bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical presentation and treatment outcomes of extrapulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial infections with rapid and slow growth rates in Cali, Colombia
Authors: Ospina Natalia Ramos , Montes-Tello Sofia Alexandra , Torres-Morales Angie Valeria , Moreno-Turriago Mabel Soraya , Goez José Fernando García 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Introduction:
The increasing prevalence of extrapulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections poses significant challenges in clinical management due to their inherent drug resistance and the need for prolonged antibiotic regimens. Although these infections are infrequent in daily clinical practice, detailed information on associated clinical outcomes is lacking in the local literature.
Materials and Methods
This descriptive observational study examined 17 patients with extrapulmonary NTM infection from the General Mycobacteria Registry of Fundación Valle del Lili University Hospital and reviewed a total of 391 patients between 2007 and 2021.
Results
A predominance of women with a history of cosmetic surgery was observed, with the skin being the most common site of involvement, especially for M. fortuitum and M. abscessus. The most commonly used treatment consisted of a combination of clarithromycin and moxifloxacin administered for approximately 4–6 months, for a cure rate of 70.5%.
Conclusion
The treatment regimens implemented align with the literature recommendations, and it is noteworthy that the cure rate exceeds 70%, which contrasts with what has been reported in existing research. The lack of temporal references for diagnosis and treatment is highlighted, underscoring the need for future research to address this critical aspect and improve clinical outcomes.
Co-producing an intervention to prevent mental health problems in children in contact with child welfare services
Authors: McGovern Ruth , Balogun-Katung Abisola , Artis Benjamin , Alderson Hayley , Brown Eric , Diggle Tim , Lingam Raghu , McArdle Paul , Rankin Judith , Thomason Paige , Kaner Eileen 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background
Children and young people (CYP) in contact with child welfare services are at high risk of developing mental health problems. There is a paucity of evidenced-based preventative interventions provided to this population.
Objective
This project worked in partnership with CYP, their parents/caregivers and the professionals who support them to co-produce a preventative mental health intervention for CYP in contact with child welfare services.
Participants and setting:
We recruited a purposive sample of CYP in contact with child welfare services (n = 23), parents/caregivers (n = 18) and practitioners working within child welfare services and mental health services (n = 25) from the North East of England and convened co-production workshops (n = 4).
Methods
This project followed the established principles for intervention development, applying the six steps to quality intervention development (6SQUID) approach. The mixed method research consisted of four work packages with continuous engagement of stakeholders throughout the project. These were: a systematic review of reviews; focus groups with practitioners; interviews with parents/caregivers and young people; co-production workshops.
Results
We identified that the primary risk factor affecting CYP in contact with child welfare services is the experience of childhood adversity. The quality of relationships that the CYP experiences with both their parent/caregivers and the professionals involved in their care were considered to be the main factors amenable to change.
Conclusions
We found that a trauma-informed, activity-based intervention with an embedded family-focused component provided to CYP who have experienced adversity is most likely to prevent mental health problems in those in contact with child welfare services.
Majorana corner modes in unconventional monolayers of 1T-PtSe2 family
Authors: Wang Zhijun , Sheng Haohao , Xie Yue , Wu Quansheng , Weng Hongming , Dai Xi , Bernevig Andrei , Fang Zhong 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
In this work, we propose that Majorana zero modes can be realized at the corners of a topologically trivial insulator with unconventionality. We demonstrate that 1T-PtSe2 is a symmetry indicator-free (SI-free) unconventional insulator, originating from orbital hybridization between Pt d and Se px,y states. The new kind of SI-free unconventionality has no symmetry eigenvalue indication. Instead, it is diagnosed directly by the Wannier charge centers by using the one-dimensional Wilson loop method. The obstructed edge states exhibit strong anisotropy and large Rashba splitting. By introducing superconducting proximity and external magnetic field, the Majorana corner modes can be obtained in 1T-PtSe2 monolayer. In the end, we construct a two-Bernevig-Hughes-Zhang model with anisotropy to capture the Majorana physics.
