bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Soil pores created by diverse plant communities drive microbial community composition and processes with ecosystem consequences
Authors: Kravchenko Alexandra , Li Zheng , Cupples Alison , Guber Andrey , Kuzyakov Yakov , Robertson G , Blagodatskaya Evgenia 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Delineation of microbial habitats within the soil matrix and characterization of their environments are crucial to understand soil functioning and carbon (C) cycling. Yet, experimental identification of microbial communities populating specific micro-habitats and assessments of their biochemical properties have been persistently limited. Here we demonstrate how long-term disparities in vegetation history modify spatial distribution patterns and properties of soil pores and particulate organic matter (POM), and show striking differences in bacterial communities populating pores of contrasting sizes in soils from three vegetation systems on the same soil type: an intensive corn (Zea mays L.) rotation, monoculture switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), and restored North American prairie. We combined single- and triple-energy X-ray computed microtomography (µCT) with pore specific allocation of 13 C labeled glucose and subsequent stable isotope probing (13C-DNA/RNA-SIP) to show that large (30-150 µm Ø) and small (4-10 µm Ø) soil pores differed in (i) microbial diversity, composition, and life-strategies, (ii) responses to added substrate, (iii) metabolic pathways, and (iv) the processing and fate of labile C. Results demonstrate that soil pores created by different plant communities differ in ways that strongly influence microbial composition and activity, and thus impact ecosystem processes such as decomposition, nitrogen processing, and carbon sequestration. A proposed classification scheme may improve biogeochemical models of soil processes and as well suggest interventions to mitigate the environmental consequences of agricultural management.
Aplasia of the posterior cruciate ligament: case report and review of the literature
Authors: Albahkali Salha , Alfaisal Faisal 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Hypoplasia or absence of the posterior cruciate ligaments is a very rare congenital malformation. The approach to such cases essentially needs an MRI exam protocol. The management options are variable and require further discussion.
CASE SUMMARY:
The patient is a 23-year-old Saudi male who has been suffering from pain in the right knee joint starting in the last three months, with an increase in the frequency of right knee pain especially with intentional activities.
Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an absence/ hypoplasia of the posterior cruciate ligament of the right knee without bone abnormality or subluxation.
The patient follows a regular period of physiotherapy per week.
CONCLUSION:
The diagnosis of posterior cruciate ligament deficiency should be dependent on medical history, patient presentation, and MRI protocol, then appropriate management by a combination of both physical and surgical pathways.
Using Chicken Manure as a Source of Multi-Functionalities to Catalyse Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Clean Energy Devices
Authors: Kaur Prabhsharan , Kaur Veerpal , Verma Gaurav 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Chicken manure is one of the most widely generated animal waste worldwide. However, waste is the anomaly being used for this organic treasure as it contains all 13 essential nutrients that are used by plants and for the reason, the traditional use of chicken manure is as a fertilizer. It increases the fertility of soil but at the same time, it may give rise to accumulation of heavy metals in soil, greenhouse gas emissions, soil acidification, spreading of diseases, rodents, and pests, etc. Other value-addition processes for the treatment of chicken manure like composting, gasification, pyrolysis, torrefaction, etc., are either costlier or energy intensive. So, we present here a new method to use chicken manure in a very simple and economical way for the fuel cell applications. In this study, carbon nanofibers (CNF) are modified with chicken manure to impart multiple functionalities to their surface, and further the functionalized CNF are explored as an electrocatalyst to speed up the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction kinetics happening at the cathode of a fuel cell. The functionalized CNF contains N (7.40 at.%), O (6.22 at.%), P (0.30 at.%), S (0.02 at.%), etc., elements as revealed by the EDX and FTIR studies. FESEM and XRD studies confirmed that the morphology of CNF remained intact after their treatment with chicken manure. The modified CNF exhibited a higher electrocatalytic activity (onset potential: - 0.0756 V; limiting current density: 2.69 mA cm-2) as compared to the pristine CNF. The effects of dispersion (with Triton X-100) on the chicken manure-based functionalization of CNF are also investigated. This preliminary study on novel usage of chicken manure for the fuel cell applications will usher the advanced ways of treating different environmental wastes.
Lactate is associated with long-term mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19; a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ebrahimi Pouyan , Fallah Farnaz , Pakdaman Kimia , Shirafkan Hoda , Abedi Seyed Hassan 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Introduction: COVID-19 disease is the cause of death for many people around the world by causing systemic involvement of organs in the body. The prevalence of the disease has declined over the past two years due to initial treatment, but concerns about upcoming mutations remain. In this study, we investigate the relationship between lactate levels and mortality at different times.
Methods: In the present retrospective cohort study, we included 228 patients with COVID-19 according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria and extracted the variables using the data in the files and analyzed them. Follow-up of patients, if discharged alive, has been done from hospitalization until March 2021. We used SPSS version 22 to analyzed data and P<0.05 is considered significant.
Results: Lactate level (mean 2.88 in the dead group versus mean 1.68 in the living group) has a significant relationship with mortality at hospitalization (p<0.05). It is also effective to measure lactate level as a function of the length of time spent in hospital on mortality (P=0.001, HR = 2.960, 95%CI =4.255-2.58), as well as according to the length of time spent following up on mortality after medical follow-up (P=0.001, HR = 2.960, 95%CI =4.255 to 2.58).
Conclusion: Lactate levels in this study were not only associated with mortality and severity but also could identify acute status at the onset of patients by predicting an increased mortality risk ratio at the time of admission and follow-up. Therefore, we recommend measuring this biomarker in COVID-19 patients.
Issues of interdisciplinary interaction during detection and diagnosis of tuberculosis in children and adolescents: a literature review and comments
Authors: Ovsyankina E. S. , Panova L. V. , Zakharova I. N. 
Published: November 2023

