrin , Velazquez-Campoy Adrian , Buey Ruben M. , Balsera Monica , Schmitz Ruth A. 
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT

In the past decade, small open reading frames (sORFs) coding for proteins less than 70 amino acids (aa) in length have moved into the focus of science. sORFs and the corresponding small proteins have been recently identified in all three domains of life. However, the majority of small proteins remain functionally uncharacterized. While several bacterial small proteins have already been described, the number of identified and functionally characterized small proteins in archaea is still limited. In this study, we have discovered that the small protein 36 (sP36), which consists of only 61 aa, plays a critical role in regulating nitrogen metabolism in
Methanosarcina mazei
. The absence of sP36 significantly delays the growth of
M. mazei
when transitioning from nitrogen limitation to nitrogen sufficiency, as compared to the wild type. Through our
in vivo
experiments, we have observed that during nitrogen limitation, sP36 is dispersed throughout the cytoplasm; however, upon shifting the cells to nitrogen sufficiency, it relocates to the cytoplasmic membrane. Furthermore, an
in vitro
biochemical analysis clearly showed that sP36 interacts with high affinity with the ammonium transporter AmtB
1
present in the cytoplasmic membrane during nitrogen limitation as well as with the PII-like protein GlnK
1
. Moreover, the
in vivo
GlnK
1
interaction with AmtB
1
due to nitrogen upshifts requires the presence of sP36. Based on our findings, we propose that in response to an ammonium upshift, sP36 targets the ammonium transporter AmtB
1
and inhibits its activity by mediating the interaction with GlnK
1
.

IMPORTANCE

Small proteins containing fewer than 70 amino acids, which were previously disregarded due to computational prediction and biochemical detection challenges, have gained increased attention in the scientific community in recent years. However, the number of functionally characterized small proteins, especially in archaea, is still limited. Here, by using biochemical and genetic approaches, we demonstrate a crucial role of the small protein sP36 in the nitrogen metabolism of
M. mazei
, which modulates the ammonium transporter AmtB1 according to nitrogen availability. This modulation might represent an ancient archaeal mechanism of AmtB1 inhibition, in contrast to the well-studied uridylylation-dependent regulation in bacteria.
Behavioural outcomes of children born with intrauterine growth restriction: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yakoub Ninib , Reinelt Tilman , Natalucci Giancarlo 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionIntrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a pregnancy condition, which is associated with poor perinatal outcomes and long-term neurodevelopmental impairment. Several studies also investigated the impact of IUGR on child behaviour (eg, internalising and externalising behaviour, social competencies). However, so far, no systematic review or meta-analysis has been conducted that summarises these effects while considering relevant third variables such as type of IUGR diagnosis and control group, or concurrent cognitive abilities. The objective of this study is to summarise the current evidence regarding the relationship between IUGR and behavioural outcomes from early childhood to young adulthood. Additionally, to explore how third variables such as type of control group, or cognitive abilities, relate to this association.MethodsSearch strategy: The following electronic databases will be searched—Web of Science, Medline Ovid, PsycInfo, Cochrane Library, Scopus and Embase. Inclusion criteria: observational (eg, cohort studies and case–control studies) and intervention studies (if standard care is used and norm values are reported for the control group) will be included if they quantitatively compare children with and without IUGR from the age of 2 to 18 years. The main outcomes are internalising and externalising behaviour, and social competencies.Ethics and disseminationNo ethics approval was necessary for this protocol. Dissemination of findings will be done by publishing the results in peer-reviewed journals. The results of this systematic review will provide guidance for practice and counselling for clinicians and therapists facing patients affected by IUGR and their families.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42022347467.
A New Wave of PI3Kα Inhibitors
Authors: Kearney Alison L. , Vasan Neil 
Published: November 2023

Summary:
This is the first peer-reviewed report of an allosteric, mutant-selective PI3Kα inhibitor, STX-478, that reduces PIK3CA-mutant tumor growth in mice. However, in contrast to the FDA-approved PI3Kα isoform–selective inhibitor alpelisib, STX-478 does not induce hyperglycemia or other metabolic dysfunctions.
See related article by Buckbinder et al., p. 2432 (7).
The Promise and Limitations of Neoadjuvant Immune-Checkpoint Blockade in Resectable Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Cooper Alissa J. , Yu Helena A. 
Published: November 2023

