bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of radiation and halo mergers in Pop III star formation
Authors: Correa Magnus Lilia , Smith Britton D , Khochfar Sadegh , O’Shea Brian W , Wise John H , Norman Michael L , Turk Matthew J 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT
We present a study of the co-evolution of a population of primordial star-forming minihaloes at Cosmic Dawn. In this study, we highlight the influence of individual Population III stars on the ability of nearby minihaloes to form sufficient molecular hydrogen to undergo star formation. In the absence of radiation, we find the minimum halo mass required to bring about collapse to be ∼105 M⊙, this increases to ∼106 M⊙ after two stars have formed. We find an inverse relationship between halo mass and the time required for it to recover its molecular gas after being disrupted by radiation from a nearby star. We also take advantage of the extremely high resolution to investigate the effects of major and minor mergers on the gas content of star-forming minihaloes. Contrary to previous claims of fallback of supernova ejecta, we find minihaloes evacuated after hosting Pop III stars primarily recover gas through mergers with undisturbed haloes. We identify an intriguing type of major merger between recently evacuated haloes and gas-rich ones, finding that these ‘mixed’ mergers accelerate star formation instead of suppressing it like their low-redshift counterparts. We attribute this to the gas-poor nature of one of the merging haloes resulting in no significant rise in temperature or turbulence and instead inducing a rapid increase in central density and hydrostatic pressure. This constitutes a novel formation pathway for Pop III stars and establishes major mergers as potentially the primary source of gas, thus redefining the role of major mergers at this epoch.
Aluminium-26 production in low- and intermediate-mass binary systems
Authors: Osborn Zara , Karakas Amanda I , Kemp Alex J , Izzard Robert G 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT
Aluminium-26 is a radioactive isotope which can be synthesized within asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars, primarily through hot bottom burning. Studies exploring 26Al production within AGB stars typically focus on single-stars; however, observations show that low- and intermediate-mass stars commonly exist in binaries. We use the binary population synthesis code binary_c to explore the impact of binary evolution on 26Al yields at solar metallicity both within individual AGB stars and a low/intermediate-mass stellar population. We find the key stellar structural condition achieving most 26Al overproduction is for stars to enter the thermally pulsing AGB (TP-AGB) phase with small cores relative to their total masses, allowing those stars to spend abnormally long times on the TP-AGB compared to single-stars of identical mass. Our population with a binary fraction of 0.75 has an 26Al weighted population yield increase of 25 per cent compared to our population of only single-stars. Stellar-models calculated from the Mt Stromlo/Monash Stellar Structure Program, which we use to test our results from binary_c and closely examine the interior structure of the overproducing stars, support our binary_c results only when the stellar envelope gains mass after core-He depletion. Stars which gain mass before core-He depletion still overproduce 26Al, but to a lesser extent. This introduces some physical uncertainty into our conclusions as 55 per cent of our 26Al overproducing stars gain envelope mass through stellar wind accretion onto pre-AGB objects. Our work highlights the need to consider binary influence on the production of 26Al.
Interface of equation of state, atomic data, and opacities in the solar problem
Authors: Pradhan Anil K 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT
The dependence of the Rosseland Mean Opacity (RMO) on the equation of state and the number of included atomic levels of iron ions prevalent at the solar radiative/convection boundary is investigated. The ‘chemical picture’ Mihalas–Hummer–Däppen (MHD) equation-of-state (EOS), and its variant QMHD–EOS, are studied at two representative temperature–density sets at the base of the convection zone and the Sandia Z experiment: (2 × 106 K, 1023/cc) and (2.11 × 106 K, 3.16 × 1022/cc), respectively. It is found that whereas the new atomic data sets from accurate R-matrix calculations for opacities (RMOP) are vastly overcomplete, involving hundreds to over a thousand levels of each of the three Fe ions considered – Fe xvii, Fe xviii, Fe xix – the EOS constrains contributions to RMOs by relatively fewer levels. The RMOP iron opacity spectrum is quite different from the Opacity Project distorted wave model and shows considerably more plasma broadening effects. This work points to possible improvements needed in the EOS for opacities in high-energy–density plasma sources.
Tumor-specific polycistronic miRNA delivered by engineered exosomes for the treatment of glioblastoma
Authors: McDonald Malcolm F , Hossain Anwar , Momin Eric N , Hasan Irtiza , Singh Sanjay , Adachi Satoshi , Gumin Joy , Ledbetter Daniel , Yang Jing , Long Lihong , Daou Marc , Gopakumar Sricharan , Phillips Lynette M , Parker Kerrigan Brittany , Lang Frederick F 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Glioblastoma (GBM) has poor prognosis due to ineffective agents and poor delivery methods. MicroRNAs (miRs) have been explored as novel therapeutics for GBM, but the optimal miRs and the ideal delivery strategy remain unresolved. In this study, we sought to identify the most effective pan-subtype anti-GBM miRs and to develop an improved delivery system for these miRs.

