bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identifying Parental Feeding Patterns in a Spanish Sample of Toddlers Using a Latent Class Analysis
Authors: Lozano‐Casanova Mar , Escribano Silvia , Sospedra Isabel , Oliver‐Roig Antonio , Richart‐Martinez Miguel
Published: January 2025

Parental feeding styles are an important factor influencing child development. Traditionally, they have been classified into four styles based on cut‐off points for responsiveness and demandingness. However, alternative methods, such as latent class analysis (LCA), allow for the detection of underlying homogeneous populations. The aims of this study are to: (a) identify different parental feeding styles in a Spanish sample using LCA; (b) explore the characteristics of the classes of different parenting styles, taking into account sociodemographic and psychological variables; and (c) compare the classification of parental feeding styles by assessment method: LCA versus the median split cut‐off point to determine high and low levels for each dimension. A cross‐sectional study (n = 774, including fathers and mothers of toddlers) was conducted to perform a one‐step LCA with covariates, using items that assess the demandingness and responsiveness feeding dimensions. Cross‐tabulations were performed to compare the use of LCA versus the median cut‐off point for assessing parental feeding styles/patterns. Four different patterns emerged from the LCA, characterised by high or moderate scores for responsiveness and varying scores for demandingness. These were labelled as the Moderately Authoritative, Authoritative, Moderate, and Indulgent classes. Mothers were more likely to belong to the Indulgent class, and high levels of parental stress increased the likelihood of parents belonging to the Moderate class. The classification of participants was not consistent between the two methods. Authoritarian and uninvolved feeding behaviours were not detected using LCA. In conclusion, gender and parental stress were factors that may help to explain the distribution of parents across feeding styles. These variables should therefore be considered when studying different populations. Furthermore, LCA could be utilised to design more accurate intervention strategies by helping to identify common needs among parents.
Intangibles and Industry Concentration: A Cross‐Country Analysis
Authors: Bajgar Matej , Criscuolo Chiara , Timmis Jonathan
Published: January 2025

This paper presents new evidence on the growing scale of large businesses in the United States, Japan and 11 European countries. It documents a broad increase in industry concentration across the majority of countries and sectors over the period 2002–2017. The rising concentration is strongly linked to investment in intangibles—particularly innovative assets; and software and data—and this relationship is magnified in more globalised industries. The results are consistent with intangibles disproportionately benefiting large firms, enabling them to scale up and increase their market shares by leveraging intangibles across multiple markets.
Pacing and Ablation Technique Using Microelectrode for Pulmonary Vein Isolation Using a Local Impedance‐Guided Catheter
Authors: Mori Hitoshi , Fukaya Hidehira , Matsumoto Kazuhisa , Narita Masataka , Naganuma Tsukasa , Sasaki Wataru , Tanaka Naomichi , Kawano Daisuke , Ikeda Yoshifumi , Matsumoto Kazuo , Kato Ritsushi
Published: January 2025

Background

The IntellaNav MiFi OI catheter (MiFi) is equipped with a sensor for local impedance (LI) monitoring and three mini‐electrodes. In this study, we investigated the target LI values for a successful pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) under the pacing and ablation technique using the MiFi catheter.

Methods

Twenty‐seven patients underwent PVI using the MiFi catheter under mini electrode pacing from the MiFi catheter. The local impedance (LI) changes, generator impedance (GI) changes, and the time to capture loss were evaluated.

Results

First‐pass isolations were obtained in 15 patients (57.7 %) for right PVs and in 22 patients (84.6 %) for left PVs. At gap sites, the impedance decrease was smaller than at non‐gap sites (non‐gap sites vs. gap sites; LI drop, 23.2 [±10.3] vs. 15.6 [±7.7] Ω, p < 0.0001; GI drop, 4.8 [±4.1] vs. 2.7 [3.9] Ω, p = 0.0026; %LI drop, −19.3 [±7.4] vs. −13.1 [±6.1] %, p < 0.0001; % GI drop, −5.1 [±4.2] vs. −2.9 [±4.2] %, p = 0.0020), suggesting that changes in impedance could be useful for predicting gaps. The cutoff values for predicting no gaps were identified as 15.0 Ω for the LI drop and −13.74% for the %LI drop.

Conclusion

The LI showed greater changes than the GI and was also useful for predicting gaps. The cutoff values of 15.0 Ω for the LI drop and −13.74% for the %LI drop could predict conduction gaps. Under the monitoring of the LI, the pacing and ablation technique proved useful for PVI, even though the MiFi catheter does not have a CF sensor or ablation indices.
Diversity of complementary diet and early food allergy risk
Authors: Bodén Stina , Lindam Anna , Venter Carina , Ulfsdotter Richard Lundberg , Domellöf Magnus , West Christina E.
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Diet diversity (DD) in infancy may be protective for early food allergy (FA) but there is limited knowledge about how DD incorporating consumption frequency influences FA risk.

Methods

Three measures of DD were investigated in 2060 infants at 6 and/or at 9 months of age within the NorthPop Birth Cohort Study: a weighted DD score based on intake frequency, the number of introduced foods, and the number of introduced allergenic foods. In multivariable logistic regression models based on directed acyclic graphs, associations to parentally reported physician‐diagnosed FA at age 9 and 18 months were estimated, including sensitivity and stratified analyses.

