bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quality improvement project reducing waiting times and improving patients experience using an online questionnaire at a menopause clinic
Authors: Bruce Deborah , Adeniji Yemisi
Published: February 2025

Following the launch of the new Electronic Patient Record (EPR) system, Electronic Patient Integrated Care (EPIC) system at Guys at St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust in the autumn of 2023, it was apparent that clinics were taking longer as members of staff were getting used to the new system. In view of the new system launch, there were further delays in roll over of patient information which was recorded on the previous EPR to EPIC which increased time for clinicians to find relevant information and access new referrals as they had to switch to the old system for information gathering. This resulted in lengthy electronic record searches, on top of getting used to the new system, subsequently significantly prolonging the clinic appointment times which had a knock-on effect on clinic wait and ultimately negatively impacting patient’s experience. It was therefore felt that introducing and trialling an electronic tool in the form of a questionnaire made accessible within the relevant section in EPIC might attempt to reduce prolonged clinic wait times in our menopause clinic. We developed a detailed and comprehensive menopause clinic questionnaire aimed at gathering the patient’s information before the clinic appointment. Overall patients had a positive opinion and good understanding of the questionnaire. We concluded that the questionnaire could be classed as an outpatient improvement process which aims to reduce clinic wait times.
Medication counseling for OTC drugs using customized ChatGPT-4: Comparison with ChatGPT-3.5 and ChatGPT-4o
Authors: Kiyomiya Keisuke , Aomori Tohru , Ohtani Hisakazu
Published: February 2025

Background

In Japan, consumers can purchase most over-the-counter (OTC) drugs without pharmacist guidance. Recently, generative artificial intelligence (AI) has become increasingly popular. Therefore, medical professionals need to consider the use of generative AI by consumers for medication counseling. We have previously reported responses in Japanese from ChatGPT-3.5 to 264 questions regarding whether each of 22 OTC drugs can be taken under 12 typical patient conditions. The proportion of responses that satisfied the criteria of 1) accuracy, 2) relevance, and 3) reliability with respect to package insert instructions was 20.8%. In November 2023, GPTs were launched, enabling us to construct a customized ChatGPT, using natural language. In the present study, we compared performance in providing medication guidance among a newly customized GPT, the latest non-customized version ChatGPT-4o, and the previous version, ChatGPT-3.5. The aim was to determine whether the customization and version update of ChatGPT improved performance and to evaluate its potential usefulness.

Methods

We configured customized ChatGPT-4 by executing five instructions in Japanese and uploaded the text of package inserts for 22 OTC drugs as knowledge. We asked the same 264 questions as in our previous study.

Results

With the customized ChatGPT-4, the percentages of responses that satisfied the criteria of accuracy, relevance, and reliability were 93.2%, 100%, and 60.2%, respectively. Additionally, 56.1% of responses satisfied all three criteria, 2.7-fold higher compared with ChatGPT-3.5 and 1.3-fold higher compared with ChatGPT-4o.

Conclusion

The performance of our customized GPT far exceeded that of ChatGPT-3.5. In particular, the proportion of appropriate responses to the questions using brand names was significantly improved. ChatGPT can be customized by providing drug package insert information and using appropriate prompt engineering, potentially offering helpful tools in clinical pharmacy.
“The Whole Culture of Nursing Needs to Change”: A Descriptive Phenomenology of Nurses Being Bullied
Authors: White Dawn R. , Palmieri Patrick A. , Huaman-Morillo Sara R. , White Timothy A. , Hickey Eric W.
Published: February 2025

Workplace bullying impacts at least half of the nurses worldwide. Despite the link to increased nurse turnover, few intervention studies have addressed bullying in the workplace. Since most studies report cross-sectional designs that provide little insight into the complexities of this phenomenon, the purpose of this descriptive phenomenology was to describe the lived experiences of nurses as they were actively being bullied in the workplace. Semi-structured interviews were conducted through Skype until data adequacy was realized with 12 participant interviews. Giorgi’s six-step method was used to analyze the data in Atlas.ti. A central theme, “The whole culture of nursing needs to change” described an organizational culture where managers were unable to identify or unwilling to respond to workplace bullying. The four themes identified from the data included “going to work can be really hard,” “not good for patient care,” “learning to live with bullying,” and “changing the culture.” Leaders of organizations should implement comprehensive anti-bullying programs to assess bullying in their workplace and to provide bullied nurses with reporting options. Nurse managers need to prevent workplace bullying by intervening when aware of bullying and cultivating a culture of mutual respect.
Effect of velocity slip and temperature jump on unsteady magnetohydrodynamic Maxwell ternary hybrid nanofluid flow over a shrinking sheet
Authors: Roy Nepal Chandra , Hassan Md. Mahmudul , Gorla Rama Subba Reddy
Published: February 2025

