bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic Bioaugmentation‐Mediated Bioremediation of Terephthalate in Soil Microcosms Using an Engineered Environmental Plasmid
Authors: Marquiegui – Alvaro Alejandro , Kottara Anastasia , Chacón Micaela , Cliffe Lisa , Brockhurst Michael , Dixon Neil 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTHarnessing in situ microbial communities to clean‐up polluted natural environments is a potentially efficient means of bioremediation, but often the necessary genes to breakdown pollutants are missing. Genetic bioaugmentation, whereby the required genes are delivered to resident bacteria via horizontal gene transfer, offers a promising solution to this problem. Here, we engineered a conjugative plasmid previously isolated from soil, pQBR57, to carry a synthetic set of genes allowing bacteria to consume terephthalate, a chemical component of plastics commonly released during their manufacture and breakdown. Our engineered plasmid caused a low fitness cost and was stably maintained in terephthalate‐contaminated soil by the bacterium P. putida. Plasmid carriers efficiently bioremediated contaminated soil in model soil microcosms, achieving complete breakdown of 3.2 mg/g of terephthalate within 8 days. The engineered plasmid horizontally transferred the synthetic operon to P. fluorescens in situ, and the resulting transconjugants degraded 10 mM terephthalate during a 180‐h incubation. Our findings show that environmental plasmids carrying synthetic catabolic operons can be useful tools for in situ engineering of microbial communities to perform clean‐up even of complex environments like soil.
Food for Thoughts for Prospective Biomanufacturing
Authors: Takors Ralf 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTWhile rising greenhouse gases cause climate change, global economies ask for resilient solutions for the business of the future. Biomanufacturing may well serve as a pillar of a circular economy with minimised environmental impact. Therefore, innovations of the lab need to successfully bridge the imminent ‘death‐valley of innovation’ for making commercial production happen. This editorial aims to prepare the ground for prospective developments so as to the seed of novel ideas will prosper.
“Excluding Myself From What I Need the Most”: Experiences of Loneliness in People With Inflammatory Arthritis: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Nordkamp Annika , Midtgaard Julie , de Thurah Annette , Glintborg Bente , Aadahl Mette , Cromhout Pernille Fevejle , Vestergaard Sofie Bech , Lau Lene , Yilmaz Connie , Esbensen Bente Appel 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTObjectiveDespite advancements in pharmacological treatments, living with inflammatory arthritis (IA) (including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA)) can make it challenging to engage in social activities, which may increase the risk of loneliness. Although loneliness is predominantly prevalent in IA, its origin and impact on mental health status on daily life with IA remain unexplored. Therefore, the objective of this study was to describe the experiences of people with IA in relation to loneliness.MethodsSemi‐structured telephone interviews were conducted with purposefully sampled participants who reported loneliness. Reflexive thematic analysis was applied to analyze data.ResultsThe interviews included fourteen participants (RA (n = 5), PsA (n = 5), and AxSpA (n = 4)) with median age of 47 (range 25–76). We developed three themes: (1) “Loneliness amplifies the negative impact of IA,” illustrating the experience of loneliness as an integrated part of the participants' struggles; (2) “Excluding myself from what I need the most,” detailing participants' awareness of their need but inability to engage in social activities; and (3) “Longing for loneliness to be addressed,” expressing unfulfilled wishes for health professionals to address loneliness.ConclusionParticipants in our study reported that loneliness had a profound impact on their overall well‐being and self‐management. Overall, there is a critical need to address loneliness as an essential issue for people with IA, highlighting the necessity for increased support and recognition. By addressing loneliness, health professionals can protect patients' mental health and help them navigate social connections, enhancing their self‐management and overall well‐being.
Performance of individual criteria of the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) intraabdominal injury prediction rule
Authors: Arnold Cosby G. , Ishimine Paul , McCarten‐Gibbs Kevan A. , Yen Kenneth , Atigapramoj Nisa , Badawy Mohamed , Ugalde Irma T. , Chaudhari Pradip P. , Upperman Jeffrey S. , Kuppermann Nathan , Holmes James F. 
