bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validation of a Multivariate Prediction Model of the Clinical Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease in a Community-Dwelling Multiethnic Cohort
Authors: Stallard Eric , Kociolek Anton , Jin Zhezhen , Ryu Hyunnam , Lee Seonjoo , Cosentino Stephanie , Zhu Carolyn , Gu Yian , Fernandez Kayri , Hernandez Michelle , Kinosian Bruce , Stern Yaakov 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe major aims of the three Predictors Studies have been to further our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) progression sufficiently to predict the length of time from disease onset to major disease outcomes in individual patients with AD.ObjectivesTo validate a longitudinal Grade of Membership (L-GoM) prediction algorithm developed using clinic-based, mainly white patients from the Predictors 2 Study in a statistically representative community-based sample of Hispanic (N=211) and non-Hispanic (N=62) older adults from the Predictors 3 Study and extend the algorithm to mild cognitive impairment (MCI).MethodsThe L-GoM model was applied to data collected at the initial Predictors 3 visit for 150 subjects with AD and 123 with MCI. Participants were followed annually for up to seven years. Observed rates of survival and need for full-time care (FTC) were compared to those predicted by the algorithm.ResultsInitial MCI/AD severity in Predictors 3 was substantially higher than among clinic-based AD patients enrolled at the specialized Alzheimer’s centers in Predictors 2. The observed survival and need for FTC followed the L-GoM model trajectories in individuals with MCI or AD, except forN=32 subjects initially diagnosed with AD who reverted to a non-AD diagnosis on follow-up.ConclusionsThese findings indicate that the L-GoM model is applicable to community-dwelling, multiethnic older adults with AD. They extend the use of the model to the prediction of outcomes for MCI. They also justify release of our L-GoM calculator at this time.
Protection from Omicron infection in residents of nursing and retirement homes in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Breznik Jessica A. , Rahim Ahmad , Kajaks Tara , Hagerman Megan , Bilaver Lucas , Colwill Karen , Dayam Roaya M. , Gingras Anne-Claude , Verschoor Chris P. , McElhaney Janet E. , Bramson Jonathan L. , Bowdish Dawn M. E. , Costa Andrew P. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractObjectivesTo identify factors that contribute to protection from infection with the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 in older adults in nursing and retirement homes.DesignLongitudinal cohort study with retrospective analysis of infection risk.Setting and Participants997 residents of nursing and retirement homes from Ontario, Canada, in the COVID-in-LTC study.MethodsResidents with three mRNA dose vaccinations were included in the study. SARS-CoV-2 infection was determined by positive nasopharyngeal PCR test and/or circulating anti-nucleocapsid IgG antibodies. Cumulative probability of Omicron infection after recent COVID-19 was assessed by log-rank test of Kaplan-Meier curves. Cox regression was used to assess risk of Omicron infection by age, sex, mRNA vaccine combination, whether individuals received a fourth dose, as well as recent COVID-19.Results171 residents (17.2%) had a presumed Omicron variant SARS-CoV-2 infection between December 15, 2021 (local start of the first Omicron wave) and May 3, 2022. Risk of Omicron infection was not different by age [hazard ratio (95% confidence interval): 1.01 (0.99-1.02)], or in women compared to men [0.97 (0.70-1.34)], but infection risk decreased 47% with three vaccine doses of mRNA-1273 (Moderna) compared to BNT162b2 (Pfizer) [0.53 (0.31-0.90)], 81% with any fourth mRNA vaccine dose [0.19 (0.12-0.30)], and 48% with SARS-CoV-2 infection in the 3 months prior to beginning of the Omicron wave [0.52, (0.27-0.99)].Conclusions and ImplicationsVaccine type (i.e., mRNA-1273/Spikevax vs BNT162b2/Cominarty), any fourth vaccine dose, and hybrid immunity from recent COVID-19, were protective against infection with the Omicron variant. These data emphasize the importance of vaccine type, and number of vaccine doses, in maintenance of protective immunity and reduction of risk of Omicron variant breakthrough infection. These findings promote continued public health efforts to support vaccination programs and monitor vaccine immunogenicity in older adults.Brief summaryRisk of infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in older adults in early 2022 was reduced with triple mRNA-1273 vaccination, any fourth dose vaccine, and within three months of prior COVID-19.