This study reveals the unsteady flow and heat transfer of Maxwell ternary hybrid nanofluid over a shrinking sheet under thermal radiation, magnetic field, and slip boundary conditions. The governing equations are transformed into a set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) using proper similarity transformations. The system of ODE’s is solved numerically employing the well-known shooting method that has been implemented by the in-house FORTRAN code. Results show that the values of the local Nusselt number ( Re x−1/2 Nu x) at the shrinking parameter, γ = −3.2 for Al2O3 volume fraction ( ϕ1) and γ = −2.0 for Cu and Al volume fractions ( ϕ2 and ϕ3) are increased by (4.4%, 13.1%, 13.2%), (7.8%, 24.7%, 24.7%), and (9.5%, 34.9%, 34.2%) with the increase of (ϕ1, ϕ2, ϕ3) from 0.0 to 0.01, 0.02, and 0.03. For an increment of suction parameter ( S) from 2.8 to 3.0, 3.2, and 3.4, Re x−1/2 Nu x at γ = −3.0 is augmented by 33.1%, 61.0%, and 85.3% respectively. When the velocity slip parameter ( B) is increased from 0.0 to 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6, the value of Re x−1/2 Nu x at γ = −3.0 is increased by 19.3%, 33.6%, and 41.2%, respectively. Furthermore, an increase in Deborah number ( De), defined with Maxwell fluid property, from 0.0 to 0.05, 0.10, and 0.15, Re x−1/2 Nu x at γ = −3.0 is increased by 6.8%, 13.8%, and 22.4%, respectively. With the increase of De, ϕ1, ϕ2, and ϕ3, the flow velocity decreases and temperature increases.
Analysis of the configurational attributes of Korean Gukja (國字)
Authors: Kim Eunhee , Lee Haeyoon
Published: February 2025

This article examines the configurational attributes of Gukja defined from the analysis of the 2012 Gukja characters compiled in the Hanguk-hanja-jajeon or Dictionary of Korean Chinese Characters 韓國漢字字典 in accordance with the theory of Chinese character configuration. The number, functions, and combination patterns of the components constructing a Chinese character constitute the most important attributes in discerning this character. The configurational attributes analyzed in this article are defined on the basis of the total numbers, appearance frequencies and character-construction count of primitive components, and the combination structures and patterns of Gukja. Based on the analysis, the article compares attributes of the Gukja characters used for the writing of old Korean with the traditional Chinese characters, and it elicits attributes shared with the Chinese and those unique to Korean-coined Chinese characters.
How follow-up period in prospective cohort studies affects the relationship between baseline fish consumption and risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia
Authors: Grant William B
Published: February 2025

Background

Diet plays an important role in the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet is regarded as one way to reduce risk. Fish is a component of the Mediterranean diet. Participant variables change with time, resulting in “regression dilution”.

Objective

The objective is to investigate the role of follow-up period after measurement of dietary fish intake with risk of AD and dementia.

Methods

A recent meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies is used to examine this effect for dietary fish and incidence of dementia and AD.

Results

For seven dementia studies with mean follow-up periods from one to ten years, the regression fit to the data is relative risk (RR) = 0.19 + (0.087 × Follow up [years], r = 0.84, adjusted r2 = 0.66, p = 0.009). However, when mean age of the participants was added to the analysis, the effect of follow-up period became non-significant. For five AD studies with follow-up periods from 3.9 to 9.8 years, the regression fit to the data is RR = 0.11 + (0.095 × follow up [years]), r = 0.93, adjusted r2 = 0.87, p = 0.02). The RR for the regression fit to the shortest follow-up periods are 40% greater for dementia than the standard meta-analysis suggests and 70% greater for AD.

Conclusions

Prospective cohort studies of diet and health outcomes should reassess variables every few years. Meta-analyses should consider the effect of mean follow-up periods and mean age of the participants during follow up.
Evaluating Feasibility and Acceptability of a Telehealth Integrative Pain Management Program Among Primary Care Safety-Net Patients
Authors: Bahl Shivani , Ritter Vadan , Thompson-Lastad Ariana , Ruvalcaba Denise , Jackson Jhia , Fernando Christa M. , Turchin Candice , Finch Mary Ann , Soldaini Antonella , Swedlow Pamela , Wennik Jesse , Chao Maria T.
Published: February 2025

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated pain care inequities for low-income people. The Telehealth Integrative Pain Management Program (t-IPMP) was developed to provide pain management services for patients in public health clinics of the San Francisco Health Network (SFHN). Adapted from an existing program, t-IPMP delivered multimodal pain treatment via telehealth groups when in-person healthcare was restricted.

Objective

This mixed-methods study evaluates the feasibility and acceptability of t-IPMP.

Methods

We conducted a single-arm evaluation of three cohorts of t-IPMP, comprising 12 two-hour weekly online sessions on pain education, mindfulness, therapeutic movement, and self-acupressure. Participants were adults with chronic pain referred by SFHN primary care providers. We conducted baseline surveys, three-month surveys, and qualitative interviews (n = 15); participant observation of three sessions per cohort; and 3 focus groups (n = 20). Mixed-methods analysis included descriptive statistics, pre/post comparisons using t-tests, and codebook thematic analysis.

Results

The t-IPMP received 107 referrals from 52 providers at 11 clinics, and 35% of referrals enrolled. Participants (n = 37) attended an average of 6 sessions. Participants who completed surveys (n = 15) were majority cisgender women (67%) with below-average wealth (87%) from diverse racial and ethnic identities. Qualitative data highlighted that t-IPMP created a supportive environment which fostered social connection and reduced social isolation. Social support encouraged use of new mind-body practices for pain. Telehealth was well received, though some participants preferred in-person interaction. From baseline to three-month follow up, average scores increased on measures of physical function (mean = 1.9, 95% CI 0.2-3.6); global quality of life (mean = 3.8, 95% CI 1.6-6.0); and pain self-efficacy (mean = 5.3, 95% CI 0.9-9.7).

