bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Review of adjuvant intravenous immunoglobulin treatment in patients with refractory pyoderma gangrenosum: a single-centre experience
Authors: Krones Charlotte , Tang Gia T , Scardamaglia Laura
Published: August 2024

This retrospective review assessed adjuvant intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment in six patients with refractory pyoderma gangrenosum (PG). All patients reported decreased ulcer size or depth, with one achieving complete healing. Most had a reduction in pain, and an increase in pain coincided with disease flares. IVIG was well tolerated, although two patients required hospitalization for infection management. Results suggest that IVIG is a safe and effective option for refractory PG, with pain reduction potentially serving as a marker for treatment response, although recurrence remains a concern.
Absence of Cerebrospinal Fluid Pleocytosis in Encephalitis
Authors: Habis Ralph , Kolchinski Anna , Heck Ashley N , Bean Paris , Probasco John C , Hasbun Rodrigo , Venkatesan Arun
Published: August 2024

Background

Early diagnosis of encephalitis involves identifying signs of neuroinflammation, including cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pleocytosis. However, an absence of CSF pleocytosis in encephalitis has been described, most notably in autoimmune encephalitis. We examined clinical characteristics and outcomes associated with the absence or presence of CSF white blood cell pleocytosis (≥5 cells/µL), to inform timely diagnosis and management of encephalitis.

Methods

This retrospective study compares initial CSF profiles in 597 adult patients with all-cause encephalitis.

Results

Of the 597 patients, 446 (74.7%) had CSF pleocytosis while 151 (25.3%) did not. CSF pleocytosis occurred more commonly in infectious cases (200/446, 44.8%), along with 59 (13.2%) autoimmune cases, comprised chiefly of anti–N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis (37/59, 62.7%). Notably, the group without pleocytosis comprised similar proportions of infectious (47/151, 31.1%) and autoimmune (38/151, 25.92%; P > .05) encephalitis. Among those with infectious encephalitis, 47/247 (19%) had an absence of pleocytosis, including 18/76 (23.7%) with HSV-1 encephalitis. The absence of pleocytosis was associated with a decreased rate of acyclovir administration (47.7% in patients without pleocytosis vs 71.1% in patients with pleocytosis; P < .001). Despite pleocytosis being associated with some measures of clinical severity at admission such as a Full Outline of UnResponsiveness (FOUR) score ≤14, it was not associated with mortality or prolonged hospitalization.

Conclusions

CSF pleocytosis is an important criterion for encephalitis diagnosis, but 25.3% of patients with all-cause encephalitis and 23.7% of those with HSV-1 encephalitis exhibit an absence of pleocytosis on initial LP. Acyclovir initiation should not be delayed in the absence of pleocytosis in patients with suspected encephalitis.
Loneliness and Expanding Social Ties in Later Life: Motivation, Perceived Success, and Implications for Emotional Health
Authors: Rook Karen S , Oleskiewicz Danielle , Brown Colette J , August Kristin J , Smith Anna M , Sorkin Dara H
Published: August 2024

Objectives

Social networks undergo changes in later life, reflecting proactive decreases as well as increases in size, but relatively little is known about the factors that motivate older adults to expand their social ties. Loneliness might be expected to motivate older adults to expand their social ties. Paradoxically, however, studies of younger age groups have linked loneliness to a self-protective reluctance to initiate social contact. The current study investigated whether loneliness fosters or inhibits older adults’ efforts to expand their social ties and whether successful efforts are related to gains in emotional health.

Methods

Loneliness, motivation to expand social ties, and emotional health were assessed in a subset of older participants (N = 375) from the Later Life Study of Social Exchanges.

Results

Greater loneliness was associated with less interest, less investment of effort, and less success in making new ties and rekindling dormant ties. Nonetheless, lonelier older adults who expanded their social ties, particularly by rekindling dormant ties, exhibited some gains in emotional health over a 1-year period.

Discussion

Greater attention to the role of loneliness in older adults’ motivations for making new ties or rekindling dormant ties will broaden our understanding of social network changes in later life.
Informal employment and high burden of out-of-pocket healthcare payments among older workers: evidence from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India
Authors: Chowdhury Poulomi , Goli Srinivas
Published: August 2024

India’s economy is among the fastest growing in the world. However, a large share of informal workforce is a common characteristic of country’s economy, comprises a significant portion of most of its labour markets. This workforce often receives low wages and lacks benefits such as strong social security and health coverage for all. The majority of healthcare spending in India is private. As India’s population ages and the informal sector expands, it is expected that many of these workers will continue to work beyond the retirement age to bear their own healthcare costs due to lack of savings, pensions, and the precarious nature of their employment. In this context, this study estimates the burden of out-of-pocket (OOP) payments on India’s informal older workers compared to their formal counterparts, using data from the first wave of the nationally representative Longitudinal Ageing Study in India. According to estimates from the two-part regression model, informal older workers pay, on average, INR 1113 (P < 0.01) and INR 55 (P < 0.05) less than their formal counterparts for inpatient and outpatient care, respectively. Further, probit regression models revealed that the burden of combined (both inpatient and outpatient) OOP payments exceeding (by 40, 20 and 10%) of their income is significantly higher among informal older workers compared to formal older workers. The study underscores the need for strengthening of universal health insurance schemes to ensure everyone has access to medical services without experiencing financial hardship. It also advocates for policies specifically tailored towards informal workers, considering their unique challenges with regard to livelihoods and healthcare security. In particular, this encompasses bolstering the existing social security and healthcare system, and related policies for ensuring financial security against OOP payments, especially for informal workers and all the population in general.
Ratio analysis 1: profitability, efficiency and performance
Authors: Scott Peter
Published: August 2024

