bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sexual risk-taking behavior amongst emerging adults in a tertiary institution of learning in Coastal Kenya: A qualitative study of stakeholders’ perspectives using causal loop mapping
Authors: Chea Stevenson K. , Kagonya Vincent A. , Oyugi Eunice A. , Nasambu Carophine , Menza Isaac , Ibrahim Fauz , Abdullahi Osman , Anika Alice , Hassan Amin S. , Abbeddou Souheila , Michielsen Kristien , Abubakar Amina 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundIt is known from previous studies that university students in sub-Saharan Africa (sSA) engage in sexual risk-taking behaviour (SRTB). However, there is paucity of data on correlates of SRTB among university students (emerging adults {EmA}) at the Kenyan Coast thus hindering intervention planning. This study seeks to provide an in-depth qualitative understanding of correlates of SRTB and their interconnectedness among university students at the Kenyan coast combining qualitative research with a systems thinking approach.MethodsUsing the ecological model, and employing in-depth interviews, we explored the perceptions of twenty-one EmA and five other stakeholders on what constitutes and influences SRTB among EmA at a tertiary institution of learning in Coastal Kenya. Data were analysed using a thematic framework approach. A causal loop diagram (CLD) was developed to map the interconnectedness of the correlates of SRTB.ResultsOur findings show that unprotected sex, transactional sex, cross-generational sex, multiple sex partnerships, gender-based violence, sex under influence of alcohol/drugs, early sex debut, and sharing sex toys were common SRTBs. Based on the ecological model and CLD, most of the reported risk factors were interconnected and operated at the individual level followed by those that operate at social level.ConclusionOur study shows that EmA are mostly engaging in unprotected sex. Enhancing sexuality education programs for students in Kenyan universities and strengthening support systems including counselling for those using alcohol/drugs may help reduce SRTB among EmA in universities in Kenya.
Development of a digital platform for the equitable promotion of mother and child health among marginalized populations: Formative study from a lower-middle income country
Authors: Haq Zaeem ul , Naeem Ayesha , Zaeem Durayya , Sohail Mohina , Ain Noor ul 
Published: April 2023

ABSTRACTBackgroundHealth inequities exist between and within countries and communities for maternal and child health, nutrition, and early childhood development. Socially excluded bear the major brunt of this disparity. Innovative ways of providing healthcare are required to meet the needs of such populations. We report the development and feasibility testing ofSehat Ghar(Health House), an android-based digital application for volunteer health workers from a population not covered by Primary Healthcare (PHC).MethodsWe carried out a mixed-methods study with three steps. First, we conducted 13 in-depth interviews and two Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with stakeholders to explore the gaps in community knowledge and practices. To address these gaps, we developed theSehat GharApp, comprised of video-based health education to demonstrate practices that mothers and families need to adopt. Second, we trained ten volunteer Community Health Workers (CHWs) from the same community to deliver health education using the App, and assessed their knowledge and skill improvement. Third, these CHWs visited pregnant and lactating mothers at home, that we monitored using a structured observation list.ResultsInitial exploration revealed a need for health-related knowledge and suboptimal healthcare utilization from neighbouring public hospitals.Sehat Gharemployed behaviour change techniques, including knowledge transfer, improving mothers’ self-efficacy, and enhanced family involvement in mother and childcare to address this. Volunteer women were trained from the community, who, after the training, showed a significant improvement in mean knowledge score [Before:M= 8.00 (SD= 1.49), After:M= 11.40 (SD= 1.43), p=.0007]. Our monitoring found these CHWs excellent in their interaction with mothers and excellent or very good in using the App. The CHW and her community reported their liking and satisfaction with the App and wanted its delivery on a regular basis.ConclusionsThe digital applicationSehat Gharis a simple, easy-to-use resource for CHWs and is acceptable to the community. Mothers appreciate the content and presentation and are ready to incorporate its messages into their daily practices. The real-world effectiveness of the innovation is currently being tested on 250 mother-infant pairs. With its usefulness and adaptability, and the rapidly spreading mobile phone and Internet technology, the innovation can educate communities at a large scale in a minimum amount of time, contributing to equitable coverage of health services in resource-constrained settings.
Persistence of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms and Dementia Prognostication: A Comparison of Three Operational Definitions of Mild Behavioral Impairment
Authors: Guan Dylan X. , Smith Eric E. , Pike G. Bruce , Ismail Zahinoor 
Published: April 2023

