bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Structure Analysis of the MatA Locus of Sexual Compatibility in the Edible Mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus
Authors: Shnyreva A. V. , Shnyreva A. A. 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
The edible oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus is one of the most cultivated species worldwide. Morphogenesis associated with the maturation of fruit bodies is controlled by two unlinked loci of sexual compatibility matA and matB with multiple alleles (tetrapolar system of sexual compatibility). Quantitative analysis of the alleles of mating compatibility loci in 17 natural isolates collected in the Moscow region was performed in mon–mon (monokaryons–monokaryon) and di–mon (dikaryon–monokaryon) crossings. Four monokaryotic testers strains which were heteroallelic at both mating type loci were obtained for each of the five natural mushroom isolates by using original technique of sterile spore prints on Petri dishes and mon–mon crossing. Twelve natural isolates were crossed via di-mon mating with the four monokaryotic testers M-38. Genetic analysis of the alleles of sexual compatibility loci in 17 natural isolates revealed multiple alleles at both loci: at least ten alleles at matA locus and eight alleles at matB locus. Structural organization analysis of the matA locus was performed in silico for homokaryotic strains PC9 and PC15 based on the whole-genome sequencing data available at DOE Joint Genome Institute. The matA locus has an extremely divergent structure: there are one copy of the homeodomain gene hd1 and one copy of the hd2 gene in the PC9 strain, whereas the matA locus of the PC15 strain is composed by two copies of hd1.1 and hd1.2 genes (class HD1 homeodomain proteins) and one copy of hd2 gene (class HD2 proteins). Comprehensive analysis of amino acid sequences of HD1 and HD2 homeodomain proteins demonstrated that the proteins have a globular structure with the nuclear localization and contain a variable N-terminus and a more conserved DNA-binding domain with a specific conserved motif WFXNXR in the third ɑ-helix. The results suggest that multiple alleles of the matA locus of sexual compatibility in basidiomycete fungi is achieved due to both different copy number of the coding hd genes within the locus and the variability of the coding gene sequences.
Antibodies to Domain I β2-Glycoprotein 1 in Patients with Antiphospholipid Syndrome and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Reshetnyak T. M. , Cheldieva F. A. , Cherkasova M. V. , Glukhova S. I. , Lila A. M. , Nasonov E. L. 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
The role of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), which are not included in the Sydney diagnostic criteria, in antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical significance of IgG antibodies for domain 1 of β2-glycoprotein 1 (β2-GP1), IgG anti-β2-GP1DI, in patients with APS with and without SLE. The study included 187 patients with APS with or without SLE, 49 patients formed the comparison group, and 100 apparently healthy individuals formed the control group. IgG/IgM antibodies to cardiolipin (aCL) and IgG/IgM anti-β2-GP1 were determined by enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) in patients with or without APS, and IgG anti-β2-GP1DI was determined by chemiluminescence assay (CLA) in all patients and controls. IgG anti-β2-GP1DI was detected in 37 (71%) of 52 patients with primary APS (PAPS), in 6 (50%) of 12 patients with probable APS, in 42 (71%) of 59 patients with SLE + APS, in 17 (26%) of 64 patients with SLE, in 1 (2%) of the comparison group, and in none of the control group. IgG anti-β2-GP1DI was significantly associated with PAPS and SLE + APS compared with the patients with SLE (p = 0.0002 and 0.0001, respectively). The association of IgG anti-β2-GP1DI with clinical manifestations of APS (thrombosis (p = 0.001) and obstetric pathology (p = 0.04)) was detected. There was a significant association of IgG anti-β2-GP1DI with arterial thrombosis (p = 0.002) and with late gestational obstetric pathology (p = 0.01). High specificity of IgG anti-β2-GP1DI depending on the diagnosis and clinical manifestations of APS despite low sensitivity was noted: specificity was 84% for thrombosis, 94% for obstetric pathology, and 89% for APS. Isolated IgG anti-β2-GP1DI positivity was reported in 2% of 50 aPL-negative patients and was not associated with APS manifestations. The frequency of IgG anti-β2-GP1DI detection was higher in the patients with APS compared to the patients with SLE, comparison group, and control (p < 0.05). Positive IgG anti-β2-GP1DI values were significantly associated with thrombotic complications and with obstetric pathology (p = 0.002 and p = 0.01, respectively). Specificity of IgG anti-β2-GP1DI for APS and its clinical manifestations (thrombosis and obstetric pathology) was higher than sensitivity (89, 94, and 84%, respectively).
Hear my voice: understanding how community health workers in the Peruvian Amazon expanded their roles to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic through community-based participatory research
Authors: Samsamshariat Tina , Madhivanan Purnima , Reyes Fernández Prada Alexandra , Moya Eva M , Meza Graciela , Reinders Stefan , Blas Magaly M 
Published: October 2023

