bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Defying the odds: Determinants of the antimicrobial response of Salmonella Typhi and their interplay
Authors: Chowdhury Atish Roy , Mukherjee Debapriya , Chatterjee Ritika , Chakravortty Dipshikha
Published: December 2023

Salmonella Typhi, the invasive serovar of S. enterica subspecies enterica, causes typhoid fever in healthy human hosts. The emergence of antibiotic‐resistant strains has consistently challenged the successful treatment of typhoid fever with conventional antibiotics. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Salmonella is acquired either by mutations in the genomic DNA or by acquiring extrachromosomal DNA via horizontal gene transfer. In addition, Salmonella can form a subpopulation of antibiotic persistent (AP) cells that can survive at high concentrations of antibiotics. These have reduced the effectiveness of the first and second lines of antibiotics used to treat Salmonella infection. The recurrent and chronic carriage of S. Typhi in human hosts further complicates the treatment process, as a remarkable shift in the immune response from pro‐inflammatory Th1 to anti‐inflammatory Th2 is observed. Recent studies have also highlighted the overlap between AP, persistent infection (PI) and AMR. These incidents have revealed several areas of research. In this review, we have put forward a timeline for the evolution of antibiotic resistance in Salmonella and discussed the different mechanisms of the same availed by the pathogen at the genotypic and phenotypic levels. Further, we have presented a detailed discussion on Salmonella antibiotic persistence (AP), PI, the host and bacterial virulence factors that can influence PI, and how both AP and PI can lead to AMR.
Fimbristylispachmarhiensis (Cyperaceae), a new species from central India
Authors: Shaikh Mujaffar , Tiwari Arjun Prasad , Sikarwar Ram Lakhan Singh
Published: December 2023

A new species, Fimbristylis pachmarhiensis (Cyperaceae), is described and illustrated from Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve of Hoshangabad district, Madhya Pradesh, India. This new species bears resemblance to its closest morphological relatives, F. aestivalis and F. griffithii, but differs from both by a combination of characters, primarily including its slender culm, exceptionally lax inflorescence, cylindrical spikelets, triquetrous structure, and the presence of fine hairs covering the entire length of the style. Additionally, the achenes of this species exhibit sparse tuberculation and have a depressed apex. A detailed description, phenology, distribution, IUCN conservation status, a comparative analysis contrasting F. pachmarhiensis with its closely related species, relevant taxonomic notes and colour photographs are provided.
Whole genome sequencing in families with oligodontia
Authors: Mitscherling Janna , Sczakiel Henrike L. , Kiskemper‐Nestorjuk Olga , Winterhalter Sibylle , Mundlos Stefan , Bartzela Theodosia , Mensah Martin A.
Published: December 2023

Background/Objectives

Tooth agenesis (TA) is among the most common malformations in humans. Although several causative mutations have been described, the genetic cause often remains elusive. Here, we test whether whole genome sequencing (WGS) could bridge this diagnostic gap.

Methods

In four families with TA, we assessed the dental phenotype using the Tooth Agenesis Code after intraoral examination and radiographic and photographic documentation. We performed WGS of index patients and subsequent segregation analysis.

Results

We identified two variants of uncertain significance (a potential splice variant in PTH1R, and a 2.1 kb deletion abrogating a non‐coding element in FGF7) and three pathogenic variants: a novel frameshift in the final exon of PITX2, a novel deletion in PAX9, and a known nonsense variant in WNT10A. Notably, the FGF7 variant was found in the patient, also featuring the WNT10A variant. While mutations in PITX2 are known to cause Axenfeld‐Rieger syndrome 1 (ARS1) predominantly featuring ocular findings, accompanied by dental malformations, we found the PITX2 frameshift in a family with predominantly dental and varying ocular findings.

Conclusion

Severe TA predicts a genetic cause identifiable by WGS. Final exon PITX2 frameshifts can cause a predominantly dental form of ARS1.
Ametropia detection using a novel, compact wavefront autorefractor
Authors: Hernández Carlos S. , Gil Andrea , Zaytouny Amal , Casares Ignacio , Poderoso Jesús , de Lara Alfonso , Wehse Alec , Dave Shivang R. , Lim Daryl , Lage Eduardo , Alejandre‐Alba Nicolas
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Despite the well‐known reproducibility issues of subjective refraction, most studies evaluating autorefractors compared differences between the device and subjective refraction. This work evaluated the performance of a novel handheld Hartmann–Shack‐based autorefractor using an alternative protocol, which considered the inherent variability of subjective refraction.

Methods

Participants underwent an initial measurement with a desktop autorefractor, two subjective refractions (SR1 and SR2) and a final measurement with the QuickSee Free (QSFree) portable autorefractor. Autorefractor performance was evaluated by comparing the differences between the QSFree and each of the subjective refractions with the difference between the subjective refractions (SR1 vs. SR2) using Bland–Altman analysis and percentage of agreement.

