bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cytomegalovirus Post‐Prophylaxis Surveillance in High‐Risk Kidney and Liver Recipients Prevents CMV End‐Organ Disease and Ganciclovir‐Resistance
Authors: Jorgenson Margaret R. , Meyer Ethan , Leverson Glen E. , Descourouez Jillian L. , Saddler Christopher M. , Smith Jeannina A. , Rice John P. , Mandelbrot Didier A. , Odorico Jon S. 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTPurposeEvaluate cytomegalovirus (CMV) post‐prophylaxis surveillance in high‐risk (D+/R‐) kidney and liver transplant recipients.MethodsAdult D+/R‐ patients were included if transplanted between 6/1/15 and 11/30/22 and divided into a pre‐CMV‐stewardship‐era (6/1/15–5/31/18), CMV‐stewardship‐era (6/1/18–6/30/20), and a surveillance‐era (7/1/2020–11/30/2022) then followed through 12 months. The primary objective was to evaluate CMV‐related outcomes. The secondary objective was to assess graft and patient survival by era.ResultsThere were 328 patients in the study period; 133 in the pre‐stewardship‐era, 103 in the stewardship‐era, and 92 in the surveillance‐era.Replication rates in the surveillance‐era were significantly higher, as anticipated due to increased sampling (pre 38.4%, stewardship 33.0%, surveillance 52.2%, p = 0.02). Time from transplant to first replication was similar (pre 214.0 ± 79.0 days, stewardship 231.1 ± 65.5, surveillance 234.9 ± 61.4, p = 0.29). CMV viral load (VL) at first detection, maximum‐VL, and incidence of VL > 100 000 IU/mL were numerically lower in the surveillance era, although not statistically significant. CMV end‐organ disease (p < 0.0001) and ganciclovir‐resistance (p = 0.002) were significantly lower in the surveillance era than in both previous eras.Rejection was not different between eras (p = 0.4). Graft (p = 0.0007) and patient survival (p = 0.008) were significantly improved in the surveillance era.ConclusionsPost‐prophylaxis surveillance significantly reduced CMV end‐organ disease and resistance. Despite observing increased replication rates in the surveillance era, rejection was not significantly different and there was no graft loss or patient mortality at 12 months.
Causal relationship between key genes and metabolic dysfunction‐associated fatty liver disease risk mediated by immune cells: A Mendelian randomization and mediation analysis
Authors: Feng Gong , He Na , Gao Jing , Li Xiao‐Cheng , Zhang Fen‐Na , Liu Cheng‐Cheng , Targher Giovanni , Byrne Christopher D. , Mi Man , Zheng Ming‐Hua , Ye Feng 
Published: September 2024

AbstractAimNon‐invasive diagnostics for metabolic dysfunction–associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) remain challenging. We aimed to identify novel key genes as non‐invasive biomarkers for MAFLD, elucidate causal relationships between biomarkers and MAFLD and determine the role of immune cells as potential mediators.Materials and MethodsUtilizing published transcriptome data of patients with biopsy‐proven MAFLD, we applied linear models for microarray data, least absolute shrinkage and selector operation (LASSO) regressions and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses to identify and validate biomarkers for MAFLD. Using the expression quantitative trait loci database and a cohort of 778 614 Europeans, we used Mendelian randomization to analyse the causal relationships between key biomarkers and MAFLD. Additionally, mediation analysis was performed to examine the involvement of 731 immunophenotypes in these relationships.ResultsWe identified 31 differentially expressed genes, and LASSO regression showed three hub genes, IGFBP2, PEG10, and P4HA1, with area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve of 0.807, 0.772 and 0.791, respectively, for identifying MAFLD. The model of these three genes had an AUROC of 0.959 and 0.800 in the development and validation data sets, respectively. This model was also validated using serum‐based enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay data from MAFLD patients and control subjects (AUROC: 0.819, 95% confidence interval: 0.736–0.902). PEG10 was associated with an increased MAFLD risk (odds ratio = 1.106, p = 0.032) via inverse variance–weighted analysis, and about 30% of this risk was mediated by the percentage of CD11c + CD62L– monocytes.ConclusionsThe MAFLD panels have good diagnostic accuracy, and the causal link between PEG10 and MAFLD was mediated by the percentage of CD11c + CD62L– monocytes.