Retention of Female Sex Workers at one month taking oral Pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention in selected Public Health facilities in Kampala, Uganda
Authors: Wanyama James , Atuhairwe Christine , Alege John Bosco 
Published: June 2022

ABSTRACTRationaleRetention of Female sex workers at one month of PrEP is critical as low retention may lead to sub-optimal protection and increased HIV incidence rates in this sub-population. We determined factors associated with retention at one month among Female Sex workers on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV prevention in selected health facilities in Kampala Capital City Authority, Uganda.MethodsIn this retrospective cohort study we followed 350 FSWs from September to December 2021; and 30 women underwent in-depth interviews. Retention was categorically defined as the number of FSWs who adhered to their clinic appointments got refills over the total number of FSWs expected to come for a refill. Poisson regression was used for multivariate analysis and thematic data analysis was conducted for the quantitative and qualitative data respectively.ResultsThe median age of the FSWs was 25 years. 40.9% of the FSWs had attended primary level, 43.7% secondary level, 3.4% tertiary level education respectively, and 12% had no education. The mean duration of sex work was 3 years.On average, the FSWs had 14 sex partners in the past week. 59.4% reported lubricant use on the last sexual encounter compared to 40.6% who did not use lubricants. Factors associated with retention to PrEP at bivariate level were religion, place of work, lubricant use, use of drugs, received PrEP counselling at initiation, the color of PrEP tablet, pill size and attitude of health care workers. The Poisson regression showed that Retention to PrEP was 7% higher among sex workers that use lubricants compared to those that don’t use holding other factors constant (adjusted 0.02 [1.01, 1.14] IRR 1.07) and retention to PrEP among sex workers that think the health care workers had a good attitude was 23% higher than those that think HCW had fair attitude holding other factors constant (adjusted 0.012 [1.05, 1.44] IRR 1.23). FSWs who had no stigma had 90% higher retention than those who had stigma) (adjusted 0.04 [0.814, 0.996] IRR 0.90).No drugs at the facility affected PrEP retention by about 76% among FSWs (adjusted 0.003 [0.67, 0.922] IRR 0.76). FSWs were retained to PrEP because they felt at risk when they experienced condom breaks during intercourse or they failed to use condoms with a client. Barriers to PrEP retention included drug side effects, lack of financial resources, food insecurity, stigma, and doubts about PrEP efficacy, travel and health system factors.ConclusionA high proportion of FSWs were retained on PrEP. FSWs considered PrEP as a reliable method of protection against HIV in cases of condom breaks or if they had sex without a condom. A number of barriers to PrEP retention at both personal and systems-level need to be addressed for successful PrEP implementation.