This chapter presents an illustration of ratio analysis, the most commonly used technique in evaluating financial statements. It outlines the importance and advantages of using ratios to evaluate the profitability, efficiency, performance, liquidity and long-term financial stability of an organization. It begins with the discussion of profitability ratios, how they are calculated and their interpretation. Next, it delves into the calculation of efficiency ratios and shows how these help to explain changes in profitability. Then it examines performance ratios and explains what these mean to shareholders. Finally, it explores benchmarking, comparing one entity’s ratios against another’s in the same industry.
The External Environment
Authors: Brooks Simon , Ivory Sarah Birrell
Published: August 2024

This chapter explores the notion of the organizational environment, which is the set of circumstances that influence the organization. Generally, the external environment refers to aspects beyond the organization's direct control, while the internal environment focuses on aspects within the boundaries of the organization that are largely within its control. A useful model to understand the micro-external environment is the Five Forces analysis, while a PESTEL analysis can be used to explore an organization's macro-external environment. The chapter considers the idea of a stakeholder analysis simultaneously balancing macro-environments, micro-external environments, and internal environments. It discusses how each analysis has different uses and strengths in understanding opportunities and threats represented by trends and decisions.
Marketing
Authors: Arkadan Farah , Macdonald Emma
Published: August 2024

This chapter explores the significance of marketing. It highlights marketing as both a strategic and a tactical organizational activity. Marketing goes beyond the notion of for-profit consumer brands as it is also responsible for the process of delivering offerings that have value in society at large. To support the organization in making the best strategic and tactical decisions about customers, marketers undertake three sets of activities: segmentation and targeting, customer insight processes, and creating value propositions. The chapter explains how tools of marketing can be used to address the sustainability challenge as marketing's expertise is in understanding people, their motivation, and customer behaviour.
Managing operations
Authors: Gillespie Andrew
Published: August 2024

This chapter looks into how marketing operations fulfil the needs and the wants of customers identified by marketing efforts. It cites that operations management manages the transformation of resources from inputs into outputs while also creating the value that makes the process worthwhile. The categorization of the operations processes and systems is largely correlated to the notions of volume, variety of output, visibility, and variation. The chapter cites that process innovations occur when there are developments in the way a process is undertaken. Moreover, operations management will involve managing relations with stakeholders as operations decisions will affect several different groups.
Marine Communities
Authors: Tilling Steve
Published: August 2024

This chapter examines how climate change affects marine communities. It discusses the impacts on taxonomic groups before examining community-scale evidence from intertidal communities, sea shelves, and deep-water habitats. Despite there being borders between the systems in the UK, they are all interconnected in some way and influenced by regional phenomena such as the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). The lack of marine boundaries means that climate impacts on plankton have the potential to disrupt marine food chains over huge areas. The chapter also looks at the interplay of sea surface and air temperatures which affects some marine groups like ideal sentinel species, such as kelp and plankton.
Abiotic Stress
Authors: Taiz Lincoln , Møller Ian Max , Murphy Angus , Peer Wendy A.
Published: August 2024

This chapter explores how plants adapt and respond to abiotic stresses in the environment. Like all living organisms, plants are complex biological systems comprising thousands of different genes, proteins, regulatory molecules, signaling agents, and chemical compounds that form hundreds of interlinked pathways and networks. When exposed to unfavourable environmental conditions, this complex interactive system adjusts homeostatically to minimize the negative impacts of stress and maintain metabolic equilibrium. The chapter begins by distinguishing between adaptation and acclimation in relation to abiotic stress. It then describes the various abiotic factors in the environment that can negatively affect plant growth and development. Finally, the chapter considers the specific metabolic, physiological, and anatomical changes that result from signaling pathways and that enable plants to adapt or acclimate to abiotic stress.
Pharmacology for Pharmacy and the Health Sciences
Authors: Boarder Michael , Dixon Jane , Newby David , Navti Phyllis , Zetterström Tyra
Published: August 2024

Pharmacology for Pharmacy and the Health Sciences introduces pharmacology and provides an understanding of drug action at the cellular and molecular level. This is interfaced with an explanation of the clinical use of drugs to treat common conditions. Taking a patient-centred approach, the book explores clinical topics in the context of individual patients and their experience of illness, and so relate the scientific basis of pharmacology to real-life pharmacy practice.
Climate Change
Authors: Sturman Andrew , Quénol Hervé
Published: August 2024

