bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of high‐intensity interval training on peripheral brain‐derived neurotrophic factor in adults: A systematic review and network meta‐analysis
Authors: Rodríguez‐Gutiérrez Eva , Torres‐Costoso Ana , Saz‐Lara Alicia , Bizzozero‐Peroni Bruno , Guzmán‐Pavón María José , Sánchez‐López Mairena , Martínez‐Vizcaíno Vicente 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBackgroundHigh‐intensity interval training (HIIT) has emerged as an alternative training method to increase brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, a crucial molecule involved in plastic brain changes. Its effect compared to moderate‐intensity continuous training (MICT) is controversial. We aimed to estimate, and to comparatively evaluate, the acute and chronic effects on peripheral BDNF levels after a HIIT, MICT intervention or a control condition in adults.MethodsThe CINAHL, Cochrane, PubMed, PEDro, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from inception to June 30, 2023. A network meta‐analysis was performed to assess the acute and chronic effects of HIIT versus control condition, HIIT versus MICT and MICT versus control condition on BDNF levels. Pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated for RCTs using a random‐effects model.ResultsA total of 22 RCTs were selected for the systematic review, with 656 participants (aged 20.4–79 years, 34.0% females) and 20 were selected for the network meta‐analysis. Network SMD estimates were significant for HIIT versus control condition (1.49, 95% CI: 0.61, 2.38) and MICT versus control condition (1.08, 95% CI: 0.04, 2.12) for acutely BDNF increase. However, pairwise comparisons only resulted in a significant effect for HIIT versus control condition.ConclusionsHIIT is the best training modality for acutely increasing peripheral BDNF levels in adults. HIIT may effectively increase BDNF levels in the long term.
A single‐center, randomized, controlled study on the efficacy of niacinamide‐containing body emollients combined with cleansing gel in the treatment of mild atopic dermatitis
Authors: Zhu Jun‐Rong , Wang Jie , Wang Shang‐Shang 
Published: September 2023

