bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Detection of CTX-M-15 ESBL in XDR Haemophilus parainfluenzae from a urethral swab
Authors: Caméléna François , Merimèche Manel , Liberge Mathilde , Maubaret Clara , Donay Jean-Luc , Taha Muhamed-Kheir , Fouéré Sébastien , Berçot Béatrice 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Objectives
Haemophilus parainfluenzae is an opportunistic pathogen causing respiratory tract infection and sexually transmitted diseases. The emergence of multidrug resistance in this species is particularly worrisome, especially since the recent description of CTX-M-15 ESBL-producing isolates in Spain. The aim of this study was to characterize a CTX-M-15-producing H. parainfluenzae clinical isolate, HP01, obtained from a urethral swab.

Methods
MICs were determined with gradient strips for this isolate. Hydrolysis assays were performed with the β LACTA test. Genomic DNA from HP01 was subjected to Illumina and Oxford Nanopore sequencing to investigate the genetic environment of blaCTX-M-15. Phylogenetic analysis was performed with available H. parainfluenzae genomes from the NCBI database, including CTX-M-15 producers.

Results
HP01, an XDR isolate, was resistant to penicillin, third-generation cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, macrolides, cyclines and co-trimoxazole and susceptible only to carbapenems and rifampicin. HP01 carried blaTEM-1, blaCTX-M-15, tet(M), catS and mef(E)/mel and harboured amino acid substitutions in PBP3, PBP5, GyrA, ParC and FolA implicated in resistance. Genomic analysis revealed that blaCTX-M-15 was carried by a Tn3-like transposon inserted into a novel integrative and conjugative element (ICE), ICEHpaSLS, present on the chromosome and belonging to the ICEHin1056 family described in Haemophilus influenzae. The tet(M)-MEGA element was also detected on the chromosome. No plasmid was found. The phylogenetic analysis showed that four H. parainfluenzae producing CTX-M-15 clustered in the same clade.