Conclusion

Integrative, multimodal pain management delivered through telehealth groups is feasible among primary care safety net patients, however, may not be optimal for all. Findings indicate that offering options for participating either online or in-person may best address patient needs and preferences.
Neonatal Esophageal Stenosis: A Case Series
Authors: Jain Nidhi , Banerjee Susrita , Kumar Ravindra , V N Aparna
Published: February 2025

Esophageal stenosis is a very rare entity. Most cases of esophageal stenosis are asymptomatic in neonatal life. This is a case series of 2 babies with esophageal stenosis presenting in neonatal period with same clinical sign but different etiology. Of the two, one is congenital and other is acquired in etiology.
cMPL-Based Purification and Depletion of Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells: Implications for Pretransplant Conditioning
Authors: Araki Daisuke , Hong So Gun , Linde Nathaniel Seth , Fisk Bryan , Redekar Neelam , Salisbury-Ruf Christi T , Krouse Allen , Engels Theresa , Golomb Justin , Dagur Pradeep K , Panicker Sumith R , Kanthi Yogendra , Magnani Diogo , Wang Zhirui , Larochelle Andre
Published: February 2025

The thrombopoietin (TPO):cMPL signaling axis is a critical regulator of early hematopoiesis. However, the utility of cMPL as a standalone marker for identifying long-term repopulating hematopoietic stem cells (LT-HSCs) within the adult human CD34+ cell hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) population has not been validated. In this study, we established high cMPL surface expression as a defining feature of human LT-HSCs. Targeting the cMPL receptor facilitated the separation of human LT-HSCs from mature progenitors, a delineation not achievable with cKIT. Leveraging this finding, we explored the therapeutic potential of cMPL as a novel target for pre-transplant conditioning regimens. We developed a cMPL-targeting immunotoxin, demonstrating its ability to preferentially deplete host cMPLhigh LT-HSCs in murine xenograft models. Evaluation in rhesus macaques confirmed these findings and highlighted a favorable safety profile with rapid systemic clearance within 24 hours of administration. Proof-of-concept experiments validated the immunotoxin as a novel conditioning agent, enabling donor HSPC engraftment without the use of chemotherapy or irradiation. These findings advance our understanding of the molecular determinants of human hematopoiesis and underscore the potential of cMPL-targeting preparative regimens to improve therapeutic transplantation outcomes.
Integrative cytogenetic and molecular studies unmask “chromosomal mimicry” in hematologic malignancies
Authors: Zhao Melissa , Ryall Scott , Brody Samuel J. , Harris Amyah C. , Cabral Kristin , Brownstein Catherine , Kim Jaeseung C. , Smith Adam C. , Dal Cin Paola , Narayan Rupa , Sikkink Kristin , Schmitt Anthony , Hobbs Gabriela S. , Fathi Amir T. , Griffin Gabriel K. , Sait Sheila N. J. , Iafrate Anthony J. , Aster Jon C. , Graubert Timothy A. , Nardi Valentina , Dubuc Adrian M.
Published: February 2025

The detection of structural variants (SVs) represents a critical component in the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of many hematologic malignancies. Although clinical SV testing mainly consists of traditional cytogenetic methodologies, technological innovations have led to alternative approaches with improved resolution. In this study, we sought to characterize the clinical impact of targeted RNA sequencing on the diagnosis of myeloid and immature lymphoid malignancies. Across a cohort (n = 380) of myeloid (87%) and immature lymphoid (13%) tumors, we compared SVs detected by chromosome banding analysis (CBA) and fusion events detected by anchored multiplex polymerase chain reaction (AMP)–targeted RNA sequencing. Variants detected by either assay were categorized using a 5-tier system: tier 1 (established clinical significance); tier 2 (possible clinical significance); tier 3 (unknown significance); tier 4 (known germ line variants), and tier 5 (no variants detected). The combined use of AMP and CBA improved the detection of clinically relevant (tier 1 or 2) findings in 10% of cases. Unexpectedly, in 1% (3/380) of the patients in our study, CBA appeared to detect a defining SV, for example, t(9;22)(q34;q11.2), that was not confirmed by AMP fusion studies. Subsequent evaluation by orthogonal approaches confirmed breakpoints on the expected chromosomes but did not involve the anticipated genes. Our study indicates that “chromosomal mimicry,” a phenomenon in which chromosome morphology resembles a known SV but lacks the expected gene-level rearrangement, is an infrequent but recurrent finding with the potential to confound clinical management. Our study highlights the need for assays with gene-level resolution in the diagnostic evaluation of hematologic malignancies.
Microbial contamination of therapeutic contact lenses after photorefractive keratectomy: a prospective analysis
Authors: Soleimani Mohammad , Behjati Najafabadi Omid , Atighehchian Mehrnaz , Razavi Alireza , Abedinifar Zohreh , Tabatabaei Seyed Ali , Asadigandomani Hassan
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The objective of this study was to examine bacterial contamination in therapeutic contact lenses (TCLs) utilized following photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and to identify factors correlated to positive culture outcomes.

