bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estimating the burden of RSV- and influenza-associated hospitalizations, ICU admissions, and deaths across age and socioeconomic groups in New York State, 2005-2019
Authors: Xu Hanmeng , Pitzer Virginia E. , Warren Joshua L. , Shapiro Eugene D. , Weinberger Daniel M. 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBackgroundMultiple prophylactic products are now available to protect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in different age groups. Assessing the pre-intervention burden of RSV infections across various severity levels and risk groups is crucial, as it provides a baseline for evaluating the impact of these products.MethodsWe obtained monthly time series data on hospitalizations, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, and deaths by age group, ZIP code, and cause for New York state from 2005 to 2019. Socioeconomic status (SES) of the ZIP codes was classified using supervised principal component analysis (PCA). We estimated the incidence of hospitalizations, ICU admissions, and deaths attributable to RSV and to influenza using hierarchical Bayesian regression models. Additionally, we assessed severity, defined by ICU admission and mortality risks, as well as recording fraction (i.e., percent of estimated virus-associated hospitalizations recorded as being due to the specific virus), stratified by age, SES, and over time.ResultsThe estimated annual incidence of RSV-associated hospitalizations and ICU admissions were highest in infants under 1 in the low SES group (2,240 [95% credible interval (CrI): 2,200-2,290] hospitalizations and 330 [95% CrI: 320-350] ICU admissions per 100,000 person-years). The incidence of RSV-associated deaths was highest among adults ≥85 years old (61 [95% CrI: 49-74] per 100,000 person-years). In contrast to RSV, the burden of influenza was greatest in age groups ≥65 years. The risk of ICU admission varied by patients’ age and SES, and the mortality risk increased dramatically with age for both pathogens (RSV: 11.9% [95% CrI: 9.6-14.3%], influenza: 14.4% [95% CrI: 13.1-15.6%] among ≥85 year age group). Incidence varied by epidemic year and season, and we observed an increasing recording fraction of RSV among all age groups over the study period.ConclusionsRSV and influenza contribute significantly to the burden of hospitalizations, ICU admissions, and deaths, particularly among infants and older adults. Although the recording fraction of RSV increased over the study period, it remains lower, particularly for adults. Our findings reveal a disparity in hospitalization burden by SES, particularly among younger age groups.
Qualitative Study of Acceptability, Benefits, and Feasibility of a Food-based Intervention among Participants and Stakeholders of the RATIONS Trial
Authors: Bandewar Sunita Sheel , Bhargava Madhavi , Pisal Hema , Sreekumar Sharanya , Bhan Anant , Meher Ajay , Bhargava Anurag 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTBackgroundA qualitative study was conducted during the Reducing Activation of Tuberculosis by Improvement of Nutritional Status (RATIONS) trial to explore the perceptions, experiences, and expectations of participants and stakeholders on the acceptability, benefits, and feasibility of the nutritional intervention.MethodologyWe recruited 58 individuals for in-depth interviews (IDI) and focus group discussions (FGDs) using referential sampling. These included patients with TB (PwTB), household contacts (HHCs), and stakeholders such as trial team members, government frontline workers (the Sahiyas), and National TB Elimination Program (NTEP) staff. All IDI and FGDs were audio-recorded, transcribed, and translated. The codes were generated using an inductive process and categorized manually into themes. Direct quotes were employed to describe the themes.ResultsThe intervention was found to be acceptable in terms of cultural compatibility, quality, quantity, and duration; considered beneficial in helping tolerate the adverse effects of medications, gain of weight, improvement of health, and resuming work; and was considered life-saving by many during the COVID-19 pandemic. Other observations included food-sharing in the control arm, inability to regain pre-disease functional status despite weight gain, and preference for either in-kind support or preference for both cash and food support in-kind. The Sahiyas favored this food-based intervention because they observed reduced TB deaths, improved adherence, and better functional recovery. They expressed confidence in its feasibility and willingness to take responsibility for its implementation. The field staff found it challenging in the context of a trial due to the added responsibilities of rigorous data collection but found it important and gratifying. The NTEP staff considered it feasible, provided the necessary resources were provided. Many favored the extension of food support to the HHCs of PwTB.ConclusionsThe qualitative inquiry revealed that the food-based intervention for the PwTB and their HHCs was acceptable, feasible, and beneficial for the recipients and the NTEP. Participants suggested the extension of nutritional support in some areas, as well as enhanced cash support and nutritional support to patients with all forms of TB and their HHCs. Opinion on cash or support in kind was divided; many preferred food support over cash, but others expressed a requirement for both.
