bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Update on tick-borne rickettsioses in mainland Portugal: emerging threats and potential vectors
Authors: Moerbeck Leonardo , Parreira Ricardo , Seixas Gonçalo , Velez Rita , Domingos Ana , Antunes Sandra 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Background
Tick-borne rickettsioses (TBR) are emerging, neglected, zoonoses, caused by intracellular α-proteobacteria of the genus Rickettsia, that pose a growing public health concern. The aim of the present study was to evaluate rickettsial infections in questing ticks collected from four different ecological areas in mainland Portugal.

Methods
Over a two-year period, a total of 707 questing ticks were collected. Individual adult ticks and pooled nymphs were submitted to DNA extraction, followed by qPCR assays targeting the gltA rickettsial gene. Positive samples were then submitted to conventional PCR targeting the gltA and the ompA genes for phylogenetic analysis.

Results
In total, eight tick species were identified: Dermacentor marginatus, Haemaphysalis inermis, Haemaphysalis punctata, Hyalomma lusitanicum, Ixodes frontalis, Ixodes ricinus, Rhipicephalus pusillus, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. Additionally, rickettsial infection was associated with seven of these species, with I. frontalis being the exception. Notably, the prevalence of Rickettsia spp. was 26.35%, with phylogenetic validation confirming infections with R. helvetica, R. massiliae, R. monacensis, Candidatus R. rioja, and R. slovaca.

Conclusions
The present study highlights the necessity for ongoing surveillance to map and monitor both questing and feeding ticks, along with their vertebrate hosts. Effective control strategies are of utmost importance to mitigate the escalating threat of TBR. Additionally, the present study provides valuable epidemiological insights into TBR in Portugal, including the identification of R. slovaca infecting I. ricinus - an unconventional tick-pathogen relationship - and the first report of Candidatus R. rioja infecting D. marginatus in Portugal. In conclusion, this study contributes with valuable data regarding epidemiological results on ticks and TBR circulating in Portugal, emphasizing the importance of proactive measures to address this emerging public health challenge.

Graphical abstract
Nano-encapsulated Yucca extract as feed additives: Ruminal greenhouse gas emissions of three forages
Authors: Botia-Carreño Edwin Oswaldo , Elghandour Mona M. M. Y. , Khusro Ameer , Velazquez Desiderio Rodriguez , Kreuzer-Redmer Susanne , Salem Abdelfattah Z. M. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractReducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from livestock is a crucial step towards mitigating the impact of climate change and improving environmental sustainability in agriculture. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Yucca schidigera extract, chitosan, and chitosan nanoparticles as feed additives on in vitro GHG emissions and fermentation profiles in ruminal fluid from bulls. Total gas, CH4, CO, and H2S emissions (up to 48 h), rumen fermentation profiles, and CH4 conversion efficiency were measured using standard protocols. The experiments involved supplementing 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mL/g dry matter (DM) of additives in different forages (alfalfa hay, corn silage, and oats hay). The chemical composition of forage showed suitable levels of DM, ash, crude protein, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, lignin, and metabolizable energy. The addition of these supplements increased asymptotic gas production across all forages while simultaneously reducing CH4, CO, and H2S emissions, though the extent of reduction varied depending on forage type. Moreover, the treatments improved fermentation profiles, including pH and dry matter digestibility, and significantly influenced CH4 conversion efficiency (CH4:ME, CH4:OM, and CH4:SCFA; P < 0.05). These results underscore the potential of Y. schidigera extract, chitosan, and chitosan nanoparticles as effective strategies for mitigating GHG emissions from ruminants given these promising in vitro findings. Further in vivo studies are recommended to validate their efficacy under real-world conditions, which could pave the way for practical applications in the field.
Suicide risk factors among Lithuanian medical doctors and residents
Authors: Kavaliauskas Povilas , Kazlauskas Evaldas , Smailyte Giedre 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Background
Medical doctors and residents are regularly exposed to multiple stressors that may lead to mental health problems. Work-related stressors contribute to elevated levels of psychological distress, anxiety, and depression among health care workers. This is the first investigation evaluating suicidal behaviour and thoughts among Lithuanian medical doctors and residents exposed to various professional stressors at two years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the study was to evaluate suicidality and factors associated with high suicide risk in a large sample of Lithuanian medical doctors and residents.