Conclusions
Here we report the description of an XDR H. parainfluenzae producing blaCTX-M-15 isolated from a urethral swab. The blaCTX-M-15 gene was inserted into an ICE structure similar to those recently described in CTX-M-15 producers in Spain. The emergence of XDR H. parainfluenzae producing blaCTX-M-15 is a matter of great concern. Careful surveillance is required to prevent its spread.
Effect of short photoperiod on the development of Haemaphysalis longicornis (Ixodida: Ixodidae)
Authors: González Julia , Fonseca Dina M , Toledo Alvaro 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
The invasive tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann, is now present across most of the mid-Atlantic States in the eastern United States. This tick ends its seasonal activity in late October to early November, with larvae being the last life-stage observed questing. Previous research has revealed that the activity of H. longicornis is influenced by photoperiod: short daylight lengths trigger diapause in nymphs, marking it as the primary overwintering stage. However, whether engorged larvae can enter diapause or are affected by short daylight is unclear. In this study, we tested in the laboratory whether the photoperiod Affects the development of H. longicornis engorged larvae and engorged nymphs under constant temperature and humidity. The results showed that engorged larvae molted significantly faster (3 days faster) when the photoperiod was 9 h of light as opposed to 14 h. In contrast, changes in the photoperiod did not affect the molting of engorged nymphs. Our results demonstrate that engorged larvae respond to short daylight length, by molting faster. These results suggest that engorged larvae are unlikely to overwinter under field conditions and support the expectation that nymphs are the primary overwintering stage for H. longicornis in the United States.
Relative position of seeds driven the seedling growth are mediated by root–leaf traits
Authors: Zhu Jing , Wang Xue-Lin , Jin Xing , Jiang Lan , Lin Hong-Yu , Hu Yang , Liu Jin-Fu , He Zhong-Sheng 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Variations in plant traits are indicative of plant adaptations to forest environments, and studying their relationships with tree growth provides valuable insights into forest regeneration. The spatial arrangement of plant seeds within the forest litter or soil critically influences the variations of root–leaf traits, thereby affecting the adaptive strategies of emerging seedlings. However, our current understanding of the impacts of individual root–leaf traits on seedling growth in different relative position, and whether these traits together affect growth, remains limited. This study focuses on the dominant tree species, Castanopsis kawakamii, within the Sanming C. kawakamii Nature Reserve of China. The present experiment aimed to examine the variations in root–leaf traits of seedling, focus on the relative positions of seeds within different layers: beneath or above the litter layer, or within the bare soil layer (without litter). Our findings provided evidence supporting a coordinated relationship between root and leaf traits, wherein leaf traits varied in conjunction with root traits in the relative positions of seeds. Specifically, we observed that seedlings exhibited higher values for specific leaf area and average root diameter, while displaying lower root tissue density. The mixed model explained 86.1% of the variation in root–leaf traits, surpassing the variation explained by the relative positions. Furthermore, soil nitrogen acted as a mediator, regulating the relationship between seedling growth and root–leaf traits, specifically leaf dry matter content and root tissue density. Therefore, future studies should consider artificially manipulating tree species diversity based on root–leaf traits characteristics to promote forest recovery.
Multifunctional 5-hydroxyconiferaldehyde O-methyltransferases (CAldOMTs) in plant metabolism
Authors: Lam Lydia Pui Ying , Lui Andy C W , Bartley Laura E , Mikami Bunzo , Umezawa Toshiaki , Lo Clive 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Lignin, flavonoids, melatonin, and stilbenes are plant specialized metabolites with diverse physiological and biological functions, supporting plant growth and conferring stress resistance. Their biosynthesis requires O-methylations catalyzed by 5-hydroxyconiferaldehyde O-methyltransferase (CAldOMT; also called caffeic acid O-methyltransferase, COMT). CAldOMT was first known for its roles in syringyl (S) lignin biosynthesis in angiosperm cell walls and later found to be multifunctional. This enzyme also catalyzes O-methylations in flavonoid, melatonin, and stilbene