bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of topical permethrin 5% vs. benzyl benzoate 25% treatment in scabies: a double-blinded randomized controlled trial
Authors: Meyersburg Damian , Hoellwerth Magdalena , Brandlmaier Matthias , Handisurya Allesandra , Kaiser Andreas , Prodinger Christine , Bauer Johann W
Published: December 2023

Background

Scabies is a pruritic parasitic infestation of the skin. High-income countries have reported an increasing incidence over the last few years. Studies have indicated a reduction in the sensitivity of scabies mites to the standard treatment of choice, topical permethrin 5%.

Objectives

To evaluate in a head-to-head manner the efficacy of two topical scabicides [permethrin 5% and benzyl benzoate 25% (BB)] in the treatment of scabies using the same administration modality; and to address potential confounding factors such as incorrectly performed treatment and hygiene measures.

Methods

In total, 110 patients with dermoscopy-verified scabies infestation were enrolled and randomized into two equally sized groups in a double-blinded manner. Fifty-five received topical permethrin 5% and 55 received topical BB 25%, both for daily use over a period of three consecutive days. Treatment outcome was evaluated by dermoscopy at a 3-week follow-up visit.

Results

Treatment resulted in a dermoscopy-verified cure rate of 27% in the permethrin group and 87% in the BB group. The tolerability and safety profile of permethrin 5% cream was excellent, while the BB emulsion produced a burning sensation in 43% of patients.

Conclusions

Topical permethrin demonstrated a lack of efficacy in the majority of scabies cases, whereas BB demonstrated an excellent cure rate and reasonable tolerability. Considering the reduced sensitivity of scabies mites to permethrin 5%, our results suggest that BB is an appropriate first-line therapy in the treatment of scabies.
Infectious disease among adults with allergic contact dermatitis: a propensity score-matched case–control study
Authors: Abdi Parsa , Haq Zaim , Diaz Michael J , Maibach Howard I
Published: December 2023

Although recent studies have hinted at associations between allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and infectious diseases, extensive cohort analyses on the direct correlations between ACD and increased susceptibility to these infections remain limited. After analysing the ‘All of Us’ database, which includes a diverse cohort of 287 011 participants, the study identified 4854 patients with ACD. Comparisons with matched controls revealed a significant association between ACD and various infectious cutaneous comorbidities. Specifically, individuals with ACD showed a heightened risk of conditions like impetigo, scabies, cutaneous herpes simplex virus, cutaneous candidiasis, cutaneous abscess and verruca vulgaris.
Successful response to dupilumab in a refractory case of atopic dermatitis-like chronic cutaneous graft-versus-host disease
Authors: Tierney Emma , Evans Pamela , Broderick Valerie , Wynn Robert , Irvine Alan D
Published: December 2023

Therapeutic strategies with proven efficacy for chronic cutaneous graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) are limited, with long-term oral glucocorticoids remaining the first-line treatment. Prolonged treatment with glucocorticoids contributes to the significantly increased risk of nonrelapse mortality and substantial deficit in quality of life reported in paediatric transplant patients with chronic GvHD. We report a case of atopic dermatitis-like chronic cutaneous GvHD responding to dupilumab, allowing for the eventual withdrawal of oral glucocorticoids.
Multicentre experience from tertiary skin cancer units on the role of sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with pT1b melanoma
Authors: Hughes Sam , Srenathan Hareni , Lynch Magnus , Leeman Hayley
Published: December 2023

Multicentre experience from tertiary skin cancer units on the role of sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with pT1b melanoma.
Transapical beating-heart septal myectomy for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with latent obstruction
Authors: Li Jiangtao , Wei Xiang
Published: December 2023

OBJECTIVES

A novel transapical beating-heart septal myectomy (TA-BSM) procedure was performed for patients with latent obstruction through the left intercostal incision and without cardiopulmonary bypass. This study aims to demonstrate the experience of the TA-BSM procedure for patients with latent obstruction and compare outcomes to patients with resting obstruction.

METHODS

We studied 120 symptomatic hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy patients (33 with latent obstruction and 87 with resting obstruction) who underwent TA-BSM. Demographic profiles, echocardiogram-derived ventricular morphology and haemodynamics and clinical outcomes were analysed.

RESULTS

There were no important differences in baseline clinical characteristics between patients with latent obstruction and resting obstruction, including age, symptoms, comorbidities and medical history. Patients with latent obstruction had lower basal septum thickness, higher midventricular wall thickness, smaller left atrial chamber size and more frequency of mitral subvalvular anomalies. There was no difference in early (<30 days) deaths (0/33 vs 1/87, P > 0.999) and mid-term survival between patients with latent obstruction and resting obstruction. At 6 months after surgery, 31 (93.9%) patients with latent obstruction and 80 (92.0%) with resting obstruction achieved optimal procedural success, which was defined as a maximal gradient (after provocation) <30 mmHg and mitral regurgitation ≤ grade 1+ without mortality. Maximal left ventricular outflow tract gradient, basal septum thickness, midventricular wall thickness, mitral regurgitation grade and left atrial chamber size were significantly decreased after TA-BSM. In the follow-up, the New York Heart Association class was significantly improved following surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