Methods
The research included 685 participants who completed an online questionnaire over a two-month period in December 2021 and January 2022. Medical doctors and residents from all specialties were invited to participate in the survey. The most common stressors in their work environment were measured. Mental health was assessed using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) scale, and suicidality was measured with the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R).

Results
The lifetime suicide risk was found in 30.4% of the sample. Moreover, 11.4% of medical doctors and residents were identified as having previous or current suicide planning ideation, and 2.5% reported a previous suicide attempt. Univariate analysis showed that younger age, having no long-term relationships, shorter work experience, career change ideation, higher depression and anxiety, poor working conditions, at the direct contact with patients, lack of career perspectives, and exposure to mobbing and exhaustion at work were statistically significant risk factors for higher suicidality. Furthermore, regression analysis supported that having no long-term relationship, high depression, and high anxiety were significant risk factors for suicide risk in the sample.

Conclusion
We found out that almost one-third of medical doctors and residents had lifetime suicide ideations and behaviours at the high suicide risk level. Main suicide risk factors were poor mental health, work-related stressors, and a lack of long-term relationships. The results of the study can help to develop prevention strategies by identifying populations that may be at high risk for mental health problems and provide evidence in implementing specific interventions to address mental health problems in healthcare workers.
Quality of registration of antenatal, intrapartum, and newborn information in the Georgian birth registry
Authors: Rylander Charlotta , Manjavidze Tinatin , Nedberg Ingvild Hersoug , Kerselidze Maia , Anda Erik Eik 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Background
The Georgian Birth Registry (GBR) is a comprehensive digital birth registry covering 99.8% of births nationwide. By law, registration in the GBR is mandatory, with data primarily transferred from medical records (MRs) by designated personnel at medical facilities. We aimed to assess the correspondence of the registration of selected variables between GBR and MRs.

Methods
We randomly selected 1,044 women who gave birth in 2018. Data were extracted from the GBR on 27 variables related to pregnancy, childbirth, and the newborn and individually linked to the MRs. We specifically compared the agreement of dichotomous, ordinal, and date variables between the GBR and the MRs to assess the consistency of individual registrations.

Results
Of the 27 dichotomous, ordinal, and date variables, 22 displayed more than 95% complete agreement with the information in the MRs. The prevalence of maternal morbidity registered in the MRs was lower than expected, while the proportion of fetuses with transverse lies was higher than expected.

Conclusions
Most antenatal, intrapartum, and newborn information registered in the GBR has satisfactory agreement with the MRs, with error typical for single data entry system. The lower-than-expected prevalence of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, hypertensive disorders, and postpartum hemorrhage registered in the MRs, as well as the higher-than-expected prevalence of transverse fetal presentation, warrants in-depth investigation to ensure that the quality of care is satisfactory and to further improve registration in both the MRs and GBR. Therefore, our findings indicate that while the agreement between the GBR and MRs is generally high, MRs are sometimes incomplete or incorrect for certain conditions.
Mechanism of antimicrobial peptide AMP-17 for inhibition of Aspergillus flavus
Authors: Song Dongxu , Chen Mingming , Yang Longbing , Jiao Zhenlong , Peng Jian , Guo Guo 
Published: December 2024

