bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Novel Brain Mapping Method without Predetermined Targets Using Hyperspectral Microscopy
Authors: Oka Kotaro , Inoue Shunsei , Inda Masahiro , Hotta Kohji 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Simple and efficienttechniques to produce brain maps are required for current neuroscience research. We developed a novel pipeline called Hyperspectral Phasor Mapping (HySP-Map) to map unstained brain sections using a hyperspectral camera. Our camera can acquire 125 bands of spectral information from 380 nm − 1000 nm. The HySP-Map obtains the transmittance from the division of the background image and the sample image and applies the phasor method. The maps produced by HySP-Map for mouse brain sections were of comparable quality to existing brain maps. We also successfully applied HySP-Map to the bird brain, validating its applicability across considerably different species. Moreover, we compared the results from HySP-Map with those of existing tissue staining techniques, and it demonstrated a high degree of reproducibility. This indicates that HySP-Map may be able to visualize brain areas that have not been previously identified.
Efficient Removal of Amoxicillin, Ciprofloxacin, and Tetracycline from Aqueous Solution Utilizing Cu-doped Bi2O3 Material
Authors: Saadah Fatkhiyatus , Sutanto Heri , hadiyanto hadiyanto , Alkian Ilham 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
This study investigates the effectiveness of the Cu-doped Bi2O3 method for removing antibiotics. Cu at varying concentrations of 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% was used to synthesize Bi2O3 material successfully. The optimal results were obtained by adding 4% Cu to the Bi2O3 matrix. Cu-doped Bi2O3 was characterized by an energy band gap of 2.32 eV, a crystal size of 37.04 nm, and α- Bi2O3 and Rouaite phases. Material containing Cu-doped Bi2O3 was used to degrade antibiotics such as amoxicillin (AMX), ciprofloxacin (CIP), and tetracycline (TC). The various removal techniques investigated include adsorption, photolysis, and photocatalysis. The photocatalytic procedure yielded the highest results in terms of degradation efficiency. The removal efficiency of each antibiotic using the photocatalytic method varies, with AMX at 52.06%, CIP at 61.72%, and TC at 69.44%. Cu-doped Bi2O3 degraded TC-type antibiotics more rapidly, with a reaction rate constant of 0.0065 minutes− 1, according to the results of the reaction rate constants. The high removal efficiency and rapid reaction rate indicate that Cu-doped Bi2O3 is an effective antibiotic removal agent, especially for tetracycline-type antibiotics.
Design of Sulfonamide Substituted Mono-Azo Derivatives: Photophysical and Biological Activity
Authors: Shekharagouda Pampapathi , P Mamatha G , KM Pallavi , Krishnamurthy Chethan , Sajjan Vinodkumar P. , Al-Asbahi Bandar Ali , Al-Hada Naif Mohammed , Naik Lohit 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Novel Azo-linked substituted sulfonamides were synthesized via diazo coupling reactions and characterized by FT-IR, UV-vis, HR-MS and 1H NMR spectroscopic techniques. The newly synthesized compounds were examined for their in vitro antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli strains using the disc-agar diffusion method, the dye F1 exhibited more zone inhibition 25mm in the concentration 75µl/ml in gram-negative bacteria when compared with common antibiotic Ciprofloxacin. The photophysical properties was estimated using DFT-B3LYP-6-31 + G (d) basis set. The correlation between the HOMO LUMO energy gap and antibacterial activity was investigated computationally. Additionally, in silico molecular docking was carried out. Among four compounds, compound F2 has the highest binding energy against cyclin dependent kinase (ΔGb = -9.8 kcal/mol).
Modelling the potential clinical and economic impact of universal immunisation with nirsevimab versus standard of practice for protecting all neonates and infants in their first respiratory syncytial virus season in Spain
Authors: Gil-Prieto Ruth , Pérez Jaime Jesus , Drago Georgina , Kieffer Alexia , Roïz Julie , Kazmierska Paulina , Sardesai Aditya , Boisvilliers Solène , López-Belmonte Juan Luis , Beuvelet Matthieu , Aldean Javier Alvarez 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Background
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is associated with substantial morbidity among infants. This study modelled the potential public health and economic impact of nirsevimab, a long-acting monoclonal antibody, as an immunoprophylactic strategy for all infants in Spain in their first RSV season.
