bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Artificial Liver Support System Improves One‐Year Prognosis of Patients With Hepatitis B Virus‐Associated Acute‐on‐Chronic Liver Failure
Authors: Lan Xiaoqin , Hong Changze , Zhang Xiaofeng , Zhou Ling , Li Yuan , Zhang Caili , Mo Xingyan , Zhou Jing , Li Beiling , Qi Tingting , He Qinjun , Luo Wenfan , Lai Qintao , Ji Yali , Xu Ying , Liu Junwei , Zhou Fuyuan , Chen Jinjun
Published: January 2025

Background & Aims

Acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a complex syndrome with limited treatment options. This study aims to investigate the impact of artificial liver support system (ALSS) on the one‐year prognosis of patients with Hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐associated ACLF.

Method

A retrospective study was conducted on 239 patients with HBV‐ACLF in Nanfang Hospital from January 2016 to June 2021. Patients were divided into the ALSS group (n = 103) and the Standard Medical Therapy (SMT group, n = 136). Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected before the first ALSS treatment for patients in ALSS group, while baseline data were collected in SMT group. According to receiving different ALSS modes, patients in ALSS group were divided into plasma exchange (PE) group and non‐PE group.

Result

The 12‐week and 1‐year liver transplant (LT) free survival rates in the ALSS group were significantly higher than that in the SMT group (65.05% vs 52.21%, p = 0.0011; 63.11% vs. 48.53%, p = 0.0006). ALSS therapy was the independent predictive factors associated with 12‐week and 1‐year mortality (hazard ratio, HR: 0.59, p = 0.04, and HR: 0.54, p = 0.01). Comparatively more ALSS‐related complications were observed in PE group. After Propensity Score Matching, the 12‐week and 1‐year LT‐free survival rates between PE and non‐PE group were similar (88% vs. 80%, p = 0.227, 88% vs. 80%, p = 0.227).

Conclusion

ALSS therapy is a safe and effective treatment for HBV‐ACLF. ALSS improves 1‐year prognosis of patients with HBV‐ACLF.
Depressive symptoms and heart rate variability in perinatal women: A narrative review
Authors: Unno Taeko , Okayama Hisayo
Published: January 2025

Aim

This study aims to review research on heart rate variability and psychiatric symptoms in perinatal women and explains how heart rate variability can be useful in preventing depressive symptoms in perinatal women.

Methods

Data were collected from PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar. The literature search encompassed articles published until July 2024, with the inclusion criteria targeting studies on women within 1 year postpartum, starting from the gestation period. Further, articles exploring this population that discussed the relationship between anxiety, depression, stress, and heart rate variability were selected. The exclusion criterion was studies that confirmed a correlation between stressors and heart rate variability.

Results

We identified 36 relevant articles. The results demonstrated that, since 2022, research has been conducted using smartwatches, smartphones, and so on. The effectiveness of using heart rate variability has been confirmed, particularly in studies linking it to depression. However, some studies lacked controls during measurements. Intervention studies demonstrated the effectiveness of heart rate variability biofeedback.

Conclusions

This is the first review to investigate the relationship between psychiatric symptoms and heart rate variability in perinatal women. Understanding and using the characteristics of heart rate variability may lead to the detection of psychiatric symptoms in perinatal women and to self‐care among women.
TRIM9 Controls Growth Cone Responses to Netrin Through DCC and UNC5C
Authors: Mutalik Sampada P. , Ho Chris T. , O'Shaughnessy Ellen C. , Frasineanu Anca G. , Shah Aneri B. , Gupton Stephanie L.
Published: January 2025

The guidance cue netrin‐1 promotes both growth cone attraction and growth cone repulsion. How netrin‐1 elicits diverse axonal responses, beyond engaging the netrin receptor DCC and UNC5 family members, remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate that murine netrin‐1 induces biphasic axonal responses in cortical neurons: Attraction at lower concentrations and repulsion at higher concentrations using both a microfluidic‐based netrin‐1 gradient and bath application of netrin‐1. We find that repulsive turning in a netrin gradient is blocked by knockdown of UNC5C, whereas attractive turning is impaired by knockdown of DCC. TRIM9 is a brain‐enriched E3 ubiquitin ligase previously shown to bind and cluster the attractive receptor DCC at the plasma membrane and regulate netrin‐dependent attractive responses. However, whether TRIM9 also regulated repulsive responses to netrin‐1 remained to be seen. In this study, we show that TRIM9 localizes and interacts with both the attractive netrin receptor DCC and the repulsive netrin receptor, UNC5C. We find that deletion of murine Trim9 alters both attractive and repulsive axon turning and changes in growth cones size in response to murine netrin‐1. TRIM9 was required for netrin‐1‐dependent changes in the surface levels of DCC and UNC5C in the growth cone during morphogenesis. We demonstrate that DCC at the membrane regulates the growth cone area and show that TRIM9 negatively regulates FAK activity in the absence of both repulsive and attractive concentrations of netrin‐1. Together, our work demonstrates that TRIM9 interacts with and regulates both DCC and UNC5C during attractive and repulsive axonal responses to netrin‐1.

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Volitional Control of Chewing Frequency Affects Food Oral Processing and Texture Perception
Authors: Khramova Daria , Vityazev Fedor V. , Zueva Natalya V. , Chistiakova Elizaveta A. , Popov Sergey
Published: January 2025

Background

Although varieties in chewing patterns are essential for the transformation of food in mouth and thereby its sensorial perception, there are few reports that show the effect of chewing frequency on food oral processing and its properties.

