bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical Impact of Polymerase Chain Reaction–Based Aspergillus and Azole Resistance Detection in Invasive Aspergillosis: A Prospective Multicenter Study
Authors: Huygens Sammy , Dunbar Albert , Buil Jochem B , Klaassen Corné H W , Verweij Paul E , van Dijk Karin , de Jonge Nick , Janssen Jeroen J W M , van der Velden Walter J F M , Biemond Bart J , Bart Aldert , Bruns Anke H W , Haas Pieter-Jan A , Demandt Astrid M P , Oudhuis Guy , von dem Borne Peter , van der Beek Martha T , Klein Saskia K , Godschalk Peggy , Span Lambert F R , Postma Douwe F , Kampinga Greetje A , Maertens Johan , Lagrou Katrien , Mercier Toine , Moors Ine , Boelens Jerina , Selleslag Dominik , Reynders Marijke , Zandijk Willemien , Doorduijn Jeanette K , Cornelissen Jan J , Schauwvlieghe Alexander F A D , Rijnders Bart J A 
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Background
Invasive aspergillosis (IA) by a triazole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus is associated with high mortality. Real-time resistance detection will result in earlier initiation of appropriate therapy.

Methods
In a prospective study, we evaluated the clinical value of the AsperGenius polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay in hematology patients from 12 centers. This PCR assay detects the most frequent cyp51A mutations in A. fumigatus conferring azole resistance. Patients were included when a computed tomography scan showed a pulmonary infiltrate and bronchoalveolar fluid (BALf) sampling was performed. The primary end point was antifungal treatment failure in patients with azole-resistant IA.

Results
Of 323 patients enrolled, complete mycological and radiological information was available for 276 (94%), and probable IA was diagnosed in 99/276 (36%). Sufficient BALf for PCR testing was available for 293/323 (91%). Aspergillus DNA was detected in 116/293 (40%) and A. fumigatus DNA in 89/293 (30%). The resistance PCR was conclusive in 58/89 (65%) and resistance detected in 8/58 (14%). Two had a mixed azole-susceptible/azole-resistant infection. In the 6 remaining patients, treatment failure was observed in 1. Galactomannan positivity was associated with mortality (P = .004) while an isolated positive Aspergillus PCR was not (P = .83).

Conclusions
Real-time PCR-based resistance testing may help to limit the clinical impact of triazole resistance. In contrast, the clinical impact of an isolated positive Aspergillus PCR on BALf seems limited. The interpretation of the EORTC/MSGERC PCR criterion for BALf may need further specification (eg, minimum cycle threshold value and/or PCR positive on &gt;1 BALf sample).
Post-Acute Sequelae After Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection by Viral Variant and Vaccination Status: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Kahlert Christian R , Strahm Carol , Güsewell Sabine , Cusini Alexia , Brucher Angela , Goppel Stephan , Möller Elisabeth , Möller J Carsten , Ortner Manuela , Ruetti Markus , Stocker Reto , Vuichard-Gysin Danielle , Besold Ulrike , McGeer Allison , Risch Lorenz , Friedl Andrée , Schlegel Matthias , Vernazza Pietro , Kuster Stefan P , Kohler Philipp ,   for the SURPRISE (SURveillance of infectious diseases among health PRofessionals In SwitzErland) Study Group, Besold Ulrike , Brucher Angela , Cusini Alexia , Egger Thomas , Friedl Andrée , Goppel Stephan , Grässli Fabian , Kahlert Christian R , Keller Joelle , Kessler Simone , Kohler Philipp , Kuster Stefan P , Leal Onicio , Lemmenmeier Eva , McGeer Allison , Kleeb Dorette Meier , Möller Elisabeth , Möller J Carsten , Müller Maja F , Musa Vaxhid , Ortner Manuela , Rieder Philip , Risch Lorenz , Ruetti Markus , Schlegel Matthias , Schmid Hans-Ruedi , Stocker Reto , Vernazza Pietro , von Kietzell Matthias , Vuichard-Gysin Danielle , Wiggli Benedikt 
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Background
Disentangling the effects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants and vaccination on the occurrence of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) is crucial to estimate and reduce the burden of PASC.

