bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Community size and disturbance history jointly explain the interplay between stochastic and deterministic community variation in benthic invertebrates
Authors: Villsen Kurt , Bêche Leah , Archambaud-Suard Gaït , Daufresne Martin
Published: December 2024

Community ecology has so far struggled to integrate both deterministic and stochastic processes into a global model of community variation. To address this issue, we aimed to characterise the ecological conditions that determine the relative importance of deterministic and stochastic community variation in benthic macroinvertebrates. We sampled macroinvertebrate and algal periphyton communities, and microhabitat conditions at monthly intervals over a five year period in two sampling sites in the regulated Durance River and one site in the Asse River (a natural tributary of the Durance). The relative importance of stochastic and deterministic processes was estimated over time as functional and taxonomic spatial β‐deviation (i.e. β‐diversityobs − mean β‐diversitynull/SD β‐diversitynull) for each sampling date and site. We additionally quantified deterministic variation as the trait–environment relationship and predicted a positive correlation with β‐deviation metrics. We found evidence of overdispersal in both functional and taxonomic β‐diversities compared to null expectations. Spatial β‐deviation was highly variable over temporal scales and was jointly explained by invertebrate community size, disturbance (i.e. flooding), periphyton diversity and to a lesser extent, microhabitat diversity. The key factor that explained β‐deviation was recent river discharge (< 90 days), which had a strong negative effect on community size but was also directly associated with higher β‐deviation, likely related to recolonization processes post‐flood. Lastly, we found that when β‐deviation was high, the hydraulic trait–environment relationship was stronger. This indicates that spatial heterogeneity in hydraulic conditions was the main driver of deterministic variation in invertebrate community structure. This study demonstrates that the importance of stochastic processes can vary greatly over short (~ months) and long (~ years) temporal windows with significant consequences for trait–environment relationships. Our study provides an example of how stochastic community variation can be modelled to better interpret deterministic patterns of community structure in natural communities.
Treatment of Type IV Fragility Fractures of Pelvis With Robotic‐Assisted Minimally Invasive Triangular Fixation
Authors: Tian Wei , Jia Feng‐Shuang , Zheng Jia‐Ming , Liu Zhao‐Jie , Jia Jian
Published: December 2024

Objective

Type IV fragility fractures of pelvis (FFP IV) are serious and complicated and the treatment is challengeable. Robotic‐assisted minimally invasive triangular fixation (RoboTFX) is a new and advanced technique to treat this injury. The objective of this report is to evaluate the clinical outcomes of FFP IV treated with RoboTFX.

Methods

From March 2017 to December 2022, 22 consecutive patients with FFP IV were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical method employed (RoboTFX or robotic‐assisted minimally invasive iliosacral screws, RoboISS). Between two groups, we compared clinical data on operation time, intraoperative bleeding, intraoperative fluoroscopy time, favorable fracture healing rate, implant loosening rate, and Majeed pelvic outcome score.

Results

All operations were undertaken from 3 to 15 days (average 5.7 ± 1.7 days) following primary injuries. All patients were followed up continuously 15 months. The average surgical time was 125.3 ± 15.5 (55–190) min in group RoboTFX, 137.1 ± 17.2 min in group RoboISS (p > 0.05). The average amount of intraoperative bleeding was 320.4 ± 25.2 (50–550) mL in group RoboTFX, 302.4 ± 21.5 (50–500) mL in Group 2 (p > 0.05). The average intraoperative fluoroscopy time of the two groups was 23.3 ± 4.5 (15–35) s in group RoboTFX and 40.3 ± 3.8 (10–75) s in group RoboISS (p < 0.05). No patients experienced loss of reduction, 5 of 40 screws had implant loosening in group RoboTFX, meanwhile 13 of 48 screws had implant loosening in Group 2. Four of 20 vertical sacral fractures were healed undesirable including 2 nonunion and the favorable healing rate of 80% in group RoboTFX, meanwhile 8 of 24 fractures were undesirable including 4 nonunion and the favorable healing rate was 66.7% in group RoboISS. Implant loosening rate in the RoboTFX group were all significantly better than those of the RoboISS group (p < 0.05). There were no occurrences of wound infection in both groups, and Majeed scores for the last follow‐up were 76.2 ± 3.4 in group RoboTFX and 74.2 ± 2.7 in group RoboISS (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

RoboTFX has the advantages of less intraoperative fluoroscopy and implant loosening rate compared to RoboISS which is better than other methods. We thus recommend RoboTFX as an effective option for treating FFP IV. However, the indications of its operation should be strictly evaluated.
The Health‐Related Quality of Life for Cemented Versus Uncemented Hemiarthroplasty in Elderly Patients With Femoral Neck Fractures: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Samaheen Mohanad , Mohammad Maen , Salzmann Mikhail , Ramadanov Nikolai
Published: December 2024

Objective

Femoral neck fractures in the elderly are a global health issue, with the choice between cemented and uncemented hemiarthroplasty remaining a topic of debate. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aims to compare the effects of the two surgical options on health‐related quality of life (HRQoL), mortality, and functional outcomes.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing cemented with uncemented hemiarthroplasty in patients aged 50 years and older with femoral neck fractures. The primary outcome of interest was HRQoL as measured by the European Quality of Life 5‐Dimension Questionnaire (EQ‐5D) score. Secondary outcomes included mortality, surgical, general, and local complications.