Objective

The current study tested whether consciously controlled chewing frequency influences the oral processing of habitually consumed foods and their sensory analysis.

Method

Chewing behaviour was analysed during the mastication of mushed potato samples by 20 participants in two separate test sessions, in which they were instructed to chew the sample in their habitual manner (free chewing test) or follow a preprogrammed video animation displayed on a screen, wich guided them to maintain a constant chewing frequency (F‐const chewing test). Electromyography recording, sensory tests and rheological analysis of bolus properties were performed.

Results

Oral processing in the F‐const chewing test required longer chewing time due to the elongation of chewing cycle time, rather than an increased number of chews. The contribution of jaw muscle activity to chewing effort changed resulting in greater activity of temporalis muscle in the F‐const chewing test. During volitional control of chewing frequency, the texture perception with respect to cohesiveness, adhesiveness and moisture scoring differed from that observed in habitual chewing, despite the similar physical properties of the bolus. These variabilities resulted in higher acceptability of the food sample.

Conclusion

Since this study clearly shows how control of chewing frequency led to changes in oral processing of food and its sensorial properties, nutritionists can employ the findings to optimise the dietary recommendations decreasing eating rate and increasing palatability of the target products.
Morphometric Analysis and Prioritisation of the Punarbhaba‐Atrai‐Jamuna River Basins in the Northwest Bangladesh for Soil Conservation
Authors: Shoumik Baig Abdullah Al , Islam Md. Sanaul , Jat Baloch Muhammad Yousuf
Published: January 2025

Morphometric analysis plays a key role in understanding the geological and hydrological behaviour of watersheds and their prioritisation for soil conservation. The Punarbhaba‐Atrai‐Jamuna river system of northwest Bangladesh is agriculturally important, but the watersheds are frequently affected by droughts in summer and river erosion during the monsoon season. The morphological studies on this river systems are very limited, and hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the morphological characteristics of their largest basins and prioritise the studied watersheds based on erosion vulnerability using two approaches. The remote sensing tools were used to delineate and analyse the linear, areal and relief aspects of the morphometric indices of the six largest river basins of Dinajpur district as the conventional methods of determining the morphological characteristics of a basin are expensive and time‐consuming. The studied basins included the following regions—Dinajpur Sadar‐Birganj (DS‐B), Dinajpur Sadar‐Khansama (DS‐K), Chirirbandar‐Khansama (C‐K), Nawabganj‐Chirirbandar (N‐C), Birampur‐Parbatipur (B‐P) and Hakimpur‐Parbatipur (H‐P). The results of the bifurcation ratio, length of overland flow, drainage density, drainage texture and constant channel maintenance indicated that the watersheds were well‐dissected and had less flood and erosion risk. The values of form factor, elongation ratio, circularity ratio and compactness coefficient dictated an elongated shape of all the basins with a mature geological adjustment. The multi‐criteria prioritisation, combining morphometric analysis with land use factors, offers a holistic understanding of watershed vulnerability signifying DS‐B and N‐C the most vulnerable watersheds, which require a sustainable development decision making framework for their management. This research also provides the brief morphological features of the three complex river system to design management practices for conservation and open a dimension for future research on the application of soil erosion models to estimate soil loss.
Flower colour contrast, ‘spectral purity’ and a red herring
Authors: van der Kooi C. J. , Spaethe J.
Published: January 2025

Nature offers a bewildering diversity of flower colours. Understanding the ecology and evolution of this fantastic floral diversity requires knowledge about the visual systems of their natural observers, such as insect pollinators. The key question is how flower colour and pattern can be measured and represented to characterise the signals that are relevant to pollinators. A common way to interpret flower colours is using animal vision models that incorporate the spectral sensitivity of a focal observer (e.g. bees). These vision models provide a measure of colour contrast, which represents the perceived chromatic difference between two objects, such as a yellow flower against green leaves. Colour contrast is a behaviourally and physiologically validated proxy for relative conspicuousness of a stimulus. A growing number of studies attempt to interpret flower colouration through parameters that are grafted on to principles of human colour perception. A perpetuating measure to describe floral colours is via saturation, which is a metric in human perception describing a certain aspect of colourfulness and is, in pollination literature, often referred to as ‘spectral purity’. We caution against the concept, calculation and biological interpretation of ‘spectral purity’ and similar measures that rest on an anthropocentric view, because it does not represent the diversity and complexity of animal visual systems that are the natural observers of flowers. We here discuss the strengths and weaknesses of common ways to interpret flower colouration and provide concrete suggestions for future colourful research.
Antibiotic Resistance in Vibrio parahaemolyticus: Mechanisms, Dissemination, and Global Public Health Challenges—A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Li Yingpeng , Lin Gongshi , Pengsakul Theerakamol , Yan Qingpi , Huang Lixing
Published: January 2025

Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a ubiquitous pathogen in marine and estuarine environments, is a foodborne microorganism whose infections have become a global public health challenge. In recent years, the overuse and misuse of antibiotics have led to the emergence of increasing numbers of antibiotic‐resistant strains of V. parahaemolyticus worldwide. These strains harbor resistance genes that mediate various resistance mechanisms, presenting a significant challenge to antibiotic therapy. Furthermore, horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of resistance genes and the accelerating impacts of global climate change have facilitated the formation and spread of resistance, contributing to the proliferation of resistant strains and exacerbating the public health threat. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the resistance genes and mechanisms in V. parahaemolyticus, the effects of climate change on its resistance, and strategies to curb the transmission of resistant strains. Additionally, we conducted a statistical analysis of resistance data from 6727 V. parahaemolyticus isolates obtained from 27 countries across Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe, through the literature review, to better understand the distribution and trends of resistance in this pathogen. We hope that this study will serve as an important reference for controlling the spread of antibiotic resistance in V. parahaemolyticus and addressing this critical public health issue.
Identification of Novel MICB Alleles in Haematopoietic Stem Cell Donors of Indian Origin
Authors: Agarwal Disha , Sharma Gaurav , Khadwal Alka , Malhotra Pankaj
Published: January 2025

Novel MICB alleles MICB*004:01:31, MICB*004:01:32, MICB*004:01:33 and MICB*005:02:59, were identified using next generation sequencing.
Modal better: A corpus‐based investigation in World Englishes
Authors: Basile Carmelo Alessandro
Published: January 2025

While previous studies have investigated the productivity of the better construction (in the forms had better, ’d better and better) in British and US English (USE), to present knowledge, no large‐scale comparisons on the use of this construction in other English dialects have been carried out. The present paper aims to address the existing research gap by exploring the synchronic use and grammaticalization rate of better in 20 world Englishes. The analysis of corpus data reveals that better is more grammaticalized in USE than in British English, and even more in Singapore English (SgE) data, where the construction seems to be more grammaticalized than in any other dialect. The hypothesis of a functional need in SgE for deontic better is tested. It is shown why SgE ‘needs’ alternative deontic constructions in a modal system where (semi‐)modals of necessity have been shown to express higher rates of ‘dynamic’ modality than in other dialects. The substrate reinforcement from a parallel construction in Mandarin is presented as a potential driving factor justifying the selection of better as a deontic marker in this particular variety.
Investigation of the Dynamic Response of Soil/Steel Composite Structures of Vacuum Explosion Containment Vessels
Authors: Zhou Dezheng , Li Xiaojie , Wang Xiaohong , Liu Zhenfeng , Yan Honghao
Published: January 2025

Vacuum explosive welding technology has better performance, lower production cost, more environmentally friendly and other advantages. In order to meet the industrial demand for production in the area of metal composite plate, it is urgent to develop a super-large vacuum explosion containment vessel which can be used for explosive welding. Since soil is generally regarded as an effective energy-absorbing material, covering a certain thickness of soil above the steel plate can tremendously dissipate the energy of shock waves. Therefore, the dynamic response of the soil/steel composite structure on the explosion containment vessel under different explosive quantities and vacuum degrees was analyzed by experiments and numerical simulations. The dynamic strain curve collected by the experiment consists of an abruptly rising phase and a gradually decreasing vibration recovery phase. Comparing the peak strains, it was found that near-vacuum environment can significantly weaken the dynamic strain of soil/steel composite structures. Comparing the variation of the vibration amplitude of the composite structure with the cycles, it was found that reducing the amount of explosive and the vacuum degree inside the explosion containment vessel can effectively weaken the peak strain of the cover, and can also reduce the vibration amplitude of the composite structure. The dynamic response of soil/steel composite structure can be analyzed in four phases: Abrupt Increasing, Followed Impulse, Inertia Hysteresis, Static Pressure Stabilization.
Evolution of Thermoelastic Stresses in a Finite-Width Slab or Thick Cylinder With a Growing or Receding Boundary
Authors: Kumar Pavan , Segall Albert E. , Drapaca Corina
Published: January 2025

Semi-analytical thermoelastic stress solutions for a single phase, homogeneous, and finite-width slab or thick cylinder with a constant-velocity growing or receding boundary under Unit-Loading were derived. Initially, a semi-analytical solution for the heat equation for a slab with a growing or receding boundary was derived in the Laplace domain and a series representation then used to approximate the inverse Laplace transform in the time domain. Conformal mapping was then used to transform the slab solution to an annulus. The resulting semi-analytical solutions were used with the compatibility equations to determine the resulting transient thermoelastic stresses. All solutions allow for convection on the fixed boundary that is the opposite side for a plate and outer radius for the cylinder. Once derived, the semi-analytical stress predictions were compared to finite-element simulations with excellent agreement. Given the changing thickness, both the thermal and stress-states cannot reach true steady-state equilibrium, especially for faster growth or recession rates. Indeed, the temperature states and resulting stresses become somewhat linear with respect to time, reflecting the constant velocity of growth or recession. In practice, the resulting solutions can be used to determine transient stresses during machining, wear, erosion, corrosion, and/or additive manufacturing, especially for lower temperature solid-state methods such as cold-spray.
“It’s Allowing Space for Vulnerability”: Exploring Athletes’ Experiences With Trust in Interdependent Sport
Authors: McGuire Cailie S. , Eys Mark A. , Dithurbide Lori , Martin Luc J.
Published: January 2025

