bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antimicrobial resistance–attributable mortality: a patient-level analysis
Authors: Baltas Ioannis , Rawson Timothy Miles , Houston Hamish , Grandjean Louis , Pollara Gabriele 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background
The impact of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) on death at the patient level is challenging to estimate. We aimed to characterize AMR-attributable deaths in a large UK teaching hospital.

Methods
This retrospective study investigated all deceased patients in 2022. Records of participants were independently reviewed by two investigators for cases of AMR-attributable deaths using a newly proposed patient-level definition.

Results
In total, 758 patients met inclusion criteria. Infection was the underlying cause of death for 11.7% (89/758) and was implicated in the pathway that led to death in 41.1% (357/758) of participants. In total, 4.2% (32/758) of all deaths were AMR-attributable. Median time from index sample collection to death was 4.5 days (IQR 2–10.5 days). The majority of AMR-attributable deaths (56.3%, 18/32) were associated with intrinsic resistance mechanisms, primarily by Enterococcus faecium (20.7%), Enterobacterales carrying repressed chromosomal ampicillinase Cs (AmpCs) (14.7%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11.8%), whereas a minority (43.7%, 14/32) had acquired resistance mechanisms, primarily derepressed chromosomal AmpCs (11.8%) and ESBLs (8.8%). The median time to effective treatment was 32 h 15 min (no difference between subgroups). Only 62.5% (20/32) of AMR-attributable deaths had infection recorded on the death certificate. AMR was not recorded as a cause of death in any of the patients.

Conclusions
Infection and AMR were important causes of death in our cohort, yet they were significantly underreported during death certification. In a low-incidence setting for AMR, pathogen-antimicrobial mismatch due to intrinsic resistance was an equally important contributor to AMR-attributable mortality as acquired resistance mechanisms.
Assessment of anti-MRSA activity of auranofin and florfenicol combination: a PK/PD analysis
Authors: Li Jian-Guo , Zhang Chuan-Jian , Liang Liu-Yan , Lu Ting-Yin , Zhong Long-Gen , Zhong Wei-Cheng , Niu Chao-Yan , Sun Jian , Liao Xiao-Ping , Zhou Yu-Feng 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Aims
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important zoonotic pathogen with multidrug-resistant phenotypes increasingly prevalent in both human and veterinary clinics. This study evaluated the potential of auranofin (AF) as an antibiotic adjuvant to enhance the anti-MRSA activity of florfenicol (FFC) and established a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model to compare the efficacy of FFC alone or in combination with AF against MRSA.

Methods and results
We observed an increased susceptibility and significant synergistic effects of MRSA to FFC in the presence of AF. The combination treatment of FFC and AF significantly inhibited MRSA biofilm formation and decreased the metabolic activity of mature biofilms. Importantly, AF fully restored the efficacy of FFC in both Galleria mellonella larvae and murine models. PK/PD studies demonstrated that the AUC24h/MIC targets required to achieve the bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects were significantly lower with the combination therapy compared to florfenicol monotherapy.

Conclusions
These results reveal the potential of AF as a novel adjuvant to improve the efficacy of FFC in treating MRSA invasive infections and provide valuable PK/PD insights for designing effective combination therapies.
Designing a blockchain technology platform for enhancing the pre-exposure prophylaxis care continuum
Authors: Khurshid Anjum , Harrell Daniel Toshio , Li Dennis , Hallmark Camden , Hanson Ladd , Viswanathan Nishi , Carr Michelle , Brown Armand , McNeese Marlene , Fujimoto Kayo 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Objectives
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a key biomedical intervention for ending the HIV epidemic in the United States, but its uptake is impeded by systemic barriers, including fragmented workflows and ineffective data coordination. This study aims to design PrEPLinker, a blockchain-based, client-centered platform to enhance care to address these challenges by improving care coordination and enabling clients to securely manage their identity and PrEP-related data.

