bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of electrogram characteristics in persistent atrial fibrillation
Authors: Goldberger Jeffrey J. , Zaatari Ghaith , Mitrani Raul D. , Blandon Catherine , Bohorquez Jorge , Ng Jason , Ng Justin , Velasquez Alex , Lambrakos Litsa , Arora Rishi 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIntroductionMultiple analysis techniques evaluate electrograms during atrial fibrillation (AF), but none have been established to guide catheter ablation. This study compares electrogram properties recorded from multiple right (RA) and left atrial (LA) sites.MethodsMultisite LA/RA mapping (281 ± 176/239 ± 166 sites/patient) was performed in 42 patients (30 males, age 63 ± 9 years) undergoing first (n = 32) or redo‐AF ablation (n = 10). All electrogram recordings were visually reviewed and artifactual signals were excluded leaving a total of 21 846 for analysis. Electrogram characteristics evaluated were cycle length (CL), amplitude, Shannon's entropy (ShEn), fractionation interval, dominant frequency, organizational index, and cycle length of most recurrent morphology (CLR) from morphology recurrence plot analysis.ResultsElectrogram characteristics were correlated to each other. All pairwise comparisons were significant (p < .001) except for dominant frequency and CLR (p = .59), and amplitude and dominant frequency (p = .38). Only ShEn and fractionation interval demonstrated a strong negative correlation (r = −.94). All other pairwise comparisons were poor to moderately correlated. The relationships are highly conserved among patients, in the RA versus LA, and in those undergoing initial versus redo ablations. Antiarrhythmic drug therapy did not have a significant effect on electrogram characteristics, except minimum ShEn. Electrogram characteristics associated with ablation outcome were shorter minimum CLR, lower minimum ShEn, and longer mimimum CL. There was minimal overlap between the top 10 sites identified by one electrogram characteristic and the top 10 sites identified by the other 10 characteristics.ConclusionMultiple techniques can be employed for electrogram analysis in AF. In this analysis of eight different electrogram characteristics, seven were poorly to moderately correlated and do not identify similar locations. Only some characteristics were predictive of ablation outcome. Further studies to consider electrogram properties, perhaps in combination, for categorizing and/or mapping AF are warranted.
Comparison of the predictive validity of the Braden and Waterlow scales in intensive care unit patients: A multicentre study
Authors: Tao Hongxia , Zhang Hongyan , Ma Yuxia , Lv Lin , Pei Juhong , Jiao Yanxia , Han Lin 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe first step in preventing pressure injuries (PIs), which represent a significant burden on intensive care unit (ICU) patients and the health care system, is to assess the risk for developing PIs. A valid risk assessment scale is essential to evaluate the risk and avoid PIs.ObjectivesTo compare the predictive validity of the Braden scale and Waterlow scale in ICUs.DesignA multicentre, prospective and cross‐sectional study.MethodsWe conducted this study among 6416 patients admitted to ICUs in Gansu province of China from April 2021 to October 2022. The incidence and characteristics of PIs were collected. The risk assessment of PIs was determined using the Braden and Waterlow scale. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the two scales were compared.ResultsOut of 5903 patients, 72 (1.2%) developed PIs. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive, and the area under the curve of the Braden scale were 77.8%, 50.9%, 0.014 and 0.996, and 0.689, respectively. These values for the Waterlow scale were 54.2%, 71.1%, 0.017, 0.994 and 0.651.ConclusionsBoth scales could be used for risk assessment of PIs in ICU patients. However, the accuracy of visual inspection for assessment of skin colour, nursing preventive measures for patients and scales inter‐rater inconsistency may limited the predictive validity statistics.Relevance to Clinical PracticeBoth scales could be used for PIs risk assessment. The low specificity of the Braden scale and low sensitivity of the Waterlow scale remind medical staff to use them in combination with clinical judgement and other objective indicators.Patient or Public ContributionThis study was designed to enhance the management of PIs. Patients and the general public were not involved in the study design, analysis, and interpretation of the data or manuscript preparation.
Endocrine features ofLangerhanscell histiocytosis in paediatric patients: A 30‐year review
Authors: Alexander Ashley , Zacharin Margaret 
Published: November 2023