Despite trust being associated with a range of favorable outcomes across high-performing team contexts (e.g., enhanced satisfaction, performance), efforts to investigate the meaning of trust in sport remain limited. The purpose of this study was to explore (a) how athletes experience trust, (b) why it is needed within sport teams (e.g., beneficial outcomes), and (c) the mechanisms of trust development. Canadian U Sports athletes (N = 13) were recruited to participate in individual semistructured interviews, which were analyzed using a critical realist approach to reflexive thematic analysis. Athletes positioned vulnerability as an important consideration for trust, which was influenced by precursors (i.e., motive and risk) and facilitators (i.e., one’s willingness to trust, perceptions of trustworthiness, and environmental affordances). Based on the outcome of trusting another person (i.e., individual- and team-level benefits or drawbacks), the relationship was either reinforced or undermined. Both theoretical and practical advancements to the field are provided.
A novel polysaccharide in the envelope of
S. aureus
influences the septal secretion of preproteins with a YSIRK/GXXS motif
Authors: Ibrahim Amany M. , Missiakas Dominique
Published: January 2025

Bacteria transport proteins across the plasma membrane to assemble their envelope, acquire nutrients, and establish appropriate interactions with their environment. The majority of these proteins are synthesized as precursors with a cleavable N-terminal signal sequence for recognition by the Sec machinery. In
Staphylococcus aureus
, a small subset of secreted precursors carries a YSIRK/GXXS motif. This motif provides a pre-translocation function by promoting the targeting of precursors to septal membranes, but the
trans-
acting factors that regulate such spatial distribution are not known. Here, we used immunofluorescence-microscopy to compare the spatial trafficking of Staphylococcal protein A (SpA), an abundant YSIRK/GXXS bearing precursor, between mutants of an arranged transposon library. This genetic search identified a cluster of five genes predicted to encode enzymes responsible for the synthesis of a novel surface polymer referred to as Staphylococcal surface carbohydrate, Ssc. Mutants in the
ssc
gene cluster no longer restrict the secretion of SpA into the cross-walls of
S. aureus. ssc
mutants replicate like wild-type bacteria unless grown in phosphate-limited conditions, and do not contribute to virulence when examined in a mouse model of bloodstream infection. Together, our observations suggest that
S. aureus
may encode a minor, phosphate-free carbohydrate, and propose a possible assembly pathway for this polymer.

IMPORTANCE

Gram-positive bacteria assemble peptidoglycan-linked polymers known as wall teichoic acids (WTA). Both
Staphylococcus aureus
and
Bacillus subtilis
elaborate WTAs made of poly-glycerol or poly-ribitol phosphates. WTAs contribute to cell shape maintenance, cation homeostasis, and resistance to antimicrobial compounds. Yet,
B. subtilis
replaces its phosphate-rich polymer with minor teichuronic acids whose functions remain elusive.
S. aureus
also encodes a minor wall polymer that may be required for growth under phosphate-limited condition. Here, we find that this polymer could help define the composition of the septal compartment, the site of cell division also used to recruit preproteins with a YSIRK/GXXS motif. Thus, the envelope of
S. aureus
may be more complex than previously thought with minor wall polymers contributing some discrete functions.
mSphere of Influence: The challenge of screening for essential protein kinases in
Trypanosoma cruzi
Authors: Chiurillo Miguel A.
Published: January 2025

Miguel Chiurillo works in the field of protein kinases, studying their role in cell signaling and cell cycle progression in
Trypanosoma cruzi
. In this mSphere of Influence article, he reflects on how the research articles “Systematic functional analysis of
Leishmania
protein kinases identifies regulators of differentiation or survival” by Baker et al. and “Screening the
Toxoplasma
kinome with high throughput tagging identifies a regulator of invasion and egress” by Smith et al. made an impact on his understanding of the complexity of the
Trypanosoma cruzi
kinome and the challenges to unravel it.
The circulating plasma microRNA signature in human visceral leishmaniasis
Authors: Roy Ritirupa , Hudachek Cinthia L. , Bhushan Chauhan Shashi , Kumar Shashi , Kumar Awnish , Zhanbolat Bayan , Rai Madhukar , Kumar Rajiv , Sundar Shyam , Wilson Mary E.
Published: January 2025

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a vector-borne disease caused by the obligate intracellular protozoan
Leishmania donovani
in India. VL can be complicated by post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL), a macular or nodular rash that develops in 10%–20% of patients after treatment of VL in India. Patients with PKDL are infectious to sand flies, promoting further transmission of the parasite. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are 18–25 nt, non-coding RNAs that simultaneously regulate the expression of several or many target transcripts. This study was based on the hypothesis that the host response to
L. donovani
is modified by distinct sets of miRNAs in VL or PKDL and that these might differ from healthy controls. We investigated this hypothesis using a NanoString panel to profile the miRNAs expressed in the plasma of patients with VL or PKDL diagnosed at a hospital in Bihar, India. We compared these to plasma microRNAs of healthy control individuals from the same endemic villages. miRNAs
hsa-miR-223-3p, hsa-miR-191-5p, hsa-miR-23a-3p,
and
hsa-1285-5p
were significantly higher in the plasma samples from patients with VL compared to either PKDL or endemic controls. Prediction programs highlighted potential mRNA targeted by these miRNAs, among which we verified the down-modulation of several transcripts belonging to the NFκB and NLRP3 inflammasome pathways in circulating leukocytes of VL patients. By contrast, miRNA patterns in subjects with PKDL were similar to control subjects, possibly suggesting that the pathogenic immune response during PKDL is primarily localized in the skin.

