bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multispectral drone images for the early detection of bark beetle infestations: assessment over large forest areas in the Italian South-Eastern Alps
Authors: Bozzini Aurora , Huo Langning , Brugnaro Stefano , Morgante Giuseppe , Persson Henrik Jan , Finozzi Valerio , Battisti Andrea , Faccoli Massimo 
Published: February 2025

IntroductionEuropean forests face increasing threats from climate change-induced stressors, which create favorable conditions for bark beetle outbreaks. The most critical spruce forest pest in Europe is the European Spruce Bark Beetle (Ips typographus L.). Effective forest management of this beetles’ outbreaks necessitates timely detection of recently attacked spruce trees, which is challenging given the difficulty in identifying symptoms on infested tree crowns, especially over large areas. This study assessed the detectability of infested trees over large spruce dominated areas (20–60 ha) using high-resolution drone multispectral imagery.MethodsA multispectral sensor mounted on an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) was used to capture images of the investigated spruce stands weekly during June 2023. These were used to compute the reflectance of all single trees, derive vegetation indices, and then compare these between bark beetle infested trees and healthy ones.ResultsThe results showed that it was possible to separate the spectral features of recently infested trees from the healthy trees during the final developmental stage of the first beetles’ generation, despite the limitations due to difficulties in image processing over large areas. The best performing vegetation indices included NDRE (Normalized Difference Red Edge index) and GNDVI (Green Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), which allowed the earlier separation between infested and healthy trees.DiscussionThe study shows that the use of UAV high-resolution imagery can present some limitations when performing early detection over larger areas. The integration of sensors focused on narrower spectral windows around the Red-Edge and Green bands and other remote sensing methods (e.g., satellite imagery) could help overcome these limitations and improve early-detection over large forest areas. The proposed early-detection approach will increase the understanding of which factors to consider when performing early detection with remote sensing techniques. In particular, it will add insights when upscaling to larger spatial scales, providing useful guidance for the management of areas suffering pest outbreaks.
Maternal substance use during pregnancy and associated factors in Adama, central Ethiopia
Authors: Mohammed Kimiya , Shawel Getahun Mihiret , Abera Belachwe Yohanes , Mohammed Fati Nesra , Mekuria Negussie Yohannes 
Published: February 2025

BackgroundSubstance use, including tobacco, alcohol, khat, and illicit drugs, is a significant preventable contributor to the global burden of disease. Women are particularly vulnerable during their reproductive years, with substance use during pregnancy posing serious risks to maternal and fetal health. Therefore, this study aimed to assess of prevalence of substance use and determine associated risk factors among pregnant women in Adama, Central Ethiopia.MethodsA health facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 472 pregnant women. Participants were selected using a systematic sampling technique. Data were collected through an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. Binary logistic regression was employed to model the association between substance use and explanatory variables. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to estimate the strength of association. Statistical significance was determined at a p-value &lt; 0.05.ResultThe overall prevalence of substance use during pregnancy was 22.0% (95% CI: 18.2–26.0). Unplanned pregnancy (AOR = 3.49, 95% CI: 1.23–9.89), pre-pregnancy substance use (AOR = 24.16, 95% CI: 11.49–40.82), husband/partner substance use (AOR = 4.51, 95% CI: 1.44–14.20), and ever heard about the side effects of substance use (AOR = 14.60, 95% CI: 5.31–17.65) were factors significantly associated with maternal substance use during pregnancy.ConclusionNearly one in four pregnant women reported using substances during pregnancy. Educational and counseling interventions during antenatal care should emphasize the risks of substance use on maternal health and fetal development, particularly targeting women with a history of substance use or unplanned pregnancies. Efforts should also involve partners and employ community-based strategies to raise awareness of these risks.
Unilateral choroidal detachment in an elderly patient with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease: a case report and literature review
Authors: Peng Chuzhi , Jiao Yonghong , Chen Chunli 
Published: February 2025

