bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nonsynonymous mutations in fepR are associated with Listeria adaptation to low concentrations of benzalkonium chloride, but not increased survival in use level concentrations of benzalkonium chloride
Authors: Bolten Samantha , Harrand Anna Sophia , Skeens Jordan , Wiedmann Martin 
Published: January 2022

ABSTRACTPresence of and selection for Listeria spp. and Listeria monocytogenes that are less effectively inactivated by quaternary ammonium compounds (such as benzalkonium chloride [BC]) is a food safety concern, including in fresh produce environments. An initial MIC assay on 67 produce-associated Listeria strains showed that strains carrying BC resistance genes bcrABC (n=10) and qacH (n=1) showed higher MIC (4-6 mg/L BC) compared to strains lacking these genes (MIC of 1-2 mg/L BC). Serial passaging experiments that exposed the 67 strains to increasing BC concentrations revealed that 62/67 strains showed growth in BC concentrations above their parent MIC (range of 4-20 mg/L). Two serially passaged isolates were obtained for each parent strain and substreaked onto BHI agar in the absence of BC for seven rounds; 105/134 substreaked isolates showed higher substreaked MIC (range of 4 – 6 mg/L) compared to parent MIC. These results suggested isolates acquired genetic adaptations that confer BC resistance. Substreaked isolates were characterized by a combination of whole genome sequencing and Sanger sequencing of fepR, a local repressor of the MATE family efflux pump FepA. These data identified nonsynonymous fepR mutations in 48/67 isolates including 24 missense, 16 nonsense, and 8 frameshift mutations. The mean inactivation of substreaked isolates after exposure to use level concentrations of BC (300 mg/L) was 4.48 log, which was not significantly different from inactivation observed in parent strains. Serial passage experiments performed on cocultures of Listeria strains containing bcrABC or qacH did not yield growth at higher BC concentrations than monoculture experiments.IMPORTANCEListeria resistance to quaternary ammonium compounds has been raised as a concern with regards to Listeria persistence in food environments, which can increase risk of product contamination, food recalls and foodborne illness outbreaks. Findings from our study show that individual Listeria strains can acquire genetic adaptations that confer resistance to low concentrations of benzalkonium chloride, but these genetic adaptations don’t increase Listeria survival when exposed to concentrations of benzalkonium chloride used for food contact surface sanitation (300 mg/L). Our study also suggests that there is limited risk of benzalkonium chloride resistance genes bcrABC and qacH spreading through horizontal gene transfer and conferring enhanced resistance of L. monocytogenes to benzalkonium chloride. Overall, our study suggests that emergence of benzalkonium chloride resistant Listeria strains in food processing environments is of limited concern, as even strains adapted to gain higher MIC in vitro maintain full sensitivity to use level concentrations of benzalkonium chloride.
TNFα-producing CD4+ T cells dominate the SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell response in COVID-19 outpatients and are associated with durable antibodies
Authors: van der Ploeg Kattria , Kirosingh Adam S. , Mori Diego A. M. , Chakraborty Saborni , Hu Zicheng , Seivers Benjamin L. , Jacobson Karen B. , Bonilla Hector , Parsonnet Julie , Andrews Jason R. , Press Kathleen D. , Ty Maureen C. , Ruiz-Betancourt Daniel R. , de la Parte Lauren , Tan Gene S. , Blish Catherine A. , Takahashi Saki , Rodriguez-Barraquer Isabel , Greenhouse Bryan , Singh Upinder , Wang Taia T. , Jagannathan Prasanna 
Published: January 2022

AbstractSARS-CoV-2-specific CD4+ T cells are likely important in immunity against COVID-19, but our understanding of CD4+ longitudinal dynamics following infection and specific features that correlate with the maintenance of neutralizing antibodies remains limited. We characterized SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4+ T cells in a longitudinal cohort of 109 COVID-19 outpatients. The quality of the SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4+ response shifted from cells producing IFNγ to TNFα+ from five days to four months post-enrollment, with IFNγ-IL21-TNFα+ CD4+ T cells the predominant population detected at later timepoints. Greater percentages of IFNγ-IL21-TNFα+ CD4+ T cells on day 28 correlated with SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies measured seven months post-infection (ρ=0.4, P=0.01). mRNA vaccination following SARS-CoV-2 infection boosted both IFNγ and TNFα producing, spike protein-specific CD4+ T cells. These data suggest that SARS-CoV-2-specific, TNFα-producing CD4+ T cells may play an important role in antibody maintenance following COVID-19.
