bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
From the classroom to the farm: a lesson plan that promotes smallholder farmers’ education and training about plant pathology in the context of climate change
Authors: Colón Carrión Nicole , Macchiavelli Girón Sofía 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT
Climate change represents one of the biggest threats to agricultural productivity around the world. In the tropics, extreme climate and pest and disease outbreaks represent one of the biggest climate change threats to smallholder farmers. Understanding smallholder farmers’ educational needs and increasing access to information and awareness of climate change through education and training are key first steps to enhance the adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers. In a primary effort to increase accessible training and education to these communities, we developed a plant pathology lesson plan. The lesson plan introduces basic concepts in plant pathology and disease management using diverse educational activities focused on experiential and collaborative learning. This lesson plan may have implications in enhancing farmers’ adaptive capacity and increasing accessible education to underrepresented farming communities around the world.
Protection of the receptor binding domain (RBD) dimer against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants
Authors: Wu Yan , Shi Jian , He Xiaoxue , Lu Jia , Gao Xiao , Zhu Xuerui , Chen Xinlan , Zhang Man , Fang Lijuan , Zhang Jing , Yuan Zhiming , Xiao Gengfu , Zhou Pengfei , Pan Xiaoyan 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) recombinant protein vaccines have been widely used in the real world and shown good protective effects. A vaccine prepared from the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) homodimer was previously made a candidate in view of its effectiveness in rodents and nonhuman primates. Here, we report that the RBD homodimers of ancestral SARS-CoV-2 as well as the variant RBD dimers from the Beta, Delta, Lambda, Omicron, and Omicron sublineages, which were rapidly prepared using our universal dimeric protein platform, elicit both strong immunogenicity and good protection
in vivo
. The ancestral RBD vaccine was verified to provide cross-protection against the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant from lethal challenge. A heterogeneous booster with Omicron BA.1 dimeric RBD vaccine based on a two-dose ancestral vaccine prime reduced the viral loads in Omicron BA.1 virus-challenged animals. In addition, vaccines prepared from dimeric Omicron XBB.1.5 RBD completely protected the mice from lethal challenge by Omicron XBB.1.16 and reduced the viral infection in the respiratory tract of Syrian hamsters. Thus, RBD homodimer vaccines can confer good protection against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants when used in homogeneous or heterogeneous boosting schemes.

IMPORTANCE

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants achieved immune escape and became less virulent and easily transmissible through rapid mutation in the spike protein, thus the efficacy of vaccines on the market or in development continues to be challenged. Updating the vaccine, exploring compromise vaccination strategies, and evaluating the efficacy of candidate vaccines for the emerging variants in a timely manner are important to combat complex and volatile SARS-CoV-2. This study reports that vaccines prepared from the dimeric receptor-binding domain (RBD) recombinant protein, which can be quickly produced using a mature and stable process platform, had both good immunogenicity and protection
in vivo
and could completely protect rodents from lethal challenge by SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, including the emerging Omicron XBB.1.16, highlighting the value of dimeric recombinant vaccines in the post-COVID-19 era.
Mineral Resources of the Russian Nuclear Industry and Isolation of Radioactive Waste
Authors: Petrov V. A. , Yudintsev S. V. 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
This article considers tasks needed to ensure sustainable development of the Russian nuclear industry, which are aimed for solving the problems of the initial and final stages of the nuclear fuel cycle, from reproduction of the uranium mineral-resource base to handling of liquid high-level waste of spent nuclear fuel reprocessing. The trends in the development of the mineral-resource complex are analyzed in connection with the projected growth of electricity generation at nuclear power plants. New approaches to the allocation and substantiation of prospecting areas based on the models of mineral-forming systems of uranium deposits using remote-sensing data, GIS modeling, and neural-network technologies are proposed on the example of the territory of southeastern Transbaikal within the framework of current prognostic and mineragenic studies. A detailed analysis of trends in solving the problems of the back end stage of the nuclear fuel cycle is carried out. The use of phosphate glass ceramics with monazite is proposed for isolation and subsequent disposal of the REE–actinide fraction of high-level waste.
Brain connectivity-guided, Optimised theta burst transcranial magnetic stimulation to improve Central Pain Modulation in knee Osteoarthritis Pain (BoostCPM): protocol of a pilot randomised clinical trial in a secondary care setting in the UK
Authors: Drabek Marianne , Hodkinson Duncan , Horvath Suzanne , Millar Bonnie , Pszczolkowski Parraguez Stefan , Tench Christopher R , Tanasescu Radu , Lankappa Sudheer , Morriss Richard , Walsh David , Auer Dorothee P 
Published: October 2023