Results

We included 20 RCTs with a total of 3680 patients with femoral neck fractures, of whom 1871 (50.5%) underwent cemented and 1809 (49.5%) uncemented hemiarthroplasty. The follow‐up ranged from 1 to 6 years. The early (after 3–4 months) EQ‐5D utility score (MD 0.07; 95% CI 0.03–0.12; p = 0.003; I
2 = 22%) and the 12‐month EQ‐5D utility score (MD 0.08; 95% CI 0.00–0.16; p = 0.04; I
2 = 67%) suggested an improved HRQoL in the cemented hemiarthroplasty group. The outcomes of 1‐year mortality, requirement for additional surgeries, surgery duration, risk of pulmonary embolism, pressure sores or ulcers, intraoperative fractures, and periprosthetic or postoperative fractures demonstrated significant differences between the two groups.

Conclusions

The use of cemented hemiarthroplasty in patients with femoral neck fractures presented better results when compared to uncemented hemiarthroplasty in terms of HRQoL during the first year after surgery and greater mortality reduction at 1 year follow‐up and reduced the need for further surgery. Therefore, the use of cemented hemiarthroplasty may be preferred for the treatment of femoral neck fractures in elderly patients.
A novel transcription factor OsMYB73 affects grain size and chalkiness by regulating endosperm storage substances' accumulation‐mediated auxin biosynthesis signalling pathway in rice
Authors: Liu Song , Wu Jiamin , Mawia Amos Musyoki , Wei Xiangjin , Cao Ruijie , Jiao Guiai , Wu Yawen , Zhang Jian , Xie Lihong , Sheng Zhonghua , Hu Shikai , Li Sanfeng , Lv Yusong , Lu Feifei , Chen Yujuan , Fiaz Sajid , Tabassum Javaria , Du Zhimin , Gao Fangyuan , Ren Guangjun , Shao Gaoneng , Hu Peisong , Tang Shaoqing
Published: December 2024

Enhanced grain yield and quality traits are everlasting breeding goals. It is therefore of great significance to uncover more genetic resources associated with these two important agronomic traits. Plant MYB family transcription factors play important regulatory roles in diverse biological processes. However, studies on genetic functions of MYB in rice yield and quality are rarely to be reported. Here, we investigated a nucleus‐localized transcription factor OsMYB73 which is preferentially expressed in the early developing pericarp and endosperm. We generated targeted mutagenesis of OsMYB73 in rice, and the mutants had longer grains with obvious white‐belly chalky endosperm appearance phenotype. The mutants displayed various changes in starch physicochemical characteristics and lipid components. Transcriptome sequencing analysis showed that OsMYB73 was chiefly involved in cell wall development and starch metabolism. OsMYB73 mutation affects the expression of genes related to grain size, starch and lipid biosynthesis and auxin biosynthesis. Moreover, inactivation of OsMYB73 triggers broad changes in secondary metabolites. We speculate that rice OsMYB73 and OsNF‐YB1 play synergistic pivotal role in simultaneously as transcription activators to regulate grain filling and storage compounds accumulation to affect endosperm development and grain chalkiness through binding OsISA2, OsLTPL36 and OsYUC11. The study provides important germplasm resources and theoretical basis for genetic improvement of rice yield and quality. In addition, we enriches the potential biological functions of rice MYB family transcription factors.
Radiotherapy‐Induced Stevens–Johnson Syndrome/ Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis in an Adolescent Girl With Diffuse Glioma of the Pons
Authors: Chiong Terri , Koh Mark Jean Ann
Published: December 2024

Radiotherapy is a rare cause of Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS)/ toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), especially in the pediatric age group. Most of the reported cases were concomitantly started on anti‐epileptic drugs. Herein, we present a case of radiotherapy induced SJS/TEN in an adolescent girl in the absence of anti‐epileptic drug use. Radiotherapy should be included as a potential cause for SJS/TEN, recognizing the important impact on management of the underlying malignancy.
Light responses during early day phases of CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED 1 (CCA1) and PSEUDO‐RESPONSE REGULATOR (PRR) homologous genes in the moss Physcomitrium patens
Authors: Chiso Katsuhiro , Yamashino Takafumi , Suzuki Ryo , Gans Tanja , Trogu Silvia , Hughes Jon , Aoki Setsuyuki
Published: December 2024

Circadian clocks facilitate organisms' adaptation to the day‐night environmental cycle. Some of the component genes of the clocks (“clock genes”) respond directly to changes in ambient light, supposedly allowing the clocks to synchronize to and/or oscillate robustly in the environmental cycle. In the dicotyledonous model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, the clock genes CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED 1 (CCA1), LATE ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL (LHY) and PSEUDO‐RESPONSE REGULATOR 9 (PRR9) show transient expression in response to the morning light. Here we studied light responses of CCA1a/CCA1b and PRR2, homologous genes to CCA1/LHY and PRR9, respectively, in the moss Physcomitrium patens. We found that light of different wavelengths induced PRR2 while they repressed CCA1a/CCA1b. A disruption strain lacking all phytochrome genes lost PRR2 induction, but still maintained CCA1a/CCA1b repression. The remaining light repression of CCA1a/CCA1b was impaired by the photosynthesis inhibitor 3‐(3,4‐dichlorophenyl)‐1,1‐dimethylurea. Probably therefore, a phytochrome signaling induces PRR2, whereas a photosynthesis‐mediated signaling represses CCA1a/CCA1b. Conservation and divergence in the clock gene responses between P. patens and A. thaliana are discussed.
Can rules ground moral obligations?
Authors: Robinson Luke
Published: December 2024