A new motile animal with implications for the evolution of axial polarity from the Ediacaran of South Australia
Authors: Evans Scott D. , Hughes Ian V. , Hughes Emily B. , Dzaugis Peter W. , Dzaugis Matthew P. , Gehling James G. , García‐Bellido Diego C. , Droser Mary L. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractFossils of the Ediacara Biota preserve the oldest evidence for complex, macroscopic animals. Most are difficult to constrain phylogenetically, however, the presence of rare, derived groups suggests that many more fossils from this period represent extant groups than are currently appreciated. One approach to recognize such early animals is to instead focus on characteristics widespread in animals today, for example multicellularity, motility, and axial polarity. Here, we describe a new taxon, Quaestio simpsonorum gen. et sp. nov. from the Ediacaran of South Australia. Quaestio is reconstructed with a thin external membrane connecting more resilient tissues with anterior‐posterior polarity, left‐right asymmetry and tentative evidence for dorsoventral differentiation. Associated trace fossils indicate an epibenthic and motile lifestyle. Our results suggest that Quaestio was a motile eumetazoan with a body plan not previously recognized in the Ediacaran, including definitive evidence of chirality. This organization, combined with previous evidence for axial patterning in a variety of other Ediacara taxa, demonstrates that metazoan body plans were well established in the Precambrian.
Sequence analysis, homology modeling, tissue expression, and potential functions of seven putative acetylcholinesterases in the spider Cupiennius salei
Authors: Liu Hongxia , Jang Jinwon , French Andrew S. , Torkkeli Päivi H. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractAcetylcholine esterases (AChEs) are essential enzymes in cholinergic synapses, terminating neurotransmission by hydrolysing acetylcholine. While membrane bound AChEs at synaptic clefts efficiently perform this task, soluble AChEs are less stable and effective, but function over broader areas. In vertebrates, a single gene produces alternatively spliced forms of AChE, whereas invertebrates often have multiple genes, producing both enzyme types. Despite their significance as pesticide targets, the physiological roles of invertebrate AChEs remain unclear. Here, we characterized seven putative AChEs in the wandering spider, Cupiennius salei, a model species for neurophysiological studies. Sequence analyses and homology modeling predicted CsAChE7 as the sole stable, membrane‐bound enzyme functioning at synaptic clefts, while the others are likely soluble enzymes. In situ hybridization of sections from the spider's nervous system revealed CsAChE7 transcripts co‐localizing with choline acetyltransferase in cells that also exhibited AChE activity. CsAChE7 transcripts were also found in rapidly adapting mechanosensory neurons, suggesting a role in precise and transient activation of postsynaptic cells, contrasting with slowly adapting, also cholinergic, neurons expressing only soluble AChEs, which allow prolonged activation of postsynaptic cells. These findings suggest that cholinergic transmission is influenced not only by postsynaptic receptors but also by the enzymatic properties regulating acetylcholine clearance. We also show that acetylcholine is a crucial neurotransmitter in the spider's visual system and sensory and motor pathways, but absent in excitatory motor neurons at neuromuscular junctions, consistent with other arthropods. Our findings on sequence structures may have implications for the development of neurological drugs and pesticides.