Methods
A static decision-analytic model of the Spanish birth cohort during its first RSV season was developed to estimate the impact of nirsevimab on RSV-related health events and costs versus the standard of practice (SoP). Spain-specific costs and epidemiological data were used as model inputs. Modelled outcomes included RSV-related outpatient visits, emerging room (ER) visits, hospitalisations – including pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission, mechanical ventilation, and inpatient mortality.
Results
Under the current SoP, RSV caused 145104 primary care visits, 37978 ER visits, 12911 hospitalisations, 1415 PICU admissions, and 17 deaths over a single season, representing a cost of €68.4 million from a healthcare payer perspective. Universal immunisation of all infants with nirsevimab was expected to prevent 99433 primary care visits (68.5% reduction), 26030 ER visits (68.5%), 8754 hospitalisations (67.8%), 934 PICU admissions (66.0%), and 9 inpatient deaths (56.5%), saving €45.6 million (66.7%) in healthcare costs.
Conclusions
These results suggest that immunisation with nirsevimab of all infants experiencing their first RSV season in Spain is likely to prevent thousands of RSV-related health events and save considerable costs versus the current SoP.
Fire effects on plant communities in Ozark woodlands and glades
Authors: Stephen Carolyn A. , Drees Dan G. , Ladner Jamie H. , Sullivan Lauren L. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Background
Decades of fire suppression have caused drastic changes to community structure and composition across ecosystems, including in Ozark woodlands in the central Midwestern United States. Reintroducing fire can restore ground flora by reducing midstory tree density, increasing ground layer light, and reducing leaf litter accumulation, but we lack a clear understanding of how these effects vary across time and space. We investigated the effects of repeated prescribed fire on ground flora species richness, floristic quality, abundance, community composition, and stand structure over 20 years in a landscape matrix of glades, dry woodlands, and dry mesic woodlands using data collected from the Ozark National Scenic Riverways Fire Effects Monitoring program in the Current River Watershed in the Missouri Ozarks.
Results
We found that fire plays a key role in driving community structure and dynamics across community types, although with varying levels of intensity. Herbaceous species richness, abundance, and floristic quality index increased across all community types, while mean coefficient of conservatism decreased. Effects were stronger in drier sites. Community composition changed with successive burns, resulting in several indicator species for post burn treatments. The density of midstory trees declined across community types with repeated fire. The number of burns significantly affected overstory tree density overall, but overstory tree density only declined in dry woodlands and glades and not in dry mesic woodlands.
Conclusions
Our results suggest that landscape fire can shape plant community structure and dynamics. Specifically, these findings show that fire effects vary among community types, and suggest that land managers should consider landscape heterogeneity. Understanding repeated fire effects over several decades across multiple community types is critical to informing fire-driven woodland restoration across landscape scales.
Environmental Risk Assessment of Analgesics and Antibiotics in Effluents from Three Selected Hospitals in Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana
Authors: Nsafoah Emma Kofua , Gyeniaw Cindy Yaa , Sulemana Alhassan , Fei-Baffoe Bernard , Azanu David , Miezah Kodwo , Boateng Kofi Sekyere , Amprako Daniel Nimako , Hogarh Jonathan Nartey , Buabeng Kwame Ohene 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Hospital effluents are the main source of pharmaceuticals like analgesics and antibiotics in the environment. This study seeks to determine the occurrence of commonly administered analgesics and antibiotics in hospital effluents and assess their environmental risks. Three replicates effluent samples from 3 hospitals (Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Hospital - KNUST, Kumasi South Hospital - KSH, and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital - KATH) within Kumasi were sampled and analyzed for occurrence of analgesics (caffeine, diclofenac, ibuprofen, and paracetamol); and antibiotics (amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, and metronidazole). Samples were prepared for HPLC analysis by filtration and solid phase extraction. Apart from diclofenac and paracetamol detected at concentrations of 0.077–0.555 mg/L and 0.040–0.0440 mg/L respectively, all other pharmaceuticals were below detection levels in KNUST effluent samples. Caffeine (0.060–0.085 mg/L); diclofenac (0.055–0.380 mg/L); paracetamol (0.266–0.510 mg/L); ciprofloxacin (0.044–0.045 mg/L) and metronidazole (0.018–0.042 mg/L) were detected in KSH effluent samples; whilst ibuprofen and amoxicillin were below detection levels. In KATH effluent samples, ciprofloxacin and paracetamol were found at concentrations of 0.029–0.1142 mg/L and 0.074–0.232 mg/L respectively, and the rest were below detection levels. With the exception of the risk quotient (RQ) for ciprofloxacin showing high toxicity for exposure to algae and low toxicity exposure to daphnids and fish, the RQs for all other pharmaceuticals showed low toxicity exposure to algae, daphnids and fish. Pharmaceuticals in hospital effluents pose risk to aquatic life and human health with its associated socio-economic consequences. Thus, hospital effluents must be treated before discharge to avoid or reduce such negative effects.
