bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of oclacitinib maleate and prednisolone combined therapy for the control of atopic dermatitis in dogs: A controlled clinical trial
Authors: Ferreira Tássia Sell , Villalobos Wendy Roldán , Gmyterco Vanessa Cunningham , Fonseca Diogo Simões , de Farias Marconi Rodrigues 
Published: February 2025

AbstractBackgroundCanine atopic dermatitis (cAD) is a chronic inflammatory and pruritic dermatopathy requiring a multimodal therapeutic approach.ObjectiveTo assess the effectiveness, safety and cost of oclacitinib and prednisolone treatment in dogs with AD.AnimalsTwenty‐three client‐owned dogs with cAD.Materials and MethodsDogs were randomly assigned to one of two groups: Group 1 received prednisolone (0.5 mg/kg every 24 h) for 7 days, then oclacitinib (0.5 mg/kg) and prednisolone (0.5 mg/kg), were administered alternately with a 1 day pause between each drug, for 7 additional weeks. Group 2 received oclacitinib (0.5 mg/kg every 12 h for 14 days, then every 24 h) for 8 weeks. Assessments included the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index, 4th iteration (CADESI‐04) and pruritus Visual Analog Scale (PVAS) on Day (D)0, D7, D14, D30, D45 and D60.ResultsBoth groups showed significant CADESI and PVAS reductions on D7 (p < 0.001). From D14 to D60, mean scores remained stable compared to D7, with no significant differences between groups. Adverse events included two dogs with polyuria and polydipsia, and three with polyphagia in Group 1, all of which resolved by D14. In Group 2, one dog experienced polyphagia, and two had self‐limiting vomiting. Three dogs in Group 1 and one dog in Group 2 had mild increases in liver enzyme concentrations.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceThe combined protocol was effective and safe for managing itch and inflammation over a 60 day period. It had a 73.3% lower cost compared to oclacitinib alone.
Influence of Groove Texture Parameters on the Friction Performance of Roller Bit Floating Sleeve Bearings
Authors: Wei Gang , Wang Guorong , Zhong Lin , Wang Yang , He Xia , Li Mengyuan , Zhu Dan , Wang Dangfei , Liao Wenling 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Improving the wear resistance of cone bit bearings is crucial for enhancing bit life and drilling efficiency. This study integrates surface texture lubrication with bit floating sleeve bearings. A ring-block friction experiment was conducted under simulated drilling conditions, examining groove textures with various geometric parameters. The effects of groove texture parameters—depth, area ratio, skew angle, and width—on the tribological performance were analyzed using friction coefficient, wear amount, and surface morphology. Results indicate that optimal texture arrangements significantly enhance wear resistance. The best parameters found were a depth of 40 µm, a texture area ratio of 10%, and a skew angle of 45°, reducing the friction coefficient by over 39%.
Phenanthrene degradation by a flavoprotein monooxygenase from
Phanerodontia chrysosporium
Authors: Hayasaka Mika , Hamajima Link , Yoshida Yuki , Mori Reini , Kato Hiroyuki , Suzuki Hiromitsu , Tsurigami Ryoga , Kojima Takaaki , Kato Masashi , Shimizu Motoyuki 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACT

Phenanthrene (PHEN), a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), is degraded by white-rot fungi like
Phanerochaete chrysosporium
(the fungus has been renamed as
Phanerodontia chrysosporium
). PHEN is metabolized by
P. chrysosporium
and transformed into various monohydroxylated and dihydroxylated products. These intermediates are further degraded by cleavage of the aromatic ring. However, the enzymes involved in PHEN conversion in
P. chrysosporium
remain largely unidentified. We aimed to identify and characterize the
P. chrysosporium
enzymes involved in the degradation of PHEN and its intermediates. Recombinant
P. chrysosporium
flavoprotein monooxygenase 11 (FPMO11), a homolog of the salicylate 1-monooxygenase from the naphthalene-degrading bacterium
Pseudomonas putida
G7, was overexpressed in
Escherichia coli
. FPMO11 catalyzes the oxidative decarboxylation of 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoate (1H2N) and 2-hydroxy-1-naphthoate (2H1N) to 1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene (1,2DHN). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to identify and characterize enzymes with 1H2N and 2H1N monooxygenase activities in members of the FPMO superfamily. Additionally, our search for a dioxygenase with the ability to catalyze the aromatic ring cleavage of 1,2DHN led to the identification of intradiol dioxygenase (IDD) 1 and IDD2 from
P. chrysosporium
, which catalyzes the ring cleavage of 1,2DHN. Thus, this study also identified, for the first time, intradiol 1,2DHN dioxygenase activity in members of the IDD superfamily. The findings highlight the unique substrate spectra of FPMO11 and IDDs, rendering them attractive candidates for biotechnological applications, especially mitigation of environmental and health risks associated with PAH pollution.