Materials and Methods
Using Houston, Texas, as a use case, we conducted a needs assessment with PrEP collaborators to evaluate existing workflows and identify barriers in the PrEP care continuum. Based on these findings, we designed PrEPinker, a blockchain-based identity framework and digital wallet using self-sovereign identity and verifiable credentials (VCs). These features enable clients to securirely control their identity data and facilitate efficient, privacy-serving data sharing across PrEP service points, such as community testing sites, clinics, and pharmacies.

Results
The needs assessment identified significant gaps in data exchange for PrEP referrals and follow-up appointments. In response, PrEPLinker was designed to incorporate decentralized identifiers—unique, secure digital identifiers that are not linked to any centralized authority—and VCs for ensuring seamless transfer of digital medical records. Preliminary usability testing with 15 participants showed that over 70% rated the interactive design positively, finding it easy to use, learn, and navigate without technical support. Additionally, more than 80% expressed confidence in using the blockchain based platform to manage sensitive health information securely.

Discussion and Conclusion
Blockchain technology offers a promising, client-centered solution for addressing systemic barriers in PrEP care by improving data cordination, security, and client control over personal health information. The design of PrEPLinker demorates the potential to streamline PrEP referrals, follow-up processes, and data managent. These advancements in data coordination and secruity could improve PrEP uptake and adherence, supporting efforts to reduce HIV transmission in Houston and beyond.
Ionic control of small GTPase HRas using calmodulin
Authors: Sabek Yassine , Zhang Ziyun , Nishibe Nobuyuki , Maruta Shinsaku 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
HRas is a small GTPase that plays physiologically important roles in various intracellular signal transduction processes, such as cell growth and proliferation. The structure and action mechanisms of HRas have been well characterized, leading to its widespread use as a molecular switch in bionanomachines. Calmodulin (CaM), a calcium ion-binding protein, acts as an ion-binding molecular switch and activates the target enzymes. We previously demonstrated that the fusion protein of HRas (M13-HRas) with the CaM target peptide M13 at the N-terminus of HRas exhibits reversible regulation of GTPase activity and the interaction between M13-HRas and the downstream signalling factor Raf by calcium ions with CaM. In this study, we prepared two new HRas fusion proteins with the M13 peptide at the C-terminus (HRas-M13) and both termini (M13-HRas-M13) of HRas and analysed the calcium-dependent regulation of HRas function. M13-HRas-M13 more efficiently controlled GTPase, interaction with Raf and the HRas regulator GEF by calcium ions with CaM.
Supplementation of essential amino acids suppresses age-associated sleep loss and sleep fragmentation but not loss of rhythm strength under yeast-restricted malnutrition in Drosophila
Authors: Chikamatsu Sachie , Sakakibara Yasufumi , Takei Kimi , Nishijima Risa , Iijima Koichi M , Sekiya Michiko 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Sleep quality and quantity decrease with age, and sleep disturbance increases the risk of many age-associated diseases. There is a significant relationship between nutritional status and sleep outcomes, with malnutrition inducing poor sleep quality in older adults. However, it remains elusive whether, and if so how, nutritional supplementation prevents age-associated sleep problems. Here, we utilized Drosophila to investigate the effects of a malnutrition diet with restricted yeast, a primary protein source, and supplementation of 10 essential amino acids (EAAs) on sleep profiles during ageing. Compared with the standard diet containing 2.7% yeast, the malnutrition diet containing 0.27% yeast significantly decreased target of rapamycin (TOR) signalling and shortened the lifespan of male Canton-S flies. By contrast, age-associated sleep loss, sleep fragmentation and loss of rhythm strength were similarly observed under both diets. Supplementation of the malnutrition diet with EAAs in restricted yeast significantly ameliorated age-associated sleep loss and sleep fragmentation without altering loss of rhythm strength. It also rescued decreased TOR signalling activity but not the shortened lifespan, suggesting that the effects of EAAs on sleep integrity are independent of TOR activity and lifespan regulation. These results may help to develop dietary interventions that improve age-related sleep problems in humans.
First, ‘things’ first: prioritizing environmental goods tariff reductions at the WTO