IntroductionChronic pain is a common health problem that is not efficiently managed by standard analgesic treatments. There is evidence that treatment resistance may result from maladaptive brain changes in areas that are fundamental to the perception of pain. Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most prevalent causes of chronic pain and commonly associated with negative affect. Chronic knee osteoarthritis pain is also associated with altered right anterior insula functional connectivity. We posit that reversal of these brain circuit alterations may be critical to alleviate chronic pain and associated negative affect, and that this can be achieved through non-invasive neuromodulation techniques. Despite growing interest in non-invasive neuromodulation for pain relief and proven efficacy in depression, results in chronic pain are mixed with limited high-quality evidence for clinical and mechanistic efficacy. Limitations include patient heterogeneity, imprecision of target selection, uncertain blinding and protocols that may deliver pulses at subclinical efficacy.Methods and analysisWe hence developed an optimised treatment protocol of connectivity-guided intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with accelerated delivery on four consecutive days (allowing 4 days within the same week as protocol variation) with five daily treatment sessions that will be piloted in a sham-controlled design in 45 participants with chronic knee pain. This pilot study protocol will assess feasibility, tolerability and explore mechanistic efficacy through serial functional/structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and quantitative sensory testing.Ethics and disseminationThis pilot trial has been approved by the Ethics Committee Cornwall and Plymouth.Results of the pilot trial will be submitted to peer-reviewed journals, presented at research conferences and may be shared with participants and PPI/E advisors.Trial registration numberISRCTN15404076.
Feasibility and impact of online HIV/STI screening addressed to men who have sex with men and transgender women users of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in Spain (TESTATE PrEP): a study protocol for a non-blinded randomised controlled trial
Authors: Agustí Cristina , Martínez Riveros Héctor , García-Pérez Jorge , Descalzo Vicente , Fernandez Gema , Ramírez-Marinero Aida , Gonzalez Maria Victoria , Díaz Yesika , Montoro-Fernandez Marcos , Romano-deGea Pol , Araujo Silvia G , Muntada Esteve , Casabona Jordi 
Published: October 2023

IntroductionThe objectives of the study are: to design and implement a pilot intervention to offer self-sampling kits to detect HIV,Chlamydia trachomatis(CT),Neisseria gonorrhoeae(NG) andTreponema pallidum(TP) among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men and transgender women users of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as part of PrEP follow-up. To evaluate if the pilot intervention causes a reduction of the retention to PrEP follow-up among the target population. To analyse the capacity of the intervention to reduce the healthcare burden on the PrEP service. To evaluate the acceptability of the intervention among PrEP users and PrEP service healthcare workers and; to validate dried blood samples for treponemal and non-treponemal antibody detection using the Dual Path Platform syphilis screening and confirmatory assay compared with blood drawn by venous puncture.Methods and analysisWe will perform a non-blinded randomised controlled non-inferiority trial among PrEP users on follow-up. Participants on the control arm will follow the usual follow-up protocol with quarterly face-to-face visits where they will be tested for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Participants in the experimental arm will alternate face-to-face meetings with online screening of HIV and STIs. The websitehttps://testate.org/will include a module for online follow-up visits of participants. Participants of the experimental arm will order self-sampling kits for HIV, CT, NG and TP through the website, will send the samples to the laboratory and check their results online. We will compare the retention to follow up and the healthcare burden in both arms. The acceptability of the intervention among participants and healthcare workers will be assessed.Ethics and disseminationThe project has been approved by the CEIC-HUGTIP (Reference: PI-22-051). Subjects will be included after giving their informed consent. Final conclusions and recommendations will be shared with stakeholders. Two publications in peer-reviewed journals are expected.Trial registration numberNCT05752643.
Stakeholders’ perceptions of a nurse-led telehealth case management intervention in primary care for patients with complex care needs: a qualitative descriptive study
Authors: Delahunty-Pike Alannah , Lambert Mireille , Schwarz Charlotte , Howse Dana , Bisson Mathieu , Aubrey-Bassler Kris , Burge Fred , Chouinard Maud-Christine , Doucet Shelley , Luke Alison , Macdonald Marilyn , Zed Joanna , Taylor Jennifer , Hudon Catherine 
Published: October 2023