Beekeeping with Hypotrigona spp. (Apidae, Meliponini): the first report of trap-nests for stingless bees in Tanzania
Authors: Md Christopher Alphonce , Newa Namtero John , Lukiko Stanslauss , Manoko Mkabwa Laurent 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Stingless beekeeping is in its early stages of development in Africa. Stocking of hives with stingless bee colonies presents a major challenge to the sustainability of the beekeeping practices. The current study explored the practices used in the management of Hypotrigona species in Tanga region, Tanzania, with a specific emphasis on hive stocking techniques. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews and the information was supplemented with participant observation. Field surveys were also conducted in selected sites to assess stingless bee colony density. Our findings revealed that two Hypotrigona species, namely H. gribodoi and H. ruspolii, were being managed in the study area. Hives were crafted using locally available materials, and were managed using simple techniques near homestead. The most common technique for stocking hives with stingless bee colonies was the use of trap-nests (55%), followed by colony transfer from logs (35%) and colony division (10%). Trap-nests were constructed using bamboo internodes, baobab fruit shells, and waste plastic materials. Colonies were lured into trap-nests using cerumen or propolis harvested from other stingless bee nests. The success of trap-nests was largely attributed to the high density of natural nests of Hypotrigona species in the study area. These findings highlight the significant potential of trap-nests as a viable technique for stocking stingless bee hives, serving as an alternative to the common colony transfer method which is destructive. Further research should explore the use of trap-nests for other local stingless bee species.
Application of Herbaceous plant CSR strategy responses to four kinds of habitats in the Qinling Mountain for plant community design
Authors: Wang Fei , Huang Peilu , Jiang Mingyu , Zhang Qiongwen , Zhang Manyu , Li Cangshuan 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Context
Urban habitats have been severely degenerated or destroyed due to construction activities and consequent human interference, which have threatened the urban ecosystem, especially plant species richness and diversity. The interactive relationship between plants and habitats is an outcome of long-time evolution. Exploring the relationship can provide an insight for improving the sustainability of urban greenspace.
Objectives
We attempted to 1) build a relationship between individual plants and the whole community based on CSR theory, and 2) explore ecological function of communities can be achieved better by a suitable combination of individual functional traits.
Methods
This study referred to Grime's CSR (C: competitor, S: stress tolerance, R: ruderal) theory to analyze Qinling mountain herbaceous communities in typical habitats (roadside, riverside, forest margin, and understory). Species composition in communities of different habitats was recorded. Then dominant and non-dominant species were identified and analyzed emphatically.
Results
(1) In four habitats, the CWMs of CSR ecological strategies showed that C-scores of riverside communities were the highest, while understory communities were the lowest. S-scores of understory communities were the highest, while roadside communities were the lowest. Lastly, R-scores of roadside communities were the highest, while those of understory communities were the lowest. (2) In terms of CWMs of leaf traits, LDMC gradually increased along the disturbance gradient, but SLA was on the contrary. (3) Dominant species were more profoundly shaped by environmental circumstances than non-dominant species, which can effectively indicate their habitat characteristics. For example, C-scores of dominant species and subdominant species in riverside were significantly higher than in other habitats; S-scores of dominant species in understory habitats were significantly higher than others; and R-scores of dominant species in roadside habitats were significantly higher than others.
Conclusions
This study suggested that the strategy of dominant species is the main factor that determines the effect of various habitats on plant compositions. This rule verified that the CSR model could help select the cultivated species for urban green space. Also, it can help predict the effect of climate change on herbaceous communities, which has great potential for the planting design of urban herbaceous communities.