biosynthetic pathways. Phylogenetic analysis indicated the convergent evolution of enzymes with OMT activities towards the monolignol biosynthetic pathway intermediates in some gymnosperm species that lack S-lignin and Selaginella moellendorffii, a lycophyte which produces S-lignin. Furthermore, neofunctionalization of CAldOMTs occurred repeatedly during evolution, generating unique O-methyltransferases (OMTs) with novel catalytic activities and/or accepting novel substrates, including lignans, 1,2,3-trihydroxybenzene, and phenylpropenes. This review summarizes multiple aspects of CAldOMTs and their related proteins in plant metabolism and discusses their evolution, molecular mechanism, and roles in biorefineries, agriculture, and synthetic biology.
On the origin of accretion bursts in FU Ori
Authors: Nayakshin Sergei , Elbakyan Vardan 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT
Accretion luminosity of young star FU Ori (FUOR) increased from undetectable levels to hundreds of L⊙ in 1937 and remains nearly as high at the present time. In a recent paper, we showed how Extreme Evaporation (EE) of a young gas giant planet that migrated to a ∼10 d orbit around the star may power FUOR. However, our model assumed a power-law mass–radius relation for the evaporating planet. Here, we employ a stellar evolution code to model mass losing planets. We find that adiabatic planets expand rapidly, which results in runaway FUOR bursts. Superadiabatic planets contract while losing mass; their outbursts are dimming with time. Long steadily declining bursts such as FUOR require relatively fine-tuned internal planetary structure, which may be rare. More commonly we find that superadiabatic planets contract too rapidly and their EE falters, leading to FUOR burst stutter. This stutter allows a single planet to produce many short repeating bursts, which may be relevant to bursts observed in V346 Nor, V899, and V1647. We compute broad-band spectra of our best-fitting scenario for FUOR. Since the outburst is triggered behind the planet location, the mid-infrared (mid-IR) emission rises many months before the optical, similar to bursts in Gaia-17bpi and Gaia-18dvy. We show that in outbursts powered by the classic thermal instability, mid-IR lags the optical, whereas the dead zone activation models predict mid-IR light precede the optical burst by many years to decades. We comment on the stellar flyby scenario for FUOR.
Determining cosmological growth parameter for stellar-mass black holes
Authors: Mlinar Ema , Zwitter Tomaž 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT
It has recently been suggested that black holes (BHs) may grow with time, so that their mass is proportional to the cosmological scale factor to the power n, with suggested values n ≈ 3 for supermassive BHs in elliptical galaxies. Here, we test these predictions with stellar-mass BHs in X-ray binaries using their masses and ages. We perform two sets of tests to assess the compatible values of n. First, we assume that no compact object grows over the Tolman–Oppenheimer–Volkoff limit which marks the borderline between neutron stars and BHs. We show that half of BHs would be born with a mass below this limit if n = 3 applies. The possibility that all BHs were born above the limit is rejected at $4\, \sigma$ if n = 3 applies. In the second test, we assume that masses of BHs at their formation stay the same over cosmic history. We compare the mass distribution of the youngest BHs, which could have not grown yet, to their older counterparts. Distributions are compatible for $n = -0.9^{+1.3}_{-4.6}$, with n = 3 excluded formally with 87 per cent confidence. This result may be biased, because massive BHs tend to have a massive companion. Correcting for this bias yields n ≈ 0. We can therefore conclude that while our results are not a clear rejection of BH scaling with n = 3, we show that n = 0 is much more consistent with the data.
Disc corona radii and QPO frequencies in black hole binaries: testing Lense– Thirring precession origin
Authors: Kubota Aya , Done Chris , Tsurumi Kazuki , Mizukawa Ryuki 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT
Stellar-mass black hole binary systems in the luminous X-ray states show a strong quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) in their Comptonized emission. The frequency of this feature correlates with the ratio of a disc to Comptonized emission rather than with total luminosity. Hence, it changes dramatically during spectral transitions between the hard and soft states. Its amplitude is also strongest in these intermediate states, making them an important test of QPO models. However, these have complex spectra which generally require a disc and two separate Comptonization components, making it difficult to uniquely derive the spectral parameters. We build a new energy-conserving model of the accretion flow, SSsed model, which assumes a fixed radial emissivity but with a changing emission mechanism. This is similar to the agnsed model in xspec but tuned to be more suitable for stellar mass black holes. It uses a combination of the disc luminosity and temperature to constrain the inner radius of the (colour temperature corrected) blackbody disc, separating this from the more complex Comptonization spectra emitted inwards of this radius. We show a pilot study of this model fit to hundreds of RXTE spectra of the black hole binary XTE J1550 − 564. We show that the derived disc radius tightly anticorrelates with the central frequencies of the low-frequency QPO detected in the same observations. The relation is consistent with the quantitative predictions of Lense–Thirring precession of the entire inner Comptonization regions for the assumed system parameters. This supports the scenario that low-frequency QPOs are caused by Lense–Thirring precession.
The missing part: the Archaeoglobus fulgidus Argonaute forms a functional heterodimer with an N-L1-L2 domain protein
Authors: Manakova Elena , Golovinas Edvardas , Pocevičiūtė Reda , Sasnauskas Giedrius , Silanskas Arunas , Rutkauskas Danielis , Jankunec Marija , Zagorskaitė Evelina , Jurgelaitis Edvinas , Grybauskas Algirdas , Venclovas Česlovas , Zaremba Mindaugas 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Argonaute (Ago) proteins are present in all three domains of life (bacteria, archaea and eukaryotes). They use small (15–30 nucleotides) oligonucleotide guides to bind complementary nucleic acid targets and are responsible for gene expression regulation, mobile genome element silencing, and defence against viruses or plasmids. According to their domain organization, Agos are divided into long and short Agos. Long Agos found in prokaryotes (long-A and long-B pAgos) and eukaryotes (eAgos) comprise four major functional domains (N, PAZ, MID and PIWI) and two structural linker domains L1 and L2. The majority (∼60%) of pAgos are short pAgos, containing only the MID and inactive PIWI domains. Here we focus on the prokaryotic Argonaute AfAgo from Archaeoglobus fulgidus DSM4304. Although phylogenetically classified as a long-B pAgo, AfAgo contains only MID and catalytically inactive PIWI domains, akin to short pAgos. We show that AfAgo forms a heterodimeric complex with a protein encoded upstream in the same operon, which is a structural equivalent of the N-L1-L2 domains of long pAgos. This complex, structurally equivalent to a long PAZ-less pAgo, outperforms standalone AfAgo in guide RNA-mediated target DNA binding. Our findings provide a missing piece to one of the first and the most studied pAgos.
NELF focuses sites of initiation and maintains promoter architecture
Authors: Santana Juan F , Spector Benjamin M , Suarez Gustavo A , Luse Donal S , Price David H 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Many factors control the elongation phase of transcription by RNA polymerase II (Pol II), a process that plays an essential role in regulating gene expression. We utilized cells expressing degradation tagged subunits of NELFB, PAF1 and RTF1 to probe the effects of depletion of the factors on nascent transcripts using PRO-Seq and on chromatin architecture using DFF-ChIP. Although NELF is involved in promoter proximal pausing, depletion of NELFB had only a minimal effect on the level of paused transcripts and almost no effect on control of productive elongation. Instead, NELF depletion increased the utilization of downstream transcription start sites and caused a dramatic, genome-wide loss of H3K4me3 marked nucleosomes. Depletion of PAF1 and RTF1 both had major effects on productive transcript elongation in gene bodies and also caused initiation site changes like those seen with NELFB depletion. Our study confirmed that the first nucleosome encountered during initiation and early elongation is highly positioned with respect to the major TSS. In contrast, the positions of H3K4me3 marked nucleosomes in promoter regions are heterogeneous and are influenced by transcription. We propose a model defining NELF function and a general role of the H3K4me3 modification in blocking transcription initiation.
Sustaining work ability amongst female professional workers with long COVID
Authors: Lunt J , Hemming S , Elander J , Burton K , Hanney B 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Background
Long COVID (LC) compromises work ability (WA). Female worker WA has been more adversely impacted than WA in men. Exploration of lived experiences could elucidate the WA support required.