Clinical Manifestations and Molecular Identification of Giardia duodenalis in Pediatric Cancer Patients in Shiraz, Southwestern Iran
Authors: Mahdavi Farzad , Mohammadi Mohammad Reza , Shamsi Laya , Asghari Ali , Shahabi Saeed , Motazedian Mohammad Hossein 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Understanding the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in the general population is crucial, especially in individuals with cancer. This study aimed to investigate the clinical and molecular characteristics of Giardia duodenalis (G. duodenalis) infection and identify potential risk factors in children and teenagers with malignancies in Shiraz, southwestern Iran.
Methods
200 fresh fecal samples were collected from children and adolescents suffering from 32 different cancer types at Amir, Nemazee, and Saadi hospitals affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences between October 2021 to May 2023. Direct microscopy using saline and iodine wet mount was conducted, and all fecal samples were rechecked by SSU-PCR. Subsequently, a DNA fragment from the tpi gene was amplified on SSU-PCR positive samples for sequencing and assemblage identification.
Results
Our study found a 4% (8/200) prevalence of G. duodenalis using microscopy and PCR. The molecular findings were consistent with the microscopic results. All eight positive samples with SSU-rRNA gene were also detected as positive with tpi gene and were correctly sequenced. Among the examined cancer patients, two assemblages were identified: A [sub-assemblage AI (2/8, 25%) and sub-assemblage AII (3/8, 37.5%)] and B [sub-assemblage BIV (3/8, 37.5%)]. Notably, patients were more vulnerable to G. duodenalis infection after receiving at least 8 treatment episodes (P < 0.05) and displaying gastrointestinal symptoms (P > 0.05). The demographic characteristics of cancer patients with Giardia infection and the statistical conclusions were separately detailed.
Conclusions
The small sample size and low prevalence rate in this study hindered precise epidemiological conclusions. Nonetheless, the results suggest that G. duodenalis infection among cancer patients in Shiraz city originates from humans, without any specific animal groups (C-H) involved. Additional molecular-based analyses are required to verify and build upon these findings.
Barriers and Facilitators to Uptake and Persistence on PrEP among Key Populations in Southern Province, Zambia: A Thematic Analysis
Authors: Stoebenau Kirsten , Muchanga Godfrey , Ahmad Sacha St-Onge , Bwalya Chiti , Mwale Mwangala , Toussaint Samara , Maambo Choolwe , Peters Carson J. , Baumhart Caitlin , Mwango Linah K. , Lavoie Marie-Claude , Claassen Cassidy W. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Background: Especially in high HV prevalence contexts, such as Zambia, effective biomedical prevention tools are needed for priority populations (PPs), including key populations (KPs), who are at higher risk. HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been scaled up nationally in Zambia, but little is known about barriers to PrEP use among specific PPs to date.
Methods: To understand barriers and facilitators to PrEP use in Zambia, we conducted a qualitative case study of PrEP services to PPs including sero-discordant couples (SDCs), female sex workers (FSWs), and men who have sex with men (MSM) in Livingstone. The study conducted in 2021 included in-depth interviews (n=43) guided by the socio-ecological model, and focus group discussions (n=4) with clinic and community-based providers and PrEP-eligible clients including users and non-users across PP groups. We used thematic analysis to analyze data using codes derived both deductively and inductively.