Published: January 2025

AbstractObjectiveThe Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) derived and externally validated a clinical prediction rule to identify children with blunt torso trauma at low risk for intraabdominal injuries undergoing acute intervention (IAIAI). Little is known about the risk for IAIAI when only one or two prediction rule variables are positive. We sought to determine the risk for IAIAI when either one or two PECARN intraabdominal injury rule variables are positive.MethodsWe performed a planned secondary analysis of a prospective, multicenter study that included 7542 children (<18 years old) with blunt torso trauma evaluated in six emergency departments from December 2016 to August 2021. Patients with only one or two PECARN rule variables positive were included. The outcome was IAIAI (IAI undergoing therapeutic laparotomy, angiographic embolization, blood transfusion, or two or more nights of intravenous fluids).ResultsAmong the 7542 children enrolled, 2986 (39.6%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 38.5%–40.7%) had one or two PECARN variables positive and were included. Of this subpopulation, 227 (7.6%, 95% CI 6.7%–8.6%) had intraabdominal injuries. In the 1639 patients with only one rule variable positive, 21 (1.3%, 95% CI 0.8%–2.0%) had IAIAI. In the 1347 patients with two rule variables positive, 27 (2.0%, 95% CI 1.3%–2.9%) had IAIAI. Risk for IAIAI for each variable was highest for Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score <14 (16/291, 5.5%, 95% CI 3.2%–8.8%) and abdominal wall trauma (three of 321, 0.9%, 95% CI 0.2%–2.7%). Risk for IAIAI when two variables were present was highest when decreased breath sounds (three of 44, 6.8%, 95% CI 1.4%–18.7%) and GCS <14 (10/207, 4.8%, 95% CI 2.3%–8.7%) were present with one other variable.ConclusionsFew children with blunt torso trauma and one or two PECARN predictor variables present have IAIAI. Those with GCS score <14, however, are at highest risk for IAIAI.
‘I've heard of it but had nothing… not much to do with it’: The experience of older people and their families with the Resident of the Day (ROD) process in Victorian aged care facilities
Authors: Mahoney Anne‐Marie , Clune Samantha , McAuliffe Linda , Rayner Jo , Fetherstonhaugh Deirdre 
Published: January 2025

AbstractObjectivesTo explore the experiences of older people living in Australian residential aged care facilities (RACFs) and families of older people living in RACFs, regarding the process of Resident of the Day (ROD; sometimes referred to as a resident review) and their knowledge of how these assessments inform care planning.MethodsSemi‐structured interviews were used to engage residents and families in conversations about their experiences and knowledge of the assessment associated with ROD and subsequent care planning. A reflexive thematic analysis was used to generate findings.ResultsTwenty‐six interviews were conducted in four RACFs across Victoria, diverse in terms of geographic location and provider type. Those residents who had some awareness of the ROD described the process only in superficial terms. Connections between ROD and care planning were unable to be made by most residents. Family members had a greater level of awareness of the ROD, although they were unable to describe the process or purpose and did not connect it to care planning.ConclusionsDespite being undertaken in all Victorian RACFs, residents and families have little or no knowledge of the ROD process, purpose or what happens to the information collected.
Economic Freedom and Presidential Elections: A Bayesian Spatial Probit Hierarchical Modeling Approach
Authors: Lacombe Donald J. , Shaughnessy Timothy 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTThere is a growing consensus that spatial effects can help to explain electoral outcomes. Additionally, the concept of economic freedom is also correlated with many different economic outcomes. This paper combines these two ideas using a Bayesian hierarchical spatial probit econometric model. Hierarchical models have a long history in the Bayesian literature and allow for the estimation of Level 1 (county) and Level 2 (state) variables. In this study, we use county‐level data on county‐level votes for Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election and control for state‐level economic freedom using a newly developed Bayesian hierarchical spatial probit model. The results indicate that state‐level economic freedom contributed positively to Donald Trump's vote at the county level.