What are the principles that ground our moral obligations? One obvious answer is that they are prescriptive rules that govern conduct by imposing obligations much like (certain) legal rules govern conduct by imposing legal obligations. This rule conception of moral principles merits our attention for at least three reasons. It's the obvious and most straightforward way to develop the analogy between morality and law, and between moral principles and legal rules. It appears to fit some prominent theories of morality and justice (e.g., Brad Hooker's rule‐consequentialism, David Gauthier's contractarianism, and John Rawls's contractualism), and thus to possibly derive support from its fit with them. And it promises to account for the ability of moral principles to do the explanatory, counterfactual‐supporting, and necessity‐grounding work that they do. Moreover, it seems to be an integral part of some prominent theories (e.g., those of Gauthier, Kant, and Christine Korsgaard). However, I will argue that we should reject it. Moreover, by warranting the rejection of an obvious rival, the arguments presented herein strengthen the case for a dispositional (or powers) conception of moral principles, and perhaps for certain other conceptions, as well.
Polite Disagreement: How Sellers Manage Conflict in Social Media Sales
Authors: Tasyarasita Aulia Zahra , Djatmika Djatmika , Yulianti Wiwik
Published: December 2024

This study explores how sellers manage polite disagreement in online sales transactions on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The research aims to examine the use of politeness strategies in online text-based communication, particularly in expressing disagreement. A case study approach was employed, with data collected from sellers through questionnaires and screenshots of their transaction interactions. Content analysis was used to categorize disagreement speech acts and politeness strategies based on Searle’s speech act theory, Chen’s disagreement theory, and Brown & Levinson’s politeness theory. The findings revealed that sellers primarily employ negative politeness strategies, particularly in situations involving direct disagreement, to soften the face-threatening nature of disagreement. The use of negative politeness allows sellers to maintain relationships with buyers while conveying disagreement in a non-confrontational manner. This research underscores the importance of understanding the context in more detail, especially in studying speech in online buying and selling. The separation between situational context and cultural context as offered in this research is an alternative way to study polite disagreement in online discourse.
Literature Review: A Study of YouTube Utilization for Livestock and Agricultural Businesses
Authors: Arlena Wenny Maya , Muljono Pudji , Sarwoprasodjo Sarwititi , Herawati Tin
Published: December 2024

Social media has become a technology-based communication channel, increasing the digital economy and bringing significant changes to various aspects of life, including the learning and development of livestock and agricultural businesses. Social media, especially YouTube, has been recognized as a reliable communication medium even when traditional media fails to convey messages. Although YouTube is recognized as a medium for learning, marketing, and community empowerment, research exploring its use to share technical knowledge and business practices in the livestock and agricultural sector still needs to be completed. This study seeks to fill this gap by exploring how livestock and agricultural business actors can utilize YouTube as a platform for education, skills development, and sharing specific experiences in this sector. This study uses the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) method to conduct a systematic literature review using YouTube in the livestock and agricultural sector. The data collection stages in this systematic literature review were carried out using the Scopus.com search engine. The literature review results show that YouTube has proven to be a significant tool for farmers and ranchers in accessing technical information, learning about new techniques, and improving product marketing.
Mabuchi Kähler solitons versus extremal Kähler metrics and beyond
Authors: Apostolov Vestislav , Lahdili Abdellah , Nitta Yasufumi
Published: December 2024

Using the Yau–Tian–Donaldson type correspondence for ‐solitons established by Han–Li, we show that a smooth complex ‐dimensional Fano variety admits a Mabuchi soliton provided it admits an extremal Kähler metric whose scalar curvature is strictly less than . Combined with previous observations by Mabuchi and Nakamura in the other direction, this gives a characterization of the existence of Mabuchi solitons in terms of the existence of extremal Kähler metrics on Fano manifolds. An extension of this correspondence to ‐solitons is also obtained.
Thermodynamic formalism for subsystems of expanding Thurston maps and large deviations asymptotics
Authors: Li Zhiqiang , Shi Xianghui , Zhang Yiwei
Published: December 2024

Expanding Thurston maps were introduced by Bonk and Meyer with motivation from complex dynamics and Cannon's conjecture from geometric group theory via Sullivan's dictionary. In this paper, we introduce subsystems of expanding Thurston maps motivated via Sullivan's dictionary as analogs of some subgroups of Kleinian groups. We use thermodynamic formalism to prove the Variational Principle and the existence of equilibrium states for strongly irreducible subsystems and real‐valued Hölder continuous potentials. Here, the sphere is equipped with a natural metric, called a visual metric, introduced by Bonk and Meyer. As an application, we establish large deviation asymptotics for expanding Thurston maps.
Loss of mucin 2 and MHC II molecules causes rare resistance to murine RV infection
Authors: Bomidi Carolyn , Sawyer Faith M. , Shroyer Noah , Conner Margaret , Estes Mary K. , Blutt Sarah E.
Published: December 2024