Results

A total of 75 subjects (53 ± 14 years) were enrolled in the study. The average difference in the absolute spherical equivalent (M) between the QSFree and the SR1 and SR2 was ±0.24 and ±0.02 D, respectively, that is, very similar or smaller than the SR1 versus SR2 difference (±0.26 D). Average differences in astigmatic components were found to be negligible. The results demonstrate that differences between QSFree and both subjective refractions in J0 and J45 were within ±0.50 D for at least 96% of the measurements. The limits of agreement (LOAs) of the differences between QSFree and SR1, as well as QSFree and SR2, were higher than those observed between SR1 and SR2 for M, J0 and J45.

Conclusions

A protocol was designed and validated for the evaluation of a refractive device to account for the variability of subjective refraction. This protocol was used to evaluate a novel portable autorefractor and observed a smaller difference between the device and subjective refractions than the difference between the two subjective refraction measurements in terms of mean bias error, although the standard deviation was higher.
Atrial fibrillation ablation in heart failure patients: Where do we stand in 2023? – State of the art review
Authors: Deering Thomas F. , Goyal Sandeep K. , Bhimani Ashish A. , Hoosien Michael , Karimianpour Ahmadreza , Krishnasamy Kavita P. , Nilsson Kent R. , Omar Abdullah , Lakkireddy Dhanunjaya , Gopinathannair Rakesh , Katapadi Aashish , Sohns Christian
Published: December 2023

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure are common overlapping cardiovascular disorders. Despite important therapeutic advances over the past several decades, controversy persists about whether a rate control or rhythm control approach constitutes the best option in this population. There is also considerable debate about whether antiarrhythmic drug therapy or ablation is the best approach when rhythm control is pursued.  A brief historical examination of the literature addressing this issue will be performed. An analysis of several important clinical outcomes observed in the prospective, randomized studies, which have compared AF ablation to non‐ablation treatment options, will be discussed. This review will conclude with recommendations to guide clinicians on the status of AF ablation as a treatment option when considering management options in heart failure patients with atrial fibrillation.
The association between urine ketone and new‐onset atrial fibrillation in critically ill patients
Authors: Zhang Meijuan , Zhang Nan , Tse Gary , Li Guangping , Liu Tong
Published: December 2023

Background and Aims

New‐onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) is a common manifestation in critically ill patients. There is a paucity of evidence indicating a relationship between urinary ketones and NOAF.

Methods

Critically ill patients with urinary ketone measurements from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC‐IV) database were included. The primary outcome was NOAF Propensity score matching was performed following by multivariable logistic regression.

Results

A total of 24,688 patients with available data of urine ketone were included in this study. The urine ketone of 4014 patients was tested positive. The average age of the included participants was 63.8 years old, and 54.5% of them were male. Result of the fully‐adjusted binary logistic regression model showed that patients with positive urinary ketone was associated with a significantly lower risk of NOAF (Odds ratio, 0.79, 95% CI 0.7–0.9), compared with those with negative urinary ketone. In the subgroup analysis according to diabetic status, compared with nondiabetics, patients with diabetes had lower risk of NOAF (p‐values for interaction < 0.05). Results of other subgroup analyses according to gender, age, infection, myocardial infarction, and congestive heart failure were consistent with the primary analysis.

Conclusions

Positive urinary ketone body may be associated with reduced risk of NOAF in critically ill patients during intensive care unit hospitalization. Further studies are needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms.
Comparison of microvascular decompression, percutaneous radiofrequency rhizotomy, and stereotactic radiosurgery in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia: A long term quasi‐experimental study
Authors: Altamirano Juan M. , Jimenez‐Olvera Miguel , Moreno‐Jimenez Sergio , Gutierrez‐Aceves Guillermo A. , Velasco‐Campos Francisco , Navarro‐Olvera José L. , Carrillo‐Ruiz José D.
Published: December 2023

Background

Microvascular decompression (MVD), radiofrequency rhizotomy (RFR), and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) are surgical techniques frequently used in the treatment of idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia (TN), although the results reported for each of these are diverse.

Objective

This study aimed to compare long‐term pain control obtained by MVD, SRS, and RFR in patients with idiopathic TN.

Methods

To compare the results obtained by MVD, SRS, and RFR we chose a quasi‐experimental, ambispective design with control groups but no pretest. A total of 52 participants (MVD n = 33, RFR n = 10, SRS n = 9) were included. Using standardized outcome measures, pain intensity, pain relief, quality of life, and satisfaction with treatment were assessed by an independent investigator. The TREND statement for reporting non‐randomized evaluations was applied. Clinical outcomes were evaluated at the initial postoperative period and at 6 months, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years postoperatively.

Results

MVD has shown better results in pain scales compared to ablative procedures. Significant differences between groups were found regarding pain intensity and pain relief at the initial postoperative period (p < 0.001) and 6 months (p = 0.022), 1 year (p < 0.001), 2 years (p = 0.002), and 3 years (p = 0.004) after the intervention. Those differences exceeded the thresholds of the minimal clinically important difference. A higher percentage of patients free of pain was observed in the group of patients treated by MVD, with significant differences at the initial postoperative period (p < 0.001) and 6 months (p = 0.02), 1 year (p = 0.001), and 2 years (p = 0.04) after the procedure. Also, a higher risk of pain recurrence was observed in the RFR and SRS groups (HR 3.15, 95% CI 1.33–7.46; p = 0.009; and HR 4.26, 95% CI 1.77–10.2; p = 0.001, respectively) compared to the MVD group. No significant differences were found in terms of quality of life and satisfaction with treatment. A higher incidence of complications was observed in the MVD group.

