bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phylogenomic analysis of the diversity of graspetides and proteins involved in their biosynthesis
Authors: Makarova Kira S. , Blackburne Brittney , Wolf Yuri I. , Nikolskaya Anastasia , Karamycheva Svetlana , Espinoza Marlene , Barry Clifton E. , Bewley Carole A. , Koonin Eugene V. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Bacteria and archaea produce an enormous diversity of modified peptides that are involved in various forms of inter-microbial conflicts or communication. A vast class of such peptides are Ribosomally synthesized, Postranslationally modified Peptides (RiPPs), and a major group of RiPPs are graspetides, so named after ATP-grasp ligases that catalyze the formation of lactam and lactone linkages in these peptides. The diversity of graspetides, the multiple proteins encoded in the respective Biosynthetic Gene Clusters (BGCs) and their evolution have not been studied in full detail. In this work, we attempt a comprehensive analysis of the graspetide-encoding BGCs and report a variety of novel graspetide groups as well as ancillary proteins implicated in graspetide biosynthesis and expression.

Results
We compiled a comprehensive, manually curated set of graspetides that includes 174 families including 115 new families with distinct patterns of amino acids implicated in macrocyclization and further modification, roughly tripling the known graspetide diversity. We derived signature motifs for the leader regions of graspetide precursors that could be used to facilitate graspetide prediction. Graspetide biosynthetic gene clusters and specific precursors were identified in bacterial divisions not previously known to encode RiPPs, in particular, the parasitic and symbiotic bacteria of the Candidate phyla radiation. We identified Bacteroides-specific biosynthetic gene clusters (BGC) that include remarkable diversity of graspetides encoded in the same loci which predicted to be modified by the same ATP-grasp ligase. We studied in details evolution of recently characterized chryseoviridin BGCs and showed that duplication and horizonal gene exchange both contribute to the diversification of the graspetides during evolution.

Conclusions
We demonstrate previously unsuspected diversity of graspetide sequences, even those associated with closely related ATP-grasp enzymes. Several previously unnoticed families of proteins associated with graspetide biosynthetic gene clusters are identified. The results of this work substantially expand the known diversity of RiPPs and can be harnessed to further advance approaches for their identification.
Maximising recruitment of research participants into a general practice based randomised controlled trial concerning lung diagnosis—staff insights from an embedded qualitative study
Authors: Prout Hayley , Tod Angela , Neal Richard , Nelson Annmarie 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
The ELCID Trial was a feasibility randomised controlled trial examining the effect on lung cancer diagnosis of lowering the threshold for referral for urgent chest X-ray for smokers and recent ex-smokers, aged over 60 with new chest symptoms. The qualitative component aimed to explore the feasibility of individually randomising patients to an urgent chest X-ray or not and to investigate any barriers to patient recruitment and participation. This would inform the design of any future definitive trial. This paper explores general practice staff insights into participating in and recruiting to diagnostic trials for possible/suspected lung cancer.

Methods
Qualitative interviews were conducted with 11 general practice staff which included general practitioners, a nurse practitioner, research nurses and practice managers.
Interviews were analysed using a framework approach.

Results
Findings highlight general practice staff motivators to participate in the trial as recruiters, practice staff interactions with patients recruited onto the study, methods of organisation staff used to undertake the trial, the general impact of the trial on practice staff, how the trial research team supported the practices and lastly practice staff suggestions for trial delivery improvement.

Conclusions
The integration of a qualitative component focused on staff experiences participating in a lung diagnostic trial has demonstrated the feasibility to recruit for similar future studies within general practice. Although recruitment into trials can be difficult, results from our study offer suggestions on maximising patient recruitment not just to trials in general but also specifically for a lung diagnosis study.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01344005. Registered on 27 April 2011
Financially incentivized knowledge assessments to improve provider compliance with treatment guidelines: a cluster-randomized controlled trial
Authors: Fink Günther , Fritsche György , Samaha Hadia , Sese Claude , Shapira Gil 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Despite increasing access to health care, under-5 mortality remains high in many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. Interventions to improve quality of care have mostly focused on additional training for medical staff, but generally shown little impact. We will assess the impact of financially incentivized quarterly provider knowledge assessment on compliance with Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) protocols in Congo, DRC.