TA-BSM preserved favourable gold-standard guideline desired outcomes through real-time echocardiographic-guided resection. Equipoise of outcomes for this procedure regardless of degree of resting left ventricular outflow tract gradients supports operative management with this approach in symptomatic patients with latent obstruction.
Life’s Essential 8 and heart failure among patients with chronic kidney disease: the Kailuan Cohort Study
Authors: Huo Zhenyu , Huang Zhe , Feng Jun , Li Junjuan , Chen Shuohua , Wang Guodong , Peng Yinshun , Huang Lili , Wu Shouling , Gao Xiang , Li Yaqi , Geng Tingting
Published: December 2023

Aims

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at an increased risk of developing heart failure. The American Heart Association recently released a new metric, Life’s Essential 8 (LE8), for health promotion. However, evidence regarding associations between LE8 and heart failure risk among patients with CKD is scarce.

Methods and results

A total of 16 190 patients with CKD (mean age 55.9 years), free of cardiovascular disease at recruitment from the Kailuan Study, were included. Cardiovascular health was assessed using the LE8 score. Incident heart failure events were ascertained via linkage of electronic health record data. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to compute hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). There were 814 (5.0%) patients in the high LE8 criteria, with 13 180 (81.4%) in the moderate, and 2196 (13.6%) in the low LE8 category, respectively. During a median follow-up of 13.7 years, 724 incident heart failure cases were documented. Compared with the low LE8 category, the HRs (95% CIs) for heart failure were 0.58 (0.48, 0.71) for the moderate LE8 category and 0.32 (0.19, 0.54) for the high LE8 category (P for trend <0.001). In addition, the association was stronger in patients aged ≤65 years compared with their older counterparts (P for interaction = 0.01).

Conclusion

Our data showed a strong graded inverse association between the LE8-defined cardiovascular health and the risk of heart failure among patients with CKD. Our findings support the importance of adopting the LE8 among patients with CKD to prevent heart failure.
Comparing baseline correction algorithms in discriminating brownish soils from five proximity locations based on UPLC and PLS-DA methods
Authors: Ahmad Muhamad Adib bin , Lee Loong Chuen , Mohd Rosdi Nur Ain Najihah , Abd Hamid Nadirah Binti , Ishak Ab Aziz , Sino Hukil
Published: December 2023

Soil is commonly collected from an outdoor crime scene, and thus it is helpful in linking a suspect and a victim to a crime scene. The chemical profiles of soils can be acquired via chemical instruments such as Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC). However, the UPLC chromatogram often interferes with an unstable baseline. In this paper, we compared the performance of five baseline correction (BC) algorithms, i.e. asymmetric least squares (AsLS), fill peak, iterative restricted least squares, median window (MW), and modified polynomial fitting, in discriminating 30 chromatograms of brownish soils by five locations of origin, i.e. PP, HK, KU, BL, and KB. The performances of the preprocessed sub-datasets were first visually inspected through the mean chromatograms and then further explored via scores plots of principal component analysis (PCA). Eventually, the predictive performances of the partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) models estimated from 1 000 pairs of training and testing samples (i.e. prepared via iterative random resampling split at 75:25) were studied to identify the best BC method. Mean raw chromatograms of the 10 soil samples were different from each other, with evident fluctuated baselines. AsLS and MW corrected chromatograms demonstrated the most significant improvement compared with the raw counterpart. Meanwhile, the scores plot of PCA revealed that most of the sub-datasets produced three separate clusters. Then, the sub-datasets were modelled via the PLS-DA technique. MW emerged as the excellent BC method based on the mean prediction accuracy estimated using 1 000 pairs of training and testing samples. In conclusion, MW outperformed the other BC methods in correcting the UPLC data of soil.

Key points
Heritable epigenetic variation facilitates long-term maintenance of epigenetic and genetic variation
Authors: Webster Amy K , Phillips Patrick C
Published: December 2023

How genetic and phenotypic variation are maintained has long been one of the fundamental questions in population and quantitative genetics. A variety of factors have been implicated to explain the maintenance of genetic variation in some contexts (e.g. balancing selection), but the potential role of epigenetic regulation to influence population dynamics has been understudied. It is well recognized that epigenetic regulation, including histone methylation, small RNA expression, and DNA methylation, helps to define differences between cell types and facilitate phenotypic plasticity. In recent years, empirical studies have shown the potential for epigenetic regulation to also be heritable for at least a few generations without selection, raising the possibility that differences in epigenetic regulation can act alongside genetic variation to shape evolutionary trajectories. Heritable differences in epigenetic regulation that arise spontaneously are termed “epimutations.” Epimutations differ from genetic mutations in 2 key ways—they occur at a higher rate and the loci at which they occur often revert back to their original state within a few generations. Here, we present an extension of the standard population genetic model with selection to incorporate epigenetic variation arising via epimutation. Our model assumes a diploid, sexually reproducing population with random mating. In addition to spontaneous genetic mutation, we included parameters for spontaneous epimutation and back-epimutation, allowing for 4 potential epialleles at a single locus (2 genetic alleles, each with 2 epigenetic states), each of which affect fitness. We then analyzed the conditions under which stable epialleles were maintained. Our results show that highly reversible epialleles can be maintained in long-term equilibrium under neutral conditions in a manner that depends on the epimutation and back-epimutation rates, which we term epimutation–back-epimutation equilibrium. On the other hand, epialleles that compensate for deleterious mutations cause deviations from the expectations of mutation–selection balance by a simple factor that depends on the epimutation and back-epimutation rates. We also numerically analyze several sets of fitness parameters for which large deviations from mutation–selection balance occur. Together, these results demonstrate that transient epigenetic regulation may be an important factor in the maintenance of both epigenetic and genetic variation in populations.
The chromosome-scale genome and the genetic resistance machinery against insect herbivores of the Mexican toloache,Datura stramonium
Authors: De-la-Cruz Ivan M , Oyama Ken , Núñez-Farfán Juan
Published: December 2023