Enteric pathogen rotavirus (RV) primarily infects mature enterocytes at the tips of the intestinal villi; however, the role of secretory Paneth and goblet cells in RV pathogenesis remains unappreciated. Atoh1 knockout mice (Atoh1cKO) were used to conditionally delete Paneth, goblet, and enteroendocrine cells in the epithelium to investigate the role of secretory cells in RV infection. Unexpectedly, the number of infected enterocytes and the amount of RV shedding in the stool were greatly decreased following secretory cell deletion. Resistance to RV infection persisted for 7 days after virus inoculation, and Atoh1 knockout mice co-housed with infected wild-type mice were uninfected, based on lack of shedding virus, despite the highly infectious nature of RV. This response was directly proportional to the extent of secretory cell deletion, with infection predominantly occurring in areas containing intact secretory cells. RV infection of
Muc2
knockout mice recapitulated the secretory cell deletion phenotype, indicating that goblet cell loss is responsible for attenuated infection. Transcriptome analysis of Atoh1cKO intestine via single-cell RNA sequencing revealed downregulation of MHC II molecules specifically in tip enterocytes, and MHC II
-/-
mice were likewise resistant to RV infection. These data suggest a previously unknown role for both MUC2 and MHC II expression in susceptibility to RV infection.

IMPORTANCE

Rotavirus (RV) is a highly contagious pathogen that primarily infects mature intestinal enterocytes. Murine rotavirus readily infects infant and adult mice, enabling evaluation of RV infection and immunity. We report that mice lacking secretory cells are one of the few genetically modified mouse lines not susceptible to murine rotavirus. Further investigation revealed loss of mucin 2 (MUC2) expression or major histocompatibility complex II (MCH II) expression recapitulated this rare resistance to rotavirus infection, suggesting a previously unrecognized link between secretory cell products and major histocompatibility complex II expression. Furthermore, these mouse models provide a platform to investigate rotavirus pathogenesis.
Complete genome sequence of hydroquinonesulfonate-assimilating bacterium,
Delftia lacustris
HQS1
Authors: Takeo Masahiro , Ohtaki Seiwa , Ishizawa Hidehiro
Published: December 2024

We report the complete genome assembly of a hydroquinonesulfonate-assimilating bacterium,
Delftia lacustris
strain HQS1. This strain contains one circular chromosome (6,979,964 bp) and one circular plasmid (39,999 bp). The chromosomal sequence contained 6,359 coding sequences and a gene cluster involved in the degradation of gentisate, which is structurally similar to hydroquinonesulfonate.
Complete genome sequence of fluoroacetate-degrading
Caballeronia
sp. S22 strain (DSM 8341) as a reference resource for investigations of microbial defluorination
Authors: Badel Catherine , Bocconetti Enrico , Khodr Radi , Husser Claire , Ryckelynck Michael , Vuilleumier Stéphane
Published: December 2024

A complete genome sequence of
Caballeronia
sp. strain S22 capable of growing with fluoroacetate as the sole source of carbon and energy was obtained by PacBio technology. It consists of seven circular replicons totaling 9,367 kb, with a gene cluster involved in fluoroacetate utilization on its smallest 172 kb plasmid.
Cappable-seq RNA-sequencing data sets of
Escherichia coli
K-12 MG1655 treated with novobiocin, tetracycline, and rifampicin
Authors: Balkin Alexander , Plotnikov Andrey , Konnova Tatiana , Shagimardanova Elena , Hamo Hamza , Gogolev Yuri , Gogoleva Natalia
Published: December 2024

Mapping transcription start sites and determining their activity remain a challenging task even for well-studied organisms. Here, we present Cappable-seq RNA sequencing data of
Escherichia coli
K-12 MG1655 after treatment with three antibiotics with various spectra of action that may expand the range of mapped transcription start sites for this model organism.
Culture collection containing 1,240 isolates from healthy Canadian laying hens
Authors: Feng Zhixuan (Tiffany) , Suh Jinha , Ronholm Jennifer
Published: December 2024

The pure culture of prokaryotes is essential to understanding their physiology. To facilitate research into better understanding the roles of individual bacteria in the gastric microbiome in chickens, we have established a culture collection of 1,240 isolates from fecal samples collected from healthy laying hens from across Canada.
Construction and characterization of bioluminescent
Salmonella
Reading outbreak and non-outbreak strains
Authors: Isah Abubakar Shitu , Ramachandran Reshma , Sukumaran Anuraj Theradiyil , Kiess Aaron S. , Castañeda Claudia D. , Boltz Timothy , Macklin Kenneth S. , Abdelhamed Hossam , Zhang Li
Published: December 2024

Salmonella
enterica serotype Reading has recently been identified as a significant foodborne pathogen from contaminated poultry products. There is a critical need for close monitoring of this newly emerged pathogen. This study developed bioluminescent strains of
S.
Reading for real-time pathogen tracking using bioluminescence imaging. Two strains of
S
. Reading were used: an outbreak strain and a non-outbreak strain. The chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene was cloned into the plasmid pBS-
slp
GFP
luxABCDE
, which carries
luxABCDE
operon and an ampicillin resistance gene. The newly constructed plasmid was then transformed into the outbreak and non-outbreak strains of
S
. Reading by electroporation. The resulting colonies were confirmed by visualizing bioluminescence using an
in vivo
imaging system and by testing their resistance to chloramphenicol. These strains demonstrated a high bioluminescence level (10
8
–10
9
Photons/s/cm
2
/sr) and were tested for growth and plasmid stability by daily subculturing in Luria–Bertani medium with and without antibiotics. The plasmid remained stable for 8 days under non-selective conditions, and growth rates were comparable to non-bioluminescent parent strains in antibiotic-free conditions. However, growth was notably different in the presence of chloramphenicol, indicating successful plasmid retention and function. This study successfully created stable bioluminescent
S
. Reading strains, marking a significant step forward in monitoring and potentially reducing the spread of this emergent foodborne pathogen in the poultry industry.

