bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ESBL plasmids in Klebsiella pneumoniae: diversity, transmission and contribution to infection burden in the hospital setting
Authors: Hawkey Jane , Wyres Kelly L. , Judd Louise M. , Harshegyi Taylor , Blakeway Luke , Wick Ryan R. , Jenney Adam W. J. , Holt Kathryn E. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background
Resistance to third-generation cephalosporins, often mediated by extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), is a considerable issue in hospital-associated infections as few drugs remain for treatment. ESBL genes are often located on large plasmids that transfer horizontally between strains and species of Enterobacteriaceae and frequently confer resistance to additional drug classes. Whilst plasmid transmission is recognised to occur in the hospital setting, the frequency and impact of plasmid transmission on infection burden, compared to ESBL + strain transmission, is not well understood.

Methods
We sequenced the genomes of clinical and carriage isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae species complex from a year-long hospital surveillance study to investigate ESBL burden and plasmid transmission in an Australian hospital. Long-term persistence of a key transmitted ESBL + plasmid was investigated via sequencing of ceftriaxone-resistant isolates during 4 years of follow-up, beginning 3 years after the initial study.

Results
We found 25 distinct ESBL plasmids. We identified one plasmid, which we called Plasmid A, that carried blaCTX-M-15 in an IncF backbone similar to pKPN-307. Plasmid A was transmitted at least four times into different Klebsiella species/lineages and was responsible for half of all ESBL episodes during the initial 1-year study period. Three of the Plasmid A-positive strains persisted locally 3–6 years later, and Plasmid A was detected in two additional strain backgrounds. Overall Plasmid A accounted for 21% of ESBL + infections in the follow-up period.

Conclusions
Here, we systematically surveyed ESBL strain and plasmid transmission over 1 year in a single hospital network. Whilst ESBL plasmid transmission events were rare in this setting, they had a significant and sustained impact on the burden of ceftriaxone-resistant and multidrug-resistant infections. If onward transmission of Plasmid A-carrying strains could have been prevented, this may have reduced the number of opportunities for Plasmid A to transmit and create novel ESBL + strains, as well as reducing overall ESBL infection burden.
A pseudo-spectral method based on reproducing kernel for solving the time-fractional diffusion-wave equation
Authors: Fardi Mojtaba , Al-Omari Shrideh K. Qasem , Araci Serkan 
Published: August 2022

AbstractIn this paper, we focus on the development and study of the finite difference/pseudo-spectral method to obtain an approximate solution for the time-fractional diffusion-wave equation in a reproducing kernel Hilbert space. Moreover, we make use of the theory of reproducing kernels to establish certain reproducing kernel functions in the aforementioned reproducing kernel Hilbert space. Furthermore, we give an approximation to the time-fractional derivative term by applying the finite difference scheme by our proposed method. Over and above, we present an appropriate technique to derive the numerical solution of the given equation by utilizing a pseudo-spectral method based on the reproducing kernel. Then, we provide two numerical examples to support the accuracy and efficiency of our proposed method. Finally, we apply numerical experiments to calculate the quality of our approximation by employing discrete error norms.
Association between sex and outcomes in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer receiving combination chemoimmunotherapy as a first-line therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
Authors: Takada Kazuki , Shimokawa Mototsugu , Mizuki Fumitaka , Takamori Shinkichi , Takenaka Tomoyoshi , Miura Naoko , Shikada Yasunori , Yoshizumi Tomoharu 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Introduction
Recently, several meta-analyses have investigated the association between sex and the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, this issue remains controversial, because the results have been inconsistent. Moreover, the effect of sex on outcomes in patients with NSCLC receiving combination chemoimmunotherapy as a first-line therapy is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to examine the association between sex and outcomes in patients with NSCLC receiving combination chemoimmunotherapy as a first-line therapy.

Methods
We searched PubMed and Scopus from database inception to Feb 18, 2022 and performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized and controlled clinical trials investigating ICI+non-ICI vs non-ICI as a first-line therapy in NSCLC. The pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in male and female patients were calculated using common and random-effects models.