IMPORTANCE

Phenanthrene (PHEN), a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), is a widely studied pollutant in environmental science and toxicology due to its presence in fossil fuels, tobacco smoke, and as a byproduct of incomplete combustion processes. White-rot fungi like
P. chrysosporium
can degrade PHEN through the production of extracellular oxidative enzymes. We investigated the properties of PHEN-degrading enzymes in
P. chrysosporium
, specifically one flavoprotein monooxygenase (FPMO11) and two intradiol dioxygenases (IDD1 and IDD2). Our findings indicate that the enzymes catalyze the aromatic ring cleavage of PHEN, using the intermediates as substrates, transforming them into less harmful and more biodegradable compounds. This could help reduce environmental pollution and mitigate health risks associated with PAH exposure. The potential of these enzymes for biotechnological applications is also highlighted, emphasizing their critical role in understanding PAH degradation by white-rot fungi.
A fatal case of chronic
Cryptococcus neoformans
meningitis progressing over a 4-year period following cladribine therapy
Authors: Ekenberg Christina , Holler Jon Gitz , Stenør Christian Peter Midtgaard , Astvad Karen Marie Thyssen , Helweg-Larsen Jannik , Jepsen Micha Phill Grønholm 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACT

Background

Globally, cryptococcal meningitis (CM) remains most common in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals. However,
Cryptococcus neoformans
increasingly causes CM in patients with non-HIV immunosuppression due to glucocorticoid treatment, organ transplantation, and hematological cancer, among others. The clinical presentations of cryptococcal disease are highly host dependent, resulting in varying disease presentations in immunocompromised patients.

Case Summary
Here, we report a fatal case of CM in a patient previously treated with cladribine due to hairy cell leukemia. The patient had an atypical presentation, and the disease progressed slowly over a 4-year period, hampering timely diagnostics and treatment. Retrospective analyses of the cerebrospinal fluid and blood revealed that the cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) test was already positive when the patient initially presented with pleocytosis 3 years prior to the CM diagnosis.

Conclusion
This case adds valuable knowledge to our current understanding of CM due to the unusual time course and furthermore demonstrates important pitfalls associated with cryptococcosis in HIV-negative patients, including the atypical disease presentation and diagnostic challenges which resulted in a diagnostic delay of 3 years. Morbidity and mortality remain high, and with a growing population of non-HIV immunocompromised patients, increased awareness of CM and low threshold to screen these patients for CrAg are warranted.
Diversifying T-cell responses: safeguarding against pandemic influenza with mosaic nucleoprotein
Authors: Park Hongtae , Kingstad-Bakke Brock , Cleven Thomas , Jung Myunghwan , Kawaoka Yoshihiro , Suresh M. 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACT

Pre-existing T-cell responses have been linked to reduced disease severity and better clinical outcomes during the 2009 influenza pandemic and the recent COVID-19 pandemic. We hypothesized that diversifying T-cell responses, particularly targeting conserved viral proteins such as the influenza A virus (IAV) nucleoprotein (NP), could protect against both epidemic and pandemic IAV strains. To test this, we created a mosaic nucleoprotein (MNP) by synthesizing a sequence that maximized the representation of 9-mer epitopes from 7422 NP sequences across human, swine, and avian IAVs. Notably, the MNP sequence showed high homology with the NP of the H5N1 strain affecting dairy cows in the ongoing outbreak. Mucosal immunization with the adjuvanted MNP vaccine induced robust CD8 and CD4 T-cell responses against both known immunodominant and
in silico
predicted subdominant epitopes. MNP-vaccinated mice challenged with epidemic H1N1 and H3N2 strains, which shared immunodominant CD8 and/or CD4 T-cell epitopes, showed a significant (~4 log) reduction in lung viral load. Importantly, MNP-vaccinated mice challenged with a pandemic H1N1 strain lacking shared immunodominant CD8 or CD4 epitopes exhibited a superior reduction in lung viral load, linked to T-cell responses targeting subdominant epitopes present in both the MNP and pandemic strain NP. These results suggest that a diversified T-cell response induced by the MNP vaccine could provide broad protection against severe disease from both current and emerging IAV strains.

IMPORTANCE
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that seasonal influenza causes 3–5 million cases of severe illness annually. The influenza virus frequently undergoes genetic changes through antigenic drift and antigenic shift, resulting in annual epidemics and occasional pandemics. Consequently, a major public health objective is to develop a universal influenza vaccine that offers broad protection against both current and pandemic influenza A strains. In this study, we designed a nucleoprotein (NP) antigen (termed mosaic NP) comprising antigenic regions found in thousands of influenza viruses, aiming to use it as a vaccine to induce broad anti-influenza T-cell responses. Our findings indicate that the mosaic NP vaccine provided significant protection against seasonal H1N1 and H3N2, as well as the pandemic H1N1 strain, demonstrating its effectiveness across various influenza subtypes. These findings suggest that the mosaic NP is a potential universal influenza vaccine antigen, capable of protecting against diverse strains of influenza viruses.
Capture of mobile genetic elements following intercellular conjugation promotes the production of ST11-KL64 CR-hvKP
Authors: Huang Shanshan , Wei Dan Dan , Hong Hanxu , Chen Si , Fan Lin-Ping , Huang Qi-Sen , Du Fang-Ling , Xiang Tian-Xin , Li Ping , Zhang Wei , Wan La-Gen , Liu Yang 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACT

Sequence type (ST)11 carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent
Klebsiella pneumoniae
(CR-hvKP) can cause life-threatening infections and is therefore of global concern. Despite its importance, the evolutionary history and mechanism for the emergence of ST11 CR-hvKP are unclear. In recent years, the detection rate of ST11 CR-hvKP has increased in a teaching hospital. Based on its clonal transmission, a conjugation experiment was performed between a hvKP strain AP8555 and a ST11 CRKP strain, resulting in two ST11 CR-hvKP strains. Research had confirmed that the virulence plasmid pAP855 was horizontally transferred to the CRKP strain to form the conjugant S270-Tc, which was recombined by mobile genetic elements to evolve into the conjugant S270-Tc-R. The S270-Tc-R had high virulence, high plasmid stability, and greater adaptability. Interestingly, it had high homology to clinically prevalent ST11 CR-hvKP strains using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and whole-genome sequencing (WGS). This is the first demonstration that plasmid recombination in vitro has led to the formation of ST11 CR-hvKP strains. The clinical setting is a multi-factorial and multi-selection pressure environment that may stimulate the evolution of conjugant strains in the transition period to local strains in the stable period, and surveillance is urgently needed for infection control.

