bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An investigation of the acaricidal activity of benzyl alcohol on Rhipicephalus annulatus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus and its synergistic or antagonistic interaction with commonly used acaricides
Authors: Aboelhadid Shawky M. , Ibrahium Samar M. , Abdel‐Baki Abdel‐Azeem S. , Hassan Khaled M. , Arafa Waleed M. , Aboud Heba M. , Mohy Sarah , Al‐Quraishy Saleh , Hassan Ahmed O. , Abdelgelil Noha H. , Gadelhaq Sahar M. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe most economically significant ectoparasites in the tropics and subtropics are ixodid ticks, especially Rhipicephalus annulatus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Years of extensive use of the readily available acaricides have resulted in widespread resistance development in these ticks, as well as negative environmental consequences. Benzyl alcohol (BA) has been frequently used to treat pediculosis and scabies, and it may be an effective alternative to commonly used acaricides. The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the acaricide activity of BA and its combination with the regularly used chemical acaricides against R. annulatus and R. sanguineus. Different concentrations of BA alone and in combination with deltamethrin, cypermethrin and chlorpyrifos were tested in vitro against adult and larvae of both tick species. The results showed that BA is toxic to R. annulatus and R. sanguineus larvae, with 100% larval mortality at concentrations of ≥50 mL/L, and LC50 and LC90 attained the concentrations of 19.8 and 33.8 mL/L for R. annulatus and 18.8 and 31.8 mL/L for R. sanguineus, respectively. Furthermore, BA in combination with deltamethrin, cypermethrin and chlorpyrifos exhibited synergistic factors of 2.48, 1.26 and 1.68 against R. annulatus larvae and 1.64, 11.1 and 1.14 against R. sanguineus larvae for deltamethrin + BA, cypermethrin + BA and chlorpyrifos + BA, respectively. BA induced 100% mortality in adult R. annulatus at concentrations of ≥250 mL/L with LC50 and LC90 reached the concentrations of 111 and 154 mL/L, respectively. Additionally, BA had ovicidal activity causing complete inhibition of larval hatching at 100 mL/L. The combination of BA with deltamethrin and cypermethrin increased acetylcholinesterase inhibition, whereas the combination of BA with chlorpyrifos decreased glutathione (GSH) activity and malondialdehyde levels. In the field application, the combination of BA 50 mL/L and deltamethrin (DBA) resulted in a significant reduction in the percentage of ticks by 30.9% 28 days post‐treatment when compared with groups treated with deltamethrin alone. In conclusion, BA causes mortality in laboratory and field studies alone and in combination with cypermethrin or deltamethrin. BA can be used for control of ticks of different life stages, that is, eggs and larvae, through application to the ground.
No indication of aberrant neutrophil extracellular trap release in indolent or advanced systemic mastocytosis
Authors: Rosell Axel , Karlström Cecilia , Dahlin Joakim S. , Boey Daryl , Klimkowska Monika , Ax Kajsa , Thålin Charlotte , Ungerstedt Johanna 
Published: October 2023

