bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Host adaptation drives genetic diversity in a vector-borne disease system
Authors: Combs Matthew A , Tufts Danielle M , Adams Ben , Lin Yi-Pin , Kolokotronis Sergios-Orestis , Diuk-Wasser Maria A 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
The range of hosts a pathogen can infect is a key trait, influencing human disease risk and reservoir host infection dynamics. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (Bb), an emerging zoonotic pathogen, causes Lyme disease and is widely considered a host generalist, commonly infecting mammals and birds. Yet the extent of intraspecific variation in Bb host breadth, its role in determining host competence, and potential implications for human infection remain unclear. We conducted a long-term study of Bb diversity, defined by the polymorphic ospC locus, across white-footed mice, passerine birds, and tick vectors, leveraging long-read amplicon sequencing. Our results reveal strong variation in host breadth across Bb genotypes, exposing a spectrum of genotype-specific host-adapted phenotypes. We found support for multiple niche polymorphism, maintaining Bb diversity in nature and little evidence of temporal shifts in genotype dominance, as would be expected under negative frequency-dependent selection. Passerine birds support the circulation of several human-invasive strains (HISs) in the local tick population and harbor greater Bb genotypic diversity compared with white-footed mice. Mouse-adapted Bb genotypes exhibited longer persistence in individual mice compared with nonadapted genotypes. Genotype communities infecting individual mice preferentially became dominated by mouse-adapted genotypes over time. We posit that intraspecific variation in Bb host breadth and adaptation helps maintain overall species fitness in response to transmission by a generalist vector.
An assessment of the effectiveness of an electronic wristband in improving routine immunization timeliness and reducing drop-out
Authors: Sampson Sidney , Adenipekun Adebisi , Atobatele Sunday , Ayodeji Oluwafisayo , Omeje Oluomachukwu , Oni Folake 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Background
To assess the effectiveness of a wristband for immunization alert (WIA) as a reminder device to caregivers to improve immunization timeliness and reduce drop-outs.

Methods
Eight health facilities, selected from two local government areas in Kano state, Northwestern Nigeria, were clustered in a two-arm study involving an intervention group and a control group. Only the caregivers (757) from the intervention group received WIA as an immunization reminder device. Immunization timeliness data were then collected from the control and intervention groups for the period of intervention and analyzed using Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS version 21.

Results
A cohort analysis of caregivers who received WIA at their second visit showed an increase in immunization timeliness from 10% at the second visit to 86% at the third visit and maintained at 66% for the fifth visit. A difference-in-difference analysis of the effect of WIA on immunization timeliness from baseline to end-line in the control and intervention groups showed a positive 30% increase in immunization timeliness associated with the introduction of WIA.

Interpretation
Given that immunization timeliness and drop-outs are reported issues of concern in Northwestern Nigeria, the use of the WIA device is a recommended intervention.
Mutation of amino acids in SARS-CoV-2 may be responsible for CoV-2 vaccine long term inefficiency
Authors: Alhaji Saganuwan Saganuwan 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Objectives
SARS-CoV-2 vaccines confer protection for ~2 months, hence the need for a booster dose. The inefficiency of the vaccines may be attributed to mutated amino acids leading to changes in the structure and function of immunogenetic viral particles. Therefore, literature search was carried out with a view to identifying problems of CoV-2 vaccine long term inefficiency, using missensed amino acids of the immunogens.

Methods
Narrative review of six different COVID-19 vaccines administered at different centres to a total population of 98 979 individuals aged ≥18–95 years was adopted. The number of individuals that came down with infection postvaccination, vaccine dose administered, recorded mortality, postvaccinated infection-free individuals, immunogenicity status, missense mutation, incidence, probability and quality of mutation among amino acids sequences of the vaccinated viral particles were determined.

Key findings
Findings have shown that some live-attenuated vaccines such as BBIBP-CorV, WBIP, ChAdOxnCoV and Ad26.CoV2.5 are efficacious but could induce mortal infection and mutation of amino acids such as aspartic acid, glycine, cysteine, aspartate, tyrosine, phenylalanine, threonine, serine, alanine, methionine, leucine and lysine.