AbstractObjectiveTo observe the effect of niacinamide‐containing body emollients combined with a cleansing gel on the clinical symptoms of mild atopic dermatitis (AD) in adults.MethodsFrom July 2022 to January 2023, adults with mild AD were enrolled at Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University using single‐center, randomized and placebo‐controlled methods. They were divided into three groups: the control group, treatment group 1 (T1) receiving niacinamide‐containing body emollients alone, and treatment group 2 (T2) receiving emollients plus niacinamide‐containing cleansing gel. All patients were orally administered 10 mg of ebastine tablets daily. AD severity (SCORAD score), peak pruritus numeric rating scale (PP‐NRS), patient‐oriented measure of eczema (POEM), dermatological quality of life index (DLQI) score, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and stratum corneum water content (SCWC) were measured by the same dermatologist at days 0, 7, 14, and 28.ResultsA total of 122 patients were enrolled, including 38 in the control group, 42 in the T1 group and 42 in the T2 group. There were no obvious adverse reactions at the end of the study and the clinical scores and stratum corneum barrier of all the groups improved significantly relative to baseline. The SCORAD, PP‐NRS, DLQI, TEWL and SCWC scores in T1 group (12.43 ± 3, 3.3 ± 0.9, 7.1 ± 2.33, 17.1 ± 9.12, 67.2 ± 21.46, seperately) and T2 group (11.17 ± 3.26, 3 ± 1.3, 6.5 ± 2.11, 16.3 ± 9.12, 69.4 ± 24.52, seperately) were significantly improved than the control group(15.1 ± 3.64, 4.3 ± 1.7, 9.5 ± 2.46, 21.2 ± 9.47, 52.7 ± 22.43, seperately) at the endpoint of the study, while compared the POEM scores, only T2 group showed the difference with control group (5.2 ± 1.4 vs. 6 ± 1.6). The epidermal barrier parameters of TEWL and SCWC in the T2 group (17.57 ± 5.24, 66.46 ± 21.38, seperately) were significantly better than that of the T1 (19.96 ± 4.45, 56.45 ± 20.48, seperately) and control group(21.89 ± 7.03, 51.56 ± 16.58, seperately) on the 14th day of follow‐up.ConclusionThe use of niacinamide‐containing body emollients can significantly improve the clinical symptoms, quality of life, and skin barrier function in patients with mild AD. The addition of niacinamide‐containing cleansing gel can also affect the clinical efficacy at certain time points.
Geophysical‐petrological modelling of the crust and upper mantle structure across the North‐South Gravity Lineament in NE China: Insights into the lithospheric thinning mechanism
Authors: Zhu Sheng , Deng Yangfan , Zhang Zhou , Li Xin 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe North‐South Gravity Lineament (NSGL), characterized by an abrupt variation in both the Bouguer gravity anomaly and topography, acts as a significant geological boundary in eastern China. The formation of such a lateral feature is believed to be associated with lithospheric thinning. The Songliao Basin (SLB) is considered to mark the centre of the lithospheric thinning in Northeast China, whereas its thinning mechanism remains unclear. Here we perform integrated geophysical‐petrological modelling of the crust and upper mantle structure along a passive‐source seismic profile crossing the NSGL, to understand the thinning mechanism beneath the SLB based on the constructed lithospheric extension and delamination models. Our delamination model identifies the compositional variation across the NSGL and the S‐wave velocity signature dominated by high velocity beneath the SLB, which are compatible with previous geochemical and geophysical results. The multidisciplinary analyses suggest that the lithospheric delamination is a plausible mechanism to account for the thinning to the east of the NSGL. The resulting model also shows that the NSGL is a lithospheric‐scale geophysical and geochemical boundary separating two distinct structural domains. In combination with previous evidence, structural discrepancies across the NSGL can be attributed to the lithospheric delamination driven by the subduction of the Palaeo‐Pacific plate.
Development and Interplay of Metabolic and Mechanical Performance Determinants Over an Annual Training Period in Adolescent National-Level Squad Swimmers
Authors: Keller Sebastian , Ji Sanghyeon , Feuerbacher Joshua F. , Dragutinovic Boris , Schumann Moritz , Wahl Patrick 
Published: September 2023

Purpose: The study examined the longitudinal interplay of anthropometric, metabolic, and neuromuscular development related to performance in adolescent national-level swimmers over 12 months. Methods: Seven male and 12 female swimmers (14.8 [1.3] y, FINA [International Swimming Federation] points 716 [51]) were tested before (T0) and after the preparation period (T1), at the season’s peak (T2), and before the next season (T3). Anthropometric (eg, fat percentage) and neuromuscular parameters (squat and bench-press load-velocity profile) were assessed on dry land. Metabolic (cost of swimming [C], maximal oxygen uptake [], and peak blood lactate [bLapeak]) and performance (sprinting speed [vsprint] and lactate thresholds [LT1 and 2]) factors were determined using a 500-m submaximal, 200-m all-out, 20-second sprint, and incremental test (+0.03 m·s−1, 3 min), respectively, in front-crawl swimming. Results: vsprint (+0.6%) and LT1 and 2 (+1.9–2.4%) increased trivially and slightly, respectively, from T0 to T2 following small to moderate strength increases (≥+10.2%) from T0 to T1 and (+6.0%) from T1 to T2. Bench-press maximal strength and peak power correlated with vsprint from T0 to T2 (r ≥ .54, P < .05) and LT2 at T1 (r ≥ .47, P < .05). Changes in fat percentage and (T2–T1 and T3–T2, r ≤ −.67, P < .01) and C and LT2 (T2–T0, r = −.52, P = .047) were also correlated. Conclusions: Increases in strength and from preparation to the competition period resulted in improved sprint and endurance performance. Across the season, upper-body strength was associated with vsprint and LT2, although their changes were unrelated.
Metagenome meta-analysis reveals an increase in the abundance of some multidrug efflux pumps and mobile genetic elements in chemically polluted environments
Authors: Subirats Jessica , Sharpe Hannah , Tai Vera , Fruci Michael , Topp Edward 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT

Many human activities contaminate terrestrial and aquatic environments with numerous chemical pollutants that not only directly alter the environment but also affect microbial communities in ways that are potentially concerning to human health, such as selecting for the spread of antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) through horizontal gene transfer. In the present study, metagenomes available in the public domain from polluted (with antibiotics, with petroleum, with metal mining, or with coal-mining effluents) and unpolluted terrestrial and aquatic environments were compared to examine whether pollution has influenced the abundance and composition of ARGs and mobile elements, with specific focus on IS26 and class 1 integrons (
intI
1). When aggregated together, polluted environments had a greater relative abundance of ARGs than unpolluted environments and a greater relative abundance of IS26 and
intI
1. In general, chemical pollution, notably with petroleum, was associated with an increase in the prevalence of ARGs linked to multidrug efflux pumps. Included in the suite of efflux pumps were
mexK
,
mexB
,
mexF
, and
mexW
that are polyspecific and whose substrate ranges include multiple classes of critically important antibiotics. Also, in some instances, β-lactam resistance (TEM181 and OXA-541) genes increased, and genes associated with rifampicin resistance (RNA polymerases subunits
rpoB
and
rpoB2
) decreased in relative abundance. This meta-analysis suggests that different types of chemical pollution can enrich populations that carry efflux pump systems associated with resistance to multiple classes of medically critical antibiotics.

IMPORTANCE

The United Nations has identified chemical pollution as being one of the three greatest threats to environmental health, through which the evolution of antimicrobial resistance, a seminally important public health challenge, may be favored. While this is a very plausible outcome of continued chemical pollution, there is little evidence or research evaluating this risk. The objective of the present study was to examine existing metagenomes from chemically polluted environments and evaluate whether there is evidence that pollution increases the relative abundance of genes and mobile genetic elements that are associated with antibiotic resistance. The key finding is that for some types of pollution, particularly in environments exposed to petroleum, efflux pumps are enriched, and these efflux pumps can confer resistance to multiple classes of medically important antibiotics that are typically associated with
Pseudomonas
spp. or other Gram-negative bacteria. This finding makes clear the need for more investigation on the impact of chemical pollution on the environmental reservoir of ARGs and their association with mobile genetic elements that can contribute to horizontal gene transfer events.
Protective efficacy and correlates of immunity of immunodominant recombinant
Babesia microti
antigens
Authors: Meredith Scott , Majam Victoria , Zheng Hong , Verma Nitin , Puri Ankit , Akue Adovi , KuKuruga Mark , Oakley Miranda , Kumar Sanjai 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT

Babesia microti,
an intraerythrocytic apicomplexan parasite, is the primary causative agent of human babesiosis and an emerging threat to public health in the United States and elsewhere. An effective vaccine against
B. microti
would reduce disease severity in acute babesiosis patients and shorten the parasitemic period in asymptomatic individuals, thereby minimizing the risk of transfusion-transmitted babesiosis. Here we report on immunogenicity, protective efficacy, and correlates of immunity following immunization with four immunodominant recombinantly produced
B. microti
antigens—Serine Reactive Antigen 1 (SERA1), Maltese Cross Form Related Protein 1 (MCFRP1), Piroplasm β-Strand Domain 1 (PiβS1), and
Babesia microti
Alpha Helical Cell Surface Protein 1 (BAHCS1)—delivered subcutaneously in Montanide ISA 51/CpG adjuvant in three doses to BALB/c mice. Following
B. microti
parasite challenge, BAHCS1 led to the highest reduction in peak parasitemia (67.8%), followed by SERA1 (44.8%) and MCFRP1 (41.9%); PiβS1 (27.6%) had minimal protective effect. All four
B. microti
antigens induced high ELISA total IgG and each isotype; however, antibody levels did not directly correlate with anti-parasitic activity in mice. Increased prechallenge levels of some cell populations including follicular helper T cells (T
FH
) and memory B cells, along with a set of six cytokines [IL-1α, IL-2, IL-3, IL-6, IL-12(p40), and G-CSF] that belong to both innate and adaptive immune responses, were generally associated with protective immunity. Our results indicate that mechanisms driving recombinant
B. microti
antigen-induced immunity are complex and multifactorial. We think that BAHCS1 warrants further evaluation in preclinical studies.
Draft genome of methanol-oxidizing
Methylobacterium fujisawaense
strain LAC1
Authors: Chung Jooho , Kim Jinha , Blazier John C. , Hwangbo Myung , Chu Kung-Hui 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT

We report the draft genome of
Methylobacterium fujisawaense
LAC1 isolated from an acidic aquifer in Indian Head, MD, USA. The genome contains 5,883,000 bp and has a GC content of 70% with 5,434 protein-encoding genes with functional assignments. This strain can grow on methanol with lanthanum, a rare earth element.
Nanopore PCR-cDNA sequencing of the biocontrol isolate
Aspergillus flavus
AF36 (NRRL 18543) informs gene annotation
Authors: Legan Andrew Wesley , Mehl Hillary L. , Varaksa Alex , Callicott Kenneth A. 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT

Toxic molds in the
Aspergillus
genus synthesize carcinogenic aflatoxins which contaminate crops. The widely applied biocontrol isolate
Aspergillus flavus
AF36 (NRRL 18543) has a high-quality public genome but lacks corresponding gene annotations. We generated high-quality gene predictions for this isolate by using long-read Nanopore PCR-cDNA sequencing.
Completely assembled genome sequence of the florfenicol-resistant
Enterococcus faecalis
strain 90_2023 isolated from a raw sausage imported from Italy to Switzerland
Authors: Kelbert Lucien , Stevens Marc J. A. , Horlbog Jule A. , Biggel Michael , Stephan Roger 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT

Here we report the genome sequence of the florfenicol-resistant
Enterococcus faecalis
strain 90_2023 isolated from a raw-meat sausage (Finocchiona) imported from Italy to Switzerland. It has a genome of 2.75 Mbp and harbors 16 antimicrobial resistance genes, including
cat
A8,
fexA
, and a truncated
optrA
gene on a RepA_N plasmid.
Performance of the Cue COVID-19 point-of-care molecular test: insights from a multi-site clinic service model
Authors: Rebbapragada Anu , Cariazo Lane , Elchuk David , Abdelrahman Hossam , Pham Dang , Raveendraraj Jerusha , Chokshi Killol , Joseph Nirochile , Gouzenkova Elena , Gill Harpreet , Blecher Peter 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical need for rapid and accurate molecular diagnostic testing. The Cue COVID-19 Point-of-Care Test (Cue POCT) is a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), authorized by Health Canada and FDA as a POCT for SARS-CoV-2 detection. Cue POCT was deployed at a network of clinics in Ontario, Canada with
n
= 13,848 patrons tested between 17 July 2021 and 31 January 2022. The clinical performance and operational experience with Cue POCT were examined for this testing population composed mostly of asymptomatic individuals (93.7%). A head-to-head prospective clinical verification was performed between 17 July and 4 October for all POCT service clients (
n
= 3,037) with paired COVID-19 testing by Cue and RT-PCR. Prospective verification demonstrated a clinical sensitivity of 100% and clinical specificity of 99.4% for Cue COVID-19 POCT. The lack of false negatives and low false positive rate (0.64%), underscores the high accuracy (99.4%) of Cue POCT to provide rapid PCR quality results. Low error rates (cancellation rate of 0% and invalid rate of 0.63%) with the current software version were additionally noted. Taken together, these findings highlight the value of accurate molecular COVID-19 POCT in a distributed service delivery model to rapidly detect cases in the community with the potential to curb transmission in high-exposure settings (i.e., in-flight, congregate workplace, and social events). The insights gleaned from this operational implementation are readily transferable to future POCT diagnostic services.