Results: We found multilevel barriers and facilitators to PrEP use. Cross-cutting barriers shared across PP groups included anticipated stigma resulting from PrEP being mistaken for antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV and concerns about side-effects based on both misinformation and experience. PrEP stigma in this setting differed from studies in other regions; for example, there was little concern about PrEP being associated with promiscuity. The fear of being mislabeled as having HIV was of greatest concern for FSWs. Facilitators to PrEP use primarily included the importance of confidential, KP-sensitive services, and the role of informed, supportive family, friends, and peers. Participants across all PP groups urged expanded education efforts to increase awareness of PrEP within the general population toward mitigating concerns of being mislabeled as living with HIV.
Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first qualitative study of the PrEP cascade among PPs in Zambia. This study provides important explanation for the low rates of PrEP continuation found in earlier demonstration trials among KPs in Zambia. The study also offers recommendations for programming efforts going forward such as inclusive PrEP awareness campaigns, expanded KP sensitivity training, and related efforts to thwart PrEP stigma while expanding access.
Converter slag causes gradual collapse of chlamydospore of the rice false smut fungus and suppresses hyphal invasion into rice roots
Authors: Uchihashi Kaichi , Mitsunaga Takayuki , Ashizawa Taketo 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
The rice false smut disease has become a serious threat to rice production. Chlamydospores are the primary durable inoculum for this disease in paddy soil. Recently, mixing converter slag into paddy soil has been shown to decrease the occurrence of the disease; however, the mechanism underlying this suppression is unknown. To confirm the disease suppression, firstly we conducted the converter slag application test (3t/ha) in a paddy field. Next, we investigated the effects of converter slag-added solution (CSS), neutralized CSS (NCSS), and converter slag-added soil extract (CSSE), which corresponds to 3t/ha application of the converter slag in a paddy field, on chlamydospore morphology and germination, as well as the effect of CSSE on hyphal invasion of rice roots by germinated chlamydospores. The field test showed 75.6% suppression of the disease occurrence. Moreover, in the CSS test, the normal chlamydospores rapidly became transparent and gradually collapsed. In contrast, NCSS slowed chlamydospore collapse. The abnormal germination percentages in CSS were higher than those in NCSS. The percentages of transparent, collapsed, and normally germinated chlamydospores obtained in CSSE were intermediate between those obtained in CSS and NCSS. This suppression may have been due to the soil buffering effect. Furthermore, hyphal invasion by germinated chlamydospores into rice roots in CSSE was suppressed compared to that in control. These results suggest a gradual collapse caused by the cation may be suppressed by the anion, and subsequent infection of the rice roots may be inactivated. These mechanisms may be contributed to the disease suppression in fields.
Dual-targeting tigecycline nanoparticles for treating intracranial infections caused by multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Lan Xing , Qin Shugang , Liu Huan , Guo Mengran , Zhang Yupei , Jin Xinyang , Duan Xing , Sun Min , Liu Zhenjun , Wang Wenyan , Zheng Qian , Liao Xuelian , Chen Jinpeng , Kang Yan , Xie Yongmei , Song xiangrong 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) is a formidable pathogen responsible for severe intracranial infections post-craniotomy, exhibiting a mortality rate as high as 71%. Tigecycline (TGC), a broad-spectrum antibiotic, emerged as a potential therapeutic agent for MDR A. baumanniiinfections. Nonetheless, its clinical application was hindered by a short in vivo half-life and limited permeability through the blood-brain barrier (BBB). In this study, we developed a novel nanocarrier, integrating a dual-targeting peptide Aβ11 and Tween 80 modification (Aβ11/T80@CSs), specifically designed to enhance TGC delivery to the brain for treating A. baumannii-induced intracranial infections. Our findings demonstrated that Aβ11/T80@CSs nanocarriers successfully traversed the BBB and effectively delivered TGC into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), leading to a significant therapeutic response in a model of MDR A. baumannii intracranial infection. This study offers initial evidence and a platform for the application of brain-targeted nanocarrier delivery systems, showcasing their potential in administering water-soluble anti-infection drugs for intracranial infection treatments, and suggesting promising avenues for clinical translation.