IMPORTANCE

Infection of humans with the protozoan
Leishmania donovani
can be asymptomatic or it can cause fatal visceral leishmaniasis (VL), sometimes followed by the cutaneous complication PKDL. Parasites are spread through sand fly bites in endemic regions, and parasites in post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) skin lesions are a source of prolonged parasite transmission to sand flies, compromising disease eradication efforts. Since microRNAs can simultaneously modify the expression of multiple genes, we examined microRNAs in the blood that might be partial determinants of pathogenic responses leading to VL or PKDL. Our studies revealed several miRNAs expressed that are elevated in the plasma of patients with VL, which suppress some of the inflammatory responses that promote parasite killing. However, miRNA profiles were very similar between PKDL patients and controls, raising the possibility that major factors that lead to prolonged retention of parasites in the skin during PKDL are not systemic but are localized in the skin.
Ribosome profiling reveals differences in global translational vs transcriptional gene expression changes during early
Candida albicans
biofilm formation
Authors: Mundodi Vasanthakrishna , Choudhary Saket , Smith Andrew D. , Kadosh David
Published: January 2025

Candida albicans,
a major human fungal pathogen, can form biofilms on a variety of inert and biological surfaces.
C. albicans
biofilms allow for immune evasion, are highly resistant to antifungal therapies, and represent a significant complication for a wide variety of immunocompromised patients in clinical settings. While transcriptional regulators and global transcriptional profiles of
C. albicans
biofilm formation have been well-characterized, much less is known about translational regulation of this important
C. albicans
virulence property. Here, using ribosome profiling, we define the first global translational profile of genes that are expressed during early biofilm development in a human fungal pathogen,
C. albicans
. We show that
C. albicans
biofilm formation involves altered translational regulation of genes and gene classes associated with protein synthesis, pathogenesis, transport, plasma membrane, polarized growth, cell cycle, secretion, and signal transduction. Interestingly, while similar, but not identical, classes of genes showed transcriptional alterations during early
C. albicans
biofilm development, we observed very little overlap between specific genes that are upregulated or downregulated at the translational vs transcriptional levels. Our results suggest that distinct translational mechanisms play an important role in regulating early biofilm development of a major human fungal pathogen. These mechanisms, in turn, could serve as potential targets for novel antifungal strategies.

IMPORTANCE

The major human fungal pathogen
Candida albicans
is known to form biofilms or complex aggregated microbial communities encased in an extracellular matrix. These biofilms allow
C. albicans
to escape detection by the immune system as well as resist a variety of antifungal drugs. In this study, we define the first global profile of genes that show altered translation during
C. albicans
biofilm formation. These genes are involved in a variety of key cellular processes, including polarized growth, pathogenesis, transport, protein synthesis, cell cycle, plasma membrane, signal transduction, and secretion. Interestingly, while similar classes of genes are induced at both the transcriptional and translational levels during early
C. albicans
biofilm formation, we observed very little overlap among specific genes with altered transcription and translation. Our results suggest that
C. albicans
biofilm formation is controlled by distinct translational mechanisms, which could potentially be targeted by novel antifungal drugs.
Optimal processing of tongue swab samples for
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
detection by the Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra assay
Authors: Chilambi Gayatri Shankar , Reiss Robert , Daivaa Naranjargal , Banada Padmapriya , De Vos Margaretha , Penn-Nicholson Adam , Alland David
Published: January 2025

Tongue swabs represent a potential alternative to sputum as a sample type for detecting pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) with molecular diagnostic tests. The methods used to process tongue swabs for testing in the World Health Organization-recommended Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra (Xpert Ultra) assay vary greatly. Here, we aimed to identify the optimal tongue swab processing for Xpert Ultra testing. We compared four methods for treating dry tongue swabs with the Xpert Sample Reagent (SR) mixed with various concentrations of Tris–EDTA–Tween to treatment with SR alone or to a commonly used heat inactivation protocol. In each condition, swabs obtained from volunteers without TB were placed into test buffer spiked with known amounts of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
(
Mtb
) H37Rv-mc
2
6230. Swabs processed with 1:1 diluted SR buffer had the lowest
Mtb
limit of detection (LOD) at 22.7 CFU/700 µL (95% confidence interval (CI) 14.2–31.2), followed by 2:1 diluted SR buffer at 30.3 CFU/700 µL (95% CI 19.9–40.7), neat SR at 30.9 CFU/700 µL (95% CI 21.5–40.3), and SR prefilled in the Xpert Ultra at 57.1 CFU/700 µL (95% CI 42.4–71.7). Swabs processed using the heat-based protocol had the highest LOD (77.6 CFU/700 µL; 95% CI 51.2–104.0). Similar findings were observed for the LOD of RIF susceptibility. The 2:1 diluted SR buffer condition produced similar LODs when swabs were tested in the presence of sputum matrix or phosphate buffer saline. Further studies are needed to assess the performance of this processing protocol in a clinical setting.