Methods

This prospective study comprised 120 eyes from 60 patients who underwent bilateral PRK surgery at Farabi Eye Hospital in 2022. TCLs, applied postoperatively, were collected between the fifth and seventh days, placed in sterile containers with culture media, and analyzed for microbial growth. The documentation included patient demographic information, refractive status, preoperative conditions, culture results, and antibiotic susceptibility data.

Results

The results indicated microbial growth was detected in seven lenses, which accounts for 5.8% of the total number of lenses (120 TCLs). Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) (4 lenses, 2 methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS)), Escherichia coli (E. coli) (1 lens), diphtheroid (1 lens), and micrococcus species (1 lens) were the isolated organisms. The patients did not experience any instances of microbial keratitis during the study period. Patients with positive cultures demonstrated a significantly higher mean age (35.00 ± 7.09 years, P-value = 0.036). No significant gender disparities were identified (P-value = 0.263).

Conclusion

The incidence of microbial contamination in postoperative TCLs following PRK was minimal, with no occurrence of microbial keratitis. Older ages correlated with positive culture outcomes, highlighting the necessity for customized postoperative care approaches.
The impact of sleep on breast cancer-specific mortality: a Mendelian randomisation study
Authors: Hayes Bryony L. , Fleming Leanne , Mahmoud Osama , Martin Richard M. , Lawlor Deborah A. , Robinson Timothy , Richmond Rebecca C.
Published: February 2025

Background

The relationship between sleep traits and survival in breast cancer is uncertain and complex. There are multiple biological, psychological and treatment-related factors that could link sleep and cancer outcomes. Previous studies could be biased due to methodological limitations such as reverse causation and confounding. Here, we used two-sample mendelian randomisation (MR) to investigate the causal relationship between sleep and breast cancer mortality.

Methods

Publicly available genetic summary data from females of European ancestry from UK Biobank and 23andme and the Breast Cancer Association Consortium were used to generate instrumental variables for sleep traits (chronotype, insomnia symptoms, sleep duration, napping, daytime-sleepiness, and ease of getting up (N = 446,118–1,409,137)) and breast cancer outcomes (15 years post-diagnosis, stratified by tumour subtype and treatment (N = 91,686 and Ndeaths = 7,531 over a median follow-up of 8.1 years)). Sensitivity analyses were used to assess the robustness of analyses to MR assumptions.

Results

Initial results found some evidence for a per category increase in daytime-sleepiness reducing overall breast cancer mortality (HR = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.14, 0.80), and for insomnia symptoms reducing odds of mortality in oestrogen receptor positive breast cancers not receiving chemotherapy (HR = 0.18, 95% CI = 0.05, 0.68) and in patients receiving aromatase inhibitors (HR = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.07, 0.78). Importantly, these relationships were not robust following sensitivity analyses meaning we could not demonstrate any causal relationships.

Conclusions

This study did not provide evidence that sleep traits have a causal role in breast cancer mortality. Further work characterising disruption to normal sleep behaviours and its effects on tumour biology, treatment compliance and quality of life are needed.
Global priorities in HIA research: a new agenda for the next decade
Authors: Haigh Fiona , Green Liz , Hirono Katherine , Mekel Odile C. L. , Douglas Margaret
Published: February 2025

Background

Health Impact Assessment (HIA) advances Health in All Policies by identifying impacts of proposed actions on health and equity and recommending changes to address these impacts. Since the Gothenburg Consensus Statement in 1999, HIA has been applied to policies, plans, programmes and projects in multiple sectors and settings across the world. Despite demonstrated effectiveness, its use across the world is inconsistent with few nations systematically using HIA. In a global context of increasing health inequities, pandemics, climate change, and economic crises, HIA can help integrate health and equity into decision making. There is a need for research to support the ongoing evolution and development of HIA. This paper presents a research agenda for the field of HIA.

Methods

We used a mixed method approach utilising insights of approximately 280 participants through an international online survey and participatory workshops. We compared priority areas of research identified through the survey, workshops, and literature review to inform the development of a research agenda. The team drew on their own positioning and experience as HIA practitioners and researchers to shape this agenda.

Results

We identified four research priorities: (1) Institutionalisation - Sustaining and institutionalising HIA in varying contexts and levels. (2) Influence - Identifying mechanisms and strategies that can be employed to effectively influence stakeholders and decision making. (3) Equity and Participation - Analysing the role of equity, justice, power and participation in HIA, and (4) Methodology - Improving HIA Methods to understand the complex relationships between proposed actions, health and health equity outcomes and identifying what to do. We developed research questions for each theme.

Conclusions

The research agenda advocates for sustained research and practice to strengthen impact and address knowledge gaps in the field. Functioning as a roadmap for both researchers and funders, it aims to contribute to a healthier and more equitable world. Recognising the valuable role of HIA in addressing global health challenges, the agenda encourages researchers to investigate, develop, and advance the field of HIA.
An ultrasound and shear wave elastography study: effect of grip on medial elbow joint morphology during valgus stress
Authors: Gong Matthew F. , Wilps Tyler J. , Abrams Jamieson G. , Dorn Shanelle , Parekh Jesal N. , Hughes Tudor H. , Robertson Catherine M. , Meunier Matthew J. , Ward Samuel R.
Published: February 2025

Background

The flexor pronator mass (FPM) is an important dynamic stabilizer to valgus stress at the elbow and has been reported to protect against ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury. Active gripping and pronation have demonstrated reduced ulnohumeral joint space and change in material properties of the UCL when examined in vivo via ultrasound. No studies have utilized ultrasonography and shear wave elastography to characterize the medial elbow’s response to FPM activation under valgus stress. This cross-sectional, repeated measures study aims to characterize medial elbow changes in UCL and FPM tissue stiffness and joint space width (JSW) during valgus stress with incremental FPM activation through gripping.