Methods
We conducted an unbiased screen of over 600 miRs against 7 glioma stem cell (GSC) lines representing all GBM subtypes to identify a set of pan-subtype-specific anti-GBM miRs and then used available TCGA GBM patient outcomes and miR expression data to hone in on miRs that were most likely to be clinically effective. To enhance delivery and expression of the miRs, we generated a polycistronic plasmid encoding 3 miRs (pPolymiR) and used HEK293T cells as biofactories to package pPolymiR into engineered exosomes (eExos) that incorporate viral proteins (Gag/VSVg) in their structure (eExos+pPolymiR) to enhance function.

Results
Our stepwise screen identified miR-124-2, miR-135a-2, and let-7i as the most effective miRs across all GBM subtypes with clinical relevance. Delivery of eExos+pPolymiR resulted in high expression of all 3 miRs in GSCs, and significantly decreased GSC proliferation in vitro. eExos+pPolymiR prolonged survival of GSC-bearing mice in vivo when compared with eExos carrying each of the miRs individually or as a cocktail.

Conclusion
eExos+pPolymiR, which includes a pan-subtype anti-glioma-specific miR combination encoded in a polycistronic plasmid and a novel exosome delivery platform, represents a new and potentially powerful anti-GBM therapeutic.
Distribution of suspected tick vectors and reported cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in California
Authors: Rotramel George L. , Schwan Tom G. , Doty Robert E. 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Evidence is presented for an area of human risk to Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) in California extending beyond the range of its classic tick vector, Dermacentor andersoni. Geographic, seasonal, and host distributions of Dermacentor variabilis and Dermacentor occidentalis suggest these species as potential vectors of RMSF in California outside the range of Dermacentor andersoni.
Exploring the Relationship Between Suicidality and Persistent Negative Symptoms Following a First Episode of Psychosis
Authors: Ghanem Joseph , Orri Massimiliano , Moro Laura , Lavigne Katie M , Raucher-Chéné Delphine , Malla Ashok , Joober Ridha , Lepage Martin 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background and Hypothesis
Suicide is a leading cause of death in first-episode psychosis (FEP), with an elevated risk during the first year following illness onset. The association between negative symptoms and suicidality remains contentious. Some studies suggest that negative symptoms may be associated with lower suicidality, while others fail to find an association between the two. No previous studies have specifically investigated suicidality in Persistent Negative Symptoms (PNS) and its associated subgroups.

Study Design
In a large cohort of FEP patients (n = 515) from an early intervention service, we investigated suicidality in those with PNS, secondary PNS (ie, sPNS; PNS with clinical-level positive, depressive, or extrapyramidal symptoms), and non-PNS (all other patients) over 24 months. Patients were categorized into PNS groups based on symptoms from month 6 to month 12, and suicidality was evaluated using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS).

Study Results
Covarying for age and sex, we found that sPNS had higher suicidality relative to PNS and non-PNS throughout the 24-month period, but PNS and non-PNS did not differ. These differences were maintained after adjusting for depressive symptoms.

