bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Donor‐derived infections—Insights from Singapore, Japan, and Thailand
Authors: Tan Sophie Seine Xuan , Phoompoung Pakpoom , Okamoto Koh , Chayakulkeeree Methee , Koh Xiu Xian , Tan Chee‐Kiat , Kong Sally Nyuk Min , Tan Thuan Tong , Chung Shimin Jasmine , Tan Ban Hock 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackgroundSolid organ transplantation (SOT) has expanded significantly in Asia over past few decades. Donor‐derived infections (DDIs) remain a significant concern as they may adversely impact transplant outcomes. We aim to review the existing regulatory frameworks, screening protocols, and management practices for DDIs in Asia.MethodsWe reached out to transplant infectious diseases experts in Asia to provide standardized data on annual SOT numbers, incidence of DDIs, regulatory frameworks, donor and recipient screening protocols, and DDI surveillance measures. We present the data from Singapore, Japan, and Thailand.ResultsDonor screening for HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and syphilis is mandatory in all countries. Additionally, Japan screens for HTLV‐1 antibody due to its endemicity. We also reviewed the protocols for screening and prevention of endemic infections in Asia. Singapore is the only country implementing universal screening for all donors for dengue, Zika, and chikungunya via blood and urine RT‐PCR. Strongyloidiasis screening is not routinely done, although some transplant centers empirically give ivermectin prophylaxis to organ recipients. Tuberculosis screening with a donor questionnaire and chest radiograph is common for deceased donors, and some centers do Interferon Gamma Release Assay test for living donors. We also found a significant gap in the surveillance and reporting of potential DDIs in Asia and the overall incidence of DDIs in Asia is unknown and likely underreported.ConclusionThe experiences of Singapore, Japan, and Thailand offer valuable insights into current practices and the unmet needs regarding a DDI registry and call for coordinated efforts to address this critical issue in the region.
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RNA–protein interactions reveals the pivotal role of lncRNA1840 in tomato fruit maturation
Authors: Zhu Guoning , Li Ran , Zhang Lingling , Ma Liqun , Li Jinyan , Chen Jieyin , Deng Zhiping , Yan Shijie , Li Tao , Ren Huazhong , Cui Kaicheng , Qu Guiqin , Zhu Benzhong , Fu Daqi , Luo Yunbo , Zhu Hongliang 
Published: September 2024

SUMMARYLong non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial roles in various biological processes in plants. However, the functional mechanism of lncRNAs in fruit ripening, particularly the transition from unripe to ripe stages, remains elusive. One such lncRNA1840, reported by our group, was found to have important role in tomato fruit ripening. In the present study, we gain insight into its functional role in fruit ripening. CRISPR‐Cas9 mediated lncRNA1840 mutants caused the delayed tomato fruit ripening. Notably, loss function of lncRNA1840 did not directly impact ethylene signaling but rather delay ethylene synthesis. Transcriptomic analysis revealed differences in the expression of ripening related genes in lncRNA1840 mutants, suggesting that it is involved in gene regulation of fruit ripening. We used Chromatin Isolation by RNA Purification (ChIRP)‐Seq to identify lncRNA1840 binding sites on chromatin. ChIRP‐seq suggested that lncRNA1840 had occupancy on 40 genes, but none of them is differentially expressed genes in transcriptomic analysis, which indicated lncRNA1840 might indirectly modulate the gene expression. ChIRP‐mass spectrometry analysis identified potential protein interactors of lncRNA1840, Pre‐mRNA processing splicing factor 8, highlighting its involvement in post‐transcriptional regulatory pathways. In summary, lncRNA1840 is key player in tomato plant growth and fruit ripening, with multifaceted roles in gene expression and regulatory networks.
Temperature change regulates pollen fertility of a PTGMS rice line PA64S by modulating the ROS homeostasis and PCD within the tapetum
Authors: Sun Yujun , Ang Yina , Fu Ming , Bai Yunxiu , Chen Jiasheng , He Ying , Zeng Hanlai 
Published: September 2024