Climate Change focuses on the impact of climate change at a local and regional level. It contains real-world case studies which foster an understanding and application of the science of climate change. The text starts by setting the scene and asking why we need to downscale climate change to regional and local levels. It then looks at approaches to regional and local downscaling before it considers urban environments, air pollution, and human health. The next few chapters look at energy and infrastructure, climate change and agriculture, and natural ecosystems. The last two chapters cover environmental hazards and climate change and developing appropriate adaptation strategies.
Introduction: the importance of maths in pharmacy
Authors: Langley Chris , Perrie Yvonne
Published: August 2024

This chapter explains that the ability to calculate safe and efficacious drug doses is the fundamental part of any role of a pharmacist or pharmacy technician. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are both vital contributors to the wide multidisciplinary health care team and, as such, must be able to carry out their roles effectively and safely. The chapter emphasizes the importance of being able to calculate accurately dosages of differing drugs to prevent inconvenience for the patient or even cause harm or death. With so many health care interventions requiring the administration of some form of medication, the possibility of error is great. The chapter highlights the role of the pharmacist and pharmacy technician to ensure that the level of error is kept as low as possible, especially when dealing with certain red flag drugs where errors are more likely to result in severe harm to the patient.
Microbial Growth
Authors: Yeoman Kay , Fahnert Beatrix , Lea-Smith David , Clarke Tom
Published: August 2024

This chapter discusses microbial growth, and looks particularly at how microorganisms grow in liquid culture. The usefulness of microbes in biotechnology applications originates from their ability to convert low-cost substrates into higher-value products. The key to optimizing production is understanding how microbes interact with and grow in the substrates provided, and how microbial metabolism is linked to product formation. Moreover, yield and productivity are important parameters that can be determined from culture experiments. The chapter then looks at how to model bacterial growth in bioreactors before considering the differences between continuous cultures and fed-batch cultures. It then highlights the importance of productivity and maintenance in fermentation.
The risk factors for cardiovascular disease
Authors: Blann Andrew
Published: August 2024

This chapter discusses the risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its respective aetiology, pathophysiology, and management. The dominant disease process in CVD is atherosclerosis, initiated by the action of the four major risk factors of tobacco smoking, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and diabetes on the endothelium. However, risk factors may also cause non-atherosclerotic disease, such as heart failure. The chapter also considers the genetic aetiology and inflammatory basis of numerous diseases and syndromes. It also cites the key components of the pathophysiology of diabetes and the role of inflammation in the development and progression of atherosclerosis.
Why aren’t we all worms?
Authors: Paxson Julia
Published: August 2024

Associate Professor
Liquids
Authors: Roberts Matthew
Published: August 2024

The chapter explains that liquids are used in a range of different dosage forms for the delivery of therapeutic agents and they use several routes. Liquid medicines offer a number of advantages over solid medicines such as ease of administration, dose uniformity, and dose flexibility.Physical appearance and properties greatly vary, and liquid dosage forms can range from mouthwashes, oral syrups, and suspensions, to injectable solutions, topical lotions, and shampoos. The chapter then shows that the typical liquid dosage form is composed of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) contained within a liquid vehicle, the solvent, and other excipients. Liquid dosage forms can be classified according to the route of delivery, the most common ones being oral and parenteral.
Visualization of metabolite distribution based on matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization–mass spectrometry imaging of tea seedlings (Camellia sinensis)
Authors: Fu Maoyin , Tian Liying , Zheng Dongqiao , Gao Yang , Sun Chenyi , Zhang Shihua , Zhang ZhaoLiang , Wan Xiaochun , Chen Qi
Published: August 2024

Tea seedlings (Camellia sinensis) have a well-developed root system with a strong taproot and lateral roots. Compared with ordinary cuttings, tea has stronger vitality and environmental adaptability, thus facilitating the promotion of good varieties. However, there is less of detailed research on the rooting and germination process of tea seeds. In this study, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight–mass spectrometry was used to conduct non-targeted spatial mass spectrometry imaging of the main organs during growth of tea seedlings. A total of 1234 compounds were identified, which could be divided into 24 classes. Among them, theanine, as the most prominent nitrogen compound, was synthesized rapidly at the early stage of embryo germination, accounting for >90% of the total free amino acids in the radicle, and it was then transferred to each meristem region through the mesocolumnar sheath, indicating that theanine-based nitrogen flow plays a decisive role in organ formation during the development of tea seedlings. Nutrients stored in the cotyledon were rapidly hydrolyzed to dextrin and 3-phosphoglyceraldehyde at the early stages of germination, and subsequently converted to other forms that provided carbon and energy for development, such as raffinose and d-galactose (glucose), which were mainly distributed in the growing zones of the root apex and the apical meristems of the stem. This study provides a new perspective on the synthesis and metabolism of substances during the development of tea seedlings and contributes to a better understanding of the biological characteristics of tea varieties.
Applying 3D Models of Giant Salamanders to Explore Form–Function Relationships in Early Digit-Bearing Tetrapods
Authors: Kawano Sandy M , Martin Johnson , Medina Joshua , Doherty Conor , Zheng Gary , Hsiao Emma , Evans Matthew J , de Queiroz Kevin , Pyron R Alexander , Huie Jonathan M , Lima Riley , Langan Esther M , Peters Alan , Irschick Duncan J
Published: August 2024