Conclusion
Mutation of some specific amino acids could be responsible for the severe pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 and vaccine failure. Modalities that regulate the synthesis of nucleobases and amino acids could be used to avert vaccine failure and improves the immunogenicity of the vaccines.
Compensatory gain based on lysine level in finishing pigs after being fed lysine deficient 97% corn diets for 3 or 6 wk
Authors: Hagen Chloe S , Spencer Joel D , Krahn Greg T , Greiner Laura L 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
The objective of this experiment was to evaluate increasing the concentration of lysine on the compensatory gain of finishing pigs during their recovery period after being fed a 97% corn holding diet for 3 or 6 wk. One thousand six hundred and eighty pigs with a starting body weight of 73.5 ± 2.2 kg were blocked by starting body weight and assigned to a nested arrangement. Twenty replicates of seven treatments were comprised of two restriction lengths [3 weeks (3 wk) vs. 6 weeks (6 wk)], and three lysine concentrations during recovery (Lys:ME same as control:100; control + 10%: 110; control + 20%: 120) plus one control (CONT) that remained nutrient unrestricted. Pen weight and feed intake were recorded on days 0, 21, 41, and at marketing. Whole pens were marketed when the pen average met 130 kg and carcass measurements were collected. Data were analyzed by pen with the fixed effects of restriction length and lysine within restriction length. Nutrient restriction lowered (P &lt; 0.01) average daily gain (ADG) compared to control, with 1.2, 0.4, and 0.5 kg for control, 3 wk, and 6 wk treatments, respectively. Restricted pigs showed decreased feed intake while restricted. After the respective restriction period, pigs were allowed a recovery diet until market. Previously restricted pigs had 16.7% and 27.3% greater (P &lt; 0.01) ADG over control pigs for 3 and 6 wk treatments, respectively, in the first 3-wk of recovery. The lysine concentration in the recovery diet impacted (P &lt; 0.01) the ADG with pigs allowed the highest lysine concentration having a 10% greater ADG than pigs fed the lower Lys:ME concentrations, for both restriction treatments. The increase in ADG was not paralleled by an increase in feed intake over control, thus, there was an improvement (P &lt; 0.01) in gain to feed ratio in the recovery period. Control pigs reached market weight (131.5 kg) on experiment day 49 while pigs fed corn diets for 3 wk or 6 wk were slower to market (57 and 69 days, respectively; P &lt; 0.01). Restricted pigs had greater backfat (CONT: 1.47, 3 wk: 1.55, 6 wk: 1.65 cm; P &lt; 0.01), and decreased loin depth (CONT: 7.32, 3 wk: 7.03, 6 wk: 6.61 cm, P &lt; 0.02) which was also impacted (P &lt; 0.01) by lysine concentration. In conclusion, the use of restrictive diets reduced ADG and increased days to market. The use of recovery diets in which the Lys:ME ratio was greater than control pigs, resulted in increased compensatory growth.
Diaphragm Dysfunction Predicts Weaning Outcome after Bilateral Lung Transplant
Authors: Boscolo Annalisa , Sella Nicolò , Pettenuzzo Tommaso , Pistollato Elisa , Calabrese Fiorella , Gregori Dario , Cammarota Gianmaria , Dres Martin , Rea Federico , Navalesi Paolo ,   Padua-Lung Transplant Group
Published: August 2023

Background
Diaphragm dysfunction and its effects on outcomes of ventilator weaning have been evaluated in mixed critical care populations using diaphragm thickening fraction (the ratio of the difference between ultrasound diaphragm thickness at end-inspiration and end-expiration to diaphragm thickness at end-expiration) or neuroventilatory efficiency (the ratio of tidal volume and peak electrical activity of the diaphragm). Such data are not available in bilateral-lung transplant recipients. The authors hypothesized that (1) diaphragm dysfunction, as defined by a diaphragm thickening fraction less than 29%, is more likely to occur in difficult weaning; (2) diaphragm thickening fraction and neuroventilatory efficiency predict weaning outcome; and (3) duration of mechanical ventilation before the first spontaneous breathing trial is associated with diaphragm dysfunction.