Authors: Hinman Maureen , Stewart Sarah V 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Negotiations to liberalize trade in environmental goods are a key indicator for the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) capacity to pursue climate and environmental objectives. Experience with Environmental Goods Agreement negotiations within the WTO demonstrates the necessity to establish obligations and/or procedures that link environment and trade law as the WTO pursues a sustainability agenda.
Bayesian SAR Model with Stochastic Volatility and Multiple Time-Varying Weights
Authors: Costola Michele , Iacopini Matteo , Wichers Casper 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
A novel spatial autoregressive model with time-varying structural variance for panels of time series data is introduced. It incorporates multilayer networks and accounts for dynamic relationships, thus enabling the analysis of shock propagation through time-varying spillover effects. The proposed method outperforms alternative spatial model benchmarks in an empirical application investigating the impact of cooperative and conflictual geopolitical relationships on G7 stock markets. The results indicate that cooperative interactions have a greater influence on stock markets than conflictual ones, highlighting the collaborative nature of the G7. They also reveal heterogeneous network exposures and distinct patterns of direct and indirect spillover effects.
Pregnancy is associated with a simultaneous but independent increase in circulating CD177pos and immature low-density granulocytes
Authors: Dahlstrand Rudin Agnes , Torell Agnes , Popovic Jordan , Stockfelt Marit , Jacobsson Bo , Rudin Anna , Christenson Karin , Lundell Anna-Carin , Bylund Johan 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
The neutrophil marker CD177 (NB1, HNA-2a) is expressed by 0-100% of circulating neutrophils in any given donor, dividing neutrophils into two distinct subpopulations (CD177pos and CD177neg). High proportions of CD177pos blood neutrophils have been linked to both systemic infections and a range of inflammatory pathologies, but whether this is a cause or a consequence of disease is not known. Many conditions displaying elevated CD177pos neutrophil proportions are also accompanied by the presence of circulating low-density granulocytes (LDGs). Accordingly, it is tempting to speculate that these two events are connected, i.e., that proportions of CD177pos neutrophils increase as a result of an enlarged pool of circulating LDGs. A temporary increase in CD177pos neutrophils, in combination with the presence of LDGs has been reported during pregnancy. The present study aimed to investigate whether elevated proportions of CD177pos neutrophils in peripheral blood from pregnant women can be attributed to the presence of LDGs. We found that LDGs were indeed present in pregnancy and included both immature, and activated mature neutrophils. The proportion of CD177pos LDGs increased over time during pregnancy and correlated with a simultaneous increase in immature cells. However, a majority of immature neutrophils were CD177neg, meaning that increased release of immature cells cannot explain the increased proportions of the CD177pos subtype. Therefore, although LDGs and CD177pos neutrophils are expanded simultaneously during pregnancy these events occur independent from each other.
Drivers of nine-banded armadillo occupancy and expansion near the edge of their northern range
Authors: Larreur Max R , Remmers Justin J , Audia Ellen M , Suriyamongkol Thanchira , Buckman Katherine M , Pershyn Nadine A , Pease Brent S , Bastille-Rousseau Guillaume , Nielsen Clayton K 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Since the 1850s, nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) have expanded their range northward and eastward and have behaviorally plastic diurnal activity patterns. However, landscape features influencing their distribution and activity are generally unknown in recently colonized areas. We used occupancy modeling and activity analysis to investigate spatiotemporal patterns of armadillos at multiple spatial scales in newly colonized areas near the leading edge of their northerly range in southern Illinois, USA. We placed 848 camera traps (in clusters of 3 cameras) across 17,146 trap nights throughout a 16,058 km2 study area from January to April 2022 to 2023. We documented 242 detections of armadillos yielding a naïve occupancy (i.e., the proportion of camera clusters with a detection) of 0.23. Predicted occupancy was 0.00 to 0.92 across our study extent. At the 200 m scale, armadillo occupancy increased with greater forest connectivity and proximity to major roads but decreased in areas with greater agricultural connectivity. At the 500 and 1,000 m scales, occupancy increased as forest cover and proximity to major roads increased. At the 1,000 m scale, however, occupancy decreased as agricultural connectivity increased. Additionally, armadillo activity was predominantly nocturnal. Roadways may be influencing armadillo spatiotemporal behavior by providing dispersal corridors into heavily forested areas and acting as thermal refugia as armadillos expand into northern environments. Naïve occupancy of armadillos a decade ago was &lt;0.01 and has experienced a &gt;30-fold increase, potentially bolstered by climate change and anthropogenic land use practices. Expansion of armadillos may continue as land use practices continue to create seminatural refugia and dispersal corridors in forested areas along roadways.