AbstractIn disease states with chronic inflammation, there is a crosstalk between mast cells and neutrophil granulocytes in the inflamed microenvironment, which may be potentiated by tryptase. In systemic mastocytosis (SM), mast cells are constitutively active and tryptase is elevated in blood. Mast cell activation in SM leads to symptoms from various organs depending on where the active mast cells reside, for example, palpitations, flush, allergic symptoms including anaphylactic reactions, and osteoporosis. Whether neutrophil function is altered in SM is not well understood. In the current study, we assessed nucleosomal citrullinated histone H3 (H3Cit‐DNA) as a proxy for neutrophil extracellular trap release in plasma from 55 patients with indolent and advanced SM. We observed a strong trend towards a correlation between leukocyte count, eosinophil count and neutrophil count and H3Cit‐DNA levels in patients with advanced SM but not in indolent SM; however, no differences in H3Cit‐DNA levels in SM patients compared with healthy controls. H3Cit‐DNA levels did not correlate with SM disease burden, tryptase levels, history of anaphylaxis or presence of cutaneous mastocytosis; thus, there is no evidence of a general neutrophil extracellular trap release in SM. Interestingly, H3Cit‐DNA levels and leukocyte counts were elevated in a subgroup of SM patients with aberrant mast cell CD2 expression, which warrants further investigation. In conclusion, we found no evidence of global increase in neutrophil extracellular trap release in SM.
In defense of verb‐stranding VP ellipsis
Authors: Simpson Andrew 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThis remark offers arguments against recent challenges to analyses that postulate verb‐stranding VP ellipsis (Idan Landau, “On the nonexistence of verb‐stranding VP‐ellipsis,” 2020, Linguistic Inquiry 51.2.341–365; Satoshi Oku, “A note on ellipsis‐resistant constituents,” 2016, Nanzan Linguistics 11.56–70). The article defends the verb‐stranding‐VP‐ellipsis hypothesis, arguing that it remains the strongest hypothesis available to account for many instances of ellipsis with null objects in languages such as Hindi, Bangla, and Japanese.
bla
KPC-2
overexpression and
bla
GES-5
carriage as major imipenem/relebactam resistance mechanisms in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
high-risk clones ST463 and ST235, respectively, in China
Authors: Li Yue , Fang Li , Dong Mengqian , Cai Heng , Hua Xiaoting , Jiang Yan , Yu Yunsong , Yang Qing 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
high-risk clones pose severe threats to public health. Here, we characterize the imipenem/relebactam (IR) resistance mechanisms in
P. aeruginosa
high-risk clones sequence type 235 (ST235) and ST463 in China. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined, and Illumina short-read sequencing was performed for 1,168 clinical carbapenem-resistant
P. aeruginosa
(CRPA) isolates. The gene copy number and expression level were analyzed by Illumina sequencing depth and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, respectively. Resistance conferred by
bla
GES-5
was evaluated by cloning experiments. ST463 and ST235 accounted for 9.8% (115/1,168) and 4.5% (53/1,168) of total isolates, respectively, and showed high frequencies of extensively drug-resistant and difficult-to-treat resistant phenotypes. The overall IR-resistant rate in CRPA was 21.0% (245/1,168). However, the IR resistance rate was 81.7% (94/115) in ST463-PA and 52.8% (28/53) in ST235-PA. Of the ST463 isolates, 92.2% (106/115) were
Klebsiella pneumoniae
carbapenemase-producing
P. aeruginosa
(KPC-PA), and all 94 IR-resistant ST463-PA produced KPC-2. Compared to IR-susceptible ST463 KPC-2-PA, IR-resistant ST463 KPC-2-PA exhibited significantly higher
bla
KPC-2
copy numbers and expression levels. In ST463 KPC-2-PA, 16 mg/L relebactam resulted in additional fourfold reductions in imipenem MIC
50/90
values compared to 4 mg/L relebactam. In ST235, 1.9% (1/53) carried
bla
IMP
carbapenemase and 54.7% (29/53) carried
bla
GES
carbapenemase. Other than the IMP producer, all 27 IR-resistant ST235-PA produced GES-5. Cloning experiments revealed that imipenem resistance in
bla
GES-5
-carrying PAO1 transformants was generally unaffected by relebactam. In conclusion, IR-resistant CRPA isolates in China were mainly distributed in
P. aeruginosa
high-risk clones ST463 and ST235. The major underlying IR resistance mechanisms were
bla
KPC-2
overexpression and
bla
GES-5
carriage.
Characterization of a novel aromatic ring-hydroxylating oxygenase, NarA2B2, from thermophilic
Hydrogenibacillus
sp. strain N12
Authors: Guo Lihua , Ouyang Xingyu , Wang Weiwei , Huang Yiqun , Qiu Xiaoyu , Xu Ping , Tang Hongzhi 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are harmful to human health due to their carcinogenic, teratogenic, and mutagenic effects. A thermophilic
Hydrogenibacillus
sp. strain N12 capable of degrading a variety of PAHs and derivatives was previously isolated. In this study, an aromatic ring-hydroxylating oxygenase, NarA2B2, was identified from strain N12, with substrate specificity including naphthalene, phenanthrene, dibenzothiophene, fluorene, acenaphthene, carbazole, biphenyl, and pyrene. NarA2B2 was proposed to add one or two atoms of molecular oxygen to the substrate and catalyze biphenyl at C-2, 2 or C-3, 4 positions with different characteristics than before. The key catalytic amino acids, H222, H227, and D379, were identified as playing a pivotal role in the formation of the 2-his-1-carboxylate facial triad. Furthermore, we conducted molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations, notably, D219 enhanced the stability of the iron center by forming two stable hydrogen bonds with H222, while the mutation of F216, T223, and H302 modulated the catalytic activity by altering the pocket’s size and shape. Compared to the wild-type (WT) enzyme, the degradation ratios of acenaphthene by F216A, T223A, and H302A had an improvement of 23.08%, 26.87%, and 29.52%, the degradation ratios of naphthalene by T223A and H302A had an improvement of 51.30% and 65.17%, while the degradation ratio of biphenyl by V236A had an improvement of 77.94%. The purified NarA2B2 was oxygen-sensitive when it was incubated with L-ascorbic acid in an anaerobic environment, and its catalytic activity was restored
in vitro
. These results contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanism responsible for PAHs’ degradation in thermophilic microorganisms.