Plant resistance refers to the heritable ability of plants to reduce damage caused by natural enemies, such as herbivores and pathogens, either through constitutive or induced traits like chemical compounds or trichomes. However, the genetic architecture—the number and genome location of genes that affect plant defense and the magnitude of their effects—of plant resistance to arthropod herbivores in natural populations remains poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to unveil the genetic architecture of plant resistance to insect herbivores in the annual herb Datura stramonium (Solanaceae) through quantitative trait loci mapping. We achieved this by assembling the species’ genome and constructing a linkage map using an F2 progeny transplanted into natural habitats. Furthermore, we conducted differential gene expression analysis between undamaged and damaged plants caused by the primary folivore, Lema daturaphila larvae. Our genome assembly resulted in 6,109 scaffolds distributed across 12 haploid chromosomes. A single quantitative trait loci region on chromosome 3 was associated with plant resistance, spanning 0 to 5.17 cM. The explained variance by the quantitative trait loci was 8.44%. Our findings imply that the resistance mechanisms of D. stramonium are shaped by the complex interplay of multiple genes with minor effects. Protein–protein interaction networks involving genes within the quantitative trait loci region and overexpressed genes uncovered the key role of receptor-like cytoplasmic kinases in signaling and regulating tropane alkaloids and terpenoids, which serve as powerful chemical defenses against D. stramonium herbivores. The data generated in our study constitute important resources for delving into the evolution and ecology of secondary compounds mediating plant–insect interactions.
Scaling of earthquake waiting time distributions in northern Chile
Authors: Siegel Cristián E , Toledo Patricio A , Madariaga Raúl , Campos Jaime
Published: December 2023

In this study, we examine the scaling of earthquake waiting time distributions in Northern Chile. For this purpose, we analysed 7-yr high spatial resolution and low completeness magnitude IPOC seismic catalogue and 43-yr USGS catalogue. A unified earthquake moment–space–time scaling relation is empirically evaluated by calculating waiting times for different ranges of magnitude and epicentral area linear dimension and estimating the associated scaling coefficients, β analogue to b-value and γ, the correlation fractal dimension. We find a scaling function that can be characterized with three distinct regions, regions whose behaviour depends on whether seismicity is in the coastal area or at intermediate depth. Moreover, high resolution localizations from the IPOC catalogue allows us to further observe differences: the lower plane seismicity of the double seismic zone behaves just like that at intermediate depth, while the crustal upper plate and the upper plane from the double seismic zone seismicity behaves more like interface seismicity. Thus, the earthquake waiting time distribution primarily depends on whether seismicity is located in a crust-on-crust or in a crust–mantle system: having, respectively, high/low correlated behaviour in the short scale region, non-exponential/exponential decay in the transition middle region and, in all cases, long-term clustering with a slower than exponential decay in the long scale.
Partisanship supersedes race: effects of discussant race and partisanship on Whites’ willingness to engage in race-specific conversations
Authors: Appiah Osei , Eveland William P , Henry Christina M
Published: December 2023

White participants in the United States were asked to imagine having a hypothetical conversation about race-specific issues with either a White or Black discussant who was described as either a Republican or Democrat. Participants’ expectations of encountering negative outcomes during the conversation, and their intentions to avoid the conversation, were measured. The black sheep effect posits that harmful ingroup members are evaluated more negatively than comparable outgroup members because they threaten the ingroup’s social identity. Findings indicate discussants’ partisanship is more important than their race in guiding respondents’ expectations of and desire to engage in cross-group conversations. Whites expected more negative outcomes and intended to avoid conversations more when they imagined talking about race with White discussants from a different political party than they did Black discussants from a different party, Black discussants from the same party, or White discussants from the same party. Intergroup threat and social identity theories are discussed.
Factors associated with inappropriateness of antibiotic prescriptions for acutely ill children presenting to ambulatory care in high-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Dillen Hannelore , Wouters Jo , Snijders Daniëlle , Wynants Laure , Verbakel Jan Y
Published: December 2023

Background

Acutely ill children are at risk of unwarranted antibiotic prescribing. Data on the appropriateness of antibiotic prescriptions provide insights into potential tailored interventions to promote antibiotic stewardship.

Objectives

To examine factors associated with the inappropriateness of antibiotic prescriptions for acutely ill children presenting to ambulatory care in high-income countries.

Methods

On 8 September 2022, we systematically searched articles published since 2002 in MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, Web of Science, and grey literature databases. We included studies with acutely ill children presenting to ambulatory care settings in high-income countries reporting on the appropriateness of antibiotic prescriptions. The quality of the studies was evaluated using the Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies and the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Pooled ORs were calculated using random-effects models. Meta-regression, sensitivity and subgroup analysis were also performed.

