bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differential innate immune responses of human macrophages and bronchial epithelial cells against
Talaromyces marneffei
Authors: Tan Yen-Pei , Tsang Chi-Ching , Chan Ka-Fai , Fung Siu-Leung , Kok Kin-Hang , Lau Susanna K. P. , Woo Patrick C. Y. 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT

Talaromyces marneffei
is a thermally dimorphic fungal pathogen endemic in Southeast Asia. As inhalation of airborne conidia is believed as the major infection route, airway epithelial cells followed by pulmonary macrophages are the first cell types which the fungus encounters inside the host. In this study, we established an
in vitro
infection model based on human peripheral blood-derived macrophages (hPBDMs) cultured with the supplementation of autologous plasma. Using this model, we determined the transcriptomic changes of hPBDMs in response to
T. marneffei
infection by quantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction as well as high-throughput RNA sequencing. Results showed that
T. marneffei
infection could activate hPBDMs to the M1-like phenotype and trigger a potent induction of chemokine and pro-inflammatory cytokine production as well as the expression of other immunoregulatory genes. In contrast to hPBDMs, there was no detectable innate cytokine response against
T. marneffei
in human bronchial epithelial cells (hBECs). Using a green fluorescent protein-tagged
T. marneffei
strain and confocal microscopy, internalization of the fungus by hBECs was confirmed. Live cell imaging further demonstrated that the infected cells exhibited normal cellular physiology, especially that the process of cell division could be observed. Moreover,
T. marneffei
also survived better inside hBECs than hPBDMs. Our results illustrated a potential role of hBECs to serve as reservoir cells for
T. marneffei
to evade immunosurveillance by phagocytes, from which the fungus reactivates when the host immunity is weakened and causes infection. Such immunoevasion and reactivation may also help explain the long incubation period observed for talaromycosis, in particular the travel-related cases.

IMPORTANCE

Talaromyces marneffei
is an important fungal pathogen especially in Southeast Asia. To understand the innate immune response to talaromycosis, a suitable infection model is needed. Here, we established an
in vitro T. marneffei
infection model using human peripheral blood-derived macrophages (hPBDMs). We then examined the transcriptomic changes of hPBDMs in response to
T. marneffei
infection with this model. We found that contact with
T. marneffei
could activate hPBDMs to the M1-like phenotype and induced mRNA expressions of five cytokines and eight immunoregulatory genes. Contrary to hPBDMs, such immunoresponse was not elicited in human bronchial epithelial cells (hBECs), despite normal physiology observed in infected cells. We also found that infected hBECs did not eliminate
T. marneffei
as efficiently as hPBDMs. Our observation suggested that hBECs may potentially serve as reservoir cells for
T. marneffei
to evade immunosurveillance. When the host immunity deteriorates later, then the fungus reactivates and causes infection.
Adaptation mechanisms of
Listeria monocytogenes
to quaternary ammonium compounds
Authors: Schulz Lisa Maria , Dreier Fabienne , de Sousa Miranda Lisa Marie , Rismondo Jeanine 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT

Listeria monocytogenes
is ubiquitously found in nature and can easily enter food-processing facilities due to contaminations of raw materials. Several countermeasures are used to combat contamination of food products, for instance, the use of disinfectants that contain quaternary ammonium compounds, such as benzalkonium chloride (BAC) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). In this study, we assessed the potential of the commonly used wild-type strain EGD-e to adapt to BAC and CTAB under laboratory growth conditions. All BAC-tolerant suppressors exclusively carried mutations in
fepR
, encoding a TetR-like transcriptional regulator, or its promoter region, likely resulting in the overproduction of the efflux pump FepA. In contrast, CTAB tolerance was associated with mutations in
sugR
, which regulates the expression of the efflux pumps SugE1 and SugE2.
L. monocytogenes
strains lacking either FepA or SugE1/2 could still acquire tolerance toward BAC and CTAB. Genomic analysis revealed that the overproduction of the remaining efflux system could compensate for the deleted one, and even in the absence of both efflux systems, tolerant strains could be isolated, which all carried mutations in the diacylglycerol kinase-encoding gene
lmo1753
(
dgkB
). DgkB converts diacylglycerol to phosphatidic acid, which is subsequently reused for the synthesis of phospholipids, suggesting that alterations in membrane composition could be the third adaptation mechanism.