IMPORTANCE

Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra (Xpert Ultra) is approved by the World Health Organization for the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). This test is typically performed using sputum specimens obtained from people with presumptive TB. In order to inactivate
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
(
Mtb
) and aid liquefaction, sputum must be mixed with Xpert SR prior to transfer into the Xpert Ultra. However, some people under evaluation for TB are unable to produce sputum. Alternative sample types for TB diagnosis would, therefore, be of value. Oral swabs, including tongue swabs, have shown promise, but there are technical challenges associated with sample processing. In this study, several new tongue swab processing conditions were evaluated by utilizing SR, either neat or diluted in buffer. The ability of Xpert Ultra to detect TB was improved under these conditions compared with the previously published heat-processing method; processing steps were simplified; and technical challenges were overcome.
Erratum to: 40Ar/39Ar Dating of Hydrothermal Processes in Large Gold Deposits of the Kochkar Anticlinorium (South Urals, Russia)
Authors: Pritchin M. E. , Kisin A. Yu. , Vikent’eva O. V. , Ozornin D. A. , Travin A. V. , Vikentyev I. V.
Published: January 2025

An Erratum to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1075701524060011
Gold in Pyrite: a Thermodynamic Model of Co-crystallization in Chloride Fluids
Authors: Prokofiev V. Yu. , Akinfiev N. N. , Bortnikov N. S.
Published: January 2025

A thermodynamic description of gold-bearing pyrite as a substitution solid solution is proposed depending on external conditions and gold content in the fluid. The model is based on experimental data of the synthetic pyrite grown in hydrothermal chloride solutions in the presence of metallic gold. The proposed model makes it possible to estimate the upper limit of gold content in pyrite. The thermodynamic model of gold-bearing pyrite was verified by modeling the process of formation of mineral associations of gold ores of the Darasun and Talatui deposits by chloride aqueous fluids in an integrated fluid-magmatic system of the Darasun ore field. Previously it was revealed that the average gold content in pyrite from the Darasun and Talatui deposits, intergrown with native gold, does not exceed 1 ppm, while synthetic pyrite grown in equilibrium with metallic gold under similar conditions contains 10–150 ppm of gold. This contradiction does not allow explaining the formation of gold ores of the Darasun ore field by its direct crystallization from hydrothermal fluid. A possible explanation is the presence of an additional stage of ore transformation, in which recrystallization of sulfides occurred with gold undersaturated solutions. It was shown that a decrease in gold concentration in the mineral-forming fluid below the saturation limit should lead to a synchronous decrease in the gold concentration in the resulting pyrite. The calculated values of gold concentration in model pyrite make it possible to estimate gold concentrations in mineral-forming chloride fluids at different stages of the formation of the Darasun ore field deposits at a known temperature. It has been shown that natural gold-bearing pyrite from various gold deposits was formed mainly from chloride fluids undersaturated to gold.
Epstein–Barr virus associated multicentric Castleman’s disease disguised as infectious mononucleosis
Authors: Maddury Sai Priya , Rasheed Nidaa , Sama Srikar , Redyy Pooja
Published: January 2025

Castleman’s disease (CD), also called angiofollicular lymphoid hyperplasia, is a rare lymphoproliferative illness with two unique variants: unicentric disease and multicentric disease (MCD). The multicentric variant is rare and presents as a systemic illness with symptoms like peripheral lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, anaemia and systemic inflammatory symptoms. Given the vague and systemic presentation, this variant can be difficult to differentiate from infection and other autoimmune diseases. Here, we discuss the case of a middle-aged female who presented to the hospital with a 2 week history of systemic symptoms, including cough, fever, weight loss and painful lymphadenopathy at the neck and posterior auricular region. Initially, the patient was treated for presumed upper respiratory infection in the setting of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV); however, an excisional biopsy of the cervical lymph node confirmed the diagnosis of MCD. In this case, we highlight the diagnostic dilemma of MCD, especially in association with EBV.
4  The impact of different resuscitation fluids on cellular energy metabolism in traumatic injury and haemorrhagic shock
Authors: Cottey Laura , Crossland Hannah , Mallinson Joanne , Greenhaff Paul , Smith Jason , Watts Sarah
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Trauma is a leading cause of death and despite trauma care improvements, survival rates remain unchanged for critically injured patients. Cellular energy stress occurs early following trauma, potentially representing a therapeutic target for prolonged care.

We aimed to determine the degree of cellular energy stress in two porcine trauma and haemorrhagic shock (THS) models resuscitated with saline, fresh whole blood (FWB) and fresh frozen plasma (FFP).

Methods

Two studies were conducted under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. THS1 involved soft tissue, liver injury and 30% total blood volume haemorrhage; THS2 as before with ongoing haemorrhage (4ml/kg/hr). Resuscitation took place for 450 minutes followed by terminal anaesthesia. Muscle samples for ATP, phosphocreatine (PCr) and lactate content were taken at baseline (neck); and pre-mortem following resuscitation from neck (NIR), non-injured limb (HNS) and injured limb (HS). Descriptive data are reported as mean±standard deviation. A p-value of ≤0.05 determined significance.

Results

The studies involved 57 animals (THS1, n=29, weight 50.7±1.0kg; THS2, n=28, weight 53.7±2.3kg). There was increased model severity with reduced survival to 450 minutes in THS2 compared to THS1. In both studies, the saline group had the lowest survival.

THS2 demonstrated increased cellular energy stress compared to THS1 across all treatment groups and sites, with increased lactate and reduced PCr. ATP content was lower in THS2 at the HNS, p<0.0001, and HS, p=0.002 sites only.

In THS2, a statistically significant increase in lactate was observed in the saline group compared to the FWB group, at HNS (p=0.0019) and HS sites (p=0.0075). In THS2, FWB resuscitation only, demonstrated no change in cellular energy from baseline to pre-mortem samples.