Methods
Adult bilateral-lung transplant patients admitted to the intensive care unit were screened at the time of the first spontaneous breathing trial (pressure-support of 5 cm H2O and 0 positive end-expiratory pressure). At the fifth minute, diaphragm thickening fraction and neuroventilatory efficiency were measured during three respiratory cycles. Weaning was classified as simple, difficult, or prolonged (successful extubation at the first spontaneous breathing trial, within three or after three spontaneous breathing trials, respectively).

Results
Forty-four subjects were enrolled. Diaphragm dysfunction occurred in 14 subjects (32%), all of whom had difficult weaning (78% of the subgroup of 18 patients experiencing difficult weaning). Both diaphragm thickening fraction (24 [20 to 29] vs. 39 [35 to 45]%) and neuroventilatory efficiency (34 [26 to 45] vs. 55 [43 to 62] ml/µV) were lower in difficult weaning (both P < 0.001). The areas under the receiver operator curve predicting difficult weaning were 0.88 (95% CI, 0.73 to 0.99) for diaphragm thickening fraction and 0.85 (95% CI, 0.71 to 0.95) for neuroventilatory efficiency. The duration of ventilation demonstrated a linear inverse correlation with both diaphragm thickening fraction and neuroventilatory efficiency.

Conclusions
Diaphragm dysfunction is common after bilateral-lung transplantation and associated with difficult weaning. In such patients, average values for diaphragm thickening fraction and neuroventilatory efficiency were reduced compared to patients with simple weaning. Both parameters showed similar accuracy for predicting success of ventilator weaning, demonstrating an inverse relationship with duration of ventilation.

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Prolonged life-threatening anaphylaxis to Floseal during partial nephrectomy: A case report
Authors: McClintock George , Frishling David , Lam Yen , Mancuso Pascal 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Floseal Hemostatic Matrix is a topical hemostatic agent used across specialties and commonly applied to the renal bed during partial nephrectomy. Here we present the first adult case of Floseal allergy in the literature and the second case of a topical gelatin hemostatic agent.
A 62-year-old man underwent partial nephrectomy for a Bosniak type IV cyst. After unclamping the kidney, the patient declined precipitously, later determined due to an anaphylactic reaction to the Floseal placed on the renal bed. The patient had a prolonged anaphylactic reaction that required ionotropic support for over 24 h, possibly due to continued exposure. His tryptase level was elevated, and allergy testing revealed an allergy to the gelatin matrix component of the Floseal.
Floseal anaphylaxis should be considered during episodes of cardiovascular collapse after drug administration. However, consideration should be given to removing it to prevent continued exposure and weighed against the risk of prolonged surgery in an anaphylactic patient.
Perception and Challenges of Time Management for Caregivers of People with Heart Failure
Authors: Cuoco Angela , Younas Ahtisham , Boyne Josiane , Juarez-Vela Raul , M. Rice Bridgette , Vellone Ercole , Durante Angela 
Published: August 2023

Background
Informal caregivers contribute substantially to the self-care of people with heart failure (HF) by helping with concrete and interpersonal tasks. Time perception and management are essential issues among caregivers. However, investigators have not explored this topic in caregivers of people with HF.

Objectives
The aim of this study was to describe the perceptions and challenges of the time management experience among caregivers who support the self-care efforts of their relatives with HF.

Methods
Adult informal caregivers of patients with HF, taking care of the patient for at least 3 months and without cognitive limitations, were recruited from Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands. Data were collected using semistructured interviews. Maryring's qualitative content analysis strategy with both a deductive and an inductive approach was used for analysis.

Results
We enrolled 50 participants (20 Italians, 19 Spanish, and 11 Dutch). Caregivers had a mean (SD) age of 62.8 (12.8) years and were mostly female (84%). They dedicated 31.2 (SD, 21.7) hours per week to providing caring activities for their patients. After extracting 33 codes from their qualitative interview data, we summarized them into 8 categories and identified 4 main themes: (1) time for yourself, (2) house management, (3) time for the patient (dedicated to directing care), and (4) time for own socialization.