Results

High weighted DD scores (24‐31p) at age 9 months were associated with 61% decreased odds of FA at age 18 months [OR (95% CI) = 0.39 0.18–0.88] compared with infants with the lowest DD scores (0‐17p). The association remained significant after exclusion of early FA cases. Having introduced 13–14 foods at age 9 months, independent of consumption frequency, was associated with 45% decreased odds of FA [OR (95% CI) = 0.55 (0.31–0.98)] compared to having introduced 0–10 foods. When stratifying, significantly reduced odds for FA were seen for children with eczema and for children with no FA history in the family. No association was seen between DD at age 6 months and FA at age 18 months.

Conclusion

A diverse diet at age 9 months may prevent FA at age 18 months. Our results underscore the need for additional investigations on the impact of consumption frequency in infancy.
Harnessing Spectral Libraries From AVIRIS‐NG Data for Precise PFT Classification: A Deep Learning Approach
Authors: Mohanta Agradeep , Sandhya Kiran Garge , Malhi Ramandeep Kaur M. , Prajapati Pankajkumar C. , Oza Kavi K. , Rajput Shrishti , Shitole Sanjay , Srivastava Prashant Kumar
Published: January 2025

The generation of spectral libraries using hyperspectral data allows for the capture of detailed spectral signatures, uncovering subtle variations in plant physiology, biochemistry, and growth stages, marking a significant advancement over traditional land cover classification methods. These spectral libraries enable improved forest classification accuracy and more precise differentiation of plant species and plant functional types (PFTs), thereby establishing hyperspectral sensing as a critical tool for PFT classification. This study aims to advance the classification and monitoring of PFTs in Shoolpaneshwar wildlife sanctuary, Gujarat, India using Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer‐Next Generation (AVIRIS‐NG) and machine learning techniques. A comprehensive spectral library was developed, encompassing data from 130 plant species, with a focus on their spectral features to support precise PFT classification. The spectral data were collected using AVIRIS‐NG hyperspectral imaging and ASD Handheld Spectroradiometer, capturing a wide range of wavelengths (400–1600 nm) to encompass the key physiological and biochemical traits of the plants. Plant species were grouped into five distinct PFTs using Fuzzy C‐means clustering. Key spectral features, including band reflectance, vegetation indices, and derivative/continuum properties, were identified through a combination of ISODATA clustering and Jeffries‐Matusita (JM) distance analysis, enabling effective feature selection for classification. To assess the utility of the spectral library, three advanced machine learning classifiers—Parzen Window (PW), Gradient Boosted Machine (GBM), and Stochastic Gradient Descent (SGD)—were rigorously evaluated. The GBM classifier achieved the highest accuracy, with an overall accuracy (OAA) of 0.94 and a Kappa coefficient of 0.93 across five PFTs.
Impact of Hepatoblastoma on Infectious Complications Following Pediatric Liver Transplantation
Authors: Hall Ashton D. , Hendricks Hope A. , Bowers Katherine A. , Geller James I. , Bondoc Alexander J. , Tiao Greg M. , Taylor Amy E. , Otto William R. , Paulsen Grant C. , Danziger‐Isakov Lara A.
Published: January 2025

Background

Liver transplantation is the standard therapy for end‐stage liver disease in pediatric patients with biliary atresia (BA), congenital and metabolic conditions, and for an unresectable malignant tumor like hepatoblastoma (HB). BA is the leading indication for pediatric liver transplantation, while HB is the most common childhood liver cancer. Despite improved outcomes through advanced surgical techniques and novel immunosuppression, pediatric liver transplantation (pLT) is complicated by post‐transplant infections.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed of pLT recipients at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) and stratified patients by underlying disease to assess impact on post‐transplant infectious events.

Results

BA patients were youngest at pLT (12.5 months; p < 0.001) compared to other disease cohorts (HB 30.8, other 43.7). All HB patients received organs from deceased donors. In the year following pLT, 93% of the patients experienced at least one infectious event (IE). HB patients had the highest mean number of IE across disease groups (5.5 IE/patient vs. BA 4.5, other 4.0; p = 0.055), with significantly more patients with fever and neutropenia (p < 0.001) and EBV infections (p = 0.012). HB patients were more likely to develop IE earlier after pLT than non‐HB groups (p = 0.013), especially Clostridioides difficile (p < 0.01) and fever and neutropenia (p < 0.01). Despite having variable IE experiences, 1‐and‐5‐year survival across disease groups were similar.

Conclusions

IE were frequently observed in HB patients after pLT, possibly related to pre‐and‐postoperative chemotherapy and associated neutropenia. Underlying disease may help inform targeted infection‐related patient management following pLT.
Psychosocial Correlates of Loneliness and Suicidality in the Taiwanese General Population
Authors: Hung Wei‐Chieh , Wu Chia‐Yi , Lee Ming‐Been , Chan Chia‐Ta , Isaac Vivian , Chen Chun‐Ying
Published: January 2025

Objectives

To estimate the prevalence of loneliness and to investigate the associations between loneliness and suicidality among the general population in Taiwan.

