bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From gastroenteritis to myocarditis: a case series of Campylobacter-mediated cardiac involvement
Authors: Craveiro Costa Ricardo , Ribeiro Estevens Maria , Correia Marta , Cristóvão Cláudia , Saraiva Martins Duarte , Castro Faria Hugo
Published: January 2025

Background

While viruses remain the leading cause of infectious myocarditis, improved diagnostic methods have highlighted the role of bacteria as a possible cause. We report two cases of myocarditis as a complication of Campylobacter jejuni infection.

Case summaries

Patient A, a 17-year-old Caucasian male with a history of asthma, presented to the emergency department (ED) after experiencing fever and nausea for four days, followed by 1 day of diarrhoea and chest discomfort. Laboratory evaluation revealed elevated troponin levels. Transthoracic echocardiography showed left ventricular enlargement and apical dyskinesia. C. jejuni was identified in stool cultures. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the diagnosis of myocarditis. The patient was treated with furosemide and enalapril, with improvement of symptoms. Patient B, a previously healthy 14-year-old Caucasian male, presented to the ED with retrosternal chest pain lasting 2 h. He also reported a 3-day history of fever, nausea, and diarrhoea. Electrocardiography showed widespread PR-segment depression and concave ST-segment elevation. Laboratory testing revealed elevated Troponin I levels, and C. jejuni was identified in stool cultures. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging findings were consistent with acute myocarditis. The patient was treated with ibuprofen and azithromycin, leading to resolution of symptoms. Eight months later, he returned with recurrent chest pain and dry cough. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging at this time showed T1 and T2 criteria consistent with recurrent myocarditis.

Discussion

Although rare, clinicians should be aware of the potential cardiac involvement in patients with Campylobacter gastroenteritis, paying special attention to myocarditis symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath, especially in areas with elevated Campylobacter infection rates.
A case report of a rare cardiac anomaly associated with Ellis–van Creveld syndrome: common atrium, partial atrioventricular septal defect, and hypoplastic left ventricle
Authors: Kido Takashi , Toba Shuhei , Yamasaki Takato , Asada Dai , Tsumura Sanae
Published: January 2025

Background

A partial atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD) with a hypoplastic left ventricle and common atrium is a rare combination of cardiac anomalies that can be associated with Ellis–van Creveld (EVC) syndrome.

Case summary

A female neonate with EVC syndrome was diagnosed with an unbalanced AVSD and hypoplastic left ventricle. Pulmonary artery banding and ductus ligation were performed at 23 days after birth. The postoperative course was complicated by moderate atrioventricular valve (AVV) regurgitation and low cardiac output. On postoperative Day 6, emergent extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was performed to treat acute circulatory failure. Under suspicion of systemic ventricular outflow tract obstruction, the Damus–Kaye–Stansel procedure with a systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt and AVV plasty were performed. Intraoperatively, no ventricular septal defect was found. The right and left AVV orifices were found to be separated. Postoperatively, the patient could not be weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass and continued to receive ECMO support. Eight days postoperatively, a right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery shunt and division of the systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt were performed to increase the pulmonary blood flow. On postoperative Day 5, the ECMO was successfully removed under continuous infusion of adrenalin, but the patient died of severe renal failure 4 days later. The parents consented to autopsy. The heart was permanently preserved by perfusion–distention fixation and wax infiltration.

Discussion

We reported a rare combination of cardiac defects of common atrium, partial AVSD, and hypoplastic left ventricle associated with EVC syndrome. Accurately diagnosing the presence of ventricular septal defect is essential part in determining surgical treatment strategy.
High implantation of a balloon-expandable valve above the left ventricular outflow calcification improves the prosthetic valve function without increasing complications: a case series
Authors: Onishi Kyohei , Mizutani Kazuki , Soejima Naoko , Fujita Kosuke , Yasuda Masakazu , Ueno Masafumi , Sakaguchi Genichi , Nakazawa Gaku
Published: January 2025

Background

The initial outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement in patients with left ventricular outflow tract calcification are poor. Furthermore, balloon-expandable transcatheter aortic valve replacement is associated with an increased risk of annular rupture, and self-expandable transcatheter aortic valve replacement is associated with worse post-operative residual paravalvular leakage grades. Therefore, developing an optimal method for transcatheter aortic valve replacement for patients with left ventricular outflow tract calcification is desirable.

Case summary

We present two cases of successful balloon-expandable transcatheter aortic valve replacement, wherein the transcatheter heart valve was implanted above the left ventricular outflow tract calcification to avoid annular rupture and paravalvular leakage, and one case each of balloon-expandable and self-expandable transcatheter aortic valve replacements, wherein the transcatheter heart valve was implanted at a normal height. Although annular rupture did not occur in any of the cases, more-than-mild paravalvular leakage persisted post-operatively in cases where the transcatheter heart valve was placed at a normal height.