ABSTRACTINTRODUCTIONThis study compares three operational definitions of mild behavioral impairment (MBI) in the context of MBI prevalence estimates and dementia risk modeling.METHODSParticipants were dementia-free older adults (n=13701) from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center. Operational definitions of MBI were generated based on neuropsychiatric symptoms at one (OV), two-consecutive (TCV), or >2/3 (TTV) of dementia-free study visits. Definitions were compared in prevalence and in Cox regressions using MBI to predict incident dementia.RESULTSOV MBI was the most prevalent (54.4%), followed by TCV (32.3%) and TTV (26.7%) MBI. However, OV MBI had the lowest rate of incident dementia (HR=2.54, 95%CI: 2.33–2.78) and generated poorer model metrics than TCV MBI (HR=4.06, 95%CI: 3.74–4.40) and TTV MBI (HR=5.77, 95%CI: 5.32–6.26).DISCUSSIONCase ascertainment with longer timeframe MBI operational definitions may more accurately define groups at risk of dementia in datasets lacking tools designed to detect MBI.HIGHLIGHTSMild behavioral impairment (MBI) can identify older adults at risk of dementia.Neuropsychiatric symptom (NPS) assessment tools can be proxy measures for MBI.Hazard for dementia was highest for MBI defined by NPS presence at >2/3 of visits.
Norovirus GII wastewater monitoring for epidemiological surveillance
Authors: Ammerman ML , Mullapudi S , Gilbert J , Figueroa K , Cruz FPN , Bakker KM , Eisenberg MC , Foxman B , Wigginton KR 
Published: April 2023

AbstractNorovirus surveillance using case reports and syndromic detection often lags rather than leads outbreaks. To assess the timeliness of norovirus wastewater testing compared with syndromic, outbreak and search term trend data for norovirus, we quantified norovirus GII in composite influent samples from 5 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) using reverse transcription-digital droplet PCR and correlated wastewater levels to syndromic, outbreak, and search term trend data. Wastewater HuNoV RNA levels were comparable across all WWTPs after fecal content normalization. Norovirus wastewater values typically coincided with or led syndromic, outbreak, and search term trend data. The best correlations were observed when the wastewater sewershed population had high overlap with the population included by other monitoring methods. The provision of norovirus-specific measures and earlier detection of norovirus found using wastewater surveillance suggests that wastewater-based surveillance of human norovirus GII will enhance existing public health surveillance efforts of norovirus.
Infants and young children generate more durable antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection than adults
Authors: Joshi Devyani , Nyhoff Lindsay E. , Zarnitsyna Veronika I. , Moreno Alberto , Manning Kelly , Linderman Susanne , Burrell Allison R , Stephens Kathy , Norwood Carson , Mantus Grace , Ahmed Rafi , Anderson Evan J. , Staat Mary A. , Suthar Mehul S. , Wrammert Jens 
Published: April 2023

AbstractSince the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, research has shown that adult patients mount broad and durable immune responses to infection. However, response to infection remains poorly studied in infants/young children. In this study, we evaluated humoral responses to SARS-CoV-2 in 23 infants/young children before and after infection. We found that antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 spike antigens peaked approximately 30 days after infection and were maintained up to 500 days with little apparent decay. While the magnitude of humoral responses was similar to an adult cohort recovered from mild/moderate COVID-19, both binding and neutralization titers to WT SARS-CoV-2 were more durable in infants/young children, with Spike and RBD IgG antibody half-life nearly 4X as long as in adults. The functional breadth of adult and infant/young children SARS-CoV-2 responses were comparable, with similar reactivity against panel of recent and previously circulating viral variants. Notably, IgG subtype analysis revealed that while IgG1 formed the majority of both adults’ and infants/young children’s response, IgG3 was more common in adults and IgG2 in infants/young children. These findings raise important questions regarding differential regulation of humoral immunity in infants/young children and adults and could have broad implications for the timing of vaccination and booster strategies in this age group.
Predicting Hospital Readmission among Patients with Sepsis using Clinical and Wearable Data
Authors: Amrollahi Fatemeh , Shashikumar Supreeth Prajwal , Yhdego Haben , Nayebnazar Arshia , Yung Nathan , Wardi Gabriel , Nemati Shamim 
Published: April 2023

AbstractSepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs due to a dysregulated host response to infection. Recent data demonstrate that patients with sepsis have a significantly higher readmission risk than other common conditions, such as heart failure, pneumonia and myocardial infarction and associated economic burden. Prior studies have demonstrated an association between a patient’s physical activity levels and readmission risk. In this study, we show that distribution of activity level prior and post-discharge among patients with sepsis are predictive of unplanned rehospitalization in 90 days (P-value<1e-3). Our preliminary results indicate that integrating Fitbit data with clinical measurements may improve model performance on predicting 90 days readmission.
Prediction of Unplanned Hospital Readmission using Clinical and Longitudinal Wearable Sensor Features
Authors: Yhdego Haben H. , Nayebnazar Arshia , Amrollahi Fatemeh , Boussina Aaron , Shashikumar Supreeth , Wardi Gabriel , Nemati Shamim 
Published: April 2023

AbstractPredictive models have been suggested as potential tools for identifying highest risk patients for hospital readmissions, in order to improve care coordination and ultimately long-term patient outcomes. However, the accuracy of current predictive models for readmission prediction is still moderate and further data enrichment is needed to identify at risk patients. This paper describes models to predict 90-day readmission, focusing on testing the predictive performance of wearable sensor features generated using multiscale entropy techniques and clinical features. Our study explores ways to incorporate pre-discharge and post-discharge wearable sensor features to make robust patient predictions. Data were used from participants enrolled in the AllofUs Research program. We extracted the inpatient cohort of patients and integrated clinical data from the electronic health records (EHR) and Fitbit sensor measurements. Entropy features were calculated from the longitudinal wearable sensor data, such as heart rate and mobility-related measurements, in order to characterize time series variability and complexity. Our best performing model acheived an AUC of 83%, and at 80% sensitivity acheived 75% specificity and 57% positive predictive value. Our results indicate that it would be possible to improve the ability to predict unplanned hospital readmissions by considering pre-discharge and post-discharge wearable features.
RNA polymerase is a molecular motor that converts its transcribing genetic information to free energy for its movement
Authors: Tsuruyama Tatsuaki 
Published: April 2023

AbstractRNA polymerase (RNAP) is an enzyme that catalyzes RNA synthesis from a DNA template via translocation on the DNA. Several studies on RNAP translocation have shown an unexplainable discrepancy in the experimental value of the average free energy change (ΔG) required for RNAP translocation. To address this inconsistency, we propose a model of the transcription system based on information thermodynamics integrating information theory and thermodynamics. The state function of RNAP was defined from its position on the template DNA, its migration direction, and the deoxyribonucleotide (dNTP) that it transcribes. Based on the state function,ΔGwas defined consisting ofΔGthrequired for determining its positionmand other thermodynamic factors, andΔGdrequired for determining movement orientation orΔGNvalue from the dNTP sequence information of the DNA transcribed by RNAP.ΔGdwas calculated using the fluctuation theorem applying movement orientation andΔGNwas estimated based on information thermodynamics of mutual information given by dNTP appearance ratio. It was found that the involvement of eitherΔG(d)orΔG(N)in free energy caused a discrepancy inΔGvalues. In conclusion, information thermodynamics can be a framework for information processing in the cell, and RNAP serves as a good model of molecular machine moves through the conversion of information.Significance StatementRNA polymerase directly converts deoxyribonucleotide sequence information from template DNA to free energy for its movement along the DNA strand.
Transitions in density, pressure, and effective temperature drive collective cell migration into confining environments
Authors: Lin Wan-Jung , Pathak Amit 
Published: April 2023