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic led to the collapse of the Peruvian health system, disrupting healthcare access for indigenous communities in the Amazon. Our study analysed how community health workers (CHWs) from indigenous communities in the Peruvian Amazon expanded their roles to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsFourteen CHWs from Loreto, Peru, participated in a community-based participatory research project using Photovoice, a technique encouraging vulnerable groups to take photos and develop stories illustrating their lived experiences. Participants were recruited from Mamás del Río, a local university-based programme, through purposive sampling. CHWs were asked to photograph how the pandemic affected their lives and work. Participants met four times over 5 months to share photos and develop action items. Data were organised into key themes using thematic analysis. CHWs shared photo galleries with policy-makers in Loreto and Lima.ResultsCHWs produced 36 photos with 33 texts highlighting their roles during COVID-19. Three core themes emerged: the (1) collapse of health infrastructure, (2) use of medicinal plants versus pharmaceuticals and (3) community adaptations and struggles. The leadership of CHWs emerged as a cross-cutting theme as CHWs supported COVID-19 efforts without government training or resources. CHWs asked policy-makers for formal integration into the health system, standardisation of training and management of community pharmacies.ConclusionCHWs demonstrated their leadership and expanded their roles during the pandemic with little to no training from the government. Global investment in robust CHW programmes can fortify healthcare delivery.
Evaluating the impact of varying expired carbon monoxide thresholds on smoking relapse identification: insights from the E3 trial on e-cigarette efficacy for smoking cessation
Authors: Prell Celine , Hébert-Losier Andréa , Filion Kristian B. , Reynier Pauline , Eisenberg Mark J. 
Published: October 2023

ObjectivesExpired carbon monoxide (ECO) is often used in smoking cessation trials to biochemically validate self-reported smoking status. The optimal ECO threshold to distinguish individuals who smoke from those who do not is debated.DesignThe data from the ‘Evaluating the Efficacy of E-Cigarette use for Smoking Cessation (E3) Trial’ were used; the E3 trial was a randomised controlled trial that examined e-cigarettes efficacy for smoking cessation.SettingsParticipants were recruited from 17 Canadian sites across 4 provinces.ParticipantsThis substudy included data from participants who returned for at least one of the clinical visits at week 4 (291), 12 (257) or 24 (218) and provided both self-reported smoking status and ECO measures. Analyses were based on 766 paired measures (ie, self-reported smoking status with corresponding ECO).ResultsThe ability of ECO measurements to discriminate between adults who reported smoking and those who reported abstinence varied with the threshold used. ECO thresholds of 6, 7, 8 and 9 parts per million (ppm) yielded the greatest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.84). These thresholds produced sensitivities of 84%, 82%, 78% and 76% and specificities of 84%, 87%, 90% and 91%, respectively. However, at a threshold of 6 ppm, intersecting sensitivity (84%) and specificity (84%) were maximised with respect to each other. Biochemical validation had the highest agreement with self-report at an ECO threshold of 6 ppm (κ=0.57; 95% CI, 0.51 to 0.64).ConclusionThe classification of participants’ smoking status depends on the ECO threshold used for biochemical validation. We recommend that future smoking cessation trial investigators analyse and report the impact that varying ECO thresholds has on trial results.Trial registration numberNCT02417467.
Initial steps in addressing the challenges of elder mistreatment evaluation: Protocol for evaluating the Vulnerable Elder Protection Team
Authors: Baek Daniel , Elman Alyssa , Gottesman Elaine , Shaw Amy , Makaroun Lena K , Stern Michael E , Mulcare Mary R , Sullivan Michelle , Pino Chloe , McAuley Jennine , LoFaso Veronica M , Chang E-Shien , Hancock David , Bloemen Elizabeth M , Tietz Sarah , Lindberg Daniel M , Sharma Rahul , Clark Sunday , Lachs Mark S , Pillemer Karl , Rosen Tony 
Published: October 2023