Discussion

Annular rupture is more likely to occur in areas with high calcification at the joint than in noncalcified areas. Furthermore, the greater the calcification in the landing zone of the transcatheter heart valve, the more the paravalvular leakage persists. Therefore, high implantation of transcatheter heart valves above the left ventricular outflow tract calcification can be an effective method to avoid annular rupture and paravalvular leakage.
Spinach seed microbiome characteristics linked to suppressiveness against Globisporangium ultimum damping-off
Authors: Diakaki Makrina , Andreo Jimenez Beatriz , de Lange Ezra , Butterbach Patrick , van der Heijden Liesbeth , Köhl Jürgen , de Boer Wietse , Postma Joeke
Published: January 2025

Recently we demonstrated that the seed microbiome of certain spinach (Spinacia oleracea) seed lots can confer disease suppression against Globisporangium ultimum damping-off (previously known as Pythium ultimum). We hypothesized that differences in the microbial community composition of spinach seed lots correlate with the levels of damping-off suppressiveness of each seed lot. Here, we show that a large proportion of variance in seed-associated bacterial (16S) and fungal (Internal Transcribed Spacer 1) amplicon sequences was explained by seed lot identity, while 9.8% of bacterial and 7.1% of fungal community variance correlated with disease suppression. More specifically, a higher relative abundance of basidiomycetous dimorphic yeasts such as Vishniacozyma, Filobasidium, and Papiliotrema and of the bacterial genus Massilia was a key feature of suppressive seed microbiomes. We suggest that the abundance of these genera is indicative of seed lot suppressive potential. Seed processing and treatment can become more targeted with indicator taxa being used to evaluate the presence of beneficial seed-associated microbial functions. This process, in turn, could contribute to the sustainable management of seedling diseases. Finally, this study highlights the ubiquity of yeasts in spinach seed microbiota and their potential beneficial roles for seed health.
Analytical solution approach for geomechanical response of 3-D geological model
Authors: Yan Hong , Park Joonsang , Fjær Erling , Holt Rune Martin
Published: January 2025

Understanding geomechanical response to pore pressure changes in subsurface structures is crucial for safe drilling and carbon storage operations. One of the most recognized analytical geomechanical models to understand overburden geomechanical responses to reservoir pore pressure changes is Geertsma's analytical solution, which used the ‘nucleus of strain’ concept to quantify displacements and changes in stress field in the surroundings as a result of reservoir depletion. However, the Geertsma solution is limited to isotropic conditions, no contrast between reservoir and surroundings, and homogeneous pore pressure changes, which do not fully capture heterogeneity and anisotropy of real-world subsurface with horizontally layered structures. Shale, as one of the most common caprock, exhibits vertically transverse isotropic (VTI) properties. Our work aims to enhance the ability of analytical modelling to accommodate more realistic scenarios for considering topographic changes in the subsurface. It is based on a semi-analytical solution that extends the Geertsma solution to accommodate static VTI properties with five independent elastic stiffnesses in the surroundings of the reservoir. This extension significantly enhances the ability of the model to represent the vertical stiffness variations characteristic of realistic subsurface conditions. We have applied the extended Geertsma solution through linear superposition to adapt our model for practical use in scenarios with inhomogeneous pore pressure distributions and 3-D variations in rock stiffness. We validated deformation results from our linear superposition approach by comparing them with those from a finite element numerical method under multiple scenarios. This helped evaluate the performance of the approach and identify its key limitations. After validation, we applied our approach to the Valhall field, which is known for its significant subsidence and considering complex topography. The practical application highlighted the approach's capability to accurately model realistic subsidence changes, demonstrating its utility for complex geomechanical assessments and the potential to be linked with geophysical monitoring.
Beyond the disclosure debate in donor-conception: how do we help families to discuss origin stories with their children?
Authors: Navarro-Marshall Javiera
Published: January 2025

Families have been subject to enormous transformations with the emergence of artificial reproductive technology and the appearance of donor-conceived children. These new families are challenged to disclose origins with their children and parents feel concern that conception stories might have an emotional impact on their children. Fertility counsellors still feel ill-equipped on what to recommend to parents because developmental psychology has not designed systematic evidence-based guidelines to address a three-dimensional matter: ‘what’, ‘when’, and ‘how’ to discuss conception stories. The argument developed herein is that professionals working with families in fertility clinics, could benefit from understanding these new family conversational processes of origin storytelling from these three perspectives, not only on ‘what’ and ‘when’ but also on the less elaborated ‘how’ to talk about it. For this purpose, understanding elaborative reminiscing as a specific way of talking about the past that helps children to build autobiographical memories and develop their identity might be key.
Enhancing energy sustainability: integrating concentrated solar power in Jordan’s oil shale extraction
Authors: Al-Addous Mohammad , Baqain Mais , Bdour Mathhar , Lenz Volker
Published: January 2025

This paper presents an experimental and modelling analysis of the integration of a concentrated solar power (CSP) plant into oil shale extraction in Jordan. The study examines Jordan’s proficiency in deep oil shale retorting utilizing Shell’s in-situ conversion process and determines the energy requirements for heating deep oil shale layers. A parabolic trough plant, modelled using SAM software, was designed to meet the energy demand. The plant’s annual energy output is 220 GWh, with a capital cost of $125 million and a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of 3.17 cents/kWh. The study demonstrates the technological feasibility and economic viability of the proposed integration.
Advancements in electrolyte materials and hybrid integration for enhanced solid oxide fuel cell performance
Authors: Kuterbekov Kairat A , Kabyshev Asset M , Bekmyrza Kenzhebatyr Zh , Kubenova Marzhan M , Kabdrakhimova Gaukhar , Abdullayeva Iroda , Ayalew Abebe Temesgen
Published: January 2025

