bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of intensified contact precautions while treating hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients during aplasia
Authors: Böing Christian , Reicherts Christian , Froböse Neele , Mellmann Alexander , Schaumburg Frieder , Lenz Georg , Kampmeier Stefanie , Stelljes Matthias 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
Bacterial infections are a major complication for patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT). Therefore, protective isolation is considered crucial to prevent nosocomial infections in this population. Here, the impact of intensified contact precautions on environmental contamination and the occurrence of bloodstream infections (BSI) in patients on a HCT unit were compared between two contact precaution measures.

Methods
A 2-year retrospective observational study was performed. In the first year, strict contact precaution measures were applied (i.e., protective isolation, the use of sterile personal protective equipment (PPE) by healthcare workers and visitors and sterilization of linen and objects that entered the patient’s room). After one year, contact precautions were reduced (i.e., no use of sterile PPE, no sterilization of linen and objects that entered the patient’s room). Environmental contamination in randomly selected patient rooms was monitored by sampling six standardized environmental sites in the respective patient treatment units. In a before-and-after study, the number of BSI episodes of those patients, who were accommodated in the monitored rooms was compared.

Results
In total, 181 treatment units were monitored. No significant difference in the contamination of anterooms and patient’s rooms between both groups was found. A total of 168 patients were followed for the occurrence of BSI during the entire study period (before: 84 patients, after: 84 patients). The total count of patients with BSI episodes showed a higher incidence in the period with reduced contact precautions (30/84 vs. 17/84, p = 0.039). The cause of this increasing number of BSI can be traced back to BSI episodes with common commensal bacteria (17/84 vs. 5/84, p = 0.011).

Conclusions
The implementation of maximal barrier measures did not reduce the bacterial contamination of the patients’ environment. The impact on the patients’ outcomes remain controversial. Further research is needed to investigate the impact of infection prevention measures on the clinical outcome of patients undergoing HCT.
Association between spinal muscular atrophy type and delayed diagnosis and the risk of spinal deformity in Indonesian patients
Authors: Sari Dian Marta , Biben Vitriana , Wiwaha Guswan , Hilmanto Dany 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic disease that causes muscle weakness and atrophy. Delayed diagnosis can lead to loss of motoric functions, which may then progress to deformities such as thoracolumbar scoliosis, pelvic obliquity, and hip subluxation/dislocation. The lack of information or limited experience among healthcare providers and costly genetic tests can cause delayed diagnosis. The current study aimed to assess the characteristics of patients with SMA. Moreover, the association between SMA type and delayed diagnosis and the risk of spinal deformity in the Indonesian SMA Community was evaluated.

Methods
This was a cross-sectional study performed on 53 patients diagnosed with SMA. Data about patients’ characteristics were obtained from the Indonesian SMA Community using a questionnaire in August 2019. The information included age, sex, SMA type, age at suspicion and definite diagnosis of SMA, and presence of spinal deformities. Then, descriptive analysis and logistic regression analysis were performed, and the Kruskal–Wallis test and the Chi-square test were utilized.

Results
The median age of patients suspected of SMA was 24 months. A definitive diagnosis of SMA was obtained at 36 months. Further, 43% of patients presented with SMA type 2 and 58% with spinal deformities. Results showed a positive correlation between time interval between suspicion and definite diagnosis of SMA and the risk of spinal deformities (B = 0,07; p > 0.05). Delayed diagnosis was more common in SMA type 3 than in SMA types 1 and 2, and SMA type 2 was correlated with a twofold risk of spinal deformities (p = 0.03; prevalence ratio = 2.09).

Conclusions
SMA type 2 is associated with a twofold risk of spinal deformities. Delayed diagnosis is more common in SMA type 3 than in SMA types 1 and 2. Moreover, there was an association between the time interval between suspicion and definite diagnosis of SMA and the risk of spinal deformities in patients with SMA.
Seed amplification assay of nasal swab extracts for accurate and non-invasive molecular diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Duan Suying , Yang Jing , Cui Zheqing , Li Jiaqi , Zheng Honglin , Zhao Taiqi , Yuan Yanpeng , Liu Yutao , Zhao Lu , Wang Yangyang , Luo Haiyang , Xu Yuming 
Published: March 2023