Optimization of Surface Roughness for Titanium Alloy Based on Multi- strategy Fusion Snake Algorithm
Authors: Zhao Guochao , Li Nanqi Q. , Zhao Yang , Wang Hui 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Titanium alloy has the characteristics of low thermal conductivity, small elastic modulus, and serious work hardening, which makes it difficult to predict the surface quality after high-speed milling. Surface quality is known to significantly impact the wear resistance, fatigue strength, and corrosion resistance of parts. To improve the service performance of titanium alloy parts, it is of great significance to optimize the milling parameters based on the improvement of surface quality. Therefore, this paper proposes a milling parameter optimization method based on the snake algorithm based on multi-strategy fusion. The surface roughness was used as the optimization goal to optimize the parameters. Firstly, the response surface method was used to establish a prediction model of titanium alloy milling surface roughness to realize the prediction of surface roughness and make it continuous. Then, the snake algorithm with multi-strategy fusion was proposed, which initialized the population based on the orthogonal matrix initialization strategy, so that the population individuals were more evenly distributed in space, increased the diversity of the population, improved the model of food quantity and temperature in the algorithm, optimized the change mechanism of food quantity and temperature in the original algorithm into a dynamic adaptive mechanism, accelerated the convergence speed, used the joint reverse strategy to select and generate individuals with higher fitness, and strengthened the ability of the algorithm to escape the local optimal solution. Experimental results on five benchmarks with multiple comparative optimization algorithms show that the MSSO algorithm has faster convergence speed and higher convergence accuracy. Finally, the multi-strategy snake algorithm was used to optimize the optimization objective equation, and the milling parameter experiment shows that the surface roughness of Ti64 is increased by 55.7 percent compared with that before optimization, and the surface roughness of the specimen optimized by the multi-strategy fusion snake algorithm is significantly reduced, the surface toolpath row spacing is reduced, and the average height of the texture is reduced. This method can reduce the optimization time and ensure better optimization results than the classical optimization algorithm.
Predictive Role of Depressive Symptoms on Frailty and its Components in Chinese Middle-Aged and Older Adults: a Longitudinal Analysis
Authors: Sun Yuanhao , Li Xiangdong , Liu Haiyang , Li Yuqing , Gui Jiaofeng , Zhang Xiaoyun , Li Xiaoping , Sun Lu , Wang Congzhi , Li Jing , Liu Mingming , Zhang Dongmei , Gao Jingyi , Kang Xuefeng , Lei Yunxiao , Zhang Lin , Yuan Ting 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Background
To investigate the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between depressive symptoms and the prevalence of frailty and its components in a nationally representative sample of middle-aged and older Chinese adults.
Method
The China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) provided data on 17,104 adults aged ≥ 45 years. Every two years, face-to-face, computer-aided personal interviews (CAPI), and structured questionnaires were used to follow up with the respondents. The Chinese version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) was used to evaluate depressive symptoms, and the Fried criteria were used to measure frailty. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the cross-sectional connections among depressive symptoms and frailty and its components in the individuals at baseline were analyzed using logistic regression. A Cox proportional hazards analysis was performed using the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval for the prospective connection between baseline depressive symptoms and frailty and its component in the participants without frailty at baseline.
Results
At baseline, 11.62% of participants had frailty, and 57.92% had depressive symptoms. In the cross-sectional analysis, depressive symptoms (OR = 5.222, 95%CI 3.665–7.442) were associated with frailty. In the longitudinal analysis, after adjusting for the full set of covariates among participants free of baseline frailty, depressive symptoms were significantly associated with incident frailty during the short term [HR = 2.193 (1.324–3.631)] and the long term [HR = 1.926 (1.021–3.632)]. Meanwhile, depressive symptoms were associated with an increased risk of weakness [HR = 1.990 (1.250–3.166)], slowness [HR = 1.395 (1.044–1.865)], and exhaustion [HR = 2.827 (2.150–3.719)] onset during the short-term. Depressive symptoms were associated with an increased risk of exhaustion [HR = 2.869 (2.004–4.109)] onset during the long-term.
Conclusion
Among middle-aged and older adults, depressive symptoms could predict frailty during 2 years of follow-up and 4 years of follow-up. When considering potential confounding factors, depressive symptoms were considered a predictor of weakness, slowness, and exhaustion. Interventions aimed at preventing depressive symptoms may be beneficial in reducing frailty and its components.