Synopsis

Extant salamanders are used as modern analogs of early digit-bearing tetrapods due to general similarities in morphology and ecology, but the study species have been primarily terrestrial and relatively smaller when the earliest digit-bearing tetrapods were aquatic and an order of magnitude larger. Thus, we created a 3D computational model of underwater walking in extant Japanese giant salamanders (Andrias japonicus) using 3D photogrammetry and open-access graphics software (Blender) to broaden the range of testable hypotheses about the incipient stages of terrestrial locomotion. Our 3D model and software protocol represent the initial stages of an open-access pipeline that could serve as a “one-stop-shop” for studying locomotor function, from creating 3D models to analyzing the mechanics of locomotor gaits. While other pipelines generally require multiple software programs to accomplish the different steps in creating and analyzing computational models of locomotion, our protocol is built entirely within Blender and fully customizable with its Python scripting so users can devote more time to creating and analyzing models instead of navigating the learning curves of several software programs. The main value of our approach is that key kinematic variables (e.g. speed, stride length, and elbow flexion) can be easily altered on the 3D model, allowing scientists to test hypotheses about locomotor function and conduct manipulative experiments (e.g. lengthening bones) that are difficult to perform in vivo. The accurate 3D meshes (and animations) generated through photogrammetry also provide exciting opportunities to expand the abundance and diversity of 3D digital animals available for researchers, educators, artists, conservation biologists, etc. to maximize societal impacts.
No higher law: The Uruguayan plebiscite of 1980 as a failed constituent moment
Authors: Katz Andrea Scoseria
Published: August 2024

On November 30, 1980, the people of Uruguay were called on to vote on a new constitution whose objective was to legalize the military dictatorship that had ruled Uruguay since 1973. The proposed constitution would reestablish elections, political parties, and an independent judiciary, but all subject to overrule by the National Security Council (COSENA), the junta of military leaders that acted as the nation’s de facto ruling body. Despite the highly repressive political environment in which the plebiscite was held, the citizenry rejected the draft in resounding fashion by a vote of 57% to 43%. Although the Plebiscite of 1980 was certainly a “failure” from the regime’s point of view, it is considered a founding moment in Uruguayan history during which the dictatorship was delegitimized and the process of redemocratization triggered, culminating in a democratic transition in 1985. This case illustrates that constitutional failures can be successes in the long term when they launch deeper processes of democratization or constitutionalism.
COVID-19 infections in English schools and the households of students and staff 2020–21: a self-controlled case-series analysis
Authors: McClenaghan Elliot , Nguipdop-Djomo Patrick , Lewin Alexandra , Warren-Gash Charlotte , Cook Sarah , Mangtani Punam
Published: August 2024

Background

The role of children and staff in SARS-CoV-2 transmission outside and within households is still not fully understood when large numbers are in regular, frequent contact in schools.

Methods

We used the self-controlled case-series method during the alpha- and delta-dominant periods to explore the incidence of infection in periods around a household member infection, relative to periods without household infection, in a cohort of primary and secondary English schoolchildren and staff from November 2020 to July 2021.

Results

We found the relative incidence of infection in students and staff was highest in the 1–7 days following household infection, remaining high up to 14 days after, with risk also elevated in the 6–-12 days before household infection. Younger students had a higher relative incidence following household infection, suggesting household transmission may play a more prominent role compared with older students. The relative incidence was also higher among students in the alpha variant dominant period.

Conclusions

This analysis suggests SARS-CoV2 infection in children, young people and staff at English schools were more likely to be associated with within-household transmission than from outside the household, but that a small increased risk of seeding from outside is observed.
Assessing antimicrobial stewardship governance in Northeast Brazilian hospitals: a survey-based analysis
Authors: Hinrichsen Sylvia Lemos , de Lemos Marcela Coelho , Bernardino Juliana Magalhães , Lima Juliana Andrade , Carrazone Genaro , Vilella Tatiana , Trova Gabriel , Moura Libia , de Lima-Neto Reginaldo Gonçalves , Brink Adrian John
Published: August 2024

Background

Effective governance of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) and infection prevention control (IPC) in healthcare facilities is crucial for safeguarding patients against healthcare-associated infections and enhancing patient outcomes by optimizing antibiotic use and curbing the spread of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) pathogens.

Objectives

To assess the current AMS governance in two public hospitals in Northeast of Brazil, specifically focusing on identifying institutional antibiotic policies and operational practices.

Methods

A survey was conducted by team leaders of both hospitals from 2020 to 2022 using a questionnaire adapted from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) recommendations for implementing AMS programmes (ASP) in Latin America and the Caribbean, alongside criteria from the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) and CDC.

Results

Fifty leaders, from senior management to coordinators, answered the questionnaire. Results indicate a lack of AMS process measures, specialist support, systematic antimicrobial utilization analysis and structured IPC programmes, especially in one hospital where patient records remain in paper format.