Results
We analyzed 5,830 patients, comprising 4,137 (71.0%) males and 1,693 (29.0%) females, from nine randomized clinical trials. The pooled HR (95%CI) for OS comparing ICI+non-ICI vs non-ICI was 0.80 (0.72–0.87) for males and 0.69 (0.54–0.89) for females. The pooled HR (95%CI) for PFS comparing ICI+non-ICI vs non-ICI was 0.60 (0.55–0.66) for males and 0.56 (0.44–0.70) for females.

Conclusions
In patients with NSCLC receiving combination chemoimmunotherapy as a first-line therapy, a greater improvement in OS and PFS was observed in female patients than in male patients.
Gut-derived metabolites influence neurodevelopmental gene expression and Wnt signaling events in a germ-free zebrafish model
Authors: Rea Victoria , Bell Ian , Ball Taylor , Van Raay Terence 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background
Small molecule metabolites produced by the microbiome are known to be neuroactive and are capable of directly impacting the brain and central nervous system, yet there is little data on the contribution of these metabolites to the earliest stages of neural development and neural gene expression. Here, we explore the impact of deriving zebrafish embryos in the absence of microbes on early neural development as well as investigate whether any potential changes can be rescued with treatment of metabolites derived from the zebrafish gut microbiota.

Results
Overall, we did not observe any gross morphological changes between treatments but did observe a significant decrease in neural gene expression in embryos raised germ-free, which was rescued with the addition of zebrafish metabolites. Specifically, we identified 354 genes significantly downregulated in germ-free embryos compared to conventionally raised embryos via RNA-Seq analysis. Of these, 42 were rescued with a single treatment of zebrafish gut-derived metabolites to germ-free embryos. Gene ontology analysis revealed that these genes are involved in prominent neurodevelopmental pathways including transcriptional regulation and Wnt signaling. Consistent with the ontology analysis, we found alterations in the development of Wnt dependent events which was rescued in the germ-free embryos treated with metabolites.

Conclusions
These findings demonstrate that gut-derived metabolites are in part responsible for regulating critical signaling pathways in the brain, especially during neural development.
Effect of real-time high temperature and loading rate on mode I fracture toughness of granite
Authors: Yang Ke , Zhang Fan , Meng Fan-zhen , Hu Da-wei , Tan Xian-feng 
Published: August 2022

AbstractAn in-depth understanding of the effect of real-time high temperature and loading rate on the fracture toughness of rocks is highly important for understanding the fracture mechanism of Hot Dry Rock (HDR). Three-point bending tests on notched semi-circular bending (NSCB) samples at the real-time temperatures (25, 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 ℃) and different loading rates (0.1, 0.01 and 0.001 mm/min) were performed to characterize the temperature and rate dependence of the mode I fracture toughness. Besides, the characteristic of the fracture surface morphology was investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and crack deviation distance analysis. Results show that the temperature has a significant effect on the development of intergranular and transgranular cracks. The fracture toughness and peak load are similarly influenced by temperature (i.e., they both decrease with increasing temperature). At the loading rates of 0.1 mm/min and 0.01 mm/min, from 25 to 400 °C, the fracture toughness decreases slightly with decreasing loading rates. However, at a loading rate of 0.001 mm/min, the fracture toughness values above 200 °C are very similar, and the fracture toughness does not strictly follow the law of decreasing with decreasing loading rate. Especially at 500 °C, fracture toughness and loading rate are negatively correlated. Our study also indicates that the effect of loading rate on macroscopic crack propagation path at real-time high temperature is not obvious. This study could provide an important basis for evaluating the safety and stability of geothermal engineering.
Single shot adductor canal block combined with intravenous patient-controlled analgesia can be effective as continuous adductor canal block in reducing opioid consumption and breakthrough pain after total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Kim Sung Eun , Han Hyuk-Soo , Lee Myung Chul , Ro Du Hyun 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study was to compare the following three analgesic methods after Total knee arthroplasty (TKA): intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA), continuous adductor canal block (C-ACB), and intravenous patient-controlled analgesia combined with single shot adductor canal block (PCA + sACB).