IMPORTANCE

(i) A novel aromatic ring-hydroxylating oxygenase named NarA2B2, capable of degrading multiple polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and derivatives, was identified from the thermophilic microorganism
Hydrogenibacillus
sp. N12. (ii) The degradation characteristics of NarA2B2 were characterized by adding one or two atoms of molecular oxygen to the substrate. Unlike the previous study, NarA2B2 catalyzed biphenyl at C-2, 2 or C-3, 4 positions. (iii) Catalytic sites of NarA2B2 were conserved, and key amino acids F216, D219, H222, T223, H227, V236, F243, Y300, H302, W316, F369, and D379 played pivotal roles in catalysis, as confirmed by protein structure prediction, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and point mutation.
Comparison of intestinal microbes and metabolites in active VKH versus acute anterior uveitis associated with ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Li Mengyao , Liu Mingzhu , Wang Xia , Wei Haihui , Jin Siyan , Liu Xiaoli 
Published: October 2023

BackgroundIt has been reported that the gut microbiome is involved in the pathogenesis of uveitis, but the specific pathogenic microbes and metabolites in different types of uveitis are still unclear.MethodsMicrobiome and metabolites were detected using 16S ribosomal DNA and LC‒MS/MS (liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry) in 45 individuals, including 16 patients with Vogt Koyanagi Harada (VKH), 11 patients with acute anterior uveitis (AAU) and 18 healthy controls.ResultThe diversity of intestinal microbes among the VKH, AAU and control groups was not significantly different. Thirteen specific microbes and 38 metabolites were detected in the VKH group, and 7 metabolites (vanillin, erythro-isoleucine, pyrimidine, 1-aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid, beta-tocopherol, (-)-gallocatechin and N1-methyl-4-pyridone-3-carboxamide) significantly changed only in patients with VKH, which mainly acted on nicotinamide and nicotinamide metabolism and biotin metabolism (p<0.05). Compared with the VKH group, the AAU group had milder intestinal changes. Only 11 specific microbes and 29 metabolites changed in the AAU group, while these metabolites were not specific (p<0.05). These metabolites mainly acted on arachidonic acid metabolism. In addition, three microbes and two metabolites had the same changes in the VKH and AAU groups (p<0.05). Multiple correlations were found between gut microbes and metabolites in the VKH and AAU groups. Six microbes (Pediococcus, Pseudomonas, Rhodococcus, Photobacterium, Gardnerella and Lawsonia) and two metabolites (pyrimidine and gallocatechin) as biomarkers could effectively distinguish patients with VKH from patients with AAU and healthy individuals, with AUC (area under the curve) values greater than 82%. Four microbes (Lentilactobacillus, Lachnospiraceae_UCG-010, Cetobacterium, Liquorilactobacillus) could distinguish patients with AAU from patients with VKH and healthy controls with AUC>76%.ConclusionSignificant differences in intestinal microbes and metabolites suggest their different roles in the pathogenesis of uveitis entities. Changes in the metabolism of certain B vitamins may be involved in the pathogenesis of VKH.
Effect of Elastic-band Baduanjin exercise on older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in China: protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Wang Hui , Pei Changle , Liu Jingxia , Wang Yan , Chen Chao , Lyu Weibo , Cheng Kangyao 
Published: October 2023

