bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Leprosy among children in an area without primary health care coverage in Caratateua Island, Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Costa Izabelle Laissa Viana , da Costa Patrícia Fagundes , da Silva Sâmela Miranda , Gobbo Angélica Rita , Pinto Pablo Diego do Carmo , Spencer John Stewart , da Silva Moises Batista , Salgado Claudio Guedes 
Published: June 2023

IntroductionThe detection of leprosy in children is an important epidemiological marker of the disease, indicating the community’s early exposure to Mycobacterium leprae and active transmission of the infection.MethodsIn order to detect new cases among children by combining clinical evaluation and laboratory tests, we conducted an active case finding among individuals under 15 years old on Caratateua Island, located in the city of Belém, in the Pará state, an endemic region in the Amazon. Dermato-neurological examination, collection of 5 mL of peripheral blood for IgM anti-PGL-I antibody titration, and intradermal scraping for bacilloscopy and amplification of the specific RLEP region by qPCR were performed.ResultsOut of the 56 examined children, 28/56 (50%) new cases were identified. At the time of evaluation, 38/56 (67.8%) children presented one or more clinical alterations. Seropositivity was detected in 7/27 (25.9%) new cases and 5/24 (20.8%) undiagnosed children. DNA amplification of Mycobacterium leprae was observed in 23/28 (82.1%) of new cases and in 5/26 (19.2%) of non-cases. Out of the total cases, 11/28 (39.2%) were exclusively diagnosed by clinical evaluation performed during the active case finding. Seventeen new cases (60.8%) were detected considering the clinical alterations found in addition to positive results for qPCR. In this group, 3/17 (17.6%) qPCR-positive children presented significant clinical changes 5.5 months after the first evaluation.DiscussionOur research detected a number of cases 5.6 times higher compared to the total number of pediatric cases recorded throughout the year 2021 in the municipality of Belém, which shows a critical scenario of underdiagnosing of leprosy among children under 15 years old in the region. We propose the use of qPCR technique to identify new cases among children with oligosymptomatic or early disease in endemic areas, in addition to the training of Primary Health Care professionals and the implementation of the Family Health Strategy coverage in the visited area.
Quorum sensing gene regulation in Staphylococcus epidermidis reduces the attraction of Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: Kim Dongmin , Crippen Tawni L. , Jordan Heather R. , Tomberlin Jeffery K. 
Published: June 2023

IntroductionIdentifying mechanisms regulating mosquito attraction to hosts is key to suppressing pathogen transmission. Historically, the ecology of the host microbial community and its influence on mosquito attraction, specifically, whether bacterial communication through quorum sensing (QS) modulates VOC production that affects mosquito behavior have not been extensively considered.MethodsBehavioral choice assays were applied along with volatile collection, followed by GC-MS and RNA transcriptome analyses of bacteria with and without a quorum-sensing inhibitor, furanone C-30.ResultsUtilizing the quorum-sensing inhibitor on a skin-inhabiting bacterium,Staphylococcus epidermidis, we disrupted its interkingdom communication with adultAedes aegyptiand mitigated their attraction to a blood-meal by 55.1%.DiscussionOne potential mechanism suppressing mosquito attraction could be the reduction (31.6% in our study) of bacterial volatiles and their associated concentrations by shiftingS. epidermidismetabolic (12 of 29 up regulated genes) and stress (5 of 36 down regulated genes) responses. Manipulating the quorum-sensing pathways could serve as a mechanism to reduce mosquito attraction to a host. Such manipulations could be developed into novel control methods for pathogen-transmitting mosquitoes and other arthropods.
Dirofilariasis mouse models for heartworm preclinical research
Authors: Marriott A. E. , Dagley J. L. , Hegde S. , Steven A. , Fricks C. , DiCosty U. , Mansour A. , Campbell E. J. , Wilson C. M. , Gusovsky F. , Ward S. A. , Hong W. D. , O'Neill P. , Moorhead A. , McCall S. , McCall J. W. , Taylor M. J. , Turner J. D. 
Published: June 2023