Conclusion

Concerning pain control and risk of pain recurrence, MVD is superior to RFR and SRS, but not in terms of quality of life, satisfaction with treatment, and safety profile.
The power of personal control: Task choice attenuates the effect of implicit sadness on sympathetically mediated cardiac response
Authors: Framorando David , Falk Johanna R. , Gollwitzer Peter M. , Oettingen Gabriele , Gendolla Guido H. E.
Published: December 2023

Implicitly processed pictures of facial expressions of emotions have been found to systematically influence sympathetically mediated cardiovascular reactivity during task performance. According to the Implicit‐Affect‐Primes‐Effort model, this happens because different affect primes activate the concepts of performance ease versus performance difficulty. Grounded in a recent action shielding model, our laboratory experiment (N = 129 university students) tested whether engaging in action by personal choice can immunize against those implicit affective influences on effort. Participants worked on an objectively difficult cognitive task, which was either externally assigned or ostensibly personally chosen. As predicted, participants in the assigned task condition showed weaker cardiac pre‐ejection period reactivity during task performance, reflecting disengagement, when they were primed with sadness than when they were exposed to anger primes. Most relevant, this affect prime effect disappeared when participants could ostensibly choose their task themselves. These findings replicate previous research on implicit affect's impact on sympathetically mediated cardiac response and extend the literature on action shielding by personal choice effects to implicit affective influences on action execution.
European artificial intelligence “trusted throughout the world”: Risk‐based regulation and the fashioning of a competitive common AI market
Authors: Paul Regine
Published: December 2023

The European Commission has pioneered the coercive regulation of artificial intelligence (AI), including a proposal of banning some applications altogether on moral grounds. Core to its regulatory strategy is a nominally “risk‐based” approach with interventions that are proportionate to risk levels. Yet, neither standard accounts of risk‐based regulation as rational problem‐solving endeavor nor theories of organizational legitimacy‐seeking, both prominently discussed in Regulation & Governance, fully explain the Commission's attraction to the risk heuristic. This article responds to this impasse with three contributions. First, it enrichens risk‐based regulation scholarship—beyond AI—with a firm foundation in constructivist and critical political economy accounts of emerging tech regulation to capture the performative politics of defining and enacting risk vis‐à‐vis global economic competitiveness. Second, it conceptualizes the role of risk analysis within a Cultural Political Economy framework: as a powerful epistemic tool for the discursive and regulatory differentiation of an uncertain regulatory terrain (semiosis and structuration) which the Commission wields in its pursuit of a future common European AI market. Thirdly, the paper offers an in‐depth empirical reconstruction of the Commission's risk‐based semiosis and structuration in AI regulation through qualitative analysis of a substantive sample of documents and expert interviews. This finds that the Commission's use of risk analysis, outlawing some AI uses as matters of deep value conflicts and tightly controlling (at least discursively) so‐called high‐risk AI systems, enables Brussels to fashion its desired trademark of European “cutting‐edge AI … trusted throughout the world” in the first place.
Examining soil nutrient balances and stocks under different land use and management practices in contrasting agroecological environments
Authors: Mulualem Temesgen , Adgo Enyew , Meshesha Derege T. , Tsunekawa Atsushi , Haregeweyn Nigussie , Tsubo Mitsuru , Ebabu Kindiye , Walie Misganaw , Kebede Birhanu , Fekadu Genetu , Demissie Simeneh , Tiruneh Gizachew A. , Berihun Mulatu L.
Published: December 2023

Agricultural sustainability and land degradation can be monitored through studying soil nutrient dynamics. This study was conducted to investigate the balance and stocks of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) under major land use types and land management (LM) practices in three contrasting agroecological environments in Ethiopia. We employed a nutrient monitoring approach and assessed soil N and P inputs and outputs at watershed and plot scales. Field data were collected from 72 sites representative of the major land uses of the three watersheds for the watershed scale analysis. In addition to the watershed data, 16 experimental runoff plots were established and the response of nutrient balances to improved LM practices for the major land uses, including cropland with three treatments (control, farmyard manure [FYM] and soil bund), grazing land with three treatments (control, exclosure and FYM + exclosure) and bushland with two treatments (control and exclosure). Nutrient balances, flows and stocks varied significantly among agroecological settings, land‐use types and LM practices. Severe and negative N balances were found in all agroecological environments, with midland (−70.8) > highland (−61.7) > lowland (−50.3 kg ha−1 yr−1), whereas slightly positive P balances were found in all agro‐ecosystems. As a result, the midland (4.2% yr−1) and highland (2.1% yr−1) sites had greater N depletion rates than the lowland site (1.0% yr−1). Our results also demonstrated that applied LM practices improved N balances: by 32%–40% in cropland through FYM and mineral fertilizer, by 7%–18% in grazing land via FYM and exclosure, and by 6%–36% in degraded bushland via exclosure, implying that, implementing FYM and mineral fertilizer for cropland and implementing FYM with exclosure on non‐croplands can reverse nutrient depletion in the study sites and in other areas having similar agroecological conditions.
Exploring young trans people's everyday experiences of ‘out‐of‐placeness’ and socio‐bodily dysphoria
Authors: Todd Jay J. D.
Published: December 2023

