bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experimental evolution of
Escherichia coli
on semi-dry silver, copper, stainless steel, and glass surfaces
Authors: Rosenberg Merilin , Park Sandra , Umerov Sigrit , Ivask Angela 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACT

To study bacterial adaptation to antimicrobial metal surfaces in application-relevant conditions,
Escherichia coli
was exposed to copper and silver surfaces for 30 exposure cycles in low-organic dry or high-organic humid conditions. The evolved populations demonstrated increased metal surface tolerance without concurrent increase in minimal biocidal concentration (MBC) and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of respective metal ions or selected antibiotics. Mutation analysis did not detect increased mutation accumulation nor mutations in
cop
,
cus
,
cue
,
sil
,
pco
, or general efflux genes known to actively maintain copper/silver homeostasis. Instead, during cyclic exposure, mutations in genes related to cellular barrier functions and sulfur metabolism were enriched, potentially suggesting that reducing bioavailability and passively restricting uptake of the toxic metals rather than active efflux is selected for on copper and silver surfaces. The changes detected in the evolved populations did not indicate an increased risk of antibiotic cross-resistance as a result of copper or silver surface exposure. However, rapid emergence of mutations in
silS
activated the cryptic
sil
efflux locus during silver ion challenge in liquid MBC assay with the evolved populations. The
silS
mutants showed no benefit on copper and silver surfaces but demonstrated decreased sensitivity to ampicillin and ciprofloxacin, as well as copper and silver ions in liquid tests, indicating that efflux might be specific to granting heavy metal tolerance in liquid but not surface exposure format. Our findings highlight the critical importance of appropriate exposure conditions not only in efficacy testing but also in risk assessment of antimicrobial surface applications.

IMPORTANCE

This study examines the evolutionary adaptations of
Escherichia coli
after semi-dry exposure to copper and silver surfaces, leading to an increase in surface tolerance but no increase in mutation accumulation or substantially enhanced metal ion tolerance in standard tests. Notably, enriched mutations indicate a shift toward more energy-passive mechanisms of metal tolerance. Additionally, while enhanced silver efflux was rapidly selected for in a single round of silver exposure in liquid tests and substantially increased copper and silver ion tolerance in conventional test formats, the causal mutations did not improve viability on silver and copper surfaces, underscoring the different fitness scenarios of tolerance mechanisms dependent on exposure conditions. These findings emphasize the need for appropriate exposure conditions in evaluating of both efficacy and the potential risks of using antimicrobial surfaces, as the results from conventional liquid-based tests may not apply in solid contexts.
Intra-serotype variation of
Streptococcus pneumoniae
capsule and its quantification
Authors: Eichner Hannes , Wu Cindy , Cammer Michael , Tran Elizabeth N. H. , Hirst Timothy R. , Paton James C. , Weiser Jeffrey N. 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACT

Streptococcus pneumoniae
(
Spn
) is a leading respiratory pathogen that depends on a thick layer of capsular polysaccharide (CPS) to evade immune clearance. Disease prevention by CPS-based vaccines is limited because of the species’ high genome plasticity and ability to express over 100 different capsule types (serotypes). Generally, intra-serotype variations in capsulation are overlooked, despite the genetic variability of the bacterium. This oversight may result from a lack of standardized, reliable, and easily available methodology to quantify capsulation. Here, we have modified two methods to analyze the
Spn
capsule: immunoblot quantification of CPS in bacterial lysates and light microscopy to assess capsule thickness. Two assays were used because each measures distinct aspects of capsulation that could be differentially affected by the density of CPS. Quantification of either CPS amount or capsule thickness predicted the effectiveness of immune serum in opsonophagocytic killing assays for isogenic strains. Our standardized approaches both revealed significant differences in both CPS amount and capsule thickness among clinical isolates of the same serotype, challenging the assumption that intra-serotype capsulation is a conserved feature. As expected, these two methods show limited intra-strain correlation between amounts of CPS production and capsule thickness.

