bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experiences of young people living with type 1 diabetes in transition to adulthood: The importance of care provider familiarity and support
Authors: Laursen Mathilde Grøn , Rahbæk Marie Ørts , Jensen Sissel Due , Prætorius Thim 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBackgroundDuring the developmental transition from childhood to adulthood, young people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are more likely to take less care of their chronic disease. Alongside the developmental transition, young people with T1D also experience an organisational transition in which the care responsibility changes from a family‐based approach in paediatric care to an individualised approach in adult care. Little is known from the perspective of the young people about what their interactions with the healthcare providers mean during these transitions.AimThe aim of this study is to explore how young people living with T1D experience interactions with their care providers, and what it means for their developmental transition.MethodSemi‐structured interviews with 10 respondents aged 18–20 living with T1D who were recruited from a youth outpatient diabetes clinic in Denmark. Recorded audio data were transcribed and analysed using an interpretative phenomenological analysis approach.ResultsYoung people experience continuity in the relationship with the diabetes nurse from the paediatric clinic and a personal patient–provider relationship with their well‐known and new care providers. This creates a feeling of familiarity and contributes to a seamless transition. The young people express that becoming more involved in diabetes treatment increases their willingness to take more responsibility for their own health. They also express that care providers should support them in managing their diabetes and talk about sensitive topics.ConclusionContinuity in the relationship with the diabetes nurse makes the transition from paediatric to adult care more satisfying and seamless. To support the developmental transition, care providers should gradually involve young people more in diabetes management and be supportive as they become more independent during the developmental transition.
Perceptions And Challenges Of Nursing Students Related To Online Learning During COVID-19 in Guyana.-A mixed method study
Authors: Paul Rani , Stephanas Lois 
Published: September 2023

Objective: To explore the nursing students’ perceptions and experiences of online learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic- a mixed method. Methods: A mixed method was used and obtained ethical approval from IRB. Quantitatively 419 nursing students’ perceptions were assessed using a valid and reliable Likert scale with 37 items through google form survey. Qualitatively five focus group discussions (6 to 8 students each) with duration of 60 to 90 minutes from respective five Schools of nursing were conducted via zoom and recorded. Codes were generated using MAXQDA analytics Pro 2022 version 22.2.1. Results: 276 (65.87%) students agreed self-discipline is necessary for online learning. 267 (63.72%) students strongly agree that online classes reduce travel expenses. Gender had no influence on perception. Younger students showed more positive perception than older students, Senior BSN students showed positive perception compared to RN students and associations are statistically significant at <0.001. Thematic analysis led to the following themes. Some preferred online learning due to its “flexibility” “Convenient” and “access to recorded sessions” and others preferred face to face: online learning is “good for theory only”, but for practical sessions face to face interactions is necessary, “Sense of isolation” “No student interaction” “less student- faculty interaction”. Barriers identified were “internet connectivity issues”, “Electricity issues” and “Technological issues”. Facilitators were “convenience” “reduced cost in transportation” “saves time” and opportunity to become “tech savvy”. Conclusion: Online classes are suitable for theoretical aspects but require face to face interaction for practical components. Key words: perceptions, online learning, nursing students.
Pharmacodynamics of ATI-2307 in a rabbit model of cryptococcal meningoencephalitis
Authors: Giamberardino Charles D. , Tenor Jennifer L. , Toffaletti Dena L. , Palmucci Julia R. , Schell Wiley , Boua Jane-Valeriane K. , Marius Choiselle , Stott Katharine E. , Steele Shelby L. , Hope William , Cilla Don , Perfect John R. 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT

Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis (CM) is a devastating fungal disease with high morbidity and mortality. The current regimen that is standard-of-care involves a combination of three different drugs administered for up to one year. There is a critical need for new therapies due to both toxicity and inadequate fungicidal activity of the currently available antifungal drugs. ATI-2307 is a novel aryl amidine that disrupts the mitochondrial membrane potential and inhibits the respiratory chain complexes of fungi—it thus represents a new mechanism for direct antifungal action. Furthermore, ATI-2307 selectively targets fungal mitochondria via a fungal-specific transporter that is not present in mammalian cells. It has very potent
in vitro
anticryptococcal activity. In this study, the efficacy of ATI-2307 was tested in a rabbit model of CM. ATI-2307 demonstrated significant fungicidal activity at dosages between 1 and 2 mg/kg/d, and these results were superior to fluconazole and similar to amphotericin B treatment. When ATI-2307 was combined with fluconazole, the antifungal effect was greater than either therapy alone. While ATI-2307 has potent anticryptococcal activity in the subarachnoid space, its ability to reduce yeasts in the brain parenchyma was relatively less over the same study period. This new drug, with its unique mechanism of fungicidal action and ability to positively interact with an azole, has demonstrated sufficient anticryptococcal potential in this experimental setting to be further evaluated in clinical studies.
Contribution of serology in congenital toxoplasmosis diagnosis: results from a 10-year French retrospective study
Authors: Denis Julie , Lemoine Jean-Philippe , L'ollivier Coralie , Deleplancque Anne-Sophie , Fricker Hidalgo Hélène , Pelloux Hervé , Pomares Christelle , Cimon Bernard , Paris Luc , Houzé Sandrine , Villena Isabelle , Villard Odile 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT
This study aimed to evaluate different serological strategies for the postnatal diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis (CT) and establish a biological algorithm for CT diagnosis. The study analyzed serological data of immunoglobulins M, A, and G (IgM, IgA, IgG) performed by immunoenzymatic and compared immunological profile (CIP) assays in 668 newborns with CT diagnosis across four testing periods: P1 (D0– D10), P2 (D11–D35), P3 (D36–D45), and P4 (>D45). Forty-nine percent of the 668 CT cases were diagnosed during P1 and 34%, 4%, and 12% during P2, P3, and P4, respectively. CIP assays detected neosynthetized IgMs/IgGs in 98% of CT cases diagnosed during P1, while IgMs and IgAs were detected in 90% and 57% of CT cases diagnosed during P2 and in 88% and 67% of diagnoses made during P3, respectively. Detection of neosynthesized IgMs/IgGs, IgMs, and IgAs by immunoassay contributed to CT diagnosis in 81%, 77%, and 60% of cases, respectively. In total, 46% of serum samples were positive for all three parameters, 27% for two, and 27% for one of the three. The study recommends using the CIP assay as standard during P1 for CT diagnosis and IgM and IgA immunoassays after P1. A clinical and biological follow-up in a specialized center with a close collaboration between biologists and clinicians is highly recommended to increase the chances of early diagnosis. Overall, this study provides useful information for the development of a biological algorithm for CT diagnosis, which can aid in early detection and appropriate treatment of this disease.
Naturally acquired functional antibody responses to group A
Streptococcus
differ between major strain types
Authors: McGregor Reuben , Paterson Aimee , Sharma Prachi , Chen Tiffany , Lovell Jarrod R. , Carlton Lauren H. , Steer Andrew C. , Osowicki Joshua , Loh Jacelyn M. S. , Moreland Nicole J. 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT

Group A
Streptococcus
(GAS) is a leading human pathogen for which there is no licensed vaccine. Infections are most common in young children and the elderly suggesting immunity accumulates with exposure until immune senescence in older age. Though protection has been postulated to be strain type specific, based on the M-protein (
emm
-type), the antigenic basis of population-level immunity remains poorly understood. Naturally acquired GAS antibody responses were investigated using intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), which contains pooled immunoglobulins from thousands of healthy human donors, as a surrogate for population immunity. Functional opsonophagocytic killing assays were conducted with GAS strains (
n
= 6) representing the three major
emm
-pattern types (
emm
12, A-C pattern;
emm
53, D-pattern; and
emm
75, E-pattern). While IVIG induced opsonophagocytic killing of all GAS strains tested, specificity assays showed the profile of protective antibodies differed considerably between
emm
-types. Antibodies targeting the M-protein were a major component of the functional IVIG antibody response for
emm
12 and
emm
53 strains but not for
emm
75 strains. The striking differences in the contribution of M-protein specific antibodies to killing suggest naturally acquired immunity differs between strains from the major
emm-
patterns. This challenges the dogma that M-protein is the primary protective antigen across all GAS straintypes.