Conclusion
We observed that PNS did not significantly differ from non-PNS. However, we identified sPNS as a group with elevated suicidality above and beyond depression, suggesting that sPNS would benefit from targeted intervention and that PNS categorization identifies a subgroup for whom negative symptoms are not associated with lower suicidality.
Comparison of growth performance and tissue cobalt concentrations in beef cattle fed inorganic and organic cobalt sources
Authors: Raths Rachel , Rodriguez Brandon , Holloway Joseph W , Waite Audie , Lawrence Ty , van de Ligt Jennifer L G , Purvis Heb , Doering-Resch Heidi , Casper David P 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Cobalt is an essential trace mineral required for ruminal vitamin B12 synthesis, but sources differ in ruminal microbial utilization, i.e., cobalt carbonate is poorly water soluble, whereas acetate and lactate forms are water soluble. Reports comparing organic cobalt lactate to other cobalt salts are lacking. The study objective was to determine if feeding cobalt lactate at two inclusion rates resulted in similar growth performance and tissue cobalt concentrations as the carbonate and acetate forms used in feeds. One hundred Angus cross bred steers weighing 385 ± 20 kg were randomly assigned to one of five treatments. Cattle were fed a basal diet plus: 1) cobalt carbonate to supply cobalt at 30 mg/steer/d, 2) cobalt acetate to supply cobalt at 30 mg/steer/d, 3) cobalt acetate to supply cobalt at 60 mg/steer/d, 4) cobalt lactate to supply cobalt at 30 mg/steer/d, and 5) cobalt lactate to supply cobalt at 60 mg/steer/d. Cattle were fed according to industry standards until body fat deposition was visually deemed to grade USDA Choice, which was 92 and 117 d for each of the 2 blocks, respectively. Steers were harvested and carcass measurements recorded along with sampling of adipose, heart, kidney, liver, and muscle for tissue cobalt concentrations. Three statistical contrasts consisted of: 1: inorganic (cobalt carbonate) vs. organic (cobalt acetate and lactate); 2: cobalt acetate vs. cobalt lactate; and 3: feeding rate of 30 vs. 60 mg/steer/d cobalt. Body weight gains, average daily gains, dry matter intake, and feed conversions were similar (P &gt; 0.10) for steers fed all cobalt sources and feeding rates. Hot carcass weight, yield grade, back fat thickness, and ribeye area were similar (P &gt; 0.10) among steers fed all cobalt sources and inclusion rates. Liver, kidney, muscle, and adipose cobalt concentrations were similar (P &gt; 0.08) for steers fed inorganic vs. organic cobalt sources. Feeding cobalt lactate compared with cobalt acetate did not affect (P &gt; 0.10) liver, kidney, heart, muscle, and adipose tissue cobalt concentrations. Feeding 60 mg/steer/d cobalt compared with 30 mg/steer/d increased (P &lt; 0.01) liver, kidney, heart, and adipose tissue cobalt concentrations, while muscle was a tendency (P &lt; 0.06). The study demonstrated that feeding soluble cobalt lactate, a new cobalt source, resulted in similar growth performance, carcass characteristics, and tissue cobalt concentrations when compared with cobalt acetate and carbonate.
Derivation and Validation of a New Equation for Estimating Free Valproate Concentration in Critically Ill Adult Patients
Authors: Liu Ji Tong , Brown Caitlin S. , Mara Kristin C. , Riker Richard R. , Rabinstein Alejandro A. , Fraser Gilles L. , May Teresa L. , Armstrong Kaitlin J. , Seder David B. , Gagnon David J. 
Published: October 2023

IMPORTANCE:
Protein binding of valproate varies among ICU patients, altering the biologically active free valproate concentration (VPAC). Free VPAC is measured at few laboratories and is often discordant with total VPAC. Existing equations to predict free VPAC are either not validated or are inaccurate in ICU patients.

OBJECTIVES:
We designed this study to derive and validate a novel equation to predict free VPAC using data from ICU patients and to compare its performance to published equations.

DESIGN:
Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING:
Two academic medical centers.

PARTICIPANTS:
Patients older than 18 years old with concomitant free and total VPACs measured in the ICU were included in the derivation cohort if admitted from 2014 to 2018, and the validation cohort if admitted from 2019 to 2022.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES:
Multivariable linear regression was used to derive an equation to predict free VPAC. Modified Bland-Altman plots and the rate of therapeutic concordance between the measured and predicted free VPAC were compared.