IntroductionIn China, older adults have the highest incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Bone, joint and physical endurance limit the types of exercise available to older adults with T2DM. Baduanjin is recommended and encouraged as an exercise option. However, Baduanjin exercise alone cannot account for the loss of muscle mass. Resistance training is recommended in the guidelines and offers new options for increasing muscle strength. The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of Elastic-band Baduanjin exercise training with those of Baduanjin alone.Methods and analysisThis study is a reworking exercise programme, consisting of Baduanjin combined with elastic band resistance exercise training. A 12-week randomised controlled trial will be conducted. Patients aged 60–80 years with T2DM will be assigned to the Elastic-band Baduanjin (intervention) and Baduanjin (control) groups using cluster random sampling. A sample of 70 participants will be conducted. Indicators of muscle strength, body composition, blood glucose and balance function will be collected before and after the intervention. Meanwhile, exercise will be monitored using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire.Ethics and disseminationThe trial was approved by the Chinese Ethics Committee of Registering Clinical Trials on 19 June 2022 (ChiECRCT20220210). The research results will be published in peer-­reviewed publications.Trial registration numberChinese Clinical Trials Registry (ChiCTR2200062424).
Analysis on personnel costs and working time for implementing a more person-centred care approach: a case study with embedded units in a Swedish region
Authors: Gyllensten Hanna , Tistad Malin , Fridberg Helena , Wallin Lars 
Published: October 2023

ObjectivesOur aim was to describe the time and costs used during the implementation of a more person-centred care (PCC) approach as part of ordinary practice.DesignA case study with embedded units.SettingRegion Dalarna, Sweden.ParticipantsThe Department for Development (DD) staff who provided a central support function in the implementation and six healthcare units: nephrology, two geriatric care and rehabilitation units, two psychiatry units and primary care.InterventionsMore PCC.Primary and secondary outcome measuresWorking days and related salary costs reported by categories indicating costs for implementation strategies, service delivery, and research/development costs.ResultsThe healthcare units logged on average 5.5 working days per staff member. In the healthcare units, 6%–57% of the time reported was used for implementation strategies, 40%–90% for service delivery and 2%–12% for research/development. Of the time reported by the DD, 88% was assigned to implementation strategies. Costs associated with reported time indicated 23% of costs for this implementation occurred in the DD. Using the budgeted cost, this proportion increased to 48%. The budget for the DD corresponded to SEK 2.30 per citizen per year and 0.009% of the total healthcare budget of the region.ConclusionsThe study found that a large part of resources used for this implementation of more PCC occurred in the DD, although at least half of the costs occurred in the healthcare units. Moreover, the cost of providing a central support function corresponds to a tiny proportion of the total health budget.
Implementation status and consideration for the globalisation of decentralised clinical trials: a cross-sectional analysis of clinical trial databases
Authors: Sato Takahiro , Mizumoto Shota , Ota Midori , Shikano Mayumi 
Published: October 2023

ObjectiveTo comprehensively elucidate the current landscape of decentralised clinical trials (DCTs) and identify notable aspects that can facilitate DCT implementation.DesignCross-sectional analysis.SettingData were extracted using selected DCT-specific search terms on 4 June 2022, from the ClinicalTrials.gov database and on 2 September 2022, from the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials and Japic Clinical Trials Information.Primary outcome measureWe characterised trials based on the four components of DCT: telemedicine, home healthcare, direct-to-patient and the Internet of Healthcare Things (IoHTs)/Internet of Medical Things.ResultsData obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov indicated that the number of DCTs has increased annually and exponentially since 2020. DCTs for cardiovascular diseases are the most common, and the digital platform for patient monitoring is used the most in DCTs. The Japanese databases also showed that DCTs have increased in recent years, and the data on disease areas and IoHTs were similar to those obtained from the ClinicalTrials.gov database, except for the number of studies. Approximately 9.2% of DCTs were conducted across multiple regions, whereas over 80% were conducted within a single country.ConclusionsThis study revealed the comprehensive trend of DCTs in the USA and Japan and helped identify widely implemented DCT components and the therapeutic areas in which they are implemented. International consensus guidelines for DCTs are necessary to promote multiregional clinical trials with DCT components.
Are housing circumstances associated with faster epigenetic ageing?
Authors: Clair Amy , Baker Emma , Kumari Meena 
Published: October 2023