Design

Cross‐sectional analysis of random samples in surveys.

Sample

During 2016 and 2017, 2148 and 2098 participants (N = 4246) from a representative sampling of the Taiwanese population were interviewed via the computer‐assisted telephone system in Taiwan.

Measurements

The study measured demographics, psychological distress, suicide risk factors, and loneliness status (single‐item measurement). The association between loneliness and psychosocial factors was analyzed using Spearman's correlation. Logistic regression was applied in the association between loneliness and current suicide ideation.

Results

Around 13.1% in the sample perceived feelings of loneliness. Loneliness status was significantly associated with increased psychological distress and suicide risks. The regression model indicated that the three most significant factors linked to loneliness were “no one trustworthy to talk to” (OR = 3.69), substance abuse (OR = 3.43), and depression (OR = 3.07), whereas self‐rated mental health (poor to good) (OR = 4.11), loneliness (OR = 2.59), and depression (OR = 2.09) were associated with current suicide ideation.

Conclusion

Loneliness was a significant suicide risk factor with multiple underlying psychosocial influences. Establishing support groups or service referrals through early psychosocial assessment could identify or alleviate loneliness and/or reduce suicide risk.
Spectral comparison between diffuse PAR irradiance received under the shade of nine trees in different heights and a cloudy day in summer
Authors: Gurrea‐Ysasi Gonzalo , Blanca‐Gimenez Vicente
Published: January 2025

Spectral Solar Photosynthetically Photon Flux Density (PPFD) (380–780 nm) reaching the surface in different tree shade conditions and heights has been analyzed in order to better understand the different photosynthetic performance of plants depending on their spatial situation, the canopy density and height with respect to the floor. A comparison between the shadow of nine different trees in a sunny day and the case of a cloudy day in an open space has been studied. A poplar, laurel, amber tree, pine, olive tree, fir tree, cypress, elm tree and magnolia tree have been analyzed. The study has been developed in Valencia (Spain) during July and August 2022. Conditions with higher PPFD received are found to be, apart from those of a sunny day, those for cloudy day, and those for the shade of cypress. The case in which less amount of PPFD is received is that under the shade of olive tree. Both with a spectral maximum in the Blue region. It is also remarkable that the PPFD radiation is proportional to the height of measurement at 10 h, but this relationship changes, and at 13 h the relationship between irradiance received and height of measurement is inversely proportional.
The role of change in the relationships among decent work, political cynicism and voter turnout
Authors: Mignonac Karim
Published: January 2025

Threats to decent working conditions and cynical views of politicians are increasingly prevalent in contemporary societies. The present study examines the potential relationship between these two trends and the mediating role that anger‐related emotions may play in this relationship. Using latent growth modeling analyses and data from a panel survey of French employees collected during the 2021–2022 French electoral cycle, I found that within‐person decreases in employees' perceptions of decent work were associated with within‐person increases in anger and hostility toward the employing organization; increases in anger and hostility, in turn, were associated with within‐person increases in political cynicism. Moreover, both initial levels and increases in political cynicism were associated with a lower likelihood of electoral participation. Overall, this research highlights how longitudinal change in workplace experiences may drive the dynamics of political cynicism and indirectly affect the vitality of democracy.
How Protestant Missions Transformed the Indo‐Myanmar Frontier
Authors: Chophy G. Kanato
Published: January 2025

What makes the Indo‐Myanmar frontier is the 1,021‐mile borderline between India and Myanmar. Notably, this frontier region lies at the junction of East, South, and South East Asia, forming a kind of geopolitical space where the culture, economy, and politics of India, Myanmar, China, and Bangladesh have exerted considerable influence. Though hemmed in by these nations, the Indo‐Myanmar frontier region stands out for its Western Protestantism roots, which has far‐reaching impact on the society, politics, and culture of the region’s diverse ethnic communities. This article explores how the Protestant missions, especially the American Baptist mission, starting from the second half of the nineteenth century transformed this backwater of British India into arguably one of the most successful Christian missionary legacies in the whole of Asia.
Heterogeneous impacts of regional trade liberalisation on export entry and training: A multi‐destination perspective
Authors: Zhuang Castiel Chen , Shao Chujian , Chen Qiliang
Published: January 2025

This paper studies how the export participation and labour training decisions of domestic manufacturers are affected by reduced trade barriers due to a regional trade agreement. We develop a general equilibrium model with heterogeneous firm‐level productivity and two export destinations to explain firm performance following regional trade liberalisation. Then, theoretical predictions are tested by generalised difference‐in‐differences estimations. While a single‐destination framework shows that the decrease in India's tariffs leads to increased export entry and training intensity by Chinese manufacturers, the effects of regional trade integration on firms' skill upgrading are heterogeneous in our multi‐destination setting.
Technical considerations and review of urinary microRNAs as biomarkers for chronic kidney disease in dogs and cats
Authors: Chu Candice P. , Nabity Mary B.
Published: January 2025

MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) are small, non‐coding RNAs that play a crucial role in gene regulation, making them potential biomarkers for various diseases. In the field of veterinary medicine, there is a growing interest in exploring the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of miRNAs in kidney diseases affecting dogs and cats. This review focuses on the use of urinary miRNAs as biomarkers for chronic kidney disease (CKD) in these companion animals. We introduce miRNAs, their biogenesis, and their presence in biofluids, particularly within exosomes, and discuss studies investigating miRNAs in kidney tissue and urine. We acknowledge the challenges associated with miRNA studies, including preanalytical factors such as biological variation, sample collection/processing, storage conditions, and experimental design. We highlight the importance of technical considerations, such as sample pooling, sequencing depth, multiplexing, and the various steps of the miRNA experimental workflow. Furthermore, we discuss RNA isolation methods, small RNA sequencing data analysis, and the use of quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT‐PCR) and droplet digital PCR for verification. We emphasize the importance of internal controls, spike‐ins, and normalization methods to minimize technical variation and ensure reliable results in qRT‐PCR analysis. This review concludes that while urinary miRNAs hold promise as non‐invasive biomarkers for CKD in dogs and cats, addressing the challenges and standardization of protocols is vital for the successful translation of this research into clinical practice.
The category of a partitioned fan
Authors: Kaipel Maximilian
Published: January 2025

In this paper the notion of an admissible partition of a simplicial polyhedral fan is introduced and the category of a partitioned fan is defined as a generalisation of the ‐cluster morphism category of a finite‐dimensional algebra. This establishes a complete lattice of categories around the ‐cluster morphism category, which is closely tied to the fan structure. We prove that the classifying spaces of these categories are cube complexes, which reduces the process of determining if they are spaces to three sufficient conditions. We characterise when these conditions are satisfied for fans in and prove that the first one, the existence of a certain faithful functor, is satisfied for hyperplane arrangements whose normal vectors lie in the positive orthant. As a consequence, we obtain a new infinite class of algebras for which the ‐cluster morphism category admits a faithful functor and for which the cube complexes are spaces. In the final section, we also offer a new algebraic proof of the relationship between an algebra and its ‐vector fan.
Enhancement of secondary ion yield on gas cluster ion beam-secondary ion mass spectrometry with nonaromatic matrices: Dependence on matrix species and molecular weight
Authors: Yoshizawa Hayate , Fujii Makiko , Seki Toshio , Matsuo Jiro
Published: January 2025

The Ar gas cluster ion beam (Ar-GCIB) technique is advantageous for soft sputtering of large organic molecules. However, in secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) measurements using Ar-GCIB, the secondary ion yield is typically very low. Matrix-enhanced (ME)-SIMS is a technique that has the potential to enhance the yield. In a previous study on ME-SIMS, aromatic compounds that are typically employed for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) were used for the matrix. Although aromatic rings are involved in soft ionization by absorption of energy from the laser probe in MALDI-MS, aromatic rings may not be required for ME-SIMS, which does not use a laser probe. In this study, the effect of non-aromatic matrices was investigated. The results indicated that some nonaromatic compounds are effective for enhancing sensitivity and that the degree of enhancement depends on the molecular weight of analytes. To investigate the reason for this, it was assumed that the yield in SIMS measurements is simply determined by the sputtering yield, the survival rate, and the ionization probability, each of which has molecular weight dependence. Under these assumptions, the SIMS yield is found to be dependent on the matrix species.
Spatial variation of the elemental components of thin films from BiSrCaCuO target deposited using low energy femtosecond pulsed laser deposition in high background gas pressure
Authors: De Mata Joy Kristelle , Sarmago Roland , Garcia Wilson , Dasallas Lean
Published: January 2025

In this work, we investigated the spatial variation of the elemental composition of the thin films produced by low-energy femtosecond pulsed laser deposition with BiSrCaCuO (BSCCO) as the target material. In addition, the effect of high background gas pressure and gas type on the thin film elemental composition was also investigated. The background gas pressure was varied between 4, 50, and 100 mTorr, using nitrogen (N2) and argon (Ar) as the gases. MgO substrates were positioned at the center and at different distances from the center to analyze the spatial variation of the deposited film. Despite the low energy from the fs laser pulse and the high background gas pressure, the constitutive elements of BSCCO, namely, bismuth (Bi), strontium (Sr), calcium (Ca), and copper (Cu), were detected on the substrate. However, their relative ratios were not preserved in the thin film. To explain the results, a collision-based model and peak-fitting method of the angular distribution were employed. The study highlights the importance of proper substrate positioning and how background gas type and pressure influence material deposition, with N2 resulting in lower deposition due to enhanced energy transfer during ablation processes. The non-stoichiometric composition of the films and their spatial variation emphasize the limitations of current deposition models, pointing to the need for refined approaches that better predict film quality and elemental distribution.
Focused helium ion beam nanofabrication by near-surface swelling
Authors: Mo Sherry , Byrne Dana O. , Allen Frances I.
Published: January 2025