Results

We included 40 articles reporting on 30 different factors and their association with inappropriate antibiotic prescribing. ‘Appropriateness’ covered a wide range of definitions. The following factors were associated with increased inappropriate antibiotic prescribing: acute otitis media diagnosis [pooled OR (95% CI): 2.02 (0.54–7.48)], GP [pooled OR (95% CI) 1.38 (1.00–1.89)] and rural setting [pooled OR (95% CI) 1.47 (1.08–2.02)]. Older patient age and a respiratory tract infection diagnosis have a tendency to be positively associated with inappropriate antibiotic prescribing, but pooling of studies was not possible.

Conclusions

Prioritizing acute otitis media, GPs, rural areas, older children and respiratory tract infections within antimicrobial stewardship programmes plays a vital role in promoting responsible antibiotic prescribing. The implementation of a standardized definition of appropriateness is essential to evaluate such programmes.
7-Year (2015–21) longitudinal surveillance of lefamulin in vitro activity against bacterial pathogens collected worldwide from patients with respiratory tract infections including pneumonia and characterization of resistance mechanisms
Authors: Paukner Susanne , Mendes Rodrigo E , Arends S J Ryan , Gassner Gisela , Gelone Steven P , Sader Helio S
Published: December 2023

Objectives

Lefamulin (Xenleta™), a pleuromutilin antibiotic, was approved for the oral and IV treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) in adults in 2019/2020. This study evaluated the in vitro activity of lefamulin and comparators against 19 584 unique bacterial isolates collected from patients with community-acquired respiratory tract infections and hospitalized patients with pneumonia within the global SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance Program during 2015–21.

Methods

Isolates were susceptibility tested by the CLSI broth microdilution method, and resistance mechanisms were investigated in isolates with elevated lefamulin MICs.

Results

Lefamulin exhibited potent antibacterial activity against the most common and typical CABP pathogens tested, including Streptococcus pneumoniae [MIC50/90, 0.06/0.25 mg/L; 99.9% susceptible (S)], Staphylococcus aureus (MIC50/90, 0.06/0.12 mg/L; 99.6% S), Haemophilus influenzae (MIC50/90, 0.5/2 mg/L; 99.1% S) and Moraxella catarrhalis (MIC50/90, 0.06/0.12 mg/L; 100.0% S). Potent activity was also observed against the less common pneumonia pathogens: β-haemolytic (MIC50/90 of 0.03/0.06 mg/L) and viridans group Streptococcus spp. (MIC50/90 of 0.06/0.25 mg/L) and Haemophilus parainfluenzae (MIC50/90 of 1/4 mg/L). Lefamulin’s activity was not adversely affected by resistance to macrolides, penicillin, tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones and other resistance phenotypes. Non-susceptibility/resistance to lefamulin was rare and primarily determined by ribosomal protection through vga(A) variants in S. aureus, overexpression of AcrAB-TolC efflux pump in H. influenzae or modifications in L3, L4 and 23SrRNA in Streptococcus spp.

Conclusions

Based on the coverage of the most important CABP pathogens and lacking cross-resistance, lefamulin may represent a valuable empirical treatment option for ambulatory and hospitalized patients with CABP, particularly in settings with high prevalence of resistance.
Effect of (in)organic additives on microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation
Authors: Haystead Jamie , Gilmour Katie , Sherry Angela , Dade-Robertson Martyn , Zhang Meng
Published: December 2023

Aim

This study aimed to understand the morphological effects of (in)organic additives on microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP).

Methods and results

MICP was monitored in real time in the presence of (in)organic additives: bovine serum albumin (BSA), biofilm surface layer protein A (BslA), magnesium chloride (MgCl2), and poly-l-lysine. This monitoring was carried out using confocal microscopy to observe the formation of CaCO3 from the point of nucleation, in comparison to conditions without additives. Complementary methodologies, namely scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, were employed to assess the visual morphology, elemental composition, and crystalline structures of CaCO3, respectively, following the crystals’ formation. The results demonstrated that in the presence of additives, more CaCO3 crystals were produced at 100 min compared to the reaction without additives. The inclusion of BslA resulted in larger crystals than reactions containing other additives, including MgCl2. BSA induced a significant number of crystals from the early stages of the reaction (20 min) but did not have a substantial impact on crystal size compared to conditions without additives. All additives led to a higher content of calcite compared to vaterite after a 24-h reaction, with the exception of MgCl2, which produced a substantial quantity of magnesium calcite.

Conclusions

The work demonstrates the effect of several (in)organic additives on MICP and sets the stage for further research to understand additive effects on MICP to achieve controlled CaCO3 precipitation.
Data-driven automated classification algorithms for acute health conditions: applying PheNorm to COVID-19 disease
Authors: Smith Joshua C , Williamson Brian D , Cronkite David J , Park Daniel , Whitaker Jill M , McLemore Michael F , Osmanski Joshua T , Winter Robert , Ramaprasan Arvind , Kelley Ann , Shea Mary , Wittayanukorn Saranrat , Stojanovic Danijela , Zhao Yueqin , Toh Sengwee , Johnson Kevin B , Aronoff David M , Carrell David S
Published: December 2023

Objectives

Automated phenotyping algorithms can reduce development time and operator dependence compared to manually developed algorithms. One such approach, PheNorm, has performed well for identifying chronic health conditions, but its performance for acute conditions is largely unknown. Herein, we implement and evaluate PheNorm applied to symptomatic COVID-19 disease to investigate its potential feasibility for rapid phenotyping of acute health conditions.

