bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pediatric anesthesia in Europe: Variations within uniformity
Authors: de Graaff Jurgen C. , Frykholm Peter , Engelhardt Thomas , Schindler Ehrenfried , Kovesi Tamas , Simic Dusica , Malagon Ignacio , Woodman Natasha , Courtman Simon , Najafi Nadia , Claussen Nicola Groes , Karlsson Jacob , Bonhomme Fanny , Laffargue Anne , Vutskits Laszlo 
Published: February 2024

AbstractOrganization of healthcare strongly differs between European countries and results in country‐specific requirements in postgraduate medical training. Within the European Union (EU), the European Board of Anaesthesiology has set recommendations of training for the Specialty of Anaesthesiology including standards for Postgraduate Medical Specialist training including a description for providing service in pediatric anesthesia. However, these standards are advisory and not mandatory. Here we aimed to review the current state and associated challenges of pediatric anesthesia training in Europe. We report an important country‐specific variability both in training and regulations of practice of pediatric anesthesia in the EU and in the United Kingdom. The requirements for training in pediatric anesthesia varies between nothing specified (Belgium) or providing anesthesia with direct supervision to a minimum of 50 cases below 5 years of age (Germany) to 3–6 month clinical practice in a specialized pediatric hospital (France). Likewise, the regulations for providing anesthesia to children varies from no regulations at all (Belgium) to age specific requirements and centralization of all children below 4 years of age to specified centers (United Kingdom). Officially recognized pediatric anesthesia fellowship programs are not available in most countries of Europe. It remains unclear if and how country‐specific differences in pediatric anesthesia training are associated with clinical outcomes in pediatric perioperative care. There is converging interest and support for the establishment of a European pediatric anesthesia curriculum.
A 5.2‐kb insertion in the coding sequence of PavSCPL, a serine carboxypeptidase‐like enhances fruit firmness in Prunus avium
Authors: Qi Xiliang , Dong Yuanxin , Liu Congli , Song Lulu , Chen Lei , Li Ming 
Published: February 2024

SummaryFruit firmness is an important trait in sweet cherry breeding because it directly positively influences fruit transportability, storage and shelf life. However, the underlying genes responsible and the molecular mechanisms that control fruit firmness remain unknown. In this study, we identified a candidate gene, PavSCPL, encoding a serine carboxypeptidase‐like protein with natural allelic variation, that controls fruit firmness in sweet cherry using map‐based cloning and functionally characterized PavSCPL during sweet cherry fruit softening. Genetic analysis revealed that fruit firmness in the ‘Rainier’ × ‘Summit’ F1 population was controlled by a single dominant gene. Bulked segregant analysis combined with fine mapping narrowed the candidate gene to a 473‐kb region (7418778–7 891 914 bp) on chromosome 6 which included 72 genes. The candidate gene PavSCPL, and a null allele harbouring a 5244‐bp insertion in the second exon that completely inactivated PavSCPL expression and resulted in the extra‐hard‐flesh phenotype, were identified by RNA‐sequencing analysis and gene cloning. Quantitative RT‐PCR analysis revealed that the PavSCPL expression level was increased with fruit softening. Virus‐induced gene silencing of PavSCPL enhanced fruit firmness and suppressed the activities of certain pectin‐degrading enzymes in the fruit. In addition, we developed functional molecular markers for PavSCPL and the Pavscpl5.2‐k allele that co‐segregated with the fruit firmness trait. Overall, this research identified a crucial functional gene for fruit firmness. The results provide insights into the genetic control and molecular mechanism of the fruit firmness trait and present useful molecular markers for molecular‐assisted breeding for fruit firmness in sweet cherry.
Neutrophilic dermatosis in a patient with an IKZF1 variant and a review of monogenic autoinflammatory disorders presenting with neutrophilic dermatoses
Authors: Guirguis Justina , Iosim Sonia , Jones Derek , Likhite Maryel , Chen Fei , Kesserwan Chimene , Gindin Tatyana , Kahn Philip J. , Beck David , Oza Vikash S. , Hillier Kirsty 
Published: February 2024

