bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Resistance to empirical β-lactams recommended in febrile neutropenia guidelines in Gram-negative bacilli bloodstream infections in Spain: a multicentre study
Authors: Chumbita Mariana , Puerta-Alcalde Pedro , Yáñez Lucrecia , Cuesta Maria Angeles , Chinea Anabelle , Español Morales Ignacio , Fernández Abellán Pascual , Gudiol Carlota , Guerreiro Manuel , González-Sierra Pedro , Rojas Rafael , Sánchez Pina José María , Sánchez Vadillo Irene , Varela Rosario , Vázquez Lourdes , Lopera Carlos , Monzó Patricia , Garcia-Vidal Carolina 
Published: April 2022

Abstract

Objectives
To describe current resistance to the β-lactams empirically recommended in the guidelines in bloodstream infection (BSI) episodes caused by Gram-negative bacilli (GNB).

Methods
Retrospective, multicentre cohort study of the last 50 BSI episodes in haematological patients across 14 university hospitals in Spain. Rates of inappropriate empirical antibiotic therapy (IEAT) and impact on mortality were evaluated.

Results
Of the 700 BSI episodes, 308 (44%) were caused by GNB, mainly Escherichia coli (141; 20.1%), Klebsiella spp. (56; 8%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (48; 6.9%). Among GNB BSI episodes, 80 (26%) were caused by MDR isolates. In those caused by Enterobacterales, 25.8% were ESBL producers and 3.5% were carbapenemase producers. Among P. aeruginosa BSI episodes, 18.8% were caused by MDR isolates. Overall, 34.7% of the isolated GNB were resistant to at least one of the three β-lactams recommended in febrile neutropenia guidelines (cefepime, piperacillin/tazobactam and meropenem). Despite extensive compliance with guideline recommendations (91.6%), 16.6% of BSI episodes caused by GNB received IEAT, which was more frequent among MDR GNB isolates (46.3% versus 6.1%; P &lt; 0.001). Thirty day mortality was 14.6%, reaching 21.6% in patients receiving IEAT.

Conclusions
Current resistance to empirical β-lactams recommended in febrile neutropenia guidelines is exceedingly high and IEAT rates are greater than desired. There is an urgent need to adapt guidelines to current epidemiology and better identify patients with a high risk of developing MDR GNB infection.
Risk factors for carriage of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in community dwelling-children in the Asia-Pacific region: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chan Yi Qi , Chen Kailin , Chua Gilbert T. , Wu Peng , Tung Keith T. S. , Tsang Hing Wai , Lung David , Ip Patrick , Chui Celine S. L. 
Published: April 2022

Abstract

Background
Antimicrobial resistance is an increasingly important issue in public health as antibiotics are overused. Resistance to antimicrobial agents can pose significant challenges to infection treatment.

Objectives
To evaluate risk factors associated with carriage of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria in children in the Asia-Pacific region to consolidate evidence for future implementation of antibiotic prescribing practice.

Methods
Three electronic databases—PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library—were searched. Observational studies that investigated the risk factors for carriage of MRSA, penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae, ESBL-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae among the paediatric population in community settings in the Asia-Pacific region were considered eligible. Summary statistics from the identified studies were pooled using meta-analyses.

Results
From the 4145 search results, 25 papers were included in this review. Sixteen papers were included in the meta-analysis based on reported risk factors. Young age of 2–6 months compared with children aged 7–60 months (OR 2.74, 95% CI: 1.75–4.29), antibiotic use within the past 3 months (OR 2.65, 95% CI: 1.70–4.12), daycare attendance (OR 1.49, 95% CI: 1.17–1.91) and hospital admission within the past 3 months (OR 3.43, 95% CI: 2.13–5.51) were found to be significant risk factors for AMR bacterial carriage, whilst breastfeeding (OR 0.69, 95% CI: 0.60–0.81) and concurrent colonization of S. pneumoniae (OR 0.59, 95% CI: 0.38–0.91) are protective factors.