IMPORTANCE

Group A
Streptococcus
(GAS) is a globally important pathogen. With the surge of invasive GAS infections that have occurred in multiple countries, contemporaneous with the relaxation of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, there is increased interest in the mechanisms underpinning GAS immunity. We utilized intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), pooled immunoglobulins from thousands of healthy donors, as a surrogate for population-level immunity to GAS, and explored the contribution of strain-specific (M-type specific) antibodies to GAS immunity using functional killing assays. This revealed striking differences between major strain types as to the contribution of strain specific antibodies to killing. For GAS strains belonging to the E pattern group, M-type specific antibodies do not mediate killing and immunity, which contrasts with strains belonging to pattern A–C and D groups. This challenges the historical dogma, originally proposed by Rebecca Lancefield in the 1950–1960s, that the M-protein is the major protective antigen across all GAS strain types.
Unfolding the secrets of microbiome (Symbiodiniaceae and bacteria) in cold-water coral
Authors: Gong Sanqiang , Liang Jiayuan , Jin Xujie , Xu Lijia , Zhao Meixia , Yu Kefu 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT

Recent deep-ocean exploration has uncovered a variety of cold-water coral (CWC) ecosystems around the world ocean, but it remains unclear how microbiome is associated with these corals at a molecular levels. This study utilized metabarcoding, tissue section observation, and metatranscriptomes to investigate the microbiome (Symbiodiniaceae and bacteria) of CWC species (
Narella versluys
i,
Heterogorgia uatumani,
and
Muriceides
sp.) from depths ranging from 260 m to 370 m. Warm-water coral (WWC) species (
Acropora pruinosa
,
Pocillopora damicorni
s, and
Galaxea fascicularis
) were used as control groups. Results revealed that CWC host diverse bacteria and Symbiodiniaceae cells were observed in endoderm of CWC tissues. Several new candidate bacterial phyla were found in both CWC and WWC, including Coralsanbacteria, Coralqiangbacteria, Coralgsqaceae, Coralgongineae, etc. Both the 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metatranscriptomes revealed that Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria were abundant bacterial phyla in CWC. At the gene transcription level, the CWC-associated Symbiodiniaceae community showed a low-level transcription of genes involved in photosynthesis, CO
2
fixation, glycolysis, citric acid cycle, while bacteria associated with CWC exhibited a high-level transcription of genes for carbon fixation via the Wood-Lijungdahl pathway, short chain fatty acids production, nitrogen, and sulfur cycles.

IMPORTANCE

This study shed new light on the functions of both Symbiodiniaceae and bacteria in cold-water coral (CWC). The results demonstrated that Symbiodiniaceae can survive and actively transcribe genes in CWC, suggesting a possible symbiotic or parasitic relationship with the host. This study also revealed complete non-photosynthetic CO
2
fixation pathway of bacteria in CWC, as well as their roles in short chain fatty acids production and assimilation of host-derived organic nitrogen and sulfur. These findings highlight the important role of bacteria in the carbon, nitrogen sulfur cycles in CWC, which were possibly crucial for CWC survival in in deep-water environments.
A novel
in vitro
system of supported planar endosomal membranes (SPEMs) reveals an enhancing role for cathepsin B in the final stage of Ebola virus fusion and entry
Authors: Odongo Laura , Habtegebrael Betelihem H. , Kiessling Volker , White Judith M. , Tamm Lukas K. 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT

Ebola virus (EBOV) causes a hemorrhagic fever with fatality rates up to 90%. The EBOV entry process is complex and incompletely understood. Following attachment to host cells, EBOV is trafficked to late endosomes/lysosomes where its glycoprotein (GP) is processed to a 19-kDa form, which binds to the EBOV intracellular receptor Niemann-Pick type C1. We previously showed that the cathepsin protease inhibitor, E-64d, blocks infection by pseudovirus particles bearing 19-kDa GP, suggesting that further cathepsin action is needed to trigger fusion. This, however, has not been demonstrated directly. Since 19-kDa Ebola GP fusion occurs in late endosomes, we devised a system in which enriched late endosomes are used to prepare supported planar endosomal membranes (SPEMs), and fusion of fluorescent (pseudo)virus particles is monitored by total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. We validated the system by demonstrating the pH dependencies of influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA)-mediated and Lassa virus (LASV) GP-mediated fusion. Using SPEMs, we showed that fusion mediated by 19-kDa Ebola GP is dependent on low pH, enhanced by Ca
2+
, and augmented by the addition of cathepsins. Subsequently, we found that E-64d inhibits full fusion, but not lipid mixing, mediated by 19-kDa GP, which we corroborated with the reversible cathepsin inhibitor VBY-825. Hence, we provide both gain- and loss-of-function evidence that further cathepsin action enhances the fusion activity of 19-kDa Ebola GP. In addition to providing new insights into how Ebola GP mediates fusion, the approach we developed employing SPEMs can now be broadly used for studies of virus and toxin entry through endosomes.

IMPORTANCE

Ebola virus is the causative agent of Ebola virus disease, which is severe and frequently lethal. EBOV gains entry into cells via late endosomes/lysosomes. The events immediately preceding fusion of the viral and endosomal membranes are incompletely understood. In this study, we report a novel
in vitro
system for studying virus fusion with endosomal membranes. We validated the system by demonstrating the low pH dependencies of influenza and Lassa virus fusion. Moreover, we show that further cathepsin B action enhances the fusion activity of the primed Ebola virus glycoprotein. Finally, this model endosomal membrane system should be useful in studying the mechanisms of bilayer breaching by other enveloped viruses, by non-enveloped viruses, and by acid-activated bacterial toxins.
Disentangling the interactions between nasopharyngeal and gut microbiome and their involvement in the modulation of COVID-19 infection
Authors: Mancabelli Leonardo , Taurino Giuseppe , Ticinesi Andrea , Ciociola Tecla , Vacondio Federica , Milani Christian , Fontana Federico , Lugli Gabriele Andrea , Tarracchini Chiara , Alessandri Giulia , Viappiani Alice , Bianchi Massimiliano , Nouvenne Antonio , Chetta Alfredo Antonio , Turroni Francesca , Meschi Tiziana , Mor Marco , Bussolati Ovidio , Ventura Marco 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT

The human organism is inhabited by trillions of microorganisms, known as microbiota, which are considered to exploit a pivotal role in the regulation of host health and immunity. Recent investigations have suggested a relationship between the composition of the human microbiota and COVID-19 infection, highlighting a possible role of bacterial communities in the modulation of the disease severity. In this study, we performed a shotgun metagenomics analysis to explore and compare the nasopharyngeal microbiota of 38 hospitalized Italian patients with and without COVID-19 infection during the third and fourth pandemic waves. In detail, the metagenomic analysis combined with specific correlation analyses suggested a positive association of several microbial species, such as
S. parasanguinis
and
P. melaninogenica
, with the severity of COVID-19 infection. Furthermore, the comparison of the microbiota composition between the nasopharyngeal and their respective fecal samples highlighted an association between these different compartments represented by a sharing of several bacterial species. Additionally, lipidomic and deep-shotgun functional analyses of the fecal samples suggested a metabolic impact of the microbiome on the host’s immune response, indicating the presence of key metabolic compounds in COVID-19 patients, such as lipid oxidation end products, potentially related to the inflammatory state. Conversely, the patients without COVID-19 displayed enzymatic patterns associated with the biosynthesis and degradation of specific compounds like lysine (synthesis) and phenylalanine (degradation) that could positively impact disease severity and contribute to modulating COVID-19 infection.