‘Screening should not be based on ability to pay’: Australian healthcare providers' and consumers' perspectives on public funding for non‐invasive prenatal testing
Authors: Pynaker Cecilia , Johnston Molly , Mills Catherine , Vasey Katie , Taylor‐Sands Michelle , Bowman‐Smart Hilary , Hui Lisa 
Published: January 2025

BackgroundNon‐invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) does not receive any Medicare rebate. This study investigated the views of Australian healthcare providers and consumers on public funding of NIPT.Materials and methodsTwo anonymous online, cross‐sectional surveys were conducted from September 2022 to January 2023. Surveys targeted maternity healthcare professionals (‘providers’), and individuals who had recently conceived a pregnancy (‘consumers’). Quantitative data were analysed using χ2 test. Free‐text responses were analysed by inductive content analysis.ResultsResponses from 381 providers and 630 consumers were analysed. The overwhelming majority of providers (96.8%) identified financial cost as a consumer barrier to NIPT access. Public funding for NIPT was supported by 86.4% of providers and 90.4% of consumers, with free‐text responses citing equity, clinical, health economic, reproductive autonomy, and ethical justifications. Of the 145 consumers who did not use NIPT in a recent pregnancy, 63.1% rated cost as an ‘important/very important’ factor in foregoing NIPT. NIPT non‐users were younger, had lower household income and education, and were more likely to live in a rural or remote area than consumers who used NIPT.ConclusionMaternity healthcare providers and consumers are highly supportive of public funding for NIPT as a first‐line screening test on clinical, equity, health economic, and ethical grounds. Our results confirm the presence of significant socioeconomic disparities between NIPT users and non‐users, with cost being the most important factor impeding equitable access to best practice in prenatal screening. Further research and advocacy are needed to achieve equitable access to best practice in antenatal care.
Ultrafast multicellular calcium imaging of calcium spikes in mouse beta cells in tissue slices
Authors: Dolenšek Jurij , Pohorec Viljem , Skelin Klemen Maša , Gosak Marko , Stožer Andraž 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBackgroundThe crucial steps in beta cell stimulus‐secretion coupling upon stimulation with glucose are oscillatory changes in metabolism, membrane potential, intracellular calcium concentration, and exocytosis. The changes in membrane potential consist of bursts of spikes, with silent phases between them being dominated by membrane repolarization and absence of spikes. Assessing intra‐ and intercellular coupling at the multicellular level is possible with ever‐increasing detail, but our current ability to simultaneously resolve spikes from many beta cells remains limited to double‐impalement electrophysiological recordings.MethodsSince multicellular calcium imaging of spikes would enable a better understanding of coupling between changes in membrane potential and calcium concentration in beta cell collectives, we set out to design an appropriate methodological approach.ResultsCombining the acute tissue slice method with ultrafast calcium imaging, we were able to resolve and quantify individual spikes within bursts at a temporal resolution of >150 Hz over prolonged periods, as well as describe their glucose‐dependent properties. In addition, by simultaneous patch‐clamp recordings we were able to show that calcium spikes closely follow membrane potential changes. Both bursts and spikes coordinate across islets in the form of intercellular waves, with bursts typically displaying global and spikes more local patterns.ConclusionsThis method and the associated findings provide additional insight into the complex signaling within beta cell networks. Once extended to tissue from diabetic animals and human donors, this approach could help us better understand the mechanistic basis of diabetes and find new molecular targets.