AbstractMonogenic diseases of immune dysregulation should be considered in the evaluation of children presenting with recurrent neutrophilic dermatoses in association with systemic signs of inflammation, autoimmune disease, hematologic abnormalities, and opportunistic or recurrent infections. We report the case of a 2‐year‐old boy presenting with a neutrophilic dermatosis, found to have a novel likely pathogenic germline variant of the IKAROS Family Zinc Finger 1 (IKZF1) gene; the mutation likely results in a loss of function dimerization defective protein based on reports and studies of similar variants. IKZF1 variants could potentially lead to aberrant neutrophil chemotaxis and development of neutrophilic dermatoses. Long‐term surveillance is required to monitor the development of hematologic malignancy, autoimmunity, immunodeficiency, and infection in patients with pathogenic IKZF1 germline variants.
Prevalence of potential contact allergens in best‐selling baby cleansers
Authors: Noveir Sasan D. , Galamgam Jayden , Cheng Carol E. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractMany baby cleansers are promoted as hypoallergic products; however, these claims are not typically validated. This study assessed the 50 best‐selling baby cleansers from online retailer Amazon for potential allergens. We found that the presence of most marketing claims, including “hypoallergenic” or “allergy‐tested,” did not correlate with the number of potential allergens in a cleanser. Furthermore, the total number of marketing claims of a cleanser was positively correlated with the number of allergens, highlighting the discordance between marketing claims and allergen content in baby cleansers.
Idiopathic aseptic facial granuloma: A retrospective study of 43 cases
Authors: Kuperman Wilder Lola , Lamberti Antonela , Boggio Paula , Abad María Eugenia , Luna Paula C. , Larralde Margarita 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundIdiopathic aseptic facial granuloma (IAFG) is an underrecognized pediatric skin disease, currently considered within the spectrum of rosacea. It usually manifests as a solitary, reddish, asymptomatic nodule on the cheek that resolves spontaneously.MethodsRetrospective and descriptive observational study of 43 pediatric patients with a clinical diagnosis of IAFG, followed between 2004 and 2022, at two general hospitals in Argentina.ResultsIAFG predominated in girls (65%) and the average age of onset was about 6 years. A single asymptomatic nodule was seen in 79% of patients. The most common localization was the cheek (58%) followed by lower eyelids (41%). Family history of rosacea was present in 16% of patients. A concomitant diagnosis of rosacea and periorificial dermatitis was made in 14% and 9% of our population, respectively. Past or present history of chalazia was detected in 42% of the children. IAFG diagnosis was mainly clinical (88% of cases). Oral antibiotics were the most common indicated treatment (84%). Complete healing was achieved by the majority, but 18% of those with eyelid compromise healed with scars.ConclusionsIAFG is a benign pediatric condition that physicians should recognize in order to manage correctly. We herein refer to a particular morphologic aspect of IAFG lesions affecting the lower eyelids, where nodules adopt a linear distribution and have a higher probability of involute leaving a scar. Also, we consider that the concomitant findings of rosacea, periorificial dermatitis and chalazia in our patients, reinforce the consideration of IAFG within the spectrum of rosacea.
Bier anemic spots, cyanosis, and urticaria‐like eruption (BASCULE) syndrome in a 15‐year‐old male, responsive to high‐dose fexofenadine
Authors: Keeling Elizabeth , Cotter Chantal , O'Mahony Sarah , Andrawis Madonna , Salim Asad 
Published: February 2024

AbstractWe describe an unusual presentation of Bier anemic spots, cyanosis, and urticaria‐like eruption (BASCULE) syndrome in a 15‐year‐old male, recalcitrant to low‐dose anti‐histamines, which subsequently responded to high‐dose fexofenadine.
Berdazimer gel for molluscum contagiosum in patients with atopic dermatitis
Authors: Paller Amy S. , Green Lawrence J. , Silverberg Nanette , Stripling Stephen , Cartwright Martina , Enloe Carolyn , Wells Nick , Kowalewski Elaine Kearney , Maeda‐Chubachi Tomoko 
Published: February 2024