Methods
Records of 482 patients undergoing primary TKA from September 2019 to September 2020 were analyzed. Patients were divided into three pain control groups: IV-PCA (n = 180), C-ACB (n = 173) and PCA + sACB (n = 129). Single shot adductor canal block was performed 24 h after surgery in the PCA + sACB group. Rescue opioid consumption, breakthrough pain, pain numerical rating scale (NRS), and anti-emetics administration were measured from postoperative day (POD) 1 to POD 5.

Results
Rescue opioid consumption was less in C-ACB or PCA + sACB group than in the IV-PCA group at POD1 (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). Patients in C-ACB and PCA + sACB groups had less breakthrough pain (NRS > 5) than the IV-PCA group at POD1 (p = 0.007). On POD2, C-ACB was statistically superior to IV-PCA (p = 0.011) in terms of breakthrough pain. Postoperative pain NRS was lower in the C-ACB and PCA + sACB groups than in the IV-PCA group (p = 0.025 and p = 0.019, respectively). The total number of anti-emetics consumption was lower in C-ACB and PCA + sACB groups than in the IV-PCA group (p = 0.003 and p = 0.002, respectively).

Conclusion
PCA + sACB not only reduced patients’ need for rescue opioids, but also decreased the number of breakthrough pain and anti-emetics compared to IV-PCA in early postoperative days after TKA. However, C-ACB and PCA + sACB did not differ significantly in analgesic efficacy or opioid-related side effects. PCA + sACB can be as effective as C-ACB for patients undergoing TKA.

Level of evidence
Retrospective cohort study, level III.
Propionate and butyrate attenuate macrophage pyroptosis and osteoclastogenesis induced by CoCrMo alloy particles
Authors: Wu Yang-Lin , Zhang Chen-Hui , Teng Yun , Pan Ying , Liu Nai-Cheng , Liu Pei-Xin , Zhu Xu , Su Xin-Lin , Lin Jun 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background
Wear particles-induced osteolysis is a major long-term complication after total joint arthroplasty. Up to now, there is no effective treatment for wear particles-induced osteolysis except for the revision surgery, which is a heavy psychological and economic burden to patients. A metabolite of gut microbiota, short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), has been reported to be beneficial for many chronic inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of SCFAs on osteolysis.

Methods
A model of inflammatory osteolysis was established by applying CoCrMo alloy particles to mouse calvarium. After two weeks of intervention, the anti-inflammatory effects of SCFAs on wear particle-induced osteolysis were evaluated by Micro-CT analysis and immunohistochemistry staining. In vitro study, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) primed bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and Tohoku Hospital Pediatrics-1 (THP-1) macrophages were stimulated with CoCrMo particles to activate inflammasome in the presence of acetate (C2), propionate (C3), and butyrate (C4). Western blotting, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunofluorescence were used to detect the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome. The effects of SCFAs on osteoclasts were evaluate by qRT-PCR, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. Additionally, histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, agonists of GPR41, GPR43, and GPR109A were applied to confirm the underlying mechanism of SCFAs on the inflammasome activation of macrophages and osteoclastogenesis.

Results
C3 and C4 but not C2 could alleviate wear particles-induced osteolysis with fewer bone erosion pits (P < 0.001), higher level of bone volume to tissue volume (BV/TV, P < 0.001), bone mineral density (BMD, P < 0.001), and a lower total porosity (P < 0.001). C3 and C4 prevented CoCrMo alloy particles-induced ASC speck formation and nucleation-induced oligomerization, suppressing the cleavage of caspase-1 (P < 0.05) and IL-1β (P < 0.05) stimulated by CoCrMo alloy particles. C3 and C4 also inhibited the generation of Gasdermin D-N-terminal fragment (GSDMD-NT) to regulate pyroptosis. Besides, C3 and C4 have a negative impact on osteoclast differentiation (P < 0.05) and its function (P < 0.05), affecting the podosome arrangement and morphologically normal podosome belts formation.