IntroductionDirofilariasis, including heartworm disease, is a major emergent veterinary parasitic infection and a human zoonosis. Currently, experimental infections of cats and dogs are used in veterinary heartworm preclinical drug research.MethodsAs a refined alternative in vivo heartworm preventative drug screen, we assessed lymphopenic mouse strains with ablation of the interleukin-2/7 common gamma chain (γc) as susceptible to the larval development phase of Dirofilaria immitis.ResultsNon-obese diabetic (NOD) severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)γc−/− (NSG and NXG) and recombination-activating gene (RAG)2−/−γc−/− mouse strains yielded viable D. immitis larvae at 2–4 weeks post-infection, including the use of different batches of D. immitis infectious larvae, different D. immitis isolates, and at different laboratories. Mice did not display any clinical signs associated with infection for up to 4 weeks. Developing larvae were found in subcutaneous and muscle fascia tissues, which is the natural site of this stage of heartworm in dogs. Compared with in vitro-propagated larvae at day 14, in vivo-derived larvae had completed the L4 molt, were significantly larger, and contained expanded Wolbachia endobacteria titres. We established an ex vivo L4 paralytic screening system whereby assays with moxidectin or levamisole highlighted discrepancies in relative drug sensitivities in comparison with in vitro-reared L4 D. immitis. We demonstrated effective depletion of Wolbachia by 70%−90% in D. immitis L4 following 2- to 7-day oral in vivo exposures of NSG- or NXG-infected mice with doxycycline or the rapid-acting investigational drug, AWZ1066S. We validated NSG and NXG D. immitis mouse models as a filaricide screen by in vivo treatments with single injections of moxidectin, which mediated a 60%−88% reduction in L4 larvae at 14–28 days.DiscussionFuture adoption of these mouse models will benefit end-user laboratories conducting research and development of novel heartworm preventatives via increased access, rapid turnaround, and reduced costs and may simultaneously decrease the need for experimental cat or dog use.
Intranasally administered extracellular vesicles from human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural stem cells quickly incorporate into neurons and microglia in 5xFAD mice
Authors: Attaluri Sahithi , Jaimes Gonzalez Jenny , Kirmani Maha , Vogel Andrew D. , Upadhya Raghavendra , Kodali Maheedhar , Madhu Leelavathi N. , Rao Shama , Shuai Bing , Babu Roshni S. , Huard Charles , Shetty Ashok K. 
Published: June 2023

IntroductionExtracellular vesicles (EVs) released by human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived neural stem cells (NSCs) have robust antiinflammatory and neurogenic properties due to therapeutic miRNAs and proteins in their cargo. Hence, hiPSC-NSC-EVs are potentially an excellent biologic for treating neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD).MethodsThis study investigated whether intranasally (IN) administered hiPSC-NSC-EVs would quickly target various neural cell types in the forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain regions of 3-month-old 5xFAD mice, a model of β-amyloidosis and familial AD. We administered a single dose of 25 × 109 hiPSC-NSC-EVs labeled with PKH26, and different cohorts of naïve and 5xFAD mice receiving EVs were euthanized at 45 min or 6 h post-administration.ResultsAt 45 min post-administration, EVs were found in virtually all subregions of the forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain of naïve and 5xFAD mice, with predominant targeting and internalization into neurons, interneurons, and microglia, including plaque-associated microglia in 5xFAD mice. EVs also came in contact with the plasma membranes of astrocytic processes and the soma of oligodendrocytes in white matter regions. Evaluation of CD63/CD81 expression with the neuronal marker confirmed that PKH26 + particles found within neurons were IN administered hiPSC-NSC-EVs. At 6 h post-administration, EVs persisted in all cell types in both groups, with the distribution mostly matching what was observed at 45 min post-administration. Area fraction (AF) analysis revealed that, in both naïve and 5xFAD mice, higher fractions of EVs incorporate into forebrain regions at both time points. However, at 45 min post-IN administration, AFs of EVs within cell layers in forebrain regions and within microglia in midbrain and hindbrain regions were lower in 5xFAD mice than naïve mice, implying that amyloidosis reduces EV penetrance.DiscussionCollectively, the results provide novel evidence that IN administration of therapeutic hiPSC-NSC-EVs is an efficient avenue for directing such EVs into neurons and glia in all brain regions in the early stage of amyloidosis. As pathological changes in AD are observed in multiple brain areas, the ability to deliver therapeutic EVs into various neural cells in virtually every brain region in the early stage of amyloidosis is attractive for promoting neuroprotective and antiinflammatory effects.
Water drinking during aerobic exercise improves the recovery of non-linear heart rate dynamics in coronary artery disease: crossover clinical trial
Authors: Laurino Maria Júlia Lopez , Silva Anne Kastelianne França da , Santos Lorena Altafin , Vanderlei Luiz Carlos Marques 
Published: June 2023