AbstractObjectiveControlling molluscum contagiosum (MC) infections is critical in atopic dermatitis (AD) management. This post hoc analysis assessed the efficacy and safety of berdazimer gel, 10.3% (topical, antiviral, nitric oxide–releasing medication) versus vehicle in MC patients with or without AD.MethodsThree Phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double‐blind, vehicle‐controlled, parallel‐group trials (B‐SIMPLE[berdazimer sodium in molluscum patients with lesions]1, −2, −4) enrolled patients 6 months and older with 3–70 mollusca. Berdazimer or vehicle was applied once daily to all MC lesions for 12 weeks. Data from three Phase 3 studies were integrated for subgroup efficacy and safety assessments using several weighted meta‐analysis approaches. Patients with concurrent AD or a history of AD/eczema were categorized as AD+ subgroup (AD− when absent). Primary efficacy endpoint: complete lesion clearance at Week 12. Safety endpoints included adverse events (AEs) through Week 24 and local skin reactions through Week 12.ResultsOf 1598 enrolled patients, 209 (13.1%) were AD+. Baseline mean lesion counts were greater in AD+ (26.4) than AD− (19.3). Complete clearance rates were higher at Week 12 for berdazimer compared with vehicle in AD+ (n = 209; 35.0% vs. 27.4%; odds ratio [OR], 1.3; 95% CI, 0.7–2.5) and AD− (n = 1389; 29.1% vs. 18.9%; OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.4–2.4) subgroups. AEs in AD+ were application‐site pain (21.6% with berdazimer vs. 11.9% with vehicle), dermatitis (12.8% vs. 2.4%), and erythema (9.6% vs. 7.1%).ConclusionsBerdazimer gel showed favorable efficacy regardless of AD status. Berdazimer‐induced erythema may be indistinguishable from AD symptoms or with inflammatory response upon resolution of molluscum.
Racial differences in feelings of distress during the COVID‐19 pandemic and John Henryism Active Coping in the United States: Results from a national survey
Authors: Sullivan Samaah M. , Sullivan Jas M. , Orey D'Andra , Baptist Najja Kofi 
Published: February 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo examine whether John Henryism Active Coping (JHAC) is a protective risk factor for distress during the COVID‐19 pandemic and whether this association differs by race/ethnicity.MethodsData were collected as part of the 2020 National Blair Center Poll. Higher scores on JHAC measured a greater behavioral predisposition to cope actively and persistently with difficult psychosocial stressors and barriers of everyday life.ResultsHigh JHAC was associated with lower odds for feeling worried and for feeling afraid when thinking about COVID‐19. These associations differed across race/ethnicity such that having a greater JHAC behavioral predisposition to coping was inversely associated with feelings of distress when thinking about the COVID‐19 pandemic only among whites and Hispanics, but not among African Americans.ConclusionOur findings have important implications as the COVID‐19 pandemic continues into 2022 and psychological distress may linger and increase due to unprecedented economic and social impacts.
Clinical isolates of
Streptococcus mitis/oralis
-related species with reduced carbapenem susceptibility, harboring amino acid substitutions in penicillin-binding proteins in Japan
Authors: Sarangi Jayathilake , Ido Ayaka , Ito Masaya , Iinuma Chihiro , Doyama Yo , Jin Wanchun , Wachino Jun-ichi , Suzuki Masahiro , Iguchi Mitsutaka , Yagi Tetsuya , Arakawa Yoshichika , Kimura Kouji 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACT

Streptococcus mitis/oralis
group isolates with reduced carbapenem susceptibility have been reported, but its isolation rate in Japan is unknown. We collected 356 clinical α-hemolytic streptococcal isolates and identified 142 of them as
S. mitis/oralis
using partial
sodA
sequencing. The rate of meropenem non-susceptibility was 17.6% (25/142). All 25 carbapenem-non-susceptible isolates harbored amino acid substitutions in/near the conserved motifs in PBP1A, PBP2B, and PBP2X. Carbapenem non-susceptibility is common among
S. mitis/oralis
group isolates in Japan.
Host defense peptides mitigate the spread of antibiotic resistance in physiologically relevant condition
Authors: Zhang Miao , Yang Bingqing , Shi Jingru , Wang Zhiqiang , Liu Yuan 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACT

Antibiotic resistance represents a significant challenge to public health and human safety. The primary driver behind the dissemination of antibiotic resistance is the horizontal transfer of plasmids. Current conjugative transfer assay is generally performed in a standardized manner, ignoring the effect of the host environment. Host defense peptides (HDPs) possess a wide range of biological targets and play an essential role in the innate immune system. Herein, we reveal that sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations of HDPs facilitate the conjugative transfer of RP4-7 plasmid in the Luria Broth medium, and this observation is reversed in the RPMI medium, designed to simulate the host environment. Out of these HDPs, indolicidin (Ind), a cationic tridecapeptide from bovine neutrophils, significantly inhibits the conjugation of multidrug resistance plasmids in a dose-dependent manner, including
bla
NDM
- and
tet
(X4)-bearing plasmids. We demonstrate that the addition of Ind to RPMI medium as the incubation substrate downregulates the expression of conjugation-related genes. In addition, Ind weakens the tricarboxylic acid cycle, impedes the electron transport chain, and disrupts the proton motive force, consequently diminishing the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate and limiting the energy supply. Our findings highlight the importance of the host-like environments for the development of horizontal transfer inhibitors and demonstrate the potential of HDPs in preventing the spread of resistance plasmids.
Rapid high-throughput processing of tissue samples for microbiological diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infections using bead-beating homogenization
Authors: Jazmati Nathalie , Liebold Carolin , Offerhaus Christoph , Volkenand Annika , Grote Stefan , Pöpsel Juliane , Körber-Irrgang Barbara , Hoppe Thomas , Wisplinghoff Hilmar 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACT

Enrichment of periprosthetic tissue samples in blood culture bottles (BCBs) for microbiological diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) is more reliable than the use of an enrichment broth. Nevertheless, the extremely time-consuming homogenization of the samples for BCB processing has so far limited its use, especially in high-throughput settings. We aimed to establish a highly scalable homogenization process of tissue samples for long-term incubation in BCBs. A protocol for homogenization of tissue samples using bead beating was established and validated. In a second step, the use of the homogenate for enrichment in BCBs was compared to the use of thioglycolate broth (TB) in terms of diagnostic accuracy using clinical tissue samples from 150 patients with suspected PJI. Among 150 analyzed samples, 35 samples met the microbiological criteria for PJI. Using BCB, 32 of 35 (91.4%) PJI were detected compared to 30 of 35 (85.7%) by TB. The use of BCB had a lower secondary contamination rate (2/115; 1.7% vs 4/115; 3.5%) but the trend was not significant due to low numbers of samples (
P
= 0.39). The time to process a batch of 12 samples using the established homogenization method was 23 ± 5 min (
n
= 10 batches). We established and validated a homogenization workflow that achieves the highest sensitivity in the microbiological diagnostic of PJI. The enrichment of the tissue homogenate in BCBs showed equally good results as the use of enrichment broth and allows semi-automated high-throughput processing while demonstrating lower contamination rates in our study.
Increased production of aureolysin and staphopain A is a primary determinant of the reduced virulence of
Staphylococcus aureus sarA
mutants in osteomyelitis
Authors: Campbell Mara J. , Beenken Karen E. , Ramirez Aura M. , Smeltzer Mark S. 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACT

We previously demonstrated that mutation of
sarA
in
Staphylococcus aureus
limits biofilm formation, cytotoxicity for osteoblasts and osteoclasts, and virulence in osteomyelitis, and that all of these phenotypes can be attributed to the increased production of extracellular proteases. Here we extend these studies to assess the individual importance of these proteases alone and in combination with each other using the methicillin-resistant USA300 strain LAC, the methicillin-susceptible USA200 strain UAMS-1, and isogenic
sarA
mutants that were also unable to produce aureolysin (Aur), staphopain A (ScpA), staphylococcal serine protease A (subsp.), staphopain B (SspB), and the staphylococcal serine protease-like proteins A-F (SplA-F). Biofilm formation was restored in LAC and UAMS-1
sarA
mutants by subsequent mutation of
aur
and
scpA
, while mutation of
aur
had the greatest impact on cytotoxicity to mammalian cells, particularly with conditioned medium (CM) from the more cytotoxic strain LAC. However, SDS-PAGE and western blot analysis of CM confirmed that mutation of
sspAB
was also required to mimic the phenotype of
sarA
mutants unable to produce any extracellular proteases. Nevertheless, in a murine model of post-traumatic osteomyelitis, mutation of
aur
and
scpA
had the greatest impact on restoring the virulence of LAC and UAMS-1
sarA
mutants, with concurrent mutation of
sspAB
and the
spl
operon having relatively little effect. These results demonstrate that the increased production of Aur and ScpA in combination with each other is a primary determinant of the reduced virulence of
S. aureus sarA
mutants in diverse clinical isolates including both methicillin-resistant and methicillin-susceptible strains.

