bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Revisiting the dynamics of car cabin environment and driver comfort
Authors: Alkaabi Khaula , Raza Mohsin 
Published: December 2022

Revisiting the dynamics of the car cabin environment and its impact on driver comfort is essential, as these concepts have not been explored in recent years. Older methods of assessing driver comfort and cabin environments require elaborate experimental settings and prolonged engagement of study participants, making repeatability difficult. Therefore, this study develops a model for study models the car cabin environment based on temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels using a thermal imager, an air quality device, and open-source temperature and humidity data. This study also determines whether the impact of the cabin thermal environment on driver comfort (skin dryness, eye fatigue, body fatigue, and body heat) can be quantified based on driver perceptions. The study results showed that body fatigue decreased from 4.2 to 2.7 when the average relative humidity is reduced from 37.2% to 24.2%, and the temperature dropped from 41.8°C to 40.0°C. Notably, the impact of air temperature on the cabin thermal environment was 1.8 times stronger than that of the car skin temperature. Cabin temperature was found to be a better predictor of driver (dis)comfort than cabin humidity and CO2 levels. A 10 min exposure to summer heat in the UAE was found to have a significant effect on drivers’ perceptions of body fatigue, body heat, and eye fatigue. Overall, these findings have implications for car cabin ergonomics and future thermal comfort research.
Rapid hydrogel-based phage susceptibility test for pathogenic bacteria
Authors: Patpatia Sheetal , Schaedig Eric , Dirks Anna , Paasonen Lauri , Skurnik Mikael , Kiljunen Saija 
Published: December 2022

Phage therapy is one alternative to cure infections caused by antibiotic resistant bacteria. Due to the narrow host range of phages, hundreds to thousands of phages are required to cover the diversity of bacterial pathogens. In personalized phage therapy, fast selection of the phages for individual patients is essential for successful therapy. The aims of this study were to set up a rapid hydrogel-based liquid phage susceptibility assay (PST) for the selection of phages for therapeutic use and to establish a “ready-to-screen” plate concept, where phages are readily stored in hydrogel as small droplets in microtiter plate wells. We first tested four commercially available hydrogels (GrowDex, Askina, Purilon, and Intrasite) for their suitability as phage matrices in PSTs with four phages, two of which infecting Escherichia coli and two Staphylococcus aureus. Of these four hydrogels, GrowDex was the best matrix for PST, as it did not inhibit bacterial growth, released phages quickly when mixed with bacterial culture, and maintained phage viability well. We then optimized the assay for both optical density and microscopy readers using GrowDex as matrix with 23 bacterial strains representing 10 different species and 23 phages possessing different morphologies and genome sizes. When the bacterial growth was monitored by microscopy reader, the PST was executed in just 3 hours, and there was no need for overnight culturing bacterial cells prior to the assay, whereas using optical density reader, bacteria had to be pre-cultured overnight, and the assay time was five hours. Finally, we evaluated the effect of three different chemical stabilizers (trehalose, hyaluronic acid, and gelatin) in a six-month stability assay with six model phages. These phages assay behaved very differently in respect to the chemical stabilizers, and there was not a single stabilizer suitable for all phages. However, when gelatin (0.01%) or hyaluronic acid (0.2 mg/ml) was used as stabilizer, all tested phages were still considered as positives in PST after a six-month storage in 1 ml volume. In “ready-to-screen” plates, the differences in phage stabilities were even more profound, varying from two to six months for the most and least stable phages, respectively.
Outbreak of carbapenem-resistant enterobacteria in a thoracic-oncology unit through clonal and plasmid-mediated transmission of the blaOXA-48 gene in Southern France
Authors: Hadjadj Linda , Cassir Nadim , Saïdani Nadia , Hoffman Clémence , Brouqui Philippe , Astoul Philippe , Rolain Jean-Marc , Baron Sophie Alexandra 
Published: December 2022

BackgroundCarbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) represent an increasing threat to public health, especially in hospitals.ObjectivesTo investigate an outbreak of CPE in a thoracic-oncology unit by using whole genome sequencing (WGS) and to describe the control measures taken to limit the epidemic, including fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT).MethodsA retrospective study between December 2016 and October 2017 was performed to investigate an outbreak of CPE in a thoracic-oncology unit at the North Hospital in Marseille, France. The isolates were identified, and antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed. All CPE were sequenced using MiSeq and/or MinIon technologies. Nucleotide variations between plasmids and similarity within the same species were investigated. The origin of this outbreak, its spread, and the decolonization of patients in the ward were also studied.ResultsFour Citrobacter freundii, one Enterobacter cloacae and four E. hormaechei OXA-48 carbapenemase producers were isolated in eight patients hospitalized the same year in a thoracic-oncology ward. The blaOXA-48 gene was present in a Tn1999.2 transposon located in IncL/M plasmids, with single nucleotide variants (SNV) ranging from 0 to 5. All C. freundii strains belonged to the same ST22 and had more than 99.6% similarity between them. Two strains of E. hormaechei ST1007 were almost identical at 99.98%, while the others belonged to a different ST (ST98, ST114, ST133). No single source was identified. FMT resulted in decolonization in 4/6 patients.ConclusionsWGS demonstrated the dissemination of the blaOXA-48 gene by both clonal (C. freundii ST22 and E. hormaechei ST1007) and plasmid spread (pOXA-48 IncL/M). The origin of this outbreak appeared to be both external and internal to the ward. This evidence of cross-infection supports the urgent need for the implementation of infection control measures to prevent CPE dissemination.
Empirical superior vena cava isolation improves outcomes of radiofrequency re-ablation in pulmonary vein isolation non-responders: A 2-center retrospective study in China
Authors: Gu Zhoushan , Yang Gang , Ju Weizhu , Li Mingfang , Chen Hongwu , Gu Kai , Liu Hailei , Chen Minglong 
Published: December 2022

BackgroundPulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is the standard ablation strategy for treating atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the optimal strategy of a repeat procedure for PVI non-responders remains unclear.ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the incidence of PVI non-responders in patients undergoing a repeat procedure, as well as the predictors for the recurrence of repeat ablation.MethodsA total of 276 consecutive patients who underwent repeat ablation from August 2016 to July 2019 in two centers were screened. A total of 64 (22%) patients with durable PVI were enrolled. Techniques such as low voltage zone modification, linear ablation, non-PV trigger ablation, and empirical superior vena cava (SVC) isolation were conducted.ResultsAfter the 20.0 ± 9.9 month follow-up, 42 (65.6%) patients were free from atrial arrhythmias. A significant difference was reported between the recurrent and non-recurrent groups in non-paroxysmal AF (50 vs. 23.8%, p = 0.038), diabetes mellitus (27.3 vs. 4.8%, p = 0.02), and empirical superior vena cava (SVC) isolation (28.6 vs. 60.5%, p = 0.019). Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that empirical SVC isolation was an independent predictor of freedom from recurrence (95% CI: 1.64–32.8, p = 0.009). Kaplan-Meier curve demonstrates significant difference in recurrence between empirical and non-empirical SVC isolation groups (HR: 0.338; 95% CI: 0.131–0.873; p = 0.025).ConclusionAbout 22% of patients in repeat procedures were PVI non-responders. Non-paroxysmal AF and diabetes mellitus were associated with recurrence post-re-ablation. Empirical SVC isolation could potentially improve the outcome of repeat procedures in PVI non-responders.
Electrophysiological characteristics of right- and left-sided Mahaim accessory pathways: A single-center experience in China
Authors: Chen Mingxian , Wang Zhuo , Wang Songyun , Liu Zhenjiang , Li Xuping , Yang Hui , Hu Lin , Wu Zhihong , Li Qiming , Zhou Shenghua 
Published: December 2022

