bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Timely Diagnosis of Incubating Syphilis Infections Using Treponema pallidum Transcription-Mediated Amplification Assay
Authors: Zondag Helene C A , van Dam Alje P , Bosch Jeffrey , Getman Damon , Nenninger Ashley , de Vries Henry J C , Bruisten Sylvia M 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Background
Syphilis is a complex, multistage, sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum (TP). New diagnostic tools are needed to minimize transmission. In this study, we aimed to assess the additional value of an investigational transcription-mediated amplification test for TP (TP-TMA) for routine diagnostics.

Methods
Between September 2021 and August 2022, visits by all participants of the national preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) program at the sexual health center (SHC) in Amsterdam were included. Anal, pharyngeal, vaginal, and urine samples collected for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae screening were additionally tested with the TP-TMA assay based on detection of 23S rRNA of TP.

Results
In total, 9974 SHC visits by 3283 participants were included. There were 191 infectious syphilis cases diagnosed: 26 (14%) primary syphilis, 54 (29%) secondary syphilis, and 111 (58%) early latent syphilis. In 79 of the 191 (41%) syphilis cases, at least 1 sample was TP-TMA–positive. For 16 participants, the positive TP-TMA result was not concordant with routine diagnostics. Of those, 2 participants were treated for syphilis within a week before the visit. Eight participants were treated for a syphilis notification at the visit or for another STI. Five participants were diagnosed with syphilis at the following visit, and 1 participant was lost to follow-up.

Conclusions
By adding the TP-TMA assay to routine diagnostics, we identified 14 of 191 (7%) additional syphilis infections among participants of the national PrEP program. The TP-TMA assay is a useful diagnostic tool to increase syphilis case finding and thus limit the transmission of syphilis.
Joan Robinson: early endogenous growth theorist
Authors: Oughton Christine , Tobin Damian 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
We start from Robinson’s article on Harrod’s Dynamic Economics and her criticism that technological change was exogenous: ‘in Mr. Harrod’s world, technical progress falls like the gentle dew from heaven and is not susceptible to any economic influence’. Throughout her work she highlighted the endogenous sources of technological progress and growth and pre-empted both the National Systems of Innovation (NSI) literature and New Growth Theory (NGT), where the latter (NGT) appears to be neither new, nor able to explain innovation, growth and convergence trajectories. We also show that the productivity slowdown in advanced economies is explained by a fall in the wage share, a drop in the rate of accumulation of capital and prioritisation of incentives for R&D over policy instruments to diffuse innovation. While for developing economies, the failure of neoclassical economics to resolve the paradox of promoting market incentives for diffusion, while protecting intellectual property rights, implies an inevitable slowing of convergence.
Acute venodilation properties of low-dose intravenous nitroglycerine in pulmonary veno-occlusive disease: a case report
Authors: Maruyama Hidekazu , Sakai Satoshi , Suzuki Shoji 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Background
The use of pulmonary vasodilators for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has led to a favourable prognosis. In contrast, pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD) is characterized by the possibility of severe pulmonary oedema after specific PAH therapy. Pulmonary oedema presumably develops in association with pulmonary arterial vasodilation without concomitant pulmonary venodilation. The venous circulation maximally dilates with small amounts of nitroglycerine.

Case summary
A 59-year-old woman with advanced PVOD was referred to our hospital. We performed a right heart catheterization after administering combination therapy with selexipag and macitentan, and intravenous nitroglycerine at 0.2 and 0.4 μg/kg/min decreased pulmonary arterial wedge pressure (PAWP) and mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) to minimal levels. The final dose of 1 μg/kg/min yielded an ∼20% decrease in mean PAP and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR).

Discussion
Here, we described the acute effect of intravenous nitroglycerine on PAWP and PVR in a patient with PVOD. This case highlights the venodilation response even in advanced PVOD, suggesting the importance of further research into selective venous dilators as potent therapy.
Association between heart failure and the incidence of cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Jaiswal Vikash , Ang Song Peng , Agrawal Vibhor , Hameed Maha , Saleeb Marina Raouf Abdelmessih , Jaiswal Akash , Shah Maitri , Lao Nicole Mae , Chia Jia Ee , Paudel Kusum , Gimelli Alessia , Zacks Jerome 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Aims
The association between heart failure (HF) patients and the incidence of cancer is not well understood, with conflicting results to date. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate whether patients with HF have a higher risk of developing cancer.