IntroductionThe post-exercise recovery is a period of vulnerability of the cardiovascular system in which autonomic nervous system plays a key role in cardiovascular deceleration. It is already known that individuals with coronary artery disease (CAD) are at greater risk due to delayed vagal reactivation in this period. Water ingestion has been studied as a strategy to improve autonomic recovery and mitigate the risks during recovery. However, the results are preliminary and need further confirmation. Therefore, our aim was to investigate the influence of individualized water drinking on the non-linear dynamics of heart rate during and after aerobic exercise in CAD subjects.Methods30 males with CAD were submitted to a control protocol composed of initial rest, warming up, treadmill exercise, and passive recovery (60 min). After 48 hours they performed the hydration protocol, composed of the same activities, however, with individualized water drinking proportional to the body mass lost in the control protocol. The non-linear dynamics of heart rate were assessed by indices of heart rate variability extracted from the recurrence plot, detrended fluctuation analysis, and symbolic analysis.Results and discussionDuring exercise, the responses were physiological and similar in both protocols, indicating high sympathetic activity and reduced complexity. During recovery, the responses were also physiological, indicating the rise of parasympathetic activity and the return to a more complex state. However, during hydration protocol, the return to a more complex physiologic state occurred sooner and non-linear HRV indices returned to resting values between the 5th and 20th minutes of recovery. In contrast, during the control protocol, only a few indices returned to resting values within 60 minutes. Despite that, differences between protocols were not found. We conclude that the water drinking strategy accelerated the recovery of non-linear dynamics of heart rate in CAD subjects but did not influence responses during exercise. This is the first study to characterize the non-linear responses during and after exercise in CAD subjects.
Effectiveness of sleep interventions for rotating night shift workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Jeon Bo Min , Kim Su Hyun , Shin Seung Hwa 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundSleep disturbance is a common issue among rotating night shift workers and is closely related to health risks. The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of pharmacological and non-pharmacological sleep interventions for the management of sleep disturbance among rotating night shift workers.MethodsFor this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched six electronic databases—EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science—for randomized controlled trials and clinical trials published from January 1990 to June 2022. The quality of eligible studies was independently assessed by three authors using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies. The meta-analysis was performed based on the random effects model using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software. The study was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.ResultsOf the 1019 studies retrieved, 30 met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review; 25 were selected for the meta-analysis. Sleep interventions were categorized as follows: pharmacological approach (n = 7), light therapy (n = 9), cognitive behavioral approach (n = 7), aroma or alternative therapy (n = 4), and shift schedule modification (n = 3). The overall mean effect size of the interventions was moderate (Hedges' g = 0.59; 95% confidence interval = 0.33–0.84, z = 4.50, p &lt; 0.001).ConclusionSleep interventions were effective in promoting sleep or reducing sleep disturbance among rotating night shift workers. These findings provide evidence of the effectiveness of various pharmacological and non-pharmacological sleep interventions for managing sleep health in the work environment of rotating night shift workers.
Natural experiments for the evaluation of place-based public health interventions: a methodology scoping review
Authors: Albers Patricia N. , Rinaldi Chiara , Brown Heather , Mason Kate E. , d'Apice Katrina , McGill Elizabeth , McQuire Cheryl , Craig Peter , Laverty Anthony A. , Beeson Morgan , Campbell Mhairi , Egan Matt , Gibson Marcia , Fuller Maxwell , Dillon Amy , Taylor-Robinson David , Jago Russell , Tilling Kate , Barr Benjamin , Sniehotta Falko F. , Hickman Matthew , Millett Christopher J. , de Vocht Frank 
Published: June 2023