Methods

Thirteen participants (6 male, 7 female) aged 18–40 year with a BMI < 30 and no history of upper extremity injury were included in this study. Elbows were placed in a telos stress device at 30° of flexion and a 100N valgus stress was applied. Participants then activated the FPM by gripping a spherical dynamometer at 100, 75, 50, 25, and 0% of maximal grip strength. UCL thickness, ulnohumeral (UH) JSW, UCL stiffness, and FPM stiffness were measured for each condition and compared via a two-way repeated measures ANOVA and a post hoc Fischer’s Least Significant Difference test.

Results

Men and women showed no baseline differences in UCL thickness or UH JSW. JSW was significantly wider under valgus load, 2.22 ± 0.42 mm vs. 2.99 ± 0.46 mm in males and 2.15 ± 0.41 mm vs. 2.99 ± 0.55 mm in females (p < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were demonstrated in UH JSW by gripping force magnitude and differences by sex were not observed. Additionally, no significant changes in tissue stiffness were observed during dynamic conditions for shear wave velocities for either the UCL or FPM.

Conclusion

Gripping does not change UH JSW or medial elbow tissue stiffness in the joint testing configuration and external loading conditions applied in this study. This suggests that gripping may not be as protective during the high valgus stress observed in baseball pitching as believed, and that the influence of FPM activity may be joint position or load dependent.
Real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry detection of Wolbachia in adult Dirofilaria immitis from dogs treated with doxycycline and ivermectin
Authors: Chu Yi , Sakamoto Kaori , Evans Christopher C. , Dzimianski Michael T. , Fricks Crystal , Mansour Abdelmoneim , DiCosty Utami , McCall Scott , McCall John W. , Nelson C. Thomas , Moorhead Andrew R.
Published: February 2025

Background

Wolbachia is present in all life stages of Dirofilaria immitis. Wolbachia surface protein (WSP) can be highly immunogenic and induce acute inflammatory reactions in the host upon worm death. To avoid the abrupt release of Wolbachia and its antigens from deceased parasites, the American Heartworm Society (AHS) has recommended using doxycycline (DOXY) and having a 1-month wait period between the DOXY treatment and the adulticidal process for Wolbachia elimination. Studies have shown that the 28 day, 10 mg/kg twice daily (BID) administration of DOXY can effectively clear Wolbachia in the bloodstream of the host. The 1-month wait period is hypothesized to allow for further reduction of Wolbachia. However, the levels of Wolbachia in adult parasites after the DOXY treatment remain unknown.

Methods

Forty-five purposely bred dogs were intravenously transplanted with 20 Dirofilaria immitis adults, consisting of 12 females and 8 males. The dogs were divided into nine groups of five dogs each. Two groups each received 5, 7.5, or 10 mg/kg DOXY BID orally for 28 days, and ivermectin (IVM) monthly (6 µg/kg.) Three groups remained untreated as controls. Study animals were necropsied on day 0, day 30, and day 60, following the start of treatment. Adult worms were collected at necropsy and preserved for analysis. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and immunohistochemistry for WSP were performed on worms collected at each time point. The data were analyzed using a linear mixed model (LMM). Multiple comparisons were adjusted using Tukey’s test.

Results

The qPCR results showed that all treatment doses significantly reduced Wolbachia levels compared with the control groups at 30 and 60 days. The intradose comparison indicated a significant decrease on day 60 compared with day 30. No significant differences were found between different doses on the two examination dates. Immunohistochemistry indicated the markedly reduced presence of Wolbachia in treatment groups.

Conclusions

All DOXY dosages can be considered effective in reducing Wolbachia on both tested dates (30 and 60 days). On the basis of the further reduction of Wolbachia levels in adult D. immitis, the 1-month rest period in the AHS heartworm treatment guidelines is beneficial. Wolbachia can still be detected on day 60 in all dosage groups.

Graphical Abstract
Tradable performance standards for a greener transportation sector: an economists’ appraisal of the German greenhouse gas mitigation quota
Authors: Liepold Constanze , Fabianek Paul , Madlener Reinhard
Published: February 2025

Background

The greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation quota is a unique instrument in Europe that redistributes money from high emission to low emission fuel markets while forcing fuel distributors to reduce the average emissions of their fuels. This paper presents the design of the German 2022 GHG quota, places it in the context of environmental policy instruments, and examines its impact on the affected fuel markets in relation to other environmental policy instruments. We aim to provide insights that can be applied in industry and policymaking, and to provide a basis for further research, to highlight GHG quota trading as an alternative to allowance trading and carbon taxes. Field research was conducted in the form of expert interviews. Furthermore, intermediaries and brokers were contacted via email and asked for transaction data. In addition, a qualitative literature review was conducted and publications of responsible authorities as well as relevant legal texts were used to gather information.