Methods and results
We performed a systematic literature search using PubMed, Embase, and Scopus for relevant articles from inception until 10 December 2022. The primary clinical outcome was the incidence of cancer. Secondary endpoints were the incidence of breast cancer, lung cancer, haematological cancer, colorectal cancer, and prostate cancer. A total of 9 articles with 7 329 706 (515 041 HF vs. 6 814 665 non-HF) patients were involved in the analysis. The mean age of the patients in the HF and the non-HF groups was 69.06 and 66.76 years. The median follow-up duration was 6.7 years. The most common comorbidity among both groups includes diabetes mellitus (27.58 vs. 14.49%) and hypertension (81.46 vs. 57.38%). Patients with HF were associated with a significant increase in the incidence of cancer {hazard ratio [HR], 1.43 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.21–1.68], P &lt; 0.001}, breast cancer [HR, 1.28 (95% CI: 1.09–1.50), P &lt; 0.001], lung cancer [HR, 1.89 (95% CI: 1.25–2.85), P &lt; 0.001], haematological cancer [HR, 1.63 (95% CI: 1.15–2.33), P = 0.01], and colorectal cancer [HR, 1.32 (95% CI: 1.11–1.57), P &lt; 0.001] compared with patients without HF. However, the incidence of prostate cancer was comparable between both groups [HR, 0.97 (95% CI: 0.66–1.43), P = 0.88].

Conclusion
This meta-analysis confirms that the state of HF is associated with a higher risk for incident cancer. These data may aid in raising awareness with physicians that cancer may develop in patients with prevalent heart failure and that early screening and evaluation may be useful in an early diagnosis of cancer.
Microbial chemolithoautotrophs are abundant in salt marsh sediment following long-term experimental nitrate enrichment
Authors: Vineis Joseph H , Bulseco Ashley N , Bowen Jennifer L 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Long-term anthropogenic nitrate (NO3−) enrichment is a serious threat to many coastal systems. Nitrate reduction coupled with the oxidation of reduced forms of sulfur is conducted by chemolithoautotrophic microbial populations in a process that decreases nitrogen (N) pollution. However, little is known about the diversity and distribution of microbes capable of carbon fixation within salt marsh sediment and how they respond to long-term NO3− loading. We used genome-resolved metagenomics to characterize the distribution, phylogenetic relationships, and adaptations important to microbial communities within NO3−-enriched sediment. We found NO3− reducing sulfur oxidizers became dominant members of the microbial community throughout the top 25 cm of the sediment following long-term NO3− enrichment. We also found that most of the chemolithoautotrophic genomes recovered contained striking metabolic versatility, including the potential for complete denitrification and evidence of mixotrophy. Phylogenetic reconstruction indicated that similar carbon fixation strategies and metabolic versatility can be found in several phylogenetic groups, but the genomes recovered here represent novel organisms. Our results suggest that the role of chemolithoautotrophy within NO3−-enriched salt marsh sediments may be quantitatively more important for retaining carbon and filtering NO3− than previously indicated and further inquiry is needed to explicitly measure their contribution to carbon turnover and removal of N pollution.
Effects of Maternal HIV Infection on Early Kaposi Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Seroconversion in a Kenyan Mother-Infant Cohort
Authors: Sabourin Katherine R , Ogolla Sidney , Reyes Gabriela Samayoa , Daud Ibrahim , Jackson Conner L , Labo Nazzarena , Miley Wendell , Whitby Denise , Lamb Molly M , Rochford Rosemary , Dent Arlene 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Background
We identified whether maternal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection during pregnancy affects transplacental transfer of Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV)-specific antibodies and subsequent infant infection.

Methods
We followed pregnant Kenyan women through delivery and their infants until age 2 years. Children were classified as HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) or HIV-unexposed uninfected (HUU) based on maternal HIV status. Maternal venous and cord blood at delivery and child venous blood every 6 months were tested for antibodies to 20 KSHV antigens by multiplex bead-based immunoassay. Multiple comparisons were adjusted using false discovery rate (FDR).