IMPORTANCE

Salmonella enterica
serotype Reading has recently become a significant foodborne pathogen linked to poultry products. To enhance pathogen monitoring, this study developed bioluminescent strains of
S.
Reading by inserting the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene into a plasmid containing a bioluminescence gene cluster. These modified strains were transformed into outbreak and non-outbreak bacterial strains via electroporation. The bioluminescent strains demonstrated stable plasmid retention and high bioluminescence levels. They also showed growth comparable to their parent strains, even in the absence of antibiotics. These bioluminescent strains could potentially facilitate real-time monitoring and control of
S.
Reading in poultry industries.
Efficacy of carbonyl cyanide-3-chlorophenylhydrazone in combination with antibiotics against
Mycobacterium abscessus
Authors: Zheng Jifang , Liu Qiang , Wang Haoran , Huo Fengmin , Jia Junnan , Huang Hairong , Chen Suting
Published: December 2024

Given the intrinsic resistance of
Mycobacterium abscessus
to a wide range of conventional antibiotics, it is urgent to explore new therapeutic approaches to manage this infection effectively. Carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), a proton pump inhibitor, has shown good bacteriostatic activity against
M. abscessus
. This study aimed to determine its synergistic antimicrobial effects when combined with commonly used antibiotics. The
M. abscessus
reference strain and 39 clinical isolates were collected. The minimum inhibitory concentration and fractional inhibitory concentration index were determined for the combined treatment using CCCP with various antibiotics including clarithromycin, amikacin, linezolid, bedaquiline, and clofazimine. A time-killing assay was used to measure the effect of the combined drug regimens quantitatively. The simultaneous use of CCCP with traditional antibiotics shows a synergistic effect across a wide range, significantly boosting the ability to inhibit the growth of
M. abscessus
throughout its growth phases. When CCCP is used in combination with clarithromycin, amikacin, and linezolid, it produces a synergistic effect on both the standard strain and most clinical isolates. When CCCP is paired with bedaquiline and clofazimine, it exhibits additive effects. Moreover, high levels of CCCP in combination with other antibiotics were found to rapidly eradicate the bacteria. The use of CCCP as a potential treatment for
M. abscessus
infections shows promising results, especially when combined with other antibiotics to achieve a potent bactericidal effect.

IMPORTANCE

Mycobacterium abscessus
poses a significant public health threat due to its intrinsic resistance to a broad spectrum of conventional antibiotics. This resistance necessitates urgently exploring novel therapeutic strategies to effectively combat infections caused by this pathogen. Our previous research has identified carbonyl cyanide-3-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) as a potent direct antimicrobial agent against
M. abscessus
and as an enhancer of clarithromycin activity. Our results demonstrate that the concurrent administration of CCCP with traditional antibiotics exhibits a synergistic effect across a wide range, which could be crucial for overcoming the challenges posed by
M. abscessus
infections. Furthermore, the use of high concentrations of CCCP in combination with other antibiotics was found to rapidly eliminate
M. abscessus
, suggesting a potential therapeutic advantage. These insights not only advance our understanding of antimicrobial synergy but also hold promise for the development of more effective treatment regimens against drug-resistant
M. abscessus
infections.
Trends in the survival of very preterm infants between 2011 and 2020 in France
Authors: Butler Victoria , Gaulard Luc , Sartorius Victor , Ancel Pierre Yves , Goffinet François , Fresson Jeanne , Zeitlin Jennifer , Torchin Héloïse
Published: December 2024

Objective

The objective is to evaluate changes in survival to discharge of liveborn infants less than 32 weeks’ gestational age (GA) in France, where the latest available data on very preterm survival at a national-level are from the EPIPAGE-2(Etude épidémiologique sur les petits âges gestationnels)cohort in 2011.

Design

Population-based cohort study.

Setting

Metropolitan France in 2011, 2015 and 2020.

Patients

All births between 22 and 31 weeks’ GA using the EPIPAGE-2 cohort study for the year 2011 and hospital discharge data linked to death certificates from theSystème National des Données de Santéfor the years 2015 and 2020.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge among liveborn infants. Survival rates were compared using modified Poisson regression and adjusted for population characteristics (maternal age, multiple birth, sex, small for GA). Data on all births were examined to assess changes to the live birth rate.

Results

Survival to discharge among live births increased at 23 and 24 weeks’ GA from 1% and 31% in 2011 to 8% and 37% in 2015 and to 31% and 47% in 2020, respectively. From 25 to 28 weeks’ GA, survival rates tended to increase, but differences were not significant, and survival rates were stable from 29 to 31 weeks GA. Results were similar after adjustment. The proportion of live births versus stillbirths increased from 22 to 24 weeks’ GA.