IMPORTANCE

Survival and proliferation of
Listeria monocytogenes
in the food industry are ongoing concerns, and while there are various countermeasures to combat contamination of food products, the pathogen still successfully manages to withstand the harsh conditions present in food-processing facilities, resulting in reoccurring outbreaks, subsequent infection, and disease. To counteract the spread of
L. monocytogenes
, it is crucial to understand and elucidate the underlying mechanism that permits their successful evasion. We present various adaptation mechanisms of
L. monocytogenes
to withstand two important quaternary ammonium compounds.
Approaches for timeline reductions in pathogenesis studies using genetically modified mice
Authors: Skavicus Samantha , Heaton Nicholas S. 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT

Although genetically modified mouse models have long been a powerful tool for microbiology research, the manipulation of the mouse genome is expensive, time consuming, and has historically remained the domain of dedicated animal facilities. The recent use of
in vivo
clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based editing technology has been reported to reduce the expertise, cost, and time required to generate novel mouse lines; it has remained unclear, however, if this new technology could meaningfully alter experimental timelines. Here, we report the optimization of an in oviduct murine genetic manipulation technique for use by microbiologists. We use this approach to generate a series of knockout mice and detail a protocol using an influenza A virus infection model to test the preliminary importance of a host factor in as short as 11 weeks (with a fully backcrossed knockout line in ~22 weeks) from initiation of the study. Broader use of this approach by the microbiology community will allow for more efficient, and rapid, definition of novel pathogenic mechanisms
in vivo
.