IntroductionAlthough many programmes have been developed to address elder mistreatment, high-quality, rigorous evaluations to assess their impact are lacking. This is partly due to challenges in conducting programme evaluation for such a complex phenomenon. We describe here the development of a protocol to mitigate these challenges and rigorously evaluate a first-of-its-kind emergency department/hospital-based elder mistreatment intervention, the Vulnerable Elder Protection Team (VEPT).Methods and analysisWe used a multistep process to develop an evaluation protocol for VEPT: (1) creation of a logic model to describe programme activities and relevant short-term and long-term outcomes, (2) operationalisation of these outcome measures, (3) development of a combined outcome and (4) design of a protocol using telephone follow-up at multiple time points to obtain information about older adults served by VEPT. This protocol, which is informing an ongoing evaluation of VEPT, may help researchers and health system leaders design evaluations for similar elder mistreatment programmes.Ethics and disseminationThis project has been reviewed and approved by the Weill Cornell Medicine Institutional Review Board, protocol #20-02021422. We aim to disseminate our results in peer-reviewed journals at national and international conferences and among interested patient groups and the public.
Recruitment of patients, carers and members of the public to advisory boards, groups and panels in public and patient involved health research: a scoping review
Authors: Gilfoyle Meghan , Melro Carolyn , Koskinas Elena , Salsberg Jon 
Published: October 2023

ObjectivesThe objectives of this scoping review are to: (1) identify the distribution of and context of the recruitment strategies used, (2) explore the facilitators, benefits, barriers and ethical issues of the identified recruitment strategies, (3) distinguish the varying terminology for involvement (ie, panels, boards, individual) and (4) determine if the individual recruitment strategies used were to address issues of representation or bias.DesignA scoping review.SettingThis scoping review follows the framework by Peterset al. Seven electronic databases were explored including Scopus, Medline, PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane Library and PsycINFO (conducted July 2021). The search strategy was codeveloped among the research team, PPI research experts and a faculty librarian. Two independent reviewers screened articles by title and abstract and then at full text based on predetermined criteria.Primary and secondary outcome measuresExplore recruitment strategies used, facilitators, benefits, barriers and ethical issues of the identified recruitment strategies. Identify terminology for involvement. Explore recruitment strategies used to address issues of representation or bias.ResultsThe final sample was from 51 sources. A large portion of the extracted empirical literature had a clinical focus (37%, n=13) but was not a randomised control trial. The most common recruitment strategies used were human networks (78%, n=40), such as word of mouth, foundation affiliation, existing networks, clinics or personal contacts. Within the reviewed literature, there was a lack of discussion pertaining to facilitators, benefits, barriers and ethical considerations of recruitment strategies was apparent. Finally, 41% (n=21) of studies employed or proposed recruitment strategies or considerations to address issues of representation or bias.ConclusionWe conclude with four key recommendations that researchers can use to better understand appropriate routes to meaningfully involve patients, carers and members of the public to cocreate the evidence informing their care.
Association of both Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices with childhood malnutrition in Lao PDR: a cross-sectional study of the 2017 Lao Social Indicator Survey II
Authors: Som Somphos Vicheth , Wieringa Frank T , Campos Ponce Maiza , Polman Katja , Dakurah Prosper , Duncan David , Blomberg Janneke , Rasphone Sitthorot , Hoeven Marinka van der 
Published: October 2023