Conclusion

Survival rates among live births improved between 2011 and 2020 from 23 to 28 weeks’ GA, with marked changes at 23 and 24 weeks’ GA.
Hyperkaliaemic cardiac arrest in Angelman’s syndrome following suxamethonium
Authors: Whitaker Dylan , Yousef Heba , Mauro Augusto
Published: December 2024

We present a case of hyperkaliaemic cardiac arrest in a patient with Angelman’s syndrome after administration of suxamethonium in rapid sequence intubation. The patient was admitted to the critical care unit in with aspiration pneumonia and intestinal obstruction. They had a cardiac arrest after suxamethonium administration. Potassium level was remarkably high (11.1 mmol/L). ROSC was achieved after 26 min of CPR and resuscitation. We discuss Angelman’s syndrome molecular pathology, especially affecting the potassium channels transmission and its relation to suxamethonium in emergency intubation.
Uncommon haemorrhagic shock following helium asphyxiation
Authors: Pacheco Catarina , Oliveira Pedro , Miranda Daniel , Adrião Diana
Published: December 2024

Helium asphyxiation as a method of suicide is an emerging health concern that demands the attention of healthcare professionals. This case report details the management of a young women who committed suicide via helium asphyxiation, resulting in a catastrophic haemorrhagic complication. Death from helium intoxication is a preventable public health issue that may not be detected by standard autopsy procedures unless specifically suspected. This report underscores a potential new complication associated with helium asphyxiation.
Isolated muscle involvement in hydatid cyst
Authors: Ertem Senay Bengın , Resorlu Mustafa , Aylanç Nilüfer , Kamis Fatih
Published: December 2024

Although hydatid cyst, caused byEchinococcus granulosus, can develop in any part of the body, involvement of the liver and lung represents approximately 90% of all cases. Involvement of the musculoskeletal system is comparatively rare. Diagnosis is difficult because symptoms are non-specific. We present a case, together with the imaging findings, in order to draw attention to the exclusion of hydatid cyst before surgery or biopsy in patients with muscular pain and a palpable mass.
Long COVID among the first three waves of COVID-19 in Japan: a multicentre cohort study
Authors: Takaoka Hatsuyo , Kawada Ichiro , Hiruma Gaku , Nagashima Kengo , Terai Hideki , Ishida Noriyuki , Namkoong Ho , Asakura Takanori , Masaki Katsunori , Miyata Jun , Chubachi Shotaro , Ohgino Keiko , Otsuka Kengo , Miyao Naoki , Odani Toshio , Watase Mayuko , Baba Rie , Okamori Satoshi , Arai Daisuke , Nakachi Ichiro , Kuwahara Naota , Fujiwara Akiko , Okada Takenori , Ishiguro Takashi , Isono Taisuke , Ishii Makoto , Sato Yasunori , Fukunaga Koichi
Published: December 2024

Objectives

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 significantly impacts Japan with a high number of infections and deaths reported. Long coronavirus disease (COVID) characterised by persistent symptoms after COVID-19 has gained recognition but varies across studies. This study aimed to investigate the differences in long COVID among patients hospitalised during Japan’s first three waves of the pandemic.

Design

Multicentre prospective cohort study.

Setting

26 medical facilities across Japan between February 2020 and February 2021.

Participants

In total, 1066 hospitalised patients diagnosed with COVID-19 were included with 206, 301 and 559 patients in the first, second and third waves, respectively. Data were collected using electronic data capture and patient-reported outcome forms.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Long COVID was assessed at 3, 6 and 12 months after COVID-19 diagnosis.

Results

Significant differences were observed between the waves in various baseline and clinical characteristics such as age, body mass index (BMI), comorbidities, the severity of COVID-19, complications and treatment during hospitalisation. Long COVID, particularly dyspnoea, was most prevalent in the first wave. Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed a significant positive association between the first wave and long COVID including dyspnoea after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, smoking status and COVID-19 severity.

Conclusions

Patients hospitalised during the first wave had a higher risk of experiencing long COVID, especially dyspnoea, than those hospitalised during the other waves. These findings underscore the need for continued monitoring and managing long COVID in COVID-19 survivors, particularly in those hospitalised during the first wave.

Trial registration number

UMIN000042299.
How do patients determine when their inhaler is empty? Insights from an analysis of returned inhalers and a patient survey
Authors: Murphy Anna C , Carroll Will , Gotsell Marissa , Potter Charles , Quint Jennifer K , Malone Rachel
Published: December 2024

Background

Inhalers are widely used for the management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, there is little knowledge about the extent to which an inhaler is used and when it is disposed of, despite the implications for an individual’s health (when used beyond the recommended number of doses (overused)), and medicine wastage, healthcare costs and the environment (when discarded with remaining doses (underused)). To explore inhaler use, we assessed the number of doses remaining in pressurised metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) returned via a Chiesi Inhaler Recycling scheme.

Methods

pMDIs were dismantled, and components recycled where possible. Each canister was weighed and the mass of the formulation remaining was calculated. pMDIs were categorised based on number of doses remaining (underused, used, empty (indicating correct use) and overused) and by dose counter presence/absence. A separate online survey was used to obtain patient feedback on inhaler use and disposal behaviours.