This paper examines how young trans people come to be positioned as, and subsequently feel, ‘out‐of‐place’ in certain everyday spaces, particularly in the socio‐political context of the contemporary UK. Through the stories of young trans people aged 14–25 collected via participatory research, I question what it feels like to be young and trans and to experience and embody such dislocating feelings as ‘out‐of‐placeness’ and socio‐bodily dysphoria, and what toll repeatedly experiencing such embodied emotions exacts on young trans people, their bodies, and life trajectories. To do so, the experience of misgendering and deadnaming, others' hostile gazes, and what I refer to as socio‐bodily dysphoria, are introduced as examples of common modes of cisnormativity and ‘out‐of‐placeness’ experienced by participants. I build on Sara Ahmed's work on the socio‐spatial positioning and experience of non‐conforming or disruptive bodies to examine how trans youth and marginalised folk more generally become ‘out‐of‐place’ and experience ‘out‐of‐placeness’ in everyday space‐times that are not affectively, socially, or materially structured to expect their bodily presence, facilitate their participation, or enable their active agency, particularly on gendered terms. Importantly, a central contribution of the article involves articulating a spatial conceptualisation of socio‐bodily dysphoria. In sum, I develop geographical analyses of young trans people's everyday encounters and crucially build geographical understandings of the emergence and fixity of socio‐bodily dysphoria and everyday marginality through the voices and stories of trans youth.
Effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions to prevent anemia in pregnant women: a quantitative systematic review protocol
Authors: Jin Qiongai , Shimizu Mikiko , Sugiura Masato , Akashi Yumi , Iwase Keisuke , Tsuzuki Hironori , Suzuki Noriko , Tanaka Tomoko , Kitamura Yukie , Yamakawa Miyae
Published: December 2023

Objective:

This review aims to identify the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions in preventing iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women with a normal course of pregnancy.

Introduction:

The global prevalence of anemia among pregnant women is 36.5%, posing risks to women and fetuses. This underscores the need for effective prevention; however, the effectiveness of non-pharmacological approaches in preventing pregnancy anemia remains unclear.

Inclusion criteria:

This review will encompass experimental and quasi-experimental studies on the following approaches to prevent anemia during pregnancy: recommendations for dietary supplements, oral iron supplements (over the counter), provision of supplements to promote iron absorption, participation in anemia prevention education, and provision of information. There will be no restrictions on the duration or frequency of intervention, and longitudinal intervention studies will be included. In studies with a control group, the comparator may be usual care or pharmacological interventions; in studies without, it may involve no intervention, temporal comparisons, or baseline periods without non-pharmacological interventions. Evaluation of hemoglobin, hematocrit, and ferritin will be included as primary outcomes. Low birth weight, preterm birth, amount of blood loss at delivery, small for gestational age, and Apgar scores will be included as secondary outcomes.

Methods:

A search will be conducted of MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase, CINAHL (EBSCOhost), Scopus, Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ICHUSHI-Web. Researchers will screen studies, extract data, assess the quality of studies, and analyze the data in accordance with the JBI guidance for systematic reviews of effectiveness. GRADE will be used to assess the certainty of the findings.

Review registration number:

PROSPERO CRD42022344155
Study on the Leakage and Diffusion Characteristics of Buried Hydrogen-Blended Natural Gas Pipelines
Authors: Liu Wu , Li Liangdi , Zhao Donghui , Liao Yong
Published: December 2023

Utilizing existing natural gas pipelines to transport hydrogen-blended natural gas is a primary strategy for achieving cost-effective, long-distance, and large-scale hydrogen transportation. However, blending hydrogen with natural gas alters its physical properties, resulting in changes in leakage and diffusion characteristics and the affected range. To illustrate this, we focus on the Jingxi Third Line natural gas long-distance pipeline and develop a buried hydrogen blended natural gas pipeline model to analyze the concentration distribution of hydrogen-blended natural gas and the temporal variation of gas velocity at the leakage point. We explore the influence of various factors, including pressure, leak orifice size, wind speed, and hydrogen-blending ratio, on the diffusion range of hydrogen-blended natural gas. The research findings demonstrate that in the vicinity of the leakage point, the methane concentration significantly exceeds the upper explosive limit while the hydrogen concentration remains within the explosive limit range. The hazardous range of hydrogen-blended natural gas leakage and diffusion is slightly larger than that of natural gas alone. Furthermore, both the vertical and horizontal hazardous ranges of hydrogen-blended natural gas leakage and diffusion exhibit positive correlations with pressure and leak orifice size. Additionally, as wind speed increases, the maximum impact distance in the vertical direction gradually decreases, while it gradually increases in the horizontal direction.
Fluid Flow Analysis of Neonatal Dual-Lumen Cannulas for Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Authors: Sawka Danielle M. , Su Yunxing , Monteagudo Julie , Zenit Roberto
Published: December 2023