Climate warming intensifies plant–soil causal relationships in a coastal wetland
Authors: Sun Baoyu , Ping Jiaye , Jiang Ming , Xia Jianyang , Xia Fanyu , Han Guangxuan , Yan Liming 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
The intricate interplay among plant productivity and soil factors is a pivotal driver for sustaining the carbon sequestration capacity of coastal wetlands. Yet, it remains uncertain whether climate warming will reshape the cause-and-effect interactions between coastal plant productivity and soil factors. In this study, we combined a manipulative warming experiment with a convergent cross-mapping technique to quantify the causal relationships, which can be either unidirectional or bidirectional, between plants (gross primary productivity, GPP) and soil environment (e.g. soil temperature, moisture and salinity). Our findings revealed that warming amplified the interaction between GPP and soil salinity in the coastal wetland ecosystem. While soil temperature primarily drove this causal relationship in control plots, a more complex interaction emerged in warming plots: soil salinity not only directly influenced GPP but also indirectly affected it by altering soil temperature and moisture. Overall, warming increased the number of causal pathways linking GPP with soil environmental factors, such as the effect of soil salinity on GPP and the impacts of GPP on soil moisture. These findings provide experimental evidence of intensified plant–soil causality in coastal wetlands under climate warming.
Features of internal absorbed dose microdistribution in biological tissue irradiated by 31SiO2 microparticles compared with dose microdistribution from exposure to 56MnO2 particles
Authors: Stepanenko Valeriy , Kaprin Andrey , Ivanov Sergey , Shegay Peter , Bogacheva Viktoria , Shinkarev Sergey , Sato Hitoshi , Kawano Noriyuki , Ohtaki Megu , Fujimoto Nariaki , Endo Satoru , Sakaguchi Aya , Ostroumova Evgenia , Zhumadilov Kassym , Kushugulova Almagul , Hoshi Masaharu 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Radiobiological studies are ongoing to understand the consequences of internal exposure to neutron-activated radioactive microparticles, which were sprayed over experimental rats and mice. Special attention in these experiments is given to internal irradiation with radioactive microparticles with short-lived neutron-activated radionuclides 31Si (T1/2 = 2.62 h) and 56Mn (T1/2 = 2.58 h), which are among the main dose-forming factors from residual radioactivity activated in soils by neutrons in the first hours after atmospheric nuclear explosions. The presented work is devoted to microdosimetry peculiarities of 31SiO2 and 56MnO2 microparticles. The radiation from 31Si consists of intensive short-range beta particles and gamma rays with very low intensity. It differs from the radiation of 56Mn, which includes intensive beta particles, low energy Auger electrons and very intensive gamma rays. Differences in the energies and intensities of short-range beta particles and penetrating gamma rays emitted by 31SiO2 and 56MnO2 microparticles can lead to differences in the spatial microdistribution of absorbed dose around the corresponding radioactive microparticles embedded in biological tissue. It was found in the presented work that the absorbed doses of beta radiation emitted by 56MnO2 and 31SiO2 microparticles has significant but different spatial gradients with distances in biological tissue that correspond to the typical thickness of epithelial cells of lungs’ alveoli and bronchioles. The results obtained are necessary for a better understanding of radiobiological effects of internal exposure by radioactive microparticles with 56Mn and 31Si observed in framework of performed and ongoing radiobiological studies with experimental animals—rats and mice.
Quantifying the Impact of Sustained Acceleration on Critical Care Transport Medical Equipment
Authors: Babcock Lyle , Brawley Hayley , Freeman David , Hegedus Joseph , Beer Jeremy , Nowadly Craig 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Military and commercial stakeholders are investing to explore the use of hypersonic aircraft and orbital spacecraft to transport cargo, medical supplies, passengers, and casualties. These vehicle platforms require periods of sustained acceleration, but to date, these dynamic forces have not been comprehensively considered in the environment of critical care patient movement because injured patients and advanced aeromedical evacuation (AE) equipment are rarely subjected to these conditions. While military AE equipment does undergo crash hazard acceleration testing, equipment functionality during or after sustained acceleration remains to be evaluated. This study was performed to fill that knowledge gap.