ObjectiveWith the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth case management (TCM) was introduced in primary care for patients requiring care by distance. While not all healthcare needs can be addressed via telehealth, the use of information and communication technology to support healthcare delivery has the potential to contribute to the management of patients with chronic conditions and associated complex care needs. However, few qualitative studies have documented stakeholders’ perceptions of TCM. This study aimed to describe patients’, primary care providers’ and clinic managers’ perceptions of the use of a nurse-led TCM intervention for primary care patients with complex care needs.DesignQualitative descriptive study.SettingThree primary care clinics in three Canadian provinces.ParticipantsPatients with complex care needs (n=30), primary care providers (n=11) and clinic managers (n=2) participated in qualitative individual interviews and focus groups.InterventionTCM intervention was delivered by nurse case managers over a 6-month period.ResultsParticipants’ perceptions of the TCM intervention were summarised in three themes: (1) improved patient access, comfort and sense of reassurance; (2) trusting relationships and skilled nurse case managers; (3) activities more suitable for TCM. TCM was a generally accepted mode of primary care delivery, had many benefits for patients and providers and worked well for most activities that do not require physical assessment or treatment. Participants found TCM to be useful and a viable alternative to in-person care.ConclusionsTCM improves access to care and is successful when a relationship of trust between the nurse case manager and patient can develop over time. Healthcare policymakers and primary care providers should consider the benefits of TCM and promote this mode of delivery as a complement to in-person care for patients with complex care needs.
Association of socioeconomic status with metabolic syndrome and its components among adult population: a community-based cross-sectional study in Nanjing Municipality of China
Authors: Ye Qing , Wang Zhenglin , Deng Tianrui , Lou Qinglin , Wu Haidi , Tang Wei , Xu Fei 
Published: October 2023

ObjectivesTo investigate the association of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components with socioeconomic status (SES) among general and gender-specific adult population in Nanjing municipality, China.DesignCross-sectional study.Participants13287 participants completed the survey. A participant: (1) must be a local registered resident, (2) aged 18+ years, (3) had no literal or physical/mental problems and (4) was not pregnant.Study measuresMetS was the outcome variable, which was defined based on the diagnostic criteria released by the Chinese Diabetes Society. SES was the main explanatory measure, which was indicated with educational attainment and family average income (FAI), separately.ResultsThe prevalence of MetS was 19.7% (95% CI=19.0% to 20.4%) among overall participants, and 24.6% (95% CI=23.5% to 25.6%) and 15.5% (95% CI=14.7% to 16.4%) for men and women, respectively. After controlling for potential confounders, participants with either college level (OR=0.51, 95% CI=0.43 to 0.60) or high school level education (OR=0.78, 95% CI=0.70 to 0.90) were at lower odds to experience MetS compared with those with primary education, while only those within upper FAI tertile were at significantly lower risk of MetS relative to their counterparts within lower FAI category (OR=0.85, 95% CI=0.76 to 0.97) among overall participants. Meanwhile, with respect to the five components of MetS, higher educational level predicted lower waist circumference (WC), triglycerides, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and fasting glucose concentration among all participants. And higher FAI was associated with lower WC and SBP and DBP in women, and with lower SBP and DBP in men.ConclusionsEducation and FAI each were inversely associated with MetS and its components at the present stage of economic development in Nanjing Municipality of China. It has important public health implications that the tailored prevention strategies for MetS should be put into consideration of the intervention of MetS components and subgroups of people with different SES.
Time trend and seasonality in medically attended respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in US children aged 0–5 years, January 2010–January 2023
Authors: Wang Lindsey , Berger Nathan , Davis Pamela B , Kaelber David C , Volkow Nora , Xu Rong 
Published: October 2023