Results

We find that the GHG quota trading overlaps with the structures behind emission standards and emission trading schemes and, therefore, falls under the category of tradable performance standards. However, it also contains aspects of a subsidy and interacts directly or indirectly with several different markets.

Conclusions

While the GHG quota trading system shows potential as an environmental policy tool, its effectiveness is hindered by market complexities and external disruptions. Addressing these challenges through targeted research and policy adjustments could enhance its impact and alignment with broader climate goals.
Successful desensitization to horse antithymocyte globulin for aplastic anemia: two case reports and literature review
Authors: Yuyama Satoshi , Oura Mitsuaki , Isezaki Tatsuya , Ikeda Daisuke , Kitahara Kanayuki , Funakoshi Ryohkan , Matsue Kosei
Published: February 2025

Background

Horse antithymocyte globulin (hATG) is an important therapeutic option for aplastic anemia (AA). However, hATG carries the risk of fatal anaphylaxis, and skin tests are performed to identify high-risk patients. We report on the successful desensitization of two AA patients with positive skin tests to hATG.

Case presentation

Case 1: A 72-year-old man with a history of successful treatment with rabbit ATG was referred for pancytopenia. Neutrophil, reticulocyte, and platelet counts were 546 /µL, 32,000 /µL, and 19,000 /µL, despite the oral administration of eltrombopag and cyclosporine. Bone marrow biopsy showed hypocellularity, and he was diagnosed with relapsed severe AA. Case 2: A 69-year-old man was referred for anemia and thrombocytopenia, and diagnosed with non-severe AA. Neutrophil, reticulocyte, and platelet counts were 2,044 /µL, 23,000 /µL, and 37,000 /µL. Bone marrow biopsy revealed hypocellularity. Neither patient had a history of allergy, and the skin prick test (SPT) of hATG was negative, but the intradermal test (IDT) was positive. The result of the IDT in case 2 was reproducible. They received hATG desensitization under close monitoring of vital signs in our high-care unit. The protocol consisted of gradually increasing doses of hATG (four intradermal, two subcutaneous, and four intravenous (IV) push) and some premedications prior to administration of the full dose IV drip. They completed the course without developing any systemic allergic reactions.

Conclusions

Despite the risk of anaphylaxis, hATG desensitization can be beneficial in AA patients with a positive skin test, especially when no alternative is available or hATG is preferred.
Predictors of attendance at the first follow-up and poor visual outcome after paediatric cataract surgery in Kinshasa for the years 2001–2021
Authors: Schulz Helene , Rakuša Elena , Frech Stefanie , Stahnke Thomas , Kilangalanga Ngoy J. , Guthoff Rudolf F. , Doblhammer Gabriele
Published: February 2025

Background

About 90% of blind children come from low- and middle-income countries. The main cause of childhood blindness is cataract. Cataract surgery can improve vision, but regular follow-up is necessary. Low attendance at follow-up is a medical and statistical challenge, as missing information can lead to biased results. Two research questions arise: what social factors influence attendance at first follow-up? What social factors influence a poor outcome of visual acuity at first follow-up?

Methods

An observational cohort study was conducted, and the total base population was analysed. The study includes children who received cataract surgery at Saint Joseph Hospital (Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo) from 2001 to 2021. Cox regression was used to examine attendance at the first follow-up (n = 1100 operated eyes), ordinal logistic regression to analyse visual acuity at the first follow-up (n = 699 operated eyes), both clustered by patient identification number. Due to the high number of missing values, multiple imputation was performed as a sensitivity analysis.

Results

Female sex, young age, very good visual acuity after surgery, and disease in both eyes led to lower attendance at follow-up. Poor visual acuity outcome at follow-up was associated with female sex, young age, poor financial situation, blindness after surgery and nystagmus.

Conclusions

As regular follow-up is crucial for an improved visual acuity outcome, it is recommended that special attention needs to be paid to the groups identified in our analysis to better integrate them into follow-up. In particular, the higher risk of poor outcome in younger children is surprising and requires further analysis.
Cellular Uptake and Trafficking of Lipid Nanocarriers Using High-Resolution Electron Microscopy
Authors: Faber Thilo , Lamprecht Alf
Published: February 2025

Lipid based nanocarriers are a commonly used drug delivery system with cargos ranging from small molecules to complex RNA-based therapies. There are several hypotheses how such carriers can enter the cell, in which organelles they reside, and how they cross or escape the endo-lysosomal system. To provide additional insights, the cell-nanocarrier interplay was visualized exemplarily with lipid-based nanocarriers and macrophage-like cultured cells (J774A.1 cells) using high resolution electron microscopy. Nanocarrier uptake into J774A.1 cells was detectable after the first 15 min by intracellular accumulation of electron-dense material. These accumulations were identified as lysosomes and lipid droplets, indicating complete degradation and a subsequent formation of storage organelles as early as 15 min. Inhibition of lysosomal acid lipase did not block lipid droplet formation, but rather resulted in accumulation of lipid droplets within lysosomes. This suggests that other cellular lipases already degrade acylglycerols before they reach lysosomes. Chloroquine co-treatment allowed visualization of nanocarriers inside endosomal vesicles, multivesicular bodies, and lysosomes.