Methods
We performed a cross-sectional analysis (May/June 2022) within a prospective multicenter healthcare worker (HCW) cohort in north-eastern Switzerland. HCWs were stratified by viral variant and vaccination status at time of their first positive SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal swab. HCWs without positive swab and with negative serology served as controls. The sum of 18 self-reported PASC symptoms was modeled with univariable and multivariable negative-binomial regression to analyze the association of mean symptom number with viral variant and vaccination status.

Results
Among 2912 participants (median age: 44 years; 81.3% female), PASC symptoms were significantly more frequent after wild-type infection (estimated mean symptom number: 1.12; P &lt; .001; median time since infection: 18.3 months), after Alpha/Delta infection (0.67 symptoms; P &lt; .001; 6.5 months), and after Omicron BA.1 infections (0.52 symptoms; P = .005; 3.1 months) versus uninfected controls (0.39 symptoms). After Omicron BA.1 infection, the estimated mean symptom number was 0.36 for unvaccinated individuals versus 0.71 with 1–2 vaccinations (P = .028) and 0.49 with ≥3 prior vaccinations (P = .30). Adjusting for confounders, only wild-type (adjusted rate ratio [aRR]: 2.81; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.08–3.83) and Alpha/Delta infections (aRR: 1.93; 95% CI: 1.10–3.46) were significantly associated with the outcome.

Conclusions
Previous infection with pre-Omicron variants was the strongest risk factor for PASC symptoms among our HCWs. Vaccination before Omicron BA.1 infection was not associated with a clear protective effect against PASC symptoms in this population.
Interventions to support decision-making, health literacy and self-management in ethnic-minority adults living with chronic kidney disease: a systematic review
Authors: Kanagaratnam Roshana , Zwi Stephanie , Webster Angela C , Isautier Jennifer , Lambert Kelly , Shepherd Heather L , McCaffery Kirsten , Sud Kamal , Muscat Danielle Marie 
Published: March 2023

ABSTRACT
Optimal patient care is directed by clinical practice guidelines, with emphasis on shared decision-making. However, guidelines—and interventions to support their implementation—often do not reflect the needs of ethnic minorities, who experience inequities in chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevalence and outcomes. This review aims to describe what interventions exist to promote decision-making, self-management and/or health literacy for ethnic-minority people living with CKD, describe intervention development and/or adaptation processes, and explore the impact on patient outcomes. Six databases were searched (MEDLINE, PsychINFO, Scopus, EMBASE, CINAHL, InformitOnline) and two reviewers independently extracted study data and assessed risk of bias. Twelve studies (n = 291 participants), conducted in six countries and targeting nine distinct ethnic-minority groups, were included. Intervention strategies consisted of: (i) face-to-face education/skills training (three studies, n = 160), (ii) patient education materials (two studies, n = unspecified), (iii) Cultural Health Liaison Officer (six studies, n = 106) or (iv) increasing access to healthcare (three studies, n = 25). There was limited description of cultural targeting/tailoring. Where written information was translated into languages other than English, the approach was exact translation without other cultural adaptation. Few studies reported on community-based research approaches, intervention adaptations requiring limited or no literacy (e.g. infographics; photographs and interviews with local community members) and the inclusion of Cultural Health Liaison Officer as part of intervention design. No community-based interventions were evaluated for their impact on clinical or psychosocial outcomes. All interventions conducted in the hospital settings reported favourable outcomes (e.g. reduction in blood pressure) compared with routine care but were limited by methodological issues.
A New Method for Identifying Influential Spreaders in Complex Networks
Authors: Qiu Liqing , Liu Yuying , Zhang Jianyi 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Social networks have an important role in the distribution of ideas. With the rapid development of the social networks, identifying the influential nodes provides a chance to turn the new potential of global information spread into reality. The measurement of the spreading capabilities of nodes is an attractive challenge in social networks analysis. In this paper, a novel method is proposed to identify the influential nodes in complex networks. The proposed method determines the spreading capability of a node based on its local and global positions. The degree centrality is improved by the Shannon entropy to measure the local influence of nodes. The k-shell method is improved by the clustering coefficient to measure the global influence of nodes. To rank the importance of nodes, the entropy weighting method is used to calculate the weight for the local and global influences. The Vlsekriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje method is used to integrate the local and global influences of a node and obtain its importance. The experiments are conducted on 13 real-world networks to evaluate the performance of the proposed method. The experimental results show that the proposed method is more powerful and accurate to identify influential nodes than other methods.
Compressed Zero-Knowledge Proofs for Lattice-Based Accumulator
Authors: Si Shumin , Lin Xiuhan , Wei Puwen 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
The lattice-based cryptographic accumulators, which enable short zero-knowledge arguments of membership, have numerous applications in post-quantum privacy-preserving protocols. However, most efficient quantum-safe zero-knowledge arguments are PCP-based systems and rely on non-falsifiable assumptions. For non-PCP-based constructions using the state-of-the-art techniques on compressing lattice-based zero-knowledge proofs, the concrete size of the resulting proof for accumulators with $2^{32}$ members is at least 500 KB. In this paper, we propose a compact non-PCP zero-knowledge proof for the lattice-based Merkle-tree, which leads to an efficient post-quantum cryptographic accumulator. The complexity of our construction is logarithmic in $l\cdot n_{s}$, where $l$ and $n_{s}$ denote the depth of the underlying Merkle-tree and the size of a node, respectively, and the concrete size is only $143.7\ $KB when $l=32$. In particular, we provide an improved lattice-based Bulletproof with efficient knowledge extraction, which allows large challenge space but small soundness slack. Furthermore, the amortized technique can be applied to the Bulletproof without breaking the knowledge soundness due to our improved knowledge extraction. As a direct application, we present a practical lattice-based ring signature, which can achieve logarithmical signing/verifying computational complexity with the number of the ring, while the state-of-the-art constructions (CRYPTO 21) have linear computational complexity.
dbAQP-SNP: a database of missense single-nucleotide polymorphisms in human aquaporins
Authors: Dande Rachana , Sankararamakrishnan Ramasubbu 
Published: March 2023