IMPORTANCE
The emergence of carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (CR-hvKP) heralded the onset of a new and rapidly worsening public health disaster on a global scale. More attention has been paid to its evolutionary history and mechanism, which currently remains unclear. In this study, a conjugation experiment was performed between a hvKP strain AP8555 and a ST11 CRKP strain, resulting in two ST11 CR-hvKP strains. We had confirmed that the virulence plasmid pAP855 was horizontally transferred to the CRKP strain to form the conjugant S270-Tc, which was recombined by mobile genetic elements to evolve into the conjugant S270-Tc-R. The S270-Tc-R had high virulence, high plasmid stability, and greater adaptability. Interestingly, it had high homology to clinically prevalent ST11 CR-hvKP strains using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and whole-genome sequencing.
A Generator of High-Power Nanosecond Pulses of Quasi-Rectangular Shape
Authors: Korotkov S. V. , Zhmodikov A. L. , Korotkov D. A. 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
A generator of powerful nanosecond pulses that contains a storage capacitor, a segment of a coaxial cable, and closing and opening semiconductor switches has been developed. With a storage-capacitor charging voltage of 12 kV, the generator allows switching quasi-rectangular voltage pulses with an amplitude of ~26 kV, a rise time of ~4 ns, and a fall time of ~6 ns into a 75 Ω load. The half-maximum pulse duration is ~45 ns, and the “jitter” relative to an external triggering signal is less than 2 ns. The possibility of increasing the generator output power and the duration of output-voltage pulses is shown.
Four-Photon Josephson Traveling Wave Parametric Amplifier
Authors: Lomonosov A. A. , Kubrakov R. V. , Filippenko L. V. , Kozulin R. K. , Krupenin V. A. , Kornev V. K. , Tarasov M. A. 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Josephson traveling wave parametric amplifiers can have high gain and wide frequency range, high sensitivity, and low noise, which makes them promising for quantum computing, array receiver readout systems, spectroscopy, single-photon detectors, etc. In this paper, the authors investigate samples of traveling wave parametric amplifiers based on a three-layer Nb/AlO
x
/Nb superconductor–insulator–superconductor (SIS) structure with a SNAIL (Superconducting Nonlinear Asymmetric Inductive Elements) series array. Each SNAIL cell consists of the kinetic inductance of four SIS junctions and the nonlinear inductance of a smaller SIS junction. The cells are alternately connected in antiphase with respect to the magnetic flux, which ensures a change in the sign of the Kerr nonlinearity and a reduction in the phase mismatch for the pump frequency, signal frequency, and idler frequency. The transmission spectra of the samples were measured at temperatures of 4.2 and 2.8 K in the frequency range of 0.1–6 GHz.
RefractorySalmonellainfection resulting in nephrectomy
Authors: Patel Dillon Jay , Spencer Evan , Matthews Gerald , Naim Sameh 
Published: February 2025

Non-typhoidalSalmonella(NTS) infections, though commonly associated with gastroenteritis, can demonstrate focal non-gastrointestinal organ involvement. We present the case of a mid-30s woman who presented with long-standing left flank pain and was subsequently diagnosed with refractorySalmonellapyelonephritis in the setting of nephrolithiasis, severe hydronephrosis and parenchymal thinning suggestive of renal atrophy despite normal serum creatinine and a normal appearing contralateral kidney. Despite several guideline-based antibiotic courses, we failed to clear her multidrug-resistantSalmonellaspecies bacteriuria. We then established percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) drainage but still were unable to clear her infection, and it was noted PCN output dropped below 30 cc per day suggesting a non-functional renal unit.This patient was successfully managed with minimally invasive laparoscopic robotic-assisted left nephrectomy which finally cleared her bacteriuria. This case illustrates challenges in the management of refractory atypicalSalmonellainfections and highlights the rare indication of nephrectomy in such cases.
Primary hydatid cyst of psoas muscle in an adolescent
Authors: Sahu Avilash , Naik Deepti , Bal Anandit , Mahalik Santosh Kumar 
Published: February 2025

Hydatid disease, a zoonotic infection caused byEchinococcus granulosus, primarily affects the liver and lungs but can involve other areas, including muscle tissue, though muscle involvement is rare. This case describes an adolescent girl with a psoas muscle hydatid cyst presenting with abdominal pain, a palpable mass and polymenorrhoea. Imaging and serology confirmed the diagnosis, and treatment included albendazole therapy and surgical excision via transperitoneal laparotomy, followed by a successful recovery with no recurrence at an 18-month follow-up.Hydatid disease is transmitted from definitive hosts, like dogs, to humans. Diagnosis can be challenging due to non-specific symptoms, and it typically relies on ultrasound, CT and serology. Surgical removal combined with antiparasitic drugs remains the primary treatment, though newer methods like ultrasound-guided aspiration are emerging. This case underscores the need to consider hydatid disease in differential diagnoses of cystic masses in endemic areas, particularly in paediatric cases.
Perspectives on integrating family planning and nutrition: a qualitative study of stakeholders
Authors: Shinde Sachin , Partap Uttara , Ali Nazia Binte , Ouédraogo Moussa , Laiser Yohana , Shah Iqbal , Fawzi Wafaie 
Published: February 2025