Graphical Abstract
“Sterile in Spanish Hands”
Authors: Mareite Thomas
Published: February 2025

This article examines schemes for reviving the French imperial presence in the Caribbean against the backdrop of the Haitian Revolution. It analyzes a series of memoranda sent to French ministries by imperial officials and former Saint-Domingue colonists that articulated ambitious visions of empire both before and after Haiti's independence. During a historical juncture that marked the apparent retreat of the French presence in the Western Hemisphere, proposals circulated in French ministries and colonial offices advocating the establishment of new diplomatic and territorial footholds across the Spanish Caribbean, especially in Cuba, with the intent of giving new life to French imperial projects in the Caribbean. Including both unsolicited and commissioned works, these proposals envisioned Spanish Caribbean colonies as new imperial possessions for the French empire that aimed at replicating Saint-Domingue on new lands or, alternatively, as launching pads for broader plans of reconquest of the lost “Pearl of the Antilles.” Key to these prospective schemes was the ubiquitous presence of a community of exiled French colonists across the Spanish Caribbean, especially in eastern Cuba, which underpinned visions of productive improvement under French rule and the foundation of new territorial footholds supporting renewed French imperial designs in the Western Hemisphere.
Hommes algériens, femmes françaises
Authors: André Marc
Published: February 2025

Précis

A rebours de travaux en sciences humaines et sociales ayant figé les migrants algériens en France dans leur statut officiel de « célibataires », cet article montre combien les échanges étaient fréquents avec les femmes métropolitaines dans les années 1950–60. Il s'appuie sur des sources qui, bien que n'ayant aucunement pour objet les relations sentimentales ou sexuelles des migrants comme des métropolitaines, n'en révèlent pas moins la fréquence de ces relations : parce que les milliers de dossiers d'enquêtes policières centralisés par le ministère de l'Intérieur durant la guerre d'indépendance algérienne s'intéressent aux fréquentations et emplois du temps des victimes, suspects ou coupables, de nombreux couples mixtes apparaissent. Ces couples contractualisés ou non, légitimes ou non, durables ou non, façonnent une réalité historique autrement peu visible et permettent de se défaire des catégories figées par le pouvoir colonial au profit d'une microsociologie des relations dans un contexte particulier, celui de la guerre d'indépendance. Cet article permet d'approfondir nos connaissances sur une société française plurielle marquée par la colonisation, l'immigration et la guerre, comme sur les conséquences de la guerre dans l'intimité des individus. Il rééquilibre enfin les représentations en redonnant aux immigrés algériens et aux femmes françaises toute leur place dans l'histoire.
“Défendons Notre Liberté par la Force”
Authors: Azzarelli Andrea
Published: February 2025

At the beginning of the twentieth century, large parts of the world witnessed a wave of strikes. In response, groups of independent trade unionists, private industrial security forces, and associations of strikebreakers created new practices to defend social stability and private property. This article focuses on the strikebreaking associations active in France before World War I. It examines the nature of the nineteenth-century French state, describing the patterns of collaboration between authorities and strikebreakers. It concentrates on the actions of two Parisian groups: the Liberté du Travail, founded in 1908 by Jean Allembert, and the Bourse Libre du Travail de Paris, founded in 1911 by Pierre Lambert. Mainly present in the Parisian public works sector, these two groups were capable of violence and provided effective labor replacement. The article argues that French police forces were willing to cooperate with such violent private forces and shows that public authorities sought hegemony over violence rather than a complete monopoly.
The Colonial Enlightenment and Slavery in Eighteenth-Century Mauritius
Authors: La Hausse de Lalouvière Joseph
Published: February 2025

The fall of the Compagnie des Indes after the Seven Years’ War prompted a crown takeover of the Mascarene Islands in the Indian Ocean. The new royal administration in Ile de France (modern Mauritius) turned to natural and economic science to increase the island's productivity and improve the condition of enslaved people. However, a network of colonists and ex-Company men, represented by the Mauritian-born landholder Joseph-François Charpentier de Cossigny, embedded themselves in the apparatus of enlightened reforms. In the absence of an established plantation system on the island, they exploited the persistence of Company-style patrimonialism to obtain public subsidies for their investments in slavery. Cossigny framed the horticultural, commercial, ethnographic, and scientific research he conducted as public service. His critics denounced it as rent seeking. Lobbying for Mascarene slaveholders in Paris during the Revolution convinced Cossigny that the Enlightenment could be more than an extension of economic claims making; it could be mobilized to reinvent Atlantic slavery in the Indian Ocean. An Enlightenment born of colonialism on the periphery of the plantation complex thus flowed into an emerging antiabolitionist movement.
ETV4 and ETV5 orchestrate FGF-mediated lineage specification and epiblast maturation during early mouse development
Authors: Simon Claire S. , Hur Woonyung , Garg Vidur , Kuo Ying-Yi , Niakan Kathy K. , Hadjantonakis Anna-Katerina
Published: February 2025