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare proliferative disorder characterised as an inflammatory myeloid neoplasia. Endocrine manifestations of LCH, particularly central diabetes insipidus (CDI), have been described from the 1940s, through case studies and small cohort analyses. There are limited Australian paediatric data described in recent literature.AimTo document the incidence of endocrine features in paediatric patients with LCH, treated at a tertiary paediatric centre in Victoria, Australia.MethodsRetrospective chart review of electronic medical records and oncology database of patients with LCH managed at a tertiary paediatric centre. Patients were excluded if a biopsy did not suggest LCH or if records were incomplete.ResultsOne hundred seventy‐one patients were identified and 141 records of patients diagnosed with LCH over the last 30 years were assessed for endocrinopathies, from diagnosis to last documented follow‐up. Mean age at diagnosis was 5 years 8 months. Of these, 15% (n = 21) had CDI, 7% had growth hormone deficiency (GHD) (n = 10) and 8% (n = 11) had more than one endocrinopathy noted during follow‐up. Forty percent (n = 57) were pre‐pubertal at the time of audit or upon discharge from tertiary services.ConclusionsOngoing pituitary assessment, in addition to CDI, is required to detect evolving deficiencies of GHD and gonadotropins as these can be subtle, late or missed. Close follow‐up of growth and progression through puberty, even if discharged from tertiary care, is essential.
Involvement of the autonomic nervous system in colonic contractions in conscious Suncus murinus
Authors: Suzuki Miu , Watanabe Ayumi , Huang Jin , Kobayashi Yuki , Sakata Ichiro 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBackgroundColonic motility is regulated by various factors along the gut‐brain axis; however, detailed mechanisms are unknown. This study aimed to examine the involvement of the autonomic nervous system in colonic motility. Suncus murinus (suncus) is a small laboratory mammal suitable for gastrointestinal motility studies.MethodsColonic motility and concomitant feeding and defecation behaviors in vagotomized and reserpine‐administered suncus were recorded simultaneously for 24 h. Furthermore, we performed immunohistochemistry on tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and in situ hybridization on corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRH) in suncus brain. Additionally, we examined c‐Fos expression in the brain using immunohistochemistry in conscious suncus with colorectal distension.Key ResultsIn vagotomized suncus, clustered giant migrating contractions (GMCs), consisting of strong contractions occurring in a short time, were observed, and the percentage of GMCs without defecation increased. The frequency of GMCs in the reserpine‐administered suncus increased during a light period (ZT0‐4, 4–8) and decreased during a dark period (ZT16‐20, 20–24) compared to a vehicle group. Additionally, the percentage of GMCs without defecation in the reserpine‐administered suncus increased. Suncus TH‐immunopositive neurons were found in the locus coeruleus (LC), as shown in rodents. In contrast, CRH mRNA‐expressing cells were not observed in a region assumed to be the Barrington's nucleus (Bar). Furthermore, colorectal distension in conscious suncus induced c‐Fos expression in LC TH neurons.Conclusions & InferencesOur results suggest that the vagus and sympathetic nerves are not required for induction of GMCs in vivo. However, they are likely to exert a modulatory role in control of GMC frequency in Suncus murinus.
Two plastidial lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferases differentially mediate the biosynthesis of membrane lipids and triacylglycerols in Phaeodactylum tricornutum
Authors: You Lingjie , Połońska Ada , Jasieniecka‐Gazarkiewicz Katarzyna , Richard Fabien , Jouhet Juliette , Maréchal Eric , Banaś Antoni , Hu Hanhua , Pan Yufang , Hao Xiahui , Jin Hu , Allen Andrew E. , Amato Alberto , Gong Yangmin 
Published: November 2023