IMPORTANCE
The human microbiota is reported to play a major role in the regulation of host health and immunity, suggesting a possible impact on the severity of COVID-19 disease. This preliminary study investigated the possible correlation between nasopharyngeal microbiota and COVID-19 infection. In detail, the analysis of the nasopharyngeal microbiota of hospitalized Italian patients with and without COVID-19 infection suggested a positive association of several microbial species with the severity of the disease and highlighted a sharing of several bacteria species with the respective fecal samples. Moreover, the metabolic analyses suggested a possible impact of the microbiome on the host's immune response and the disease severity.
Efficient screening of adsorbed receptors for
Salmonella
phage LP31 and identification of receptor-binding protein
Authors: Ge Haojie , Ye Ling , Cai Yueyi , Guo Huimin , Gu Dan , Xu Zhengzhong , Hu Maozhi , Allison Heather E. , Jiao Xin'an , Chen Xiang 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT

The adsorption process is the first step in the lifecycle of phages and plays a decisive role in the entire infection process. Identifying the adsorption mechanism of phages not only makes phage therapy more precise and efficient but also enables the exploration of other potential applications and modifications of phages. Phage LP31 can lyse multiple
Salmonella
serotypes, efficiently clearing biofilms formed by
Salmonella enterica
serovar Enteritidis (
S
. Enteritidis) and significantly reducing the concentration of
S
. Enteritidis in chicken feces. Therefore, LP31 has great potential for many practical applications. In this study, we established an efficient screening method for phage infection-related genes and identified a total of 10 genes related to the adsorption process of phage LP31. After the construction of strain C50041Δ
rfaL
58−358
, it was found that the knockout strain had a rough phenotype as an O-antigen-deficient strain. Adsorption rate and transmission electron microscopy experiments showed that the receptor for phage LP31 was the O
9
antigen of
S
. Enteritidis. Homology comparison and adsorption experiments confirmed that the tail fiber protein Lp35 of phage LP31 participated in the adsorption process as a receptor-binding protein.

IMPORTANCE

A full understanding of the interaction between phages and their receptors can help with the development of phage-related products. Phages like LP31 with the tail fiber protein Lp35, or a closely related protein, have been reported to effectively recognize and infect multiple
Salmonella
serotypes. However, the role of these proteins in phage infection has not been previously described. In this study, we established an efficient screening method to detect phage adsorption to host receptors. We found that phage LP31 can utilize its tail fiber protein Lp35 to adsorb to the O
9
antigen of
S.
Enteritidis, initiating the infection process. This study provides a great model system for further studies of how a phage-encoded receptor-binding protein (RBP) interacts with its host's RBP binding target, and this new model offers opportunities for further theoretical and experimental studies to understand the infection mechanism of phages.
Supplemental Material: Strength of the winter North Atlantic jet stream has deviated from its natural trend under anthropogenic warming
Authors: Cai Binggui , Marković Slobodan , Guo Zhengtang , al. et 
Published: September 2023

<p>Cave site, methods, supplemental discussion, Figures S1–S14, Table S1, and data sets S1–S3. </p>
Widening rural–urban gap in life expectancy in China since COVID-19
Authors: Han Shasha , Su Binbin , Zhao Yihao , Chen Chen , Zheng Xiaoying 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionDisparities in life expectancy between rural and urban populations are well established but how it varies with epidemics and pandemics remains poorly understood. We aimed to quantify the rural–urban differences in the mortality burden of COVID-19 and to contribute to understanding the disparity trends in life expectancy between 1987 and 2021 in China.MethodsWe used monthly death counts from death registration systems. Rural–urban gap estimation and decomposition were carried out using period life tables to calculate life expectancy, the Arriaga decomposition technique to break down into age-specific and cause-specific mortality, and the Lee-Carter forecasts to estimate the expected gap.ResultsThe rural–urban gap increased to 22.7 months (95% credible interval (CI) 19.6 to 25.8) in 2020 and further to 23.7 months (95% CI 19.6 to 26.7) in 2021, and was larger than expected under the continuation of the prepandemic trends. Compared with that in the recent 2003 SARS-CoV-2 epidemic and the 2009 influenza epidemic, excess rural–urban gaps in the COVID-19 pandemic changed from urban disadvantage to rural disadvantage, and the contributions shifted toward old age groups and circulatory diseases. Variations in the rural–urban gap since 1987 were positively correlated with the rural–urban disparity in public health expenditures, especially among ages <60 (p values <0.005).ConclusionsOur findings identified a widening rural–urban gap in life expectancy since COVID-19, and a shifting trend towards old ages and circulatory diseases, disrupting the diminishing trend of the gap over 35 years. The findings highlight the unequal impact of the pandemic on different communities in terms of mortality burdens.