Materials and methods

PheNorm is a general-purpose automated approach to creating computable phenotype algorithms based on natural language processing, machine learning, and (low cost) silver-standard training labels. We applied PheNorm to cohorts of potential COVID-19 patients from 2 institutions and used gold-standard manual chart review data to investigate the impact on performance of alternative feature engineering options and implementing externally trained models without local retraining.

Results

Models at each institution achieved AUC, sensitivity, and positive predictive value of 0.853, 0.879, 0.851 and 0.804, 0.976, and 0.885, respectively, at quantiles of model-predicted risk that maximize F1. We report performance metrics for all combinations of silver labels, feature engineering options, and models trained internally versus externally.

Discussion

Phenotyping algorithms developed using PheNorm performed well at both institutions. Performance varied with different silver-standard labels and feature engineering options. Models developed locally at one site also worked well when implemented externally at the other site.

Conclusion

PheNorm models successfully identified an acute health condition, symptomatic COVID-19. The simplicity of the PheNorm approach allows it to be applied at multiple study sites with substantially reduced overhead compared to traditional approaches.
Benchmarking the symptom-checking capabilities of ChatGPT for a broad range of diseases
Authors: Chen Anjun , Chen Drake O , Tian Lu
Published: December 2023

Objective

This study evaluates ChatGPT’s symptom-checking accuracy across a broad range of diseases using the Mayo Clinic Symptom Checker patient service as a benchmark.

Methods

We prompted ChatGPT with symptoms of 194 distinct diseases. By comparing its predictions with expectations, we calculated a relative comparative score (RCS) to gauge accuracy.

Results

ChatGPT’s GPT-4 model achieved an average RCS of 78.8%, outperforming the GPT-3.5-turbo by 10.5%. Some specialties scored above 90%.

Discussion

The test set, although extensive, was not exhaustive. Future studies should include a more comprehensive disease spectrum.

Conclusion

ChatGPT exhibits high accuracy in symptom checking for a broad range of diseases, showcasing its potential as a medical training tool in learning health systems to enhance care quality and address health disparities.
Low RNA disruption during neoadjuvant chemotherapy predicts pathologic complete response absence in patients with breast cancer
Authors: Cazzaniga Marina Elena , Ademuyiwa Foluso , Petit Thierry , Tio Joke , Generali Daniele , Ciruelos Eva M , Califaretti Nadia , Poirier Brigitte , Ardizzoia Antonio , Hoenig Arnd , Lex Benno , Mouret-Reynier Marie-Ange , Giesecke Dagmar , Isambert Nicolas , Masetti Ricardo , Pitre Lacey , Wrobel Denise , Augereau Paule , Milani Manuela , Rask Sara , Solbach Christine , Pritzker Laura , Noubir Sanaa , Parissenti Amadeo , Trudeau Maureen E
Published: December 2023

In previously reported retrospective studies, high tumor RNA disruption during neoadjuvant chemotherapy predicted for post-treatment pathologic complete response (pCR) and improved disease-free survival at definitive surgery for primary early breast cancer. The BREVITY (Breast Cancer Response Evaluation for Individualized Therapy) prospective clinical trial (NCT03524430) seeks to validate these prior findings. Here we report training set (Phase I) findings, including determination of RNA disruption index (RDI) cut points for outcome prediction in the subsequent validation set (Phase II; 454 patients). In 80 patients of the training set, maximum tumor RDI values for biopsies obtained during neoadjuvant chemotherapy were significantly higher in pCR responders than in patients without pCR post-treatment (P = .008). Moreover, maximum tumor RDI values ≤3.7 during treatment predicted for a lack of pCR at surgery (negative predictive value = 93.3%). These findings support the prospect that on-treatment tumor RNA disruption assessments may effectively predict post-surgery outcome, possibly permitting treatment optimization.
International travel increases risk of urinary tract infection caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales—three-arm case-control study
Authors: Patjas Anu , Martelius Antti , Ollgren Jukka , Kantele Anu
Published: December 2023

Background

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-PE) have worldwide become increasingly prevalent as pathogens causing urinary tract infections (UTIs), posing challenges in their treatment. Of particular concern are travellers to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), a substantial proportion of whom become colonized by ESBL-PE, with UTIs as the most common clinical manifestation. Seeking tools for preventing ESBL-PE UTI, we explored factors associated with (i) any UTI (versus control), (ii) ESBL-PE UTI (versus control) and (iii) ESBL-PE versus non-ESBL-PE UTI.

Methods

During 2015–20, we recruited patients with recent ESBL-PE or non-ESBL-PE UTIs, and controls with no UTI to fill in questionnaires covering potential (ESBL-PE-)UTI risk factors.