Importance

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based technologies have already begun to revolutionize biomedical science. An emerging application of this technology is in the development of genetically modified model organisms to study the mechanisms underlying infectious disease. Here, we describe a protocol using an
in vivo
CRISPR-based approach that can be used to test the importance of a candidate host factor for microbial pathogenesis in less than 3 months and before complete establishment of a new mouse line. Adoption of this approach by the broader microbiology community will help to decrease the resources and time required to understand how pathogens cause disease which will ultimately speed up the development of new clinical interventions and therapies.
Comment on Rogozin et al., (2023), Morphology of Lakes of the Central Tunguska Plateau (Krasnoyarsk krai, Evenkiya): New Data on the Problem of the Tunguska Event of 1908
Authors: Gasperini Luca , Bellucci Luca Giorgio , Stanghellini Carlo , Stanghellini Giuseppe , Polonia Alina 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
In a recent paper, Rogozin and coauthors present a morphologic/seismostratigraphic study of two small lakes, Lake Zapovednoye (LZ) and Lake Peyungda (LP), located 50‒60 km east from the alleged epicenter of the 1908 Tunguska Event (TE), a large explosion believed to have been caused by an extraterrestrial impact. Data presented in that paper suggest a similar (although not specified) origin of these two lakes and Lake Cheko, located close to the TE epicenter. This led Rogozin et al., to question the impact crater origin of Lake Cheko, whose depression was interpreted by Gasperini et al., as caused by the freefall of an extraterrestrial fragment, which survived an atmospheric explosion. We analyze Rogozin et al., data, focusing on similarities and differences between Lake Cheko, LZ and LP, to determine whether their findings are relevant to the TE problem.
Women with limb loss: rationale, design and protocol for a national, exploratory needs assessment to evaluate the unique physical and psychosocial needs of women with limb loss
Authors: Disla Roxanne , Pruziner Alison L , Sidiropoulos Alexis N , Ellis Kathryn M , Bushnik Tamara , Hyre Michael J , Nelson Leif M , Klingbeil Heidi , Maikos Jason T 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionThere is a growing population of women with limb loss, yet limited research is available to provide evidentiary support for clinical decision-making in this demographic. As such, there is a critical gap in knowledge of evidence-based healthcare practices aimed to maximise the physical and psychosocial needs of women with limb loss. The objective of this study is to develop a comprehensive, survey-based needs assessment to determine the unique impact of limb loss on women, including physical and psychosocial needs.Methods and analysisA bank of existing limb loss-specific and non-limb loss-specific surveys were arranged around domains of general health, quality of life, prosthetic use and needs, psychosocial health and behaviours and body image. These surveys were supplemented with written items to ensure coverage of relevant domains. Written items were iteratively refined with a multidisciplinary expert panel. The interpretability of items and relevance to limb loss were then internally tested on a small group of rehabilitation, engineering and research professionals. A diverse sample of 12 individuals with various levels of limb loss piloted the instrument and participated in cognitive interviews. Items from existing surveys were evaluated for relevance and inclusion in the survey, but not solicited for content feedback. Pilot testing resulted in the removal of 13 items from an existing survey due to redundancy. Additionally, 13 written items were deleted, 42 written items were revised and 17 written items were added. The survey-based needs assessment has been crafted to comprehensively assess the wide spectrum of issues facing women with limb loss. The final version of the survey-based needs assessment included 15 subsections.Ethics and disseminationThis study was approved by the Veterans Affairs Central Institutional Review Board. The results will be disseminated through national and international conferences, as well as through manuscripts in leading peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration numberNo healthcare intervention on human participants was conducted.
‘Health Connections’: study protocol for the development of a coproduced, community-based diet, physical activity, and healthy weight intervention for UK black and Asian adults
Authors: Maynard Maria J , Joshi Kshama , Ells Louisa J , Apekey Tanefa A 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionA limited number of diet, physical activity and weight management programmes suitable for UK black and Asian populations have been evaluated. We aim to coproduce ‘Health Connections’—an ambitious new intervention to support dietary and physical activity choices, and maintaining a healthier weight, tailored to the needs of black Caribbean, black African and South Asian adults. Our existing research and public engagement work suggests that the intervention should be designed to be embedded in communities and delivered by peer educators supported by health professionals.Methods and analysisThe project is underpinned by a systems perspective that posits collective efficacy within communities, behaviour change theory and coproduction. Project activities will be conducted in three stages. Stage 1: semistructured interviews will be conducted with adults from diverse South Asian ethnic groups to understand their experiences, perspectives and intervention needs, adding to our existing data from black ethnic groups. We will synthesise the data, literature, available intervention resources and local practice, and develop the theoretical framework to codevelop intervention goals, programme theory and a draft logic model of change. Stage 2: a theorised list of potential intervention components, session content and mode/s of delivery will be explored in a modified Delphi exercise and workshop to achieve consensus on the intervention format. We will also develop prototype materials and a formal implementation plan. Stage 3: a description of the intervention will be documented.Ethics and disseminationThe study has received ethical approval from the School of Health Research Ethics Committee, Leeds Beckett University. Information on the project aims and voluntary participation is provided in the study participation information sheet. Consent will be certified by the completion and signing of a consent form prior to data collection. Dissemination for a range of stakeholders and audiences will include publications, presentations, short films and an infographic.
Machine learning models for predicting pre-eclampsia: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Ranjbar Amene , Taeidi Elham , Mehrnoush Vahid , Roozbeh Nasibeh , Darsareh Fatemeh 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionPre-eclampsia is one of the most serious clinical problems of pregnancy that contribute significantly to maternal mortality worldwide. This systematic review aims to identify and summarise the predictive factors of pre-eclampsia using machine learning models and evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of machine learning models in predicting pre-eclampsia.Methods and analysisThis review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. This search strategy includes the search for published studies from inception to January 2023. Databases include the Cochrane Central Register, PubMed, EMBASE, ProQuest, Scopus and Google Scholar. Search terms include ‘preeclampsia’ AND ‘artificial intelligence’ OR ‘machine learning’ OR ‘deep learning’. All studies that used machine learning-based analysis for predicting pre-eclampsia in pregnant women will be considered. Non-English articles and those that are unrelated to the topic will be excluded. PROBAST (Prediction model Risk Of Bias ASsessment Tool) will be used to assess the risk of bias and the applicability of each included study.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval is not required, as our review will include published and publicly accessible data. Findings from this review will be disseminated via publication in a peer-review journal.PROSPERO registration numberThis review is registered with PROSPERO (ID: CRD42023432415).
Followership in interprofessional healthcare teams: a state-of-the-art narrative review
Authors: Barry Erin S , Teunissen Pim , Varpio Lara 
Published: September 2023