AbstractNasal swabs are non-invasive testing methods for detecting diseases by collecting samples from the nasal cavity or nasopharynx. Dysosmia is regarded as an early sign of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and nasal swabs are the gold standard for the detection. By nasal swabs, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) nucleic acids can be cyclically amplified and detected using real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction after sampling. Similarly, olfactory dysfunction precedes the onset of typical clinical manifestations by several years in prion diseases and other neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and multiple system atrophy. In neurodegenerative diseases, nasal swab tests are currently being explored using seed amplification assay (SAA) of pathogenic misfolded proteins, such as prion, α-synuclein, and tau. These misfolded proteins can serve as templates for the conformational change of other copies from the native form into the same misfolded form in a prion-like manner. SAA for misfolded prion-like proteins from nasal swab extracts has been developed, conceptually analogous to PCR, showing high sensitivity and specificity for molecular diagnosis of degenerative diseases even in the prodromal stage. Cyclic amplification assay of nasal swab extracts is an attractive and feasible method for accurate and non-invasive detection of trace amount of pathogenic substances for screening and diagnosis of neurodegenerative disease.
Graphical Abstract
Rapid spilled oil analysis using direct analysis in real time time-of-flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Tikkisetty Krishnaja , McCallum Paige , Filewood Taylor , Yan Jeffrey , Kwok Honoria , Brunswick Pamela , Cody Robert , Shang Dayue 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
The biomarker diagnostic ratio analysis outlined by the European Committee for Standardization is considered the current gold standard in oil forensic analysis. However, it has a major limitation as an emergency response procedure in the case of a large scale oil spill due to the high number of samples collected, long GC/MS instrument run time, and the time-consuming data processing required. This current study utilized direct analysis in real time time-of-flight mass spectrometry to develop a rapid spilled oil screening method. An exploratory search of biomarkers and synthetic additives was conducted on reference oil samples of various types. To build a robust yet swift procedure for oil typing, specific heat maps were built with extensive reference sample modelling. These heat maps were then used to select relevant ions from which principal component analysis and discriminant analysis of principal component models were constructed to result in defensible oil classifications.

Results
The initial exploratory search of biomarkers and additives in the various reference oil samples resulted in promising preliminary matches. The heat map and multivariate statistical analysis oil typing method was applied to three unknown samples, all of which were classified accurately.

Conclusion
The merit of direct analysis in real time time-of-flight mass spectrometry on oil forensic was confirmed with the detected biomarkers compound class starting members and lubricating additives along with the successful application of heat maps and multivariate statistical analysis, providing a swift yet reliable screening tool for oil spill environmental monitoring and impact surveying.
Optimization of landfill gas generation based on a modified first-order decay model: a case study in the province of Quebec, Canada
Authors: Malmir Tahereh , Lagos Daniel , Eicker Ursula 
Published: March 2023

AbstractLandfills will likely remain an essential part of integrated solid waste management systems in many developed and developing countries for the foreseeable future. Further improvements are required to model the generated gas from landfills. The literature has not addressed detailed waste characterization in landfill gas (LFG) modeling by a first-order decay model such as LandGEM while using a genetic algorithm. Additionally, little has been done in the literature regarding H2S generation modeling. This paper uses a genetic algorithm to independently fit parameters to a CH4 and H2S generation model based on a modified first-order decay model. In the case of CH4 generation modeling, biodegradable organic waste (OW) was segregated into food waste, yard waste, paper, and wood. In addition to optimizing the OW fractions, key modeling parameters of OW, such as CH4 generation potential ($${L}_{0}$$

L
0

) and CH4 decay rate ($${k}_{C{H}_{4}}$$

k

C

H
4

), were determined independently for different periods in the landfill’s life. Similarly, in the case of H2S generation modeling, the construction and demolition waste (CD) was classified into fines (FCD) and bulky materials (BCD), and H2S generation potential ($${S}_{0}$$

S
0

) and H2S decay rate ($${k}_{{H}_{2}S}$$

k

H
2

S

) of FCD and BCD were determined. LFG collection data from a landfill site in the province of Quebec, Canada, was used to validate the LFG generation model. A range of scenarios was analyzed using the validated model, including fourteen scenarios (two benchmark and twelve optimizing) for CH4 and two for H2S modeling. The results showed that the differentiation of more waste types improves the modeling accuracy for CH4. Moreover, within the decade-long lifetime of a landfill, the waste management strategies change, requiring different assumptions for the modeling. Also, the work showed the importance of considering how different landfill sectors are filled over time. Finally, scenario twelve of optimizing scenarios, which assumed four waste types, constant three periodic waste fractions, and six sectors, had the lowest residual sum of squares (RSS) value. For H2S generation modeling, both scenarios, with or without separate fits of $${S}_{0}$$

S
0

and $${k}_{{H}_{2}S}$$

k

H
2

S

for FCD and BCD, predicted the generated H2S well and had a very similar RSS value. Further data could improve H2S generation modeling.
Steel Reinforced Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) Cantilever Beams: Bond Behaviour in Poor Condition Zones
Authors: Montaser Wael Mohamed , Shaaban Ibrahim Galal , Rizzuto Joseph P. , Zaher Amr Hussein , Rashad Ahmed , Sadany Shorouk Mohamed El 
Published: March 2023