Results
Maternal HIV infection was significantly associated with decreased transplacental transfer of antibodies against all KSHV antigens and lower cord blood levels for 8 antigens at FDR P &lt; .10. Neither birth to 6-month antibody level changes nor 6-month levels differed in HEU and HUU, except for ORF50. By age 24 months, 74% of children KSHV seroconverted but HEU and HUU did not differ in time to seroconversion nor 2-year seropositivity after adjustment for child malaria infection.

Conclusions
Maternal HIV infection reduced a child's initial KSHV antibody levels but did not affect age of infection. Regardless of HIV exposure in utero, KSHV seroconversion in Kenyan children occurred early; associated factors must be identified.
COVID-19 Outcomes Among People With HIV and COVID-19 in New York City
Authors: Braunstein Sarah L , Wahnich Amanda , Lazar Rachael 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Background
Literature on the impact of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)–related outcomes remains mixed. Few studies have evaluated COVID-19 outcomes by HIV status using population-based data.

Methods
Using data from New York City COVID-19 surveillance and HIV surveillance systems prior to the widespread availability of COVID-19 vaccines, we conducted a retrospective cohort study comparing the risk of COVID-19 hospitalization and mortality by HIV status among severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) diagnoses from 29 February to 17 October 2020.

Results
Risk of hospitalization and death among people with HIV (PWH) withCOVID-19 were both nearly 30% higher compared with people without HIV. In crude models, incidence of adverse COVID-19 outcomes among PWH compared to people without HIV was elevated in certain groups, including women, and black, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, and multiracial people. CD4 cell count at SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis and presence of an underlying, non-HIV–related condition were independently and strongly associated with risk for COVID-19 hospitalization and death among PWH.

Conclusions
New Yorkers with HIV experienced elevated risk for poor COVID-19 outcomes compared to those without HIV during 2020. PWH, particularly those with low CD4 counts or underlying conditions, should be an ongoing focus for COVID-19 vaccination and rigorous identification and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infections to prevent adverse outcomes.
Anti-inflammatory potential of lactic acid bacteria from southern Brazil by reducing TNF-α and increasing IL-10 synthesis: an in vitro study
Authors: Vincenzi Angélica , Goettert Márcia Inês , Volken de Souza Claucia Fernanda 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Aims
To evaluate the adhesion capacity and anti-inflammatory activity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from raw cow milk and artisan cheese in Southern Brazil, investigating their effect on the release of cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-10 and their influence on the activation of the p38/MAPK pathway.

Methods and results
Lentilactobacillus parabuchneri ML4, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei ML33, Lactiplantibacillus pentosus ML82, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CH131, and L. paracasei CH135 demonstrated high adhesion potential in an in vitro model of the intestinal epithelium, as well as anti-inflammatory activity. After a 4-hour treatment, the strains significantly increased TNF-α levels, while a 24-hour treatment led to a significant decrease in TNF-α release. Moreover, IL-10 levels significantly increased after 24-hour and 48-hour treatments with LAB. The inhibition of p38/MAPK phosphorylation was identified as one of the mechanisms by which the L. paracasei ML33 and L. plantarum CH131 strains suppressed the production and release of TNF-α.

Conclusions
We identified LAB strains with potential anti-inflammatory properties that could adhere to the intestinal mucosa and alleviate the inflammatory response by reducing the production and release of TNF-α through the inhibition of the p38/MAPK pathway, while promoting the production of IL-10.
Therapeutic effects of CO2 laser therapy for congenital sebaceous nevus
Authors: Dartaha Rami , Jobran Afnan W M 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Nevus sebaceous (NS) presents as alopecia and yellowish discoloration during infantile stage. In adult stage, lesions become verrucous. Importantly, various appendageal tumors such as trichoblastoma, syringocystadenoma papilliferum and basal cell carcinoma develop during this stage. Hence it is very important to follow the course of NS for early detection of neoplasms. We are presenting a case of a 10-year-old patient with a dome-shaped, dark-pigmented nodule on the left side of neck nape, which later diagnosed as NS and removed with a carbon dioxide laser.
Use of GWAS analysis in deciphering the inability of barley seeds to germinate after hypoxia
Authors: Fagerstedt Kurt V 
Published: August 2023

