bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predicting tibial plateau angles following four different types of cranial closing wedge ostectomy
Authors: Moreira Luis R. , Sparks Tim , Ogden Daniel M. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate how tibial long axis (TLA) shift affects the postoperative tibial plateau angle (TPA) in four cranial closing wedge ostectomy (CCWO) techniques.Study designIn silico study.Sample populationA total of 15 client‐owned dogs.MethodsComputed tomography (CT) scans of 15 client‐owned dogs were reviewed using an open‐source 3D computer graphics editor. Each computer‐generated 3D tibia model underwent a CCWO, with cranial cortex alignment, in 10° increments up to 70° using each of the four previously described techniques. The TLA shift, TPA and mechanical tibial length (mTL) were calculated, using trigonometry, for each model. Equations for predicting final TPA were generated with linear regression.ResultsA total of 433 3D computer generated tibial models were analyzed. With each technique, the TPA varied in a linear fashion within the studied range of wedge angles. The TLA shift and tibial shortening magnitude varied between the four different CCWO techniques, with maximum mTL reduction of ranging from 7.5% to 40.9%. All predicted TPAs using the generated equations were within the target range of 4–6°.ConclusionA linear relationship between ostectomy wedge angle and TPA correction was observed in this study, which allowed for generation of accurate corrective equations.Clinical significanceThese results allow extrapolation of the wedge angle required to reach a postoperative TPA of 5°, by considering the TLA shift. The use of the generated corrective equations may thus increase CCWO planning precision.
Effects of Ketone Monoester and Bicarbonate Co-Ingestion on Cycling Performance in WorldTour Cyclists
Authors: Ramos-Campo Domingo Jesús , López-Román Francisco Javier , Pérez-Piñero Silvia , Ortolano Raquel , Abellán-Ruiz María Salud , Molina Pérez de los Cobos Enrique , Luque-Rubia Antonio Jesús , Van Elslande Dag , Ávila-Gandía Vicente 
Published: September 2023

The present randomized study investigated the effect of acute supplementation of 800 mg/kg of ketone monoester ingestion (KE) or placebo (PL) and 210 mg/kg of NaHCO3 co-ingestion on cycling performance of WorldTour cyclists during a road cycling stage simulation. Twenty-eight cyclists participated in the study (27.46 ± 4.32 years; 1.80 ± 0.06 m; 69.74 ± 6.36 kg). Performance, physiological, biochemical, and metabolism outcomes, gut discomfort, and effort perceived were assessed during a road cycling simulation composed of an 8-min time-trial (TT) performance + 30-s TT + 4.5 hr of outdoor cycling + a second 8-min TT + a second 30-s TT. Greater absolute and relative mean power during the first 8-min TT (F = 5.067, p = .033, , F = 5.339, p = .029, , respectively) was observed after KE than after PL (KE: 389 ± 34, PL: 378 ± 44 W, p = .002, d = 0.294 and KE: 5.60 ± 0.42, PL: 5.41 ± 0.44 W/kg, p = .001, d = 0.442). Additionally, greater concentration of β-hydroxybutyrate blood concentration (F = 42.195, p < .001, ) was observed after KE than after PL during the first steps of the stage (e.g., after warm-up KE: 1.223 ± 0.642, PL: 0.044 ± 0.058 mM, p < .001, d = 2.589), although the concentrations returned to near baseline after 4.5 hr of outdoor cycling. Moreover, higher values of anion gap were observed (F = 2.333, p = .026, ) after KE than after PL ingestion, after the warm-up and after the first 8-min and 30-s TT. Additionally, lower concentrations of were reported in the KE condition after warm-up and after the first 8-min and 30-s TT. During the initial phase of the stage simulation, acute supplementation with KE + NaHCO3 co-ingestion enhanced 8-min TT cycling performance (3.1%) in WorldTour cyclists with a concomitant hyperketonaemia.
Acceptability and Preliminary Efficacy Testing of a Web-Based Coach Development Program Addressing Gender Essentialism Among Coaches of Adolescent Girls
Authors: Goorevich Anna , Boucher Courtney , Schneider Jekaterina , Silva-Breen Hannah , Matheson Emily L. , Tinoco Aline , LaVoi Nicole M. 
Published: September 2023