AbstractPrevious investigations carried out on reinforced self-compacted concrete (SCC) beams have reported contradictory results on reinforcement bond behaviour occurring in the zones defined for good bond conditions according to Eurocode2. Cantilevered SCC beams’ critical upper tension reinforcement bond behaviour has previously had limited reporting. In this study, the bond behaviour in normally vibrated concrete (NVC) and self-compacted concrete (SCC) in poor conditions zones are compared and the differences are highlighted. The effect of four parameters, including (i) concrete type (SCC and NVC), (ii) characteristic strength of SCC, (iii) lap splice length, and (iv) depth of concrete cover for the reinforcement is investigated. It was found that for the studied beams, increasing splice length improved the energy absorption and changed the failure mode to a more ductile manner even at the poor bond conditions zones. The maximum measured steel strains in SCC beams in the lap splice zones, were higher than those for NVC specimens. The mean bond stress values, for SCC beams with 25–50% lap splice lengths, were higher than those of NVC beams, with the same lap splice lengths, by 16–13%, respectively. The results of the current study showed that the empirical equations from the literature overestimated the bond strength of the splice lap length for cantilever upper steel in SCC beams with long splices which agrees with the state of the art as these equations were developed originally for short anchorage lengths.
Do increases in the price of fuel increase levels of fuel theft? Evidence from England and Wales
Authors: Sidebottom Aiden , Agar Iain , Kurland Justin 
Published: March 2023

AbstractFuel prices have increased sharply over the past year. In this study we test the hypothesis that increases in the price of fuel are associated with increases in motorists filling their fuel tank and driving off without paying. We use weekly crime data from six police forces in England and Wales for the period January 2018 to July 2022, combined with regional data on the number of fuel sales and average fuel prices. Our results demonstrate an overall weak price-theft relationship for the 238 week study period, less so than in previous studies. However, we find strong evidence that the recent spike in fuel prices was associated with elevated levels of fuel theft. The implications of our findings for future research and crime prevention are discussed.
Latent antibiotic resistance genes are abundant, diverse, and mobile in human, animal, and environmental microbiomes
Authors: Inda-Díaz Juan Salvador , Lund David , Parras-Moltó Marcos , Johnning Anna , Bengtsson-Palme Johan , Kristiansson Erik 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
Bacterial communities in humans, animals, and the external environment maintain a large collection of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). However, few of these ARGs are well-characterized and thus established in existing resistance gene databases. In contrast, the remaining latent ARGs are typically unknown and overlooked in most sequencing-based studies. Our view of the resistome and its diversity is therefore incomplete, which hampers our ability to assess risk for promotion and spread of yet undiscovered resistance determinants.

Results
A reference database consisting of both established and latent ARGs (ARGs not present in current resistance gene repositories) was created. By analyzing more than 10,000 metagenomic samples, we showed that latent ARGs were more abundant and diverse than established ARGs in all studied environments, including the human- and animal-associated microbiomes. The pan-resistomes, i.e., all ARGs present in an environment, were heavily dominated by latent ARGs. In comparison, the core-resistome, i.e., ARGs that were commonly encountered, comprised both latent and established ARGs. We identified several latent ARGs shared between environments and/or present in human pathogens. Context analysis of these genes showed that they were located on mobile genetic elements, including conjugative elements. We, furthermore, identified that wastewater microbiomes had a surprisingly large pan- and core-resistome, which makes it a potentially high-risk environment for the mobilization and promotion of latent ARGs.

Conclusions
Our results show that latent ARGs are ubiquitously present in all environments and constitute a diverse reservoir from which new resistance determinants can be recruited to pathogens. Several latent ARGs already had high mobile potential and were present in human pathogens, suggesting that they may constitute emerging threats to human health. We conclude that the full resistome—including both latent and established ARGs—needs to be considered to properly assess the risks associated with antibiotic selection pressures.
Increased clonal dissemination of OXA-232-producing ST15 Klebsiella pneumoniae in Zhejiang, China from 2018 to 2021
Authors: Zhang Yanyan , Yang Xuemei , Liu Congcong , Huang Ling , Shu Lingbin , Sun Qiaoling , Zhou Hongwei , Huang Yonglu , Cai Chang , Wu Xiaoyan , Chen Sheng , Zhang Rong 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
OXA-232-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae was first identified in China in 2016, and its clonal transmission was reported in 2019. However, there are no prevalence and genotypic surveillance data available for OXA-232 in China. Therefore, we investigated the trends and characteristics of OXA-232 type carbapenemase in Zhejiang Province, China from 2018 to 2021.

Methods
A total of 3278 samples from 1666 patients in the intensive care units were collected from hospitals in Zhejiang Province from 2018 to 2021. Carbapenem-resistant isolates were initially selected by China Blue agar plates supplemented with 0.3 μg/ml meropenem, and further analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry identification, immune colloidal gold technique, conjugation experiment, antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole genome sequencing.