Use of magnetic resonance imaging in neuroprognostication after pediatric cardiac arrest: Survey of current practices
Authors: Piantino Juan A. , Ruzas Christopher M. , Press Craig A. , Subramanian Subramanian , Balakrishnan Binod , Panigrahy Ashok , Pettersson David , Maloney John A. , Vossough Arastoo , Topjian Alexis , Kirschen Matthew P , Doughty Lesley , Chung Melissa G. , Maloney David , Haller Tamara , Fabio Anthony , Fink Ericka L. ,   the POCCA Investigators
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundUse of MRI as a tool to aid in neuroprognostication after cardiac arrest (CA) has been described, yet details of specific indications, timing, and sequences are unknown. We aim to define the current practices in use of brain MRI in prognostication after pediatric cardiac arrest.METHODSA survey was distributed to pediatric institutions participating in three international studies. Survey questions related to center demographics, clinical practice patterns of MRI after CA, neuroimaging resources, and details regarding MRI decision support.RESULTSResponse rate was 31% (44/143). Thirty-four percent (15/44) of centers have a clinical pathway informing the use of MRI after CA. Fifty percent (22/44) of respondents reported that an MRI is obtained in nearly all CA patients and 32% (14/44) obtain an MRI in those who did not return to baseline neurological status. Sixty-four percent of centers (28/44) obtain an MRI greater than 72 hours after return of spontaneous circulation. Poor neurologic exam was reported as the most common factor (91% [40/44]) determining the timing of the MRI. Conventional sequences (T1, T2, FLAIR, and diffusion weighted imaging/apparent diffusion coefficient) are widely used. Advanced imaging techniques, such as MR spectroscopy, diffusion tensor imaging and resting state functional MRI are less commonly used.CONCLUSIONSConventional brain MRI is a common practice for prognostication after CA. Advanced imaging techniques, are used infrequently. The lack of standardized clinical pathways and variability in reported practices support a need for higher-quality evidence regarding the indications, timing, and acquisition protocols of clinical MRI studies.
Exploring the application of behaviour change technique taxonomies in childhood obesity prevention interventions: A systematic scoping review
Authors: Chakraborty Debapriya , Bailey Bronwyn A , Seidler Anna Lene , Yoong Serene , Hunter Kylie E , Hodder Rebecca K , Webster Angela C , Johnson Brittany J 
Published: January 2022

ABSTRACTBehaviour change technique (BCT) taxonomies provide one approach to unpack the complexity of childhood obesity prevention interventions. This scoping review sought to examine how BCT taxonomies have been applied to understand childhood obesity prevention interventions targeting children aged 12 years or under and/or their caregivers. A systematic search was conducted in Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CINAHL and PROSPERO. Eligible studies included any study design that applied a BCT taxonomy and evaluated behavioural childhood obesity prevention interventions targeting children aged 12 years or under and/or their parents or caregivers. Sixty-three records, describing 54 discrete studies were included; 32 applied a BCT taxonomy prospectively (i.e., to design interventions) and 23 retrospectively (i.e., to assess interventions), 1 study did both. There was substantial variation in the methods used to apply BCT taxonomies and to report BCT-related methods and results. There was a paucity of detail reported in how BCTs were selected in studies applying BCT taxonomies prospectively. Our review provides important insight into the application of BCT taxonomies in childhood obesity prevention and several ongoing challenges, pointing to the need for best practice reporting guidance.