Conclusions
The findings support that there are a number of significant risk factors associated with carriage of AMR bacteria in the Asia-Pacific paediatric population. To combat antimicrobial resistance in the future, these risk factors should be considered, and measures taken to mitigate associated carriage.
Combination of phage therapy and cefiderocol to successfully treat Pseudomonas aeruginosa cranial osteomyelitis
Authors: Simner Patricia J. , Cherian Jerald , Suh Gina A. , Bergman Yehudit , Beisken Stephan , Fackler Joseph , Lee Martin , Hopkins Robert J. , Tamma Pranita D. 
Published: April 2022

Abstract

Background
Pseudomonas aeruginosa has the ability to exhibit resistance to a broad range of antibiotics, highlighting the importance of identifying alternative or adjunctive treatment options, such as phages.

Patients and methods
We report the case of a 25-year-old male who experienced an accidental electrocution resulting in exposed calvarium in the left parieto-temporal region, complicated by a difficult-to-treat P. aeruginosa (DTR-P. aeruginosa) infection. Cefiderocol was the sole antibiotic with consistent activity against six bacterial isolates obtained from the infected region over a 38 day period.

Results
WGS analysis identified a blaGES-1 gene as well as the MDR efflux pumps MexD and MexX in all six of the patient’s ST235 DTR-P. aeruginosa isolates, when compared with the reference genome P. aeruginosa PA01 and a P. aeruginosa ST235 isolate from an unrelated patient. After debridement of infected scalp and bone, the patient received approximately 6 weeks of cefiderocol in conjunction with IV phage Pa14NPøPASA16. Some improvement was observed after the initiation of cefiderocol; however, sustained local site improvement and haemodynamic stability were not achieved until phage was administered. No medication-related toxicities were observed. The patient remains infection free more than 12 months after completion of therapy.

Conclusions
This report adds to the growing literature that phage therapy may be a safe and effective approach to augment antibiotic therapy for patients infected with drug-resistant pathogens. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of the GES β-lactamase family in contributing to inactivation of a broad range of β-lactam antibiotics in P. aeruginosa, including ceftolozane/tazobactam, ceftazidime/avibactam and imipenem/relebactam.
Point-of-Care: Roadmap for Analytical Characterization and Validation of a High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin I Assay in Plasma and Whole Blood Matrices
Authors: Christenson Robert H , Frenk Lisa D S , de Graaf Henk J , van Domburg Trees S Y , Wijnands Frank P G , Foolen Helma W J , Kemper Danielle W M , Bruinen Anne L , Meijering Bernadet D M , Fonville Judith M , de Theije Femke K 
Published: April 2022

Abstract

Background
High-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) assays enable more precise use of traditional diagnostic strategies and earlier rule-out/rule-in at 0/1 h or 0/2 h after presentation of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Availability of hs-cTn measurements at point-of-care (POC) can improve timely management of AMI patients. A roadmap for regulatory and analytical validation is exemplified with studies with the Atellica VTLi hs-cTnI at POC.

Methods
High-sensitivity performance was assessed with AACC/IFCC expert recommendations. Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute protocols were used for characterizing limit of blank, limit of detection (LoD), limit of quantitation (LoQ), 10% CV, precision, linearity, and analytic specificity with several reagent lots. Bland-Altman, Passing-Bablok, and hematocrit bias plots compared hs-cTnI measurement in lithium-heparin plasma (PL) and whole blood (WB) matrices.

Results
LoB was 0.55 ng/L; LoD and LoQ were 1.24 ng/L and 2.1 ng/Lm for PL and 1.60 ng/L and 3.7 ng/L for WB, respectively. The male 99th percentile is 27 ng/L, and female 99th percentile upper reference limit is 18 ng/L; 10% CVs were 6.7 ng/L for PL and 8.9 ng/L for WB. Also ≥50% of hs-cTnI values for healthy cohorts exceeded the LoD, confirming high-sensitivity performance. Linearity spanned from LoQ to 1250 ng/L. Specificity was &gt;90% for 40 potential interferences; no hook effect was detected. WB and PL correlation was WB = 1.02*plasma + 0.3 ng/L (r = 0.996, n = 152). No hs-cTnI association with hematocrit was detected (R2 = 0.003).