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) offer high efficiency and fuel adaptability but face challenges like high operating temperatures and material degradation. This study focuses on innovative solutions, including doped ceria-based electrolytes with ionic conductivity of 0.1 S/cm at 600°C, reducing operating temperature by 200°C and extending lifespan by 29.15%. Composite anodes with hierarchical pores achieved a power density of 1.2 W/cm2 (25% improvement) and maintained stability over 5000 h with <1% degradation per 1000 h. Hybrid integration with micro gas turbines improved efficiency to 69.48% (14.28% increase) and cut CO₂ emissions by 21%, advancing SOFC viability as sustainable energy solution.
Enhancement in fuel cells: PGM-free catalysts, nanostructured supports, and advanced membrane technology toward low-carbon emission
Authors: Kuterbekov Kairat A , Bekmyrza Kenzhebatyr Zh , Kabyshev Asset M , Kubenova Marzhan M , Baratova Aliya , Abdullayeva Iroda , Ayalew Abebe Temesgen
Published: January 2025

This study introduces innovative advancements in catalyst and membrane technology to improve fuel cell performance and reduce costs. Platinum-group metal (PGM)-free iron–nitrogen–carbon (Fe–N–C) catalysts achieved a 0.85 W/cm2 power density, a 19.88% improvement over traditional PGM-free catalysts, with stable operation exceeding 1000 hours. Nanostructured carbon supports enhanced oxygen reduction reaction activity by 30.13% and current density by 25.02%. Additionally, a novel proton exchange membrane with superior ionic conductivity and durability increased fuel cell efficiency by 10.12% while significantly reducing hydrogen crossover rates. These advancements represent a breakthrough in developing cost-effective, high-performance fuel cell systems.
Whose Testimony? Thinking about Other-Than-Human Witnesses in Transitional Justice
Authors: Clark Janine Natalya
Published: January 2025

Witnesses play a crucial role in transitional justice processes. Existing scholarship, however, has focused exclusively on human witnesses. This interdisciplinary article does something different, analyzing the significance of other-than-human witnesses – and in particular trees. While it is not the first to problematize the fact that transitional justice is heavily anthropocentric, its novel emphasis on witnessing differentiates it from other critical transitional justice research which has mainly discussed ‘nature’ as a victim. To focus on more-than-human worlds as witnesses is not, to be clear, about detracting from the harms that they suffer during war and armed conflict. It is about accentuating their agency and exploring ways of doing justice not just for them but, also, with them. Drawing on Indigenous knowledges and conceptualizing witnessing as a deeply relational process that necessitates attentiveness and openness to more-than-human worlds, the article also thus makes an original contribution to discussions about decolonizing the field of transitional justice.
The multifunctional fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium enriches metabolites while degrading seed mucilage of a sand-fixing shrub
Authors: Wang Yiyuan , Song Xiaoxian , Pan Xiaofang , Gao Ruiru , Yang Xuejun
Published: January 2025

Aims

The sand-fixing desert shrub Artemisia sphaerocephala produces a large amount of seed mucilage, which plays crucial roles in the adaptation of this species to desert environments. Seed mucilage has been shown to be degraded by Phanerochaete chrysosporium from habitat soils, but the process and products of this degradation remain unclear. To fill this gap, we explored the factors and processes involved in mucilage degradation.

Methods and results

We found that P. chrysosporium had the ability to produce iron carriers and to solubilize potassium and phosphorus. Mucilage degradation was affected by multiple factors, and the optimum conditions for mucilage degradation were 30°C, pH 4.5, 10 ml of fungal solution, and 1.0 g of mucilage substrate, with a degradation rate of 93.04% ± 4.87% at 20 days. The untargeted metabolome screened 300 significantly different metabolites during mucilage degradation, of which 291 were upregulated and 9 downregulated. The main degradation products were organoxides, lipids, lipid-like molecules, phenylpropanoids, polyketides, and organic acids. The most significantly affected pathway was the valine, leucine, and isoleucine biosynthetic pathway.

Conclusions

Our study has elucidated the mucilage degradation process and metabolites, which may help us to better understand the ecological functions of seed mucilage and the mechanisms of plant–microbe interactions in deserts.
A large-scale multiview point cloud registration method based on distance statistical distribution of weak features
Authors: Feng Yun , Tao Guoren , Wu Wenlei , Lin Jiahao , Liu Xiaojun , Chen Liangzhou
Published: January 2025

There are issues such as poor layered smoothness, model distortion, and error accumulation in the process of large-scale weak feature point cloud stitching and registration. This paper proposes a precise point cloud registration method based on distance statistical distribution. By summarizing and statistically analyzing the distance thresholds during the iterative process, it accurately determines the closest points for point cloud registration, thus avoiding the problem of low registration accuracy caused by manually setting distance thresholds. By statistically analyzing the distance intervals of corresponding points in the point cloud to eliminate erroneous correspondences and utilizing pose graph optimization for global pose, this method ensures the smoothness and accuracy of point cloud registration. Experiments have validated the effectiveness of this method. Comparative experiments have demonstrated that this method surpasses traditional point cloud registration methods in terms of accuracy, convergence, and robustness.
Assessing cultivar-specific susceptibility and morphological adaptations of Bactrocera oleae (Diptera: Tephritidae) in olive orchards
Authors: Pajač Živković Ivana , Čirjak Dana , Hojsak Luka , Vrček Barbara , Suazo Manuel J , Benitez Hugo A , Lemic Darija
Published: January 2025

The olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi), is the most important widespread pest in olive-growing areas worldwide, causing significant yield losses and deterioration of olive oil quality. This study hypothesized that olive cultivars differ in their susceptibility to B.oleae and that the cultivar in which the pest develops may affect population variability. The primary goal was to assess susceptibility across 6 olive cultivars, while the secondary goal was to analyze population variability using geometric morphometrics to identify cultivar-specific phenotypic differences. Conducted at 2 sites, Banjevci (Dalmatia) and Vodnjan (Istria), the study revealed significant differences in infestation levels, emergence, and wing morphology. Higher humidity in Vodnjan favored increased fly populations. Larger-fruited cultivars such as Oblica, Istarska bjelica, and Ascolana tenera experienced higher infestation rates, whereas smaller-fruited cultivars like Frantoio and Leccino exhibited lower infestation levels. Wing shape analysis highlighted sexual dimorphism, with female flies exhibiting broader wings that may enhance dispersal and oviposition efficiency, particularly in larger fruits. The observed phenotypic plasticity of B. oleae across cultivars and locations indicates an ability to adapt to varied host and cultivation conditions, enhancing pest resilience. The findings underscore the role of cultivar selection as a passive pest management strategy and demonstrate the utility of geometric morphometrics in capturing cultivar-specific morphological adaptations.
Risk beyond neutropenia: insights into neutrophil migration from newly diagnosed AML until late after allogeneic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Cibir Zülal , Beer Alexander , Kraus Andreas , Pillibeit Aleksandra , Bludau Dana , Abdulla Haji , Neuendorff Nina Rosa , Sonneck Justin , Kowitz Lennart , Riese Stefanie , Tuz Ali Ata , Chen Jianxu , Cherneha Maxim , Beelen Dietrich W , Reinhardt H Christian , Gunzer Matthias , Turki Amin T
Published: January 2025

Quantification of neutrophil counts is the most relevant assessment of cellular immunity in clinical practice. Patients with neutropenia are considered at risk and are categorized according to its severity. The incidence of febrile neutropenia varies, but patients with acute myeloid leukemia are traditionally considered at high risk, especially following myelotoxic treatments. To provide additional functional parameters, we investigated the ex vivo migration properties and morphology of neutrophils in 10 patients with acute myeloid leukemia using single-cell video-microscopy and discovered, in addition to neutropenia, highly pathological neutrophil migration patterns and polarization defects in patients with untreated acute myeloid leukemia. Neutrophil speed was the most sensitive parameter and significantly lower at leukemia diagnosis (9.067 vs 15.810 µm/min, P = 0.0025) compared to healthy controls (n = 46). Hematological remission was associated with improved neutrophil migration profiles, but these ultimately normalized only after hematopoietic cell transplantation. Five patients were followed up for long-term effects of hematopoietic cell transplantation for up to 24 mo. This is the first longitudinal ex vivo neutrophil migration study in patients with acute myeloid leukemia, followed by allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. It identified functional neutrophil impairments beyond routine quantitative assessments, adding to the well-known quantitative impairment of neutropenia. HCT can reestablish functional neutrophils with healthy migration profiles in these patients.
Mini-review: occupational health topics series on the effects of chemicals. Occupational cholangiocarcinoma incident
Authors: Kumagai Shinji
Published: January 2025

In 2012, a social issue arose concerning a high incidence of cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) among printing workers. The cause was prolonged exposure to high concentrations of 1,2-dichloropropane that was included in the ink cleaning agent. Until then, it was not known that this substance could cause cancer in humans. The author was involved in this incident from the beginning. This article describes the course from the start of the investigation to the recognition of cholangiocarcinoma as an occupational disease. Furthermore, the article presents the pathological characteristics of occupational cholangiocarcinoma, as well as epidemiological analysis results.
Rotational rate coefficients computation of MgS(X1Σ+) in collision with He(1S)
Authors: Yazidi O , Khadri F , Elabidi H , Hammami K
Published: January 2025

Given its abundance in the interstellar medium recently justified by astronomical observations, the chemistry and reactivity of the metal-bearing molecule MgS require special attention. The availability of up-to-date collision data between this MgS molecule and the most abundant perturbing species H$_2$ and He in the interstellar medium is an essential resource to derive reliable values of its molecular abundance from astronomical observations. This work aims to provide improved scattering parameters for the MgS molecular system in collision with He. A new 2D potential energy surface (2D-PES) is derived by adopting the state-of-the-art level of theory of the explicitly correlated coupled cluster with single, double, and perturbative triple excitations (RCCSD(T)-F12) method in conjunction with the aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets. This PES was used to calculate inelastic cross-sections within the framework of the close-coupling (CC) theory for total energies $\le 500$ cm$^{-1}$ and J$\le 21$. Using the Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution of kinetic energies, these cross-sections were integrated to generate the collisional (de)-excitation rate coefficients for temperatures below 100 K. We expect that the new rate coefficients will help us to analyse present and future observations of this key molecule for the interstellar chemistry.
Prospects of a statistical detection of the 21-cm forest and its potential to constrain the thermal state of the neutral IGM during reionization
Authors: Šoltinský Tomáš , Kulkarni Girish , Tendulkar Shriharsh P , Bolton James S
Published: January 2025