AbstractAquaporins and aquaglyceroporins belong to the superfamily of major intrinsic proteins (MIPs), and they transport water and other neutral solutes such as glycerol. These channel proteins are involved in vital physiological processes and are implicated in several human diseases. Experimentally determined structures of MIPs from diverse organisms reveal a unique hour-glass fold with six transmembrane helices and two half-helices. MIP channels have two constrictions formed by Asn-Pro-Ala (NPA) motifs and aromatic/arginine selectivity filters (Ar/R SFs). Several reports have found associations among single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in human aquaporins (AQPs) with diseases in specific populations. In this study, we have compiled 2798 SNPs that give rise to missense mutations in 13 human AQPs. To understand the nature of missense substitutions, we have systematically analyzed the pattern of substitutions. We found several examples in which substitutions could be considered as non-conservative that include small to big or hydrophobic to charged residues. We also analyzed these substitutions in the context of structure. We have identified SNPs that occur in NPA motifs or Ar/R SFs, and they will most certainly disrupt the structure and/or transport properties of human AQPs. We found 22 examples in which missense SNP substitutions that are mostly non-conservative in nature have given rise to pathogenic conditions as found in the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man database. It is most likely that not all missense SNPs in human AQPs will result in diseases. However, understanding the effect of missense SNPs on the structure and function of human AQPs is important. In this direction, we have developed a database dbAQP-SNP that contains information about all 2798 SNPs. This database has several features and search options that can help the user to find SNPs in specific positions of human AQPs including the functionally and/or structurally important regions. dbAQP-SNP (http://bioinfo.iitk.ac.in/dbAQP-SNP) is freely available to the academic community.Database URL http://bioinfo.iitk.ac.in/dbAQP-SNP
Manager’s gender, supervisory style, and employee’s perception of the demanding work climate
Authors: van Mensvoort Carly , Tomaskovic-Devey Donald , van der Lippe Tanja 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Prior research on the link between managers’ gender and workplace gender equity primarily focuses on career outcomes. The present study explores overly demanding work climates, which we see as a realization of the ideal worker norm, bad for all workers, but a particular barrier to women’s careers. We examine whether female managers are ‘agents of change’ toward better work climates, while also exploring the impact of gendered supervisory styles on employees’ experience of overly demanding work. Together we provide a novel elaboration of the doing gender framework and the question of whether women managers are agents of change. Two-level models with organization-fixed effects for a European manager-employee linked sample reveal overall support for female managers as change agents, particularly when they manage with a feminine supervisory style. A masculine supervisory style increases employee perceptions of being overworked irrespective of manager’s gender. When female managers only enact a masculine supervisory style, they produce particularly less favourable employee experiences. Male managers who combine both feminine and masculine styles also produce worse work climates for their subordinates.
Decreased free fatty acid levels associated with adverse clinical outcomes in coronary artery disease patients with type 2 diabetes: findings from the PRACTICE study
Authors: Pan Ying , Wu Ting-Ting , Mao Xiao-Feng , Hou Xian-Geng , Yang Yi , Deng Chang-Jiang , Wang Shun , Zheng Ying-Ying , Xie Xiang 
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Aims
Increased free fatty acid (FFA) levels are known to be strongly associated with mortality in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients and the development of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). However, few studies have been large enough to accurately examine the relationship between FFA levels and mortality in CAD patients with T2DM.