Commensal bacteria exacerbate seizure‐like phenotypes inDrosophilavoltage‐gated sodium channel mutants
Authors: Lansdon Patrick , Kasuya Junko , Kitamoto Toshihiro 
Published: September 2024

AbstractMutations in voltage‐gated sodium (Nav) channels, which are essential for generating and propagating action potentials, can lead to serious neurological disorders, such as epilepsy. However, disease‐causing Navchannel mutations do not always result in severe symptoms, suggesting that the disease conditions are significantly affected by other genetic factors and various environmental exposures, collectively known as the “exposome”. Notably, recent research emphasizes the pivotal role of commensal bacteria in neural development and function. Although these bacteria typically benefit the nervous system under normal conditions, their impact during pathological states remains largely unknown. Here, we investigated the influence of commensal microbes on seizure‐like phenotypes exhibited byparaShu—a gain‐of‐function mutant of theDrosophilaNavchannel gene,paralytic. Remarkably, the elimination of endogenous bacteria considerably ameliorated neurological impairments inparaShu. Consistently, reintroducing bacteria, specifically from theLactobacillusorAcetobactergenera, heightened the phenotypic severity in the bacteria‐deprived mutants. These findings posit that particular native bacteria contribute to the severity of seizure‐like phenotypes inparaShu. We further uncovered that treatingparaShuwith antibiotics boosted Nrf2 signaling in the gut, and that global Nrf2 activation mirrored the effects of removing bacteria fromparaShu. This raises the possibility that the removal of commensal bacteria suppresses the seizure‐like manifestations through augmented antioxidant responses. Since bacterial removal during development was critical for suppression of adultparaShuphenotypes, our research sets the stage for subsequent studies, aiming to elucidate the interplay between commensal bacteria and the developing nervous system in conditions predisposed to the hyperexcitable nervous system.
Value‐added based inequity in global virtual water trade
Authors: Ma Weijing , Li Chengyi , Kou Jingwen , Ma Zhong , Yang Haijiang , Xue Bing 
Published: September 2024

AbstractCommodity exports have played a crucial role in driving global economic growth, but they have also led to increased flow and consumption of natural resources worldwide. To measure and analyse the inter‐regional virtual water consumption and value‐added benefits driven by exports, as well as the unequal exchange between regions, we utilised the global supply chain database of Eora to construct a multi‐regional input–output (MRIO) model of virtual water consumption and value‐added benefits among 189 countries and regions from 1991 to 2016. We also proposed a virtual water consumption uneven index. The results highlight that relatively less developed regions accounted for 27% of the world's total export value added and 56% of virtual water exports. In contrast, relatively developed regions contributed 73% of the global export value added but only 44% of virtual water exports. The export of high‐value‐added products, such as financial services, was concentrated in the relatively developed regions, while water‐intensive products, like agriculture, forestry, and animal husbandry, were mainly exported by relatively less developed regions. Economically developed regions enjoyed a beneficiary position in terms of virtual water consumption, with each unit of export‐driven added value requiring only 4–100 kg of virtual water. Conversely, economically less developed regions consumed 140–1800 kg of virtual water per unit of export‐driven added value. The disparities in virtual water exchanges across different regions primarily stem from the differences between developed and less developed regions. Therefore, less developed regions and countries should focus on improving water efficiency in water‐consuming industries, adjusting the structure of export industries, and striving to reduce or reverse the disadvantageous position of resource consumption, such as virtual water, in global trade exports.
Experiences of Inpatient Healthcare Services Among Children With Medical Complexity and Their Families: A Scoping Review
Authors: Dewan Tammie , Mackay Lyndsay , Asaad Lauren , Buchanan Francine , Hayden K. Alix , Montgomery Lara 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundChildren with medical complexity (CMC) have high healthcare utilization and face unique challenges during hospital admissions. The evidence describing their experiences of inpatient care is distributed across disciplines. The aim of this scoping review was to map the evidence related to the inpatient experience of care for CMC and their families, particularly related to key aspects and methodological approaches, and identify gaps that warrant further study.MethodsThis scoping review was conducted in accordance with JBI methodology and included all studies that reported experiences of acute hospital care for CMC/families. All study designs were included. Databases searched included EMBASE, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, Web of Science, MEDLINE(R) and APA PsycInfo from 2000 to 2022. Details about the participants, concepts, study methods and key findings were abstracted using a data abstraction tool. A thematic analysis was conducted.ResultsForty‐nine papers were included: 27 qualitative studies, 10 quantitative studies, six mixed methods studies, two descriptive studies and four reviews. Some quantitative studies used validated instruments to measure experience of care, but many used non‐validated surveys. There were a few interventional studies with a small sample size. Results of thematic analysis described the importance of negotiating care roles, shared decision‐making, common goal setting, relationship‐building, communication, sharing expertise and the hospital setting itself.ConclusionCMC and families value relational elements of care and partnering through sharing expertise, decision‐making and collaborative goal‐setting when admitted to hospital.Patient or Public ContributionThis review was conducted in alignment with the principles of patient and family engagement. The review was conceptualized, co‐designed and conducted with the full engagement of the project's parent–partner. This team member was involved in all stages from constructing the review question, to developing the protocol, screening articles and drafting this manuscript.