Interdisciplinary interaction between phthisiatricians and pediatricians on the issues of detection and diagnosis of tuberculosis provides basis for the reduction of duration of the diagnostic process and the early identification of disease progression. The purpose of this review and comments is to systematize the knowledge of pediatricians about the detection and diagnosis of tuberculosis in children and adolescents in primary health care (PHC) facilities to improve the diagnostic process. We have performed an analysis and systematization of the current directive and methodological documents, articles on the detection and diagnosis of tuberculosis in PHC facitlities. The significance of skin immunological tests (Mantoux test using 5 tuberculin units (TU) of purified protein derivative (PPD)-L and a test with recombinant tuberculosis allergen (RTA)) during mass and selective screening to form groups at high risk for Tuberculosis and detect the disease is emphasized. The doctor’s actions based on the current guiding documents and laws are presented for cases when parents/legal representatives or the patient himself refuses from immunological skin tests. Positions that determine the need for interdisciplinary interaction for pediatricians on the issues of detection, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of tuberculosis are clearly articulated. The pathway to diagnosis begins with the formation of groups at high risk for tuberculosis in PHC facilities and with seeking medical help from a pediatrician in the presence of clinical signs similar to those of tuberculosis. Particular attention is paid to the detection of the disease when patients with clinical symptoms similar to those of tuberculosis seek medical help, and the missed opportunities for its early diagnosis are presented. Predictors allowing pediatricians to suspect tuberculosis and promptly refer a patient to a phthisiatrician to confirm / exclude the disease are provided.
Direct comparative study of the effectiveness of mepolizumab and dupilumab in patients with severe non-allergic eosinophilic asthma
Authors: Naumova V. V. , Beltyukov E. K. , Kovtun O. P. , Bykova G. A. , Smolenskaya O. G. , Shtanova A. A. , Stepina D. A. 
Published: November 2023

Introduction. Biologics for severe asthma (SA) treatment are widely used in real clinical practice. But there are very few direct comparative studies at the moment.Aim. To compare mepolizumab and dupilumab effectiveness in patients with non-allergic eosinophilic SA in real clinical practice using regional register of Sverdlovsk region.Materials and methods. The data of patients with non-allergic eosinophilic SA treated with dupilumab (n = 23) and mepolizumab (n = 19) were analyzed. Therapy effectiveness was determined according to BARS and patients’ proportion who achieved asthma remission, dynamics of ACT, AQLQ, FEV1, blood eosinophils, frequency of short-acting bronchodilators use and systemic glucocorticosteroids (SGCS) demand, frequency of asthma exacerbations and hospitalizations.Results. Within 12 months of targeted therapy a good response to biologics according to BARS in 77.8% of patients on dupilumab and in 82.4% of patients on mepolizumab (p = 1.000) was revealed. Remission of SA (without FEV1) was achieved in 62.5% of patients in dupilumab group and in 68.8% of patients in mepolizumab group (p = 1.000). Remission of SA (with FEV1) was achieved in 43.8% of patients on dupilumab and in 56.2% of patients on mepolizumab (p = 0.724). There were statistically significant improvements for all separately analyzed indicators in each observation group. Statistically significant differences after a year of therapy between groups were recorded in terms of eosinophil levels (p < 0.001) and nasal symptoms assessed using the SNOT-22 questionnaire (p = 0.048) in favour of mepolizumab.Conclusions. Patients with non-allergic eosinophilic SA have good response to both dupilumab and mepolizumab. The drugs equally improve disease control, life quality, reduce the need for relievers and SGCS, show a similar safety level.
Evaluating clinical effectiveness and safety of pneumococcal immunization of infants
Authors: Malanicheva T. G. , Ziatdinova N. V. , Gataullina G. G. , Mukhametgatova L. M. 
Published: November 2023