Methods
Out of a total of 1738 facilities currently receiving results-based financing under an ongoing health financing program, 110 facilities were chosen for this study. All health care workers providing outpatient services to children under age 5 in these facilities will be included in the study. Facilities were randomized with equal probability to control and treatment. Treatment facilities will receive quarterly medical staff knowledge assessments using interactive vignettes. Performance on these vignettes will be rewarded through financial bonus payments to facilities. A baseline survey of health worker knowledge was conducted in 2018. An endline assessment is scheduled to start in the second half of 2021. The primary outcome of interest is health worker compliance with Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) guidelines. Compliance will be verified through direct observation of medical staff-patient interactions.

Discussion
This is to our knowledge the first trial assessing whether linking health financing to health care worker performance on knowledge assessments can increase compliance with under-5 case management protocols.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04634019. Registered on November 18, 2020.
Efficacy of approach bias modification as an add-on to smoking cessation treatment: study protocol for a randomized-controlled double-blind trial
Authors: Wittekind Charlotte E. , Takano Keisuke , Sckopke Philipp , Winkler Markus H. , Werner Gabriela G. , Ehring Thomas , Rüther Tobias 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Although effective treatments for smoking cessation are available, long-term abstinence is the exception rather than the norm. Accordingly, there is a need for novel interventions that potentially improve clinical outcome. Although implicit information processing biases, for example approach biases for smoking-related stimuli, are ascribed a dominant role in the maintenance of tobacco dependence, these biases are hardly targeted in current treatment. Past research has shown that so-called Approach Bias Modification (AppBM) trainings, aiming to modify this bias, lead to improved long-term abstinence in abstinent alcoholic inpatients when delivered as an add-on to treatment-as-usual. Findings on the efficacy of AppBM in smoking have been inconsistent. The present large-scale clinical trial pursues two goals. First, it aims to investigate the efficacy of AppBM as an add-on to treatment-as-usual in a representative sample of adult smokers. Second, possible mechanisms of change are investigated.

Methods
The study is a randomized-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group superiority trial. We aim at a final sample of at least 336 adult smokers. Participants are allocated with a 1:1:1 allocation ratio to one of the following conditions: (1) treatment-as-usual + AppBM, (2) treatment-as-usual + Sham, (3) treatment-as-usual only. During the add-on training, participants are presented smoking-related and positive pictures and are instructed to respond by either pushing or pulling a joystick, depending on the tilt of the pictures (5○ to the left/right). During AppBM, all smoking-related pictures are tilted in the direction that is associated with pushing, thereby aiming to train an avoidance bias for smoking. All positive pictures are tilted in the direction associated with pulling. During Sham, the contingency is 50/50. Participants are assessed before and after the intervention and at a 6-month follow-up. The primary outcome is prolonged abstinence, and secondary outcomes include smoking-related variables and psychological distress. Additionally, the motivational significance of smoking-related stimuli (i.e., approach bias, valence) is assessed with different experimental tasks (Approach-Avoidance Task; Single Target Implicit Association Test) and psychophysiological measures.

Discussion
This is the first large-scale clinical trial investigating the efficacy of AppBM as an add-on in smokers including a TAU only condition. Additionally, it is the first study to systematically investigate potential mechanisms mediating the effects of treatment on clinical outcome.

Trial registration
German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00019221, 11/11/2019
Minimal effective dose of ultrasound-guided rectus sheath block to reduce oral analgesic requirement after ambulatory laparoscopic tubal resection: a randomized controlled superiority trial
Authors: Siripruekpong Sirikarn , Aphinyankul Jinsupha , Chanchayanon Thavat , Oofuvong Maliwan , Pakpirom Jatupon , Choksuchat Chainarong , Packawatchai Patrapon , Klongdee Jumras Na 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
The effective dose during ultrasound-guided rectus sheath block (URSB) for reducing pain after laparoscopic tubal ligation is reported to be 100 mg of 0.25% bupivacaine. We examined the minimal effective dose of 0.25% bupivacaine for URSB on oral analgesic requirement after ambulatory single-port laparoscopic tubal resection.