Background
Limited information is available on the value of integrating family planning and nutrition services to improve related outcomes among women of reproductive age and effective approaches to achieve this. This study aimed to ascertain the perspectives and experiences of global and regional stakeholders about integrating family planning and nutrition services, examine facilitators and barriers and identify opportunities and considerations for integration.

Methods
We conducted semistructured interviews with 34 global and regional stakeholders in family planning, nutrition and related domains. Participants were identified through purposive sampling. Interviews were conducted virtually, recorded and transcribed. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results
Stakeholders considered the integration of family planning and nutrition services potentially valuable given the biological links between family planning and nutritional status, and potential practical benefits including increased service coverage, reduced burden on beneficiaries to access services and increased cost-effectiveness of service delivery. Integration was commonly described within the context of comprehensive health service packages, with integration models encompassing health systems strengthening, life course and multisectoral approaches. Facilitators and barriers included systemic and structural, resource-related and contextual factors. The need for more robust evidence to support integration and identify effective and cost-effective integration models was emphasised.

Conclusions
Integrating family planning with nutrition services and both with other health services directed towards women of reproductive age and their children may offer greater value in improving health and related outcomes, as opposed to siloed approaches. Further evidence quantifying benefits and highlighting the effectiveness of such integration strategies is key to informing future programmatic efforts.
Timely short-term specialised palliative home care for older people with frailty and their family: a mixed-methods pilot randomised controlled trial and process evaluation
Authors: de Nooijer Kim , Van Den Noortgate Nele , Pype Peter ,   Frailty+ trial group, Pivodic Lara , Van den Block Lieve 
Published: February 2025

ObjectiveThe primary study aims were to evaluate the implementation, mechanisms and context of a timely short-term specialised palliative care intervention for older people with frailty (Frailty+ intervention) as well as to assess the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial to evaluate Frailty+. Our secondary aim was to describe any preliminary effects of Frailty+.DesignPilot randomised controlled trial with process evaluation.Setting/ParticipantsWe aimed to recruit 50 adults (≥70 years) with Clinical Frailty Scale score 5–7, and complex care needs and their main family carer, if available, from two Belgian hospitals on discharge.InterventionsPatients were randomised to the Frailty+ intervention alongside standard care or standard care alone.Outcome measuresImplementation and trial feasibility were assessed through interviews, focus groups and quantitative data. The primary outcome to be used in a potential full-scale trial if the study is feasible and implementable was mean change in five palliative care symptoms over 8 weeks.ResultsWe enrolled 37 patients (19 intervention, 18 control) and 26 family carers (15 intervention, 11 control). Patients and family carers valued the home visits from palliative care nurses, and nurses saw value in Frailty+. But most patients received only one visit over 8 weeks, and nurses did not organise foreseen multidisciplinary meetings, referring to absence of urgent needs. Many aspects of the trial methods were feasible, but recruitment was challenging. The baseline mean score on the five palliative care symptoms was 6.0 and 5.6 in intervention and control group, respectively; and 4.5 and 4.1 at 8 weeks (adjusted ratio 1.0, ie, no effects on symptoms).ConclusionsWhile Frailty+ was generally welcomed by older people with frailty, families and palliative care nurses, our process evaluation uncovered multiple barriers, mostly rooted in the current organisation of specialised palliative care that is tailored to advanced stages of illness. Ensuring timely access requires efforts beyond timely referral alone, and implies profound organisational and cultural change.Trial registration numberISRCTN39282347.