According to WHO, pneumococcal infection (PI) is considered one of the most dangerous of all vaccine-preventable diseases and, before vaccination, led to the death of up to 1.6 million people per year, of which from 0.7 to 1 million were children. In the prevention of PI, specific prevention occupies a special place. For the first time in 2014, vaccination against PI with pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was included in the national calendar of preventive vaccinations. International practice of using pneumococcal vaccine has shown that timely vaccination can produce positive results in the fight against PI. Under observation were 55 children who were vaccinated against PI with the pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (adsorbed), 13 valent according to the national calendar of preventive vaccinations of the Russian Federation. It was revealed that post-vaccination complications after vaccination did not occur in any child. General post-vaccination reactions were observed in the form of a short-term increase in temperature, loss of appetite and sleep disturbances, as well as local reactions in the form of edema, hyperemia, and hardening at the site of vaccine administration. We studied the incidence of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), acute otitis media and acute respiratory infections among 55 children of the first year of life vaccinated at 2 months and 4.5 months (main group) and 50 children for various reasons not vaccinated against PI (comparison group). A study of the long-term results of 2-fold vaccination in the first year of life and revaccination at 15 months against PV based on observation of children for two years showed that children of the main group, compared with the comparison group, were 3.3 times less likely to suffer from PV, 2.7 times acute otitis and 1.7 times acute respiratory infections, p < 0.05. The data obtained show the high efficiency and safety of vaccinating children against PI with the pneumococcal vaccine.
Characteristics of post COVID-19 condition in children after mild COVID-19
Authors: Chernyavskaya A. S. , Simonova O. I. , Kashirskaya N. Yu. 
Published: November 2023

Introduction. Post COVID-19 condition in children causes variety of persistent symptoms such as fatigue, post-exertional malaise, cognitive problems, muscle pain and can affect different aspects of patient’s life.Aim. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence and characteristics of persistent symptoms of COVID-19 in non-hospitalized pediatric patients one year after infection.Material and methods. This is a single center case-control study including children and young people (COVID-19 as cases and other acute respiratory infections as controls). A survey using ISARIC Global COVID-19 paediatric follow-up questionnaire was conducted by a pediatrician in person or via telephone interview one year after infection. Post COVID-19 condition was defined using WHO case definition.Results and discussion. 206 cases and 176 controls were analyzed. The mean ages of cases and controls were 8.8 years and 8.4 years accordingly, with 55% and 50% being females. The most frequent persistent symptoms in cases at 1 year were loss of taste – 8.7% [5.3%; 13.1%], fatigue – 8.7% [4.9%; 13.1%], chest pain – 4.9% [1.9%; 7.8%], headache – 2.4% [1.0%; 4.9%], tingling – 2.4% [0.5%; 4.9%]. Controls had similar persistent symptoms, but cases had significantly higher rates of sensory disturbances (taste/smell alterations) and fatigue. There were no statistically significant differences between other groups of symptoms found. Prevalence of post COVID-19 condition in cases group was 1.5% [0.0%; 3.4%].Conclusion. Prevalence of post COVID-19 condition in children one year after mild infection is low. However, compared to other respiratory infections, COVID-19 may cause persistent taste/smell disturbances and fatigue.
Infective endocarditis of the aortic valve in an 85-year-old man due to translocation of the intestinal flora
Authors: Brovin D. L. , Kuleshova D. V. , Dementeva O. F. , Malikov K. N. , Dolgushev D. A. , Sereda V. P. 
Published: November 2023

Infective endocarditis (IE) is an infectious and inflammatory disease of the endocardium that is associated with a high incidence of complications and mortality. Elderly patients are the most vulnerable age group for the IE. Infective endocarditis caused by E. coli is a rare disease due to both bacteria life-cycle and human immune system protection. Nevertheless, recent years the incidence of IE associated with E. coli has been increasing in the group of elderly patients. It seems important to reassess the indications for antibiotic prophylaxis in certain categories of patients (including the elderly patients with an unobvious but increased risk of IE). This clinical case demonstrates a native valve endocarditis caused by E. coli developed after bowel preparation with osmotic laxatives and endoscopic procedure in an 85 year-old male without significant chronic diseases. Despite the fact that the patient did not belong to the category of increased risk of IE, he had the predisposing conditions for the development of IE (weaked immune system, bacteremia, heart valve sclerosis), that realized in the active manifest disease. Treatment with antibiotics led to an improvement in the patient’s condition and regression of infectious vegetations on the valve. Repeat blood cultures were negative. When planning endoscopic procedure for patients at risks (elderly person, weakened immune system, minimal aortic valve lesions), antibacterial prophylaxis should be considered. Additional research is required to develop clear algorithms for antibacterial prophylaxis.
The role of phytocomponents in the complex therapy of chronic non-calculous cholecystitis
Authors: Skvortsov V. V. , Malyakina E. A. , Malyakin G. I. 
Published: November 2023