Triglyceride-glucose index and the risk of heart failure: evidence from two large cohorts and a Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Li Xintao , Chan Jeffrey Shi Kai , Guan Bo , Peng Shi , Wu Xiaoyu , Zhou Jiandong , Hui Jeremy Man Ho , Lee Yan Hiu Athena , Satti Danish Iltaf , Tsang Shek Long , Wu Shouling , Chen Songwen , Tse Gary , Liu Shaowen 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe relationship between triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, an emerging marker of insulin resistance, and the risk of incident heart failure (HF) was unclear. This study thus aimed to investigate this relationship.MethodsSubjects without prevalent cardiovascular diseases from the prospective Kailuan cohort (recruited during 2006-2007) and a retrospective cohort of family medicine patients from Hong Kong (recruited during 2000-2003) were followed up until December 31st, 2019 for the outcome of incident HF. Separate adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) summarizing the relationship between TyG index and HF risk in the two cohorts were combined using a random-effect meta-analysis. Additionally, a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) of published genome-wide association study data was performed to assess the causality of observed associations.ResultsIn total, 95,996 and 19,345 subjects from the Kailuan and Hong Kong cohorts were analyzed, respectively, with 2,726 cases (2.8%) of incident HF in the former and 1,709 (7.0%) in the latter. Subjects in the highest quartile of TyG index had the highest risk of incident HF in both cohorts (Kailuan: aHR 1.23 (95% confidence interval: 1.09-1.39), PTrend <0.001; Hong Kong: aHR 1.21 (1.04-1.40), PTrend =0.007; both compared with the lowest quartile). Meta-analysis showed similar results (highest versus lowest quartile: HR 1.22(1.11-1.34), P<0.0001). Findings from MR analysis, which included 47,309 cases and 930,014 controls, supported a causal relationship between higher TyG index and increased risk of HF (odds ratio 1.27(1.15-1.40), P<0.001).ConclusionA higher TyG index is an independent and causal risk factor for incident HF in the general population.Clinical PerspectiveWhat is new?In 115,341 subjects from two large cohorts in China, an elevated triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index was independently associated with an increased risk of incident heart failure (HF).Two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis based on published genome-wide association studies found significant association between genetically determined TyG index and the risk of HF.Together, these findings suggest that a higher TyG index is an independent and causal risk factor of incident HF in the general population.What are the clinical implications?The TyG index may facilitate recognition of individuals at elevated risk of incident HF and allow early preventive interventions.The demonstrated causal effect of TyG index on incident HF warrants further research to fully understand the underlying mechanisms.
Function and phylogeny support the independent evolution of acid-sensing ion channels in the Placozoa
Authors: Elkhatib Wassim , Yanez-Guerra Luis , Mayorova Tatiana D. , Currie Mark A. , Perera Maria , Singh Anhadvir , Gauberg Julia , Senatore Adriano 
Published: June 2022

AbstractAcid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are proton-gated cation channels that are part of the Deg/ENaC ion channel family, which also includes neuropeptide-, bile acid-, and mechanically-gated channels. Despite sharing common tertiary and quaternary structures, strong sequence divergence within the Deg/ENaC family has made it difficult to resolve their phylogenetic relationships, and by extension, whether channels with common functional features, such as proton-activation, share common ancestry or evolved independently. Here, we report that a Deg/ENaC channel from the early diverging placozoan species Trichoplax adhaerens, named TadNaC2, conducts proton-activated currents in vitro with biophysical features that resemble those of the mammalian ASIC1 to ASIC3 channels. Through a combined cluster- based and phylogenetic analysis, we successfully resolve the evolutionary relationships of most major lineages of metazoan Deg/ENaC channels, identifying two subfamilies within the larger Deg/ENaC family that are of ancient, pre-bilaterian origin. We also identify bona fide Deg/ENaC channel homologues from filasterean and heterokont single celled eukaryotes. Furthermore, we find that ASIC channels, TadNaC2, and various other proton-activated channels from vertebrates and invertebrates are part of phylogenetically distinct lineages. Through structural modelling and mutation analysis, we find that TadNaC2 proton-activation employs fundamentally different molecular determinants than ASIC channels, and identify two unique histidine residues in the placozoan channel that are required for its proton-activation. Together, our phylogenetic and functional analyses support the independent evolution of proton-activated channels in the phylum Placozoa. Spurred by our discovery of pH sensitive channels, we discovered that despite lacking a nervous system, Trichoplax can sense changes in extracellular pH to coordinate its various cell types to locomote away from acidic environments, and to contract upon rapid exposure to acidic pH in a Ca2+-dependent manner. Lastly, via yeast 2 hybrid screening, we find that the Trichoplax channels TadNaC2 and TadNaC10, belonging to the two separate Deg/ENaC subfamilies, interact with the cytoskeleton organizing protein filamin, similar to the interaction reported for the human ENaC channels.