Conclusion
Our work showed that C3 and C4 are qualified candidates for the treatment of wear particle-induced osteolysis.
Wild common crossbills produce redder body feathers when their wings are clipped
Authors: Fernández-Eslava Blanca , Cantarero Alejandro , Alonso Daniel , Alonso-Alvarez Carlos 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background
The animal signaling theory posits that conspicuous colorations exhibited by many animals have evolved as reliable signals of individual quality. Red carotenoid-based ornaments may depend on enzymatic transformations (oxidation) of dietary yellow carotenoids, which could occur in the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM). Thus, carotenoid ketolation and cell respiration could share the same biochemical pathways. Accordingly, the level of trait expression (redness) would directly reveal the efficiency of individuals’ metabolism and, hence, the bearer quality in an unfalsifiable way. Different avian studies have described that the flying effort may induce oxidative stress. A redox metabolism modified during the flight could thus influence the carotenoid conversion rate and, ultimately, animal coloration. Here, we aimed to infer the link between red carotenoid-based ornament expression and flight metabolism by increasing flying effort in wild male common crossbills Loxia curvirostra (Linnaeus). In this order, 295 adult males were captured with mist nets in an Iberian population during winter. Approximately half of the birds were experimentally handicapped through wing feather clipping to increase their flying effort, the other half being used as a control group. To stimulate the plumage regrown of a small surface during a short time-lapse, we also plucked the rump feathers from all the birds.

Results
A fraction of the birds with fully grown rump feathers (34 individuals) could be recaptured during the subsequent weeks. We did not detect any significant bias in recovery rates and morphological variables in this reduced subsample. However, among recaptured birds, individuals with experimentally impaired flying capacity showed body mass loss, whereas controls showed a trend to increase their weight. Moreover, clipped males showed redder feathers in the newly regrown rump area compared to controls.

Conclusions
The results suggest that wing-clipped individuals could have endured higher energy expenditure as they lost body mass. Despite the small sample size, the difference in plumage redness between the two experimental groups would support the hypothesis that the flying metabolism may influence the redox enzymatic reactions required for converting yellow dietary carotenoids to red ketocarotenoids.
Speculative bubbles and herding in cryptocurrencies
Authors: Haykir Ozkan , Yagli Ibrahim 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThis study investigates speculative bubbles in the cryptocurrency market and factors affecting bubbles during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our results indicate that each cryptocurrency covered in the study presented bubbles. Moreover, we found that explosive behavior in one currency leads to explosivity in other cryptocurrencies. During the pandemic, herd behavior was evident among investors; however, this diminishes during bubbles, indicating that bubbles are not explained by herd behavior. Regarding cryptocurrency and market-specific factors, we found that Google Trends and volume are positively associated with predicting speculative bubbles in time-series and panel probit regressions. Hence, investors should exercise caution when investing in cryptocurrencies and follow both crypto currency and market-related factors to estimate bubbles. Alternative liquidity, volatility, and Google Trends measures are used for robustness analysis and yield similar results. Overall, our results suggest that bubble behavior is common in the cryptocurrency market, contradicting the efficient market hypothesis.
First report of entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema affine (Nematoda: Steinernematidae) in Syria and its virulence against Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
Authors: Ali Mai , Allouf Nada , Ahmad Mohammad 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background
Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) have a great potential as a biocontrol agent for a wide range of insect pests. EPNs have attracted much interest around the world to study their distribution, virulence, and usage in the IPM programs. This research was conducted to identify the steinernematids M.22 and M.313, which were isolated during the survey of EPNs in different agricultural and ecological systems, in the Syrian coastal region between 2017 and 2020. Additionally, to evaluate the virulence of these isolates against the last instar larvae of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (Linnaeus 1758) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), three bioassays were carried out at 18 °C. The exposure time assay was performed by applying different times (15, 30, 45, and 60 min) using a specified concentration (400 IJs/Larva). The concentration–response and one-on-one assays were conducted by using different concentrations of the infective juveniles (IJs) (5, 15, 25, and 40 IJs/L) and an individual juvenile, respectively, for 72 h of exposure. LC50 and LT50 values were calculated.