ObjectiveThe long-term time trend and seasonality variations of first-time medically attended respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections among young children are unknown. We aim to examine the time trend of medically attended first-time RSV infections among young children in the USA from January 2010 through January 2023.DesignThis is a population-based cohort study using electronic health records (EHRs). Monthly incidence rate of medically attended first-time RSV infection (cases per 10 000 000 person-days). A time-series regression model was used to model and predict time trends and seasonality.SettingMulticenter and nationwide TriNetX Network in the USA.ParticipantsThe study population comprised children aged 0–5 years who had medical visits during the period of January 2010 to January 2023.ResultsThe data included 29 013 937 medical visits for children aged 0–5 years (46.5% girls and 53.5% boys) from January 2010 through January 2023. From 2010 through 2019, the monthly incidence rate of first-time medically attended RSV infection in children aged 0–5 years followed a consistent seasonal pattern. Seasonal patterns of medically attended RSV infections were significantly disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, the seasonal variation disappeared with a peak incidence rate of 20 cases per 1 000 000 person-days, a decrease of 97.4% from the expected peak rate (rate ratio or RR: 0.026, 95% CI 0.017 to 0.040). In 2021, the seasonality returned but started 4 months earlier, lasted for 9 months, and peaked in August at a rate of 753 cases per 1 000 000 person-days, a decrease of 9.6% from the expected peak rate (RR: 0.90, 95% CI 0.82 to 0.99). In 2022, the seasonal pattern is similar to prepandemic years but reached a historically high rate of 2182 cases per 10 000 000 person-days in November, an increase of 143% from the expected peak rate (RR: 2.43, 95% CI 2.25 to 2.63). The time trend and seasonality of the EHR-based medically attended RSV infections are consistent with those of RSV-associated hospitalisations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey-based surveillance system.ConclusionThe findings show the disrupted seasonality during the COVID-19 pandemic and a historically high surge of paediatric RSV cases that required medical attention in 2022. Our study demonstrates the potential of EHRs as a cost-effective alternative for real-time pathogen and syndromic surveillance of unexpected disease patterns including RSV infection.
A comparative laboratory study of soft X-ray-induced ionization and fragmentation of five small PAH cations
Authors: Huo Yining , Cangahuala Mónica K. Espinoza , Zamudio-Bayer Vicente , Goulart Marcelo , Kubin Markus , Timm Martin , Lau J. Tobias , Issendorff Bernd von , Hoekstra Ronnie , Faraji Shirin , Schlathölter Thomas 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
The interaction between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) radical cations and X-rays predominantly leads to photofragmentation, a process that strongly depends on PAH size and geometry. In our experiments, five prototypical PAHs were exposed to monochromatic soft X-ray photons with energies in the C K-edge regime. As a function of soft X-ray photon energy, photoion yields were obtained by means of time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The resulting near-edge X-ray absorption mass spectra were interpreted using time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) with a short-range corrected functional. We found that the carbon backbone of anthracene$$^+$$

+

(C$$_{14}$$

14

H$$_{10}^+$$

10

+

), pyrene$$^+$$

+

(C$$_{16}$$

16

H$$_{10}^+$$

10

+

) and coronene$$^+$$

+

(C$$_{24}$$

24

H$$_{12}^+$$

12

+

) can survive soft X-ray absorption, even though mostly intermediate size fragments are formed. In contrast, for hexahydropyrene$$^+$$

+

(C$$_{16}$$

16

H$$_{16}^+$$

16

+

) and triphenylene$$^+$$

+

(C$$_{18}$$

18

H$$_{12}^+$$

12

+

) molecular survival is not observed and the fragmentation pattern is dominated by small fragments. For a given excitation energy, molecular survival evidently does not simply correlate with PAH size but strongly depends on other PAH properties.