Real‐time detection of somatostatin release from single islets reveals hypersecretion in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Yang Mingyu , Mandal Kousik , Södergren Moa , Dumral Özge , Winroth Lena , Tengholm Anders 
Published: January 2025

AbstractAimSomatostatin from pancreatic δ‐cells is a paracrine regulator of insulin and glucagon secretion, but the release kinetics and whether secretion is altered in diabetes is unclear. This study aimed to improve understanding of somatostatin secretion by developing a tool for real‐time detection of somatostatin release from individual pancreatic islets.MethodsReporter cells responding to somatostatin with cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) changes were generated by co‐expressing somatostatin receptor SSTR2, the G‐protein Gα15 and a fluorescent Ca2+ sensor in HeLa cells.ResultsSomatostatin induced dose‐dependent [Ca2+]i increases in reporter cells with half‐maximal and maximal effects at 1.6 ± 0.4 and ~30 nM, respectively. Mouse and human islets induced reporter cell [Ca2+]i elevations that were inhibited by the SSTR2 antagonist CYN154806. Depolarization of islets by high K+, KATP channel blockade or increasing the glucose concentration from 3 to 11 mM evoked concomitant elevations of [Ca2+]i in islets and reporter cells. Exposure of islets to glucagon, GLP‐1 and ghrelin also triggered reporter cell [Ca2+]i responses, whereas little effect was obtained by islet exposure to insulin, glutamate, GABA and urocortin‐3. Islets from type 2 diabetic human donors induced higher reporter cell [Ca2+]i responses at 11 mM and after K+ depolarization compared with non‐diabetic islets, although fewer δ‐cells were identified by immunostaining.ConclusionType 2 diabetes is associated with hypersecretion of somatostatin, which has implications for paracrine regulation of insulin and glucagon secretion. The new reporter cell assay for real‐time detection of single‐islet somatostatin release holds promise for further studies of somatostatin secretion in islet physiology and pathophysiology.
Chronodisruption that dampens output of the central clock abolishes rhythms in metabolome profiles and elevates acylcarnitine levels in the liver of female rats
Authors: Arora Shiyana , Houdek Pavel , Čajka Tomáš , Dočkal Tereza , Sládek Martin , Sumová Alena 
Published: January 2025

AbstractAimExposure to light at night and meal time misaligned with the light/dark (LD) cycle—typical features of daily life in modern 24/7 society—are associated with negative effects on health. To understand the mechanism, we developed a novel protocol of complex chronodisruption (CD) in which we exposed female rats to four weekly cycles consisting of 5‐day intervals of constant light and 2‐day intervals of food access restricted to the light phase of the 12:12 LD cycle.MethodsWe examined the effects of CD on behavior, estrous cycle, sleep patterns, glucose homeostasis and profiles of clock‐ and metabolism‐related gene expression (using RT qPCR) and liver metabolome and lipidome (using untargeted metabolomic and lipidomic profiling).ResultsCD attenuated the rhythmic output of the central clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus via Prok2 signaling, thereby disrupting locomotor activity, the estrous cycle, sleep patterns, and mutual phase relationship between the central and peripheral clocks. In the periphery, CD abolished Per1,2 expression rhythms in peripheral tissues (liver, pancreas, colon) and worsened glucose homeostasis. In the liver, it impaired the expression of NAD+, lipid, and cholesterol metabolism genes and abolished most of the high‐amplitude rhythms of lipids and polar metabolites. Interestingly, CD abolished the circadian rhythm of Cpt1a expression and increased the levels of long‐chain acylcarnitines (ACar 18:2, ACar 16:0), indicating enhanced fatty acid oxidation in mitochondria.ConclusionOur data show the widespread effects of CD on metabolism and point to ACars as biomarkers for CD due to misaligned sleep and feeding patterns.
Can fecal characteristics be used to predict the digestibility of certain macro minerals in dry and lactating cows?