Conclusion
This analytical roadmap showed high-sensitivity performance, good analytic characteristics, and excellent PL and WB agreement for the Atellica VTLi hs-cTnI POC system. Essential clinical performance studies in patients by intended POC users may now commence.
Spectrum–Effect Relationships Between High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Fingerprints and Hepatoprotective Activities of Cuscutae Semen
Authors: Liang Hui-Ting , Xiao Ping-Ting , Jiang Zheng-Meng , Wang Jian-Wei , Liu E-Hu 
Published: April 2022

Abstract

Background
Cuscutae Semen (CS) is a commonly used hepatoprotective traditional Chinese medicine, but the chemical components responsible for its hepatoprotective activity are unclear.

Objective
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the spectrum–effect relationships between HPLC fingerprints and hepatoprotective effects of CS, and to identify its bioactive components.

Methods
Phytochemical isolation of CS extracts was first carried out and 14 potential bioactive compounds were obtained. Chemical fingerprinting was performed on 27 batches of CS from different sources by HPLC, and further analyzed by similarity analysis (SA) and hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA). Pharmacodynamic testing was performed in a CCl4-induced, acute liver injury cell model to assess the hepatoprotective activity of CS by measuring the cell viability and levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Bivariate correlations analysis (BCA) and orthogonal projections to latent structures (OPLS) were used to analyze the spectrum–effect relationships of CS.

Results
The results showed that the chemical fingerprints of CS were closely correlated with its hepatoprotective activity. Peaks 1, 10, 18, 19, 21, 22, and 24 might be potential hepatoprotective compounds in CS, and the validation experiments of isolated compounds indicated that chlorogenic acid (P10), hyperoside (P21), isoquercitrin (P22), and astragalin (P24) were the main hepatoprotective components.

Conclusion
By combining chemical fingerprints with hepatoprotective evaluation, the present study provides important guidance for QC and clinical use of CS.

Highlights
(1) Ten potential bioactive compounds were isolated from CS; (2) The spectrum-effect relationship of CS was molded by HPLC and analysed by OPLS and BCA. (3) Four compounds including chlorogenic acid were the main hepatoprotective components.
Impact of Telehealth on Medication Adherence in Chronic Gastrointestinal Diseases
Authors: Kim Hyun Jae , Tomaszewski Marcel , Zhao Billy , Lam Eric , Enns Robert , Bressler Brian , Moosavi Sarvee 
Published: April 2022

Abstract

Background
With the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand and availability of telehealth in outpatient care has had exponential growth. Although use of telehealth has been studied and validated for various medical specialties, relatively few studies have looked at its role in gastroenterology.

Aim
To assess effectiveness of telehealth medicine in gastroenterology by comparing medication adherence rate for patients seen with telehealth and traditional in-person appointment for various gastrointestinal conditions.

Methods
Retrospective chart review of patients seen in outpatient gastroenterology clinic was performed to identify patients who were given prescription to fill either through telehealth or in-person appointment. By using provincial pharmacy database, we determined the prescription fill rate.

Results
A total of 206 patients were identified who were provided new prescriptions or prescription renewal at their gastroenterology clinic visit. One hundred and three patients were seen through in-person visit during pre-pandemic period, and 103 patients were seen through telehealth appointment during COVID-19 pandemic. The mean age of patients was 49.2 years (55% female). On average, patients had 4.7 previous visits with their gastroenterologists before their visit. IBD management was the most common reason for visits (37.9% and 46.6% in telehealth and in-person groups, respectively). Prescription fill rate for patients seen through telehealth was 92.2% compared to 81.6% for the in-person group (OR: 2.69, 95% CI: 1.12–6.45; P = 0.023).