Methods
A prospective, randomized controlled, superiority trial was conducted among patients who had been scheduled for ambulatory laparoscopic tubal resection between September 2015 and January 2019 at a tertiary care hospital in southern Thailand. Anesthesia was induced following protocol. The intervention group was allocated to receive a bilateral URSB using 10 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine on either side after intubation (total 50 mg) while the control group did not receive the sham block. Patients and assessors were blinded to the study intervention. All patients received a multimodal analgesia regimen as follows: fentanyl and ketorolac intraoperatively and fentanyl and oral acetaminophen at the post-anesthetic care unit. Postoperative oral analgesic requirement (acetaminophen and/or ibuprofen) at home was the primary outcome. Postoperative time to first analgesic requirement, oral analgesia (acetaminophen/ibuprofen), and pain score at 6 and 24 h were accessed via telephone interviews. Percentage, effect size (ES), and 95% confidence interval (CI) were presented.

Results
A total of 66 out of 79 eligible patients were analyzed (32 intervention, 34 control). Intraoperative fentanyl consumption was significantly lower in the intervention group (ES [95% CI]: 0.58 [0.08, 1.07] mcg, p = 0.022). Time to first oral analgesia in the intervention group was significantly longer than that of the control group (ES [95% CI]: 0.66 [0.14, 1.16] h, p = 0.012). The proportion of oral analgesia requirement at 24 h after surgery in the control group was significantly higher than that in the intervention group (97% vs 75%, p = 0.012). Pain scores at 6 and 24 h were similar in both groups although slightly lower in the intervention group (ES [95% CI]: 0.22 [−0.26, 0.71], p = 0.368 and 0.33 [−0.16, 0.81], p = 0.184, respectively).

Conclusion
A dose of 0.25% bupivacaine 50 mg for URSB reduced the oral analgesic requirement at 24 h and prolonged the time to first analgesic requirement after ambulatory laparoscopic tubal resection.

Trial registration
Thaiclinicaltrials.orgTCTR20150921002. Registered on 18 September 2015
Synthesis, screening as potential antitumor of new poly heterocyclic compounds based on pyrimidine-2-thiones
Authors: Abdelrehim El-Sayed M. , El-Sayed Doaa S. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Continuing our interest in preparing of new heterocyclic compounds and examining their various biological activities, this work was designed to prepare new condensed and non-condensed heterocyclic compounds 9a-c, 10a-c, 11a-c, 13a-c and 14a-c were synthesized starting with pyrimidine-2-thiones 4a-c.

Results
Thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidines 9a-c were synthesized by S-alkylation of pyrimidine-2-thiones,4a-c, internal cyclization in alkaline medium with ammonia, condensation with benzaldehyde and finally reaction with hydroxylamine hydrochloride.[1,2,4]thiadiazolo[4,5-a]pyrimidines 11a-c were formed by heating of the 4a-c with benzoylcholride to afford 10a-c followed by reaction with sodium hypochlorite, ammonia and sodium hydroxide. Cyclocondensation of 4a-c with ethyl acetoacetate or formic acid yielded pyrazol-3-ones 13a-c or [1,2,4] triazolo[4,3-a]pyrimidines 14a-c, respectively Elements analysis, IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and mass spectra were used to validate the structures of newly synthesized heterocycles. Screening of the selected compounds 4a, 6a, 7a, 9a, 10a, 13a and 14a against colon carcinoma cell lines (HCT-116) and hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines (HepG-2).