Summary:The landscape of neoadjuvant immune-checkpoint blockade for resectable non–small cell lung cancer has become an exciting area of clinical and translational exploration. Cascone and colleagues present a platform study of one cycle of novel immunomodulatory agents prior to surgical resection, offering a unique opportunity to perform translational biomarker studies, though many questions remain regarding the ultimate application to a broader patient population.See related article by Cascone et al., p. 2394 (1).
Immune Markers Are Associated With Asymptomatic Intracranial Large Artery Stenosis and Future Vascular Events in NOMAS
Authors: Yang Dixon , Liu Minghua , Khasiyev Farid , Rundek Tatjana , Del Brutto Victor J. , Cheung Ken , Marinovic Gutierrez Carolina , Hornig Mady , Elkind Mitchell S.V. , Gutierrez Jose 
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND:
Inflammation contributes to atherosclerosis but is incompletely characterized in intracranial large artery stenosis (ICAS). We hypothesized that immune markers would be associated with ICAS and modify the risk ICAS confers on future vascular events.

METHODS:

This study included a subsample of stroke-free participants in the prospective NOMAS (Northern Manhattan Study), who had blood samples analyzed with a 60-plex immunoassay (collected from 1993 to 2001) and ICAS assessment with time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (obtained from 2003 to 2008). We dichotomized ICAS as either ≥50% stenosis or not (including no ICAS). We ascertained post–magnetic resonance imaging vascular events. We used least absolute shrinkage and selection operator procedures to select immune markers independently associated with ICAS. Then, we grouped selected immune markers into a derived composite
Z
score. Using proportional odds regression, we quantified the association of the composite immune marker
Z
score, ICAS, and risk of vascular events.

RESULTS:

Among 1211 participants (mean age, 71±9 years; 59% women; 65% Hispanic participants), 8% had ≥50% ICAS. Using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression, we identified CXCL9 (C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 9), HGF (hepatocyte growth factor), resistin, SCF (stem cell factor), and VEGF-A(vascular endothelial growth factor A) to have the strongest positive relationships with ≥50% ICAS in fully adjusted models. Selected markers were used to derive a composite immune marker
Z
score. Over an average follow-up of 12 years, we found that each unit increase in immune marker
Z
scores was associated with an 8% (95% CI, 1.05–1.11), 11% (95% CI, 1.06–1.16), and 5% (95% CI, 1.01–1.09) increased hazard of death, vascular death, and any vascular event, respectively, in adjusted models. We did not find a significant interaction between immune marker
Z
scores and ICAS in their relationship with any longitudinal outcome.

CONCLUSIONS:
Among a diverse stroke-free population, selected serum immune markers were associated with ICAS and future vascular events. Further study is needed to better understand their role in the pathogenesis of ICAS and as a potential therapeutic target in stroke prevention.
Racial Differences in Older Adult’s Mental Health and Cognitive Symptomatology: Identifying Subgroups Using Multiple-Group Latent Class Analysis
Authors: Min Se Hee , Topaz Maxim , Lee Chiyoung , Schnall Rebecca 
Published: November 2023

Introduction Little is known on the potential racial differences in latent subgroup membership based on mental health and cognitive symptomatology among older adults. Methods This is a secondary data analysis of Wave 2 data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project ( N = 1819). Symptoms were depression, anxiety, loneliness, happiness, and cognition. Multiple-group latent class analysis was conducted to identify latent subgroups based on mental health and cognitive symptoms and to compare these differences between race. Results Class 1: “Severe Cognition & Mild-Moderate Mood Impaired,” Class 2: “Moderate Cognition & Mood Impaired,” and Class 3: “Mild Cognition Impaired & Healthy Mood” were identified. Black older adults were more likely to be in Class 1 while White older adults were more likely to be in Class 2 and Class 3. Discussion Clinicians need to provide culturally-sensitive care when assessing and treating symptoms across different racial groups.
The Development and Validation of an Intercultural Nursing Educator Profile Using the Delphi Method
Authors: Gradellini Cinzia , Pretorius Marilize , Vermeiren Sofie , Schärli-Lim Susan , Bønløkke Mette , Lorenzo Elena de 
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Educators require focused training to foster the development of intercultural competence in nurses. Training programs for educators need to be based on a comprehensive profile with a focus on intercultural learning. This study aims to define and validate a profile of the Intercultural Nursing Educator (INE). Method: The Delphi method was used with an iterative, multi-stage process to transform opinions into group consensus. A total of 46 European, African, and American experts from the nursing and intercultural field participated. Inclusion criteria required English at a level of B2, expertise in the field of intercultural competence, experience in teaching intercultural competence in the nursing context, and publications focused on intercultural topics. Results: The INE profile was developed and all 126 competencies were validated. Discussion and conclusion: The profile is freely available on the project website and provides the basis for curricula, training programs and assessment of the required competences.