Identification of HBV and HCV transmission in multi-transfused Thalassemia patients of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
Authors: Mahmood Majid , Aslam Marum , Zaman Nasib , Parvaiz Fahed , Muhammad Ali , Irshad Nausheen , Pervez KAamir , Ahmad Khawaja Shafique 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundThalassemia patients need regular blood transfusion which saves their lives but increases the risk of acquiring viral infections like hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).Objective(s)This study aimed to screen out the HCV and HBV infections in Thalassemia patients receiving regular blood in three centers of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Pakistan.Materials and MethodsIt was a cross sectional, multicenter study involving 224 Thalassemia patients. The study was carried out from August 2019 to January 2020 in Thalassemia centers of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zaid hospital Rawalakot, District Headquarters hospital (DHQ) Palandari, and Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Muzaffarabad, AJK. A total of 224 patients were screened out for HCV and HBV. Indirect ELISA was carried out to detect anti HCV antibodies while direct ELISA was carried out to detect the HBsAg from all the samples using commercially available ELISA kits.ResultsOverall, 12 patients (5.36%) were found to be positive for HBV while 63 (28.1%) were positive for HCV. HBV positive patients included 7 (5.69%) males and 5 (4.95%) females while HCV positive patients included 26 (41.27%) males and 37 (58.73%) female patients. Both the viruses were more common among elder patients as compared to younger patients.ConclusionPrevalence of HCV is very high and that of HBV is moderately high among Thalassemia patients of AJK.
Impaired alpha and beta modulation in response to social stimuli in children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Cantonas Lucia-Manuela , Seeber Martin , Mancini Valentina , Bochet Aurélie , Kojovic Nada , Rihs Tonia A. , Schaer Marie 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundEarly preferential attention to biological motion is a fundamental mechanism priming the development of sophisticated skills to detect and react to social stimuli. Children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) demonstrate reduced visual orientation towards biological motion, however, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms are unknown.MethodsWe measured the neural oscillations in children with ASD (n=34, mean age 3.43 years) and age and gender matched typically developing children (TD, n=27) while watching videos of social biological (BM) and geometrical motion (GM). Their visual interest in BM stimuli was measured with eye-tracking techniques. Neural oscillations were measured as amplitude modulation of the frequency bands with the electroencephalogram and calculated as the power ratio between BM and GM conditions using scalp and brain source reconstruction analyses.ResultsWe observed a reduced visual exploration of the BM stimuli along with (1) unchanged sensorimotor mu rhythm and (2) altered cortical alpha and beta power ratio in widespread right prefrontal areas associated with default mode and fronto-parietal networks in young children with ASD as compared to their TD peers. Furthermore, we measured significant correlations between prefrontal and posterior cingulate regions of the default mode network with the developmental quotient in both the ASD and TD groups.ConclusionWe observed abnormal alpha and beta modulation of the fronto-parietal and default mode networks along with altered visual exploration of the social biological motion. These deficits represent core impairments of the disorder and may be informative in developing future behavioural and neuroregulation interventions, such as neurofeedback.
LPS-TLR4 pathway exaggerates alcohol-induced acute-on-chronic liver failure via provoking NETs formation
Authors: Liu Yang , Chen Shuo , Wang Jiazhong , Yu Shuo , Zhang Xin , Li Yiming , Cao Gang 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgrounds: Intrahepatic infiltration of neutrophils is a character of alcoholic acute-on-chronic liver failure (AACLF) and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are an important strategy for neutrophils to fix and kill invading microorganisms. Intestinal bacteria and the gut-liver axis have been thought to play a key role in many liver diseases also including AACLF. However, whether NETs appear in AACLF and play a role in AACLF is still unsure. Methods: WT, NE KO, and TLR4 KO mice were used to build the AACLF model, and the intestinal bacteria were eliminated at the same time and LPS was given. Then the formation of NETs and AACLF related markers were detected. Results: The serum MPO-DNA and LPS concentration was increased in AACLF patients and a correlation was revealed between these two indexes. More intrahepatic NETs formed in AACLF mice by testing MPO-DNA, Cit H3, and NE. These markers decreased with gut detergent and restored markers with gut detergent plus LPS supplement. While NETs formation failed to change with gut microbiome or combine LPS supplement in TLR4 KO mice. As we tested AACLF related characters, liver injury, intrahepatic fat deposition, inflammation, and fibrosis alleviated with depletion of NE. These related marks were also attenuated with gut sterilization by antibiotics and recovered with combined treatment with antibiotics plus LPS. But the liver injury, intrahepatic fat, fibro deposition, and liver inflammation-related markers did show a significant difference in TLR4 KO mice when they received the same treatment. Conclusion: Intestinal-derived LPS promotes NETs formation in AACLF through the TLR4 pathway and further accelerates the AACLF process by NETs.