Gender essentialism in coaching discourses often goes unnoticed by coaches yet promotes gender stereotypes. Currently, no coach development program addresses gender essentialism. This study tested the acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a novel web-based coaching intervention comprising seven self-led modules, aimed at reducing gender essentialism among coaches. A pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted with 102 coaches of adolescent girls across multiple sports. Coaches were randomized into the intervention condition (n = 54) or a waitlist control condition (n = 48). Both intervention and control group participants completed a baseline self-assessment prior. Intervention group participants undertook Coaching HER Foundation modules over 2 weeks and completed a postintervention self-assessment. Control group coaches completed the postintervention assessment without completing the Coaching HER Foundation modules. Based on the data, coaches found the intervention easy to follow, relevant, applicable, and enjoyable. Efficacy analyses illustrated the intervention group reported lower levels of gender essentialism at postintervention compared with the control group. Study results must be considered in relation to the small sample size and high attrition rate (72%). Study findings will inform intervention optimizations based on participant feedback, after which Coaching HER Foundation will be made freely available within a wider coach education and training framework.
Use of next-generation sequencing to detect mutations associated with antiviral drug resistance in cytomegalovirus
Authors: Streck Nicholas T. , Espy Mark J. , Ferber Matthew J. , Klee Eric W. , Razonable Raymund R. , Gonzalez Dimitri , Sayada Chalom , Heaton Phillip R. , Chou Sunwen , Binnicker Matthew J. 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised hosts, including transplant recipients. Antiviral prophylaxis or treatment is used to reduce the incidence of CMV disease in this patient population; however, there is concern about increasing antiviral resistance. Detection of antiviral resistance in CMV was traditionally accomplished using Sanger sequencing of
UL54
and
UL97
genes, in which specific mutations may result in reduced antiviral activity. In this study, a novel next-generation sequencing (NGS) method was developed and validated to detect mutations in
UL54
/
UL97
associated with antiviral resistance. Plasma samples (
n
= 27) submitted for antiviral resistance testing by Sanger sequencing were also analyzed using the NGS method. When compared to Sanger sequencing, the NGS assay demonstrated 100% (27/27) overall agreement for determining antiviral resistance/susceptibility and 88% (22/25) agreement at the level of resistance-associated mutations. The limit of detection of the NGS method was determined to be 500 IU/mL, and the lower threshold for detecting mutations associated with resistance was established at 15%. The NGS assay represents a novel laboratory tool that assists healthcare providers in treating patients who are infected with CMV harboring resistance-associated mutations and who may benefit from tailored antiviral therapy.
The Bacteroidetes Q-rule and glutaminyl cyclase activity increase the stability of extracytoplasmic proteins
Authors: Szczęśniak Katarzyna , Veillard Florian , Scavenius Carsten , Chudzik Kamila , Ferenc Kinga , Bochtler Matthias , Potempa Jan , Mizgalska Danuta 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT

In Gram-negative didermal species of the phylum Bacteroidetes, the majority of pre(pro)proteins exported across the cell membrane via the Sec system follow the Q-rule: a glutamine residue immediately downstream of a leader peptide is exposed as the new amino terminus by type I signal peptidases and converted to a pyroglutamate (also called oxyproline) residue by an inner membrane-associated glutaminyl cyclase (QC). Here, we show that the QC from
Porphyromonas gingivalis
is essential for growth in laboratory culture conditions. The lethal phenotype of QC deletion could not be rescued by an inactive variant of the enzyme, but it was rescued by QC orthologues from other species, despite their drastically lower activity toward a fluorescent reporter substrate. Replacement of glutamine after the signal peptide by an asparagine residue in selected QC substrates did not affect
P. gingivalis
viability but reduced the abundance of these proteins. Our data show that glutaminyl cyclization stabilizes
P. gingivalis
proteins, presumably protecting them from degradation by aminopeptidases. Loss of this protection is tolerated in individual substrates, but the complete loss in all Q-rule substrates is lethal, even in the absence of pressure from a host immune system.