Hemolysis persists as a common and serious problem for neonatal patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Since the cannula within the ECMO circuit is associated with hemolysis-inducing shear stresses, real-world internal fluid flow measurements are urgently needed to understand the mechanism and confirm computational estimates. This study appears to be the first experimental study of fluid flow inside commercial ECMO dual-lumen cannulas (DLCs) and first particle image velocimetry (PIV) visualization inside a complicated medical device. The internal geometries of four different opaque neonatal DLCs, both atrial and bicaval positioning geometries each sized 13 Fr and 16 Fr, were replicated by three-dimensional printing clear lumen scaled-up models, which were integrated in a circuit with appropriate ECMO flow parameters. PIV was then used to visualize two-dimensional fluid flow in a single cross section within the models. An empirical model accounting for shear stress and exposure time was used to compare the maximum expected level of hemolysis through each model. The maximum measured peak shear stress recorded was 16±2 Pa in the top arterial bicaval 13 Fr model. The atrial and 16 Fr cannula models never produced greater single-pass peak shear stress or hemolysis than the bicaval and 13 Fr models, respectively, and no difference was found in hemolysis at two different flow rates. After 5 days of flow, small DLC-induced hemolysis values for a single pass through each cannula were modeled to linearly accumulate and caused the most severe hemolysis in the bicaval 13 Fr DLC. Engineering and clinical solutions to improve cannula safety are proposed.
Integrated Design of Axial Slot Casing Treatment and Blades in a Low-Speed Single Stage Axial Compressor
Authors: Fan Zhonggang , Du Juan , Ba Dun , Zhang Min , Yang Chen
Published: December 2023

Casing treatment has been used to enhance the stability of axial-flow compressor by extending the stall margin; it also induces strong interaction with compressor blades, as demonstrated in the open literature. Revealing the mechanism of this interaction is a key to fully exploit the potential of the stability-enhancing capability of casing treatment without efficiency penalty. For this purpose, an integrated optimization design of rotor and axial slot casing treatment is implemented for a low-speed axial-flow compressor, and the stall margin is increased by 10.89% without penalty on the peak efficiency. Through detailed analysis, two important driving factors for the improvement of stall margin are illustrated: the suction effect that decreases the axial momentum of tip leakage flow, and the injection effect that increases the axial momentum of main flow. Meanwhile, it is found that the combination of forward-deflection axial slot casing treatment and forward-sweep rotor can maximize the enhancement of the momentum exchange, thereby adequately reducing the blockage region induced by tip leakage flow. More specially, the stator is then redesigned based on the matching mechanism between the stator and rotor with axial slot casing treatment in a stage. This redesign can considerably reduce entropy generation and flow separation in the passage and achieve an improvement of 0.87% in efficiency. The results hence demonstrate the superiority of integrated design of axial slot casing treatment and blades in improving both stall margin and efficiency.
Validation and Assessment of a Hybrid VOF-Lagrangian Numerical Methodology for Turbulent Liquid Fuel Jets in High-Speed Crossflow
Authors: Zghal Malika , Gauthier Pierre , Sun Xiaoxiao , Wijesinghe Charith , Sethi Vishal
Published: December 2023

For gas turbine combustors, injecting liquid fuel in crossflow can achieve superior mixing characteristics to improve performance and reduce emissions. Robust numerical design tools are needed to accelerate the development of low-emissions technologies. Atomization modeling is often facilitated by using the Lagrangian approach rather than the more complex and computationally expensive Volume-of-Fluid (VOF) approach. However, most Lagrangian breakup models rely on empirical constants that must be fully calibrated for jets in crossflow and representative conditions. A hybrid approach could deliver a better compromise between accuracy and computational cost. This study proposes and validates a novel numerical methodology for coupling the VOF and Lagrangian approaches using a stochastic breakup model with Adaptive Mesh Refinements for turbulent liquid fuel jets in crossflow under more representative gas turbine conditions. The predictions were validated in the near and far-field regions using datasets at high pressures (1–8 bar), Weber numbers (720–1172), and momentum flux ratios (6–33). The predictive capabilities and computational cost were also compared to the Lagrangian approach coupled with large eddy simulations (LES) and with the unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) methodology previously developed and validated by the authors. The effect of different VOF-Lagrangian transition criteria on the computational cost was also assessed and recommendations were provided for further improvements. The overall LES predictions were significantly improved by the proposed hybrid methodology. Although it tends to underpredict the spray trajectory and Sauter Mean Diameter compared to the URANS methodology, it better captures the diameter in the wake region and the droplet velocities.
YouTube as a source of information and education on ultrasound- guided dry needling
Authors: Yildizgoren Mustafa Turgut , Bagcier Fatih
Published: December 2023