Orphan nuclear receptors Err2 and 3 promote a feature-specific terminal differentiation program underlying gamma motor neuron function and proprioceptive movement control
Authors: Khan Mudassar N. , Cherukuri Pitchaiah , Negro Francesco , Rajput Ashish , Fabrowski Piotr , Bansal Vikas , Lancelin Camille , Lee Tsung-I , Bian Yehan , Mayer William P. , Akay Turgay , Müller Daniel , Bonn Stefan , Farina Dario , Marquardt Till 
Published: January 2022

AbstractMotor neurons are commonly thought of as mere relays between the central nervous system and the movement apparatus, yet, in mammals about one-third of them function exclusively as regulators of muscle proprioception. How these gamma motor neurons acquire properties to function differently from the muscle force-producing alpha motor neurons remains unclear. Here, we found that upon selective loss of the orphan nuclear receptors Err2 and Err3 (Err2/3) in mice, gamma motor neurons acquire characteristic structural (e.g. synaptic wiring), but not functional (e.g. physiological firing rates) properties necessary for regulating muscle proprioception, thus disrupting gait and precision movements in vivo. Moreover, Err2/3 operate via transcriptional activation of neural activity modulators, one of which (Kcna10) promoted gamma motor neuron functional properties. Our work identifies a long-sought mechanism specifying gamma motor neuron properties necessary for proprioceptive movement control, which implies a ‘feature-specific’ terminal differentiation program implementing neuron subtype-specific functional but not structural properties.SummaryThe transcription factors Err2 and 3 promote functional properties in a subset of motor neurons necessary for executing precise movements.
Ecosystem gross primary productivity after autumn snowfall and melt events in a mountain meadow
Authors: Stoy P. C. , Khan A. M. , Van Dorsten K. , Sauer P. , Weaver T. , Brookshire E. N. J. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractVegetation productivity is increasing across much of the U.S. Northern Great Plains but is decreasing in some nearby Northern Rocky Mountain grasslands due to increases in aridity. Mountain grasslands support critical ecosystem services that are under threat from ongoing land use and climate changes, and it is important to understand their function across all changing seasons. Observing the full range of montane ecosystem productivity is challenging because site access is often difficult during the “shoulder seasons” in spring and autumn if the snowpack is not fully developed or degrading. It is unclear if decreases to montane grassland productivity from drying autumns can be offset in part by late-season green-ups after precipitation events. These include the snowfall/snowmelt periods that often characterize the summer-to-winter transition in the Northern Rockies. Here, we quantify the ecosystem carbon uptake that occurs after snowfall and melt in climatological autumn (September, October, and November) in a montane grassland in Montana, USA using a combination of eddy covariance, phenological camera, and remote sensing analyses. Carbon dioxide flux follows a diurnal pattern after autumn snowmelt events despite overall ecosystem losses of C, suggesting that post-snowmelt photosynthesis helps dampen C loss during autumn and provides fresh photosynthate to support ecosystem functioning. Light-saturated photosynthesis after two snow events was not different than before snowfall (∼6 µmol CO2m-2s-1in 2016 and ∼2.5 µmol CO2m-2s-1in 2017); observations are consistent with the notion that canopy photosynthesis is resistant, rather than resilient, to the first snow disturbances. MODIS observations also suggest that post-snowfall increases in NDVI can occur but do not happen every year, such that late-season photosynthesis is not a reliable source of fresh photosynthate. These late-season carbon uptake events likely play a small role in the annual ecosystem carbon balance but may be disproportionately important for organisms faced with dwindling late-season forage and regrowth in spring. Future efforts should seek to understand the community and ecosystem consequences of vegetation functioning during autumn as part of an expanded effort to understand phenological changes during this under-studied and changing time of year.