PurposeTo report an uncommon case of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease in an elderly patient with unilateral choroidal detachment and describe its multimodal imaging features and prognosis.MethodCase report and literature review of clinical features in VKH with choroidal detachment.ResultsA 76-year-old woman presented with bilateral blurred vision and headache 6 months prior to visiting our hospital. She was diagnosed with iridocyclitis at another hospital and received local anti-inflammatory treatment without improvement. Slit-lamp examination showed bilateral mutton-fat and dust-like keratic precipitates, anterior chamber and vitreous cells, and posterior synechiae in the right eye. Fundus examination revealed bilateral optic disc swelling and choroidal detachment in the left eye. Fluorescein angiography revealed bilateral optic disc leakage, punctate hyperfluorescence in the posterior pole, and elevated fluorescence leakage in the left eye’s temporal area. Indocyanine Green Angiography showed multiple of choroidal hypoperfusion areas in the left eye, with an elevated fluorescence blockage on the temporal side. Optical coherence tomography showed subretinal fluid, wavy retinal pigment epithelium, and choroidal thickening in both eyes. Based on ocular and neurological findings, the patient was diagnosed with bilateral VKH. After ruling out infectious factors, she received high-dose systemic corticosteroids and immunosuppressants. The choroidal detachment and serous retinal detachment gradually resolved.ConclusionThis case is the first report of unilateral choroidal detachment associated with VKH in an elderly patient. VKH patients with choroidal detachment reported in previous studies were predominantly elderly and Asian, characterized by optic disc hyperfluorescence and choroidal detachment. Multimodal imaging can help clinicians better diagnose and manage atypical types of VKH.
The gut-brain-axis one year after treatment with cladribine tablets in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis: a pilot study
Authors: van Pamelen Jeske , Rodriguez-Mogeda Carla , van Olst Lynn , van der Pol Susanne M. A. , Boon Maarten L. , de Beukelaar Janet , Gerlach Oliver H. H. , Budding Andries E. , Killestein Joep , de Vries Helga E. , Visser Leo H. 
Published: February 2025

IntroductionCladribine tablets are an effective treatment for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). However, almost half of the treated patients are not free of disease activity after two years. The aim of this study was to describe the changes that cladribine tablets effectuate in the gut and oral microbiota and the peripheral immunological profile between responders and non-responders.MethodsIn this pilot study of the multicenter, prospective, observational BIA (Brain-Immune-Intestine Axis) study, we included patients aged 18 to 55 years with RRMS who were scheduled to start treatment with cladribine tablets. We assessed the clinical status and the immunological and microbiological profile prior to the start of the treatment and after three and twelve months. At twelve months, we assessed the response status, based on clinical relapses, radiological activity and disability progression on the Expanded Disability Status Scale.ResultsThe first twenty-five patients of the BIA study were included in this analysis. Ten patients (40%) were responders twelve months after treatment. Three months after treatment we found a significant decline of naïve and transitional B cells and memory B cells, and of CD57+ CD56dim NK cells. After twelve months the values recovered to baseline levels, except for the memory B cells. We did not find significant changes of the microbiological profile over time, except for a decline of the phylum Bacteroidetes in the oral samples twelve months after treatment. Baseline values and changes over time did not significantly differ between responders and non-responders. However, several phyla, genera or species (Bacteroidetes, Prevotella, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii) showed a higher relative abundance, and several phyla, genera or species (Proteobacteria, Escherichia coli) had a lower relative abundance in responders compared to non-responders.DiscussionAfter treatment with cladribine tablets, we found significant changes in the immunological landscape. Also, the microbiological profile showed several differences in microbes with known anti- or pro-inflammatory properties between responders and non-responders. Overall, we showed that we can measure a treatment effect from cladribine tablets with our analyses. Future research on data from the BIA study, with a larger sample size and extended follow-up, can possibly confirm the reliability of our findings.
Preventive hyperbaric oxygen therapy improves acute graft-versus-host disease by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway
Authors: Xue Chao , Chen Hao , Zhao Yiou , Yuan Dai , Fang Xiaosheng , Ding Mei , Qu Huiting , Wang Xin , Ge Xueling , Lu Kang , Jiang Yujie 
Published: February 2025

BackgroundHyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been confirmed as an effective and economical therapeutic modality for treating hemorrhagic cystitis (HC), whether induced by infection or acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD), in transplant recipients. However, its potential benefits in treating aGVHD remain largely unknown. This study explored the effects of HBOT on aGVHD and its underlying mechanisms.MethodsThe beneficial effects of HBOT on aGVHD were investigated in a murine model. Manifestations, pathological alterations, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in target organs, and survival data of the recipient mice were collected. Nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its downstream enzyme heme-oxygenase 1 (HO-1) expression in mouse samples were assessed via Western blot and immunohistochemistry analyses. ML385, an Nrf2 inhibitor, was used to validate the protective role of Nrf2 in the beneficial effect of HBOT on aGVHD. Furthermore, we initiated a clinical cohort study and collected data from the patients with definite aGVHD before and after HBOT to validate the preclinical conclusions.ResultsWe found that HBOT alleviated aGVHD in mice, which was associated with a significantly prolonged overall survival (OS) and reduced pathological injury, whereas Nrf2 inhibition had the opposite effect. HBOT decreased ROS levels and proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-6 and TNF-α, while upregulated Nrf2 and its downstream antioxidant enzyme HO-1. In the clinical cohort study, the incidence of grades 1–3 aGVHD was significantly lower in the combination arm containing HBOT than in the HBOT-free cohort.ConclusionPreventive HBOT can mitigate aGVHD by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signal transduction pathway, suggesting that HBOT may be a feasible approach for both the prevention and treatment of aGVHD.Clinical trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT04502628.
Genomic characterization of multidrug-resistant Escherichia albertii of fish origin—first isolation and insights into a potential food safety threat
Authors: Srinivas Kandhan , Ghatak Sandeep , Milton Arockiasamy Arun Prince , Das Samir , Puro Kekungu-u , Pyngrope Daniel Aibor , Angappan Madesh , Prasad Mosuri Chendu Bharat , Bhargavi Dadimi , Kader Nur Abdul , Lyngdoh Vanita , Shilla Heiborkie , Lamare John Pynhun 
Published: February 2025

IntroductionEscherichia albertii is an emerging food-borne pathogen with zoonotic potential which is often under-reported due to misidentifications.Materials and methodsThe current study identified E. albertii from retail fish sold in market which was confirmed by phenotypic (colorless colonies on Xylose-Rhamnose-Melibiose MacConkey Agar), genotypic (dual target uniplex PCR-based detection) and genomic methods (CheckM analysis). In this paper we report the phenotypic characters of the isolate and genomic features such as resistome, virulome and mobilome followed by in silico O and H antigen based typing and comparative phylogenomics using various tools (RAST, RGI v6.0.0, ABRicate v1.0.1, PathogenFinder v1.1, PlasmidFinder v2.0, BacAnt v3.3.1, Phigaro v2.4.0, MAFFT v7.490, FigTree v1.4.4).Results and discussionMultidrug resistance was identified with reduced susceptibility to gentamicin, azithromycin, ceftazidime and cefotaxime with a Multiple Antibiotic Resistance (MAR) index of 0.33. Clinically important virulence genes such as eae, cdt, east1 formed a part of the virulome and the probability of being pathogenic to humans was found to be 0.883. The genome was found to harbor mobile genetic elements such as plasmids [IncFIA, IncFIB(pB171), IncFII(pSE11)], transposons (Tn3411, Tn6292) and prophages (Siphoviridae, Myoviridae, Podoviridae). Various typing methods such as biotyping, multilocus sequence typing and in silico O and H antigen typing classified the isolate into biotype 3, multi locus sequence type 4596, O-genotype 4 and H-genotype 1. Phylogenomically, the isolate was placed close to isolate from neighboring country of China. Identification of virulent multidrug-resistant E. albertii from new food source such as fishes increases the risk for fish eating population and necessitates the requirement of further elucidation and development of appropriate control strategies.
The long-term straw return resulted in significant differences in soil microbial community composition and community assembly processes between wheat and rice
Authors: Cui Siyuan , Xu Shangqi , Cao Guangqiao , Zhu Xinkai 
Published: February 2025