The 21-cm forest signal is a promising probe of the Epoch of Reionization complementary to other 21-cm line observables and Ly$\alpha$ forest signal. Prospects of detecting it have significantly improved in the last decade thanks to the discovery of more than 30 radio-loud quasars at these redshifts, upgrades to telescope facilities, and the notion that neutral hydrogen islands persist down to $z\lesssim 5.5$. We forward-model the 21-cm forest signal using seminumerical simulations and incorporate various instrumental features to explore the potential of detecting the 21-cm forest at $z=6$, both directly and statistically, with the currently available (uGMRT) and forthcoming (SKA1-low) observatories. We show that it is possible to detect the 1D power spectrum of the 21-cm forest spectrum, especially at large scales of $k\lesssim 8.5\, \rm MHz^{-1}$ with the 500 hr of the uGMRT time and $k\lesssim 32.4\, \rm MHz^{-1}$ with the SKA1-low over 50 hr if the intergalactic medium (IGM) is 25 per cent neutral and these neutral hydrogen regions have a spin temperature of $\lesssim 30\, \rm K$. On the other hand, we infer that a null-detection of the signal with such observations of 10 radio-loud sources at $z\approx 6$ can be translated into constraints on the thermal and ionization state of the IGM which are tighter than the currently available measurements. Moreover, a null-detection of the 1D 21-cm forest power spectrum with only 50 hr of the uGMRT observations of 10 radio-loud sources can already be competitive with the Ly$\alpha$ forest and 21-cm tomographic observations in disfavouring models of significantly neutral and cold IGM at $z=6$.
Gravitational waves from r-mode oscillations of stochastically accreting neutron stars
Authors: Dong Wenhao , Melatos Andrew
Published: January 2025

r-mode oscillations in rotating neutron stars are a source of continuous gravitational radiation. We investigate the excitation of r-modes by the mechanical impact on the neutron star surface of stochastically accreted clumps of matter, assuming that the Chandrasekhar–Friedman–Schutz instability is not triggered. The star is idealized as a slowly rotating, unmagnetized, one-component fluid with a barotropic equation of state in Newtonian gravity. It is found that the r-mode amplitude depends weakly on the equation of state but sensitively on the rotation frequency $\nu _{\rm s}$. The gravitational wave strain implicitly depends on the equation of state through the damping time-scale. The root-mean-square strain is $h_{\rm rms} \approx 10^{-35} (\nu _{\rm s}/ 10\, {\rm Hz})^{2} (R_*/10\, {\rm km})^2 (\Delta t_{\rm acc}/1\, {\rm yr})^{1/2} (f_{\rm acc}/1\, {\rm kHz})^{-1/2} (\dot{M}/10^{-8}\text{M}_{\odot } \, \text{yr}^{-1}) (v/0.4c) (d/1\, {\rm kpc})^{-1}$, which is comparable to the strain from g-, p-, and f-modes excited by stochastic accretion, where $R_*$ is the radius of the star, $\Delta t_{\rm acc}$ is the uninterrupted duration of an accretion episode, $f_{\rm acc}$ is the mean clump impact frequency, $\dot{M}$ is the accretion rate, v is the impact speed, and d is the distance of the star from the Earth. An observational test is proposed, based on the temporal autocorrelation function of the gravitational wave signal, to discern whether the Chandrasekhar–Friedman–Schutz instability switches on and coexists with impact-excited r-modes before or during a gravitational wave observation.
Validation of the 2022 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for giant cell arteritis in Korean patients with giant cell arteritis
Authors: Ha Jang Woo , Song Jason Jungsik , Park Yong-Beom , Lee Sang-Won
Published: January 2025

Objectives

We applied the 2022 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European Alliance of Association for Rheumatology (EULAR) criteria to Korean patients previously diagnosed with giant cell arteritis (GCA) according to the 1990 ACR criteria and validated its clinical efficiency.

Methods

Nine patients with GCA were included. The proportion of patients meeting each item of the 1990 ACR criteria and the 2022 ACR/EULAR criteria were assessed.

Results

The median age was 65.0 years, and 77.8% of the patients were women. Seven (77.8%) patients had polymyalgia rheumatica. All nine patients were reclassified as having GCA according to the 2022 ACR/EULAR criteria. Among the 10 items of the 2022 ACR/EULAR criteria, the item contributing the most to the reclassification was elevated acute-phase reactant levels (100%), followed by new temporal headache (77.8%) and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography activity throughout the aorta (77.5%).