Conclusions
Elements analysis, IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and mass spectra were used to validate the structures of newly synthesized heterocycles. Screening of the selected compounds 4a, 6a, 7a, 9a, 10a, 13a and 14a against colon carcinoma cell lines (HCT-116) and hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines (HepG-2) showed that compound 10a exhibited the most cytotoxic, while compounds 4a, 6a and 14a exhibited considerable cytotoxic activity.
Proteomic profiling of hydatid fluid from pulmonary cystic echinococcosis
Authors: dos Santos Guilherme Brzoskowski , da Silva Edileuza Danieli , Kitano Eduardo Shigueo , Battistella Maria Eduarda , Monteiro Karina Mariante , de Lima Jeferson Camargo , Ferreira Henrique Bunselmeyer , Serrano Solange Maria de Toledo , Zaha Arnaldo 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Most cystic echinococcosis cases in Southern Brazil are caused by Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus ortleppi. Proteomic studies of helminths have increased our knowledge about the molecular survival strategies that are used by parasites. Here, we surveyed the protein content of the hydatid fluid compartment in E. granulosus and E. ortleppi pulmonary bovine cysts to better describe and compare their molecular arsenal at the host-parasite interface.

Methods
Hydatid fluid samples from three isolates of each species were analyzed using mass spectrometry-based proteomics (LC-MS/MS). In silico functional analyses of the identified proteins were performed to examine parasite survival strategies.

Results
The identified hydatid fluid protein profiles showed a predominance of parasite proteins compared to host proteins that infiltrate the cysts. We identified 280 parasitic proteins from E. granulosus and 251 from E. ortleppi, including 52 parasitic proteins that were common to all hydatid fluid samples. The in silico functional analysis revealed important molecular functions and processes that are active in pulmonary cystic echinococcosis, such as adhesion, extracellular structures organization, development regulation, signaling transduction, and enzyme activity.

Conclusions
The protein profiles described here provide evidence of important mechanisms related to basic cellular processes and functions that act at the host-parasite interface in cystic echinococcosis. The molecular tools used by E. granulosus and E. ortleppi for survival within the host are potential targets for new therapeutic approaches to treat cystic echinococcosis and other larval cestodiases.

Graphical Abstract
Validation in the ESPOIR cohort of vitamin K-dependent protein S (PROS) as a potential biomarker capable of predicting response to the methotrexate/etanercept combination
Authors: Vittecoq Olivier , Guillou Clément , Hardouin Julie , Gerard Baptiste , Berenbaum Francis , Constantin Arnaud , Rincheval Nathalie , Combe Bernard , Lequerre Thierry , Cosette Pascal 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
To validate the ability of PROS (vitamin K-dependent protein S) and CO7 (complement component C7) to predict response to the methotrexate (MTX)/etanercept (ETA) combination in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who received this therapeutic combination in a well-documented cohort.

Method
From the ESPOIR cohort, RA patients having received the MTX/ETA or MTX/adalimumab (ADA) combination as a first-line biologic treatment were included. Serum concentrations of PROS and CO7 were measured by ELISA prior to the initiation of ETA or ADA, at a time where the disease was active (DAS28 ESR > 3.2). The clinical efficacy (response/non-response) of both combinations has been evaluated after at least 6 months of treatment, according to the EULAR response criteria with some modifications.

Results
Thirty-two were treated by MTX/ETA; the numbers of responders and non-responders were 24 and 8, respectively. Thirty-three patients received the MTX/ADA combination; 27 and 5 patients were respectively responders and non-responders. While there were no differences for demographic, clinical, biological, and X-rays data, as well as for CO7, serum levels of PROS tended to be significantly higher in responders to the MTX/ETA combination (p = 0.08) while no difference was observed in the group receiving MTX/ADA. For PROS, the best concentration threshold to differentiate both groups was calculated at 40 μg/ml using ROC curve. The theranostic performances of PROS appeared better for the ETA/MTX combination. When considering the response to this combination, analysis of pooled data from ESPOIR and SATRAPE (initially used to validate PROS and CO7 as potential theranostic biomarkers) cohorts led to a higher theranostic value of PROS that became significant (p = 0.009).