SUMMARYPhotoperiod and temperature‐sensitive male sterility rice is an important line for two‐line hybrid rice, and the changes in the cultivation temperature strictly control its pollen fertility. However, the mechanism by which temperature variation regulates pollen fertility is still unclear. This study obtained stable fertile PA64S(F) and sterile PA64S(S) rice from PA64S by controlling temperature changes. PA64S(F) shows a normal anther development and fertile pollen under low temperature (21°C), and PA64S(S) shows delayed degradation of the tapetum cells, leading to abnormal pollen wall formation and ubisch development under normal temperature (28°C). The accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) positively correlates with the programmed cell death (PCD) process of tapetum cells. The delayed accumulation of ROS in the PA64S(S) tapetum at early stages leads to a delayed initiation of the PCD process. Importantly, we localized ascorbic acid (ASA) accumulation in the tapetum cells and determined that ASA is a major antioxidant for ROS homeostasis. ROS‐inhibited accumulation plants (PA64S‐ASA) demonstrated pollen sterility, higher ASA and lower ROS accumulation in the tapetum, and the absence of PCD processes in the tapetum cell. Abnormal changes in the tapetum of PA64S(S) rice disrupted metabolic pathways such as lipid metabolism, cutin and wax synthesis, sugar accumulation, and phenylpropane, affecting pollen wall formation and substance accumulation, suggesting that the timely accumulation of ROS is critical for male fertility. This study highlights the central role of ROS homeostasis in fertility alteration and also provides an avenue to address the effect of environmental temperature changes on pollen fertility in rice.
Chinese currency exceptionalism: The curious internationalisation of the renminbi
Authors: Balmas Paolo , Howarth David 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe People's Republic of China (PRC) lacks the macroeconomic conditions to internationalise its currency, the renminbi (RMB). Despite tight controls on capital markets in China, the international use of the RMB has increased significantly with the RMB becoming the fifth most used currency in global trade and financial markets. We argue that the internationalisation of the RMB has followed an unusual process, differing from the more typical features depicted in the literature on currency internationalisation. The RMB has internationalised despite the reluctance of the Chinese government to liberalise the country's current and capital accounts and its financial market. We argue that the investment role of money—overlooked or downplayed in this literature—is the main driver of RMB internationalisation. The Chinese government has created specific investment channels for non‐Chinese investors that allow a controlled flow of capital to enter China's securities markets. The major players promoting the international use of the RMB are Western banks, the investment fund industry and financial services firms that have included Chinese securities in their indices. In the absence of structural conditions to expand the RMB's international use, we suggest that agents matter the most in this phase of limited RMB internationalisation.
Test–retest reliability of Doppler ultrasound‐based leg blood flow assessments during exercise in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Mohammad Milan , Hartmann Jacob P. , Andersen Amalie B. , Hartmeyer Helene L. , Iepsen Ulrik W. , Berg Ronan M. G. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractDoppler ultrasound may be used to assess leg blood flow (), but the reliability of this method remains unexplored in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), where between‐subject variability may be larger than healthy due to peripheral vascular changes. This study aimed to investigate the reliability of Doppler ultrasound in quantifying during single‐leg knee‐extensor exercise (KEE) in COPD patients compared with those obtained from healthy matched controls. In this case–control study, 16 participants with COPD were matched based on sex and age with 16 healthy controls. All participants underwent measurement of using Doppler ultrasound in a KEE set‐up at various intensities on two separate visits. Confounding factors on were controlled for, and the ultrasound scans were consistently performed by the same sonographer. During exercise, smallest real difference (SRD) ranged from 367 mL to 583 mL in COPD and 438 mL to 667 mL in the control group. The coefficient of variation (CV) ranged from 7.9% to 14.3% in COPD and 9.4% to 10.4% in the control group. The intraclass correlation coefficient ranged from 0.75 to 0.92 in COPD and 0.67 to 0.84 in the control group. CV was lower in the control group during exercise at 0 W, but apart from that, reliability was not different between groups during exercise. Doppler ultrasound showed nearly equal reliability when evaluating in COPD patients and healthy individuals with a CV below 15% during exercise for both groups.Highlights
What is the central question of this study?What is the between‐day reliability of Doppler ultrasound when quantifying leg blood flow during single‐leg knee‐extensor exercise in COPD patients compared to healthy matched controls?