Conclusions

The empirical use of antimicrobials without local epidemiological or susceptibility data underscores the absence of logistical support for microbiological cultures in the region. These findings emphasize the urgent need for systematic AMS processes and multiprofessional teams to drive AMS and IPC practices, essential for patient care and safety.
Addressing emerging issues in entomology: 2023 student debates
Authors: Pickens Victoria , Maille Jacqueline , Pitt William Jacob , Twombly Ellis Jordan , Salgado Sara , Tims Kelly M , Edwards Carla-Cristina , Peavy Malcolm , Williamson Zia Valerie , Musgrove Tyler R T , Doherty Ethan , Khadka Arjun , Martin Ewert Allyson , Sparks Tanner C , Shrestha Bandana , Scribner Hazel , Balthazor Navi , Johnson Rachel L , Markwardt Chip , Singh Rupinder , Constancio Natalie , Hauri Kayleigh C , Ternest John J , Gula Scott W , Dillard DeShae
Published: August 2024

The Entomological Society of America (ESA) Student Debates is an annual student competition at the ESA Annual Meeting organized by Student Debates Subcommittee (SDS) members of the ESA Student Affairs Committee. In conjunction with the 2023 ESA Annual Meeting theme, ‘Insects and influence: Advancing entomology’s impact on people and policy’, the theme of this year’s student debate was ‘Addressing emerging issues in entomology’. With the aid of ESA membership, the SDS selected the following debate topics: (1) Should disclosure of artificial intelligence large language models in scientific writing always be required? and (2) Is it more important to prioritize honey bee or native pollinator health for long-term food security within North America? Four student teams from across the nation, composed of 3–5 student members and a professional advisor, were assigned a topic and stance. Over the course of 5 months, all team members researched and prepared for their assigned topic before debating live with an opposing team at the 2023 ESA Annual Meeting in National Harbor, Maryland. SDS members additionally prepared and presented introductions for each debate topic to provide unbiased backgrounds to the judges and audience for context in assessing teams’ arguments. The result was an engaging discussion between our teams, judges, and audience members on emerging issues facing entomology and its impact on people and policy, such as scientific communication and food security, that brought attention to the complexities involved when debating topics concerning insects and influence.
Discarded vehicle tires and their association with mosquito vector abundance across socioenvironmental gradients in New Orleans, LA
Authors: de Jesús Crespo Rebeca , Pavlakis Alexandros , Breaux Jennifer , Riegel Claudia
Published: August 2024

Discarded vehicle tires serve as habitat for mosquito vectors. In New Orleans, Louisiana, discarded tires are an increasingly important public concern, especially considering that the city is home to many medically important mosquito species. Discarded tires are known to be associated with mosquito abundance, but how their presence interacts with other socioenvironmental gradients to influence mosquito ecology is poorly understood. Here, we ask whether discarded tire distribution could be explained by social factors, particularly median income, home vacancy and human population density, and whether these factors interact with urban heat islands (UHI) to drive mosquito vector assemblages. We surveyed tire piles across the city and adult mosquitoes in 12 sites, between May and October of 2020. We compared this data with the social indicators selected and UHI estimates. Our results show that median income and human population density were inversely related to tire abundance. Tire abundance was positively associated with Aedes albopictus abundance in places of low heat (LS) severity. Heat was the only predictor for the other monitored species, where high heat corresponded to higher abundance of Aedes aegypti, and LS to higher abundance of Culex quinquefasciatus. Our results suggest that low-income, sparsely populated neighborhoods of New Orleans may be hotspots for discarded vehicle tires, and are associated with higher abundances of at least one medically important mosquito (Ae. albopictus). These findings suggest potential locations for prioritizing source reduction efforts to control mosquito vectors and highlight discarded tires as a potential exposure pathway to unequal disease risk for low-income residents.
Surveillance of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) and tick-borne pathogens in Eastern Central Alabama
Authors: Wang Xiaodi , Mathias Derrick K
Published: August 2024

Similar to other states in the southeastern United States, human cases of tick-borne diseases in Alabama have risen steadily over the last 2 decades. Nevertheless, limited data have been published on ticks or tick-borne pathogen (TBP) distributions since the 1990s. To better understand the risk of tick and TBP exposure in eastern central Alabama, ticks were sampled repeatedly across 8 sites associated with recreational use during May and June of 2015 to characterize tick density and diversity. Although habitats were similar across sites, tick density varied among locations. Seven species were collected, but 97.7% of 1,310 samples were the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (L.), the primary vector of ehrlichial agents and the tick species most commonly linked to alpha-gal syndrome and southern tick-associated rash illness. To investigate pathogen prevalence among sites, we tested A. americanum by a multiplex qPCR assay for 5 bacterial species, including 3 Ehrlichia spp. and 2 Rickettsia spp. None of the specimens tested positive for Panola Mountain Ehrlichia or Rickettsia parkeri. However, causative agents of human ehrlichiosis, Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Ehrlichia ewingii, occurred at half of the locations with, respectively, 0.27% and 0.45% of A. americanum infected on average. In contrast, Rickettsia amblyommatis, a tick endosymbiont suspected to be nonpathogenic, was found in 54.5% of the 1119 A. americanum tested. Despite low infection rates of Ehrlichia spp. in A. americanum, high encounter rates with this species in recreational deciduous woodlands suggest a moderate risk of tick bite and a low-to-moderate risk of TBP exposure in late spring.
Interventions in the workplace to reduce risk factors for noncommunicable diseases: an umbrella review of systematic reviews of effectiveness
Authors: Turon Heidi , Bezzina Aaron , Lamont Hannah , Barnes Courtney , Lum Melanie , Hodder Rebecca K , Leung Gloria K W , Peeters Anna , Wolfenden Luke , Yoong Serene
Published: August 2024

Background: Workplaces are an important setting to deliver programs to reduce risk factors for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). To help decision makers understand the most current and relevant evidence regarding effectiveness of workplace programs, we conducted an umbrella review to present a comprehensive synthesis of the large volume of literature.