ObjectiveWe assessed whether Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF), either alone or combined, were associated with malnutrition among Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) children aged 6 to <24 months.DesignThis is a secondary analysis of the 2017 Lao Social Indicator Survey II (LSIS II), which used multistage probability proportional to size sampling. Logistic regression analyses were conducted with OR and its corresponding 95% CI.SettingThe LSIS II was conducted a nationwide household-based survey covering all 18 provinces in Lao PDR.ParticipantsWe had a total of 3375 children (weighted sample 3345) and 357 households with data on drinking water.Outcome measuresThe outcomes of this study were stunting and wasting.ResultsThe prevalence of stunting and wasting was 28.9% and 10.1%, respectively. Even though households with access to a basic or improved water source were high (82.5%), over 83% of drinking water was contaminated withEscherichia coli. Access to improved sanitation, basic hygiene and adequate IYCF gave a significant lower risk of becoming stunted. The combined effect of these practices on stunting was (adjusted OR (AOR)=0.54; 95% CI=0.41 to 0.73) greater than each practice alone (improved sanitation: AOR=0.75; 95% CI=0.61 to 0.93; basic hygiene: AOR=0.69; 95% CI=0.57 to 0.83; adequate IYCF: AOR=0.79; 95% CI=0.64 to 0.98). Access to improved sanitation and adequate IYCF was associated with a significant lower risk for being wasted, and again the combined effect of these practices was (AOR=0.64; 95% CI=0.44 to 0.92) greater than each practice alone (improved sanitation: AOR=0.68; 95% CI=0.49 to 0.93 and adequate IYCF: AOR=0.66; 95% CI=0.47 to 0.92).ConclusionGiven the strong associations with both stunting and wasting, and the added benefits when combining WASH and IYCF, there is a need of multisectoral interventions to reduce early childhood malnutrition in Lao PDR.
Changes in background characteristics and risk factors among SIDS infants in England: cohort comparisons from 1993 to 2020
Authors: Pease Anna , Turner Nicholas , Ingram Jenny , Fleming Peter , Patrick Karen , Williams Tom , Sleap Vicky , Pitts Kieren , Luyt Karen , Ali Becky , Blair Peter 
Published: October 2023

ObjectivesUsing the National Child Mortality Database, this work aims to investigate background characteristics and risk factors in the sleeping environment associated with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and compare the prevalence with previous English SIDS case–control studies.DesignCohort of SIDS in 2020 compared with a combined analysis of two case–control studies conducted in 1993–1996 and 2003–2006.SettingEngland, UKParticipants138 SIDS deaths in 2020 compared with 402 SIDS deaths and 1387 age-equivalent surviving controls, combined from previous studies.ResultsThe increased vulnerability of SIDS infants identified in previous studies has become more marked. The infants who died in 2020 were younger (median=66 days (IQR: 34–118) vs 86 days (IQR: 52–148), p=0.003) with an increased prevalence of low birth weight (30.5% vs 21.6%, p=0.04) and preterm births (29.6% vs 19.3%, p=0.012). The excess of socioeconomically deprived families, male infants and high levels of maternal smoking during pregnancy were still evident. Among recent deaths, fewer infants were put down or found on their side; however, there was no significant change in the proportion of infants who were put down (15.6% vs 14.6%, p=0.81) and found prone (40.4% vs 35.3%, p=0.37), despite population wide risk reduction advice over three decades. The proportional increase observed in 2003–2006 of half the deaths occurring while sleeping next to an adult was maintained in 2020, and for the vast majority (90%), this was in hazardous circumstances (adult had consumed alcohol, smoked, slept on a sofa, or the infant was premature or low birth weight and less than 3 months old). More deaths also occurred when there was a disruption in infant care routine compared with previous observations (52.6% vs 20.7%, p<0.001).ConclusionsA more targeted approach is needed with vulnerable families emphasising the importance of sleeping infants on their back and proactive planning infant sleep when there are disruptions to the normal routine, in particular to avoid hazardous co-sleeping.
Effects of consecutive workdays and days off on low back pain, fatigue and stress: prospective cohort study among warehouse and construction workers
Authors: Bláfoss Rúni , Aagaard Per , Clausen Thomas , Andersen Lars L 
Published: October 2023