The focused helium ion beam microscope is a versatile imaging and nanofabrication instrument enabling direct-write lithography with sub-10 nm resolution. Subsurface damage and swelling of substrates due to helium ion implantation is generally unwanted. However, these effects can also be leveraged for specific nanofabrication tasks. To explore this, we investigate focused helium ion beam induced swelling of bulk crystalline silicon and free-standing amorphous silicon nitride membranes using various irradiation strategies. We show that the creation of near-surface voids due to helium ion implantation can be used to induce surface nanostructure and create subsurface nanochannels. By tailoring the ion dose and beam energy, the size and depth of the swollen features can be controlled. Swelling heights of several hundred nanometers are demonstrated, and for the embedded nanochannels, void internal diameters down to 30 nm are shown. Potential applications include the engineering of texturized substrates and the prototyping of on-chip nanofluidic transport devices.
Influence of O content on exothermic and self-propagating characteristics of Ti/SiOx multilayer films
Authors: Fukuda Ryota , Namazu Takahiro
Published: January 2025

In this paper, the influence of O content on the exothermic and self-propagating characteristics of Ti/SiOx films is reported. 2 μm-thick multilayer films with various atomic ratios and bilayer thicknesses are prepared using a tertiary-source magnetron sputtering system with DC/RF multifunction cathodes. DC, DC, and RF modes are used for depositing Ti, Si, and SiO2 films, respectively, where cosputtering of Si and SiO2 is conducted to control O content in SiOx film layers. Threshold powers for exothermic reaction estimated by electric spark and laser irradiation depend on the Ti to Si ratio and bilayer thickness, whereas reaction propagation speed and maximum temperature mainly depend on the bilayer thickness and the Ti to Si ratio, respectively. The three characteristics are influenced by O content. The heat of reaction also shows both bilayer thickness and Ti to Si ratio effects, and it decreases with increasing O content. In the Ti/Si films, the exothermic reaction propagates completely into the films, whereas in the Ti/SiOx films, self-propagation of the exothermic reaction becomes difficult with increasing O content. The cause of the influence of O content on reaction propagation characteristics is discussed from the viewpoint of a change of heat balance with increasing O content in the Ti/SiOx films.
A versatile Hong–Ou–Mandel interference experiment in optical fiber for the undergraduate laboratory
Authors: Bjurlin Cyrus , Chmiel Theresa
Published: January 2025

Hong–Ou–Mandel (HOM) interference is a quantum optics laboratory experiment that has recently become more accessible to undergraduate students. The experiment consists of two identical photons simultaneously entering a nonpolarizing beamsplitter, where the photon wavefunctions interfere. As a result, the photon pair exits from the same beamsplitter output, whereas classically, the two photons are equally likely to exit from the two different outputs. This effect is demonstrated by observation of a dip in coincidence counts measured between the two beamsplitter outputs. Due to the precision needed to achieve photon indistinguishability, the setup and alignment of this experiment is often considered to be too difficult and time consuming to be appropriate for the undergraduate instructional laboratory. Here, we present an alternative optical-fiber-based apparatus that gives a consistently reproducible experiment. In our approach, quantum interference occurs within a fused-fiber coupler, instead of within a traditional beamsplitter. We use a commercially available fiber-coupled biphoton source that requires minimal alignment and increases the interference coherence length. In addition, our biphoton source provides direct temperature-based control of the frequency degeneracy of the photon pairs, allowing students to investigate physical properties of HOM interference such as coherence length and interference visibility. Through use of standard optomechanical parts, combined with the commercially available fiber-integrated biphoton source, our apparatus is positioned midway between a completely built-from-scratch and a pre-aligned setup, making it ideal for the advanced instructional laboratory.
A flagella-dependent
Burkholderia
jumbo phage controls rice seedling rot and steers
Burkholderia glumae
toward reduced virulence in rice seedlings
Authors: Supina Brittany S. I. , McCutcheon Jaclyn G. , Peskett Sydney R. , Stothard Paul , Dennis Jonathan J.
Published: January 2025

Bacteriophages (phages) are being investigated as potential biocontrol agents for the suppression of bacterial diseases in cultivated crops. Jumbo bacteriophages, which possess genomic DNA larger than 200 kbp, generally have a broader host range than other phages and therefore would be useful as biocontrol agents against a wide range of bacterial strains. Thus, the characterization of novel jumbo phages specific for agricultural pathogens would be of importance for the development of phage biocontrol strategies. Herein, we demonstrate that phage S13 requires
Burkholderia glumae
flagella for its attachment and infection and that loss of
B. glumae
flagella prevents S13 cellular lysis. As flagella is a known virulence factor, loss of flagella results in a surviving population of
B. glumae
with reduced virulence. Further experimentation demonstrates that phage S13 can protect rice plants from
B. glumae
-sponsored destruction in a rice seedling model of infection.