Results

Of our 430 participants, 130 had ESBL-PE UTI and 187 non-ESBL-PE UTI; 113 were controls. Our three comparisons showed several risk factors as exemplified for any UTI versus controls by female sex, lower education, age, diabetes, antibiotic use, diarrhoea; for ESBL-PE UTI versus controls by travel to LMICs, antibiotic use, swimming; and ESBL-PE versus non-ESBL-PE UTI by male sex, higher education, LMIC travel (participant/household member), pets and antibiotic use. Weekly fish meals appeared protective against both UTI and ESBL-PE UTI.

Conclusions

Of the numerous factors predisposing to UTI and/or ESBL-PE UTI, our study highlights antibiotic use and LMIC travel. Household members’ LMIC travel appears to pose a risk of ESBL-PE UTI, pointing to household transmission of travel-acquired uropathogens. As predisposing factors to multidrug-resistant UTI, international travel and antibiotic use constitute practical targets for prevention efforts.
Simultaneous detection of mycotoxigenic Aspergillus species of sections Circumdati and Flavi using multiplex digital PCR
Authors: Palumbo Jeffrey D , Sarreal Siov Bouy L , Kim Jong H
Published: December 2023

Populations of ochratoxin-producing Aspergillus section Circumdati species and aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus section Flavi species frequently coexist in soil and are the main sources of mycotoxin contamination of tree nuts. Identification of mycotoxigenic Aspergillus species in these sections is difficult using traditional isolation and culture methods. We developed a multiplex digital PCR (dPCR) assay to detect and quantify Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus westerdijkiae, and Aspergillus steynii (section Circumdati), as well as Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus (section Flavi), in environmental samples based on species-specific calmodulin gene sequences. Relative quantification of each species by dPCR of mixed-species templates correlated with corresponding DNA input ratios. Target species could be detected in soil inoculated with conidia from each species. Non-target species of sections Circumdati, Flavi, and Nigri were generally not detectable using this dPCR method. Detected non-target species (Aspergillus fresenii, Aspergillus melleus, Aspergillus sclerotiorum, and Aspergillus subramanianii) were discernible from A. ochraceus in dual-template dPCR reactions based on differential fluorescence intensity.
UV-photoprocessing of acetic acid (CH3COOH)-bearing interstellar ice analogues
Authors: Olivares C del Burgo , Carrascosa H , Escribano B , Caro G M Muñoz , Martín-Doménech R
Published: December 2023

Acetic acid (CH3COOH) was detected in the gas towards interstellar clouds, hot cores, protostars, and comets. Its formation in ice mantles was proposed, and acetic acid awaits detection in the infrared spectra of the ice as most of the other complex organic molecules except methanol. The thermal annealing and UV-irradiation of acetic acid in the ice was simulated experimentally in this work under astrophysically relevant conditions. The experiments were performed under ultrahigh vacuum conditions. An ice layer was formed by vapour deposition onto a cold substrate, and was warmed up or exposed to ultraviolet (UV) photons. The ice was monitored by infrared spectroscopy, while the molecules desorbing to the gas phase were measured using a quadrupole mass spectrometer. The transformation of the CH3COOH monomers to cyclic dimers occurs at 120 K, and the crystal form composed of chain polymers was observed above 160 K during warm-up of the ice. Ice sublimation proceeds at 189 K in our experiments. Upon UV-irradiation, simpler species and radicals are formed, which leads to a residue made of complex molecules after warm-up to the room temperature. The possible formation of oxalic acid needs to be confirmed. The photodestruction of acetic acid molecules is reduced when mixed with water in the ice. This work may serve to search for the acetic acid photoproducts in lines of sight where this species is detected. A comparison of the reported laboratory infrared spectra with current JWST observations allows to detect or set upper limits on the CH3COOH abundances in interstellar and circumstellar ice mantles.
A multiwavelength study of spiral structure in galaxies. II. Spiral arms in deep optical observations
Authors: Mosenkov Aleksandr V , Panasyuk Andrey D , Turner Savanah , Bartier Crystal-Lynn , Skryabina Maria N , Marchuk Alexander A , Savchenko Sergey S , Bergstedt Jakob , Reshetnikov Vladimir P , Chugunov Ilia V
Published: December 2023

In this paper, we look to analyse the spiral features of grand-design, multiarmed, and flocculent spiral galaxies using deep optical imaging from DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys. We explore the resulting distributions of various characteristics of spiral structure beyond the optical radius, such as the distributions of azimuthal angle, the extent of spiral arms, and of the spiral arm widths for the aforementioned galaxy classes. We also compare the measured properties for isolated galaxies and galaxies in groups and clusters. We find that, on average, compared to multiarmed and flocculent spiral galaxies, the spiral arms of grand-design galaxies exhibit slightly larger azimuthal angles, greater extent, and larger widths in the periphery of the galaxy. Furthermore, on average, isolated galaxies tend to have slightly smaller widths of outer spiral arms compared to galaxies in tight environments, which is likely related to the tidally induced mechanism for generating wider outer spiral arms. We also report that breaks of the disc surface brightness profiles are often related to the truncation of spiral arms in galaxies.
The VISCACHA survey – IX. The SMC Southern Bridge in 8D
Authors: Parisi M C , Oliveira R A P , Angelo M S , Dias B , Maia F F S , Saroon S , Feinstein C , Santos J F C , Bica E , Ferreira B Pereira Lima , Fernández−Trincado J G , Westera P , Minniti D , Garro E R , Santrich O J Katime , De Bortoli B J , Souza S O , Kerber L , Pérez−Villegas A
Published: December 2023