IntroductionPlace-based public health evaluations are increasingly making use of natural experiments. This scoping review aimed to provide an overview of the design and use of natural experiment evaluations (NEEs), and an assessment of the plausibility of the as-if randomization assumption.MethodsA systematic search of three bibliographic databases (Pubmed, Web of Science and Ovid-Medline) was conducted in January 2020 to capture publications that reported a natural experiment of a place-based public health intervention or outcome. For each, study design elements were extracted. An additional evaluation of as-if randomization was conducted by 12 of this paper's authors who evaluated the same set of 20 randomly selected studies and assessed ‘as-if ' randomization for each.Results366 NEE studies of place-based public health interventions were identified. The most commonly used NEE approach was a Difference-in-Differences study design (25%), followed by before-after studies (23%) and regression analysis studies. 42% of NEEs had likely or probable as-if randomization of exposure (the intervention), while for 25% this was implausible. An inter-rater agreement exercise indicated poor reliability of as-if randomization assignment. Only about half of NEEs reported some form of sensitivity or falsification analysis to support inferences.ConclusionNEEs are conducted using many different designs and statistical methods and encompass various definitions of a natural experiment, while it is questionable whether all evaluations reported as natural experiments should be considered as such. The likelihood of as-if randomization should be specifically reported, and primary analyses should be supported by sensitivity analyses and/or falsification tests. Transparent reporting of NEE designs and evaluation methods will contribute to the optimum use of place-based NEEs.
Postgraduate design education and sustainability—An investigation into the current state of higher education and the challenges of educating for sustainability
Authors: Delaney Emelia , Liu Wei 
Published: June 2023

IntroductionSustainability has remained an important issue within academia and industry, with more recent focus on sustainability education to ensure that future generations are equipped with the knowledge to continue and champion sustainable outcomes. The design and innovation industry has been continuously identified as important by academia, for having high impact on the potential sustainability of products and services during their development. However, little research focuses on the pre-professional education of designers and whether they receive an appropriate education on sustainable issues in relation to their industry.MethodsThis study investigated these issues within the context of United Kingdom-based postgraduate design courses, to determine the current state of sustainability education as well as the impact of government resources and policies on encouraging sustainability education. Courses were identified utilizing online databases and were evaluated using Sterling's model “Levels of Response to Sustainability Education” to understand the current approach to sustainability within design education, including content and pedagogy, offering recommendations for improvement.ResultsCourses were evaluated against Sterling's model “Levels of Response to Sustainability Education”, which enabled the understanding of the current state of higher education and sustainability education with Postgraduate design courses in the UK. Following this review, a model for upgrading sustainability education is proposed.DiscussionAround 80% of the courses identified throughout this study were ranked as “weak” or “very weak” according to Sterling's model, the proposed model highlights several strategies to aid postgraduate design courses to progress to the “strong” level. The framework model focuses on various sustainability themes to be included within postgraduate design education, teaching methods, as well as the inclusion of a dedicated student reflection period to improve and adapt the sustainability teaching.
Including citizens through co-design in a participatory research project to explore innovative agro-food systems: the case of future dairy livestock systems
Authors: Coeugnet Philippine , Labatut Julie , Duval Julie , Vourc'h Gwenaël 
Published: June 2023