Methods: Systematic reviews of workplace interventions targeting primary risk factors for NCDs—unhealthy diet, insufficient physical activity, overweight/obesity, tobacco use, and/or excessive alcohol use—published since 2010 were sourced. For each risk factor, reviews were categorized by intervention type and quality. The most recent, high-quality review was included for each intervention type. Evidence for the effectiveness of each intervention type was then broadly classified based on the review summary findings.

Results: Twenty-one reviews were included. Most reviews focused on diet (n = 5), physical activity (n = 7), or obesity (n = 9) interventions, with fewer targeting alcohol (n = 2) or tobacco (n = 2) use. Reviews of interventions focusing on individual behavior (such as education or counseling) were most common. Across diet, obesity, physical activity, and tobacco use, multicomponent interventions were consistently likely to be classified as “likely effective.” Motivational interviewing and broad health promotion interventions were identified as “promising” for alcohol use.

Conclusion: This umbrella review identified that multicomponent workplace interventions were effective to reduce NCD risk factors. There is a gap around interventions targeting alcohol use as most syntheses lacked enough studies to draw conclusions about effectiveness. Exploring the impact of interventions that utilize policy and/or environmental strategies is a critical gap for future research.
The roles played by hsa-miR-223-5p and mutations in the S gene of SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19
Authors: Sabbar Zeyad Sadeg , Kariminik Ashraf , Ghane Maryam
Published: August 2024

Background

Increased proinflammatory molecules are a main reason for severe symptoms in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. This study evaluated mutations in the S gene of SARS-CoV-2 and the expression of hsa-miR-223-5p, interleukin 2 receptor α (IL-2Rα), and CCL16 chemokine in hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 infected patients.

Design

This is a cross-sectional study.

Methods

This study included 75 SARS-CoV-2-infected patients with severe symptoms and 75 age-sex-matched healthy controls. Real-time polymerase chain reaction techniques were used to evaluate the expression levels of hsa-miR-223-5p, IL-2Rα, and CCL16 chemokine. The Sanger technique was used to sequence the S gene of SARS-CoV-2 from positions 23,274 to 23,641.

Results

The relative expression of hsa-miR-223-5p was significantly increased whereas that of IL-2Rα was significantly decreased in the SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. Two mutations were found in the S gene of SARS-CoV-2 at positions 23,403 (p.Asp23403Gly) and 23,525 (p.His23525Tyr) of the S gene of SARS-CoV-2.

Conclusion

Increased hsa-miR-223-5p may be a main cause for the downregulation of IL-2Rα, which is a main developer of T-regulatory lymphocytes. The mutations in the S gene of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients may affect immune responses to the molecule and alter the avidity of virus–human cell interactions.
Time Bias and Altruism
Authors: Sung Leora Urim
Published: August 2024

We are typically near-future biased, prioritising our present and near-future interests over our own distant-future interests. This bias can be directed at others as well, prioritising their present and near-future interests over their distant-future interests. I argue that, given these biases, and given a plausible limit on the extent to which we can permissibly prioritise our present interests over the present interests of strangers, we are morally required to prioritise the present interests of strangers over our distant-future interests. I also argue that a similar conclusion holds even if we are near biased only towards ourselves, and regardless of whether this bias is rational. And I show that my conclusions have interesting implications for the ethics of charitable giving, because they generate moral pressure to donate to charity those funds that would otherwise have gone into our long-term savings.
Where is the supervirial hot gas? I: a pilot study with sightlines to Galactic X-ray binaries
Authors: Lara-DI Armando , Krongold Yair , Mathur Smita , Roy Manami , McClain Rebecca L , Das Sanskriti , Gupta Anjali
Published: August 2024

Hot, $\log (T/\mathrm{K})$$\sim$ 7.5, gas was recently discovered in the Milky Way in extragalactic sightlines. In order to determine its location, here we present sightlines to Galactic X-ray binaries (XRBs) passing through the Interstellar Medium (ISM). In this pilot study, we investigate absorption features of S$_{\mathrm{XVI}}$, Si$_{\mathrm{XIV}}$, and Ne$_{\mathrm{X}}$ in the spectra of three XRBs, namely 4U 1735–44, 4U 1820–30, and Cyg X-2, using Chandra High Energy Transmission Grating archival observations. We do not detect any of these lines. We determine the 2$\sigma$ upper limit for the equivalent widths of the undetected absorption lines and the column densities of the corresponding ions. We note that the 2$\sigma$ upper limits for S$_{\mathrm{XVI}}$ K$\alpha$ and Si$_{\mathrm{XIV}}$ K$\alpha$ are an order of magnitude smaller than those previously detected in the extragalactic sightlines. Our finding suggests that if any gas at $\log (T/\mathrm{K})$$\gt\ 7$ is present in the Galactic ISM, it is unlikely to be ubiquitous. This is an important result because it implies that S$_{\mathrm{XVI}}$, Si$_{\mathrm{XIV}}$, and Ne$_{\mathrm{X}}$ absorption detected in extragalactic sightlines is not from the ISM, but is likely from a hot gas phase in the extraplanar region beyond the ISM or in the extended Circumgalactic Medium.
Radio observations of the 2022 outburst of the transitional Z-Atoll source XTE J1701−462
Authors: Gasealahwe K V S , Monageng I M , Fender R P , Woudt P A , Hughes A K , Motta S E , van den Eijnden J , Saikia P , Tremou E
Published: August 2024