BackgroundNumerous aspects of housing are associated with health. However, the pathways between housing and health, particularly the psychosocial elements of housing, are less well understood. Epigenetic information alongside social survey data offers an opportunity to explore biological ageing, measured using DNA methylation, as a potential pathway through which housing affects health.MethodsWe use data on housing and DNA methylation from the UK Household Longitudinal Study, linked with prior survey responses from the British Household Panel Survey, covering adults in Great Britain. We explore the association between epigenetic ageing and housing circumstances, both contemporary and historical, using hierarchical regression.ResultsWe find that living in a privately rented home is related to faster biological ageing. Importantly, the impact of private renting (coefficient (SE) 0.046 years (0.011) vs owned outright, p<0.001) is greater than the impact of experiencing unemployment (coefficient 0.027 years (0.012) vs employed, p<0.05) or being a former smoker (coefficient 0.021 years (0.005) vs never smoker, p<0.001). When we include historical housing circumstances in the analysis, we find that repeated housing arrears and exposure to pollution/environmental problems are also associated with faster biological ageing.ConclusionOur results suggest that challenging housing circumstances negatively affect health through faster biological ageing. However, biological ageing is reversible, highlighting the significant potential for housing policy changes to improve health.
Perspectives on limiting tobacco access and supporting access to nicotine vaping products among clients of residential drug and alcohol treatment services in Australia
Authors: Trigg Joshua , Rich Jane , Williams Edwina , Gartner Coral E , Guillaumier Ashleigh , Bonevski Billie 
Published: October 2023

IntroductionTobacco endgame strategies aim to drive down population smoking rates, the success of which can be improved with public buy-in, including from populations with high smoking rates such as alcohol and other drug (AOD) service clients. This study aimed to explore acceptability of tobacco retail and nicotine reduction, and subsidised nicotine vaping to support AOD service clients following a smoking cessation attempt.MethodsWe interviewed 31 Australian AOD service clients who currently or previously smoked, following a 12-week randomised trial comparing nicotine replacement therapy with nicotine vaping product (NVP) for smoking cessation. Participants were asked how effectively three scenarios would support tobacco cessation: tobacco retailer reduction, very low-nicotine cigarette standard and subsidised NVP access. We thematically analysed participant views on how each approach would support tobacco abstinence.ResultsTobacco retailer reduction raised concerns about increasing travel and accessing cigarettes from alternate sources, with generally lower acceptability, though a range of perspectives were provided. Reducing nicotine in tobacco products was described as reducing appeal of smoking and potentially increasing illicit purchases of non-reduced nicotine products. Clients of AOD services were highly accepting of subsidised NVP access for tobacco cessation, as this would partly address financial and socioeconomic barriers.ConclusionsAustralian tobacco control policy should consider how these approaches impact ease and likelihood of tobacco access by AOD service clients in relation to the general population. Understanding clients’ acceptability of tobacco control and endgame measures can inform how to avoid potential unintended consequences for these clients.
Cosmological tests of $$f(R,G,\mathcal {T})$$ dark energy model in FRW universe
Authors: Chaudhary Himanshu , Bouali Amine , Molla Niyaz Uddin , Debnath Ujjal , Mustafa G. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe paper is devoted to study the observational signatures of$$f(R,G,\mathcal {T})$$f(R,G,T)gravity in FRW universe. In this research article, we present a new cosmological model formulated within the$$f(R,G,\mathcal {T})$$f(R,G,T)framework. To constrain the model parameters, we employ the Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) technique, which enables us to explore the parameter space effectively, and used the 36 points of cosmic chronometers and 1701 points from Pantheon Plus data. We compare our proposed$$f(R,G,\mathcal {T})$$f(R,G,T)model with the widely accepted$$\Lambda $$ΛCDM model, considering different cosmological parameters, including deceleration, snap, and jerk. By evaluating these parameters, we gain valuable insights into the dynamics and evolution of the universe within the context of our new model. Moreover, various diagnostic tests have been conducted, such as Statefinder andOmdiagnostic, to further investigate the behavior and consistency of our$$f(R,G,\mathcal {T})$$f(R,G,T)model. These tests offer deeper insights into the properties of our model and its compatibility with observational data. We subject our model to statistical analysis using Information Criteria, which serves as a rigorous quantitative assessment of the model’s goodness of fit to the data. This analysis aids in determining the level of agreement between our$$f(R,G,\mathcal {T})$$f(R,G,T)model and the observational data, thus establishing the viability and reliability of our proposed cosmological framework. Our findings highlight the potential of the$$f(R,G,\mathcal {T})$$f(R,G,T)framework in understanding the fundamental aspects of the universe’s evolution and dynamics. The comparative analysis with$$\Lambda $$ΛCDM, as well as the comprehensive diagnostic tests performed, demonstrate the efficacy and validity of our model in explaining the observed cosmological phenomena. These results contribute to the ongoing pursuit of accurate and comprehensive models that can provide a deeper understanding of the nature of our universe.