Results

Overall, 2614 pMDIs were analysed (55.9% maintenance, 44.1% reliever inhalers); 1015 (38.8%) had an integrated dose counter. The proportion of pMDIs returned empty was greater for inhalers with dose counters than for those without (51.3% vs 25.1%; p<0.0001); the proportion of pMDIs returned underused was lower for inhalers with dose counters than for those without (5.2% vs 33.2%; p<0.0001). The proportion of pMDIs returned overused was substantial and similar for devices with and without dose counters (34.0% vs 23.2%; p>0.01). Most respondents (55.2%) using devices without a dose counter reported that they were not confident in identifying when their inhaler was empty. Furthermore, many respondents (20.6%) who used inhalers with a dose counter reported continued use beyond ‘zero’.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that many inhalers are returned underused or overused, with inadequate knowledge among patients about the number of therapeutic doses remaining in the device and appropriate inhaler disposal. These have concerning implications for patient health and the environment and highlight a need for high-quality education for patients and healthcare professionals.
Predictive models of injury risk in male professional football players: a systematic review
Authors: Martins Francisco , Przednowek Krzysztof , Santos Francisco , França Cíntia , Martinho Diogo , Gouveia Élvio Rúbio , Marques Adilson , Sarmento Hugo
Published: December 2024

Background

One of the challenges for professional football players is injuries. Due to their influence on their teams, injuries greatly impact the sports business. This research aims to assess predictive models of injury risk in male professional football players.

Methods

A systematic literature review was performed, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The search was conducted in the PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases. Two independent reviewers screened articles, assessed eligibility and extracted data. Methodological quality was determined by the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale.

Results

26 studies met the inclusion criteria.

Discussion

Various statistical techniques were used in research on injury prediction in professional football, with logistic regression being the most used. The assessment predictors, especially the area under the receiver operating characteristic Curve, showed significant variation, which indicates the prediction models’ efficacy. The focus was frequently on lower limb injuries, where several risk predictors, including muscular strength, flexibility and global positioning system-derived data, were found to substantially impact the occurrence of injuries. Prominent predictors included age, position, physiological parameters, injury history and genetic polymorphisms.

Conclusions

This comprehensive analysis highlights the complexity of injury prediction and reinforces the necessity for football injury research to adopt a multivariate approach with accuracy and comprehensiveness.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42023465524.
Non-fatal drug overdose surveillance using hospital discharge data: a comparison between the Drug Overdose Surveillance and Epidemiology (DOSE) system and the Healthcare Cost and Utilisation Project, 18 states, 2018–2020
Authors: Quader Zerleen S , Park Joohyun , Krishnan Snehaa D , Stokes Erin , Pickens Cassandra M
Published: December 2024

Background

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Drug Overdose Surveillance and Epidemiology (DOSE) system captures non-fatal overdose data from health departments’ emergency department (ED) and inpatient hospitalisation discharge data; however, these data have not been compared with other established state-level surveillance systems, which may lag by several years depending on the state. This analysis compared non-fatal overdose rates from DOSE discharge data with rates from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) in order to compare DOSE data against an established dataset.

Methods

DOSE discharge data case definitions (ie, International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, Clinical Modification codes) for non-fatal unintentional/undetermined intent all drug, all opioid-involved, heroin-involved and stimulant-involved overdoses were applied to HCUP’s 2018−2020 State Emergency Department Databases (SEDD) and State Inpatient Databases (SID). Quarterly crude rates (per 100 000 population) and rate differences of four overdose categories were calculated for ED and inpatient data sources across 18 states included in DOSE and HCUP datasets for at least 2 consecutive years. Joinpoint regression models examined trends from 2018 through 2020, estimating average quarterly percentage change (AQPC) and 95% CIs.

Results

Quarterly crude rate differences between DOSE ED and SEDD data (across 12 states) and DOSE inpatient and SID data (across 16 states) indicated that 82% and 93% of rates, respectively, were within ±0.5 non-fatal overdoses per 100 000 population of each other. AQPC across states and drug categories were similar between the two data sources for both ED and inpatient data.

Discussion

Non-fatal overdose surveillance through DOSE discharge data may be a valid and timely source for estimating non-fatal overdoses at the state level.
Case conference and para case conference: asking different questions about disability and structural ableism
Authors: Friedner Michele
Published: December 2024

What might it mean to change the questions we ask during clinical case conferences and to ask different kinds of questions, both in case conferences and more broadly in our clinics, care conferences and research? How might conducting ‘para case conferences’ with diverse stakeholders, community members and scholars invigorate conversation and surface different kinds of concerns? By ‘para,’ I draw from all of the meanings of the prefix, including alongside of, beside, near, resembling, beyond, apart from and abnormal. In this essay, I discuss a ‘traditional’ hospital-based case conference about a young deaf woman who would like to undergo cochlear implant surgery and I compare it to two ‘para case conferences’ that I organised with disability studies scholars in the humanities, social sciences and public health, in which we analyzed the same case and had a very different discussion. I argue, drawing on disability studies, medical anthropology and disability ethics scholarship, that we must actively consider and confront the role of structural ableism and the ways that it constrains the kinds of questions and horizons of possibility we imagine for patients and for disabled flourishing more broadly.
Search for baryon junctions in e+A collisions at the electron ion collider
Authors: Magdy Niseem , Deshpande Abhay , Lacey Roy , Li Wenliang , Tribedy Prithwish , Xu Zhangbu
Published: December 2024