RESULTS:
Demographics, median free and total VPACs, and valproate free fractions were similar among 115 patients in the derivation cohort and 147 patients in the validation cohort. The Bland-Altman plots showed the new equation performed better (bias, 0.3 [95% limits of agreement, –13.6 to 14.2]) than the Nasreddine (–9.2 [–26.5 to 8.2]), Kodama (–9.7 [–30.0 to 10.7]), Conde Giner (–7.9 [–24.9 to 9.1]), and Parent (–9.9 [–30.7 to 11.0]) equations, and similar to Doré (–2.0 [–16.0 to 11.9]). The Doré and new equations had the highest therapeutic concordance rate (73%).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE:
For patients at risk of altered protein binding such as ICU patients, existing equations to predict free VPAC are discordant with measured free VPAC. A new equation had low bias but was imprecise. External validation should be performed to improve its precision and generalizability. Until then, monitoring free valproate is recommended during critical illness.
Creation and Expansion of a Mixed Patient Intermediate Care Unit to Improve ICU Capacity
Authors: Kistler Emmett A. , Klatt Elaine , Raffa Jesse D. , West Phyllis , Fitzgerald Jacqueline A. , Barsamian Jennifer , Rollins Scott , Clements Charlotte M. , Hickox Murray Shelby , Cocchi Michael N. , Yang Julius , Hayes Margaret M. 
Published: October 2023

OBJECTIVES:
ICU capacity strain is associated with worsened outcomes. Intermediate care units (IMCs) comprise one potential option to offload ICUs while providing appropriate care for intermediate acuity patients, but their impact on ICU capacity has not been thoroughly characterized. The aims of this study are to describe the creation of a medical-surgical IMC and assess how the IMC affected ICU capacity.

DESIGN:
Descriptive report with retrospective cohort review.

SETTING:
Six hundred seventy-three-bed tertiary care academic medical center with 77 ICU beds.

PATIENTS:
Adult inpatients who were admitted to the IMC.

INTERVENTIONS:
An interdisciplinary working group created an IMC which was located on a general ward. The IMC was staffed by hospitalists and surgeons and supported by critical care consultants. The initial maximum census was three, but this number increased to six in response to heightened critical care demand. IMC admission criteria also expanded to include advanced noninvasive respiratory support defined as patients requiring high-flow nasal cannula, noninvasive positive pressure ventilation, or mechanical ventilation in patients with tracheostomies.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:
The primary outcome entailed the number of ICU bed-days saved. Adverse outcomes, including ICU transfer, intubation, and death, were also recorded. From August 2021 to July 2022, 230 patients were admitted to the IMC. The most frequent IMC indications were respiratory support for medical patients and post-operative care for surgical patients. A total of 1023 ICU bed-days were made available. Most patients were discharged from the IMC to a general ward, while 8% of all patients required transfer to an ICU within 48 hours of admission. Intubation (2%) and death (1%) occurred infrequently within 48 hours of admission. Respiratory support was the indication associated with the most ICU transfers.

CONCLUSIONS:
Despite a modest daily census, an IMC generated substantial ICU bed capacity during a time of peak critical care demand.
Comparative oral metagenome insight into acute and chronic root canal infections
Authors: Kumari K. Swapna , Dixit Sangita , Gaur Mahendra , Behera Dibyajyoti Uttameswar , Das Patitapabana , Subudhi Enketeswara , Rath Shakti 
Published: October 2023

Background:
In the dynamic progression of root canal infections, the resultant change in environmental conditions directs the adaptation of the microbiome in terms of richness, evenness, and diversity.

Objective:
The goal of this study is to contrast the interradicular bacterial community structures of teeth in acute and chronic stages and investigate potential microorganisms associated with persistent apical periapical infections.

Methods:

Interradicular samples were collected from 10 teeth in the apical periodontitis group and 10 teeth in the chronic apical periodontitis group. High-throughput next-generation sequencing (NGS)–based microbial identification through the Illumina platform was used to characterize the complex intraradicular microbial communities in acute and chronic root canal infections. Results: Bacteria were the major domain, with a prevalence of > 97% (acute cases: 98.11 % and chronic cases: 97.6%) compared to eukaryotes and archaea. Bacterial diversity was relatively higher in acute compared to chronic conditions under 10 and 9 phyla, 79 and 64 genera, and 172 and 135 species, respectively. These endodontically infecting bacteria belonged to
Firmicutes
(47.21 %),
Bacteroidetes
(20.07%), and
Proteobacteria
(10.72%) in acute conditions, while in the chronic stage,
Firmicutes
(40.85%),
Proteobacteria
(27.80%), and
Actinobacteria
(14.79%) were abundant. The phylum
Candidatus Saccharibacteria
was exclusively found in acute samples
. Spirochaetes
and
Synergistetes
were found predominantly in acute infections compared to chronic infections.
Bacillus
and
Lactobacillus
were found in equal and highest abundance under the phylum
Firmicutes
in both conditions. Conclusion: This study provides information on the differential microbial community present in the apical root canal system of teeth with acute and chronic apical periodontitis and contributes to new approaches or channels for future research on preventive measures and therapeutic protocols during disease progression and treatment. However, functional characterization and detection of antimicrobial resistance in these two clinical conditions can supplement these findings for deciding routine drug treatment for periodontal infections.
Chicken bone-induced ileal perforation peritonitis mimicking duodenal perforation peritonitis: a case report
Authors: Dev Santosh , Pokhrel Kailash Mani , Mulmi Utsha , Devkota Shishir , Dev Barsha , Bhattarai Abhishek 
Published: October 2023