Conclusion

High cellular energy stress is observed in a porcine THS model with ongoing bleeding, but FWB administration appears to mitigate that stress. Muscle cellular energy metabolism is a sensitive marker of therapeutics employed to improve survival.
Chronic disease prevalence and preventive care among Ontario social housing residents compared with the general population: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Agarwal Gina , Keshavarz Homa , Angeles Ricardo , Pirrie Melissa , Marzanek Francine , Nguyen Francis , Brar Jasdeep , Paterson J Michael
Published: January 2025

Background

Older adults living in social housing report poor health and access to healthcare services. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of chronic diseases, influenza vaccination and cancer screenings among social housing residents versus non-residents in Ontario, Canada.

Methods

We conducted a population-based cohort study for all health-insured Ontarians alive and aged 40 or older as of 1 January 2020. Social housing residents were identified using postal codes. Validated health administrative data case definitions were used to identify individuals with diabetes, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, congestive heart failure and cardiovascular disease. Influenza vaccination and mammography, Pap and colorectal cancer screenings were identified among screen-eligible residents using health administrative data.

Results

The prevalence of all chronic diseases was higher among social housing residents across all age groups: 40–59, 60–79 and 80+ years. Influenza vaccination rates in 2018–2019 were lower among social housing residents aged 60–79 and 80+ years. Mammography rates for women aged 50–69 years in 2018–2019 were 10–11% lower among social housing residents across all age groups compared with non-residents. Pap screening rates for women aged 40–69 in 2018–2019 were 6–8% lower among social housing residents. The percentage of colorectal screening in both women and men aged 52–74 was lower (9–10% in men and 6–7% in women) in social housing compared with the general population in 2019–2020.

Conclusion

There is a higher prevalence of chronic diseases and lower cancer screening rates among the growing population of older adults in social housing in Ontario, Canada.
Association between biosecurity and zoonotic transmission of LA-MRSA CC398 from industrial pig farms to farm workers and their household members
Authors: Bager Peter , Zohorul Islam Md , Urth Tinna Ravnholt , Guardabassi Luca , Damborg Peter , Espinosa-Gongora Carmen , Madsen Anne Mette , Sieber Raphael Niklaus , Bækbo Poul , Skov Robert , Larsen Jesper
Published: January 2025

Background

Zoonotic transmission of livestock-associated methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureusclonal complex 398 (LA-MRSA CC398) from industrial pig farms to farm workers and their household members and secondary transmission to elderly and immunocompromised persons has led to a growing number of serious infections and even death.

Objective

We tested the hypothesis that conventional pig farms confer a higher risk for LA-MRSA CC398 carriage among farm workers and their household members than specific pathogen-free (SPF) farms, which follow a set of stringent rules concerning biosecurity, health control and transportation of pigs between herds.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study of farm workers and their household members from 25 Danish pig farms positive for LA-MRSA CC398. Questionnaires were designed to obtain information about each farm and participant. Nasal samples from pigs and human volunteers were screened for LA-MRSA CC398. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to calculate adjusted ORs (aORs) and 95% CIs.

Results

The study included 25 pig farms, 154 farm workers screened at the farm (93 of whom were also screened at home) and 173 household members. The risk of LA-MRSA CC398 carriage among farm workers at the farm (aOR=5.40, 95% CI 1.05 to 27.80) and household members (aOR=8.32; 95% CI 2.81 to 24.63) was significantly higher in conventional pig farms than in SPF farms.

Conclusions

This study shows that strict biosecurity measures reduce the risk of LA-MRSA CC398 carriage among farm workers and their household members and thereby the disease burden in the general population.
Parsimonious versus extensive bleeding score: can we simplify risk stratification after percutaneous coronary intervention and reduce bleeding events by de-escalation of the antiplatelet strategy?
Authors: Woelders Eva Christine Ida , Onuma Yoshinobu , Ninomiya Kai , O’Leary Neil , Damman Peter , Peeters Denise Adriana Maria , Hof Arnoud Willem Johannes van 't , Valgimigli Marco , Vranckx Pascal , Windecker Stephan , Serruys Patrick Washington J C , van Geuns Robert-Jan Matthijs
Published: January 2025

Background and aims

Due to the multitude of risk factors outlined in the guidelines, personalised dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) guidance after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is complex. A simplified method was created to facilitate the use of risk stratification. We aimed to compare the predictive and prognostic value of the ‘Zuidoost Nederland Hart Registratie’ (ZON-HR) classification for bleeding risk with the PREdicting bleeding Complications In patients undergoing Stent implantation and subsEquent DAPT (PRECISE-DAPT) score and to determine the effect of ticagrelor monotherapy versus DAPT in patients with or without high bleeding risk (HBR).

Methods

A post hoc analysis of the GLOBAL LEADERS trial was performed to compare the predictive value of the ZON-HR classification with the PRECISE-DAPT score. Also, the outcomes stratified by either method were compared and the interaction of HBR on the treatment effect was determined.

Results

The required parameters for the ZON-HR classification (3.7% HBR) and PRECISE-DAPT score (16.6% HBR) were available in 99.9% and 93% of the patients, respectively. The ZON-HR classification had a lower sensitivity (0.09 vs 0.26) and a higher specificity (0.97 vs 0.84), positive predictive value (0.13 vs 0.08) and accuracy (0.92 vs 0.82). Regression analysis showed that both methods predicted hazard for bleeding risk with HRs of 1.87 (95% CI: 1.59 to 2.18) and 2.67 (95% CI: 2.10 to 3.41) for the PRECISE-DAPT score and ZON-HR classification, respectively. The omission of aspirin reduced bleeding events only in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients without HBR (HR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.61 to 0.90, p value for interaction of HBR: 0.04).