IMPORTANCE

Despite the availability of vaccines,
Streptococcus pneumoniae
remains a leading cause of respiratory and invasive diseases. These vaccines target a polysaccharide capsule the bacterium uses to evade the immune system. Variation of the capsule composition subdivides the organism into serotypes and influences its protective potency. Another critical factor affecting this protection is capsule size. It is commonly assumed that
S. pneumoniae
strains of the same serotype produce capsules of consistent size, despite the organism’s heterogeneity. In this study, we challenge this assumption by analyzing clinical isolates of the same serotype. Existing methods were modified to achieve high reproducibility and increase accessibility. Our data reveal significant fluctuations in capsule production within a given serotype. Our findings suggest that
S. pneumoniae
research should consider capsule size, not just its presence and type. The results imply that standardized vaccine efficacy tests may yield variable results depending on the capsule production of target strains.
f(Q) gravitational theory and its structure via redshift
Authors: Nashed G. G. L. 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
We introduce a new technique for reformulating the f(Q) gravitational theory based on parameterization of the deceleration parameter or other options. This tool allows us to create modified gravitational scenarios connected to cosmological observations. We examine two models of the deceleration parameter and one model of the effective equation of the state of the universe as discussed in the literature. We utilize the asymptotic behavior of the matter density parameter to further constrain the feasible range of the model parameters. One of the tested models shows how a tiny modification can produce viable cosmic scenarios quantitatively similar to

$$\Lambda $$

Λ

CDM but qualitatively different, whereas the dark energy (DE) sector becomes dynamic and fully explained by modified gravity, not by a cosmological constant.
Primary scintillation yields induced by $$\alpha $$ particles in gas mixtures of Argon/$$\hbox {CF}_4$$ at 9.5 bar
Authors: Amedo P. , Leardini S. , Saá-Hernández A. , González-Díaz D. 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
We report time and band -resolved scintillation from

$$\alpha $$

α

-particles in Ar/

$$\hbox {CF}_4$$

CF
4

mixtures at a pressure of 9.5 bar. Our results show that %-level addition of

$$\hbox {CF}_4$$

CF
4

enables strong wavelength-shifted scintillation in the visible range, with yields at the level of 1000 ph/MeV, scintillation decay times of 9–25 ns and formation times well below 10 ns. Such a performance is a priori sufficient for accurate time-tagging of MeV-particles, without the need to resort to a pure noble gas, thus opening an appealing technological path for next-generation time projection chambers.
Understanding Public Knowledge, Attitudes, and Awareness Toward Seizure Episodes Among Residents of Madinah: A Saudi Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Almarwani Bayan M. , Alamri Sadin Ayman , Alamri Aseel Ayman , Badawi Ahmad Salim , Khawaji Zakaria Yahya , Akhwan Afnan Mohammad , Garah Basel MohammedBassam , Tawakul Abdullah A. 
Published: February 2025