Results
A total of 79 OXA-producing strains were recovered, with the prevalence increased from 1.8% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.7–3.7%] in 2018 to 6.0% (95% CI: 4.4–7.9%) in 2021. Seventy-eight strains produced OXA-232 and one produced OXA-181. The blaOXA-232 gene in all strains was located in a 6141-bp ColKP3-type non-conjugative plasmid and the blaOXA-181 gene was located in a 51,391-bp ColKP3/IncX3-type non-conjugative plasmid. The blaOXA-232-producing K. pneumoniae was dominated (75/76) by isolates of sequence type 15 (ST15) that differed by less than 80 SNPs. All OXA-producing strains (100%, 95% CI: 95.4–100.0%) were multidrug-resistant.

Conclusions
From 2018 to 2021, OXA-232 is the most prevalent OXA-48-like derivative in Zhejiang Province, and ST15 K. pneumoniae isolates belonging to the same clone are the major carriers. The transmission of ColKP3-type plasmid to E. coli highlighted that understanding the transmission mechanism is of great importance to delay or arrest the propagation of OXA-232 to other species.
Insights into the elimination of vivax malaria in China
Authors: Huang Fang , Zhang Li , Xia Zhi-Gui 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
Malaria is caused by multiple parasitic species of the genus Plasmodium. Plasmodium vivax is the most geographically widespread and poses challenges in elimination due to its unique biological and epidemiological characteristics. The aim of study was to highlight the practices and experience targeting vivax malaria control and elimination in China.

Main body
P. vivax malaria was historically endemic in more than 70% of counties in China, with reported vivax malaria cases as high as 26 million a year. After around 70 years of effort, China was certified as malaria-free in June of 2021. The key insights into China’s vivax malaria control and elimination were offered, including radical cure strategies, comprehensive but adaptive strategies targeting species of Plasmodium and Anopheles, mass drug administration, and case-/focus-centred surveillance and response systems.

Conclusion
The complete global eradication of P. vivax and eventually malaria will be more difficult, and China’s practices and experience could be a valuable reference in this campaign.

Graphical Abstract
Characterization of tungiasis infection and morbidity using thermography in Kenya revealed higher disease burden during COVID-19 school closures
Authors: Elson Lynne , Matharu Abneel K. , Riithi Naomi , Ouma Paul , Mutebi Francis , Feldmeier Hermann , Krücken Jürgen , Fillinger Ulrike 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
Tungiasis is a neglected tropical skin disease caused by the sand flea Tunga penetrans. Female fleas penetrate the skin, particularly at the feet, and cause severe inflammation. This study aimed to characterize disease burden in two highly affected regions in Kenya, to test the use of thermography to detect tungiasis-associated inflammation and to create a new two-level classification of disease severity suitable for mapping, targeting, and monitoring interventions.

Methods
From February 2020 to April 2021, 3532 pupils age 8–14 years were quasi-randomly selected in 35 public primary schools and examined for tungiasis and associated symptoms. Of the infected pupils, 266 were quasi-randomly selected and their households visited, where an additional 1138 family members were examined. Inflammation was assessed using infra-red thermography. A Clinical score was created combining the number of locations on the feet with acute and chronic symptoms and infra-red hotspots.

Results
The overall prevalence of tungiasis among all the school pupils who were randomly selected during survey rounds 1 and 3 was 9.3% [95% confidence interval (CI): 8.4–10.3]. Based on mixed effects logistic models, the odds of infection with tungiasis among school pupils was three times higher in Kwale (coastal Kenya) than in Siaya [western Kenya; adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.18–0.74]; three times higher in males than in females (aOR = 3.0, 95% CI: 2.32–3.91) and three times lower among pupils sleeping in a house with a concrete floor (aOR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.24–0.44). The odds of finding an infected person among the household population during surveys before the COVID-19 pandemic was a third (aOR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.19–0.53) of that when schools were closed due to COVID-19 restrictions and approximately half (aOR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.29–0.68) in surveys done after school re-opening (round 3). Infection intensity was positively correlated with inflammation as measured by thermography (Spearman’s rho = 0.68, P < 0.001) and with the clinical score (rho = 0.86, P < 0.001). Based on the two-level classification, severe cases were associated with a threefold higher level of pain (OR = 2.99, 95% CI: 2.02–4.43) and itching (OR = 3.31, 95% CI: 2.24–4.89) than mild cases.

Conclusions
Thermography was a valuable addition for assessing morbidity and the proposed two-level classification of disease severity clearly separated patients with mild and severe impacts. The burden of tungiasis was considerably higher in households surveyed during COVID-19 restrictions suggesting underlying risks are found in the home environment more than in school.