Conclusion
Caregivers navigate the complexity of time management by balancing dedicated time for supporting patients with HF and their own personal time.
Evaluating Firefighter On-Scene Decontamination Practices Using a National Fire Records Management System
Authors: Fernandez Antonio R. , Treichel Alison , Myers J. Brent , Bourn Scott S. , Crowe Remle P. , Gardner Bill 
Published: August 2023

Objective
This study describes firefighters’ on-scene decontamination procedure use post–working fire and frequency of adherence to best practice.

Methods
This retrospective analysis of working fires was conducted using records from the ESO Data Collaborative (Austin, TX) national research database from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021. Documentation of decontamination procedures was examined among records with smoke or combustion products exposure. Firefighter and incident characteristics were evaluated. Descriptive statistics and univariable odds ratios were calculated.

Results
Among the 31,281 firefighters included in the study, 8.0% documented a fire-related exposure. Of those, 82% performed at least one on-scene decontamination procedure; 5% documented all decontamination procedures defined as best practices. The odds of documenting any decontamination procedure were significantly decreased among firefighters responding to incidents in rural areas compared with urban areas (odds ratio, 0.70).

Conclusions
Fire personnel may not be taking all necessary decontamination steps post–working fires.
Robotic Lobectomy is Cost-Effective and Provides Comparable Health Utility Scores to Video-Assisted Lobectomy
Authors: Patel Yogita S. , Baste Jean-Marc , Shargall Yaron , Waddell Thomas K. , Yasufuku Kazuhiro , Machuca Tiago N. , Xie Feng , Thabane Lehana , Hanna Waël C. 
Published: August 2023

Objective:
Determine if robotic-assisted lobectomy (RPL-4) is cost-effective and offers improved patient-reported health utility for patients with early-stage NSCLC when compared to video-assisted lobectomy (VATS-Lobectomy).

Summary Background Data:
Barriers against the adoption of RPL-4 in publicly-funded healthcare include the paucity of high-quality prospective trials and the perceived high cost of robotic surgery.

Methods:
Patients were enrolled in a blinded, multi-centered, RCT in Canada, the USA, and France, and were randomized 1:1 to either RPL-4 or VATS-Lobectomy. EQ-5D-5L was administered at baseline and post-operative day 1; weeks 3, 7, 12; and months 6 and 12. Direct and indirect costs were tracked using standard methods. Seemingly Unrelated Regression was applied to estimate the cost effect, adjusting for baseline health utility. Incremental cost effectiveness ratio was generated by 10,000 bootstrap samples with multivariate imputation by chained equations.

Results:
Of 406 patients screened, 186 were randomized, and 164 analyzed after final eligibility review (RPL-4:n=81; VATS-Lobectomy:n=83). Twelve-month follow-up was completed by 94.51%(155/164) of participants. Median age was 68(60-74). There were no significant differences in body mass index, comorbidity, pulmonary function, smoking status, baseline health utility, or tumor characteristics between arms. The mean 12-week health utility score was 0.85(0.10) for RPL-4 and 0.80(0.19) for VATS-Lobectomy (P=0.02). Significantly more lymph nodes were sampled [10(8-13) vs 8(5-10); P=0.003] in the RPL-4 arm. The incremental cost/QALY of RPL-4 was $14,925.62(95% CI $6,843.69,$23,007.56) at 12-months.

Conclusions:
Early results of the RAVAL trial suggest that RPL-4 is cost-effective and associated with comparable short-term patient-reported health utility scores when compared to VATS-Lobectomy.
PATHOGENECITY AND ENZYME SCREENING OF SOME SELECTED NON-DERMATOPHYTIC MOLDS
Authors: Nwofor CN , Onyenwe NE , Osuaha CB 
Published: August 2023