Background: Epilepsy is a prevalent condition that affects a large population. However, a lack of knowledge and misconceptions about seizures can lead to inappropriate reactions and negative attitudes toward people with epilepsy, who are more likely to experience stigma because of their illness. This study explored public knowledge, attitudes, and awareness of epilepsy and seizures among residents of Madinah, Saudi Arabia.Methods: A descriptive, cross‐sectional study was conducted between September and November 2023 involving 2626 random adult residents of the Madinah Region in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected through an online survey consisting of 27 questions concerning epilepsy.Results: Regarding participants’ awareness of epilepsy, 92.2% reported having heard or read about it, and 12.8% had attended a course on controlling epileptic seizures. The results showed an acceptable level of understanding about epilepsy. The mean knowledge and attitude scores about epilepsy for the sample were 22 (SD ± 3.2) and 27.1 (SD ± 3.1), respectively, indicating moderate knowledge and positive attitudes toward epilepsy. Among demographic characteristics, knowledge about epilepsy was significantly associated with gender, age, marital status, educational level, occupation, household monthly income, having heard about epilepsy, having a family member diagnosed with epilepsy, and course attendance. However, attitudes toward epilepsy were only significantly associated with gender, having heard about epilepsy, having a family member diagnosed with epilepsy, and course attendance. Similarly, actions toward seizure attacks were significantly associated with all demographic characteristics except education.Conclusions: The residents of Madinah have generally positive attitudes regarding epilepsy, although their knowledge levels could be enhanced by education. Therefore, more educational awareness campaigns are required to improve public understanding of epilepsy and appropriate actions to take when witnessing a seizure. The results of this study provide a foundation for worldwide comparisons of general levels of knowledge and attitudes concerning epilepsy in Saudi Arabia.
Distributed White Matter Abnormalities in Major Depressive Disorder: A Diffusion Tensor Imaging Combined Support Vector Machine Study
Authors: Li Sen , Xu Yinghong , Cui Jian , Li Kun , Ji Shanling , Shen Hailong , Wan Yu , Dong Chunyu , Zheng Hao , Qiu Wanru , Ping Liangliang , Yu Hao , Zhou Cong 
Published: February 2025

Objectives: Existing research by machine learning analysis based on neuroimaging in major depressive disorder (MDD) is limited. This study intends to investigate the integrity of white matter in patients with MDD using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) combining machine learning approaches and to develop a model to differentiate MDD patients from healthy controls (HCs).Materials and Methods: Clinical and neuroimaging data were collected from 60 MDD patients and 52 HCs. The tract‐based spatial statistics (TBSS) and automated fiber quantification (AFQ) techniques were employed to analyze DTI data. Differences in diffusion metrics were then used in a support vector machine (SVM) model to determine the most significant features for distinguishing MDD patients from HC.Results: No significant differences were observed in the TBSS between two groups. The AFQ analysis revealed that MDD patients exhibited reduced axial diffusivity (AD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) in specific segments of nerve fibers. The combined FA + AD model demonstrated better predictive performance with an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of 0.833 and a predictive accuracy of up to 85.00%, surpassing models utilizing single FA or AD metrics.Conclusion: DTI combined with machine learning distinguished MDD patients through specific white matter alterations, underscoring the role of microstructural connectivity in depression pathology.
Association of the Extent of Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke With Exhaled Nitric Oxide and Eosinophils: A Cross‐Sectional Study Based on the NHANES 2007–2012 Database
Authors: Hou Xingfang , Hou Shufen , Hou Chenggong , Chen Xuelian , Tang Yuling 
Published: February 2025

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that exposure to environmental tobacco smoke is associated with a reduction in fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) levels, elevation in eosinophil (EOS) counts and alterations in airway inflammation patterns, influencing the efficacy of glucocorticoid therapy for TH2 inflammation. No previous study has investigated the association of the extent of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke with FeNO levels. This study aimed to investigate the association of the extent of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke with FeNO level and EOS count.Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we included 12,766 individuals from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007–2012. The extent of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke was assessed by measuring serum cotinine levels. Participants were categorised into quintiles based on their cotinine levels. Logistic regression models were developed to evaluate the association of serum cotinine levels with FeNO levels and EOS count.Findings: In the unadjusted and adjusted models, the highest quintile of serum cotinine levels (> 105 ng/mL) was significantly negatively associated with FeNO levels. However, low‐to‐moderate quintiles of serum cotinine levels were not significantly associated with FeNO levels. Based on sensitivity analyses, the negative associations between the highest quintile of serum cotinine levels and FeNO levels remained consistent among participants with asthma, chronic bronchitis and respiratory symptoms within 7 days. Increased serum cotinine levels were significantly associated with increased EOS counts, which in turn were significantly associated with increased FeNO levels. EOS significantly mediated 7.59% of cotinine‐associated reductions in FeNO levels.Conclusions: Our findings indicated that high levels of tobacco smoke exposure are associated with a decrease in FeNO levels and an increase in EOS count. The smoking status should be considered when evaluating type 2 airway inflammation based on FeNO levels and EOS count.
Assessment of Health‐Related Quality of Life Among Palestinian Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes: A Cross‐Sectional Investigation
Authors: Sadder Farah , Nemer Maysaa 
Published: February 2025