Results
The steinernematids M.22 and M.313 were isolated from 2 of 821 soil samples (0.24%). The positive isolates were identified as Steinernema affine (Bovien, 1937), based on morphological, morphometric, and molecular characterization. Steinernema affine was recovered in the walnut orchard and grassland in AL-Kadmous area of Tartus governorate, Syria. The soil type was silty loamy and silty, PH was slightly acidic, and organic matter content was 6 and 4.1%. In the exposure time assay, the mortality ratio increased gradually by increasing time, M.22 and M.313 achieved the highest mortality ratios at 60 min, which were 90.16 and 91.49%, respectively. In the concentration–response assay, complete mortality was achieved at the concentration of 40 IJs/L for both isolates. Low mortality ratios were observed in the assay of one-on-one, 20 and 23.6%, respectively. The LC50 and LT50 values were calculated and resulted in (11.7 IJs/L, 33.47 min) and (11.5 IJs/L, 32.43 min), respectively. Nonsignificant difference between both isolates was recorded.

Conclusions
The results showed that the isolates were identical and identified as Steinernema affine. This is the first report of S. affine in Syria. It could be an effective biological control agent.
The role of shear wave elastography in differentiation between benign and malignant portal vein thrombosis in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Aboelezz Ahmad Ahmad Fikry , Elsawy Abdallah Ahmed , Omar Hazem Metwally , Abofrekha Mohamed Hussein , Gabr Moustafa Taha 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background
Hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) most commonly complicate liver cirrhosis and it may coexist with malignant portal vein invasion (PVI) that minimizes its possible treatment opportunities and negatively affects its prognosis. However, liver cirrhosis may also be associated with non-tumoral portal vein thrombosis (PVT) particularly in decompensated cirrhosis. Thus, discrimination between tumoral and non-tumoral PVT most preferably by non-invasive imaging techniques is mandatory before treatment decision. Based on the concept of changing tissue elasticity according to tissue pathological changes, Shear wave elastography (SWE) could quantitatively assess tissue stiffness in malignant PVI. We aimed in this work to evaluate the performance of SWE as a novel fast non-invasive diagnostic modality for malignant PVI in cirrhotic patients with HCC.

Results
Seventy-eight HCC patients with PVT included in this prospective cross-sectional study, tumoral and non-tumoral PVT were differentiated using triphasic CT and/or dynamic MRI, then SWE was blindly and independently done for all included patients. non-tumoral PVT was present in 21.8% of our HCC patients mostly in decompensated cirrhosis. All of our evaluated predictor factors were evaluated by univariate logistic regression analysis to identify the significant factors in prediction of malignant PVI (SWE, AFP, HCC size, HCC multi-focality, and PVD). By using the multivariate logistic regression we identified that the most independent significant factors were SWE and PVD (sig.: 0.012 and 0.045 respectively). SWE was evaluated versus the criteria of PVT and we found that malignant PVI has significant higher SWE values than benign non-tumoral PVT (sig: 0.012). Two cutoff values were calculated for SWE using ROC curve; the 1st cutoff point was selected to rule in malignant PVI for values ≥ 13 kps, while the 2nd cutoff point was selected to rule out malignant PVI for values ≤ 9 kps with a significant discriminatory performance (AUC: 0.984; sig: 0.000).

Conclusions
SWE could be used as a novel fast and non-invasive indicator of malignant portal vein invasion in cirrhotic patients with HCC especially for values ≥ 13 kps and particularly if coexists with larger values of PVD and AFP.