Conclusions

In this study, for the first time, we demonstrated a concordance rate of 100% between the two criteria in Korean patients previously diagnosed with GCA. Moreover, we also clarified the major contributors to the reclassification according to the 2022 ACR/EULAR criteria.
BK Polyomavirus-associated nephropathy – diagnostic and treatment standard
Authors: Al-Talib Mohammed , Welberry-Smith Matthew , Macdonald Andrew , Griffin Siân
Published: January 2025

BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) is recognised as a significant viral complication of kidney transplantation. Prompt immunosuppression reduction reduces early graft failure rates due to BK polyomavirus-associated nephropathy (BKPyVAN), however modulation of immunosuppression can lead to acute rejection. Medium-to-long term graft outcomes are negatively impacted by BKPyVAN, likely due to a combination of virus-induced graft damage and host immune responses against graft alloantigens potentiated by immunosuppression reduction. Kidney biopsy remains the gold-standard diagnostic test, however false negative findings are common due to the focal nature of BKPyVAN. BKPyV DNAemia, as measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), is established as a screening test but there is at present no (inter)national standardisation of these assays to allow collation and comparison of data between centres. Randomised controlled trials are lacking both in terms of optimal immunosuppression reduction strategies, and for the medications variably used to attempt treatment in clinical practice. Much of the fundamental biology of BKPyV is not yet understood, and further elucidation is required to promote rational direct-acting antiviral drug design. Insights into the role of adaptive immunity in control of BKPyV have informed the design of novel treatments such as adoptive immunotherapies and neutralizing antibodies which require evaluation in clinical studies. Here, we review the current standards of diagnosis and treatment of BKPyVAN and discuss novel developments in the pathophysiology, diagnosis, outcome prediction and management.
Widespread Occurrence of Former Anhydrite Phenocrysts in Laramide-Age Magmas Related to Porphyry–Skarn Cu Mineralization at Santa Rita and Hanover-Fierro, New Mexico, USA
Authors: Audétat Andreas , Chang Jia , Gaynor Sean P
Published: January 2025

Reports of magmatic anhydrite are relatively rare, with only ~30 occurrences documented worldwide so far. However, magmatic anhydrite saturation is difficult to recognize because anhydrite decomposes rapidly in near-surface environments. In most cases, only anhydrite inclusions shielded within other phenocryst phases were able to survive. Alternatively, since anhydrite phenocrysts preserved in fresh volcanic rocks are characteristically intergrown with apatite phenocrysts, the former presence of anhydrite phenocrysts can be recognized based on the occurrence of lath-shaped cavities that show a strong spatial association with apatite phenocrysts. These cavities can be either empty or filled with low-temperature, secondary minerals such as zeolites, carbonates, or microcrystalline silica. A systematic search for the occurrence of such cavities, combined with optical and Raman-spectroscopic identification of anhydrite inclusions preserved within apatite, hornblende and quartz phenocrysts, demonstrates that most of the Laramide-age magmas associated with the Santa Rita and Hanover-Fierro porphyry–skarn Cu (Zn, Mo, Au, Pb) deposits were saturated in magmatic anhydrite. The anhydrite typically coexisted with monosulfide solid solution (MSS), suggesting oxygen fugacities of ~2.0 ± 0.5 log units above the fayalite–magnetite–quartz buffer. The magmas range from andesitic to rhyodacitic in composition, and from shortly pre-mineralization (~61 Ma) to shortly post-mineralization (~57 Ma) in age. In three samples with particularly well-recognizable former anhydrite phenocrysts, their modal abundance could be quantified based on high-resolution scans of polished hand specimens. The observed modal anhydrite abundances of 0.63 to 1.8 vol % translate into minimum magma sulfur contents of 0.20 to 0.56 wt % S. The highest sulfur content of 0.56 wt % S is difficult to reconcile with available anhydrite solubility models, but it could be reproduced in an anhydrite solubility experiment performed at 950°C and 1.15 GPa on a natural latite containing 13.1 wt % dissolved H2O. The sample with the second-highest sulfur content of 0.26 wt % S requires ~10 wt % H2O in the silicate melt, and, consequently, a minimum pressure of ~0.5 GPa. Taken together, the results suggest that the magmas of the Central Mining District were extremely hydrous and thus originated from great depth. Indeed, their major element compositions and reconstructed H2O and S contents agree well with experimentally observed and numerically predicted compositions of residual silicate melts after 50 to 70 wt % crystallization of ordinary arc basalts at high pressure and high oxygen fugacities.
Targeted barcoding of variable antibody domains and individual transcriptomes of the human B-cell repertoire using Link-Seq
Authors: Hu Hongxing , Zhou Fan , Ma Xiaoli , Brokstad Karl Albert , Kolmar Leonie , Girardot Charles , Benes Vladimir , Cox Rebecca J , Merten Christoph A
Published: January 2025

Here, we present Link-Seq, a highly efficient droplet microfluidic method for combined sequencing of antibody-encoding genes and the transcriptome of individual B cells at large scale. The method is based on 3′ barcoding of the transcriptome and subsequent single-molecule PCR in droplets, which freely shift the barcode along specific gene regions, such as the antibody heavy- and light-chain genes. Using the immune repertoire of COVID-19 patients and healthy donors as a model system, we obtain up to 91.7% correctly paired immunoglobulin heavy and light chains. Furthermore, we map the V(D)J usage and obtain sensitivities comparable with the current gold-standard 10× Genomics commercial systems while offering full flexibility in experimental setup and significant cost savings. A further unique feature of Link-Seq is the possibility of barcoding multiple target genes in a site-specific manner. Based on the open character of the platform and its conceptual advantages, we expect Link-Seq to become a versatile tool for single-cell analysis, especially for applications requiring additional processing steps that cannot be implemented on commercially available platforms.
All's well that ends well? A new holism about lifetime well-Being
Authors: Fletcher Guy
Published: January 2025