ObjectivesLimited knowledge exists about day-to-day changes in physical and mental symptoms in warehouse and construction workers. This study investigated the associations between consecutive workdays and days off with low back pain (LBP) intensity, bodily fatigue and mental stress.MethodsParticipants (n=224) received daily questions for 21 days about LBP, fatigue, stress (outcome, 0–10 scales), and workdays and days off (exposure). We tested associations between 1–3 workdays (n=148) and 1–2 days off (n=158) with LBP intensity, bodily fatigue and mental stress after work and the following morning using linear mixed models with repeated measures controlling for relevant confounders.ResultsConsecutive workdays led to progressively increased LBP intensity, with three workdays increasing LBP intensity by 1.76 (95% CI 1.48 to 2.03) points. Bodily fatigue and mental stress increased after one workday (2.06 (95% CI 1.80 to 2.32) and 0.97 (95% CI 0.77 to 1.17) points, respectively) and remained stable for three workdays. After 1 day off, bodily fatigue and mental stress decreased −1.82 (95% CI −2.03 to −1.61) and −0.88 (95% CI −1.05 to −0.71) points, respectively, without decreasing further. In contrast, LBP intensity decreased progressively −1.09 (95% CI −1.27 to −0.91) and −1.45 (95% CI −1.67 to −1.24) points after 1 and 2 days off, respectively.ConclusionsWorkdays and days off affected the outcome variables differently. LBP intensity progressively increased with consecutive workdays, while workers needed 2 days off to recover. This study provides valuable knowledge about how to organise the workweek to prevent LBP, fatigue and stress, potentially reducing labour market withdrawal.
Fayet–Iliopoulos D-term in non-supersymmetric heterotic string orbifolds
Authors: Avalos Alonzo R. Diaz , Faraggi Alon E. , Matyas Viktor G. , Percival Benjamin 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe Fayet–Iliopoulos D-term is a common feature in $${\mathcal {N}}=1$$

N
=
1

string vacua that contain an anomalous U(1) gauge symmetry, and arises from a one-loop diagram in string perturbation theory. The same diagram is generated in string vacua in which supersymmetry is broken directly at the string scale, either via spontaneous Scherk–Schwarz breaking, in which case the gravitino mass is determined by the radius of the circle used in the Scherk–Schwarz mechanism, or via explicit supersymmetry breaking by the GSO projections. We analyse the resulting would-be Fayet–Illiopoulos D-term in the non-supersymmetric string vacua and its contribution to the vacuum energy. A numerical estimate in an explicit tachyon-free string-derived model suggests that the would-be D-term contribution may uplift the vacuum energy to a positive value.
Fatty Acids Invigorate Tumor-Resident Memory T Cells
Authors: Chakraborty Paramita , Mills Stephanie , Mehrotra Shikhar 
Published: October 2023

AbstractTissue-resident memory T cells (Trm) represent a diverse cell type with tissue-specific gene signatures that can operate as both effector and memory T cells. Trm cells play a crucial role in immune defense against infections and cancer. Recently, Trm cells have become appreciated as a critical responder to checkpoint immunotherapy and as a biomarker of favorable outcomes in cancer. Hence, it is of great clinical and therapeutic importance to investigate how Trm cells can be manipulated transcriptionally, epigenetically, or metabolically to improve their longevity and function. In this issue of Cancer Research, Feng and colleagues demonstrate that the transcription factor SCML4 is essential for the development and polyfunctionality of Trm cells. Fatty acids mediated the upregulation of SCML4 via the mTOR–IRF4–PRDM1 signaling pathway, which significantly enhanced tumor control in multiple aggressive murine tumor models and was associated with a favorable prognosis for patients with cancer. The findings also suggest that SCML4-mediated engagement of the HBO1–BRPF2–ING4 complex epigenetically reprogramed Trm cells by increasing the expression of several survival- and effector-associated molecules while blocking the expression of checkpoint inhibitors. Overall, Feng and colleagues highlight a critical activation target for tumor immunotherapy and provide a molecular perspective on recruiting antitumor Trm cells to the tumor niche by regulating fatty acids.See related article by Feng et al., p. 3368