IMPORTANCE

Bacterial plant pathogens threaten many major food crops and inflict large agricultural losses worldwide.
B. glumae
is a bacterial plant pathogen that causes diseases such as rot, wilt, and blight in several food major crops including rice, tomato, hot pepper, and eggplant.
B. glumae
infects rice during all developmental stages, causing diseases such as rice seedling rot and bacterial panicle blight (BPB). The
B. glumae
incidence of rice plant infection is predicted to increase with warming global temperatures, and several different control strategies targeting
B. glumae
are being explored. These include chemical and antibiotic soil amendment, microbiome manipulation, and the use of partially resistant rice cultivars. However, despite rice growth amelioration, the treatment options for
B. glumae
plant infections remain limited to cultural practices. Alternatively, phage biocontrol represents a promising new method for eliminating
B. glumae
from crop soils and improving rice yields.
How human papillomavirus (HPV) targets DNA repair pathways for viral replication: from guardian to accomplice
Authors: Vats Arushi , Laimins Laimonis
Published: January 2025

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are small DNA viruses that are responsible for significant disease burdens worldwide, including cancers of the cervix, anogenital tract, and oropharynx. HPVs infect stratified epithelia at a variety of body locations and link their productive life cycles to the differentiation of the host cell. These viruses have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to exploit cellular pathways, such as DNA damage repair (DDR), to regulate their life cycles. HPVs activate key DDR pathways such as ATM, ATR, and FA, which are critical for maintaining genomic integrity but are often dysregulated in cancers. Importantly, these DDR pathways are essential for HPV replication in undifferentiated cells and amplification upon differentiation. The ability to modulate these DDR pathways not only enables HPV persistence but also contributes to cellular transformation. In this review, we discuss the recent advances in understanding the mechanisms by which HPV manipulates the host DDR pathways and how these depend upon enhanced topoisomerase activity and R-loop formation. Furthermore, the strategies to manipulate DDR pathways utilized by high-risk HPVs are compared with those used by other DNA viruses that exhibit similarities and distinct differences.
Draft genome assemblies of 35 bacteria isolated from hibernating arctic ground squirrels
Authors: McKee Heidi , Mullen Logan , Drown Devin M. , Duddleston Khrystyne N.
Published: January 2025

Arctic ground squirrels (
Urocitellus parryii
) hibernate for several months without eating or drinking yet suffer no disuse atrophy. We are investigating the potential contributions of gut microorganisms to host nitrogen homeostasis, and here, we describe the genome assemblies of 35 isolated bacteria collected from gastrointestinal material and sequenced using Nanopore technology.
Fluorofurimazine, a novel NanoLuc substrate, enhances real-time tracking of influenza A virus infection without altering pathogenicity in mice
Authors: Smith Steven , Rayner Jonathan O. , Kim Jin H.
Published: January 2025

Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) using engineered bioluminescent viruses has emerged as a powerful tool for real-time, noninvasive monitoring of viral replication in living animals. While traditional luciferase-based systems, such as firefly luciferase, have been widely used, the NanoLuc luciferase system offers distinct advantages, including its significantly smaller gene size, increased brightness, and independence from ATP as a cofactor, allowing for extracellular detection. However, the utility of NanoLuc has been limited by its traditional substrate, furimazine, which exhibits poor water solubility and potential cytotoxicity. In this study, we assessed fluorofurimazine (FFz), a novel substrate with improved water solubility and bioavailability, for tracking influenza A virus (IAV) replication in mice. Our findings demonstrate that FFz substantially enhances detection sensitivity in both respiratory organs and brain tissue without increasing toxicity, enabling more precise and sustained monitoring of IAV replication.
In vitro
, FFz generated higher photon flux at lower concentrations compared to furimazine, translating into superior
in vivo
sensitivity with reduced toxicity. Crucially, FFz did not alter the pathogenicity of IAV in mice, even at sublethal infectious doses, reinforcing its suitability for use in BLI-based viral pathogenicity studies. These results suggest that combining FFz with NanoLuc provides a more effective and less toxic approach for real-time tracking of viral infections in preclinical models.

IMPORTANCE

Monitoring viral infections in living animals is a valuable approach for understanding how viruses replicate and cause disease. This study focuses on bioluminescent influenza A virus infection in a mouse model and evaluates fluorofurimazine, a new substrate that enhances bioluminescence imaging. Fluorofurimazine allows researchers to monitor viral spread more effectively than the traditional substrate, furimazine, which is often toxic and less reliable. It offers better sensitivity and lower toxicity, enabling longer and more accurate tracking of viral replication in the lungs and even the brain. Importantly, fluorofurimazine does not alter the pathogenicity of the virus, providing an unaltered representation of the infection process. This advancement has the potential to significantly improve how scientists study bioluminescent viral infections and evaluate antiviral drugs and vaccines, making it a valuable tool for research on influenza and other respiratory viruses.
Contrasting provenance budgets for suspended load and bedload of the Yarlung Tsangpo, Tibet: Lhasa block or Himalaya?
Authors: Liang Wendong , Hu Xiumian , Garzanti Eduardo , Dong Xiaolong , Chen Fengting
Published: January 2025