Conclusions
Medication adherence rate for telehealth visits was higher than for in-patient visits. These findings suggest that telehealth can be an effective method of care delivery, especially for patients with chronic gastrointestinal conditions like IBD.
Effect of salt and brine-beet juice de-icer on osmoregulatory physiology of the freshwater amphipod Hyalella azteca (Saussure, 1858) (Amphipoda: Hyalellidae)
Authors: Picinic Britney , Durant Andrea , Donini Andrew 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
The anthropogenic salinization of freshwater is concerning because it can negatively impact the success and survival of freshwater animals. Road salt (NaCl) in cold climates contributes to salinization and organic based de-icers have been developed to mitigate the effects of NaCl on freshwater. One of these de-icers is sugar beet juice, and few studies have examined its effects on freshwater animals. We exposed Hyalella azteca (Saussure, 1858), a freshwater amphipod, to different concentrations of NaCl (salt-contaminated water or SCW) and a NaCl brine and beet-juice mixture used as a de-icing product (brine-beet juice de-icer, BBJD). The LC50 of NaCl on H. azteca was 12.8 g l–1 and for BBJD was 4.6% (which at that percentage contained ~ 4.2 g l–1 Na+). Sub-lethal doses of SCW elevated hemolymph Na+ and BBJD exposure resulted in elevated K+ concentration as well as acidification of the hemolymph. Both Na+/K+ ATPase (NKA) and V-type H+-ATPase (VA) were localized to the coxal gills, whereas only NKA was found in the sternal gills. There was a qualitatively apparent decrease in expression of NKA in the gills of SCW-treated amphipods. NKA and VA expression qualitatively increased with BBJD exposure in the gut. The NKA and VA activity in whole-body homogenates was lower in BBJD and SCW. Results show that Hyalella azteca responds to SCW and BBJD by altering parameters of ionoregulatory physiology in different ways.
Dividing a sphere into equal-area and/or equilateral spherical polygons
Authors: Rezaee Javan Anooshe , Lee Ting-Uei , Xie Yi Min 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Dividing a sphere uniformly into equal-area or equilateral spherical polygons is useful for a wide variety of practical applications. However, achieving such a uniform subdivision of a sphere is a challenging task. This study investigates two classes of sphere subdivisions through numerical approximation: (i) dividing a sphere into spherical polygons of equal area; and (ii) dividing a sphere into spherical polygons with a single length for all edges. A computational workflow is developed that proved to be efficient on the selected case studies. First, the subdivisions are obtained based on spheres initially composed of spherical quadrangles. New vertices are allowed to be created within the initial segments to generate subcomponents. This approach offers new opportunities to control the area and edge length of generated subdivided spherical polygons through the free movement of distributed points within the initial segments without restricting the boundary points. A series of examples are presented in this work to demonstrate that the proposed approach can effectively obtain a range of equal-area or equilateral spherical quadrilateral subdivisions. It is found that creating gaps between initial subdivided segments enables the generation of equilateral spherical quadrangles. Secondly, this study examines spherical pentagonal and Goldberg polyhedral subdivisions for equal area and/or equal edge length. In the spherical pentagonal subdivision, gaps on the sphere are not required to achieve equal edge length. Besides, there is much flexibility in obtaining either the equal area or equilateral geometry in the spherical Goldberg polyhedral subdivisions. Thirdly, this study has discovered two novel Goldberg spherical subdivisions that simultaneously exhibit equal area and equal edge length.
Future landscape visualization using a city digital twin: integration of augmented reality and drones with implementation of 3D model-based occlusion handling
Authors: Kikuchi Naoki , Fukuda Tomohiro , Yabuki Nobuyoshi 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
The integration of augmented reality and drones allows past and future landscapes to be visualized from an aerial perspective. However, these visualizations still suffer from the occlusion problem, where the three-dimensional (3D) virtual model displayed in the real world is in front of a real-world object. Currently, city digital twins are essential for the sustainable development of cities and the development of detailed 3D models of cities. By visualizing the city digital twin, augmented reality can facilitate the participation of nonexpert citizens in the decision-making process of urban design, but research examples are limited. Here, using detailed city 3D models, we develop a digital-twin approach to outdoor augmented reality with occlusion handling for both first-person and bird’s-eye views. In a verification experiment, the occlusion handling accuracy of the prototype system was measured to be about 0.8 using intersection over union. The frame rate of the entire prototype system was about 30 fps, and the delay between the controller and the augmented reality device was about 3 s. The internet-based system architecture was developed to integrate augmented reality and drone systems. Our system allows multiple stakeholders involved in building construction projects to observe aerial perspectives of those projects, both on-site and off-site via an internet browser, using augmented reality with occlusion handling.