Aim: This study aims to evaluate the educational quality of videos related to ultrasound guided dry needling (USDN). Material and method: This study was designed as a cross-sectional study. A video-based search was performed on the YouTube online video sharing platform (https://www.youtube.com/) using the English keywords “ultrasound guided dry needling” on May 10, 2023. The first 60 videos were analysed.Result: The first 60 videos were analyzed, and 32 videos that met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. The content of the videos mostly consisted of technical knowledge regarding Ultrasound Guided Dry Needling (USGDN) (56.3%) and information (43.84%). The total mean DISCERN score was 26.9 ± 12.0 (range 17 to 54). The total mean JAMA Score was 2.4 ± 0.7 (range 2 to 4). There was no significant differences between the groups, according to the DISCERN, and JAMAs scores (all p>0.05). The video with the highest DISCERN score belongedto The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) channel.Conclusion: There is a significant amount of content available on YouTube regarding USDN; however, unfortunately, most of the existing content is of low quality and carries the risk of misinformation. Healthcare professionals should be aware of the importance of health-related information on YouTubeand strive to provide high-quality, accurate, and up-to-date content
Learning curves in abdominal ultrasound in medical students
Authors: Moga Tudor , Dancu Greta Maria , Cotrau Radu , Bende Renata , Popescu Alina , Danila Mirela , Bizerea-Moga Teofana , Bona Ana , Plopeanu Ariana , Sporea Ioan , Sirli Roxana
Published: December 2023

Aims: Ultrasound (US) is an essential diagnostic and educational tool in medical practice, and its effective implementation into medical curricula is critical. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of two disparate educational approaches—an optional semester course and a specifically curated intensive workshop—on the learning curve of medical students in abdominal ultrasonography.Material and methods: Engaging fourth and fifth-year medical students, this study, incorporated both theoretical and practical elements of US, providing participants with hands-on experience and evaluative assessments pre- and post-training. Students were segregated into two groups: one experienced a 14-hour optional semester course and the other a 6-hour intensive workshop, both yielding distinct teaching methodologies yet aspiring for synonymous educational outcomes.Results: Involving a total of 93 participants, findings elucidated that regardless of the educational method employed, post-training identification of US structures exhibited a significant enhancement compared to pre-training. Interestingly, no substantial disparities were discerned between the two educational approaches nor gender-based differences in learning outcomes.Conclusions: This investigation provides pivotal insights into the versatile utility of different educational strategies in abdominal US training for medical students, affirming that varied pedagogical methods can achieve comparable augmentations in student proficiency. Further research is paramount to ascertain the optimal integration of US education into medicalcurricula, considering aspects such as duration, depth, and mode of delivery
Water isolation technique combined with contrast-enhanced ultrasound guided puncture biopsy of pancreatic mass in 3 cases.
Authors: Xiaohui Wang , Yannan Qiao , Lin Zhou , Hui Chen , Zhen Yang
Published: December 2023

In many patients with pancreatic cancer the definite pathological diagnosis is limited due to the lack of safe needle entry routes, the high risk of conventional ultrasound-guided puncture and the low positive rate of single needle. To solve the situations in which there are no safe path for pancreatic biopsy, we used water isolation technology combined with contrast-enhanced ultrasound to perform puncture biopsy in 3 patients with pancreatic mass occupying under the guidance of coaxial needle in this study and remarkable results were achieved. The water isolation technique was used to avoid the damage to theimportant organs in front of the occupying area.
ChatGPT-assisted deep learning model for thyroid nodule analysis: beyond artifical intelligence
Authors: Mese Ismail , Inan Neslihan Gokmen , Kocadagli Ozan , Salmaslioglu Artur , Yildirim Duzgun
Published: December 2023

Aims: To develop a deep learning model, with the aid of ChatGPT, for thyroid nodules, utilizing ultrasound images. The cytopathology of the fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) serves as the baseline.Material and methods: After securing IRB approval, a retrospective study was conducted, analyzing thyroid ultrasound images and FNAB results from 1,061 patients between January 2017 and January 2022. Detailed examinations of their demographic profiles, imaging characteristics, and cytological features were conducted. The images were used for training a deep learning model to identify various thyroid pathologies. ChatGPT assisted in developing this model by aiding in code writing, preprocessing, model optimization, and troubleshooting.Results: The model demonstrated an accuracy of 0.81 on the testing set, within a 95% confidence interval of 0.76 to 0.87. It presented remarkable results across thyroid subgroups, particularly in the benign category, with high precision (0.78) and recall (0.96), yielding a balanced F1-score of 0.86. The malignant category also displayed high precision (0.82) and recall (0.92), with an F1-score of 0.87.Conclusions: The study demonstrates the potential of artificial intelligence, particularly ChatGPT, in aiding the creation of robust deep learning models for medical image analysis
Examination of Physical Activity, Organized Sport, and Sitting Time Among Women and Mothers From Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds
Authors: Paudel Susan , Mishra Gita D. , Veitch Jenny , Mielke Gregore I. , Hesketh Kylie D.
Published: December 2023