Methods and results
From December 2016 to October 2021, 10 395 CAD patients enrolled in PRACTICE, a prospective cohort study in China, were divided into four groups according to baseline FFA concentration. We investigated mortality, including all-cause mortality (ACM) and cardiac mortality (CM), as the primary endpoint. The secondary endpoints were major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). The median follow-up time was 24 months. In the total cohort, there were 222 ACMs, 164 CMs, 718 MACEs, and 803 MACCEs recorded. After controlling for baseline variables, the association between FFA levels and the risk of mortality presented a non-linear U-shaped curve, with the lowest risk at 310 µmol/L. We also identified a non-linear U-shaped relationship for ischaemic events (MACE or MACCE) with the lowest risk at 500 µmol/L. Subgroup analysis showed that a U-shaped relationship between FFA and mortality or ischaemic events was observed only in individuals with T2DM but not in non-diabetic CAD patients.

Conclusions
A non-linear U-shaped association was identified between baseline FFA levels and mortality or ischaemic events in CAD patients with T2DM.
Optimization of screening strategies for colorectal cancer based on fecal DNA and occult blood testing
Authors: Yao Tingting , Sun Qin , Xiong Kangwei , Su Yuan , Zhao Qian , Zhang Chenhong , Zhang Lijiu , Li Xuejun , Fang Haiming 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackgroundFecal DNA and occult blood testing have been gradually developed for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. Comparison of different testing strategies for these methods in CRC screening is in urgent need. This study aims to examine the efficacy of different testing strategies including multi-target fecal DNA testing, qualitative and quantitative fecal immunoassay tests (FITs).MethodsFecal samples were collected from patients diagnosed by colonoscopy. Tests using fecal DNA, quantitative FIT or qualitative FIT were performed on same fecal samples. Efficiency of different testing strategies within different populations was investigated.ResultsFor high-risk populations (CRC and advanced adenoma), the positive rate of the three methods alone was 74.3–80%; the positive predictive values (PPVs) ranged from 37.3% to 77.8%, and the negative predictive values (NPVs) ranged from 86.3% to 92.2%. For combined testing strategies, the positive rate was 71.4–88.6%, PPVs ranged from 38.3% to 86.2%, and NPVs ranged from 89.6% to 92.9%. Parallel fecal multi-target DNA test and quantitative FIT appears to be superior when using a combined testing strategy. For the normal population, no significant difference was identified in efficacy between these methods when used alone and in combination.ConclusionsSingle testing strategy among the three methods is more suitable for the general population screening, and the combined testing strategy is more suitable for high-risk populations screening. The use of different combination strategies may have superiority in CRC high-risk population screening, but cannot conclude significant differences which may be attributed to the small sample size, large samples controlled trials are needed.
Effects of leaf properties on the counts of microbes on the leaf surfaces of wheat, rye and triticale
Authors: Tang Guojian , Fan Yang , Li Xinqin , Tian Rong , Tang Ruxue , Xu Liuxing , Zhang Jianguo 
Published: March 2023