Aims
To explore the working conditions and circumstances experienced as affecting sustained WA amongst female workers with LC, to help mitigate worklessness risks.

METHODS
Online semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 10 female workers self-reporting or formally diagnosed with LC who had made some attempt to return to work (RTW). Interviews were analysed using template analysis to map themes informing WA enablers and obstacles onto a biopsychosocial model of rehabilitation.

RESULTS
All participants were professionals working in an employed or self-employed capacity. Key themes reflecting circumstances that afforded sustained WA included the autonomy over where, when and how to work indicated as facilitated by a professional role, rapid health care access, predominantly sedentary work, competent colleagues able to cover for transient reduced WA, a strong interface between specialist health and management support, and accessible organizational policies that steer health management according to equity rather than equality. Highly flexible, iterative, co-produced RTW planning, tolerant of fluctuating symptom expression appears vital. In return for providing such flexibility, participants felt that employers’ workforce diversity and competence would be protected and that workers would need to reciprocate flexibility.

Conclusions
These qualitatively derived findings of workers’ lived experiences add to existing guidance on supporting WA for people struggling with LC. Moreover, the same principles seem appropriate for tackling worklessness amongst working-age adults with complex long-term health conditions.
Five considerations about memory processes for child investigative interviewers
Authors: Danby Meaghan C 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
In cases of child abuse, children are required to retrieve details from their memory as accurately as possible. Previous research has shown that children’s memory reports can be heavily influenced by an interviewer, but many interviewers do not understand memory processes or know how their practices impact children’s memories. While interviewers are commonly recommended to adhere to expert guidelines, the current article aims to explain the memory-related reasons underlying why some interview practices are recommended and further aims to dispel some misconceptions about memory. Five considerations about children’s memory are described: (1) the rate that details are forgotten from memory cannot justify rushed interview planning, (2) considerations for eliciting details from different subsystems of long-term memory, (3) how question phrasing impacts children’s memory retrieval processes, (4) the inaccuracies caused by the reconstructive nature of memory, and (5) the memory challenges for children reporting multiple incidents of abuse.
Public expectations of police education in England and Wales
Authors: Andrews Tom 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
The current Police Entry Qualifications Framework in England and Wales has undergone much debate since its inception in 2018. Recently the Home Secretary backtracked on over a decade’s worth of party policy and undid the requirement for all new police officers to hold or obtain a degree in Professional Policing. This has been immediately followed by several chief constables and elected police and crime commissioners (PCC’s) dropping the requirement for a degree completely. Some have been quoted as saying “the public don’t want police officers sat in classrooms” or words to that effect. Yet no studies exist that do examine what the English and Welsh public do expect educationally of their police force. This study fills that gap by surveying n = 520 members of the public to ascertain their views. It finds that whilst a two-thirds majority of the public ostensibly say they don’t believe police officers need a degree, more than nine out of ten expect them to have some kind of police-specific higher education qualification. They would also feel overwhelmingly more confident if an officer investigating a crime they were a victim of, held a relevant policing-related degree qualification. This dichotomy is then analysed against the wider background of HE and vocational qualifications. It concludes that the problem is not with a requirement for higher education in policing, but the ‘d word’ itself and the marketing of the degree as a ‘requirement’ versus a degree as an ‘achievement’.
Escalating competition in NHS: implications for healthcare quality and workforce sustainability
Authors: Ferreira Tomas 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) faces escalating competition ratios for specialty training positions, with application rates dramatically outpacing the growth in available posts. This trend contributes to systemic bottlenecks and challenges traditional career progression pathways within medicine. In this evolving landscape, the once-certain career progression within medicine is now increasingly uncertain. This commentary explores the complex dynamics of increased medical school admissions against stagnant specialty training placements and the broader strategic implications for workforce planning within the NHS. It critically evaluates the implications of current funding policies, which seem to prioritise an expansion of nondoctor healthcare roles over the development of specialist training, raising concerns about the long-term patient care quality and safety. Key recommendations include a reassessment of medical education expansion, a review of funding allocation, increased support for specialty training, and government accountability for healthcare workforce planning. The urgent need for strategic policy reform is underscored to ensure that NHS can sustain a high-quality, specialist-led healthcare provision in the face of rising competition and workforce pressures
High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging visualizes intracranial large artery involvement in giant cell arteritis
Authors: Guggenberger Konstanze V , Vogt Marius L , Song Jae W , Fröhlich Matthias , Schmalzing Marc , Venhoff Nils , Werner Rudolf A , Hillenkamp Jost , Pham Mirko , Meckel Stephan , Bley Thorsten A 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Objective
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a large vessel vasculitis, typically involving the aorta and its branches with predilection for the scalp arteries. Intracranial involvement is still part of ongoing research. We assessed inflammation of the intracranial arteries on 3D compressed sensing black-blood MRI (3D-CS-BB-MRI) in patients with GCA and age-matched controls.

Methods
One hundred and five patients with 3D-CS-BB-MRI of the brain were included in this retrospective dual-centre case–control study, 55 with diagnosed GCA and 50 age-matched controls. High-resolution 3D-CS-BB-MRI was performed on a 3 T MR scanner with a post-contrast 3D-compressed-sensing MR pulse sequence, specifically a T1-weighted sampling perfection, application-optimized contrasts using different flip angle evolution (SPACE) pulse sequence with whole-brain coverage and isotropic resolution of 0.55 mm3. Two neuroradiologists blinded to clinical data independently scored the cerebral arteries qualitatively for inflammation; circumferential vessel wall thickening and contrast enhancement were scored positive for vasculitis.

Results
Eight of 55 GCA patients (14.5%) showed inflammation of at least one intracranial artery. The internal carotid artery (ICA) was affected in 6/55 (10.9%), the vertebral artery in 4/55 (7.3%) and the basilar artery and posterior cerebral artery in 1/55 (1.8%). All patients with inflammatory changes reported headaches and none showed any focal neurological deficit. Besides headache and general weakness, there was no significant correlation between inflammation of the intracranial arteries and clinical symptoms. No age-matched control patient showed inflammatory changes of the intracranial arteries.

Conclusion
High-resolution 3D-CS-BB-MRI revealed inflammatory changes of intracranial arteries in 14.5% of GCA patients, with the intradural ICA as the most frequently affected vessel.