Materials and Methods
AE equipment currently used by the U.S. Air Force and Critical Care Air Transport Teams (ZOLL EMV+ 731 ventilator and ZOLL Propaq MD cardiac monitor) was subjected to low (2.5 g), moderate (4.5 g), and variable acceleration (1.5–4.5 g) for 3-minute periods at the KBR Brooks Centrifuge. AE equipment was tested for functionality in 3 different orientations (gX, gY, and gZ). Predetermined variations were made in equipment input settings to ensure each equipment item would function across mission-relevant conditions (differing ventilator tidal volumes, differing cardiac monitor arterial pressure inputs, etc.). AE was evaluated for accuracy compared to controlled inputs, alarm conditions, and equipment failure.

Results
The EMV+ 731 ventilator and Propaq MD cardiac monitor had no equipment failures during testing. The ventilator had clinically negligible variations in tidal volume, peak pressure, and fraction of inspired oxygen during acceleration. At the highest tidal volume tested (480 mL), the ventilator had elevated peak pressure results. However, we believe this was due to limitations in test-lung resistance and was not related to a ventilator fault. Mild effects of sensor orientation were recorded in the Propaq MD blood pressure results; for example, gX and gY differed by 5.9 ± 1.21 mmHg at 75 mmHg input (P &lt; .01) and 6.45 ± 1.229 mmHg with 150 mmHg input (P &lt; .001).

Conclusions
The EMV+ 731 ventilator and Propaq MD cardiac monitor had reliable clinical performance despite sustained acceleration. This knowledge will facilitate immediate follow-on experimentation with advanced models of combat injury during simulated medical evacuation in sustained acceleration environments.
Hydrostatic mass bias for galaxy groups and clusters in the FLAMINGO simulations
Authors: Braspenning Joey , Schaye Joop , Schaller Matthieu , Kugel Roi , Kay Scott T 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT
The masses of galaxy clusters are commonly measured from X-ray observations under the assumption of hydrostatic equilibrium (HSE). This technique is known to underestimate the true mass systematically. The fiducial FLAMINGO (Full-hydro Large-scale structure simulations with All-sky Mapping for the Interpretation of Next Generation Observations) cosmological hydrodynamical simulation predicts the median hydrostatic mass bias to increase from $b_\text{HSE} \equiv (M_\text{HSE,500c}-M_\text{500c})/M_\text{500c} \approx -0.1$ to −0.2 when the true mass increases from group to cluster mass scales. However, the bias is nearly independent of the hydrostatic mass. The scatter at fixed true mass is minimum for $M_\text{500c}\sim 10^{14}~\text{M}_\odot$, where $\sigma (b_\text{HSE})\approx 0.1$, but increases rapidly towards lower and higher masses. At a fixed true mass, the hydrostatic masses increase (decrease) with redshift on group (cluster) scales, and the scatter increases. The bias is insensitive to the choice of analytic functions assumed to represent the density and temperature profiles, but it is sensitive to the goodness of fit, with poorer fits corresponding to a stronger median bias and a larger scatter. The bias is also sensitive to the strength of stellar and active galactic nucleus feedback. Models predicting lower gas fractions yield more (less) biased masses for groups (clusters). The scatter in the bias at fixed true mass is due to differences in the pressure gradients rather than in the temperature at $R_\text{500c}$. The total kinetic energies within $r_\text{500c}$ in low- and high-mass clusters are sub- and supervirial, respectively, though all become subvirial when external pressure is accounted for. Analyses of the terms in the virial and Euler equations suggest that non-thermal motions, including rotation, account for most of the hydrostatic mass bias. However, we find that the mass bias estimated from X-ray luminosity weighted profiles strongly overestimates the deviations from HSE.