IMPORTANCE

Exclusively in the Bacteroidetes phylum, most proteins exported across the inner membrane via the Sec system and released into the periplasm by type I signal peptidase have N-terminal glutamine converted to pyroglutamate. The reaction is catalyzed by the periplasmic enzyme glutaminyl cyclase (QC), which is essential for the growth of
Porphyromonas gingivalis
and other periodontopathogens. Apparently, pyroglutamyl formation stabilizes extracytoplasmic proteins and/or protects them from proteolytic degradation in the periplasm. Given the role of
P. gingivalis
as the keystone pathogen in periodontitis,
P. gingivalis
QC is a promising target for the development of drugs to treat and/or prevent this highly prevalent chronic inflammatory disease leading to tooth loss and associated with severe systemic diseases.
Genome sequence of cluster A15
Gordonia terrae
bacteriophage Nebulosus
Authors: Doyle Veronica , Giftos Gabriella , Kugler Strix , Melanson Andrew , Needham Dominic , Raber Ryleigh , Solomon Justin , Webster Apple , Neely Melody , Molloy Sally 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT

The temperate
Gordonia
phage Nebulosus was isolated from soil on
Gordonia terrae
and is a siphovirus. The genome is 52,175 bp in length, has 62% GC content, and encodes 96 protein-coding genes. Nebulosus encodes a partitioning system, ParABS, which is likely involved in lysogeny maintenance.
Validating the rigour of adaptive methods of economic evaluation
Authors: Chauhan Akashdeep Singh , Sharma Deepshikha , Mehndiratta Abha , Gupta Nidhi , Garg Basant , Kumar Amneet P , Prinja Shankar 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundThere has been a lot of debate on how to ‘generalise’ or ‘translate’ findings of economic evaluation (EE) or health technology assessment (HTA) to other country contexts. Researchers have used various adaptive HTA (aHTA) methods like model-adaptation, price-benchmarking, scorecard-approach, etc., for transferring evidence from one country to other. This study was undertaken to assess the degree of accuracy in results generated from aHTA approaches specifically for EE.MethodsBy applying selected aHTA approaches, we adapted findings of globally published EE to Indian context. The first-step required identifying two interventions for which Indian EE (referred to as the ‘Indian reference study’) has been conducted. The next-step involved identification of globally published EE. The third-step required undertaking quality and transferability check. In the fourth step, outcomes of EE meeting transferability standards, were adapted using selected aHTA approaches. Lastly, adapted results were compared with findings of the Indian reference study.ResultsThe adapted cost estimates varied considerably, while adapted quality-adjusted life-years did not differ much, when matched with the Indian reference study. For intervention I (trastuzumab), adapted absolute costs were 11 and 6 times higher than the costs reported in the Indian reference study for control and intervention arms, respectively. Likewise, adapted incremental cost and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) were around 3.5–8 times higher than the values reported in the Indian reference study. For intervention II (intensity-modulated radiation therapy), adapted absolute cost was 35% and 12% lower for the comparator and intervention arms, respectively, than the values reported in the Indian reference study. The mean incremental cost and ICER were 2.5 times and 1.5 times higher, respectively, than the Indian reference study values.ConclusionWe conclude that findings from aHTA methods should be interpreted with caution. There is a need to develop more robust aHTA approaches for cost adjustment. aHTA may be used for ‘topic prioritisation’ within the overall HTA process, whereby interventions which are highly cost-ineffective, can be directly ruled out, thus saving time and resources for conducting full HTA for interventions that are not well studied or where evidence is inconclusive.
A comprehensive framework identifying barriers to global health R&D innovation and access
Authors: Ong Ming 
Published: September 2023

Advancements in research and development (R&D) have the potential to address pressing global health challenges. However, numerous barriers hinder innovation and access, particularly in areas of market failure, and there is an absence of a cohesive consensus on defining these various impediments. This paper presents a framework identifying the barriers that impede global health innovation and hinder equitable access to health technologies.The framework presents clear typologies of barriers across global health R&D thematic areas. These include the market failures that require R&D incentives to stimulate innovation, how the complexity of product registration hinders access within specific regulatory domains and how health system implementation issues prevent affected populations from accessing the tools they require. Current and historical examples are provided for each end-point, and three case studies explore key barriers and how solutions have or may be applied.This analysis contributes by adding to the body of knowledge on global health R&D and provides an analysis tool to policy-makers, researchers and stakeholders involved in addressing the barriers and promoting equitable access to healthcare innovations. The framework serves as a practical tool to guide future research, policy development and implementation efforts towards achieving sustainable global health outcomes.
Aetiological agents of adult community-acquired pneumonia in Japan: systematic review and meta-analysis of published data
Authors: Fujikura Yuji , Somekawa Kohei , Manabe Toshie , Horita Nobuyuki , Takahashi Hiroshi , Higa Futoshi , Yatera Kazuhiro , Miyashita Naoyuki , Imamura Yoshifumi , Iwanaga Naoki , Mukae Hiroshi , Kawana Akihiko 
Published: September 2023