Teaching the Skills and Concepts of Gene Expression Analysis during COVID-19
Authors: Roberts Louis A. , Shell Scarlet S. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractTeaching students how to conduct impactful gene expression studies within an authentic research paradigm typically relies on hands-on experience to develop skills at the bench, coupled with conceptual understanding of the experiments and their analyses within or outside of the lab setting. The unexpected shift of our gene expression laboratory course to a remote model provided the opportunity to assess how student learning of these skills and concepts would be affected in an entirely online environment. Our data suggest the reduced learning gains for skill-based techniques came with increased student learning of concepts and analysis, which may have aided stimulating student interest in gene expression studies.
Lupus disease flares are concordant with immune responses to blooms of lipoglycan-expressing Ruminococcus blautia gnavus strains arising from unstable gut microbiota communities
Authors: Azzouz Doua F. , Chen Ze , Izmirly Peter , Chen Lea Ann , Li Zhi , Pironti Alejandro , Putzel Gregory G. , Zhang Chongda , Heguy Adriana , Masson Mala , Schwudke Dominik , Fenyo David , Gisch Nicolas , Buyon Jill , Alekseyenko Alexander V. , Silverman Gregg J. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractWhereas genetic susceptibility for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus has been well explored, the precipitants for clinical disease flares remain a mystery. To investigate for dynamic-relationships between gut-microbial communities and Lupus disease activity, we performed taxonomic surveys of fecal 16S rRNA gene amplicon-libraries from Lupus patients and healthy volunteers, obtained at serial timepoints over many months to several years. Individual Lupus patients commonly displayed imbalances in alpha and beta microbiota-diversity, which were uniquely different from healthy individuals as well as from other Lupus patients. Moreover, multivariate analysis of sequential Lupus libraries documented community-wide ecological microbiota instability overtime, most pronounced in patients with Lupus Nephritis LN), a severe form associated with worse prognosis. Lupus gut communities displayed transient spikes of pathogenic bacterial species, with by far the most prevalent being blooms of Ruminococcus blautia gnavus (RG), occurring in nearly half of LN patients often concordant with disease activity flares. RG strains isolated during disease flares, but not those isolated from healthy individuals or patients with inflammatory bowel disease, commonly expressed a novel, highly immunogenic cell wall-associated lipoglycan with conserved structural features that include a diacyl glycerol anchor. Cross-reactive antigenic determinants on these lipoglycans were recognized by murine monoclonal antibodies, and by spontaneously arising Lupus serum IgG antibodies with peak serum antibody responses also concordant with RG blooms. As SLE is frequently characterized by remitting-relapsing disease, despite appropriate treatment, we speculate that gut blooms of pathogenic bacteria, that impair gut barrier function and stoke systemic inflammation, directly contribute to immunopathogenesis.
Diversity and characteristics of pTet family plasmids revealed by genomic epidemiology of Campylobacter jejuni from human patients in Toyama, Japan from 2015 to 2019
Authors: Morita Daichi , Arai Hiroki , Isobe Junko , Maenishi Emi , Kumagai Takanori , Maruyama Fumito , Kuroda Teruo 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThis study investigated 116 clinical isolates of Campylobacter jejuni from Toyama, Japan, which were isolated from 2015 to 2019. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole-genome sequencing were used for phenotypic and genotypic characterization to compare antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles and phylogenic linkage. The multilocus sequence typing approach identified 37 sequence types (STs) and 15 clonal complexes (CCs), including 7 novel STs, and the high frequency CCs were CC21 (27.7%), CC48 (10.9%), and CC354 (9.9%). Overall, 58.6% of the isolates were resistant to at least one of the antibiotics and 3.4% were resistant to three or more antibiotic classes. The AMR profiles and related resistant factors were as follows; fluoroquinolones (51.7%), mutation in QRDRs (GyrA T86I), tetracyclines (27.6%), acquisition of tet(O), ampicillin (5.2%), promoter mutation in blaOXA193, aminoglycosides (1.7%), acquisition of ant(6)-Ia and aph(3’)-III, chloramphenicol (0.9%), acquisition of cat. The resistance factors of fosfomycin (1 strain), sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (2 strain), and linezolid (1 strain) resistant isolates were unknown. The acquired resistance genes, tet(O), ant(6>)-Ia, aph(3’)-III, and cat, were located on pTet family plasmids. Furthermore, three pTet family plasmids formed larger plasmids that incorporated additional genes such as the Type IV secretion system.A comparison of pTet family plasmids in Japan has not been reported, and these results imply that the diversity of pTet family plasmids has increased. The prevalence of ST4526, belonging to CC21, in Japan has been reported, and it was also the major ST type (10.9%) in this study, suggesting that the ST4526 prevalence continues in Japan.