Cell fate decisions in early mammalian embryos are tightly regulated processes crucial for proper development. While FGF signaling plays key roles in early embryo patterning, its downstream effectors remain poorly understood. Our study demonstrates that the transcription factors Etv4 and Etv5 are critical mediators of FGF signaling in cell lineage specification and maturation in mouse embryos. We show that loss of Etv5 compromises primitive endoderm formation at pre-implantation stages. Furthermore, Etv4/5 deficiency delays naïve pluripotency exit and epiblast maturation, leading to elevated NANOG and reduced OTX2 expression within the blastocyst epiblast. As a consequence of delayed pluripotency progression, Etv4/5 deficient embryos exhibit anterior visceral endoderm migration defects post-implantation, a process essential for coordinated embryonic patterning and gastrulation initiation. Our results demonstrate the successive roles of these FGF signaling effectors in early lineage specification and embryonic body plan establishment, providing new insights into the molecular control of mammalian development.
What makes a competent aquatic invader? Considering saline niches of invertebrates and ray-finned fishes
Authors: Freire Carolina A.
Published: February 2025

Aquatic invasive species are of growing concern globally, especially in fresh water. The problem is intensified by climate change, which often causes salinization of coastal fresh waters. Animals deal with salinity through the function of osmoregulation, and osmoregulatory ability can be informative when considering invasive potential. A species is said to be ‘euryhaline’ if it can tolerate a wide range of salinities, either through osmoregulation (tightly controlling its extracellular fluid osmolality) or osmoconformation (matching the osmotic concentration of its internal fluids with that of the environment). Euryhaline animals display a large fundamental saline niche (FSN); i.e. a wide physiological tolerance of salinity change. However, the range of salinities of the habitats where a species actually occurs define its realized saline niche (RSN). Importantly, aquatic species living in stable habitats (i.e. those with little variation in salinity) will have a small RSN, but may have large FSNs, depending on their evolutionary history. Species with large FSNs are more likely to be successful invaders of new habitats with different salinities. Here, I propose the term ‘osmotic comfort’ as a concept that is associated with the FSN. The core of the FSN corresponds to ∼100% osmotic comfort, or ‘optimum salinity’, putatively meaning minimum stress. Physiological markers of osmotic comfort can provide raw data for mechanistic niche modelling in aquatic habitats. A species with a larger FSN is more likely to remain ‘osmotically comfortable’ in a different saline habitat, and is less likely to suffer local extinction in fresh waters, for example, that undergo salinization.
Recruitment strategies used to enrol healthy volunteers in the first pneumococcal human infection study in Africa: Lessons from Blantyre, Malawi
Authors: Nsomba Edna , Chirwa Anthony E. , Ngoliwa Clara , Nkhoma Vitumbiko , Liwonde Pemphero , Mangani Edward , Reuben Modesta , Chimgoneko Lorensio , Makhaza Lumbani , Kudowa Evaristar , Henrion Marc Y R , Toto Neema , Gordon Stephen B. , Dula Dingase ,   Malawi Accelerated Research in Vaccines, Experimental Laboratory Systems (MARVELS) consortium
Published: February 2025

Background Human Infection Studies (HIS) also known as Controlled Human Infection Models (CHIM) are a relatively new concept in African countries to clinicians, scientists, and communities alike. We have introduced HIS/CHIM studies to Malawi during the last four years by developing an experimental human pneumococcal carriage model. This CHIM was used to test the efficacy of a licensed 13-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV13) against experimental nasal pneumococcal carriage. Traditional and digital recruitment strategies into this novel trial were explored. Objectives To describe various methods of recruitment in this first CHIM study in Malawi. Methods The clinical trial within the context of which these data were recorded was registered with the Pan African Clinical Trials Registry (REF: PACTR202008503507113) on 03 August 2020. The project was conducted at the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme (MLW) in Blantyre, Malawi between April 2021, and September 2022. Source populations were college students and community members within Blantyre. Recruitment strategies included sharing study information in written or visual form, community sensitization meetings, snowball contacts (word of mouth from previous volunteers), branded clothing and participating in radio and television programs. Results 299 volunteers attended screening clinic, of whom 278 were recruited. Sixty-six recruited volunteers (23.7%) were college students and 212 (76.3%) were from the community. Snowball word-of-mouth contacting was the most successful recruitment strategy, with 201 (72.3%) participants recruited using this method. 195 (70.1%) were men of whom 149 (76.4%) joined the study through snowballing. Conclusion or recommendation Using a variety of recruitment strategies led to successful recruitment in this novel controlled human infection study. Most participants were recruited through snowballing.
The genome sequence of a diving beetle, Liopterus haemorrhoidalis (Fabricius, 1787)
Authors: Turner Clive R. , Barclay Maxwell V. L. , Cristóvão Joana P. , Geiser Michael F. ,   Natural History Museum Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Management, Samples and Laboratory team,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: Sequencing Operations,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Core Informatics team,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: February 2025

We present a genome assembly from a male Liopterus haemorrhoidalis (diving beetle; Arthropoda; Insecta; Coleoptera; Dytiscidae). The genome sequence has a total length of 1,020.11 megabases. Most of the assembly (99.11%) is scaffolded into 16 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the X sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 16.54 kilobases in length.
Descriptive geometry
Authors: Sal'kov Nikolay
Published: February 2025

The dictionary contains definitions of the vast majority of concepts used in descriptive geometry. The articles are arranged in alphabetical order within each section.
For students of the architectural field of study. It can be useful for students of other fields, as well as for teachers of geometric and graphic disciplines and anyone interested in geometry.