ObjectiveA state-of-the-art (SotA) literature review—a type of narrative review— was conducted to answer: What historical developments led to current conceptualisations of followership in interprofessional healthcare teams (IHTs)?DesignWorking from a constructivist orientation, SotA literature reviews generate a chronological overview of how knowledge evolved and presents this summary in three parts: (1) this is where we are now, (2) this is how we got here and (3) this is where we should go next. Using the SotA six-stage methodology, a total of 48 articles focused on followership in IHTs were used in this study.ResultsArticles about followership within IHTs first appeared in 1993. Until 2011, followership was framed as leader-centric; leaders used their position to influence followers to uphold their dictums. This perspective was challenged when scholars outside of healthcare emphasised the importance of team members for achieving goals, rejecting a myopic focus on physicians as leaders. Today, followership is an important focus of IHT research but two contradictory views are present: (1) followers are described as active team members in IHTs where shared leadership models prevail and (2) conceptually and practically, old ways of thinking about followership (ie, followers are passive team members) still occur. This incongruity has generated a variable set of qualities associated with good followership.ConclusionsLeadership and followership are closely linked concepts. For leaders and followers in today’s IHTs to flourish, the focus must be on followers being active members of the team instead of passive members. Since theories are increasingly encouraging distributed leadership, shared leadership and/or situational leadership, then we must understand the followership work that all team members need to harness. We need to be cognizant of team dynamics that work within different contexts and use leadership and followership conceptualisations that are congruent with those contexts.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Risk Probability Index: ready for routine use? Results from a Chinese cohort
Authors: Zhang Lin , Lu Wentian , Yan Dong , Liu Zhichun , Xue Leixi 
Published: September 2023

ObjectivesTo evaluate the performance of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Risk Probability Index (SLERPI) in patients with SLE using a Chinese cohort.MethodsThe Chinese cohort included 352 patients with and 385 without SLE (control group). The clinical data of patients, including demographic data, clinical findings and serological profiles, were collected. Patients with an SLERPI score >7 were classified as SLE. The performance of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR)-1997, Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC)-2012 and European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR)/ACR-2019 criteria were used as references.ResultsOf these four classification criteria, SLERPI has the highest sensitivity (98.3% (95% CI 96.3% to 99.4%)), but lowest specificity (89.4% (95% CI 85.8% to 92.2%)). In the control group, patients eligible for the classification criteria for SLE were mainly those with primary Sjogren’s syndrome (pSS) and undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD), which adversely affected the specificity of the classification criteria. Moreover, significantly more patients with pSS and UCTD met SLERPI than those who met other classification criteria. After excluding patients with pSS and UCTD from the control group, the specificity and accuracy of SLERPI improved to 94.3% (95% CI 91.0% to 96.6%) and 96.5% (95% CI 95.0% to 97.9%), respectively, and both outperformed the EULAR/ACR-2019 criteria. The time to SLERPI classification was the same as their clinical time to diagnosis in 261 patients, earlier than the clinical diagnosis in 23 patients and later than the clinical diagnosis in 9 patients. A total of 280 patients had the same time to SLERPI classification as EULAR/ACR-2019, 8 patients had earlier than EULAR/ACR-2019 and 1 patient had later than EULAR/ACR-2019.ConclusionSLERPI performed well in patients with SLE, particularly for the earlier diagnosis of SLE.
Enhanced supportive care: prospective cohort study of oncology patients and caregivers
Authors: Taylor Sally , Vercell Amy , Sawyer Chelsea , Khatoon Binish , Coomber-Moore Jake , Yorke Janelle , Mula Carole , Berman Richard 
Published: September 2023