AbstractCurrently, our understanding of the effects of glaucousness on the population sizes of microbial communities on leaf surfaces is limited. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of glaucousness and chemical composition on the colony-forming unit (CFU) counts of microbes on leaf surfaces. Various leaf morphological and physicochemical features, microbial CFU counts and glaucousness on the leaf surfaces of wheat (Triticum aestivum var. Shimai No.1), rye (Secale cereale var. Gannong No.1) and triticale (Triticale wittmack var. Gannong No.2) were assessed. The results showed that larger CFU counts of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeasts were found on the non-glaucous leaf surfaces in wheat than on the glaucous leaf surfaces in rye and triticale. The CFU counts of LAB and yeasts were negatively correlated with the amount of soluble wax (P &lt; 0.05), and positively correlated with the contents of starch and fructose in leaf tissue (P &lt; 0.05), soluble and reduced sugars, soluble protein and free amino acids on leaf surfaces (P &lt; 0.05). The CFU counts of microbes on leaf surfaces were mainly influenced by the level of available carbon sources and glaucousness of leaf surfaces.
The chromosomal evolutionary lineage of the genus Zygosaccharomyces
Authors: Sato Atsushi , Ohnishi Yasuo 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Genome ploidy of Zygosaccharomyces rouxii is an intriguing topic in the field of industrial yeast research. However, the evolutionary relationship between the genome of Z. rouxii and other Zygosaccharomyces species is complex and not completely understood. In this study, we determined the genome sequences of Z. rouxii NCYC 3042, also referred to as ‘Z. pseudorouxii,’ and Z. mellis CBS 736T. We also conducted comparative analysis of the yeast genomes of a total of 21 strains, including 17 strains of nine Zygosaccharomyces species. This comparative genomics revealed that 17 Zygosaccharomyces strains are classified into four groups consisting of nine genome types: (i) Z. rouxii, Z. mellis, Z. sapae, Z. siamensis, and ‘Candida versatilis’ t-1 belong to the group Rouxii sharing four related genome types (Rouxii-1 to Rouxii-4), (ii) Z. bailii, Z. parabailii, and Z. pseudobailii belong to the group Bailii sharing three related genome types (Bailii-1 to Bailii-3), (iii and iv) Z. bisporus and Z. kombuchaensis belong to the groups Bisporus and Kombuchaensis, respectively, which each have haploid genomes. The Zygosaccharomyces genome seems to have acquired complexity and diversity through evolutionary events such as interspecies hybridization, reciprocal translocation, and diploidization of these nine genome types.
Dementia Caregiving Experiences and Health Across Geographic Contexts by Race and Ethnicity
Authors: Kindratt Tiffany B , Sylvers Dominique L , Yoshikawa Aya , López-Anuarbe Mónika , Webster Noah J , Bouldin Erin D 
Published: March 2023

AbstractObjectivesFew studies have examined how the intersectionality of geographic context and race/ethnicity influences dementia caregiving. Our objectives were to determine whether caregiver experiences and health (a) differed across metro and nonmetro areas and (b) differed by caregiver race/ethnicity and geography.MethodsWe used data from the 2017 National Health and Aging Trends Study and National Study of Caregiving. The sample included caregivers (n = 808) of care recipients ages 65 and older with “probable” dementia (n = 482). The geographic context was defined as the care recipient’s residence in metro or nonmetro counties. Outcomes included caregiving experiences (care situation, burden, and gains) and health (self-rated anxiety, depression symptoms, and chronic health conditions).ResultsBivariate analyses indicated that nonmetro dementia caregivers were less racially/ethnically diverse (82.7% White, non-Hispanic) and more were spouses/partners (20.2%) than their metro counterparts (66.6% White, non-Hispanic; 13.3% spouses/partners). Among racial/ethnic minority dementia caregivers, nonmetro context was associated with more chronic conditions (p &lt; .01), providing less care (p &lt; .01), and not coresiding with care recipients (p &lt; .001). Multivariate analyses demonstrated that nonmetro minority dementia caregivers had 3.11 times higher odds (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.11–9.00) of reporting anxiety in comparison to metro minority dementia caregivers.DiscussionGeographic context shapes dementia caregiving experiences and caregiver health differently across racial/ethnic groups. Findings are consistent with previous studies that have shown that feelings of uncertainty, helplessness, guilt, and distress are more prevalent among people providing caregiving from a distance. Despite higher rates of dementia and dementia-related mortality in nonmetro areas, findings suggest both positive and negative aspects of caregiving among White and racial/ethnic minority caregivers.