AbstractEpithelial cell collectives migrate through tissue interfaces and crevices to orchestrate processes of development, tumor invasion, and wound healing. Naturally, traversal of cell collective through confining environments involves crowding due to the narrowing space, which seems tenuous given the conventional inverse relationship between cell density and migration. However, physical transitions required to overcome such epithelial densification for migration across confinements remain unclear. Here, in contiguous microchannels, we show that epithelial (MCF10A) monolayers accumulate higher cell density before entering narrower channels; however, overexpression of breast cancer oncogene +ErbB2 reduced this need for density accumulation across confinement. While wildtype MCF10A cells migrated faster in narrow channels, this confinement sensitivity reduced after +ErbB2 mutation or with constitutively-active RhoA. The migrating collective developed pressure differentials upon encountering microchannels, like fluid flow into narrowing spaces, and this pressure dropped with their continued migration. These transitions of pressure and density altered cell shapes and increased effective temperature, estimated by treating cells as granular thermodynamic system. While +RhoA cells and those in confined regions were effectively warmer, cancer-like +ErbB2 cells remained cooler. Epithelial reinforcement by metformin treatment increased density and temperature differentials across confinement, indicating that higher cell cohesion could reduce unjamming. Our results provide experimental evidence for previously proposed theories of inverse relationship between density and motility-related effective temperature. Indeed, we show across cell lines that confinement increases pressure and effective temperature, which enable migration by reducing density. This physical interpretation of collective cell migration as granular matter could advance our understanding of complex living systems.
Discovery and Validation ofRUNX1DNA Methylation in Differentiating Papillary Thyroid Cancer from Benign Nodules
Authors: Li Junjie , Yin Yifei , Huang Haixia , Li Mengxia , Li Hong , Zhang Minmin , Jiang Chenxia , Yang Rongxi 
Published: April 2023

AbstractAlthough most thyroid nodules can be diagnosed preoperatively by thyroid ultrasonography and fine-needle aspiration biopsy, it remains a challenge to accurately identify malignancy of thyroid nodules when the biopsy is indeterminate. This study aims to explore a novel biomarker to distinguish benign and malignant thyroid nodules. Tissue samples from patients with Stage I&II papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and benign thyroid nodules (BTN) were collected for genome profiling by methylation EPIC 850K array and RNA-Sequencing. Genes with significantly differential DNA methylation and inverse mRNA expression were filtered out. The altered methylation ofRUNX1gene was validated in two independent case-control studies with a total of 699 formalin fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples using mass spectrometry and calculated by binary logistic regression analysis. Hypomethylation ofRUNX1gene in PTC patients compared to BTN subjects was verified in Validation Ⅰ (140 PTC vs. 189 BTN, ORs ≥ 1.50 per-10% methylation,P≤ 4.40E-05, for all measurable CpG sites) and Validation Ⅱ (184 PTC vs. 186 BTN, ORs ≥ 1.72 per-10% methylation,P≤ 2.38E-11, for all measurable CpG sites). Besides,RUNX1methylation achieved good accuracy in differentiating early-stage PTC from BTN in Validation Ⅰ (AUC: 0.74) and Validation Ⅱ (AUC: 0.79). Gender- and age-stratified analysis revealedRUNX1hypomethylation as an important risk factor for thyroid disease in younger women. We disclosed a significant association betweenRUNX1hypomethylation and PTC, suggestingRUNX1methylation based on FFPE tissue samples as a potential biomarker for predicting malignancy of thyroid nodules.
Lower Limb Vertical Stiffness and Frontal Plane Angular Impulse during Perturbation-Induced Single Limb Stance and Their Associations with Gait in Individuals Post-Stroke
Authors: Shen Keng-Hung , Borrelli James , Gray Vicki L. , Rogers Mark W. , Hsiao Hao-Yuan 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundAfter stroke, deficits in paretic single limb stance (SLS) are commonly observed and affect walking performance. During SLS, the hip abductor musculature is critical in providing vertical support and regulating balance. Although disrupted paretic hip abduction torque production has been identified in individuals post-stroke, interpretation of previous results is limited due to the discrepancies in weight-bearing conditions.ObjectiveTo investigate whether deficits in hip abduction torque production, vertical body support, and balance regulation remain during SLS when controlling for weight-bearing using a perturbation-based assessment, and whether these measures are associated with gait performance.MethodsWe compared hip abduction torque, vertical stiffness, and frontal plane angular impulse between individuals post-stroke and healthy controls when SLS was induced by removing the support surface underneath one limb. We also tested for correlations between vertical stiffness and angular impulse during perturbation-induced SLS and gait parameters during overground walking.ResultsDuring the perturbation-induced SLS, lower hip abduction torque, less vertical stiffness, and increased frontal plane angular impulse were observed at the paretic limb compared to the non-paretic limb, while no differences were found between the paretic limb and healthy controls. Vertical stiffness during perturbation-induced SLS was positively correlated with single support duration during gait at the paretic limb and predicted self-selected and fast walking speeds in individuals post-stroke.ConclusionsReduced paretic hip abduction torque during SLS likely affects vertical support and balance control. Enhancing SLS hip abduction torque production could be an important rehabilitation target to improve walking function for individuals post-stroke.
Liproxstatin-1 alleviates cartilage degradation by inhibiting chondrocyte ferroptosis in temporomandibular joint
Authors: Cheng Bei , Zhang Jun , Shen Qinhao , Sun Zheyi , Luo Yingwei , Hu Yu 
Published: April 2023