Conclusions

Stratification for bleeding risk according to the ZON-HR classification was feasible in almost all patients and showed to be more conservative than the PRECISE-DAPT score with a consistent prognostic accuracy. The benefit of aspirin omission was the largest in ACS patients without HBR.

Trial registration number

NCT01813435.
Two-body hidden charm decays of D wave charmonia
Authors: Qi Xiao-Yu , Wu Qi , Guo Xing-Dao , Chen Dian-Yong
Published: January 2025

The experimental observations of

$$\psi _2(3823)$$

ψ
2

(
3823
)

and

$$\psi _3(3842)$$

ψ
3

(
3842
)

make D wave charmonia family abundant. In the present work, we investigate the hidden charm decay processes of spin triplets of the D-wave charmonia with the meson loop mechanism. The model parameter

$$\alpha _\Lambda $$

α
Λ

is determined by reproducing the branching fraction of

$$\psi (3770)\rightarrow J/\psi \eta $$

ψ
(
3770
)
→
J
/
ψ
η

. With this range of model parameter values, the branching fractions (partial widths) of

$$\psi (3770) \rightarrow \eta _c \omega $$

ψ

(
3770
)

→

η
c

ω

,

$$\psi _2(3823)/\psi _3(3842) \rightarrow J/\psi \eta $$

ψ
2

(
3823
)

/

ψ
3

(
3842
)

→
J
/
ψ
η

,

$$\psi _2(3823)/\psi _3(3842) \rightarrow \eta _c \omega $$

ψ
2

(
3823
)

/

ψ
3

(
3842
)

→

η
c

ω

are estimated. Our estimations find that the partial width of

$$\psi _2(3823) \rightarrow J/\psi \eta $$

ψ
2

(
3823
)

→
J
/
ψ
η

is

$$\left( 29.64^{+4.01}_{-4.63}\right) \ \textrm{keV}$$

29
.

64

-
4.63

+
4.01

keV

, and the partial width ratio of

$$\psi _2(3823) \rightarrow J/\psi \eta $$

ψ
2

(
3823
)

→
J
/
ψ
η

relative to

$$\psi _2(3823)\rightarrow \gamma \chi _{c1}$$

ψ
2

(
3823
)

→
γ

χ

c
1

is about

$$10\%$$

10
%

, which could be tested by further precise measurements from the BESIII, Belle II and LHCb Collaborations.
Determination of $$\mathcal{C}\mathcal{P}$$-violating HZZ interaction with polarised beams at the ILC
Authors: Li Cheng , Moortgat-Pick Gudrid
Published: January 2025

We study possible

$${\mathcal{C}\mathcal{P}}$$

C
P

-violation effects of the 125 GeV Higgs to Z boson coupling at the 250 GeV ILC with transverse and longitudinal beam polarisation via the process

$$e^+ e^- \rightarrow HZ \rightarrow H \mu ^-\mu ^+$$

e
+

e
-

→
H
Z
→
H

μ
-

μ
+

. We explore the azimuthal angular distribution of the muon pair from the Z boson decay, and constructe

$${\mathcal{C}\mathcal{P}}$$

C
P

-odd observables sensitive to

$${\mathcal{C}\mathcal{P}}$$

C
P

-violation effects, where we derived this observable both by analytical calculations and by simulations. Particularly, we can construct two

$${\mathcal{C}\mathcal{P}}$$

C
P

-odd observables with the help of transversely-polarised initial beams and improve the statistical significance of

$${\mathcal{C}\mathcal{P}}$$

C
P

-violation effects by combining two measurements. We defined the asymmetries between the signal regions with different signs of the

$${\mathcal{C}\mathcal{P}}$$

C
P

-odd observables, and determine the

$${\mathcal{C}\mathcal{P}}$$

C
P

-violation effect by comparing with the SM 95% CL upper bound. In this paper, we setup a scenario which assumes that the total cross-section is always fixed while

$${\mathcal{C}\mathcal{P}}$$

C
P

-violation is varying, and such a scenario helps us to determine the intrinsic

$${\mathcal{C}\mathcal{P}}$$

C
P

-mixing angle limit around

$$|\xi _{\mathcal{C}\mathcal{P}}|\sim 0.03~{\operatorname {rad}}$$

|

ξ

C
P

|
∼
0.03

rad

with (90%, 40%) polarised electron-positron beams and 5 

$$\hbox {ab}^{-1}$$

ab

-
1

integrated luminosity. In addition, we determine the

$${\mathcal{C}\mathcal{P}}$$

C
P

-odd coupling limit

$$|\widetilde{c}_{HZZ}|\sim 0.01$$

|

c
~

HZZ

|
∼
0.01

as well, where we suppose that the SM tree-level cross-section is fixed and the

$${\mathcal{C}\mathcal{P}}$$

C
P

-violation is the varying additional contribution. Comparing with the analysis with unpolarised beams, the sensitivity to the

$${\mathcal{C}\mathcal{P}}$$

C
P

-violation effect can be improved by transverse or longitudinal polarisation.