Graphic abstract
Preliminary Investigations on the Therapeutic Efficacy and Safety of Mixed Probiotic Lactic Acid Bacteria on Albino Rats Challenged with Shigella dysenteriae
Authors: Ibejekwe Adaeze Ngozi , Egbere John Otumala , Dashen Michael Macvren , Ngene Anayochukwu Chibuike , Akpagher Shawon Fredrick , Adetunji Joshua Ayobami , Paul Michael Eshioramhe , Oyero Steve Kunle , Udeozor Francis C. , Agabi Yusuf A. , Ikpa Pauline 
Published: October 2023

This study investigates the potential of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from the Nigerian beverage “kunun zaki” as alternative therapeutic agents against Shigella dysenteriae infections. In light of rising antibiotic resistance, the decline in probiotic usage prompted interest in LAB’s role in countering bacterial dysentery. Shigella dysenteriae, a significant cause of dysentery in developing nations, prompted this research which aims to carry out a preliminary investigation on the therapeutic efficacy and safety of mixed probiotic lactic acid bacteria on albino rats challenged with Shigella dysenteriae. Lactic acid bacteria, known for treating infections, were isolated from the beverage and tested against Shigella dysenteriae. The study employed 15 albino rats for in vivo trials, inducing diarrhea and treating with Lactococcus lactis and Lactobacillus brevis separately (T1 and T2) and combined in a 1 : 1 ratio (T3). Clinical parameters were observed before and after treatment. This revealed that L. lactis and L. brevis administration lowered rectal temperature from an average of 42°C caused by infection to 36.5°C. Stool consistency improved from light brown loose to dark brown semisolid, signifying reduced diarrhea. Bacteriological analysis displayed significant reduction (

p
<
0.05

) in Shigella counts in rat intestines across all treatments—

220
±
2.88

C
F
U
/
g

to

19.00
±
1.77

C
F
U
/
g

,

8.33
±
0.88

C
F
U
/
g

, and

65.00
±
2.88

C
F
U
/
g

for T1, T2, and T3, respectively. The mixed LAB treatment was notably effective. Lactic acid bacteria counts increased significantly in Shigella-treated rats versus the positive control. Hematology and liver function parameters showed no significant differences between treatments and untreated controls. Lactic acid bacteria from “kunun zaki” exhibited curative potential, individually or combined, against Shigella dysenteriae. These lactic acid bacteria also positively influenced gut microbiota in Shigella-infected albino rats.
Tumor-Reactive CD8+ T Cells Enter a TCF1+PD-1− Dysfunctional State
Authors: Roetman Jessica J. , Erwin Megan M. , Rudloff Michael W. , Favret Natalie R. , Detrés Román Carlos R. , Apostolova Minna K.I. , Murray Kristen A. , Lee Ting-Fang , Lee Youngmin A. , Philip Mary 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
T cells recognize several types of antigens in tumors, including aberrantly expressed, nonmutated proteins, which are therefore shared with normal tissue and referred to as self/shared-antigens (SSA), and mutated proteins or oncogenic viral proteins, which are referred to as tumor-specific antigens (TSA). Immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) can activate T-cell responses against TSA, leading to tumor control, and also against SSA, causing immune-related adverse events (irAE). To improve anti-TSA immunity while limiting anti-SSA autoreactivity, we need to understand how tumor-specific CD8+ T cells (TST) and SSA-specific CD8+ T (SST) cells differentiate in response to cognate antigens during tumorigenesis. Therefore, we developed a genetic cancer mouse model in which we can track TST and SST differentiation longitudinally as liver cancers develop. We found that both TST and SST lost effector function over time, but while TST persisted long term and had a dysfunctional/exhausted phenotype (including expression of PD1, CD39, and TOX), SST exited cell cycle prematurely and disappeared from liver lesions. However, SST persisted in spleens in a dysfunctional TCF1+PD-1– state: unable to produce effector cytokines or proliferate in response to ICB targeting PD-1 or PD-L1. Thus, our studies identify a dysfunctional T-cell state occupied by T cells reactive to SSA: a TCF1+PD-1– state lacking in effector function, demonstrating that the type/specificity of tumor antigen may determine tumor-reactive T-cell differentiation.