This article comments on:Gómez-Álvarez EM, Tondelli A, Nghi KN, Voloboeva V, Giordano G, Valè G, Perata P, Pucciariello C. 2023. The inability of barley to germinate after submergence depends on hypoxia-induced secondary dormancy. Journal of Experimental Botany 74, 4277–4289
The statistics of negative power spectrum systematics in some 21 cm analyses
Authors: Morales Miguel F , Pober Jonathan , Hazelton Bryna J 
Published: August 2023

ABSTRACT
Through a very careful analysis Kolopanis and collaborators identified a negative power spectrum (PS) systematic. The 21 cm cosmology community has assumed that any observational systematics would add power, as negative PS are non-physical. In addition to the mystery of their origin, negative PS systematics raise the spectre of artificially lowering upper limits on the 21 cm PS. It appears that the source of the negative PS systematics is a subtle interaction between choices in how the PS estimate is calculated and baseline-dependent systematic power. In this paper, we present a statistical model of baseline dependent systematics to explore how negative PS systematics can appear and their statistical characteristics. This leads us to recommendations on when and how to consider negative PS systematics when reporting observational 21 cm cosmology upper limits.
The Relationship Between Reported Daily Nicotine Dose from NRT and Daily Cigarette Consumption in Pregnant Women Who Smoke in an Observational Cohort Study
Authors: Orton Sophie , Szatkowski Lisa , Naughton Felix , Coleman Tim ,   N-Ready team:, Clark Miranda , Cooper Sue , Dickinson Anne , Emery Joanne , Lewis Sarah , McDaid Lisa , Phillips Lucy , Thomson Ross 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Introduction
For nonpregnant people unable to quit smoking, the NHS recommends nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for smoking reduction. This is not recommended during pregnancy due to concerns about higher nicotine intake than smoking alone. We investigated the relationship between daily nicotine dose from NRT and cigarette consumption reported by pregnant women receiving smoking cessation support.

Methods
We conducted secondary analysis of data from currently smoking pregnant women, recruited from antenatal clinics (Nottingham University Hospitals, UK) or online between June 2019–September 2020. Participants set a quit date, received a prototype NRT adherence intervention, and reported cigarettes per day (CPD) and daily NRT dose (mg) via smartphone app for 28 days.

Results
388 women were screened, 32 (8%) were eligible and joined the study. 24 (75%) submitted 510 app reports in total. 17 (71%) reported smoking and using NRT concurrently on at least one day, with concurrent use reported on 109 (21%) of app reports.
The relationship between daily NRT dose and CPD followed an exponential decay curve of approximately 7%. In multilevel repeated measures modelling using 4 linear splines (knots 17, 40, and 85 mg/NRT), significant fixed effects of daily NRT dose on CPD were observed for splines 1, 3, and 4. The strongest association was spline 1 (0–17 mg/NRT), where each 10 mg NRT increase was associated with a 0.6 CPD reduction (24% on average).

Conclusions
Among women in a cessation study, many smoked and used NRT concurrently; within these women, daily nicotine dose and heaviness of smoking were inversely related.