Enhancing national cholera surveillance using rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs): a mixed methods evaluation
Authors: Baumgartner ET , Williams KN , Rai E , Rosser EN , Marasini RP , Dahal S , Shakya A , Lynch J , Karki K , Bajracharya D , Sack DA , Debes AK 
Published: January 2025

BackgroundCholera rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) can strengthen existing surveillance systems by offering a cost-effective screening method that improves understanding of cholera burden allowing for targeted prevention and control efforts. The RDT Implementation Strategy and Evaluation (RISE) project is the pilot study for Gavi’s innovative Diagnostic Procurement Platform which provides cholera RDTs to enhance national surveillance.MethodsImplementation of cholera RDTs was evaluated following their distribution in 2023 to facilities within Nepal’s Early Warning and Reporting System (EWARS). Quantitative data was collected through EWARS surveillance reports, national-level and individual-level REDCap surveys from select facilities in Kathmandu. Key-informant interviews were also conducted in Kathmandu with personnel involved in cholera surveillance and response. Interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide and analyzed according to inductively identified themes.ResultsQualitative findings indicated generally positive perceptions of cholera RDTs, highlighting their speed and ease of use, and suitability for deployment in under-resourced areas by unskilled personnel. However, a lack of awareness of the RDTs, limited training, and concerns about the RDTs’ quality, availability, and costs were challenges raised consistently. Quantitative findings revealed underreporting of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) and cholera in EWARS and an underutilization of the cholera RDTs, with only 2.6% of reported AGE cases screened using an RDT.DiscussionThis field evaluation demonstrated that RDTs can have an important role in cholera surveillance but highlighted significant challenges with cholera lab capacity, reporting, and training. Both the qualitative and quantitative findings showed gaps in surveillance reporting, which were exacerbated by the complexity of adding RDTs without strong guidance as well as beliefs about the RDTs’ poor validity. These misconceptions and challenges need to be addressed at the local and national level to successfully scale-up cholera RDTs in Nepal and beyond.
Profiling of early-onset bladder cancer identifies key genomic alterations and potential targets
Authors: Magnani Christopher J. , D’Andrea Vincent D. , Qian Zhiyu , Ernandez John , Yim Kendrick , Kibel Adam S. , Chang Steven L. , Mossanen Matthew , Preston Mark A. , Feldman Adam S. , Bochner Bernard H. , Solit David B. , Pietzak Eugene J. , Mouw Kent W. , Carvalho Filipe L.F. , Clinton Timothy N. 