Objectives: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) with its worldwide increasing incidence is one of the most serious chronic conditions of adolescence. This study aimed to assess the Palestinian adolescent diabetic patients’ health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) and to identify specific factors that could predict poor quality of life. We also aimed to compare adolescents’ reported HRQOL to proxy reports by their parents.Methods: A cross‐sectional study was carried out between November 2022 and October 2023 in the six governorates of northern West Bank/Palestine: Jenin, Nablus, Qalqilya, Salfit, Tubas, and Tulkarm. Patients who were diagnosed with T1D for over 6 months from their recruitment, aged between 10 and 18 years, were recruited from diabetes clinics of the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Palestine Diabetes Institute (PDI). One hundred seventy adolescents and 170 parents (or guardians) completed the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (Peds QL) 3.2 Diabetes Module for adolescents and parents, respectively.Results: An acceptable mean of 70.6 for the total score was reported for the Peds QL 3.2 Diabetes Module. Better scores were reported for the diabetes management summary score compared to the diabetes symptom summary score. Worry and communication were the lowest and highest reported subscores, respectively. Parents reported significantly lower results than adolescents. Income, gender, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) were the main predictors of HRQOL among adolescents with T1D in Palestine.Conclusions: Future national health strategies should consider income differences and try to overcome health gaps among adolescents with T1D coming from low‐income families. Future research is needed to explore the political and cultural aspects and their effects on HRQOL among diabetic adolescents in Palestine.
Evaluation of the Effect of Severity of Separation Anxiety Disorder on Nicotine Dependence Level
Authors: Bişkiner Enes Berk , Fidanci İzzet , Arz Cemile Esinç , Alici Yilmaz Cansu , Güler Sönmez Tuğba , Kiziltaş Özlem , Aksoy Hilal , Başer Duygu Ayhan 
Published: February 2025