IMPORTANCE
This manuscript reports on the findings of a large asymptomatic population who underwent surveillance COVID testing on the Cue COVID-19 Point-of-Care Test (POCT). Review of test performance of this rapid molecular POCT, as compared to gold standard RT-PCR, is valuable to many audiences, including public health, emergency testing services, employers, and the general population of consumers who are seeking a user-friendly, accurate, cost-effective, and sustainable testing model for COVID screening. The findings from this operational experience also inform future models of POCT services beyond COVID.
Alignment in the registration, selection, procurement and reimbursement of essential medicines for childhood cancers in South Africa
Authors: Joosse Iris R , van den Ham Hendrika A , Mantel-Teeuwisse Aukje K , Suleman Fatima 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionThe effectiveness of a health system in providing access to medicines is in part determined by the alignment of several core pharmaceutical processes. For South Africa’s public health sector, these include the registration of medicines, selection and subsequent procurement through national tenders. Registration, selection and reimbursement are key processes in the private sector. This study assessed the alignment of forementioned processes for essential paediatric oncology medicines in South Africa.MethodsA selection of priority chemotherapeutics, antiemetics and analgesics in the treatment of five prevalent childhood cancers in South Africa was compared with those listed in 1) the WHO Essential Medicines List for Children (WHO EMLc) 2021, 2) the registered health products database of South Africa, 3) the relevant South African National Essential Medicines Lists (NEML), 4) bid packs and awarded tenders for oncology medicines for 2020 and 2022 and 5) oncology formularies from the leading Independent Clinical Oncology Network (ICON) and two private sector medical aid schemes. Consistency between these sources was assessed descriptively.ResultsThere was full alignment for 25 priority chemotherapeutics for children between the NEML, the products registered in South Africa and those included on tender. Due to unsuccessful procurement, access to seven chemotherapeutics was potentially constrained. For antiemetics and analgesics, eight of nine active ingredients included on the WHO EMLc were also registered in South Africa and on its NEML. An exploratory assessment of private sector formularies showed many gaps in ICON’s formulary and two medical scheme formularies (listing 33% and 24% of the chemotherapeutics, respectively).ConclusionDespite good alignment in public sector pharmaceutical processes, access constraints to essential chemotherapeutics for children may stem from unsuccessful tenders. Private sector formularies show major gaps; however, it is unclear how this translates to access in clinical practice.
Reductions in inhaler greenhouse gas emissions by addressing care gaps in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: an analysis
Authors: Gagné Myriam , Karanikas Aliki , Green Samantha , Gupta Samir 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionClimate change from greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions represents one of the greatest public health threats of our time. Inhalers (and particularly metred-dose inhalers (MDIs)) used for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), constitute an important source of GHGs. In this analysis, we aimed to estimate the carbon footprint impact of improving three distinct aspects of respiratory care that drive avoidable inhaler use in Canada.MethodsWe used published data to estimate the prevalence of misdiagnosed disease, existing inhaler use patterns, medication class distributions, inhaler type distributions and GHGs associated with inhaler actuations, to quantify annual GHG emissions in Canada: (1) attributable to asthma and COPD misdiagnosis; (2) attributable to overuse of rescue inhalers due to suboptimally controlled symptoms; and (3) avoidable by switching 25% of patients with existing asthma and COPD to an otherwise comparable therapeutic option with a lower GHG footprint.ResultsWe identified the following avoidable annual GHG emissions: (1) ~49 100 GHG metric tons (MTs) due to misdiagnosed disease; (2) ~143 000 GHG MTs due to suboptimal symptom control; and (3) ~262 100 GHG MTs due to preferential prescription of strategies featuring MDIs over lower-GHG-emitting options (when 25% of patients are switched to lower GHG alternatives). Combined, the GHG emission reductions from bridging these gaps would be the equivalent to taking ~101 100 vehicles off the roads each year.ConclusionsOur analysis shows that the carbon savings from addressing misdiagnosis and suboptimal disease control are comparable to those achievable by switching one in four patients to lower GHG-emitting therapeutic strategies. Behaviour change strategies required to achieve and sustain delivery of evidence-based real-world care are complex, but the added identified incentive of carbon footprint reduction may in itself prove to be a powerful motivator for change among providers and patients. This additional benefit can be leveraged in future behaviour change interventions.