Background: Little evidence is available from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities on the association between motherhood and physical activity (PA). This study aimed to examine independent and joint associations of cultural background and motherhood with meeting PA guidelines, participation in organized sports, and high sitting time (>8 h/d). Methods: We used self-reported cross-sectional data from survey 8 of the 1973–1978 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health. PA was measured using the Active Australia Survey while organized sport and sitting time were measured using single items. CALD was defined as being born in a non-English speaking country or primarily speaking a non-English language at home. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression analyses were used to examine independent and joint associations. Results: Data from 5967 women (mean age 42.4 [SD 1.5] y, 6.9% CALD, 81.2% mothers) were analyzed. Women of CALD background had lower odds of meeting PA guidelines (odds ratio; 95% confidence interval: 0.80; 0.64–0.98) and participation in organized sports (0.68; 0.54–0.86), but no statistically significant association with sitting time (0.90; 0.72–1.14). Mothers had lower odds of meeting PA guidelines (0.75; 0.64–0.87) and high sitting time (0.42; 0.36–0.49). Compared with non-CALD women without children, mothers (irrespective of cultural background) were less likely to meet PA guidelines and have high sitting time. The association of “cultural background and motherhood” with organized sports participation was only significant for CALD mothers. Conclusions: Increased efforts and investments are needed to ensure that sports and other PA promotion interventions are culturally sensitive and engaging for CALD women and those with children.
Antimicrobial resistance in multistate outbreaks of nontyphoidal
Salmonella
infections linked to animal contact—United States, 2015–2018
Authors: Frey Erin , Stapleton G. Sean , Nichols Megin C. , Gollarza Lauren M. , Birhane Meseret , Chen Jessica C. , McCullough Andre , Carleton Heather A. , Trees Eija , Hise Kelley B. , Tolar Beth , Francois Watkins Louise
Published: December 2023

Animal contact is an established risk factor for nontyphoidal
Salmonella
infections and outbreaks. During 2015–2018, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other U.S. public health laboratories began implementing whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of
Salmonella
isolates. WGS was used to supplement the traditional methods of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis for isolate subtyping, outbreak detection, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) for the detection of resistance. We characterized the epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of multistate salmonellosis outbreaks linked to animal contact during this time period. An isolate was considered resistant if AST yielded a resistant (or intermediate, for ciprofloxacin) interpretation to any antimicrobial tested by the CDC or if WGS showed a resistance determinant in its genome for one of these agents. We identified 31 outbreaks linked to contact with poultry (
n
= 23), reptiles (
n
= 6), dairy calves (
n
= 1), and guinea pigs (
n
= 1). Of the 26 outbreaks with resistance data available, we identified antimicrobial resistance in at least one isolate from 20 outbreaks (77%). Of 1,309 isolates with resistance information, 247 (19%) were resistant to ≥1 antimicrobial, and 134 (10%) were multidrug-resistant to antimicrobials from ≥3 antimicrobial classes. The use of resistance data predicted from WGS increased the number of isolates with resistance information available fivefold compared with AST, and 28 of 43 total resistance patterns were identified exclusively by WGS; concordance was high (>99%) for resistance determined by AST and WGS. The use of predicted resistance from WGS enhanced the characterization of the resistance profiles of outbreaks linked to animal contact by providing resistance information for more isolates.
Evaluation of ready-to-use freezer stocks of a synthetic microbial community for maize root colonization
Authors: Parnell J. Jacob , Vintila Simina , Tang Clara , Wagner Maggie R. , Kleiner Manuel
Published: December 2023

Synthetic microbial communities (SynComs) are a valuable tool to study community assembly patterns, host–microbe interactions, and microbe–microbe interactions in a fully controllable setting. Constructing the SynCom inocula for plant–microbe experiments can be time-consuming and difficult because a large number of isolates with different medium requirements and growth rates are grown in parallel and mixed to appropriate titers. A potential workaround to assembling fresh SynCom inocula for every experiment could be to prepare and freeze SynComs on a large scale, creating ready-to-use inocula. The objective of this study was to compare the reproducibility, stability, and colonization ability of freshly prepared versus frozen SynCom inocula. We used a community of seven species known to colonize maize roots. The results from inoculation with the frozen SynCom were as consistent as those of standardized
de novo
construction of fresh SynCom. Our results indicate that creating frozen SynCom inocula for repeated use in experiments not only saves time but could also improve cross-experiment reproducibility. Although this approach was only validated with one SynCom, it demonstrates a principle that can be tested for improving approaches in constructing other SynComs.