Implications
Findings have implications for the design of future interventions intended to reduce harm associated with smoking in pregnancy. They suggest using NRT alongside smoking in pregnancy could help some women reduce the number of cigarettes they smoke per day.
The correlation between the 500 pc scale molecular gas masses and AGN powers for massive elliptical galaxies
Authors: Fujita Yutaka , Izumi Takuma , Kawakatu Nozomu , Nagai Hiroshi , Hirasawa Ryo , Ikeda Yu 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Massive molecular clouds have been discovered in massive elliptical galaxies at the center of galaxy clusters. Some of this cold gas is expected to flow in the central supermassive black holes and activate galactic nucleus (AGN) feedback. In this study, we analyze archival Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) data of nine massive elliptical galaxies, focusing on CO line emissions, to explore the circumnuclear gas. We show that the mass of the molecular gas within a fixed radius (500 pc) from the AGNs (Mmol ∼ 107–108 M⊙) is correlated with the jet power estimated from X-ray cavities (Pcav ∼ 1042–1045 erg s−1). The mass accretion rate of the circumnuclear gas $\dot{M}$ also has a correlation with Pcav. On the other hand, the continuum luminosities at ∼1.4 GHz and ∼100–300 GHz have no correlation with Mmol. These results indicate that the circumnuclear gas is sustaining the long-term AGN activities (∼107 yr) rather than the current ones. The circumnuclear gas mass is a better indicator of the jet power than the continuum luminosity, which probably changes on a shorter time scale. We also study the origin of the continuum emission from the AGNs at ∼100–300 GHz and find that it is mostly synchrotron radiation. For low-luminosity AGNs, however, dust emission appears to contaminate the continuum.
Prevalence of ultrasound and clinical findings suggestive of inflammatory arthritis in children with skin psoriasis
Authors: Coronel Luis , Gouze Hélène , Gudu Tania , Ruel-Gagné Sophie , Padovano Ilaria , Costantino Félicie , Vidal François , Breban Maxime , Mahé Emmanuel , D’Agostino Maria-Antonietta 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Objective
To evaluate the prevalence of clinical and US (grey-scale and Doppler) abnormalities in joints, periarticular structures and nails of children affected by skin psoriasis (PsO).

Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional study including consecutive children affected by PsO. A systematic clinical and US evaluation of joints, entheses, tendons and nails were performed by independent examiners blinded to each other’s assessment.

Results
A total of 57 children [26 girls (46%)] with a mean age of 9 years (s.d. 4) were divided into two groups, asymptomatic (Asy, 42 children) and symptomatic (Sy, 15 children), according to musculoskeletal pain. Differences were observed between the two groups in relation to age [9 years (s.d. 3) vs 11 years (s.d. 4), P &lt; 0.05], PsO duration [2.4 years (s.d. 2.4) vs 5.4 years (s.d. 3.9), P &lt; 0.001], systemic treatment [23 (54.8%) vs 2 [13.3%], P &lt; 0.01], tender joint count [0 vs 12 children (80%), P &lt; 0.001], swollen joint count [0 vs 3 children (20%), P &lt; 0.01] and entheseal pain [0 vs 10 (66.7%), P &lt; 0.001] in Asy and Sy children, respectively. US evaluation showed statistically significant differences between the Asy and Sy groups for the presence of US abnormalities [16/42 (38%) vs 12/15 (80%)], synovitis [1/42 (2%) vs 4/15 (25%)] and enthesitis [4/42 (9.5%) vs 5/15 (33%)]. Three children in the Sy group were classified with juvenile PsA (JPsA).

Conclusions
US abnormalities were higher in the Sy group, with synovitis and enthesitis as the most prevalent findings. Asy patients were more frequently under systemic treatment. US and a systematic clinical evaluation are useful tools for detecting subclinical JPsA in children with PsO and musculoskeletal symptoms.
HIV-1 transcriptional modulation: novel host factors and prospective therapeutic strategies
Authors: Gibaut Quentin M.R. , Mori Luisa P. , Valente Susana T. 
Published: August 2023

Purpose of review
This review highlights advances in HIV transcription and epigenetic latency mechanisms and outlines current therapeutic approaches to eliminate or block the HIV-1 latent reservoir.

Recent findings
Novel host factors have been reported to modulate HIV-1 transcription and latency. Chromatin affinity purification strategies followed by mass spectrometry (ChAP-MS) identified the chaperone protein p32 to play an important role in HIV-1 transcriptional regulation via interactions with the viral transcriptional activator Tat. Similarly, an shRNA screen identified the methyltransferase SMYD5 contributing to HIV-1 transcriptional activation also by modulating Tat activity. These new factors, among others, represent potential druggable targets that could be explored in the ‘block-and-lock’ or ‘shock-and-kill’ approaches.

Summary
The HIV-1 latent reservoir is established early after infection, persists during antiretroviral therapy, and is the source of viral rebound after treatment interruption. An HIV cure requires either eliminating this reservoir or blocking latent proviral reactivation in the absence of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Understanding the mechanisms and key-players modulating HIV transcriptional and reactivation may facilitate therapeutic advancements. Here we summarize, the latest findings on host factors’ roles in HIV transcriptional regulation.