The structure of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) outside of its main body is characterized by tidal branches resulting from its interactions mainly with the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). Characterizing the stellar populations in these tidal components helps to understand the dynamical history of this galaxy and of the Magellanic system in general. We provide full phase-space vector information for Southern Bridge clusters. We performed a photometric and spectroscopic analysis of twelve SMC clusters, doubling the number of SMC clusters with full phase-space vector information known to date. We reclassify the sample considering 3D distances and 3D velocities. We found that some of the clusters classified as Southern Bridge objects according to the projected 2D classification actually belong to the Main Body and Counter-Bridge in the background. The comparison of the kinematics of the genuine foreground Bridge clusters with those previously analysed in the same way reveals that Southern Bridge clusters are moving towards the LMC and share the kinematics of the Northern Bridge. Adding to our sample clusters from the literature with CaT metallicity determinations we compare the age–metallicity relation of the Southern Bridge with the one of the Northern Bridge. We reinforce the idea that both regions do not seem to have experienced the same chemical enrichment history and that there is a clear absence of clusters in the Northern Bridge older than 3 Gyr and more metal poor than −1.1, which would not seem to be due to a selection effect.
The narrow-line region properties of ESO 138-G001 unveiled by SOAR/SIFS observations
Authors: Rodríguez-Ardila A , May D , Panda S , Fonseca-Faria M A , Fraga L
Published: December 2023

We study in detail the inner ∼600 pc of the Seyfert 2 galaxy ESO 138-G001 by means of the Soar Integral Field Spectrograph attached to the SOAR telescope. This source is known for displaying a very rich coronal line spectrum and a blob of high-excitation emission ∼3 arcsec south-east (SE) of the active galactic nucleus (AGN). The nature of this emission has not been fully understood yet. The excellent spatial and spectral resolution of SIFS allows us to confirm that the bulk of the coronal line forest emission region is very compact, of ∼0.8 arcsec in diameter, centred on the AGN and most likely powered by radiation from the AGN. In addition, evidence of a nuclear outflow, restricted to the inner 1 arcsec centred at the nucleus is found based on the detection of broad components in the most important emission lines. The gas in the inner few tens of parsecs filters out the AGN continuum so that the NLR is basically illuminated by a modified SED. This scenario is confirmed by means of photoionization models that reproduce the most important lines detected in the SIFS field of view. From the modelling, we also found that the black hole mass MBH of the AGN is about 105.50 M⊙, in agreement with previous X-ray observations. The spectrum of the SE blob is dominated by emission lines of low- to mid-ionization, with no hints of coronal lines. Our results show that it represents gas in the ionization cone that is photoionized by the filtered central AGN continuum.
Research of the family associations of active asteroids in the main belt
Authors: Xin Yingqi , Shi Jianchun , Ma Yuehua
Published: December 2023

We apply the Hierarchical Clustering method (HCM) and Selective Backward Integration method (BIM) to search for associated families and young families for all main-belt active asteroids (MBAAs) known to date. We find four newly candidate sub-groups of known families, which include the candidate Brueghel family associated with 176P/LINEAR, the candidate 324P group associated with 324P/La Sagra, the candidate G1 group associated with P/2016 G1, and the candidate Tutenchamun family associated with (62412) 2000 SY178. Additionally, we identify three entirely new candidate families, the Interamnia family associated with P/2021 A5, the candidate 457P group associated with 457P/Lemmon-PANSTARRS, and the candidate Scheila family associated with (596) Scheila. We also reveal two newly identified family associations with known families between 259P/Garradd and the Adeona family, P/2019 A4 and the Jones family. All main-belt comets (MBCs) are likely associated with young and primitive families. Some unstable MBCs, which cannot be identified using HCM, may still originate from young and primitive families. However, due to dynamic diffusion, they cannot be conclusively linked to current families. Impact-disrupted asteroids could be linked with young families and they may change their original spectrum under the impact activity. Rotational fission of young and primitive asteroids might be a useful mechanism for facilitating the exposure of subsurface ice, and therefore triggering sublimation-driven activity. Rapid rotation and sublimation activity mechanisms are likely coupled. Therefore, further research should be made on such fast rotational asteroids that are located in primitive families.
Insights into the phase-dependent cyclotron line feature in XTE J1946+274: an AstroSat and Insight-HXMT view
Authors: Devaraj Ashwin , Sharma Rahul , Nagesh Shwetha , Paul Biswajit
Published: December 2023