IntroductionStraw return is widely promoted as an environmentally sustainable practice to enhance soil health and agricultural productivity. However, the impact of varying straw return durations on soil microbial community composition and development remains insufficiently understood within a rice-wheat cropping system.MethodsIn this study, soil samples were collected during the wheat and rice harvesting periods following seven straw return durations: no straw return (NR) or 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 years of straw return (SR1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11), and microbial sequencing was performed.ResultsThe results revealed a biphasic pattern in alpha diversity (Chao1 and Shannon) of soil microbial communities with increasing straw return duration, characterized by an initial increase followed by a subsequent decrease. Specifically, SR9 in the rice group exhibited the highest Chao1 and Shannon values, while SR3 in the wheat group showed the highest values. PCoA indicated significant shifts in microbial communities due to straw return, particularly in the wheat group compared to NR. Straw return obvious changed six bacterial phyla (Verrucomicrobiota, Proteobacteria, Desulfobacterota, MBNT15, Actinobacteriota, and Gemmatimonadota) during the rice and wheat harvesting periods, especially Proteobacteria. Correlation analysis between environmental factors and bacterial communities demonstrated a significant impact on these factors, particularly pH and total organic carbon (TOC) (p &lt; 0.05), on the soil bacterial community during rice harvest, indicating the microbial enrichment after straw return may be related to the accumulation of TOC. Furthermore, the bacterial community network in the rice harvesting period was found to be more complex, with lower network stability compared to the wheat harvesting period. This complexity is closely associated with TOC accumulation in rice fields. Deterministic processes, including homogeneous and heterogeneous selection, were found to play a crucial role in shaping the soil bacterial communities in both rice and wheat systems. Environmental factors significantly influenced microbial community assembly during straw return and recycling.DiscussionOur study enhances understanding of the impact of straw return on the diversity and assembly of soil microbial communities in the rice-wheat cropping system, which provide valuable insights for studying the mechanisms by which managing microbial communities after straw return can promote soil fertility restoration.
Impact of hearing loss on brain signal variability in older adults under different auditory load conditions
Authors: Wang Songjian , Liu Tong , Liu Yi , Kou Nuonan , Chen Younuo , Wang Yuan , Sun Wenjian , Wang Shuo 
Published: February 2025

IntroductionThe moment-by-moment variability in brain signals, a newly recognized indicator, demonstrates both the adaptability of an individual’s brain as a unique trait and the distribution of neural resources within that individual in response to constantly shifting task requirements. This study aimed to explore brain signal variability in older adults using oxyhemoglobin (HbO) variability derived from fNIRS during tasks with increasing signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) loads and to assess the effects of varying degrees of hearing loss on speech recognition performance and related brain signal variability patterns.MethodsEighty-one participants were categorized into three groups: healthy controls (n = 30, aged 65.5 ± 3.4), mild hearing loss (n = 25, aged 66.0 ± 3.7), and moderate to severe hearing loss (n = 26, aged 67.5 ± 3.7). Speech perception was tested under quiet, 5 dB SNR, and 0 dB SNR conditions.ResultsResults revealed that the brain signal variability increased with higher SNR loads in healthy older adults, indicating enhanced neural resource allocation with the SNR load. In contrast, we found that hearing loss reduced brain signal variability during speech recognition tasks, especially in noisy conditions, in the mild hearing loss and moderate to severe hearing loss groups, possibly indicating decreased neural processing efficiency. Additionally, a positive correlation between brain signal variability and speech recognition performance was observed in healthy control participants across all SNR conditions, suggesting that brain signal variability could dynamically respond to the precise level of auditory environment demands. However, this relationship was only significant at the 5 dB SNR condition in hearing loss groups.DiscussionTaken together, this study underscores the significant impact of hearing loss on brain signal variability modulation in auditory cognitive tasks and highlights the need for further research to understand the underlying neural mechanisms.
A bibliometric analysis of research hotspots and trends in transcranial magnetic stimulation and Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Xu Dingwen , Feng Yang , Lu Zhihua , Ma Ruijia , Zhang Weicai , Mou Zhen , Zhang Lingling , Tang Xiufeng , Zhao Zhenxiong , Zheng Zhencang 
Published: February 2025