Introduction:
Foreign body ingestion can lead to bowel perforation and peritonitis. We present a case of a 54-year-old male who ingested a chicken bone, resulting in ileal perforation that mimicked duodenal perforation peritonitis.

Case Presentation:
The patient has a history of peptic ulcer disease and regularly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs over the counter, adding more evidence to the provisional diagnosis of duodenal perforation. Exploratory laparotomy revealed the ileal perforation and the chicken bone was successfully removed. Wedge resection of the perforated segment and ileo-ileal anastomosis were performed.

Discussion:
Although history, examination, and investigation were more in favor of duodenal ulcer, our patient had ileal perforation due to chicken bone. Prompt identification and early surgical intervention are crucial to prevent complications and reduce mortality rates. The patient had an uneventful recovery.

Conclusion:
Timely referral to a tertiary care center is essential for early surgical intervention and successful management of bowel perforation caused by a foreign body.
Pituitary macroadenoma with panhypopituitarism masquerading as schizophrenia: a diagnostic dilemma managed conservatively
Authors: Ghimire Sagun , Simkhada Suman , Sah Saroj , Subedi Amit 
Published: October 2023

Introduction and importance:
Secretory pituitary macroadenoma also known as prolactinoma are benign neoplasm comprising very minimal cases of intracranial masses. Among the various presentation suggestive of panhypopituitarism, psychosis, and features of schizophrenia is very rarely seen. In the majority of cases, neurosurgical intervention for the excision of tumor is considered a standard treatment modality but conservative management with dopamine agonist and steroids have also been shown to provide an optimal level of care also improving the quality of level of patient.

Case presentation:
A 42-year-old Asian male presented with a history of talking to self, delusion of persecution, over talkativeness, hallucination, increased suspiciousness, and history of lost and found in the streets where he was working as a migrant worker. The patient was initially managed in line of schizophrenia with the antipsychotics drug of choice. On further assessment there was no improvement of psychiatric symptoms but they further deteriorated with additional neuropsychiatric symptoms; hence, MRI brain was carried out. Following which, the diagnosis of pituitary macroadenoma was confirmed and further more hormonal analysis was done, which showed findings suggestive of panhypopituitarism. The patient was then managed conservatively with dopamine agonist and steroids, which showed rapid improvement of psychiatric symptoms with a massive reduction in the size of the pituitary macroadenoma.

Clinical discussion:
With the incidence of 100 per million cases pituitary adenomas are considered locally invading with the characteristic compression of the surrounding structure, presenting as visual hallucinations, olfactory hallucinations, episodes of losing time, apathy, and features suggestive of adrenal insufficiency, hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism, and symptoms secondary to hormonal imbalance such as hypothyroidism. Psychiatric symptomatic presentations are considered a very rare presentation in cases of pituitary macroadenoma. Also, psychiatric features and symptoms of psychosis are associated with prolcatinomas through idiopathic mechanism and the basic casualty has not been established. Surgical intervention such as trans-sphenoidal resection of the mass can be undertaken in case where mass effects is present but long-term remission and prognosis is found not to be fruitful. Conservative treatment with dopamine agonist such as cabergoline and steroids also plays a meaningful role in abrupt management in such cases.

Conclusion:
Pituitary macroadenoma presenting as a patient of schizophrenia is noted very rarely in medical literature; hence, investigations in view of neurosurgical diagnosis in cases presenting as psychosis should be considered for ideal holistic management. Conservative management can also be a breakthrough treatment modality in complete recovery of pituitary macroadenoma.