BackgroundMahaim-type accessory pathways (MAPs) are rare accessory pathways (APs) with specific properties. They are mostly located in the right side of the heart but rarely exist on the left side.ObjectivesThis study aims to analyze the clinical and electrophysiological (EP) characteristics of both-sided MAPs.MethodsA total of 2,249 patients with AP from our center were enrolled between 1 January 2011 and 27 March 2022. During the EP study (EPS) 17 patients were diagnosed with MAPs (right-sided: n = 13, left-sided: n = 4) according to the properties of Mahaim fibers.ResultsMAPs constitute 0.75% of all APs. Out of 1,553 patients with left-sided APs, four patients (0.26%) were diagnosed with Mahaim fiber-mediated tachycardia. Out of 696 patients with right-sided APs, 13 patients (1.9%) were diagnosed with Mahaim fiber. Most Mahaim fibers were located at the free wall of the tricuspid and mitral annuli. Seven patients of right-sided MAPs were of atriofasicular type, six patients had right-sided MAPs, and all of the patients with left-sided MAPs were of atrioventricular (AV) type. The M potential only was detected in long-length MAPs. Coexistence with other supraventricular tachycardias (SVTs) was also observed both in patients with right-sided and left-sided MAPs. All the patients underwent radiofrequency ablation successfully. Only one patient had tachycardia recurrence during a follow-up.ConclusionAlthough MAPs are commonly located at right sides, left sites are not impossible. The M potential contributes to the improvement of the successful ablation.
Long-chain saturated fatty acids and its interaction with insulin resistance and the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in type 2 diabetes in Chinese
Authors: Jiang Li-Peng , Sun Hong-Zhi 
Published: December 2022

IntroductionThis study aimed to explore relationships between long-chain saturated fatty acids (LSFAs) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D); and whether insulin action had an interactive effect with LSFAs on NAFLD progression.MethodsFrom April 2018 to April 2019, we extracted the electronic medical records of 481 patients with T2D who meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University. Ultrasound was used to estimate NAFLD at admission. Logistic regression analysis were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The additive interaction was carried out to estimate interactions between LSFAs and insulin resistance (IR) in NAFLD patients with T2D.ResultsMyristic acid (14:0) and palmitic acid (16:0) were positively associated with the risk of NAFLD (OR for myristic acid (14:0): 7.516, 3.557-15.882 and OR for palmitic acid (16:0): 4.071, 1.987-8.343, respectively). After adjustment for traditional risk factors, these associations were slightly attenuated but still highly significant. Co-presence of myristic acid (14:0)&gt;72.83 μmol/L and IR&gt;4.89 greatly increased OR of NAFLD to 9.691 (4.113-22.833). Similarly, co-presence of palmitic acid (16:0)&gt;3745.43μmol/L and IR&gt;4.89 greatly increased OR of NAFLD to 6.518(2.860-14.854). However, stearic acid (18:0) and risk of NAFLD have no association. Moreover, there was no association between very-long-chain SFAs (VLSFAs) and risk of NAFLD.DiscussionMyristic acid (14:0) and palmitic acid (16:0) were positively associated with the risk of NAFLD in T2D patients in China. High IR amplified the effect of high myristic acid (14:0) and high palmitic acid (16:0) on NAFLD.
Insulin-like growth factor-1 levels are associated with interventricular septal thickening
Authors: Chen Yuan , Cheng Xinchun , Li Suli , Yin Yuting , Xing Shuqing , Guo Yanying 
Published: December 2022