Non-calculous cholecystitis is a form of cholecystitis caused by dysfunction or hypokinesis of the gallbladder. The polyetiology and multiplicity of the pathogenesis of this disease requires different approaches to its correction. In this situation, phytopreparations containing components of origin provide special attention in combination with the main therapy. Curcumin has a strong protective effect against cholestasis through farnesoid X receptors, resulting in a release of bile acid homeostasis and counteracting inflammatory inflammation and as a manifestation of cholestasis. Several studies show that curcumin requires a contraction of the gallbladder. Despite the presence of many useful properties, the widespread use of curcumin in medical practice was limited by its limited bioavailability. Forms with increased bioavailability have been synthesized, such as kavacarcumin. The use of artichoke leaf extract in gastroenterology is based on its strong antidyspeptic effect, mediated by choleretic activity. As study show, the choleretic effect of the artichoke was more pronounced than that of the reference drug. In the description, there is no direct effect of chamomile phytocomponents on the state of bile compatibility and the function of bile outflow, however, an indirect effect on its work is possible. The results make chamomile flower extract a good addition to therapy. Thus, due to the occurrence of synergistic components, the complex is found in individuals, in patients with chronic diseases of the biliary tract, with functional disorders, the period of treatment in long-term complex therapy, with the prevention of exacerbation and prolongation of remission, as well as in healthy individuals for the prevention of these diseases.
Experimental study on the rheological characteristics and viscosity-enhanced factors of super-viscous heavy oil
Authors: Chen Yang , Luo Jin , Zhang Meiyu , He Minglan 
Published: November 2023

To reveal the viscosity-enhanced mechanism of super-viscous heavy oil and improve the recovery rate of super-viscous heavy oil, the four components, elemental composition, rheological properties, and effects of asphaltenes and resin on the viscosity of super-viscous heavy oil from well TH12434 in Tahe Oilfield, China have been analyzed from macro and microscopic perspectives by Anton Paar rotational rheometer, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and scanning cryo-EM to solve the problems of poor fluidity and high asphaltene content. The experimental results showed that in the temperature range of T= 40-100°C, the viscosity of super-viscous heavy oil decreases sharply from 352000 mPa∙s to 1620 mPa∙s, and the super-viscous heavy oil exhibits clear thermo-sensitivity. With T= 100°C and shear rate ranging from γ= 0-800 s-1, the viscosity of super-viscous heavy oil decreases sharply from 45000 mPa∙s to 956 mPa∙s, and the oil sample shows typical pseudoplasticity. The baseline of super-viscous heavy oil analysis by gas chromatography shows too high, and more than 80 % of super-viscous heavy oil compounds have a matching degree of less than 70 % with standard compounds, indicating that the super-viscous heavy oil had poor heterogeneity and many impurities. It is observed by scanning cryo-EM that the micromorphology of super-viscous heavy oil is large granular, strong continuity, asphaltene micromorphology presents an obvious layered structure, the layer spacing is 637.7 nm, and its asphaltene molecules form an order-like or crystal-like association structure through several unit sheet layers, resulting in high viscosity of super-viscous heavy oil. Based on the analysis results of the influencing factors of the viscosity of super-viscous heavy oil, a theoretical basis for the selection of viscosity reduction technology for super-viscous heavy oil the efficient exploitation in Tahe Oilfield, China could be provided.
A practical approach for numerical modeling of a complex and data-limited hydrological system
Authors: E. A. Rahim Bahaa-eldin , Yusoff Ismail 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

By their nature, wetlands represent an ecosystem base for many concurrent heterogeneous interactions, where the mission of numerical modeling requires a wide range of consistent and reliable datasets from various sources, spatially and temporally. Such a mission usually collides with the existence of tremendous missing in time-series dataset(s). In this context, MIKE SHE was used to construct an integrated surface–subsurface flow model for the Paya Indah wetland in Malaysia where huge gaps exist in the historical datasets of water level and flow rate. To calibrate and validate the model to a satisfactory level, a tri-criteria simulation approach was applied to overcome the occasional missing values in these datasets. This goal was accomplished by calibrating the surface water level and channel flow while simultaneously matching the steady-state subsurface portion of the system wherever water table depth data allowed. Quantitatively, the integrated model scored the highest values of R (0.765 − 0.927) and CE (0.748 − 0.828) during the validation. However, large RMSE values were calculated for the flow rate during calibration at SWL2 (outlet; 0.766) and during validation at Langat River (0.780). This bias was attributed to the low or occasional absence of variation in the historical time-series datasets necessary for the simulation process.