ABSTRACTFerroptosis contribute to temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) lesion development is still poorly understood. In this study, we used different TMJOA animal models to detect whether ferroptosis is related to onset of TMJOA which modelling by monosodium iodoacetate (MIA), IL-1β, occlusion disorder (OD) and unilateral anterior crossbite (UAC). Immunohistochemical staining and Western blot analysis were used to detect ferroptosis proteins and cartilage degradation related protein expression. Our results revealed that lower level of ferroptosis-related proteins GPX4 in cartilage layer, but the level of ACSL4 and P53 increase in that of condyle. Injection of ferroptosis inhibitor liproxstatin-1 (Lip-1) effectively decrease ACSL4, P53 and TRF expression. In vitro, IL-1β induced the reduction of cartilage extracellular matrix expression in mandibular condylar chondrocytes (MCCs). Lip-1 maintain the morphology and function of mitochondria, and inhibited the aggravation of lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production which induced by IL-1β. These results suggested that chondrocytes ferroptosis play an important role in the development and progression of TMJOA. Inhibition of condylar chondrocyte ferroptosis could be a promising therapeutic strategy for TMJOA.SUMMARY STATEMENTFerroptosis contributed the development and progression of Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis cartilage degeneration. Lip-1 can effective improvement the cartilage degradation of condyle.
Simulation-based Reconstructed Diffusion unveils the effect of aging on protein diffusion in Escherichia coli
Authors: Mantovanelli Luca , Linnik Dmitrii S. , Punter Michiel , Kojakhmetov Hildeberto Jardón , Śmigiel Wojciech M. , Poolman Bert 
Published: April 2023

AbstractWe have developed Simulation-based Reconstructed Diffusion (SbRD) to determine diffusion coefficients corrected for confinement effects and for the bias introduced by two-dimensional models describing a three-dimensional motion. We validate the method on simulated diffusion data in three-dimensional cell-shaped compartments. We use SbRD, combined with a new cell detection method, to infer the diffusion coefficients of a set of native proteins inEscherichia coli.We observe slower diffusion at the cell poles than in the nucleoid region of exponentially growing cells. We find that this observation is independent of the presence of polysomes. Furthermore, we show that the newly formed pole of dividing cells exhibits a faster diffusion than the old one. We hypothesize that the observed slowdown at the cell poles is caused by the accumulation of aggregated or damaged proteins, and that the effect is asymmetric due to cell aging.