Submarine Communication Cables and the Law of Armed Conflict: Some Enduring Uncertainties, and Some Proposals, as to Characterization
Authors: McLaughlin Rob , Paige Tamsin Phillipa , Guilfoyle Douglas 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Submarine data cables are of fundamental strategic consequence. However, two intensely context-sensitive and contemporary sets of questions about how these cables are to be dealt with by the law of armed conflict remain—questions which state practice during the two World Wars either did not resolve or did not need to address. Through an examination of the relevant legal history and current law, this article seeks to explore potential answers to these question sets. The first question set relates to the general approach to be adopted when dealing with submarine data cables within LOAC: a sui generis regime; discrete analogy; or general principles? The second question set addresses three lingering queries regarding legal characterization of submarine data cables for LOAC purposes, namely: (i) Are they ordinary military objectives? (ii) Can they be considered neutral objects? (iii) How do we assess proportionality in relation to attack on submarine data cables? The analysis concludes that a modified application of the ordinary rule of proportionality in LOAC targeting, noting some of the difficulties surrounding the concepts of incidental damage in this context, offers the most useful way forward.
Growth and Reproductive Performance of Edible Grasshopper (Ruspolia differens) on Different Artificial Diets
Authors: Malinga Geoffrey M , Acur Amos , Ocen Patrick , Holm Sille , Rutaro Karlmax , Ochaya Stephen , Kinyuru John N , Eilenberg Jørgen , Roos Nanna , Valtonen Anu , Nyeko Philip , Roininen Heikki 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Ruspolia differens (Serville) (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae), also known as the ‘edible grasshopper’, ‘African edible bush-cricket’, and ‘nsenene’, is regarded as one of the most promising edible insect species that can be used for food, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is insufficient information on suitable diets and their effects on survival, adult weight, fecundity, and developmental time of this species, which are preconditions for large-scale production. In this study, we experimentally evaluated the effects of 12 diets (wheat bran, rice seed head, finger millet seed head, soya bran, maize bran, fresh maize comb, millet flour, chicken feed egg booster, simsim cake, sorghum seed head, powdered groundnut, and germinated finger millet), that are known to be accepted by R. differens, on their growth and reproductive parameters. The survival rate, developmental time, and adult weight varied considerably on the various diets. The highest nymphal survival rates, shortest development times, and highest adult weights were recorded for both sexes when fed fresh maize comb and germinated finger millet diet. Lifetime fecundity of females fed on germinated finger millet also was, on average, more than twice higher compared to other diets. The present study demonstrated that relatively inexpensive and locally available germinated finger millet, fresh maize seed (at the silking stage on the comb), sorghum seedhead, and finger millet seedhead could be successfully used to rear and sustain populations of R. differens. Our findings contribute to the future design of an effective mass-rearing system for this economically important edible insect.
The Acaricidal Potential of a New Agent GC16 for Tetranychus pueraricola (Acari: Tetranychidae) Based on Developmental Performance and Physiological Enzyme Activity
Authors: He Yanyan , Du Guangzu , Xie Shunxia , Long Xiaoming , He Xiahong , Zhu Youyong , Chen Bin 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
The spider mite, Tetranychus pueraricola (Ehara & Gotoh; Acari: Tetranychidae), is a serious pest in agriculture and horticulture. Application of chemical pesticides is the main mode of this pest control. Due to pesticide residues and resistance-induced resurgence of pests, there is a need to discover alternatives for spider mite management. GC16 comprises a mixture of calcium chloride (CaCl2, 45%) and lecithin (55%), which was recently found to have acaricidal properties. We evaluated the sublethal effects of GC16 on T. pueraricola using life table and enzyme [catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), carboxylesterase (CarE), glutathione S-transferases (GST), and Ca2+-ATPase (Ca2+-ATP)] activity assays. The results showed that fecundity of T. pueraricola increased at LC30 but decreased at LC50 of GC16. The intrinsic rate of increase (r) of T. pueraricola decreased under the LC30 and LC50 of GC16. GC16 concentration and exposure time significantly influenced the activities of CAT, POD, CarE, GST, and Ca2+-ATP in adult mites. Twelve hours later after the treatment, GST and Ca2+-ATP activities were significantly inhibited by LC30 but enhanced by LC50. Moreover, the demographic parameter r and enzyme activities were negatively correlated. In sum, sublethal amounts of GC16 had an adverse effect on mites, and there was a trade-off between developmental performance and physiological enzyme activity of mites under GC16 stress, and GC16 showed an acaricidal potential for T. pueraricola. This work provides guidance for the application of GC16 to control T. pueraricola.