ObjectiveEpidemiological information is essential in providing appropriate empiric antimicrobial therapy for pneumonia. This study aimed to clarify the epidemiology of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) by conducting a systematic review of published studies in Japan.DesignSystematic review.Data sourcePubMed and Ichushi web database (January 1970 to October 2022).Eligibility criteriaClinical studies describing pathogenic micro-organisms in CAP written in English or Japanese, excluding studies on pneumonia other than adult CAP, investigations limited to specific pathogens and case reports.Data extraction and synthesisPatient setting (inpatient vs outpatient), number of patients, concordance with the CAP guidelines, diagnostic criteria and methods for diagnosing pneumonia pathogens as well as the numbers of each isolate. A meta-analysis of various situations was performed to measure the frequency of each aetiological agent.ResultsFifty-six studies were included and 17 095 cases of CAP were identified. Pathogens were undetectable in 44.1% (95% CI 39.7% to 48.5%).Streptococcus pneumoniaewas the most common cause of CAP requiring hospitalisation or outpatient care (20.0% (95% CI 17.2% to 22.8%)), followed byHaemophilus influenzae(10.8% (95% CI 7.3% to 14.3%)) andMycoplasma pneumoniae(7.5% (95% CI 4.6% to 10.4%)). However, when limited to CAP requiring hospitalisation,Staphylococcus aureuswas the third most common at 4.9% (95% CI 3.9% to 5.8%).Pseudomonas aeruginosawas more frequent in hospitalised cases, while atypical pathogens were less common. Methicillin-resistantS. aureusaccounted for 40.7% (95% CI 29.0% to 52.4%) ofS. aureuscases. In studies that used PCR testing for pan-respiratory viral pathogens, human enterovirus/human rhinovirus (9.4% (95% CI 0% to 20.5%)) and several other respiratory pathogenic viruses were detected. The epidemiology varied depending on the methodology and situation.ConclusionThe epidemiology of CAP varies depending on the situation, such as in the hospital versus outpatient setting. Viruses are more frequently detected by exhaustive genetic searches, resulting in a significant variation in epidemiology.
Triage in major incidents: development and external validation of novel machine learning-derived primary and secondary triage tools
Authors: Xu Yuanwei , Malik Nabeela , Chernbumroong Saisakul , Vassallo James , Keene Damian , Foster Mark , Lord Janet , Belli Antonio , Hodgetts Timothy , Bowley Douglas , Gkoutos George 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundMajor incidents (MIs) are an important cause of death and disability. Triage tools are crucial to identifying priority 1 (P1) patients—those needing time-critical, life-saving interventions. Existing expert opinion-derived tools have limited evidence supporting their use. This study employs machine learning (ML) to develop and validate models for novel primary and secondary triage tools.MethodsAdults (16+ years) from the UK Trauma Audit and Research Network (TARN) registry (January 2008–December 2017) served as surrogates for MI victims, with P1 patients identified using predefined criteria. The TARN database was split chronologically into model training and testing (70:30) datasets. Input variables included physiological parameters, age, mechanism and anatomical location of injury. Random forest, extreme gradient boosted tree, logistic regression and decision tree models were trained to predict P1 status, and compared with existing tools (Battlefield Casualty Drills (BCD) Triage Sieve, CareFlight, Modified Physiological Triage Tool, MPTT-24, MSTART, National Ambulance Resilience Unit Triage Sieve and RAMP). Primary and secondary candidate models were selected; the latter was externally validated on patients from the UK military’s Joint Theatre Trauma Registry (JTTR).ResultsModels were internally tested in 57 979 TARN patients. The best existing tool was the BCD Triage Sieve (sensitivity 68.2%, area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) 0.688). Inability to breathe spontaneously, presence of chest injury and mental status were most predictive of P1 status. A decision tree model including these three variables exhibited the best test characteristics (sensitivity 73.0%, AUC 0.782), forming the candidate primary tool. The proposed secondary tool (sensitivity 77.9%, AUC 0.817), applicable via a portable device, includes a fourth variable (injury mechanism). This performed favourably on external validation (sensitivity of 97.6%, AUC 0.778) in 5956 JTTR patients.ConclusionNovel triage tools developed using ML outperform existing tools in a nationally representative trauma population. The proposed primary tool requires external validation prior to consideration for practical use. The secondary tool demonstrates good external validity and may be used to support decision-making by healthcare workers responding to MIs.
The effect of chronic exercise training and acute exercise on power spectral analysis of heart rate variability
Authors: Bentley Robert F. , Dorian Paul , Vecchiarelli Emily , Banks Laura , Connelly Kim A. , Yan Andrew T. , Osman Wesseem , Goodman Jack M. 
Published: September 2023