Summary
Lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferases (LPAATs) catalyze the formation of phosphatidic acid (PA), a central metabolite in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms for glycerolipid biosynthesis. Phaeodactylum tricornutum contains at least two plastid‐localized LPAATs (ptATS2a and ptATS2b), but their roles in lipid synthesis remain unknown.
Both ptATS2a and ptATS2b could complement the high temperature sensitivity of the bacterial plsC mutant deficient in LPAAT. In vitro enzyme assays showed that they prefer lysophosphatidic acid over other lysophospholipids.
ptATS2a is localized in the plastid inner envelope membrane and CRISPR/Cas9‐generated ptATS2a mutants showed compromised cell growth, significantly changed plastid and extra‐plastidial membrane lipids at nitrogen‐replete condition and reduced triacylglycerols (TAGs) under nitrogen‐depleted condition. ptATS2b is localized in thylakoid membranes and its knockout led to reduced growth rate and TAG content but slightly altered molecular composition of membrane lipids.
The changes in glycerolipid profiles are consistent with the role of both LPAATs in the sn‐2 acylation of sn‐1‐acyl‐glycerol‐3‐phosphate substrates harboring 20:5 at the sn‐1 position. Our findings suggest that both LPAATs are important for membrane lipids and TAG biosynthesis in P. tricornutum and further highlight that 20:5‐Lyso‐PA is likely involved in the massive import of 20:5 back to the plastid to feed plastid glycerolipid syntheses.
Effects of various exercise types on visceral adipose tissue in individuals with overweight and obesity: A systematic review and network meta‐analysis of 84 randomized controlled trials
Authors: Chen Xiaoke , He Hui , Xie Kejia , Zhang Lingtao , Cao Chunmei 
Published: November 2023

SummaryThe purpose of this systematic review and network meta‐analysis (NMA) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was to investigate the effects of various exercise categories on visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and other anthropometric variables in individuals with overweight and obesity. A total of 84 RCTs (4836 patients) were included. Aerobic exercise (AE) of at least moderate intensity, resistance training (RT), AE combined with RT (AE + RT), and high‐intensity interval training (HIIT) were beneficial for reducing VAT. A subgroup analysis showed that RT improves VAT in males and those with BF% < 40% but not in females and those with body fat percentage (BF%) ≥ 40%. AE, RT, AE + RT, and HIIT significantly improved weight (except RT), total body fat (TBF), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). Surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) probability ranking showed that AE with vigorous intensity and HIIT have the highest probability of being the best exercise intervention for improving VAT, weight, TBF, BMI, WC, and SAT. These findings suggest that regular exercise can improve VAT in individuals with overweight and obesity. AE of vigorous intensity and HIIT may be the best exercise treatment, and RT is the least effective intervention.
Decoding the decisive role of seed moisture content in physical dormancy break: filling the missing links
Authors: Jaganathan G. K. , Harrison R. J. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractSpecies producing seeds with a water‐impermeable seed coat, i.e., physical dormancy (PY), dominate the dry tropical forests. Despite increasing interest and understanding of the germination ecology of a PY species, less is known about how PY break occurs, particularly what changes lead to the opening of the ‘water gap’. Based on the moisture conent (MC) attained, two ranges of PY may exist: shallow PY, a state with higher MC and seeds could reverse to a permeable state when the relative humidity increases; and absolute PY, a completely dry state. Here, we demonstrate that this MC variation between seeds affects preconditioning and the ‘water‐gap’ opening stages. A conceptual model developed shows a strong relationship between temperature and duration, with high temperature breaking PY in seconds, but seasonal temperature fluctuations and constant temperatures require a longer time. The duration required at any conditions to break PY is purported to depend on the hydrophobic bonds of the lipids, which are likely weakened during the preconditioning, and the amount of water influences hydrolysis, leading to the ‘water‐gap’ opening. We argue that the moisture content of the seeds and its interaction with biochemical compounds are a possible explanation for why only a proportion of PY seeds become permeable to water each year. Nonetheless, empirical investigations must validate these notions.
Secondary prospective mathematics teachers learning to notice: The need for a dual perspective of teaching
Authors: Teuscher Dawn , Cannon Tenille , Christensen Sharon 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators recommends that well‐prepared beginning mathematics teachers apply their understanding of mathematics, curriculum, pedagogy, student learners, and social constructions to facilitate mathematics learning for all students. Using the context of a secondary methods course, where prospective mathematics teachers (PMTs) participate in six teaching cycles of peer taught lessons, we analyzed lesson debriefings of PMTs' questions and comments to determine what PMTs notice over the course of the semester and how their noticing changed based on their role as a teaching or peer PMT. Analysis of these data reveals that participating in both roles as student and teacher provided PMTs with different opportunities to connect the teaching elements (i.e., curriculum, mathematics, and pedagogy). Using these data, we present an observed learning trajectory for secondary PMTs that mathematics teacher educators can use as they design learning activities within their methods class to promote PMTs to begin to notice the dual (student/teacher) perspective.
For critical geoeconomics
Authors: Mallin Felix , Sidaway James D. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractHere we respond to the five commentaries on Mallin and Sidaway (2023). This enables us to clarify our conception of the dialectic of geopolitics and geoeconomics and expand on the suggestions of how best to situate geoeconomics in historical geographical contexts. We thereby outline some agendas for undertaking critical geoeconomics.
Some Aspects of Unitary Addition Cayley Graph of Gaussian Integers Modulo n
Authors: Roy Joy , Patra Kuntala 
Published: November 2023