Cell size homeostasis under the circadian regulation of cell division in cyanobacteria
Authors: Kitaguchi Yuta , Tei Hajime , Uriu Koichiro 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBacterial cells maintain their characteristic cell size over many generations. Several rodshaped bacteria, such as Escherichia coli and the cyanobacteria Synechococcus elongatus, divide after adding a constant length to their length at birth. Through this division control known as the adder mechanism, perturbation in cell length due to physiological fluctuation decays over generations at a rate of 2−1 per cell division. However, previous experiments have shown that the circadian clock in cyanobacteria reduces cell division frequency at a specific time of day under constant light. This circadian gating should modulate the division control by the adder mechanism, but its significance remains unknown. Here we address how the circadian gating affects cell length, doubling time, and cell length stability in cyanobacteria by using mathematical models. We show that a cell subject to circadian gating grows for a long time, and gives birth to elongated daughter cells. These elongated daughter cells grow faster than the previous generation, as elongation speed is proportional to cell length and divide in a short time before the next gating. Hence, the distributions of doubling time and cell length become bimodal, as observed in experimental data. Interestingly, the average doubling time over the population of cells is independent of gating because the extension of doubling time by gating is compensated by its reduction in the subsequent generation. On the other hand, average cell length is increased by gating, suggesting that the circadian clock controls cell length. We then show that the decay rate of perturbation in cell length depends on the ratio of delay in division by the gating τG to the average doubling time τ0 as 2τG/τ0−1. We estimated τG ≈ 2.5, τ0 ≈ 13.6 hours, and τG/τ0 ≈ 0.18 from experimental data, indicating that a long doubling time in cyanobacteria maintains the decay rate similar to that of the adder mechanism. Thus, our analysis suggests that the acquisition of the circadian clock during evolution did not impose a constraint on cell size homeostasis in cyanobacteria.
Adverse events following COVISHIELD (ChAdOx1nCoV-19) vaccination among health care workers in Sri Lanka; a multi-centre cross sectional survey
Authors: Manilgama Suranga Ravinda , Hettiarachchi Nirosha Madhuwanthi , Jayasinghe I Kumudini , De Silva Shamila T , Jayalath Thilak , Wanigaratne Thushari , Rathnayake Bandusiri P , Suganthan Navaneethakrishnan , Sudarshan P , Pathirage Manoji , Rajaratnam Nalayini , Senaratne Ganaka , Rajapaksha Vishaka , Wickramasinghe Asanga , Ranaweera S P A L , Thilakarathna Arjuna H M , Kulaweera M Thilini D 
Published: January 2022

AbstractIntroductionA community vaccination programme is the best approach to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Post-vaccine surveillance is important to identify adverse events (AE) following COVID -19 vaccination in the population.MethodsA multicentre cross-sectional survey was conducted in six provinces to estimate the prevalence of AE following the first dose of COVISHIELD (ChAdOx1nCoV-19) among all categories of health care workers (HCWs). A self-administered questionnaire was used to gather demographic data and AE.ResultsOf 5140 participants 67.8% were females. The mean (SD) age was 40.69 (±9.85) years. At least one comorbidity was reported in 15.4%. At least one AE was reported in 86.6% and 49.3% had local AE. Fever (67.2%), headaches (57.3%), body aches (54.4%), chills (51.2%), fatigue (37.5%) and arthralgia (36%) were the most reported systemic AE. The majority of AE lasted less than 24 hours. Pain and redness at the site were the most reported local AE. Mean duration of onset of fever and pain at injection site from the time of the vaccination was 6.65 and 9.67 hours respectively.When participants were divided into two groups by mean age (≤40 and >40 years) and parameters were compared, most systemic (fever, nausea, fatigue, itching) and all local AE were significantly more prevalent in the ≤40 age group.Two percent had reactions within the first 20 minutes. Anaphylaxis developed in 12 participants. Past history of anaphylaxis, drug or food allergy were reported in 0.6%, 2.8% and 6.7% respectively. However, previous history of allergy was not significantly related to immediate reactions or anaphylaxis following vaccination. Despite having minor AE, 71.1% attended routine work while 0.2% required hospitalisation.ConclusionsWhile 86.6% reported minor AE, only a few serious AE were reported. Overall, the first dose of the vaccine was well-tolerated by HCWs.