Published: January 2025

AbstractYounger patients with bladder cancer typically have fewer environmental exposures or risk factors, suggesting molecular pathways implicated in early-onset disease differ from older patients. Dissecting the genomic profile of early-onset tumors may define targeted treatments for these young patients. We compared the frequency of somatic mutations in early-onset bladder cancer, defined as diagnosis before the age of 55 years old which encompasses about 1 in 10 diagnoses, in two cohorts: the Mass General Brigham Young Cystectomy Cohort (MGB-YCC, n=134 patients) and the Memorial Sloan-Kettering-IMPACT bladder cancer cohort (MSK-IMPACT, n=1271). Both MGB-YCC and MSK-IMPACT cohorts were predominantly male with younger patients less likely to smoke or have muscle-invasive disease. Genomic characterization in MGB-YCC demonstrated KMT2D mutations almost exclusively among the youngest patients (83% <45-years-old, p=0.008). MSK-IMPACT revealed a significant increase of FGFR3 mutations in younger patients (37% vs 23%, p<0.001). Altogether, our results find key somatic mutations likely drive early-onset bladder cancers, some of which may be targetable; this suggests potential benefit from genomic tumor profiling to guide personalized treatment.Source of FundingNCI K08CA282969-01A1 (FLC), BCAN Career Development Award (FLC), NCI 3P30CA006516-59W2 Early-Stage Surgeon-Scientist Program award (FLC).Disclosures or conflictsnone
Personal care product use and risk of adult-onset asthma: findings from the Sister Study
Authors: Lim Jungeun , Chang Che-Jung , White Alexandra J. , Lo Shelton , Wang Hantao , Goodney Gabriel , Miao Rui , Barochia Amisha V. , Roger Véronique L. , Sandler Dale P. , Wong Jason Y.Y. 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBACKGROUNDPersonal care products (PCPs) contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) linked to hormonally-sensitive diseases. Population studies have found associations between prenatal EDC exposure and childhood asthma; however, few have investigated adult-onset asthma.OBJECTIVESWe investigated the associations between commonly used PCPs and the risk of adult-onset asthma in a prospective cohort study of U.S. women.METHODSWe analyzed 39,408 participants from the Sister Study (2003-2009). The participants self-reported their usage frequency of 41 PCPs in the 12-month period before baseline. Latent classes were used to identify groups with similar usage patterns (‘infrequent’, ‘moderate’, ‘frequent’) within types of products (‘beauty’, ‘everyday hair’, ‘hygiene’, and ‘skincare’). Multivariable Cox regression models were used to assess the associations between PCP use and incident adult-onset asthma.RESULTSOver an average 12.5-year follow-up, 1,774 incident asthma cases were identified. Compared to infrequent users, moderate (hazard ratio [HR]=1.21 (95% confidence interval (CI):1.07,1.37)) and frequent (HR=1.22 (95%CI:1.08,1.38)) users of beauty products had significantly higher asthma risk. Similar associations were observed for hygiene (moderate: HR=1.14 (95%CI:1.01,1.29) and frequent: HR=1.20 (95%CI:1.06,1.36)) and skincare products (moderate: HR=1.21 (95%CI:1.06,1.38) and frequent: HR=1.20 (95%CI:1.06,1.35)). Several individual everyday hair products (hair spray, hair styling gel/mousse, and pomade or hair grease) were positively associated with asthma risk, but associations were not detected for everyday hair latent classes.DISCUSSIONOur findings suggest that PCP use potentially contributes to future risk of adult-onset asthma among women. These novel findings reinforce the need for regulation of PCPs and their components to reduce the burden of asthma.
Unveiling Alcohol Bias and Impaired Inhibitory Control in Young Binge Drinkers: Insights from the Alcohol Hayling Task
Authors: Carbia Carina , Almeida-Antunes Natália , Vasconcelos Margarida , López-Caneda Eduardo 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTCraving and alcohol-related bias play a central role in addiction development. Previous research suggests that individuals with alcohol misuse exhibit heightened alcohol bias and deficits in inhibitory control, contributing to increased craving and sustained alcohol consumption. However, this relationship remains poorly understood in young binge drinkers, particularly regarding a specific form of alcohol bias known as semantic alcohol bias (heightened automatic accessibility of alcohol-related concepts), which may influence craving and drinking behavior. The present study is aimed at addressing this gap. A total of 81 college students (41 Binge Drinkers and 40 Non/Low Drinkers). completed craving questionnaires and the Alcohol Hayling task, a sentence-completion paradigm designed to measure semantic alcohol bias and inhibitory control. Results revealed that young binge drinkers generated more alcohol-related words in drinking- context sentences, committed more errors (i.e., producing alcohol-related words when they should have generated unrelated words), and displayed slower response times when inhibiting alcohol-related responses. A positive correlation was observed between craving and the frequency of alcohol-related words. These findings suggest that young binge drinkers exhibit a semantic accessibility bias towards alcohol-related concepts and difficulties inhibiting alcohol-related content. This study highlights the role of alcohol- related semantic networks in craving states, providing new insights into how alcohol biases may contribute to binge drinking behaviors among youth.