Is there more to how well a life goes overall (its lifetime well-being) than simply the aggregate goodness and badness of its moments (its momentary well-being)? Atomists about lifetime well-being say ‘no’. Holists hold that there is more to lifetime well-being than aggregate momentary well-being (with different holists offering different candidates for why this might be). This paper presents and defends a novel form of holism about lifetime well-being, which I call ‘End of Life’. This is the view that the momentary goodness or badness of the end of lives has a disproportionate effect upon lifetime well-being. More precisely: a welfare subject's level of momentary well-being at the end of their life contributes more to their lifetime well-being than their level of momentary well-being at other points.
Stability conditions in geometric invariant theory
Authors: Dervan Ruadhaí , Ibáñez Núñez Andrés
Published: January 2025

We explain how structures analogous to those appearing in the theory of stability conditions on abelian and triangulated categories arise in geometric invariant theory. This leads to an axiomatic notion of a central charge on a scheme with a group action and ultimately to a notion of a stability condition on a stack analogous to that on an abelian category. In the appendix by Ibáñez Núñez, it is explained how central charges can be viewed through the graded points of a stack. We use these ideas to introduce an axiomatic notion of a stability condition for polarized schemes, defined in such a way that K-stability is a special case. In the setting of axiomatic geometric invariant theory on a smooth projective variety, we produce an analytic counterpart to stability and explain the role of the Kempf–Ness theorem. This clarifies many of the structures involved in the study of deformed Hermitian Yang–Mills connections, Z-critical connections and Z-critical Kähler metrics.
How do decision-makers in academic promotion perceive the novel scientometric evaluation in Egypt?
Authors: Farouk Ali Mona
Published: January 2025

Research evaluation (RE) has experienced a major global transformation prompted by the emergence and increasing usage of digital citation platforms such as the Web of Science and Scopus, opening up avenues for scientometric evaluation (SE). This relatively novel evaluation method represents an essential pillar for the scientific committees for promotion in Egypt. Following previous recommendations to scrutinize RE systems in their sociocultural contexts, this study attempted to understand the SE perceptions held by these committees’ decision-makers. The study questionnaire was designed to incorporate all factors influencing SE perception and the characteristics of the chairpersons and their committees. Approximately 94% of respondents expressed positive SE perception, suggesting this evaluation’s success and continued use. The significant differences between responses explored were attributed to the international scientific performance of the chairpersons and most of the committees’ characteristics, including specialization and publication pattern and language. Despite the positive trend, some results indicated a degree of resistance to the new evaluation method, particularly in the social sciences, including the arts and humanities. The findings should interest evaluators and policy analysts in the Egyptian higher education and scientific research sector and other countries striving to internationalize this sector and improve the climate of research integrity. Comparable investigations can also utilize the reviewed and validated study instrument.
Differences in phenotypes, treatments, and outcomes of ANCA-associated vasculitis across Europe, Japan and the USA in 2020
Authors: Omura Satoshi , Kida Takashi , Kronbichler Andreas , Geetha Duvuru , Noma Hisashi , Seno Takahiro , Ito-Ihara Toshiko , Yajima Nobuyuki , Kawaguchi Takashi , Tamura Naoto , Kawahito Yutaka
Published: January 2025

Objectives

To clarify the differences in clinical phenotypes, therapeutic patterns, and outcomes of patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) across geographic regions using a multinational cohort.

Methods

Data were collected from patients with newly diagnosed or relapsing GPA or MPA in Europe, Japan and the USA from January to July 2020. The composite outcome of kidney failure and/or death within 52 weeks after treatment was evaluated, and the hazard ratios across the regions were estimated using the Cox proportional hazard model. Heterogeneities of the effects were investigated via thorough subgroup analyses.

Results

Among the 254 eligible patients (Europe, 137; Japan, 73; USA, 44), those in Japan were older and had higher proportions of MPO-ANCA positivity and lung involvement compared with Europe and the USA. The estimated glomerular filtration rate at diagnosis varied across regions, with the highest dialysis requirement in the USA. Cyclophosphamide and rituximab use were, respectively, 57% and 63% in Europe, 29% and 40% in Japan, and 34% and 86% in the USA. Within 52 weeks, 8%, 10% and 18% developed kidney failure, while 9%, 7% and 7% died in Europe, Japan, and the USA, respectively; and the composite outcome occurred in 15%, 14% and 23% of patients. The hazard ratios for kidney failure and/or death were comparable across regions; however, they varied among certain subgroups.

Conclusions

Although the kidney failure-free survival was comparable across continents, regional differences existed in clinical phenotypes and therapeutic patterns.
Evaluating the differential effects of dopamine agonists and clonazepam on large muscle group movements in restless legs syndrome
Authors: Mogavero Maria P , Congiu Patrizia , Lanza Giuseppe , Marelli Sara , Castelnuovo Alessandra , Puligheddu Monica , Bruni Oliviero , Ferini Strambi Luigi , Ferri Raffaele
Published: January 2025

Study Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the effect of dopamine agonists (DA) and Clonazepam on Large Muscle Group Movements during sleep (LMM), a distinct motor phenomenon, in Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS).