In this paper, the Unitary addition Cayley graph defined by Sinha et al. is extended to the ring of Gaussian integers modulo n. Some graph theoretic properties of unitary addition Cayley graphs of gaussian integers modulo n are discussed here. Moreover, the condition for which the above mentioned graphs are Eulerian and Hamiltonian are also discussed.
Girls, Women, and Female Athletes in Sport Psychology: A Decade-Long Review of the Literature
Authors: Murata Alex , McGuire Cailie S. , Robertson Madison , KurtzFavero Mia , Coletti Jennifer T. , Simpson Philip B. , Pierone Ella , Martin Luc J. , Côté Jean 
Published: November 2023

The underrepresentation of female research participants, women, and girls has been highlighted as an issue of concern within a variety of research areas and disciplines across academia. More specifically, this lack of visibility has contributed to widening knowledge gaps regarding these populations while also perpetuating and strengthening existing inequities. Given these concerns, the purpose of this review was to explore whether similar imbalances could exist within the sport psychology literature and, if so, what future research projects might be completed to rectify these issues. To do so, all articles (n = 3,005) published between the years of 2011 and 2021 in five journals of sport psychology were assessed. Following an analysis of the relevant studies collected, it was found that more articles including all boys, men, and male athletes (n = 343) were published within this time frame compared with articles including exclusively girls, women, and female athletes (n = 155). Additionally, it also appeared that research working with girls, women, and female athletes was lacking: (a) in recreational sport, (b) at both young and older ages, and (c) within team sport contexts. Further, most of the studies assessed often conflated participant sex- and gender-descriptive terminology. As such, it is highly encouraged that researchers in sport psychology make greater strides to conduct purposeful and targeted research focusing on girls, women, and female athlete participants and their specific issues over the coming years.
Relationship of the transcription factor MexT to quorum sensing and virulence in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Kostylev Maxim , Smalley Nicole E. , Chao Man Hou , Greenberg E. Peter 
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT

Quorum sensing (QS) regulates expression of many virulence genes in the opportunistic human pathogen
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
. There are two acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) QS circuits, LasI-R and RhlI-R, which together activate expression of hundreds of genes in a cell density-dependent manner. There is also an inter-related non-AHL QS circuit, the
Pseudomonas
Quinolone Signal (PQS) circuit. Studies of the model strain PAO1 show that AHL QS is hierarchical, with the LasI-R system required for full activity of RhlI-R. We show that the LysR-type transcription factor MexT is an important modulator of the RhlI-R and PQS circuits. MexT delays the expression of genes activated by PQS and by the RhlI-R circuits but not genes regulated by the LasI-R circuit. In PAO1, MexT is constitutively active because of a mutation in
mexS
, a gene involved in maintaining redox homeostasis. Consistent with other reports, we show that in another model strain, PA14, MexT is quiescent but is activated by disulfide stress, and we show that this is true for all clinical isolates we tested. Compared with strain PA14, strain PAO1 has a virulence defect in a
Caenorhabditis elegans
infection model. We show that PAO1 mutants with inactive MexT are more virulent than their parent during
C. elegans
infection. Conversely, a PA14 mutant with a constitutively active MexT is attenuated for virulence. Our findings point to an important role for MexT as a governor of
P. aeruginosa
virulence and show that MexT limits virulence though its inhibition of the RhlI-R system.