Authors: Yilmaz Emre , Uysal Soner 
Published: January 2025

AbstractThis study aims to evaluate the relationship between mineral digestibility and fecal characteristics and compare digestibility in dry and late‐lactating cows. A total of 107 multiparous Holstein and Simmental cows were included, with 66 cows in late lactation and 41 cows in the dry period. The apparent digestibility of key macro minerals, dry matter content in feces, dirtiness scores, fecal characteristics, and serum macro mineral levels were determined. Cows consuming the same diet were arranged according to a completely randomized design. Results showed that, compared to the late lactation group, the dry period group had a significantly lower total dirtiness score, higher phosphorus digestibility, and elevated serum calcium levels (p < 0.05). Additionally, fecal consistency and fecal height were greater in the dry period group (p < 0.05). However, the increased phosphorus digestibility observed during the dry period was not significantly associated with fecal consistency (r = +0.225, p < 0.05) or the total contamination score (r = −0.339, p < 0.05). Consequently, this study reveals that understanding the differences in mineral digestibility between different physiological stages can enhance nutritional approaches for better dairy cow management.
Early Years Practitioners' and Public Health Consultants' Perspectives on the Use of Interactive Electronic Devices in Young Children: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Azevedo Liane B. , Downes Megan , Eastburn Sara , Covell Jane , Bissell Paul 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTBackgroundInteractive electronic devices (IEDs) are ubiquitous in young children's lives. However, research on their impact on learning and development is still limited. The aim of this study was to understand the perspectives of early years practitioners (EYPs) and public health consultants (PHCs) on the use of IEDs in children aged 3–5.MethodsUsing purposive sampling techniques, we recruited four EYPs and two PHCs from children's nurseries and a government organisation in the northwest of England. Semi‐structured interviews were used to collect data, which were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim and anonymised. Data were analysed using reflective thematic analysis.ResultsEYPs and PHCs noted that although IEDs could negatively impact child development and behaviour, they could also aid in learning. EYPs expressed concerns about the impact of parents' own IED habits on children's communication and social skills. On the other hand, PHCs stressed that substituting outdoor play with the use of these devices could affect children's social and physical skills and reduce physical activity levels, which are crucial for development. Finally, both EYPs and PHCs agreed that there was a need to improve parents' and EYP's knowledge and to develop interactive interventions to promote an understanding of how IEDs should be used with young children.ConclusionEYPs and PHCs acknowledge the potential advantages of using IEDs as a teaching tool for children. However, they have concerns about the long‐term effects on communication, social and physical skills and how children are impacted by their parents' use of these devices. To support policy statements, future research should offer further evidence of the benefits and harms of IED use.
C3/C3aR Bridges Spinal Astrocyte‐Microglia Crosstalk and Accelerates Neuroinflammation in Morphine‐Tolerant Rats
Authors: Peng Xiaoling , Ju Jie , Li Zheng , Liu Jie , Jia Xiaoqian , Wang Jihong , Ren Jihao , Gao Feng 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTAimsCommunication within glial cells acts as a pivotal intermediary factor in modulating neuroimmune pathology. Meanwhile, an increasing awareness has emerged regarding the detrimental role of glial cells and neuroinflammation in morphine tolerance (MT). This study investigated the influence of crosstalk between astrocyte and microglia on the evolution of morphine tolerance.MethodsSprague‐Dawley rats were intrathecally treated with morphine twice daily for 9 days to establish morphine‐tolerant rat model. Tail‐flick latency test was performed to identify the analgesic effect of morphine. The role of microglia, astrocyte and C3‐C3aR axis in morphine tolerance were elucidated by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunofluorescence.ResultsChronic morphine treatment notably promoted the activation of microglia, upregulated the production of proinflammatory mediators (interleukin‐1 alpha (IL‐1α), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), and complement component 1q (C1q)). Simultaneously, it programed astrocytes to a pro‐inflammatory phenotype (A1), which mainly expresses complement 3 (C3) and serping1. PLX3397 (a colony‐stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) inhibitor), Compstain (a C3 inhibitor) and SB290157(a C3aR antagonist) could reverse the above pathological process and alleviate morphine tolerance to different extents.ConclusionOur findings identify C3‐C3aR axis as an amplifier of microglia‐astrocyte crosstalk, neuroinflammation and a node for therapeutic intervention in morphine tolerance.