IMPORTANCE

Synthetic communities (SynComs) are an invaluable tool to characterize and model plant–microbe interactions. Multimember SynComs approximate intricate real-world interactions between plants and their microbiome, but the complexity and time required for their construction increase enormously for each additional member added to the SynCom. Therefore, researchers who study a diversity of microbiomes using SynComs are looking for ways to simplify the use of SynComs. In this manuscript, we evaluate the feasibility of creating ready-to-use freezer stocks of a well-studied seven-member SynCom for maize roots. The frozen ready-to-use SynCom stocks work according to the principle of “just add buffer and apply to sterilized seeds or seedlings” and thus can save time applied in multiple days of laborious growing and combining of multiple microorganisms. We show that ready-to-use SynCom stocks provide comparable results to those of freshly constructed SynComs and thus allow for significant time savings when working with SynComs.
Exploiting phage-antibiotic synergies to disrupt
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
PAO1 biofilms in the context of orthopedic infections
Authors: De Soir Steven , Parée Hortence , Kamarudin Nur Hidayatul Nazirah , Wagemans Jeroen , Lavigne Rob , Braem Annabel , Merabishvili Maya , De Vos Daniel , Pirnay Jean-Paul , Van Bambeke Françoise
Published: December 2023

In recent years, bacteriophages (or phages) have reentered the spotlight as alternative or adjuvant therapeutic agents to antibiotics. Their efficacy in more recalcitrant forms of infections like biofilms, frequently encountered in the orthopedic setting, remains less characterized. The present study aimed at evaluating the activity of phage-antibiotic combinations against
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
biofilms. A large collection of phages was
de novo
isolated from a wide variety of environmental sources. Three phages with a large host range against a.o. clinical orthopedic isolates, PSP2 (
Yuavirus
), PSP3 (
Pbunavirus
), and PSP30 (
Bruynoghevirus
), were selected for phage-antibiotic synergy assays on mature
P. aeruginosa
PAO1 biofilms. Phages were combined with ciprofloxacin, meropenem, and ceftazidime, all used as standard of care in bone-related infections. Significant reductions in both cell counts and biomass were observed for all phage-antibiotic combinations. The highest reduction in viable cell counts was observed for PSP3 and PSP2 in combination with ceftazidime [4.58 and 4.30 log
10
Colony Forming Units (CFU)/well], followed by all phage combinations with ciprofloxacin (up to 3.56 log
10
CFU/well). The highest reduction in biomass was obtained by combining PSP3 with ciprofloxacin (29.8%). Metabolic assays confirmed these findings with reductions in biofilm respiratory rate of up to 65%. Scanning electron microscopy imaging of PAO1 biofilms grown on titanium coupons and treated by ciprofloxacin and PSP30 confirmed the efficacy of the combined treatment with PSP30 and ciprofloxacin. This study highlights the synergetic effects of phage-antibiotic combinations on
P. aeruginosa
biofilms, thereby offering a promising approach to combat biofilm-associated infections.

IMPORTANCE

Biofilm-related infections are among the most difficult-to-treat infections in all fields of medicine due to their antibiotic tolerance and persistent character. In the field of orthopedics, these biofilms often lead to therapeutic failure of medical implantable devices and urgently need novel treatment strategies. This forthcoming article aims to explore the dynamic interplay between newly isolated bacteriophages and routinely used antibiotics and clearly indicates synergetic patterns when used as a dual treatment modality. Biofilms were drastically more reduced when both active agents were combined, thereby providing additional evidence that phage-antibiotic combinations lead to synergism and could potentially improve clinical outcome for affected patients.
Prospective incidence epidemiology study protocol: conducting active surveillance to assess the burden of Lyme disease (BOLD) in primary care practices in endemic areas of six European countries
Authors: Begier Elizabeth , Pilz Andreas , Loew-Baselli Alexandra , Harper Lisa R , Stark James H , Bowdery Molly , Halsby Kate , Dzingina Mendwas , Bézay Nicole , Allen Kristen E , Parslow Ben , Gessner Bradford D
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Lyme disease (LD) is the most frequent tick-borne disease in the moderate climates of Europe. This study will inform the phase III efficacy study for Pfizer and Valneva’s investigational Lyme disease vaccine, VLA15. VLA15 phase III will be conducted in the USA and Europe due to the vaccine’s serotype coverage and public health burden of LD. In Europe, the existence and location of sites that have access to populations with high LD annual incidence is uncertain. This active, prospective surveillance study assesses annual LD incidence at general practice (GP)/primary care sites, allowing for phase III site vetting and better characterisation of LD burden in selected regions for study size calculations.

Methods and analysis

This burden of Lyme disease (BOLD) study will assess LD incidence overall and by site at 15 GP/primary care practices in endemic areas of 6 European countries from Spring 2021 to December 2022 and will be summarised with counts (n), percentages (%) and associated 95% CIs. Suspected LD cases identified from site’s practice panels are documented on screening logs, where clinical LD manifestations, diagnoses and standard of care diagnostic results are recorded. In the initial 12-month enrolment phase, suspected LD cases are offered enrolment. Participants undergo interview and clinical assessments to establish medical history, final clinical diagnosis, clinical manifestations and quality of life impact. Study-specific procedures include LD serology, skin punch biopsies and Lyme manifestation photographs. For every enrolled participant diagnosed with LD, 6–10 age-matched controls are randomly selected and offered enrolment for an embedded LD risk factor analysis. Persistent symptoms or post-treatment LD will be assessed at follow-up visits up to 2 years after initial diagnosis, while patients remain symptomatic.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has been approved by all sites’ local ethics committees. The results will be presented at conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.