BackgroundResearch regarding Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has been increasing; however, no bibliometric analysis has yet been conducted in this domain. This study employs bibliometric methods to identify research trends and hotspots concerning AD and TMS.MethodsWe conducted a search in the Web of Science Core Database for articles related to AD and TMS from January 1, 2014, to October 22, 2024. After stringent selection, we performed bibliometric analysis using Excel, VOSviewer, CiteSpace and CoreMine.ResultsThe number of articles pertaining to AD and TMS has increased annually, with a notable surge post-2020. The three leading countries in publication volume are China, the United States, and Italy. The top institutions contributing to this field include Harvard Medical School, the University of Toronto, and the University of Brescia. The author with the highest publication output is Giacomo Koch. The journal with the most publications is the Journal of Alzheimer’s disease. The 10 most frequently occurring keywords are Alzheimer’s disease, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, mild cognitive impairment, dementia, memory, double-blind, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, noninvasive brain stimulation, cognitive impairment, and plasticity. Text mining has revealed that the anatomical structure “brain” and the gene “Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP)” are significantly related to both AD and TMS, suggesting that TMS may offer a therapeutic avenue for AD by modulating the activity of APP.ConclusionOur article employs bibliometric methods to unveil trends in research related to AD and TMS, including collaborations among countries, regions, and authors, as well as key research hotspots. We provide objective data that serves as a reference for scientific research and clinical work concerning AD and TMS.
Hippocampal subfield volume differences between female-to-male transgender individuals with cross-sex hormone therapy and cisgender women
Authors: Kim Gwang-Won , Lee Mina , Lee Hyun-Suk , Park Kwangsung , Jeong Gwang-Woo 
Published: February 2025

IntroductionThe prevalence of female-to-male (FtM) transgender individuals has risen recently, yet the effects of cross-sex hormone therapy on volumetric differences in the hippocampal subfields remain poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the differences of gray matter (GM) volume, especially focusing on the hippocampal subfields, in FtM transgender individuals and premenopausal cisgender women.MethodsSeventeen FtM transgender individuals who had undergone hysterectomies and were receiving testosterone therapy before participating in this study, along with 20 premenopausal women, underwent a single session of T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).ResultsFtM transgender group had significantly higher free-testosterone (free-T) levels and lower estradiol levels compared with premenopausal women group (p &lt; 0.001). In voxel-wise analysis, FtM transgender individuals showed significantly larger GM volumes in the caudate nucleus, hypothalamus, and thalamus compared with premenopausal women (p &lt; 0.01, FWE-corrected). More specifically, the right hippocampal subiculum volume was larger in FtM transgender individuals (p &lt; 0.05, Bonferroni-corrected), and these volumes were positively correlated with the free-T levels (r = 0.34, p = 0.04). This study revealed the specific hippocampal subfield volume differences in the testosterone-treated FtM transgender group when compared to cisgender premenopausal women group.DiscussionThese findings might help elucidate the morphological variation of the specific cerebral regions associated with testosterone therapy in FtM transgender individuals and contribute to our understanding of the effects of gender-affirming hormone treatments as well.