Conclusion
PROS might be one candidate of a combination of biomarkers capable of predicting the response to MTX/ETA combination in RA patients refractory to MTX.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers: NCT03666091 and NCT00234234.
Centralized fusion robust filtering for networked uncertain systems with colored noises, one-step random delay, and packet dropouts
Authors: Li Shuang , Liu Wenqiang , Tao Guili 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThis paper studies the estimation problem for multisensor networked systems with mixed uncertainties, which include colored noises, same multiplicative noises in system parameter matrices, uncertain noise variances, as well as the one-step random delay (OSRD) and packet dropouts (PDs). This study utilizes the centralized fusion (CF) algorithm to combing all information received by each sensor, which improve the accuracy of the estimation. By using the augmentation method, de-randomization method and fictitious noise techniques, the original uncertain system is transformed into an augment model with only uncertain noise variances. Then, for all uncertainties within the allowable range, the robust CF steady-state Kalman estimators (predictor, filter, and smoother) are presented based on the worst-case CF system, in light of the minimax robust estimation principle. To demonstrate the robustness of the proposed CF estimators, the non-negative definite matrix decomposition method and Lyapunov equation approach are employed. It is proved that the robust accuracy of CF estimator is higher than that of each local estimator. Finally, the simulation example applied to the uninterruptible power system (UPS) with colored noises and multiple uncertainties illustrates the effectiveness of the proposed CF robust estimation algorithm.
A low complexity STPAP algorithm based on an alternating polarization-sensitive array
Authors: Sha Shuang , Lyu Tingting , Zhang Hao , Gulliver T. Aaron , Dong Ying 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundSpace–time adaptive processing (STAP) has been widely used in the fields of communication, radar, and navigation anti-jamming. However, the traditional scalar arrays used with STAP have limitations because they can only obtain spatial information. To improve the performance, joint space–time filtering is proposed using an alternating polarization-sensitive array (APSA). Compared to a dual-polarization sensitive array (DPSA), this array can provide polarization information and reduce the computational complexity.MethodsAn alternating polarization-sensitive array space–time polarization adaptive processing (APSA-STPAP) algorithm is proposed based on the linear constraint minimum variance (LCMV) criterion. Different from the traditional LCMV criterion, the space–time polarization joint steering vector of the desired and interference signals is used as the constraint matrix, and the “set 1” and “set 0” conditions are used as the constraint conditions to effectively suppress the interference signals and enhance the desired signals.ResultsSimulation results are presented which show the following. (1) Filtering with the proposed APSA-STPAP algorithm is similar to that with the DPSA-STPAP algorithm. From the perspective of the spatial, time, and polarization domains, it can form nulls in the directions of the interference and realize space–time-polarization adaptive processing. (2) The APSA-STPAP algorithm has lower computational complexity than the DPSA-STPAP algorithm. Moreover, the dipole of the alternating polarization sensitive array is halved, which reduces the coupling effect between electric dipoles and makes implementation easier. (3) The APSA-STPAP algorithm maintains good anti-interference performance even when the electric dipole and anti-jamming degrees of freedom are reduced by half, and the anti-jamming performance is similar to that of a polarization-sensitive array. There is little difference between the anti-interference performance of the APSA-STPAP and DPSA-STPAP algorithms when SNR ≥  − 10 dB.
A novel zero-watermarking scheme based on NSCT-SVD and blockchain for video copyright
Authors: Wu Xiangqi , Ma Peng , Jin Zihan , Wu Yuxuan , Han Wenbao , Ou Wei 
Published: March 2022

AbstractWith the advent of information era, the issues on video copyright continue to emerge. In the grey industrial chain of piracy, the film industry is suffering a major disaster area. The current protection schemes for video copyright are inefficient and costly so that video industry still has to face the infringement. To address poor robustness, weak imperceptibility and difficulty in traceability of the current protection schemes for video copyright, this paper proposes a novel zero-watermarking scheme based on NSCT-SVD and blockchain for video copyright. In addition, we research the feasibility and reason of combining zero-watermarking with blockchain. The designed zero-watermarking algorithm is based on NSCT-SVD, Arnold Transform and key-frames extraction algorithm which is based on distance threshold clustering. The results show the extracted features from video are stable and secure than DWT-SVD based and the past non-blocking. The performance of the blockchain scheme designed for video copyright practices well. Comparatively, the discussion and results showed that the proposed scheme has been verified more credible and efficient in authoritative traceability compared to trusted third party based. The registration information cannot be tampered and be more suitable for copyright protection.