IMPORTANCE

Previous work established that SarA plays a primary role in limiting the production of extracellular proteases to prevent them from limiting the abundance of
S. aureus
virulence factors. Eliminating the production of all 10 extracellular proteases in the methicillin-resistant strain LAC has also been shown to enhance virulence in a murine sepsis model, and this has been attributed to the specific proteases Aur and ScpA. The importance of this work lies in our demonstration that the increased production of these same proteases largely accounts for the decreased virulence of
sarA
mutants in a murine model of post-traumatic osteomyelitis not only in LAC but also in the methicillin-susceptible human osteomyelitis isolate UAMS-1. This confirms that
sarA
-mediated repression of Aur and ScpA production plays a critical role in the posttranslational regulation of
S. aureus
virulence factors in diverse clinical isolates and diverse forms of
S. aureus
infection.
Complete genome sequence of
Lentilactobacillus buchneri
subsp.
silagei
MGR2-32 isolated from guinea grass silage in Okinawa, Japan
Authors: Irimajiri Rei , Kuwabara Meimi , Togo Shun , Fujino Yasuhiro , Honsho Masanori , Mawatari Shiro , Fujino Takehiko , Doi Katsumi 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACT

The genome sequence of
Lentilactobacillus buchneri
subsp.
silagei
MGR2-32, isolated from guinea grass silage, is 2,540,137 bp, has a GC content of 44%, and contains 2,393 predicted protein-coding genes. Pairwise average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between MGR2-32 and the type strain were 99.75% and 99.90%, respectively.
Extracellular organic disulfide reduction by
Shewanella oneidensis
MR-1
Authors: Phan Jonathan , Macwan Shine , Gralnick Jeffrey A. , Yee Nathan 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACT

Microbial reduction of organic disulfides affects the macromolecular structure and chemical reactivity of natural organic matter. Currently, the enzymatic pathways that mediate disulfide bond reduction in soil and sedimentary organic matter are poorly understood. In this study, we examined the extracellular reduction of 5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) by
Shewanella oneidensis
strain MR-1. A transposon mutagenesis screen performed with
S. oneidensis
resulted in the isolation of a mutant that lost ~90% of its DTNB reduction activity. Genome sequencing of the mutant strain revealed that the transposon was inserted into the
dsbD
gene, which encodes for an oxidoreductase involved in cytochrome
c
maturation. Complementation of the mutant strain with the wild-type
dsbD
partially restored DTNB reduction activity. Because DsbD catalyzes a critical step in the assembly of multi-heme
c
-type cytochromes, we further investigated the role of extracellular electron transfer cytochromes in organic disulfide reduction. The results indicated that mutants lacking proteins in the Mtr system were severely impaired in their ability to reduce DTNB. These findings provide new insights into extracellular organic disulfide reduction and the enzymatic pathways of organic sulfur redox cycling.

IMPORTANCE

Organic sulfur compounds in soils and sediments are held together by disulfide bonds. This study investigates how
Shewanella oneidensis
breaks apart extracellular organic sulfur compounds. The results show that an enzyme involved in the assembly of
c
-type cytochromes as well as proteins in the Mtr respiratory pathway is needed for
S. oneidensis
to transfer electrons from the cell surface to extracellular organic disulfides. These findings have important implications for understanding how organic sulfur decomposes in terrestrial ecosystems.
Fluid environment controls along-strike variation in slip style: Midcrustal geological signatures from the Red River fault, China
Authors: Duan Qingbao , Fagereng Åke , Chen Jianye , Blenkinsop Thomas 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The slip style of continental midcrustal shear zones plays a crucial role in determining the seismogenic potential of faults, but it remains poorly understood because geological observations that can be directly tied to seismic behavior are scarce. We describe frictional-viscous shear zones in the Red River fault, China, which consists of two segments with distinct seismic behaviors and fluid availabilities. The northern segment hosts moderate to large earthquakes, and midcrustal fault slip is localized into mylonitized pseudotachylyte-bearing layers where dynamically recrystallized quartz records flow stresses exceeding 100 MPa and accelerated viscous creep. The southern segment is dominantly aseismic but active microseismically. Fault slip is accommodated in several mylonitized cataclasite layers, comprising interconnected biotite and intervening fractured clasts, with evidence for pervasive dissolution-precipitation creep. Microstructures, paleopiezometry, and microphysical modeling suggest transient aseismic slip in response to increased strain rates during viscous creep at &lt;50 MPa. We interpret that along-strike variations in fluid environment control fault slip styles and seismic behaviors. The dry and strong northern segment is capable of nucleating large earthquakes, while greater fluid availability in the southern segment activates dissolution-precipitation creep at low driving stresses, which limits interseismic elastic strain accumulation at frictional-viscous transition depths. In this model, compaction-driven fluid pressurization and dilatant hardening are invoked to explain the aseismic slip transients in the southern segment.