AbstractAspergillus flavus is a pathogenic fungus with a broad host range, and its secondary metabolite, aflatoxin, recognized as the world’s first naturally occurring carcinogen. Nonetheless, the current control measures for A. flavus are inadequate, thus, it is imperative to seek alternative control methods for this species. In the present study, we identified an antimicrobial peptide AMP-17, which was found to effectively inhibit the conidial germination, growth, conidiation, and aflatoxin production of A. flavus. Additionally, our investigation revealed that the inhibition of A. flavus by AMP-17 is primarily attributed to increase cell membrane permeability, modify cell surface morphology, and compromise cellular integrity, as observed through flow cytometry and scanning electron microscopy. Transcriptome analysis indicated significant transcriptional changes in several genes associated with cell wall, cell membrane, cell cycle, detoxification, and aflatoxin biosynthesis in response to AMP-17 treatment, suggesting disruption of these cellular processes and pathways in A. flavus. Furthermore, AMP-17 exhibited a broad-spectrum antifungal activity against Aspergillus spp. These findings provide a strong theoretical basis for the potential use of AMP-17 as an effective antifungal agent against A. flavus.
Study on rapid calculation and imaging simulation of aircraft infrared radiation characteristics
Authors: Yang Huicheng , Yang Qingzhen , Shi Yongqiang , Du Xubo , Liu Xinyuan 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThe infrared radiation characteristics of aircraft are a key focus in attack-defense confrontation and early warning detection. A rapid simulation method for calculating the infrared characteristics of targets is proposed by combining the discrete transfer method. By constructing the aerodynamic shape of a Su-27-like aircraft, the flow field parameters and skin temperature under cruise conditions were calculated. The proposed method was used to generate infrared images and calculate infrared radiation intensity at various detection angles, and perform speed tests. The results indicate that this method has high accuracy; the generated infrared image is clear, accurate, and can be used to identify the characteristic attributes of the target. In the pitch detection plane, the total infrared radiation intensity of the aircraft exhibits a “8” distribution, with the fuselage contributing the most (approximately 50%). In the yaw plane, the vertical stabilizer’s infrared radiation intensity shows a lobed distribution, with peaks at 60° and 120°. The method can achieve a calculation speed of four times per second for a single detection angle, meeting real-time processing requirements and providing valuable data for infrared target recognition algorithms.
Patients’ perspectives of tele-physiotherapy in a Nigerian low-resource setting
Authors: Odole Adesola C. , Odunaiya Nse A. , Oyewole Olufemi O. , Akinola Omobola S. , Ogunlana Michael O. , Mbada Chidozie E. , Ekediegwu Ezinne C. , Akinpelu Aderonke O. 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Background
Tele-physiotherapy, as pertinent to tele-rehabilitation, can facilitate health care continuity and needs to be accepted by both the health care providers and patients. Sufficient understanding of health information by the patient enhances his total participation in the management of his condition. In Nigeria, there is a dearth of published studies on the awareness and knowledge of patients on e-health and patient health education, particularly in tele-physiotherapy. Therefore, this study determined the knowledge, awareness, and perception of tele-physiotherapy among patients receiving physiotherapy in public hospitals in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Methods
The mixed-method study involved quantitative (cross-sectional) and phenomenological qualitative (focus-group discussion [FGD]). The participants for the study were patients receiving physiotherapy care from selected public hospitals in Ibadan, Nigeria. Their knowledge, awareness, and perception (KAP) of tele-physiotherapy were assessed using a standard questionnaire, while the KAP was further explored through FGD.

Results
Almost all the participants (150, 99.3%) lack KAP of tele-physiotherapy. They reported that they were not aware of the term “tele-physiotherapy”. Five themes were generated, which were categorized into subthemes that guided the discussion. The FGD participants were unaware of tele-physiotherapy but have fair knowledge and perception. They were able to identify challenges and facilitators to the implementation of tele-physiotherapy in Nigeria.

Conclusion
Patients receiving physiotherapy in public hospitals in Ibadan have inadequate knowledge and awareness of tele-physiotherapy but fair perception.
Functional disability among Behçet’s disease patients: its relation to disease activity, depression, and fatigue
Authors: Dawa Ghada A. , Toukhey Mirvet A. El , Sherby Nagwa A. , Mohamed Shaimaa A. 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Background
Patients with Behçet’s disease (BD) who exhibit all of the physical and psychological symptoms and signs are likely to experience difficulties with daily living activities related to BD. The current study aimed to assess several factors that may be related to functional disability among BD patients studying these factors and targeting them to increase physical and mental activity as well as functional ability in the future.