Study on the co-combustion behavior of rice straw with coal gangue and fixation of alkali metals and ash melting characteristics
Authors: Jia Xiangru , Zhang Jian , Yun Feng , Liu Shaoqing , Yue Xia , Ding Yaqian , Xia Xuemin , Cheng Zhenbo 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Because it is clean, low carbon, and renewable, biomass offers the greatest practical value. Nevertheless, during combustion, issues like slagging, agglomeration, and corrosion can occur due to the high concentration of Cl and alkali metals (K and Na), which lowers combustion efficiency. On the other hand, gangue (CG), when combined with biomass as an additive, can successfully prevent slagging during the burning process. However, more research is needed to determine how CG affects the properties of ash melting, alkali metal immobilization, and biomass combustion behavior. Thus, the impacts of CG on the co-combustion behavior, fugitive forms of alkali metals, and ash melting properties of rice straw (RS) were examined in this article. X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis, ash melting temperature test, and tube furnace combustion studies were among the experimental techniques utilized to characterize the ash. The findings demonstrated that adding CG to biomass might enhance both the overall combustion performance and the flammability index, with notable synergistic effects connected to the ratio of biomass to CG. Alkali metals in the ash could be efficiently fixed by CG, and it was found that adding 20% of CG to the biomass had the best results. The degree of ash melt slagging was successfully reduced and controlled with a rise in the CG addition ratio, and silica-aluminate with a higher melting point and stable nature was produced, which could effectively raise the biomass's ash melting temperature.
Assessing Focal Spot Alignment in Clinical Linear Accelerators: A Comprehensive Evaluation with Triplet Phantoms
Authors: Riis Hans Lynggaard , Engstrøm Kenni Højsgaard , Slama Luke , Dass Joshua , Ebert Martin , Rowshanfarzad Pejman 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Purpose
A fundamental parameter to evaluate the beam delivery precision and stability on a clinical linear accelerator (linac) is the focal spot position (FSP) measured relative to the collimator axis of the radiation head. The aims of this work were to evaluate comprehensive data on FSP acquired on linacs in clinical use and to establish the ability of alternative phantoms to detect effects on patient plan delivery related to FSP.
Methods
FSP measurements were conducted using a rigid phantom holding two ball-bearings at two different distances from the radiation source. Images of these ball-bearings were acquired using the electronic portal imaging device (EPID) integrated with each linac. Machine QA was assessed using a radiation head-mounted PTW STARCHECK phantom. Patient plan QA was investigated using the SNC ArcCHECK phantom positioned on the treatment couch, irradiated with VMAT plans across a complete 360° gantry rotation and three X-ray energies.
Results
This study covered eight Elekta linacs, including those with 6 MV, 18 MV, and 6 MV flattening-filter-free (FFF) beams. The largest range in the FSP was found for 6 MV FFF. The FSP of one linac, retrofitted with 6 MV FFF, displayed substantial differences in FSP compared to 6 MV FFF beams on other linacs, which all had FSP ranges less than 0.50 mm and 0.25 mm in the lateral and longitudinal directions, respectively. The PTW STARCHECK phantom proved effective in characterising the FSP, while the SNC ArcCHECK measurements could not discern FSP-related features.
Conclusions
Minor variations in FSP may be attributed to adjustments in linac parameters, component replacements necessary for beam delivery, and the wear and tear of various linac components, including the magnetron and gun filament. Consideration should be given to the ability of any particular phantom to detect a subsequent impact on the accuracy of patient plan delivery.
Molecular Characterization of the NAD1 Gene Region in Human, Sheep, and Cattle Cystic Echinococcosis Isolates
Authors: Halidi Ahmed Galip , Cengiz Zeynep Taş , Beyhan Yunus Emre 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
The study aims to molecularly characterize the mitochondrial NAD1 gene region in cyst samples from humans, sheep, and cattle with cystic echinococcosis. It used 75 human cyst materials and 25 each from sheep and cattle. All 125 samples underwent processes for molecular characterization of Echinococcus granulosus's NAD1 mitochondrial gene region. The distribution of hydatid cyst samples from humans showed similar lung localization in both genders, but a higher liver localization in males. In cattle, liver localization was primary, while in sheep, lung localization was more common. All samples produced a band of 864 bp in size upon amplification. Sequence comparison of the isolates with Genbank entries confirmed all our samples as E. granulosus sensu stricto. Among these, nine were identified as G3 strain and 51 as G1 strain. Host-wise, 24 of 30 human samples were G1, 6 were G3; in sheep, 13 were G1, 2 were G3; in cattle, 14 were G1 and one was G3. Comparison of the 51 G1 strain samples with Genbank's reference G1 strains showed that 42 matched 100%, while 9 had mutations in different regions, a new finding. The study concluded that the G1 strain is dominant in all three hosts and identified various mutations. These findings contribute to the molecular epidemiological data of cystic echinococcosis.