Novel tools for comparing the architecture of psychopathology between neurogenetic disorders: An application to X- vs. Y-chromosome aneuploidy effects in males
Authors: Larsen Isabella G. , Liu Siyuan , Schaffer Lukas , Rau Srishti , Ajumobi Tiffany , Mahony Bridget W. , Warling Allysa , Whitman Ethan T. , Nadig Ajay , McDermott Cassidy , Xenophontos Anastasia , Wilson Kathleen , Clasen Liv S. , Torres Erin N. , Blumenthal Jonathan D. , Bassett Dani S. , Raznahan Armin 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTBackgroundPsychiatric symptoms are typically highly inter-correlated at the group level. Collectively, these correlations define the architecture of psychopathology—informing taxonomic and mechanistic models in psychiatry. However, to date, it remains unclear if this architecture differs between etiologically distinct subgroups, despite the core relevance of this understanding for personalized medicine. Here, we introduce a new analytic pipeline to probe group differences in the psychopathology architecture—demonstrated through comparison of two distinct neurogenetic disorders.MethodsWe use a large questionnaire battery in 300 individuals aged 5-25 years (n= 102 XXY/KS,n= 64 XYY,n= 134 age-matched XY) to characterize the structure of correlations among 53 diverse measures of psychopathology in XXY/KS and XYY syndrome—enabling us to compare the effects of X- vs. Y-chromosome dosage on the architecture of psychopathology at multiple, distinctly informative levels.ResultsBehavior correlation matrices describe the architecture of psychopathology in each syndrome. Comparison of matrix row averages reveals that autism-related features and externalizing symptoms are most differentially coupled to other aspects of psychopathology in XXY/KS vs. XYY. Clustering the difference between matrices captures coordinated group differences in pairwise coupling between measures of psychopathology: XXY/KS increases coherence among externalizing, internalizing, and autism-related features, while XYY syndrome shows greater coherence in dissociality and early neurodevelopmental impairment.ConclusionsThese methods offer new insights into X- and Y-chromosome dosage effects on behavior, and our shared code can now be applied to other clinical groups of interest—helping to hone mechanistic models and inform the tailoring of care.
Machine learning for estimating and comparing clinical rules for treating diarrheal illness with antibiotics
Authors: Codi Allison , Kim Sara , McQuade Elizabeth Rogawski , Benkeser David ,   the AntiBiotics for Children with severe Diarrhea (ABCD) Study Group
Published: January 2025

AbstractAcute diarrheal disease is one of the leading causes of death in children under age 5, disproportionately impacting children in low-resource settings. Many of these cases are caused by bacteria and therefore could respond to antibiotic treatment; however, the benefits of widely prescribing antibiotics must be weighed against the risks for the emergence of microbial resistance. These challenges present the opportunity for developing individualized treatment guidelines for diarrheal disease. In this study, we utilize a framework for the creation and evaluation of individualized treatment rules that leverage diagnostic and other clinical information to recommend antibiotic treatment to children with watery diarrhea. In contrast to many applications of pipelines for creating and evaluating treatment rules, we (i) explicitly consider creating rules that limit the proportion of children treated under a rule, to limit risks for overtreatment and the emergence of microbial resistance and (ii) propose methods to compare the performance of rules based on different sets of input covariates, which allows for quantification of the impact of measuring additional diagnostic biomarkers in clinical settings. We use a nested cross validation procedure that makes use of ensemble machine learning and doubly-robust estimation approach to derive, evaluate, and compare rules. We demonstrate that our proposed method yields appropriate inference in a realistic simulation study and apply our method to a real-data analysis of the AntiBiotics for Children with severe Diarrhea (ABCD) trial.
Competing signaling pathways controls electrotaxis
Authors: Kulkarni S. , Tebar F. , Rentero C. , Zhao M. , Sáez P. 