Results
Seventy-four BD patients were included in our study and they were 51 males and 23 females. BD patients had significantly higher Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale component for depression, and for anxiety, and Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue scores than the healthy controls (P = 0.005, P < 0.001, and P < 0.001 respectively). A positive correlation was found significantly between the Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire and age (r = 0.2, P = 0.03), the duration of disease (r = 0.3, P = 0.01), disease activity (P = 0.008), and among patients with vascular (P = 0.02) and neurological affection (P = 0.002). Also, there was a highly significant positive correlation with anxiety, depression, and fatigue (P < 0.001).

Conclusion
In BD patients, realizing the relationships between increased disability and aging, female sex, long disease duration, vascular and neurological involvement, different indices of activity, fatigue, anxiety, and depression was detected. Disease activity is one of the most important factors causing disability that should be controlled. Screening for depression, anxiety, and fatigue plus proper treatment is highly valued in promoting patient’s coping with the disease.
Defensive tactics: lessons from Drosophila
Authors: Sadanandappa Madhumala K. , Ahmad Subhana , Mohanraj Robinson , Ratnaparkhi Mrunal , Sathyanarayana Shivaprasad H. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT
Parasitoid wasps exert strong selective pressure on their hosts, driving the evolution of diverse defense strategies. Drosophila, a widely studied model organism, hosts a wide range of parasites, including parasitoid wasps, and has evolved immune and behavioral mechanisms to mitigate the risk of parasitization. These defenses range from avoidance and evasion to post-infection immune responses, such as melanotic encapsulation. In response, parasitoid wasps have developed countermeasures, contributing to an ongoing arms race between host and parasite. This article reviews the anti-parasitoid behaviors of Drosophila, focusing on their role in reducing parasitization and enhancing host survival and fitness. It also explores the molecular and neuronal circuit mechanisms that underlie these behaviors, using Drosophila as an ecologically relevant model for studying host-parasitoid interactions. Furthermore, the article discusses the potential applications of these findings in biological pest control and highlights key unresolved questions in the field.
Impact of distinct dystrophin gene mutations on behavioral phenotypes of Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Saoudi Amel , Mitsogiannis Manuela D. , Zarrouki Faouzi , Fergus Claire , Stojek Erwina , Talavera Silvia , Moore-Frederick Dervla , Kelly Vincent P. , Goyenvalle Aurélie , Montanaro Federica , Muntoni Francesco , Prenderville Jack A. , Sokolowska Ewa , Vaillend Cyrille 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT
The severity of brain comorbidities in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) depends on the mutation position within the DMD gene and differential loss of distinct brain dystrophin isoforms (i.e. Dp427, Dp140, Dp71). Comparative studies of DMD mouse models with different mutation profiles may help to understand this genotype−phenotype relationship. The aim of this study was (1) to compare the phenotypes due to Dp427 loss in mdx5cv mice to those of mdx52 mice, which concomitantly lack Dp427 and Dp140; and (2) to evaluate replicability of phenotypes in separate laboratories. We show that mdx5cv mice displayed impaired fear conditioning and robust anxiety-related responses, the severity of which was higher in mdx52 mice. Depression-related phenotypes presented variably in these models and were difficult to replicate between laboratories. Recognition memory was unaltered or minimally affected in mdx5cv and mdx52 mice, at variance with the cognitive deficits described in the original Dp427-deficient mdx mouse, suggesting a difference related to its distinct genetic background. Our results confirm that Dp140 loss may increase the severity of emotional disturbances, and provide insights on the limits of the reproducibility of behavioral studies in DMD mouse models.
Cardiac performance mirrors the passive thermal tolerance range in the oyster Ostrea edulis
Authors: Götze Sandra , Reddin Carl J. , Ketelsen Isabel , Busack Michael , Lannig Gisela , Bock Christian , Pörtner Hans-O. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT
Increasing frequencies of heatwaves threaten marine ectotherm species but not all alike. In exposed habitats, some species rely on a higher capacity for passive tolerance at higher temperatures, thereby extending time-dependent survival limits. Here, we assessed how the involvement of the cardiovascular system in extended tolerance at the margins of the thermal performance curve is dependent on warming rate. We studied organismal and heart tissue cellular responses of the European oyster, Ostrea edulis, challenged by rapid warming (+2°C per hour) and gradual warming (+2°C per 24 h). Starting at 22°C, cardiac activity was monitored as temperature was increased, tracking cardiac performance curves. Hearts were collected at discrete temperatures to determine cardiomyocyte metabolic profiles. Heart rate peaked at a lower Arrhenius breakpoint temperatures (ABT) of 30.5°C under rapid warming versus 33.9°C under gradual warming. However, oysters survived to higher temperatures under rapid than under gradual warming, with half of oysters dying (LT50) by 36.9°C versus 34.8°C, respectively. As rapid warming passed 30°C, heart rate fell and cardiomyocyte metabolic profiles suddenly changed as oysters switched to anaerobic metabolism for survival. By 36°C, severe fluctuations in Krebs cycle-related metabolites accompanied cardiac failure. In contrast, oysters exposed to gradual warming made gradual, extensive adjustments to intracellular metabolic pathways, prolonging aerobic cardiomyocyte metabolism to higher temperatures. This extended survival duration and ABT, beyond which cardiac activity decreased sharply and ceased. Our results emphasize how the rate of warming forces a trade-off between temperature maxima and survival duration, via tissue- and cellular-level impacts. European oysters possess adaptations that enable extended tolerance and survival of intertidal populations.
MICROBOCENOSIS OF THE RHIZOSPHERE OF SOFT WHEAT WHEN USING BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTS
Authors: Shuliko Natalya N. , Tukmacheva Elena V. , Korchagina Irina A. , Kiseleva Alina A. , Khamova Olga F. , Timokhin Artem Yu. , Parshutkin Yuri Yu. , Kubasova Ekaterina V. 
Published: December 2024