Moderate to vigorous physical activity performed regularly is cardioprotective and reduces all-cause mortality, concomitant with increased resting heart rate variability (HRV). However, there are contradictory reports regarding the effects of chronic and acute exercise on nocturnal HRV in those performing exercise well-beyond physical activity guidelines. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the power spectral analysis components of HRV in middle-aged endurance athletes (EA) and recreationally active individuals (REC) and explore acute exercise effects in EA. A total of 119 EA (52, 49–57 years) and 32 REC (56, 52–60 years) were recruited to complete 24 h Holter monitoring (GE SEER 1000) in the absence of exercise. Fifty one EA (52, 49–57 years) then underwent 24 h Holter monitoring following an intense bout of endurance exercise. Power spectral HRV analysis was completed hourly and averaged to quantify morning (1000–1200 h), evening (1900–2100 h), and nocturnal (0200–0400 h) HRV. EA had greater very low frequency (VLF) and low frequency (LF) (both p < 0.001) compared to REC. LF/high frequency (HF) was greater in EA at 0200–0400 h ( p = 0.04). Among all participants, the change in HR and HF from 1000–1200 to 0200–0400 h was negatively correlated ( r = −0.47, p < 0.001). Following acute exercise in EA, only nocturnal HRV was assessed. VLF ( p < 0.001) and HF ( p = 0.008) decreased, while LF/HF increased ( p = 0.02). These results suggest that in EA, both long-term and acute exercises increase nocturnal sympathovagal activity through an increase in LF and decrease in HF, respectively. Further work is required to understand the mechanism underlying reduced nocturnal HRV in middle-aged EA and the long-term health implications.
Experimental manipulation of perceived predation risk alters survival, cause of death, and demographic patterns in juvenile snowshoe hares
Authors: Seguin Jacob L. , Boudreau Melanie R. , Lavergne Sophia , Lamoureux Ryan , Krebs Charles J. , Boonstra Rudy 
Published: September 2023

Perceived predation risk alters prey behaviour and physiology, but few studies have examined downstream consequences on prey demography in wild populations. Perceived predation risk could alter adult reproductive performance via reduced investment in offspring quality and post-birth care. We manipulated perceived predation risk in snowshoe hare ( Lepus americanus Erxleben, 1777) by exposing pregnant mothers to chases by a domestic dog ( Canis familiaris Linnaeus, 1758). Litter size was comparable between risk-augmented and control groups, but treated females had more stillbirths and gave birth to leverets of lower body condition. Leverets from risk-augmented females had 88% higher 40-day mortality rate. Maternally preventable causes of death like starvation or predation by red squirrel ( Tamiasciurus hudsonicus (Erxleben, 1777)) caused this difference, particularly during the nursing period. Risk-augmented mothers were always more active than controls, but the difference was greatest during the nursing period. We found that perceived predation risk reduces maternal productivity pre- and post-partum, implying downstream consequences to populations. Because our treatment ended before parturition, we can link offspring performance such as survival and behaviour specifically to maternal life-history trade-offs, which has not been shown in a wild mammal.