Assessing the distribution of cancer stem cells in tumorspheres
Authors: Fotinós Jerónimo , Marks María Paula , Barberis Lucas , Vellón Luciano 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
In previous theoretical research, we inferred that cancer stem cells (CSCs), the cells that presumably drive tumor growth and resistance to conventional cancer treatments, are not uniformly distributed in the bulk of a tumorsphere. To confirm this theoretical prediction, we cultivated tumorspheres enriched in CSCs, and performed immunofluorecent detection of the stemness marker SOX2 using a confocal microscope.
In this article, we present a method developed to process the images that reconstruct the amount and location of the CSCs in the tumorspheres. Its advantage is the use of a statistical criterion to classify the cells in stem and differentiated instead of setting an arbitrary threshold. From the analysis of the results of the methods using graph theory and computational modeling, we concluded that the distribution of Cancer Stem Cells in an experimental tumorsphere is non-homogeneous.
This method is independent of the tumorsphere assay being useful for analyzing images in which several different kinds of cells are stained with different markers.
Interactions between multiple serum metals and genetic variants for type 2 diabetes risk: A prospective Chinese cohort study
Authors: Shen Bohui , Liu Jia , Gong Yan , Guo Xiangxin , Shen Qian , Yang Man , Liu Yongchao , Chen Hai , Yang Zhijie , Liu Yaqi , Zhu Xiaowei , Wang Lu , Jin Guangfu , Qian Yun 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background: Relationships between metal exposure and type 2 diabetes (T2D) varied depending on the metal involved. In addition, there is limited epidemiological evidence on the interaction between metal exposure and genetic risk for T2D. Therefore, we analyzed the interaction effect of serum concentrations of multiple metals and genetic variants on T2D incidence in the general population.
Methods: A prospective cohort study with 14 years of follow-up was performed with 4507 participants without noncommunicable diseases in the Wuxi Non-Communicable Diseases (Wuxi NCDs) cohort. Twenty-one metals were measured using inductively coupled plasma‒mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Eighty T2D-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified by GWAS were genotyped. Two polygenic risk score (PRS) models based on 46 SNPs from East Asians and 80 SNPs from Europeans and East Asians were constructed. A Cox regression model was used to explore the associations of serum metals and their interaction effects with T2D.
Results: Of the 4507 participants, 350 were newly diagnosed with T2D during the 14-year follow-up. After adjusting for age, smoking status, body mass index (BMI), hip circumference (HC), waist circumference (WC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglyceride (TG), and blood pressure (BP), serum vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), barium (Ba) and lead (Pb) levels were correlated with decreased T2D risk, while zinc (Zn) levels were correlated with elevated T2D risk (P<0.05). Mo, Ba and Pb showed interactive effects with the combined PRS derived from 80 SNPs and with the PRS specific for east Asians derived from 46 SNPs. Regardless of race, the risk of T2D increased with decreasing Mo, Ba, and Pb concentrations and increasing PRS. At the lowest Mo, Ba and Pb levels and the highest PRS derived from 80 SNPs, the risk of T2D was 4.18 times greater (HR=4.18, P value for interaction=1.14×10-4 for Mo and PRS), 1.77 times greater (HR=1.77, P value for interaction=0.012 for Ba and PRS) and 14.02 times greater (HR=14.02, P value for interaction=0.009 for Pb and PRS) than that of the reference group, respectively.
Conclusions: Our results showed that V, Cr, Mn, Mo, Ba and Pb were negatively correlated with T2D, while Zn was positively correlated. There was an interaction effect between serum Mo, Ba, and Pb levels and PRS on the occurrence of T2D.