Soil microflora is a powerful indicator of the condition of arable soils. This review summarizes the latest scientific reports concerning the structure of the microbial cenosis of meadow-chernozemic soil under agrogenic effects, as well as demonstrate its own results. The research was carried out on spring soft wheat in field experiments of the Omsk Agricultural Scientific Center in the southern forest-steppe of Western Siberia in order to determine the effect of the use of biological products of associative diazotrophs on the biological (ecological) properties of the rhizosphere of spring soft wheat and to determine their relationship with crop yield.
In this research we found out that the root microbiome of soft wheat reacted ambiguously to inoculation of biological products and depended both on the genotypic characteristics of the varieties and on the preparations used. The number of copiotrophs, oligonitrophils and microfungis increased in the rhizosphere of spring soft wheat of the Omsk 44 variety when using the bacterial fertilizer Flavobacterin. The Omskaya 44 variety also stood out with the largest total number of microflora, the use of the Flavobacterin biopreparation stimulated its growth relative to the control by 22%. The use of Mizorin did not significantly affect the activity of root microorganisms. The microbial population of wheat varieties Omskaya 42 and Tarskaya 12 did not respond to the introduction of bacteria of the genus Arthrobacter mysorens 7 and Flavobacterium sp. L-30. Immobilization processes prevailed in the rhizosphere of the studied varieties, to the greatest extent in wheat Tarskaya 12 and Omskaya 44. The activity of hydrolytic enzymes in most variants of the experiment tended to increase relative to the control (up to 17%), however, the activity of the redox enzyme catalase decreased from the applied agricultural method within the experimental error (up to 4%). A statistically significant (p<0.05) positive (r=0.675) dependence of wheat yield on the amount of microflora in the rhizosphere was revealed.