XTE J1701−462 is a neutron star low-mass X-ray binary (NS LMXB) discovered in 2006 as the first system to demonstrate unambiguously that the ‘Atoll’ and ‘Z’ classes of accreting neutron stars are separated by accretion rate. Radio observations during the 2006/7 outburst provided evidence for the formation of a relativistic jet, as now expected for all accreting neutron star and black hole X-ray binaries at high-accretion rates. The source entered a new outburst in 2022, and we report 29 observations made with the MeerKAT radio telescope. The first radio detection was on the 16th September 2022, we continued detecting the source until mid-December 2022. Thereafter, establishing radio upper limits till 25 March 2023. We present the radio analysis alongside analysis of contemporaneous X-ray observations from MAXI. The radio light curve shows evidence for at least three flare-like events over the first hundred days, the most luminous of which has an associated minimum energy of $1\times 10^{38}$ erg. We provide a detailed comparison with the 2006/7 outburst, and demonstrate that we detected radio emission from the source for considerably longer in the more recent outburst, although this is probably a function of sampling. We further constrain the radio emission from the source to have a polarization of less than 9 per cent at the time of 2022 IXPE detection of X-ray polarization. Finally, we place the source in the radio–X-ray plane, demonstrating that when detected in radio it sits in a comparable region of parameter space to the other Z-sources.
Crossing walls and windows: the curious escape of Lyman-α photons through ionized channels
Authors: Almada Monter Silvia , Gronke Max
Published: August 2024

The diverse Lyman-alpha (Ly $\alpha$) line profiles are essential probes of gas in and around galaxies. While isotropic models can successfully reproduce a range of  Ly $\alpha$ observables, the correspondence between the model and actual physical parameters remains uncertain. We investigate the effect of anisotropies on Ly $\alpha$ escape using a simplified setup: an empty hole (fractional size $\tilde{s}$) within a semi-infinite slab with constant column density. Due to the slab’s high line-centre optical depth ($\tau _0\gtrsim 10^{5-6}$), most photons should escape through the empty channel. However, our numerical findings indicate that only a fraction ${\sim} \tilde{s}$ of photons exit through this channel. To explain this puzzle, we developed an analytical model describing the scattering and transmission behaviour of  Ly $\alpha$ photons in an externally illuminated slab. Our findings show that the number of scatterings per reflection follows a Lévy distribution (${\propto} N^{-3/2}$). This means that the mean number of scatterings is orders of magnitude greater than expectations, facilitating a shift in frequency and the subsequent photon escape. Our results imply that  Ly $\alpha$ photons are more prone to traverse high-density gas and are surprisingly less biased to the ‘path of least resistance’. Hence,  Ly $\alpha$ can trace an average hydrogen distribution rather than only low-column density channels.
Treatment selection in the clinical practice of systemic lupus erythematosus: Results from the Kyushu Collagen Disease Network for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (KCDN-SLE) registry
Authors: Ayano Masahiro , Ueda Naoyasu , Mishima Koji , Ota Shun-Ichiro , Kushimoto Kazuo , Tanaka Atsushi , Kawano Shotaro , Nishimura Naoya , Kashiwado Yusuke , Doi Goro , Nakayama Tsuyoshi , Fukumoto Ryo , Tsuru Tomomi , Suzaki Midori , Akahoshi Mitsuteru , Maekawa Makiko , Omoto Aya , Tada Hitoshi , Akashi Koichi , Horiuchi Takahiko , Niiro Hiroaki
Published: August 2024

Objectives

This study aimed to describe the treatment selection for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) using data from the Kyushu Collagen Disease Network for SLE (KCDN-SLE) registry, a multicentre prospective registry in Japan.

Methods

This study used data from patients registered between August 2022 and November 2023. Clinical characteristics, purpose of agent initiation, other candidate agents, and short-term efficacy and safety were evaluated.

Results

We analysed 69 previously treated patients with SLE (mean age 43.7 years; 62 females, 7 males). Hydroxychloroquine, biological agents, and immunosuppressive agents were initiated during the maintenance phase in 12, 41, and 16 patients, respectively. In patients with active organ involvement, hydroxychloroquine and biological agents were widely used for initiation. In those who already achieved treatment goals, biological agents alone were predominantly selected. The SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 score and prednisolone dose declined significantly over a 6-month follow-up period. Among 48 patients with active disease, 22 achieved a lupus low disease activity state, but this had no evident association with the initiation of a biological agent. In total, 14 adverse events, predominantly infections, were observed.