Exploring the Role of Superspreading Events in SARS-CoV-2 Outbreaks
Authors: Bramble Jordan , Fulk Alexander , Saenz Raul , Agusto Folashade B. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 emerged in 2019 and subsequently spread throughout the world, causing over 529 million cases and 6 million deaths thus far. In this study, we formulate a continuous-time Markov chain model to investigate the influence of superspreading events (SSEs), defined here as public or social events that result in multiple infections over a short time span, on SARS-CoV-2 outbreak dynamics. Using Gillespie’s direct algorithm, we simulate a continuous-time Markov chain model for SARS-CoV-2 spread under multiple scenarios: first, with neither hospitalisation nor quarantine; second, with hospitalisation, quarantine, premature hospital discharge, and quarantine violation; and third, with hospitalisation and quarantine but neither premature hospital discharge nor quarantine violation. We also vary quarantine violation rates. Results indicate that, in most cases, SSE-dominated outbreaks are more variable but less severe than non-SSE-dominated outbreaks, though the most severe SSE-dominated outbreaks are more severe than the most severe non-SSE-dominated outbreaks. SSE-dominated outbreaks are outbreaks with relatively higher SSE rates. In all cases, SSE-dominated outbreaks are more sensitive to control measures, with premature hospital discharge and quarantine violation substantially reducing control measure effectiveness.
Well-being focused interventions for caregivers of children with developmental disabilities-a scoping review protocol
Authors: Mafutha Nokuthula Nkosi , Abeasi Doreen Asantewa , Suglo Joseph 
Published: June 2022

AbstractIntroductionChildren with developmental disabilities (DD) have complex health needs which imply that they will need assistance in many areas of their lives, a role usually assumed by family members. Family caregivers need to constantly balance the demands of providing care with their own needs, this may be overwhelming and may lead to elevated levels of stress, subsequently affecting their well-being. For optimum functioning of the child with DD, the caregiver would have to be in a state of good health, making it necessary to have interventions that will support caregivers’ well-being. This scoping review aims to identify and map the range of interventions available for caregivers of children with DD.Methods and analysisThis scoping review looks at well-being interventions of caregivers of children with DD. Two reviewers who are independent and blinded will search of articles from five databases, namely; CINAHL, Psych INFO, PubMed, ERIC and COCHRANE Library. Grey literature will be looked for from google scholar. Predetermined inclusion criteria will be used in the literature search. The findings will be summarized in a tabular form, followed by narrative text.Ethics and disseminationAs a scoping review of published literature, ethics approval is not required. Results will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal.DiscussionThe proposed scoping review will give an extensive review of interventions aimed at improving the well-being of caregivers of children with DD. We hope that this scoping review will provide recommendations on well-being improving interventions for caregivers of children with DD. Additionally, the review will guide future work on intervention development and primary research in this field.RegistrationThis scoping review protocol has been registered with the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/tkbrh)Strengths and limitations of this studyThis scoping review when completed will be the first study to identify and review systematically well-being focused interventions for caregivers of children with developmental disabilities.The scoping review will employ standard guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis extension for scoping review (PRSMA-ScR).The search will cover a broad scope by using five databases as well as grey literature sources.Inter-rater reliability will be increased by at least two raters/reviewers doing abstract screening, full text screening and data extraction. A third reviewer will be included to resolve the disagreements which will arise from the other two reviewers.Quality assessment of studies included in the scoping review will be done.The scoping review will be limited to articles published in English and those from 2010 to 2021.