To Speak Up or Not to Speak Up, Organisational and Individual Antecedents That Undergird This Behaviour in Resource Constrained Region
Authors: Asante Kwadwo 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTAimTo examine the organisational (i.e., perceived organisational support and psychologically safe environment) and individual (i.e., value, belief and norm) antecedents that strengthen healthcare workers' speaking‐up behaviour in a developing economy.DesignThe study uses a cross‐sectional design to gather the same data from healthcare workers within the Ashanti Region of Ghana.MethodsThe data collection happened between 15 June and 30 August 2023. A sample of 380 healthcare workers was selected from 20 facilities in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. A configurational approach, a fussy‐set qualitative comparative analysis, was used to identify the configurations that caused high and low speaking‐up behaviour among the study sample.ResultsThe study results reveal that whereas four configurations generate high speaking‐up behaviour, three configurations, by contrast, produce low speaking‐up behaviour among healthcare workers.ConclusionResults suggest that in so far as organisational support systems which take the form of a psychologically safe environment and perceived organisational support are vital in relaxing the hierarchical boundaries in a healthcare setting to improve healthcare workers' speaking‐up behaviour, the individual value‐based factors that take the form of values, beliefs and norms are indispensable as it provides the healthcare workers with the necessary inner drive to regard speaking‐up behaviour on patient safety and care as a moral duty.ImpactHealthcare workers' speaking‐up behaviour is better achieved when organisational support systems complement the individual norms, values and beliefs of the individual.Reporting MethodAdhered to Strengthening Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines.Patient or Public ContributionNo patient or public contribution.
Cuproptosis‐associated lncRNA impact prognosis in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer co‐infected with COVID‐19
Authors: Li Jing , Wang Nan , Mao Guocai , Wang Jiantang , Xiang Mengqi , Zhang Huachuan , Zeng Daxiong , Ma Haitao , Jiang Junhong 
Published: September 2024

AbstractNon‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients infected with COVID‐19 experience much worse prognosis. However, the specific mechanisms behind this phenomenon remain unclear. We conducted a multicentre study, collecting surgical tissue samples from a total of 36 NSCLC patients across three centres to analyse. Among the 36 lung cancer patients, 9 were infected with COVID‐19. COVID‐19 infection (HR = 21.62 [1.58, 296.06], p = 0.021) was an independent risk factor of progression‐free survival (PFS). Analysis of RNA‐seq data of these cancer tissues demonstrated significantly higher expression levels of cuproptosis‐associated genes in COVID‐19‐infected lung cancer patients. Using Lasso regression and Cox regression analysis, we identified 12 long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) regulating cuproptosis. A score based on these lncRNA were used to divide patients into high‐risk and low‐risk groups. The results showed that the high‐risk group had lower overall survival and PFS compared to the low‐risk group. Furthermore, Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) database revealed that the high‐risk group benefited more from immunotherapy. Drug sensitivity analysis identified cetuximab and gefitinib as potentially effective treatments for the high‐risk group. Cuproptosis plays a significant role NSCLC patients infected with COVID‐19. Promisingly, cetuximab and gefitinib have shown potential effectiveness for managing these patients.