Sediments from the same river are typically thought to reflect a common provenance, even though they may record notably different, and even opposite, sediment supply and erosion signals. Such discrepancies can introduce significant bias into our interpretation of geomorphological processes. This study focuses on the Yarlung Tsangpo, the Tibetan headwaters of the Brahmaputra River, and contrasts mineralogical and geochemical information on suspended load in transit and on fluvial bars to reveal a major discrepancy in sediment budgets calculated with petrographic and isotopic data for sand and mud fractions. Our results show that in both suspended load and fluvial bars, sand records an overwhelming contribution from the Lhasa block, whereas mud reflects dominant supply from the Himalayan belt. Detritus from the Lhasa block is twice as abundant as Himalayan detritus in sandbars, but Himalayan contribution is 1.4 times that of the Lhasa block in suspended load. Overall, Himalayan sedimentary rocks are estimated to generate as much sediment as Lhasa granitoid and volcanic rocks. Himalayan erosion rates and sediment yields are greatly underestimated if only sand, representing a subordinate part of the total sediment flux, is considered in sediment-budget calculations. Both sand-rich bedload and mud-rich suspended load must be given full consideration in the study of sediment-generation processes. Our results highlight the potential pitfalls of relying solely on sand-sized sediment in provenance analysis and force a reevaluation of how sediment yields and erosion patterns are assessed.
Synthesis, Modification, and In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of 3,4-Dihydro-4,6-diaryl-2-pyrimidinethiones
Authors: Skrylkova A. S. , Egorov D. M. , Krylov A. S. , Chernova E. N. , Kuzikova I. L. , Zhakovskaya Z. A.
Published: January 2025

A series of 3,4-dihydro-4,6-diaryl-2-pyrimidinethiones was obtained using a three-component reaction and their modifiaction with dimethyl chloroethynylphosphonate was performed. It was shown that the phosphonylation reaction occurs under mild conditions and chemo- and regioselectively leads to bicyclic products, namely dimethyl 5,7-diaryl-5H-thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidine-3-phosphonates. Antimicrobial activity of the synthesized compounds against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria and yeast-like fungi Candida utilis was studied.
Genital orf
Authors: Thazhatheyil Krishna , Kourouni Vasiliki , Evans Alan , Mcmullan Alexandra
Published: January 2025

A man in his early 40s presented with extensive skin lesions in the groin and genital regions. The lesions were erythematous and maculopapular but evolved into vesicles and pustules with surrounding cellulitis. He stated that he grips livestock between his legs for sheep shearing. Inflammatory markers were high, and skin swab cultures grew mixed bacteria. There was no evidence of necrotising soft tissue infection. Skin biopsy demonstrated irregularly acanthotic epidermis, striking reticular degeneration with intraepidermal oedema and surface necrosis. Keratinocytes displayed ballooning degeneration, with many showing vacuolation and eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusions. There was no granulomatous infiltrate to suggest an atypical mycobacterial infection. Viral specimens sent for PCR confirmed orf virus infection. Though the treatment of orf is conservative, he was treated with parenteral antibiotics and topical antiseptics for secondary bacterial infection. Genital orf should be considered when clinically suggestive and eliciting detailed occupational and contact history is crucial in diagnosis.
Conduction system metastasis in a patient with carcinoma oesophagus
Authors: Kumar Devesh , Patel Amrith , Kumar Sumit , Gawalkar Atit A
Published: January 2025

A young man in his 30s presented to us with multiple episodes of syncope and exertional dyspnoea for the last 2 weeks. He was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the lower one-third of the oesophagus in 2021 for which he was treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, followed by McKeown oesophagectomy. At 2-year follow-up, he had developed a soft tissue swelling in the scalp, which was diagnosed as a tumour recurrence and radiotherapy was initiated. During this period, he presented to the emergency department with multiple episodes of syncope. The patient had bradycardia with a heart rate of 45 beats per minute (bpm). A 12-lead ECG showed complete heart block with wide QRS escape at a rate of 45 bpm. Cardiac MRI revealed a focal T1/T2 hyperintense lesion in the basal interventricular septum, showing central necrosis with peripheral enhancement on early and delayed phase imaging, suggestive of an intracardiac metastasis. Cardiac fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scan revealed uptake in the basal interventricular septum corresponding to the site on the MRI. The patient was initially kept on temporary pacemaker support followed by implantation of a transvenous dual chamber pacemaker.
Vancomycin-induced acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis
Authors: Dellatorre Diniz Bruna , Poudel Dikshita , Mersfelder Tracey , Driscoll Ross
Published: January 2025

Antibiotics have been well documented to result in several dermatological adverse reactions. Many of these adverse reactions are rashes that are difficult to distinguish. We present a case of a female patient in her 30s with acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis following vancomycin treatment for left breast cellulitis. Vancomycin was discontinued, and the patient was provided supportive care that included pain control, topical steroids and topical emollients. The rash improved over the following weeks. It is important to recognise drug reactions and differentiate between distinct dermatological conditions so that appropriate medical/supportive care can be initiated.
Causes and determinants of infant mortality using verbal autopsy and social autopsy methods in a rural population of Odisha: a community-based matched case-control study
Authors: Pal Debkumar , Singh Arvind Kumar , Satapathy Amit Kumar , Behera Priyamadhaba , Mishra Abhisek
Published: January 2025

Background

The avoidable causes of infant mortality should be identified, and interventions should be made to improve the infant mortality rate. The cause of infant deaths should be assessed in both medical and social contexts.

Objectives

We aimed to determine the medical causes of infant mortality by verbal autopsy and its determinants in two rural blocks of the Khordha district of Odisha and assess the pathway of care and delay in seeking care for the illness preceding infant death using the three-delay model.