Published: January 2025

AbstractUnderstanding how cells migrate following exogenous cues is one of the most fundamental questions for biology, medicine, and bioengineering. Growing evidence shows that electrotaxis, the directed cell migration toward electric potential gradients, represents a precise and programmable method to control cell migration. Most data suggest that the polarization of membrane components and the following downstream signaling are central to electrotaxis. Unfortunately, how these multiple mechanisms coordinate with the motile machinery of the cell to respond to an electric field is still poorly understood. Here, we develop a mechanistic model that explains and recapitulate electrotaxis across different cell types. Using the zebrafish proteome, we identify membrane proteins directly related to migration signaling pathways that polarize anodally and cathodally. Further, we show that simultaneous and asymmetric distribution of charged membrane receptors towards the anode and the cathode establishes multiple cooperative and competing stimuli for downstream signaling pathways. The resulting polarization of signals controls the actomyosin network dynamics, directing the anodal and cathodal migration of the cell. Our theoretical framework rationalizes the physical processes that determine electrotaxis across cell types and provides a physical framework to test multiple electrotactic pathways. These results together show us how to control cell migration to, e.g., enhance, cancel, or switch directed cell migration, which opens up new avenues not only to promote tissue regeneration or arrest tumor progression but also to design better biomimetic-engineered tissue constructs.
Absolute measurement of fast and slow neuronal signals with fluorescence lifetime photometry at high temporal resolution
Authors: Lodder Bart , Kamath Tarun , Savenco Ecaterina , Röring Berend , Siegel Michelle , Chouinard Julie , Lee Suk Joon , Zagoren Caroline , Rosen Paul , Adan Roger , Tian Lin , Sabatini Bernardo L. 
Published: January 2025

AbstractThe concentrations of extracellular and intracellular signaling molecules, such as dopamine and cAMP, change over both fast and slow timescales and impact downstream pathways in a cell-type specific manner. Fluorescence sensors currently used to monitor such signalsin vivoare typically optimized to detect fast, relative changes in concentration of the target molecule. They are less well suited to detect slowly-changing signals and rarely provide absolute measurements of either fast and slow signaling components. Here, we developed a system for fluorescence lifetime photometry at high temporal resolution (FLIPR) that utilizes frequency-domain analog processing to measure the absolute fluorescence lifetime of genetically-encoded sensors at high speed but with long-term stability and picosecond precision in freely moving mice. We applied FLIPR to investigate dopamine signaling in two functionally distinct regions in the striatum, the nucleus accumbens core (NAC) and the tail of striatum (TOS). We observed higher tonic dopamine levels at baseline in the TOS compared to the NAC and detected differential and dynamic responses in phasic and tonic dopamine to appetitive and aversive stimuli. Thus, FLIPR enables simple monitoring of fast and slow time-scale neuronal signaling in absolute units, revealing previously unappreciated spatial and temporal variation even in well-studied signaling systems.
Common symbiotic signalling pathway not essential for formation of functional mutualisms with endophytic fungi
Authors: Williams Alex , Sinanaj Besiana , Rodriguez-Morelos Victor , Prout James , Howard Nathan , Durant Emily , Pressel Silvia , Field Katie J. 
Published: January 2025

AbstractMost plants form mutualistic symbioses with soil fungi, including arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. These fungi usually transfer soil nutrients to plants and assimilate carbon from host plant photosynthesis. Recently, Mucoromycotina ‘fine root endophytes’ (MFRE) were identified as nutritionally mutualistic and widespread fungal symbionts of plants, establishing MFRE as a new class of mycorrhizal fungi. However, the regulatory mechanisms for MFRE symbioses are completely unknown. Other symbionts, like AM fungi, use the ‘Common Symbiotic Signalling Pathway’ (CSSP) to establish symbiosis. To explore whether MFRE interactions also involve this pathway, we cultured MFRE with CSSP mutants ofMedicago truncatulawhich show impaired AM symbioses and tracked carbon and nutrient transfers using isotope tracers. Results show no differences in root colonization or nutrient exchange, suggesting MFRE symbioses are regulated by different molecular mechanisms. This finding highlights the unique nature of MFRE symbiosis, broadening our understanding of diverse fungal symbioses and their evolutionary significance.