IntroductionLivestock farming and its negative impacts are increasingly criticized by society; its evolution toward more sustainable systems is therefore a key aspect of the transition of agro-food systems. It is necessary to rethink livestock systems' research and innovation processes and develop innovative solutions. Including citizens, non-professionals of the sector, who are less influenced by the current organization of the agricultural sector could be an opportunity to generate innovative solutions, but they have been kept away from research and innovation processes so far.MethodsIn this context, we implemented a co-design process involving researchers, livestock professionals, and citizens in a participatory research project aiming at producing knowledge and developing innovative solutions for the future mountain dairy systems. For this, we have adapted the KCP design method known to promote the exploration of innovative solutions, support the agro-ecological transition, and build a common horizon.ResultsThe analysis of this collective dynamic and its outputs allowed us to highlight the positive contribution of citizens during the design process, even if they are not livestock experts. The citizens participated in the formulation of new knowledge by questioning the researchers and livestock professionals and were less influenced by the current system. This contributed to the exploration of original and varied solutions for livestock farming systems.DiscussionThis experimentation offers perspectives for including citizens in agro-food systems research and innovation process. It also opens up interesting perspectives for the fields of citizen science and co-design research.
Venom Proteomics of Trimeresurus gracilis, a Taiwan-Endemic Pitviper, and Comparison of Its Venom Proteome and VEGF and CRISP Sequences with Those of the Most Related Species
Authors: Tse Tsz-Chun , Tsai Inn-Ho , Chan Yuen-Ying , Tsai Tein-Shun 
Published: June 2023

Trimeresurus gracilis is an endemic alpine pitviper in Taiwan with controversial phylogeny, and its venom proteome remains unknown. In this study, we conducted a proteomic analysis of T. gracilis venom using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and identified 155 toxin proteoforms that belong to 13 viperid venom toxin families. By searching the sequences of trypsin-digested peptides of the separated HPLC fractions against the NCBI database, T. gracilis venom was found to contain 40.3% metalloproteases (SVMPs), 15.3% serine proteases, 6.6% phospholipases A2, 5.0% L-amino acid oxidase, 4.6% Cys-rich secretory proteins (CRISPs), 3.2% disintegrins, 2.9% vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs), 1.9% C-type lectin-like proteins, and 20.2% of minor toxins, nontoxins, and unidentified peptides or compounds. Sixteen of these proteoforms matched the toxins whose full amino-acid sequences have been deduced from T. gracilis venom gland cDNA sequences. The hemorrhagic venom of T. gracilis appears to be especially rich in PI-class SVMPs and lacks basic phospholipase A2. We also cloned and sequenced the cDNAs encoding two CRISP and three VEGF variants from T. gracilis venom glands. Sequence alignments and comparison revealed that the PI-SVMP, kallikrein-like proteases, CRISPs, and VEGF-F of T. gracilis and Ovophis okinavensis are structurally most similar, consistent with their close phylogenetic relationship. However, the expression levels of some of their toxins were rather different, possibly due to their distinct ecological and prey conditions.
Effectiveness of setter ability in the provincial sports week championship in 2022
Authors: Fizariani Deatri , Supriatna Eka , Rubiyatno Rubiyatno 
Published: June 2023

This study aims to determine the effectiveness of the setter's ability at the 2022 volleyball championship. This study used a quantitative approach with survey methods by technically observing ongoing matches. The research sample was the setters consisting of the best teams who made it to the top 8, semifinals and finals, using a purposive sampling technique. The data collection technique was a direct observation of the playing field and was assisted by video documentation on the success, rally and failure of a setter passing the ball at the 2022 Provincial Sports Week Championship. It was assessed based on the observation sheet. The research results indicate that the average setter effectiveness in the top 8 matches was 34% in the very ineffective category. The average result of the effectiveness of the setter in the semifinal match was 48% in the ineffective category. The average result of the effectiveness of setters in the final match was 51% in the ineffective category. The conclusion is that the average effectiveness of the setter's abilities in the Provincial Sports Week Championship from the Big 8 match stage to the final setter is ineffective in feeding the ball.Keywords: Effectiveness, Ability, Setter