Constituent quarks in a nucleon are the essential elements in the standard “quark model” associated with the electric charge, spin, mass, and baryon number of a nucleon. Quantum chromodynamics (QCD) describes nucleon as a composite object containing current quarks (valence quarks and sea (anti-)quarks) and gluons. These subatomic elements and their interactions are known to contribute in complex ways to the overall nucleon spin and mass. In the early development of QCD theory in the 1970s, an alternative hypothesis postulated that the baryon number might manifest itself through a non-perturbative configuration of gluon fields forming a Y-shaped topology known as the gluon junction. In this work, we propose to test such hypothesis by measuring (i) the Regge intercept of the net-baryon distributions for e+(p)Au collisions, (ii) baryon and charge transport in the isobaric ratio between e+Ru and e+Zr collisions, and (iii) target flavor dependence of proton and antiproton yields at large rapidity, transported from the hydrogen and deuterium targets in

$$e+p$$

e
+
p

(d) collisions. Our study indicates that these measurements at the EIC can help determine what carries the baryon number.
Self-Supervised Image Segmentation Using Meta-Learning and Multi-Backbone Feature Fusion
Authors: Ajmal Muhammad Shahroz , Geng Guohua , Wang Xiaofeng , Ashraf Mohsin
Published: December 2024

Few-shot segmentation (FSS) aims to reduce the need for manual annotation, which is both expensive and time-consuming. While FSS enhances model generalization to new concepts with only limited test samples, it still relies on a substantial amount of labeled training data for base classes. To address these issues, we propose a multi-backbone few shot segmentation (MBFSS) method. This self-supervised FSS technique utilizes unsupervised saliency for pseudo-labeling, allowing the model to be trained on unlabeled data. In addition, it integrates features from multiple backbones (ResNet, ResNeXt, and PVT v2) to generate a richer feature representation than a single backbone. Through extensive experimentation on PASCAL-5i and COCO-20i, our method achieves 54.3% and 25.1% on one-shot segmentation, exceeding the baseline methods by 13.5% and 4%, respectively. These improvements significantly enhance the model’s performance in real-world applications with negligible labeling effort.
Seeking the Casimir energy
Authors: Campbell David K. , Bouche Ian , Som Abhishek , Bishop David J.
Published: December 2024

Since its first description in 1948, the Casimir effect has been studied extensively. Standard arguments for its existence hinge on the elimination of certain modes of the electromagnetic field because of the boundary conditions in the Casimir cavity. As such, it has been suggested that the ground state energy of the vacuum within the cavity may be reduced compared to the value outside. Could this have an effect on physical phenomena within the cavity? We study this Casimir energy and probe whether the critical temperature [Formula: see text] of a superconductor is altered when it is placed in the cavity. We do not detect any change in [Formula: see text] larger than 12[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]K, but theoretically expect a change on the order of 0.025[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]K, roughly 1000 times lower than our achieved sensitivity.
The energy quantization in hydrogen atom and proton–electron mass ratio in light of symmetrical special relativity
Authors: Cruz Cláudio Nassif da
Published: December 2024

In this paper, we show the existence of an invariant minimum speed in space–time by forming the basis of a deformed special relativity so-called symmetrical special relativity (SSR). Such observer-independent minimum speed emerges from Dirac’s large number hypothesis (LNH), which leads us to build SSR-theory. This allows us to understand that the hydrogen atom represents the most stable bound state in the universe as being a fundamental structure of the symmetrical space–time with two limits of speed, namely the speed of light c and a minimum speed V. Such minimum speed is associated with a background reference frame for representing the vacuum energy related to the cosmological constant. So the symmetry in space–time given by the invariant minimum speed, which has origin in the electrical and gravitational bound states in hydrogen atom is able to provide a deeper understanding of the proton-electron mass ratio, i.e. [Formula: see text] given in terms of the universal minimum speed V. Furthermore, we investigate how the minimum speed in space–time plays a fundamental role in the quantization of energy in hydrogen atom.
Analysis of an unsteady mucus flow through an isothermal channel with thermal conduction: An analytical solution
Authors: Thiyagarajan Padmavathi , Santra Shyam Sundar , Nandi Susmay , Altanji Mohamed
Published: December 2024

The human body regularly produces mucus, and its presence does not mean that something bad is going on. The boundary tissues of mammals, including the nose, throat and lungs, serve as a barrier against pollution and are produced by our respiratory system. Our work describes the flow comprehension of the components moulding the fluid elements of respiratory irresistible infections. A mathematical model is introduced to concentrate on the mucus fluid flow driven by natural convection through asymmetric channel. This study also summarized biological disorder of human lung build-up fluid. The nonlinear governing equations contain importance of heat transfer and fluid motion of mucus fluid. The analytic solutions of unsteady mucus flow through an isothermal channel with thermal conduction are accomplished adopting Laplace transform method. Significance of mucus fluid heat source thermal conductivity on momentum distribution and energy distribution is enumerated. The comparison of various dimensionless parameters is shown graphically with the help of MATLAB software. In order to provide some understanding on the behavior of mucus fluids and heat transfer mechanisms, extension of this study explores at how temperature influences mucus flow properties.