Multicentre Case-Control Study of Pneumococcal Infections Among Children with Pneumonia in Peninsular Malaysia (MY Pneumo): A Study Protocol
Authors: Ramzi Nurul Hanis , Hoong Andrew Tan Chun , Johari Nur Alia , Nathan Anna Marie , Teh Cindy Shuan Ju , Sulaiman Norhayati Aida , Ilias Mohamad Ikram , Deris Zakuan Zainy , Hazlan Siti Nur Haidar , Nasir Nur Syafiqah Mohamad , Bakar Asrar Abu , Helmi Muhd Alwi Muhd , Juhari Wan Khairunnisa Wan , Kamarudin Norhidayah , Chong Chun Wie , Cleary David W. , Clarke Stuart C. , Sulaiman Lokman Hakim 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background: S. pneumoniae (SPN) is the most common cause of pneumonia. The disease can be effectively prevented through immunisation. Since December 2020, the Malaysian Government has included the 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV10) for all infants born on or after 1 January 2020 as part of the National Immunisation Programme (NIP). However, the epidemiology of pneumonia remains poorly understood. To fill the knowledge gap, we established a multicentre surveillance study to understand the burden of pneumococcal pneumonia among young children in Peninsular Malaysia.
Methods: MY Pneumo is a multicentre prospective case-control study conducted in three sentinel sites located in three different states of Peninsular Malaysia – Kuala Lumpur, Pahang, and Kelantan. A cohort of at least 500 incident cases and 500 controls is enrolled beginning in October 2021 and matched for age. Cases are hospitalised children <5 years with radiologically confirmed pneumonia, and the controls are children without any features suggestive of pneumonia. Clinical samples, including nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) and urine, are collected according to the study protocol. Biological fluids such as blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and pleural fluid are obtained from invasive pneumonia disease (IPD) patients, if available. All children are tested for SPN using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and pneumococcal urine antigen test (PUAT) using BinaxNow.
Discussion: Surveillance data, including carriage rate, serotype variations and the phylogeny data structure of SPN among young children in Malaysia during PCV implementation, will be generated from this study. Trends and patterns of pneumococcal serotypes by different regions are important for targeted public health strategies. Our data will provide baseline information for estimating the impact of PCV10 implementation and will influence policymakers' decisions regarding the upgrade from PCV10 to a higher-valency conjugate vaccine in Malaysia.
Trial registration: This project was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04923035) on June 11th, 2021. The study protocol was approved by the International Medical University Joint-Committee on Research & Ethics (4.15/JCM-216/2021) and the Institutional Review Board at sentinel sites (USM/JEPeM/21020190, IREC 2021-114, MREC ID No: 2021128-9769) and University of Southampton's Ethics and Research Governance (ERGo II 64844).
Eastern USA summer temperatures since 1461 CE show connections to volcanic forcing and jet stream dynamics
Authors: Harley Grant , Maxwell Justin , King Karen , Rayback Shelly , Cook Edward , Hansen Christopher , Maxwell Richard Stockton , Reinig Frederick , Esper Jan , Au Tsun Fung , Bergan Ellen , Brings Katherine , Koenig Nick , Lockwood Benjamin , Thaxton Richard 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Contextualizing current increases in Northern Hemisphere temperatures is precluded by the short instrumental record of the past ca. 120 years and the dearth of temperature-sensitive proxy records, particularly at lower latitudes south of <50 °N. We develop a network of 29 blue intensity chronologies derived from tree rings of Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carrière and Picea rubens Sarg. trees distributed across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast USA (MANE)---a region underrepresented by multi-centennial temperature records. We use this network to reconstruct March-September air temperatures back to 1461 CE based on a model that explains 62% of the instrumental temperature variance from 1901-1976 CE. Since 1998 CE, MANE summer temperatures are consistently the warmest within the context of the past 561 years exceeding the 1951-1980 mean +1.3 °C. Temperature variability across MANE is linked with the position and intensity of the Northern Hemisphere polar jet stream (NHJ), which triggers regional warm and cool extremes, respectively. The new network reveals a strong regional temperature response to large volcanic eruptions, with the most severe temperature departure of -1.05 °C following the eruption of Mount Tambora in 1815 CE. Expanding the MANE network to the west and south and combining it with existing temperature-sensitive proxies across North America is an important next step toward producing a gridded temperature reconstruction field for North America.