Objective: The present study attempts to find the level of association of nicotine dependence with separation anxiety disorder in adults and the interrelationship between these two disorders.Method: The methodology consisted of 525 individuals aged between 18 and 63 years attending the outpatient clinic of Family Medicine at Hacettepe University. All participants were evaluated in this study with a questionnaire containing all the sociodemographic data, the Fagerström nicotine dependence test (FNBT), and the Separation Anxiety Disorder Severity Scale (SADSS). Data will be processed using the IBM SPSS V23 software package to find the relation between nicotine dependence and separation anxiety.Results: The analysis also showed that there was no significant statistical relationship between FNBT results and SADSS results, with a correlation of r = 0.037and p = 0.399. In addition, the severity of separation anxiety was found to be higher in females than in males, as identified by the value of p = 0.024. Female participants were more likely to smoke as a way of coping with stress and anxiety compared to male participants. Among males, there was no significant relationship between nicotine dependence and separation anxiety, p = 0.131, suggesting that in males, the nicotine behavior may be influenced more by social and cultural factors.Conclusion: The results of the present study show that the relationship between nicotine dependence and separation anxiety can be considered from the point of view of gender. Although the relationship between nicotine addiction and anxiety is stronger in females, this relationship is weaker in males. These results indicate that gender differentiation may be performed regarding the treatment of nicotine addiction. Future studies should investigate the interaction of these two diseases in more detail and may help in developing therapeutic measures that are more specific and individualized.
177Lu-LNC1004 Radioligand Therapy in Patients with End-Stage Metastatic Cancers: A Single-Center, Single-Arm, Phase II Study
Authors: Fu Hao , Huang Jingxiong , Zhao Liang , Chen Yuhang , Xu Weizhi , Cai Jiayu , Yu Lingyu , Pang Yizhen , Guo Wei , Su Bishan , Sun Long , Wu Hua , Zhang Jingjing , Chen Xiaoyuan , Chen Haojun 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Purpose: Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is highly expressed in cancer-associated fibroblasts and certain tumor cells, making it a promising therapeutic target for various malignancies. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of 177Lu-Evans blue-FAP inhibitor (177Lu-EB-FAPI; 177Lu-LNC1004) radioligand therapy (RLT) for treating end-stage metastatic tumors. Patients and Methods: This single-arm, single-center, phase II trial included 28 patients with progressive metastatic malignancies (11 types) and high FAP expression (defined as a maximum standardized uptake value [SUVmax] ≥10 in &gt;50% of tumors) who had exhausted all approved therapies, screened between June 2022 and April 2024. Patients were scheduled to receive four 177Lu-LNC1004 RLT cycles at 3.33 GBq/cycle every 6 weeks. The primary endpoint was post-RLT radiological response. The secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), dosimetry, and safety. Results: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scores &gt;2 were observed in 68% of patients. Overall, 63 177Lu-LNC1004 RLT cycles were performed, with 19 (68%) patients undergoing ≥2 cycles. Disease control was achieved in 13 patients [13/28, 46%], with 4 and 9 demonstrating partial response and stable disease, respectively, and associated with improved PFS and OS (P&lt;0.001). The mean absorbed dose in tumors was 4.69±3.83 Gy/GBq (1.18–25.03 Gy/GBq). Treatment-related grade 3/4 hematotoxicity was observed in six patients (21%), with thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, and neutropenia most prevalent. No grade 3/4 hepatotoxicity or nephrotoxicity was observed. Conclusions: FAP-directed RLT using 177Lu-LNC1004 at 3.33 GBq/cycle was well tolerated with an acceptable toxicity profile. Nearly half of patients achieved disease control, which was associated with prolonged PFS and OS.
Neurovascular Decoupling Is Associated With Lobar Intracerebral Hemorrhages and White Matter Hyperintensities
Authors: van Dijk Suzanne E. , Drenth Nadieh , Hafkemeijer Anne , Labadie Gerda , Witjes‐Ané Marie‐Noëlle W. , Baas Frank , Vreijling Jeroen P. , Blauw Gerard J. , Rombouts Serge A. R. B. , van der Grond Jeroen , van Rooden Sanneke 
Published: February 2025

Background
Neurovascular coupling is a fundamental aspect of brain function by regulating cerebral blood flow in response to regional neuronal activity. Increasing evidence suggest neurovascular decoupling occurs early in the progression of Alzheimer disease (AD), potentially reflecting early vascular damage. Therefore, understanding the relationship between neurovascular coupling and established vascular risk factors for AD is essential to gain deeper insights into the vascular mechanisms underlying AD.

Methods
This cross‐sectional observational study investigated the association between neurovascular coupling and vascular risk factors for AD, specifically small vessel disease magnetic resonance imaging markers, cardiovascular risk factors, and the apolipoprotein E genotype. The cohort included 119 participants diagnosed with subjective cognitive impairment, mild cognitive impairment, and AD‐related dementia, as well as individuals without cognitive complaints. Neurovascular coupling was measured by blood‐oxygen‐level‐dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging amplitude in response to visual stimulation.

Results

Our findings revealed that decreased neurovascular coupling is linked to structural brain changes typically seen in small vessel disease; specifically we found an association between neurovascular coupling and white matter hyperintensities load (
β
=−0.199,
P
=0.030) and presence of lobar intracerebral hemorrhage (
β
=−0.228,
P
=0.011).

Conclusions
This raises the suggestion that a decreased neurovascular coupling in the disease process of AD is related to comorbid small vessel disease.