Mechanism of seed coat removal of walnut kernel by high temperature transient thermal radiation and experimental evaluation
Authors: Li Kang , Li Changhe , Liu Mingzheng , Wang Leyi , Ye Xiangrui , Wang Ziwen , Fan Linzheng , Wang Renkun , Cao Chengmao , Wu Jiankang 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe traditional alkaline peeling method generates high‐salinity wastewater, posing significant environmental risks. To avoid water waste and chemical use, a dry method using high‐temperature thermal radiation was explored for removing walnut skins. The mechanism of the high‐temperature thermal radiation dry method for removing walnut skins was revealed by studying the physical properties of walnut kernels. Research on the performance of the peeling device identified the optimal parameters: an infrared emitter surface temperature of 600°C, a radiation time of 20.7 seconds, and a distance of 129.46 mm between emitters, achieving a 95.18% skin removal rate with only 0.8% moisture loss and a quality score of 96.82. Raman spectroscopy showed that this method increased the unsaturated fatty acid content of walnut kernels by 27.26%, greatly enhancing their quality. SEM analysis revealed different microstructural changes between skins removed by infrared and alkaline methods, revealing the differences in their peeling mechanisms. These findings provide a scientific foundation for developing thermal radiation dry peeling technology and devices.Practical applicationsThe removal of walnut skins is an essential process for enhancing the added value of products. However, current industrial peeling methods such as hot alkaline peeling and steam peeling are water and energy‐intensive industries, generating large amounts of wastewater that negatively impact the environment. There is an urgent need to develop an efficient, green, and environmentally friendly dry peeling technology for walnut kernels in the food industry to replace traditional chemical peeling methods. The high‐temperature thermal radiation dry peeling technology provides a new approach that avoids the use of water and chemical reagents while maintaining high product quality after peeling. Research focuses on the theoretical study and several key points of dry peeling technology for achieving walnut kernel peeling. The research results provide scientific basis for the replacement of traditional alkaline peeling with high‐temperature thermal radiation dry peeling technology and offer theoretical support and reference for the development and optimization of related equipment.
Efficacy and antibacterial mechanism of high‐frequency ultrasound combined with sodium hypochlorite against E. coliO157:H7
Authors: Li Yinhui , Lv Ruiling , Zhou Jianwei , Wang Wenjun , Liu Donghong 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThis study investigated the synergistic effects and mechanism of high‐frequency ultrasound (HFUS) combined with sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) against Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli). The bactericidal effect of HFUS alone against E. coli was limited (reduced 0.14–0.30 log CFU/mL), while that of NaClO (3 mg/L) was relatively better (reduced 1.10–2.02 log CFU/mL). When combining HFUS and NaClO, the decontamination of E. coli increased as decreasing ultrasonic frequency and increasing ultrasonic power at the range of 2.16–5.76 log CFU/mL, which achieved an additional maximum 3.58 log CFU/mL‐reduction (581 kHz, 167 W, 18 min) comparing to the total reduction of sole NaClO and HFUS treatments. The remarkable cell membrane damages caused by HFUS during the combined treatment were confirmed by membranal integrity, membranal permeability, and ultrastructural morphology analyses. Incredibly, as one of membrane damages, pores observed on the cell membrane could provide new channels for hypochlorous acid and hydrogen peroxide induced by HFUS to enter E. coli cells. Furthermore, those chemical substances significantly increased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels at a lower ultrasonic frequency and higher power, which were part of the reason for subsequent DNA damage in addition to the mechanical effects of HFUS. These results may broaden the application of high‐frequency ultrasound in food sterilization.Practical applicationsThere is an increasing trend toward food sterilization that prefers non‐thermal processing. E. coli is a typical pathogen associated with foodborne disease outbreaks and has one of the broadest disease spectra. Ultrasound is a promising non‐thermal technology due to its gentle action, simple operation, and environmental friendliness. This study combined ultrasound with sodium hypochlorite against E. coli, which obtained a remarkable synergistic bactericidal effect, making potential applications in the future food industry.