A total of 10 non-dermatophytic molds isolated from both symptomatic and asymptomatic cattle skin which includes Penicillumcitrinum, Aspergillus welwitschiae, Aspergillus aculeatus, Curvulariakusanol, Cladosporium teniussmum, Pestalotiopsismicrospora, Fusarium oxysporum,Fusarium linchenicola, Absidia sp. and Aspergillus fumigatus were subjected to a pathogenecity test using albino mice. These isolates were also screened for five enzymes using standard plate method.Result from pathogenecity test showed that Absidiasp, C.tenuissimum and Aspergillus welwitschiae were able to elicit discolouration, lesion production and alopecia on the albino mice skin respectively which are evidences of clinical symptoms associated of cutaneous mycoses. For enzyme screening resultrevealed the highest zone of activity for keratinase (65mm), amylase (86mm), protease (60mm), lipase (60mm) and cellulase (86mm) which were observed on P.microspora, A.welwitschiae, C.tenuissimum, A.welwitschiae and A. welwitschiaerespectively. Pathogenecity test from this study shows that some of these molds are highly virulent and that can be attributed to their ability to posses some virulent factors which includes secretion of hydrolytic enzyme.
Four Models of Wastewater-Based Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 in Jail Settings: How Monitoring Wastewater Complements Individual Screening
Authors: Kennedy S , Spaulding AC ,   SWANSS writing group *
Published: August 2023

AbstractObjectiveTo describe four unique models of implementing Wastewater Based Surveillance (WBS) for SARS-CoV-2 in jails of graduated sizes and differing architectural designs.MethodsThis study summarizes how jails of Cook County (Illinois, average daily population [ADP] 6000), Fulton County (Georgia, ADP 3000, Washington DC (ADP 1600) and Middlesex County (Massachusetts, ADP 875) initiated WBS between 2020 and 2023.ResultsPositive signal for SARS-CoV-2 via WBS can herald new onset of infection in a previously uninfected housing unit of a jail. Challenges in implementing WBS included political will and realized value, funding, understanding of the building architecture, and the need for granularity in the findings.ConclusionsWBS has been effective for detecting outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 in differing sized jails, both those with dorm-based and cell-based architectural design.Policy implicationsGiven its effectiveness in monitoring SARS-CoV-2, WBS provides a model for population-based surveillance in carceral facilities for future infectious disease outbreaks.
The diagnostic role of abductor pollicis brevis -first dorsal interosseous (APB-FDI) index in diagnosing Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and comparison of its diagnostic performance with other tests demonstrating split hand phenomenon among Bangladeshi population
Authors: Islam Md. Shuktarul , Sina Hashmi , Alam Iftikher , Arifuzzaman Md. , Mahmud Reaz 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe split hand phenomenon is an early and distinctive feature of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), resulting from the differential wasting of the intrinsic hand muscles, particularly the thenar muscles. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic role of the APB-FDI Index in the diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) among the Bangladeshi population. We also compared its diagnostic performances with FDI-ADM and ADM-APB ratios measuring the split hand phenomenon.MethodsWe carried out this cross-sectional study in the Department of Neurology, Sir Salimullah Medical College Mitford Hospital, and Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, from March 2019 to September 2021. We determined the APB-FDI index with APB (CMAP) X FDI (CMAP) /ADM (CMAP). We also compared the findings with age and gender-matched healthy control and disease control (Hirayama disease). We studied the value of using APB-FDI, FDI-ADM, and ADM-APB ratios for diagnosis. We analyzed the data with ROC curves and calculated AUC for each ratio. We also used IDI and DCA to compare diagnostic accuracy.ResultsWe studied 43 people with ALS, 30 healthy people, and 10 Hirayama patients. Most ALS patients had cervical phenotypes (31, 72%) and a median ALS functional rating score of 27(IQR,25-32). The cutoff values of APB-FDI Index, ADM-APB CMAP amplitude ratio, and FDI-ADM CMAP amplitude ratio are 4.27, 2.20 respectively. The APB-FDI Index has a high AUC of 0.9, with good sensitivity and specificity. However, for Hirayama disease, the APB-FDI Index cutoff value is 11.6. The APB-FDI Index is clinically effective with optimal threshold probabilities identified through the Youden-Index ((APB-FDI Index-0.72, ADM-APB CMAP amplitude ratio-0.51, and FDI-ADM CMAP amplitude ratio-0.17). Its standardized net benefits exceed healthy control and Hirayama when risk thresholds are between 0.1 and 0.8. The IDI results showed that the APB-FDI Index was superior to the ADM-APB CMAP amplitude ratio and FDI-ADM CMAP amplitude ratio in healthy control and Hirayama although p value is insignificant.ConclusionAPB-FDI Index is the sensitive, specific, and early diagnostic marker for ALS. Its diagnostic performance is better than the other tests.