Background and objectiveInsulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) regulates cardiomyocyte survival, hypertrophy, and ageing. We aimed to investigate the potential correlation between IGF-1 and interventricular septal (IVS) thickening.MethodsMedical record data were obtained from patients hospitalized between May 1, 2012 and April 30, 2022. All patients underwent echocardiography and had laboratory data on plasma IGF-1. We analyzed the relationship between IGF-1 levels and IVS thickening based on logistic regression models.ResultsPropensity score matching at 1:4 ratio was performed for 180 patients with IVS thickening and 1,964 patients without IVS thickening. Finally, 180 (case group) and 623 (control group) patients were enrolled. Of the total 803 patients, the mean age was 59 years, and 59.7% were male. In multivariate-adjusted models that adjusted for propensity scores, the risk of IVS thickening increased with increasing IGF-1 levels; specifically, the risk of IVS thickening increased per 1 ng/mL [odds ratio (OR) 1.003; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.002–1.004; P &lt; 0.001], per 5 ng/mL (OR, 1.016; 95% CI, 1.010–1.022; P &lt; 0.001), and per 10 ng/mL(OR, 1.032; 95% CI, 1.019–1.045; P &lt; 0.001) increase in IGF-1 levels. When the IGF-1 levels were expressed as a categorical variable, the increased levels of IGF-1 led to an increased risk of IVS thickening; specifically, the OR of IVS thickening for T3 &gt;152.00 ng/mL was 2.020 (95% CI: 1.310–3.115, P &lt; 0.01) compared with T1 &lt;102.00 ng/mL. We performed restricted cubic splines, and it showed a linear association between IGF-1 levels and the risk of IVS thickening. In splines for the age and sex subgroups, different IGF-1 levels increased the risk of IVS thickening among different age groups in male patients: 18–44 years when IGF-1 value &gt;164.00 ng/mL, 45–60 years when IGF-1 value &gt; 140.34 ng/mL and ≥ 60 years when IGF-1 value &gt;108.20 ng/mL. In female patients aged 45–60 years, the risk of IVS thickening increased when the IGF-1 levels were &gt;207.45 ng/mL. However, IGF-1 was not significantly correlated with IVS thickening in female patients aged 18–45 and ≥60 years. Sensitivity analysis by excluding those with acromegaly did not change the relationship between IGF-1 and the risk of IVS thickening.ConclusionThe plasma IGF-1 levels were related to the risk of IVS thickening irrespective of blood pressure.
Relating soil chemical properties to other soil properties and dryland crop production
Authors: Sainju Upendra M. , Liptzin Daniel 
Published: December 2022

Soil chemical properties have often been related to some other soil properties and crop yields, but extensive evaluation of the relationships of soil chemical properties with other properties and long-term crop yields under dryland cropping systems is lacking. We related six soil chemical properties (pH, electrical conductivity [EC], cation exchange capacity [CEC], and inorganic P [IP], K, and Al concentrations) with 62 other soil physical, chemical, biological, and biochemical properties and crop yields at two long-term (14- and 36-year old) dryland farming sites in the northern Great Plain, United States. Treatments were rotations of no-tillage and conventional tillage spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), pea (Pisum sativum L.), and fallow with or without N fertilization. Soil samples collected to a depth of 0–15 cm in April 2019 were analyzed for soil properties and long-term crop yields were determined. Soil chemical properties were mostly correlated to each other at the short-term than at the long-term site. Based on the principal component analysis, EC, CEC, and IP, and K concentrations were associated with most of the physical, chemical, biological, and biochemical properties at both sites. The CEC, IP, and K concentrations were related to mean crop yields across years at individual or combined sites, but other chemical properties were not related to yields. We conclude that CEC, IP, and K concentrations may be used as potential chemical indicators of soil health that were related to most soil properties and crop yields under dryland cropping systems in the semiarid region.
Pathogens inactivation in nutrient recovery from urine: A review
Authors: Xu Kangning , Lu Jun , Hu Lanlan , Li Jiyun , Cheng Shikun , Zheng Min , Wang Chengwen 
Published: December 2022

Urine source separation, a kind of new sewage management concept, has made great progress in technology development and application in the past 30 years. However, understanding of the potential microbial risks in reuse of urine-derived fertilizer products (UDFPs) in agriculture is still lacking. Outbreak of pandemic of Coronavirus Disease 2019 and more deadly disease caused by Monkeypox strongly sounds the alarm bell to the attention on pathogens in urine and their fate in UDFPs. Therefore, this study presented a comprehensive review on pathogens inactivation in nutrient recovery technologies. The review suggests that technologies using alkaline or heating treatment can effectively reduce pathogens in UDFPs. However, technologies with characteristics such as membrane rejection of nutrients or nutrient adsorption may even concentrate pathogens in their fertilizer products. Based on an overall assessment, connections of technologies and the pathogens inactivation in their UDFPs have been established. This would help to provide a perspective on development of urine treatment technology and management of microbial risks in reusing urine nutrients in agriculture.
Impact of oral administration of single strain Lactococcus lactis spp. cremoris on immune responses to keyhole limpet hemocyanin immunization and gut microbiota: A randomized placebo-controlled trial in healthy volunteers
Authors: Saghari Mahdi , Gal Pim , Grievink Hendrika W. , Klaassen Erica S. , Itano Andrea , McHale Duncan , Moerland Matthijs 
Published: December 2022