Design

We conducted this community-based matched case-control study to identify the medical causes of infant mortality using the verbal autopsy method along with the identification of delay and pathway of care related to infant deaths using a social autopsy method.

Settings

Two rural blocks of Odisha, India.

Participants

We enumerated 100 infant deaths by active surveillance and data triangulation from Accredited Social Health Activists, Auxiliary Nurse Midwives and block-level health information systems. We selected an equal number of alive infants matched with cases in a 1:1 ratio with regard to age, gender and residential address.

Outcome measures

We conducted the verbal autopsy using the Sample Registration System verbal autopsy tool, where the cause of death ascertainment was done by two independently trained physicians followed by adjudication by one senior trained physician in case of conflicts. We used the prevalidated International Network for the Demographic Evaluation of Population and Their Health tool to assess three delays and pathways of care related to infant deaths.

Results

Most infant deaths (70%) happened during the first day of life, and almost 50% of neonatal deaths occurred during the first week of life. The three most common causes of infant mortality were birth asphyxia (30%), pneumonia (18%), prematurity and low birth weight (14%). Larger family size (>5) and the education status of fathers till class 10 were significant determinants of infant mortality. Among the 49 infants whose illnesses were identified at home, 2 died at home without receiving any care. Formal or informal care was sought for 32 and 8 infants, respectively. The median delay was found to be 24 hours for level 1 delay. Level 1 delay was observed for 20 cases (40.8%), with more than 24 hours in decision-making in care-seeking. Thirty-seven (75.5%) sick infants reached the healthcare facility 30 min after deciding to seek care.

Conclusion

Birth asphyxia, pneumonia prematurity and low birth weight were found to be the common causes of infant mortality, with larger family sizes and lower education status among fathers being the significant determinants of infant mortality. We observed a significant delay in decision-making regarding seeking care among caregivers of sick infants.
Knowledge, attitudes and practices of intensive care unit physicians towards the management of acute respiratory distress syndrome in China: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Qin Zhidan , Zhao Xiaoqin , Meng Yongyi , Wu Yinglin , Qian Jing , Yin Mingjing , Wen Hanchun , Hu Juntao , Tang Zhanhong
Published: January 2025

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of intensive care unit (ICU) physicians in China towards acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Design

A cross-sectional study was conducted between September and November 2022.

Participants

A total of 497 ICU physicians participated, with 258 (51.91%) being male and the majority aged 30–40 years (56.74%).

Interventions

Participants were surveyed to evaluate their KAP regarding ARDS, with mediation analysis employed to elucidate the association between demographic characteristics and KAP scores.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The mean scores for KAP were 11.89±2.64 (range: 0–17), 44.73±4.85 (range: 12–60) and 18.26±3.43 (range: 1–48), respectively. Pearson correlation analysis showed positive correlations between knowledge and attitude (0.367), knowledge and practice (0.582) and attitude and practice (0.314) (all p<0.001).

Results

Mediation analysis indicated that attitude (β=0.07, p<0.001) and hospital type (β=−0.84, p=0.005) had direct effects on practice, while knowledge had significant direct (β=0.68, p<0.001) and indirect (β=0.03, p=0.019) effects. Additionally, education (β=0.47, p<0.001), work experience (β=0.25, p<0.001), hospital classification (β=−0.91, p<0.001), ICU type (β=−0.61, p=0.001) and ARDS experience (β=−1.57, p<0.001) showed various indirect effects on practice.

Conclusions

ICU physicians in China exhibited inadequate knowledge, moderate attitudes and suboptimal practices regarding ARDS management. Enhancing education and work experience is crucial, along with practical, scenario-based training, to improve KAP in ARDS management.
Epidemiological perspectives of amyloidosis in Argentina: a cohort study analysing incidence and mortality patterns among a population affiliated to a medical care programme
Authors: Posadas-Martínez María Lourdes , Cirelli Delfina , De Florio Florencia , Aguirre María Adela , Nucifora Elsa Mercedes , Sorroche Patricia Beatriz , Sáez María Soledad , Aliperti Valeria Inés , Vicens Jimena , Carretero Marcelina
Published: January 2025

Background

Data on the epidemiology of amyloidosis are scarce worldwide, making it difficult to understand its true incidence and mortality.

Aim

The aim of this study is to estimate the incidence and mortality rate of systemic amyloidosis in people affiliated to a Medical Care Program in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Methods

This is a hospital-based prospective study. All affiliates over 17 years to the Medical Care Program of the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, and incident cases and deaths due to amyloidosis from the Institucional Amyloidosis Registry from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2022 were included. Incidence and mortality rates were reported per million person-year with their respective 95% CIs. Crude, standardised and stratified rates were determined.

Results

During the study period, the crude incidence rate was 63 (95% CI 52 to 76) and the crude mortality rate was 31 (95% CI 23 to 40) cases per million person-year, with the wild-type transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRwt) subtype having the highest rates. Men were more affected, especially from the age of 70 years onwards. In addition, an increase in the incidence and mortality rate was observed throughout the period studied.

Conclusion

The results of this study indicate that amyloidosis remains a rare disease but with an increase in incidence in recent years, especially in elderly people. This underlines the importance of further research in epidemiology for a better understanding of the pathology and its evolution.