What is the main finding and its importance?This study demonstrates a coefficient of variation ranging from 7.9 to 14.3% during single‐leg knee‐extensor exercise for between‐day reliability when applying Doppler ultrasound to assess leg blood flow in patients with COPD. Furthermore, it offers insights into the peripheral circulatory constraints in COPD, as evidenced by diminished leg blood flow. This study is the first of its kind to evaluate the reliability of Doppler ultrasound in the assessment of the peripheral circulation during exercise in COPD.
Semi-Closed Oxy-Combustion Combined Cycles for Combined Heat and Power Applications
Authors: Zelaschi Andrea , Giostri Andrea , Chiesa Paolo , Martelli Emanuele 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
This study focuses on the design and comparison of three utility-scale combined heat and power (CHP) cycles with carbon capture and storage (CCS): (i) a CHP semi-closed oxy-combustion combined cycle (SCOC-CC), (ii) a CHP natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) with postcombustion CCS, and (iii) a CHP NGCC with postcombustion CCS and supplementary firing. Performance evaluations are conducted at the design point and partial load (gas turbine at 30%) for different exports of high-temperature pressurized steam. The comparison is extended against two reference separate production systems with CCS, one based on postcombustion technologies, and another based on oxy-combustion. Simulations of the H-class gas turbines are performed using gas steam (GS), a specific in-house validated software, while the heat recovery steam cycle is modeled using Thermoflex. The CO2 capture processes employ validated models in Aspen Plus. The results highlight the suitability of the SCOC-CC for CHP applications, demonstrating superior performance and flexibility compared to CHP postcombustion technologies at both nominal and minimum loads. The SCOC cycle achieves a maximum first-law efficiency of 65.95%, outperforming CCS technologies that generate electricity and heat separately and enabling fuel savings up to 9.2%.
RANS Capabilities for Transonic Axial Compressor: A Perspective From GPPS Computational Fluid Dynamics Workshop
Authors: He Xiao , Klausmann Fabian 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulations currently serve as the prevailing industrial method for simulating axial compressor flows, and this status is expected to persist in the foreseeable future. To evaluate the capabilities of contemporary RANS solvers for compressors, this article presents a statistical analysis of RANS simulation results submitted to the first and the second Global Power and Propulsion Society (GPPS) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) workshops, where blind tests on the TUDa-GLR-OpenStage transonic axial compressor were performed. The workshops were held online in December 2021 and in a hybrid format at Chania, Greece, in September 2022, which are the first primary turbomachinery CFD workshops following the 1994 International Gas Turbine Institute (IGTI) CFD blind test event on NASA Rotor 37. A total of 35 submissions were received from 12 distinct RANS solvers, contributed by 14 participants affiliated with 11 organizations across 5 countries. Participants include academic researchers, engineers from the turbomachinery industry, and developers of commercial CFD solvers. First, the grid convergence behavior exhibited by various solvers employing different turbulence models is examined. Afterward, the prediction accuracy of the ensemble of the simulation results is evaluated, and the representative simulation results are compared and analyzed in detail. The key factors that improve the prediction accuracy are identified. These results foster improved usage and further development of turbomachinery RANS solvers.
Aerodynamic Performance Prediction for Wide-Incidence Turbines Using Graph Neural Network Models Driven by Small-Scale Experimental Data
Authors: Chen Tianyou , Cai Le , Zeng Jun , Zhang Weitao , Wang Songtao 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
To rapidly and accurately predict turbine rotor blade losses within a wide range of incidences (−50–30 deg), graph neural networks (GNNs) are utilized to predict the aerodynamic parameters of two-dimensional turbine blades based on a small-scale experimental dataset. By comparing the backpropagation neural network (BPnn) model and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) results, it is demonstrated that GNNs with appropriately designed graph structures can accurately and quickly predict high-fidelity aerodynamic parameters based on limited experimental data. Unlike traditional data-driven modeling approaches, two innovative methods for improving blade profiles into graph structures are proposed. Relatively few input features are used to comprehensively and effectively represent the turbine blade profile by applying blade profile features in the GNN. The research findings indicate that due to the graph structure, which divides the turbine blade profile into five nodes based on five key points, coupled with high-fidelity experimental data and the unique weight updating mechanism of the graph attention network (GAT) model, the GAT-5 model exhibits the best performance among the studied models. Additionally, when assessing unknown validation blade profiles, the GAT-5 model maintains an absolute error below 6% at an incidence angle of 30 deg compared to the experimental results.
Heterogeneity of
Salmonella enterica
lipopolysaccharide counteracts macrophage and antimicrobial peptide defenses
Authors: Heffernan Linda M. , Lawrence Anna-Lisa E. , Marcotte Haley A. , Sharma Amit , Jenkins Aria X. , Iguwe Damilola , Rood Jennifer , Herke Scott W. , O'Riordan Mary X. , Abuaita Basel H. 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT

S
almonella enterica
is comprised of over 2,500 serovars, in which non-typhoidal serovars (NTS), Enteritidis (SE), and Typhimurium (STM) are the most clinically associated with human infections. Although NTS have similar genetic elements to cause disease, phenotypic variation including differences in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) composition may control immune evasion. Here, we demonstrate that macrophage host defenses and LL-37 antimicrobial efficacy against SE and STM are substantially altered by LPS heterogeneity. We found that SE evades macrophage killing by inhibiting phagocytosis while STM survives better intracellularly post-phagocytosis. SE-infected macrophages failed to activate the inflammasomes and subsequently produced less interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-18, and interferon λ. Inactivation of LPS biosynthesis genes altered LPS composition, and the SE LPS-altered mutants could no longer inhibit phagocytosis, inflammasome activation, and type II interferon signaling. In addition, SE and STM showed differential susceptibility to the antimicrobials LL-37 and colistin, and alteration of LPS structure substantially increased susceptibility to these molecules. Collectively, our findings highlight that modification of LPS composition by
Salmonella
increases resistance to host defenses and antibiotics.
Neu5Gc binding loss of subtype H7 influenza A virus facilitates adaptation to gallinaceous poultry following transmission from waterbirds
Authors: Guan Minhui , DeLiberto Thomas J. , Feng Aijing , Zhang Jieze , Li Tao , Wang Shuaishuai , Li Lei , Killian Mary Lea , Praena Beatriz , Giri Emily , Deliberto Shelagh T. , Hang Jun , Olivier Alicia , Torchetti Mia Kim , Tao Yizhi Jane , Parrish Colin , Wan Xiu-Feng 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT

Between 2013 and 2018, the novel A/Anhui/1/2013 (AH/13)-lineage H7N9 virus caused at least five waves of outbreaks in humans, totaling 1,567 confirmed human cases in China. Surveillance data indicated a disproportionate distribution of poultry infected with this AH/13-lineage virus, and laboratory experiments demonstrated that this virus can efficiently spread among chickens but not among Pekin ducks. The underlying mechanism of this selective transmission remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrated the absence of Neu5Gc expression in chickens across all respiratory and gastrointestinal tissues. However, Neu5Gc expression varied among different duck species and even within the tissues of the same species. The AH/13-lineage viruses exclusively bind to acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac), in contrast to wild waterbird H7 viruses that bind both Neu5Ac and N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc). The level of Neu5Gc expression influences H7 virus replication and facilitates adaptive mutations in these viruses. In summary, our findings highlight the critical role of Neu5Gc in affecting the host range and interspecies transmission dynamics of H7 viruses among avian species.

IMPORTANCE
Migratory waterfowl, gulls, and shorebirds are natural reservoirs for influenza A viruses (IAVs) that can occasionally spill over to domestic poultry, and ultimately humans. This study showed wild-type H7 IAVs from waterbirds initially bind to glycan receptors terminated with N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) or N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc). However, after enzootic transmission in chickens, the viruses exclusively bind to Neu5Ac. The absence of Neu5Gc expression in gallinaceous poultry, particularly chickens, exerts selective pressure, shaping IAV populations, and promoting the acquisition of adaptive amino acid substitutions in the hemagglutinin protein. This results in the loss of Neu5Gc binding and an increase in virus transmissibility in gallinaceous poultry, particularly chickens. Consequently, the transmission capability of these poultry-adapted H7 IAVs in wild water birds decreases. Timely intervention, such as stamping out, may help reduce virus adaptation to domestic chicken populations and lower the risk of enzootic outbreaks, including those caused by IAVs exhibiting high pathogenicity.
The epidemic characteristics of
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
infection among children in Anhui, China, 2015–2023
Authors: Chen Bing , Gao Ling-yu , Chu Qiu-ju , Zhou Ting-dong , Tong Yang , Han Ning , Wang Ai-hua , Zhou Qiang 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT

The number of pediatric respiratory tract infection cases in China has significantly increased this year, and
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
is one of the main pathogens. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of
M. pneumoniae
in children in the Anhui region and to provide evidence for the prevention and control strategies of
M. pneumoniae
in children in this region. A total of 66,488 pediatric patients with respiratory tract infection were enrolled from January 2015 to November 2023 in this study. The results of this study exhibited that
M. pneumoniae
infection in the Anhui region was characterized by a high positive rate during 2021–2023, especially this year is considered a year of pandemic for
M. pneumoniae
infection. Moreover, the positive rate of
M. pneumoniae
in female children is significantly higher than in male children, and the infection rate of
M. pneumoniae
in children increases significantly with age, particularly in school-aged children.

IMPORTANCE

The number of pediatric respiratory tract infection cases in China has significantly increased this year, and
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
is one of the main pathogens. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of
M. pneumoniae
in children in the Anhui region and provide evidence for the prevention and control strategies of
M. pneumoniae
in children in this region.
Assessment of broth disk elution method for aztreonam in combination with ceftazidime/avibactam against
Enterobacterales
isolates
Authors: Song Peipei , Xu Jian , Jiang Lan , Zhang Qin , Liu Chenggui 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT

The combination of aztreonam with ceftazidime/avibactam is considered a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of infections caused by metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)-producing isolates. In this study,
in vitro
antibacterial activity of aztreonam with avibactam against 204 carbapenemase-producing
Enterobacterales
was determined by broth disk elution (BDE) method of two detection volumes (5- and 2-mL broth), with broth microdilution (BMD) method as a reference. For the BDE-5mL test, the categorical agreement (CA) of ATM+CZA
-lo
tube (aztreonam/ceftazidime/avibactam: 6/6/4 mg/L) was 99.5%, with 0.5% major error (ME) and 0% very major error (VME); the CA of 2ATM+CZA
-lo
tube (12/6/4 mg/L) was 100%, with no ME and VME. For the BDE-2mL test, the CA of ATM+2CZA
-hi
tube (15/10/4 mg/L) was 98.5%, with 0% ME and 37.5% VME; the CA of 2ATM+2CZA
-hi
tube (30/10/4 mg/L) was 97.1%, with 0% ME and 75% VME. The BDE-5 mL test is an economical and practical method for clinical microbiology laboratories to determine the antibacterial susceptibility of aztreonam with avibactam against
Enterobacterales
, especially the 2ATM+CZA
-lo
tube with a final concentration of 12/6/4 mg/L of aztreonam/ceftazidime/avibactam.

IMPORTANCE

Infections caused by metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)-producing
Enterobacterales
are increasingly reported worldwide, and it is a significant challenge for clinical infection treatment. MBLs are adept at hydrolyzing almost all traditional β-lactam antibiotics except aztreonam, and the enzyme activity cannot be inhibited by traditional or novel β-lactamase inhibitors. The good thing is that the combination of aztreonam with ceftazidime/avibactam has been proven to be one of the potential therapeutic approaches for treating infections related with MBL-producing isolates. Broth microdilution (BMD) method is recommended as a reference method for its accuracy, but it is too complex to perform in most routine laboratories. Finding a more convenient, practical, and accurate susceptibility testing method for aztreonam/avibactam in clinical microbiology laboratories is very necessary. Here, we evaluated the performance of broth disk elution (BDE) method for aztreonam in combination with ceftazidime/avibactam against
Enterobacterales
isolates, with BMD as a reference.