IntroductionLactococcus lactis spp. cremoris has been associated with promising immunomodulatory results in preclinical trials. The aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacodynamic (PD) effects of three monoclonal microbial formulations of L. lactis spp. cremoris (EDP1066) on the immune response to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). Potential effects on the gut microbiota were also investigated.MethodsThe trial was registered on Netherlands Trial Register (trial ID NL7519, https://trialsearch.who.int). Eighty-one healthy subjects (median 28, range 18–59 years) were randomized to 28 days of enteric-coated capsules at five doses (n = 13) (1.5 * 1012 total cells daily), freeze-dried powder at one dose (n = 12) (3.0 * 1011 total cells daily) or five doses (n = 12), minitablets at one dose (n = 12) or five doses (n = 12), or placebo (n = 20) prior to KLH immunization. Antibody responses and circulating regulatory T cells (Tregs) were measured after KLH immunization, and skin responses were evaluated after a KLH rechallenge by laser speckle contrast imaging and multispectral imaging. Ex vivo lymphocyte (phytohemagglutinin) and monocyte (lipopolysaccharide (LPS)) cytokine release assays were explored in the minitablet-treated groups only. The prevalence of L. lactis spp. cremoris in the gastrointestinal tract and the impact on the fecal microbiota were assessed by qPCR and 16S rRNA sequencing, respectively.ResultsRepeated-measures analysis of covariances revealed no significant treatment effects on the antibody responses to KLH, number of Tregs, or KLH skin rechallenge outcomes. Ex vivo LPS-driven cytokine responses in whole blood were lower in the low dose minitablet group compared to placebo: tumor necrosis factor (estimated difference (ED) from placebo: −44.2%, 95% confidence interval (CI) −65.3% to −10.3%), interleukin (IL)-1β (ED −41.4%, 95% CI −63.5% to −5.8%), and IL-6 (ED −39.2%, 95% CI −56.8% to −14.5%). The fecal presence of L. lactis spp. cremoris increased during treatment by all EDP1066 formulations and normalized 5 days after the last dose. Microbiome α-diversity did not change by the treatments compared to placebo.DiscussionThe EDP1066 formulations did not affect the immune response to KLH immunization in healthy individuals. However, exposure to L. lactis spp. cremoris in minitablet formulation impacted ex vivo whole blood LPS cytokine response. The clinical impact of these effects awaits further investigations.Netherlands Trial Registertrialsearch.who.int, trial ID NL7519.
IL-21 signaling promotes the establishment of KSHV infection in human tonsil lymphocytes by increasing differentiation and targeting of plasma cells
Authors: Alomari Nedaa , Totonchy Jennifer 
Published: December 2022

IntroductionFactors influencing Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) transmission and the early stages of KSHV infection in the human immune system remain poorly characterized. KSHV is known to extensively manipulate the host immune system and the cytokine milieu, and cytokines are known to influence the progression of KSHV-associated diseases. Our previous work identified the early targeting of plasma cells for KSHV infection. In this study, we examine whether IL-21, a cytokine known to profoundly influence plasma cell fate, influences the early stages of KSHV infection in B lymphocytes.MethodsUsing our unique model of ex vivo KSHV infection in tonsil lymphocytes, we investigate the influence of IL-21 supplementation, IL-21 neutralization, the distribution of IL-21 receptor on B cell subsets and IL-21 secreting T cell subsets on the establishment of KSHV infection in human B cells.ResultsWe show that IL-21 signaling promotes KSHV infection by promoting both total plasma cell numbers and increasing KSHV infection in plasma cells as early as 3 days post-infection. We further demonstrate that the synergistic effect of KSHV infection and IL-21 treatment on plasma cell frequencies is due to differentiation of new plasma cells from naïve B cell precursors. We examine T cells secreting IL-21 in our tonsil specimens and determine that IL-21 producing CD8+ central memory T cells are correlated with plasma cell frequencies and KSHV targeting of plasma cells.DiscussionThese results demonstrate the novel finding that differentiation of new plasma cells is involved in the early stages of KSHV infection in B cells, and that IL-21 signaling can potentiate this effect thereby increasing the overall magnitude of KSHV infection at early timepoints. These results suggest that IL-21 signaling represents a host-level susceptibility factor for the establishment of KSHV infection.