ObjectivesA prospective cohort study to evaluate clinical effectiveness of the enhanced supportive care (ESC) service at a comprehensive cancer centre and to explore the impact of the service on patient and caregiver outcomes and experience.MethodsPatients who received care under the ESC service and their caregivers were eligible. Consented patients (n=184) and caregivers (n=67) completed questionnaires at baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks post-ESC. Patient questionnaires assessed quality of life (QOL), symptoms, experience of ESC and health service use. Caregiver questionnaires included QOL and needs assessment. Selected patients (n=13) participated in qualitative interviews. Quantitative analysis explored differences in questionnaire responses over time (p<0.05). Qualitative data were analysed thematically.ResultsPatient quantitative data showed improvements in QOL (p=0.004 for European Quality of Life Questionnaire 5 dimensions (EQ5D) health index scores) and anxiety (p=0.006) at 4 weeks, reduction in some symptoms (pain p=0.02 at 4 weeks), improvement in self-efficacy, an increase in problems being addressed and a decrease in health service use (reduction in outpatient appointments). Qualitative findings suggested patients were generally satisfied with the ESC service but identified areas for improvement such as increased awareness of ESC and earlier referral. Fewer improvements were noted for caregivers; however, they did report a decrease in unmet needs.ConclusionThe ESC service had a positive impact on various patient-reported and caregiver-reported outcomes. There were also positive impacts on health service use. Increasing awareness of ESC and engaging patients at an earlier stage in the disease trajectory may further improve patient satisfaction and outcomes.
Deep continuous sedation at the patient’s request until death in a palliative care unit: retrospective study
Authors: Prampart Simon , Huon Jean Francois , Colpaert Andre , Delavaud Clémence , Nizard Julien , Evin Adrien 
Published: September 2023

ObjectivesLimited descriptive data are available on continuous and deep sedation maintained until death (CDSUD) at the patient’s request in palliative care units. This study aimed to describe such practices in the context of refractory suffering or after a request to stop life-sustaining treatment, evaluating the duration and dosage of sedative treatments used.MethodsThis retrospective observational study included consecutively hospitalised patients in a palliative care unit from January 2020 to December 2021. Data on patient profiles, reasons for the sedation request, duration of sedation and doses of sedatives were collected.ResultsAmong 42 patients who underwent CDSUD, 79% occurred due to refractory suffering. In cases of sedation following a request to stop life support, high-dose corticosteroid therapy was the most commonly involved life-sustaining treatment. Midazolam was always the first-line sedative treatment. Chlorpromazine was added in 79% of cases, and propofol in 40%, to achieve a deep level of sedation. The mean maximum doses of midazolam, chlorpromazine and propofol were 7.6 mg/hour (±1.9), 3.3 mg/hour (±0.9) and 1.7 mg/kg/hour, respectively. The average duration of sedation was 37 hours.ConclusionsThis study provides new descriptive elements on CDSUD. Notably, it highlights the use of second-line sedative molecules, such as propofol.
Geometric Poisson distribution of photons produced in the ultrarelativistic hadronic collisions
Authors: Nair Rahul R. , Wilk Grzegorz , Włodarczyk Zbigniew 
Published: September 2023

AbstractWe show that the multiplicity distribution of photons produced with enhanced void probability in inelastic proton-proton collisions at $$\sqrt{s} =$$

s

=

900 GeV, 2.76 TeV, and 7 TeV, measured at forward rapidities by the ALICE experiment at LHC, can be described by the geometric Poisson distribution. The traditionally used negative binomial distribution fails to reproduce the enhanced void probability and the shape of the modified combinants simultaneously. Our findings are relevant for the theoretical modeling of photon production processes in high-energy hadronic collisions.