IMPORTANCE

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is an opportunistic bacterial pathogen. Many of its virulence genes are regulated by quorum sensing (QS), a form of cell-to-cell communication.
P. aeruginosa
QS consists of three interlinked circuits, LasI-R, Rhl-R, and
Pseudomonas
quinolone signal (PQS). Additionally, its QS system is interconnected with other regulatory networks, which help optimize gene expression under variable conditions. The numbers of genes regulated by QS differ substantially among
P. aeruginosa
strains. We show that a regulatory factor MexT, which is activated in response to certain antibiotics, downregulates the RhlI-R circuit and in turn measurably lowers virulence in a nematode worm infection model. Our findings help understand how existing and future therapeutic interventions for
P. aeruginosa
infections may impact this bacterium’s gene regulation and physiology.
Cross-regulation in a three-component cell envelope stress signaling system of
Brucella
Authors: Chen Xingru , Alakavuklar Melene A. , Fiebig Aretha , Crosson Sean 
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT

A multi-layered structure known as the cell envelope separates the controlled interior of bacterial cells from a fluctuating physical and chemical environment. The transcription of genes that determine cell envelope structure and function is commonly regulated by two-component signaling (TCS) systems, comprising a sensor histidine kinase and a cognate response regulator. To identify TCS genes that contribute to cell envelope function in the intracellular mammalian pathogen,
Brucella ovis
, we subjected a collection of non-essential TCS deletion mutants to compounds that disrupt cell membranes and the peptidoglycan cell wall. Our screen led to the discovery of three TCS proteins that coordinately function to confer resistance to cell envelope stressors and to support
B. ovis
replication in the intracellular niche. This tripartite regulatory system includes the known cell envelope regulator, CenR, and a previously uncharacterized TCS, EssR-EssS, which is widely conserved in Alphaproteobacteria. The CenR and EssR response regulators bind a shared set of sites on the
B. ovis
chromosomes to control transcription of an overlapping set of genes with cell envelope functions. CenR directly interacts with EssR and functions to stimulate phosphoryl transfer from the EssS kinase to EssR, while CenR and EssR control the cellular levels of each other via a post-transcriptional mechanism. Our data provide evidence for a new mode of TCS cross-regulation in which a non-cognate response regulator affects both the activity and protein levels of a cognate TCS protein pair.

IMPORTANCE

As intracellular pathogens,
Brucella
must contend with a variety of host-derived stressors when infecting a host cell. The inner membrane, cell wall, and outer membrane, i.e. the cell envelope, of
Brucella
provide a critical barrier to host assault. A conserved regulatory mechanism known as two-component signaling (TCS) commonly controls transcription of genes that determine the structure and biochemical composition of the cell envelope during stress. We report the identification of previously uncharacterized TCS genes that determine
Brucella ovis
fitness in the presence of cell envelope disruptors and within infected mammalian host cells. Our study reveals a new molecular mechanism of TCS-dependent gene regulation, and thereby advances fundamental understanding of transcriptional regulatory processes in bacteria.
Genome sequence of the
Klebsiella quasipneumoniae
bacteriophage EKq1 with activity against
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Bird Jordan T. , Burke Kevin A. , Urick Caitlin D. , Braverman Jamie L. , Mzhavia Nino , Ellison Damon W. , Nikolich Mikeljon P. , Filippov Andrey A. 
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT

We describe the genome of a lytic phage EKq1 isolated on
Klebsiella quasipneumoniae
, with activity against
Klebsiella pneumoniae
. EKq1 is an unclassified representative of the class Caudoviricetes, similar to
Klebsiella
phages VLCpiS8c, phiKp_7-2, and vB_KleS-HSE3. The 48,244-bp genome has a GC content of 56.43% and 63 predicted protein-coding genes.