XTE J1946+274 is a Be/X-ray binary with a 15.8 s spin period and 172 d orbital period. Using RXTE/PCA data of the 1998 outburst, a cyclotron line around 37 keV was reported. The presence of this line, its dependence on the pulse phase, and its variation with luminosity have been of some debate since. In this work, we present the re-analysis of two AstroSat observations: one made during the rising phase of the 2018 outburst and the other during the declining phase of the 2021 outburst. We also present a new analysis of the Insight-HXMT observations of the source at the peak of the 2018 outburst. We find the source to be spinning up over the course of the outburst and spinning down between the two outbursts. We report the presence of a higher cyclotron line energy using the 2018 AstroSat observation (∼45 keV) and 2018 Insight-HXMT observation (∼50 keV) and a line at ∼40 keV during the declining phase of the 2021 outburst using data from AstroSat. We also investigate the pulse phase dependence of the cyclotron line parameters and find that the line is significantly detected in all the phases of both AstroSat observations, along with showing variation with the pulse phase. This differs from the previous results reported using BeppoSAX and NuSTAR. We explain this behaviour of the cyclotron line to be due to photon spawning and different accretion column radii at the two poles of this neutron star.
SPH–DEM modelling of hypervelocity impacts on rubble-pile asteroids
Authors: Jiao Yifei , Yan Xiaoran , Cheng Bin , Baoyin Hexi
Published: December 2023

Investigating the hypervelocity impact process on rubble-pile asteroids is crucial for understanding the formation and evolution of small celestial bodies, and has important implications for planetary defence. In recent years, numerical simulations have been widely used to model asteroid impacts, as a complement to experimental and theoretical approaches. In particular, the hybrid SPH–DEM framework has been introduced to describe the multistage dynamics involving shock propagation and gravitational re-accumulation. However, the tension between modelling accuracy and computational costs poses significant challenges in rubble-pile impact simulations. In this study, we introduce two distinct particle configurations, i.e. multiple layers of similar-sized surface contact particles and a set of different-sized gravity particles, to efficiently describe the large irregular boulders during long-term evolution. Accordingly, the new transition algorithms are implemented to convert the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) results into the desired discrete-element method (DEM) configurations. With the proposed method, the complexity of contact computation is reduced from $\mathcal {O}(N)$ to $\mathcal {O}(N^{2/3})$, and the gravity computation is accelerated by about one hundred times while maintaining the same level of resolution. The method is then used to simulate the double asteroid redirection test impact on the rubble-pile asteroid Dimorphos. Our numerical simulations have reproduced the observation results regarding momentum transfer and mass ejection. Moreover, we predict that the impact event will form a final crater larger than 45–68 m in diameter and lead to global resurfacing of the target. The renewed surface and fresh interior will be accessible to the upcoming Hera mission, providing new perspectives on the formation and evolution of the rubble-pile binary asteroids.
Doppler imaging of a southern ApSi star HD 152564
Authors: Potravnov I , Ryabchikova T , Piskunov N , Pakhomov Y , Kniazev A
Published: December 2023

We present the results of the spectroscopic study of a chemically peculiar star HD 152564. Using medium-resolution (R = 37 000) observations obtained with the high-resolution fibre échelle spectrograph mounted on the South African Large Telescope, we determined atmospheric parameters Teff = 11 950 ± 200 K and log g = 3.6 ± 0.2 dex. Abundance analysis revealed mild deficiency of the light elements and an overabundance of up to ∼2 dex of metals, with the greatest excess for silicon. With these characteristics, HD 152564 is a typical member of the silicon subgroup of Ap stars. The rotational modulation of the light curve and line profiles of HD 152564 are typical for the inhomogeneous surface distribution of elements in its atmosphere. We performed multi-element Doppler imaging of the surface of HD 152564. Abundance maps constructed for He, O, Mg, Si, and Fe revealed the concentration of these elements in a sequence of equatorial spots as well as in the circumpolar rings. The photometric maximum of the light curve coincided with the visibility of two most overabundant silicon spots. Abundances determined from the different ionization stages of Fe and Si show clear evidence for vertical stratification of these elements in the atmosphere of HD 152564. Meanwhile, the horizontal distribution of silicon reconstructed from the lines of different ionization stages and excitation energies appears to be identical with increasing average abundance deeper in atmosphere.
Not all subhaloes are created equal: modelling the diversity of subhalo density profiles in TNG50
Authors: Heinze Felix M , Despali Giulia , Klessen Ralf S
Published: December 2023

In this work, we analyse the density profiles of subhaloes with masses Msh ≥ 1.4 × 108 M⊙ in the TNG50 simulation, with the aim of including baryonic effects. We evaluate the performance of frequently used models, such as the standard Navarro–Frenk–White (NFW), the Einasto, and a smoothly truncated version of the NFW profile. We find that these models do not perform well for the majority of subhaloes, with the NFW profile giving the worst fit in most cases. This is primarily due to mismatches in the inner and outer logarithmic slopes, which are significantly steeper for a large number of subhaloes in the presence of baryons. To address this issue, we propose new three-parameter models and show that they significantly improve the goodness of fit independently of the subhalo’s specific properties. Our best-performing model is a modified version of the NFW profile with an inner log-slope of −2 and a variable truncation that is sharper and steeper than the slope transition in the standard NFW profile. Additionally, we investigate how both the parameter values of the best density profile model and the average density profiles vary with subhalo mass, Vmax, distance from the host halo centre, baryon content, and infall time, and we also present explicit scaling relations for the mean parameters of the individual profiles. The newly proposed fit and the scaling relations are useful to predict the properties of realistic subhaloes in the mass range 108 M⊙ ≤Msh ≤ 1013 M⊙ that can be influenced by the presence of baryons.