Conclusions

Biological agents were used preferentially, and the therapeutic agents were appropriately effective and mostly achieved the purpose of agent initiation.
Monogenic lupus with neuroregression in an infant due to rare compound heterozygous variants in C1QA gene: Case-based review
Authors: Jain Harsh , Kartik S , Kumar Abhishek , Dwivedi Aradhana , Jayaprakash Sankar , Vasdev V , Chandwani Ashish
Published: August 2024

Monogenic lupus is a rare variant of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) that develops in patients with a single gene disorder. Early complement component deficiencies were the first forms of monogenic lupus to be described, and C1Q gene mutations are one of the most common forms. C1QA complement deficiency has been reported to occur usually due to biallelic variants in C1QA gene, and compound heterozygous variants in C1QA gene have rarely been reported. A majority of monogenic lupus patients with C1Q deficiency present with mucocutaneous, renal, and musculoskeletal manifestations. Our patient is an unusual case of monogenic lupus with severe neurological manifestations along with cutaneous, haematological, and hepatic manifestations secondary to rare compound heterozygous variants in C1QA gene and antiribosomal P autoantibody positivity. She was treated with glucocorticoids, rituximab, and fresh frozen plasma with partial neurological recovery. Thus, we present a unique case of monogenic lupus due to a rare compound heterozygous variant in C1QA gene with a brief review of literature.
Metamorphic origin of large nuggets of platinum-group metals: evidence from multiphase inclusions in Os-Ir-Ru alloys from the Adamsfield placer, Tasmania
Authors: Kutyrev Anton , Kamenetsky Vadim S , Chayka Ivan F , Nekrylov Nikolai A , Kryuchkova Lyudmila , Shilovskikh Vladimir V , Kontonikas-Charos Alkiviadis , Krasheninnikov Stepan P , Sapegina Anna , Perchuk Alexei L
Published: August 2024

Platinum-group elements (PGE) are most effectively concentrated via sulfide-silicate melt immiscibility; however, under sulfide-undersaturated conditions, PGE may exhibit highly siderophile behavior and occur as native metals and alloys. In this case, they can form micrometer-size inclusions within Cr-spinel, but also large nuggets (up to several kilograms), found in chromitites and related placer deposits. The exact formation mechanism of such large nuggets and accumulations of PGE unrelated to sulfide melts remains controversial due to mass balance issues. In this study of multiphase inclusions in Os-Ir-Ru nuggets from the Adamsfield placer district (Tasmania, Australia), we constrain their crystallization environment. Multiphase inclusions comprise variable proportions of hornblende, enstatite, quartz, anthophyllite, anorthite, chlorite and native iridium and coexist with single-phase olivine and Cr-spinel inclusions. The heterogeneity in phase and chemical composition of the inclusions indicates a complex origin from an inhomogeneous source media. This is corroborated by grain scale disequilibrium mineral assemblages, where forsterite and quartz are both included within a single osmium grain. Our proposed multi-stage origin of Adamsfield Os-Ir-Ru nuggets involved magmatic olivine-Cr-spinel-Os-Ir-Ru cumulates in peridotite bodies that were subsequently overprinted by various hydrothermal and metamorphic processes, including serpentinization or growth of Os-Ir-Ru from supercritical fluids. The final metamorphic stage resulted in the obliteration of Os-Ir-Ru zonation, culminating in the current assemblage of inclusions.
MPK4-mediated phosphorylation of PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR4 controls thermosensing by regulating histone variant H2A.Z deposition
Authors: Verma Neetu , Singh Dhanraj , Mittal Lavanya , Banerjee Gopal , Noryang Stanzin , Sinha Alok Krishna
Published: August 2024

Plants can perceive a slight upsurge in ambient temperature and respond by undergoing morphological changes, such as elongated hypocotyls and early flowering. The dynamic functioning of PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR4 (PIF4) in thermomorphogenesis is well established, although the complete regulatory pathway involved in thermosensing remains elusive. We establish that an increase in temperature from 22 to 28 °C induces upregulation and activation of MITOGEN-ACTIVATED PROTEIN KINASE 4 (MPK4) in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), subsequently leading to the phosphorylation of PIF4. Phosphorylated PIF4 represses the expression of ACTIN-RELATED PROTEIN 6 (ARP6), which is required for mediating the deposition of histone variant H2A.Z at its target loci. Furthermore, we demonstrate that variations in ARP6 expression in PIF4 phosphor-null and phosphor-mimetic seedlings affect hypocotyl growth at 22 and 28 °C by modulating the regulation of ARP6-mediated H2A.Z deposition at the loci of genes involved in elongating hypocotyl cells. Interestingly, the expression of MPK4 is also controlled by H2A.Z deposition in a temperature-dependent manner. Taken together, these findings highlight the regulatory mechanism of thermosensing by which MPK4-mediated phosphorylation of PIF4 affects ARP6-mediated H2A.Z deposition at the genes involved in hypocotyl cell elongation.