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 51 drug-free adult patients with RLS, divided into three groups: 33 received a DA (pramipexole or ropinirole), 15 received clonazepam, and 18 received a placebo. Each patient underwent two consecutive nocturnal polysomnographic (PSG) recordings: one baseline and one following treatment administration. LMM and periodic leg movements during sleep (PLMS) were scored. Differences between groups were analyzed using ANCOVA, with the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group severity scale as a covariate, and within-group changes were assessed using paired t-tests.

Results

At baseline, no significant difference in LMM or PLMS was observed between groups. Following treatment, DA significantly reduced PLMS and periodicity indexes but did not significantly alter LMM indexes, except for a small increase in LMM duration. The placebo group exhibited a significant decrease in LMM index during the second night, potentially reflecting a first-night effect (FNE). Clonazepam did not significantly affect either PLMS or LMM.

Conclusions

DA effectively reduced PLMS but did not significantly impact LMM, suggesting that LMM may involve different neurophysiological mechanisms. The potential FNE observed in the placebo group underscores the need for careful consideration of adaptation effects in sleep studies. Future research should explore alternative or adjunctive therapies targeting LMM and residual sleep disturbances in RLS.
Essential oil blend and monensin for feedlot steers consuming backgrounding and finishing diets: growth performance, methane emissions using the GreenFeed system, and feeding behavior
Authors: Terry Stephanie A , Beauchemin Karen A
Published: January 2025

A study was conducted to assess growth performance, methane (CH4) emissions, and feeding behavior of feedlot steers consuming backgrounding and finishing diets with an essential oil blend (EO), monensin (Mon), and their combination (EO + Mon). The study was structured as a 2 × 2 factorial, with two feed additive treatments (Control, EO) and two monensin treatments (no Monensin, Monensin). One hundred Angus × steers were evenly distributed across each treatment into four pens, and each dietary phase consisted of four, 28-d periods. Using the GreenFeed system to estimate CH4 yield (g CH4/kg dry matter intake [DMI]), the mean CV (coefficient of variation) within the same steer across measurement periods was 14.0% and 15.2% for the backgrounding and finishing phases, respectively. The mean CV of CH4 production for steer within period and time-of-day block was up to 83.4% and 102.9% for the backgrounding and finishing phases, respectively. There was no difference in overall average daily gain (P ≥ 0.22) or gain:feed ratio (P ≥ 0.26) with EO or Monensin during the backgrounding or finishing phases. There were variable period effects on CH4 emissions, but overall control had lower (EO × Mon; P ≤ 0.01) CH4 production, yield, and CH4 energy as a percentage of gross energy intake (GEI) (Ym, Mcal CH4 % GEI), during the backgrounding phase. During the finishing phase, CH4 yield (EO × Mon; P = 0.02) and Ym (EO × Mon; P ≤ 0.01) were greatest in the EO + Mon treatment. Monensin, irrespective of EO, decreased DMI (P < 0.01) and eating rate (P = 0.01), and increased intermeal interval (P < 0.01) for the backgrounding phase. In the finishing phase, Monensin decreased (P < 0.01) DMI, variation of DMI (EO × Mon), meal size, and eating rate. Number of GreenFeed visits was negatively (P < 0.01) correlated with all feeding behavior metrics in the finishing phase. In conclusion, supplementation of EO or Monensin and their combination into backgrounding and finishing diets of feedlot steers had no effect on overall feedlot performance or CH4 emissions. Additionally, the high variability in CV of CH4 production and yield suggests a need to improve the accuracy and precision of the GreenFeed system for estimating enteric CH4 emissions from cattle.
Evaluation of acute substance abuse patients admitted to the ICU by different scoring system
Authors: El Sehly Wafaa Mohamed Mahmoud , El Dine Fatma Mohamed Magdy Badr , El Dine Nahla Ahmed Gamal , Elnwam Sara Gamal Kamal , Khedr Rasha Ismail
Published: January 2025

Drug abuse poisoning is a significant public health problem in many countries all over the world. The recent study aimed to assess the applicability of NEWS II and APACHE II scores as predictors of the ICU admission of acute intoxication by substance abuse. The study enrolled 98 patients admitted to the Alexandria Poison Center of the Main University Hospital (APC-AMUH) with a history of acute intoxication with substance abuse. Collected data included socio-demographic data, circumstances of exposure, and clinical and laboratory data. These data were employed to calculate NEWS II and APACHE II scores. A total of 98 substance abuse patients were admitted. Morphine constituted the highest percentage of substance intoxication (33.7%), followed by methanol (23.5%) and tramadol (17.3%). About one-third of the patients needed the ICU admission (32.7%). The median of NEWS and APACHE II was 7. The mean values of NEWS II and APACHE II in patients who entered the ICU were significantly higher than in patients who did not enter the ICU. The cut-off value of the ROC curve of NEWS II and APACHE II scores for admission to the ICU was 8 for both. These findings suggest that NEWS II and APACHE II scores are good predictors for the evaluation of patients intoxicated by substance abuse who need ICU admission.