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Correction: Whole genome sequences of nine Taylorella equigenitalis strains isolated in the Czech Republic between 1982–2021: Molecular dating suggests a common ancestor at the time of Roman Empire

Genomic and phenotypic characterisation of Listeria monocytogenes strains isolated from pig feces on farm and from pork meat at retail in France

Listeria monocytogenes is an ubiquitous foodborne pathogen transmissible to humans through the consumption of contaminated products, including pork. In this study, we characterised the Listeria monocytogenes population circulating from the primary reservoir, pigs, to consumers in France. In 2008 and 2010, 147 strains from on-farm pig feces and 154 strains from retail pork meat were respectively isolated. Serogroups and clonal complexes (CC) were determined (n = 301), and 123 representative strains were further assessed for virulence, biofilm-forming ability, and resistance to Benzalkonium chloride (BC). Serogroup IIb, and CCs such as CC11, CC21, CC20, CC26, CC31, CC59, CC37, CC1 and CC77 strains predominated on farms, whereas serogroup IIc and IIa (respectively CC9 and CC121) were mainly recovered from retail meat. All 123 strains harbored the virulence-associated genes inlA , inlC, inlJ, plcA , prfA , actA , hlyA and iap. Overall virulence did not differ significantly between farm- and retail-derived strains; however, serogroup IVb strains were significantly more virulent, while serogroup IIc strains exhibited lower virulence. In our study, CC1 (mainly present in feces) and CC121 (present only on meat) showed the highest virulence level. Biofilm-forming ability was significantly higher in strains isolated from farm feces than in those from retail meat. Most meat strains, including CC121, CC9, CC14 and CC7, were more resistant to benzalkonium chloride than fecal strains. Our findings highlight the genetic and phenotypic evolution of the Listeria monocytogenes population along the pig-to-pork continuum. They suggest that strains persisting to the retail stage are more strongly associated with resistance to biocides than with robust biofilm formation in the food-processing environment. Contrary to expectations, our CC121 strains exhibited the highest level of virulence, even though this CC is reported hypovirulent.

Towards a cybersecure and privacy enhanced smart grid: A blockchain enabled federated learning framework

In smart grids, data collection is carried out through smart meters and devices of the Internet of Things, which are installed in the home, allowing to predict the demand for electricity and optimize the distribution of energy. Although the smart grids improve efficiency of operations for end users, they simultaneously present pronounced challenges regarding user privacy and security at the system level. In the context of conventional centralized machine learning, paradigms risk breaching the raw data of consumers, while decentralized paradigms often lack strong mechanisms for verifying identity or ensuring traceability. Existing federated learning systems often lack client level differential privacy, secure aggregation, and decentralized identity protection, leaving them vulnerable to privacy leakage and inference attacks. Blockchain based solutions typically expose model updates or use single layer identifiers. This paper introduces a secure and privacy preserving architecture that combines a dual layer blockchain architecture, federated learning (FL) and central differential privacy (DP) to thoroughly solve these challenges. The proposed system includes a dual layer blockchain system that ensures secure and tamper resistant logging of client interactions and protects client identities by storing salted cryptographic hashes. This design provides both traceability and anonymity, and thus maintains the integrity of participation while obfuscating sensitive identifiers. Privacy is guaranteed by storing raw data in client devices and sending only model updates for central aggregation. At the server side, Gaussian noise is added to the aggregated model parameters to achieve central DP, so as to reduce the risks of inference attacks on user data. Implementation of the proposed framework was performed based on Flower to test the PRECON (Pakistan Residential Electricity CONsumption) dataset, which consists of real-world household electricity consumption data. Multiple machine learning models were benchmarked and out of all the models, Random Forest performed best with the performance metrics of Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 0.153, Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of 0.085 and Mean Squared Error (MSE) of 0.143. The results showed that the proposed framework improved data privacy, preserved the forecasting accuracy and security in smart grid environments.

Emerging tobacco use patterns in the United States: Tobacco use behaviors associated with current use of nicotine pouches

Nicotine pouches (NPs) are non-combustible tobacco products marketed as alternatives to traditional tobacco. Recent studies suggest an increasing use of NPs in the United States. The primary goals of this study were to assess the associations between current use of each of the seven other tobacco products and current use of NPs among U.S. adults (18+), and to determine which other products are significantly associated with current use of NPs. The secondary goals were to describe the population of adults who currently use NPs in terms of their tobacco use behaviors and sociodemographic characteristics. Data from the 2022–2023 Tobacco Use Supplement (TUS) to the Current Population Survey (CPS), collected in the U.S., were used in this cross-sectional study to address the primary (n = 107,281) and secondary (n = 537) goals. The primary outcome was current NP use (yes/no). All analyses accounted for the TUS-CPS complex design. The prevalence of current NP use was 0.47% (SE = 0.03%), corresponding to an estimated 1,146,681 adults nationwide. Adults who currently used smokeless tobacco (aOR=12.03, 95% CI = 8.83-16.39) had the highest odds of current use of NPs, followed by those who used heated tobacco (aOR=4.84, 95% CI = 2.01-11.67), hookah tobacco (aOR=3.70, 95%CI = 1.55-8.82), e-cigarettes (aOR=2.90, 95% CI = 1.84-4.60), cigars (aOR=2.48, 95% CI = 1.71-3.58), and combustible cigarettes (aOR=1.84, 95% CI = 1.38-2.45). Among adults who currently use NPs, 61.00% (SE = 2.59%) used at least one other tobacco product and the most commonly used products were smokeless tobacco (27.39%), combustible cigarettes (21.74%), e-cigarettes (20.54%), and cigars (17.30%). The observed sociodemographic profile of adults who use NPs (e.g., 89.14% are men) suggests that NPs may be reaching subgroups that differ from those who typically use other tobacco products. The findings underscore the need for further research to determine whether use of NPs leads to product switching, cessation, or sustained poly-tobacco use.

Development of immortalized Callithrix jacchus kidney cell lines supporting infection with a panel of viruses

Common marmosets ( Callithrix jacchus ) are valuable non-human primate (NHP) animal models in biomedical research, including infectious diseases modelling. However, for in vitro studies only a few immortalized cell lines have been generated, and additional lines are needed to comply with the 3R principles of replacement, reduction and refinement. Here, we present the generation and characterization of three cell lines derived from kidney tissue, which were immortalized by transduction of SV40 large T antigen. The cell lines display an epithelioid morphology, show differential podoplanin expression and are likely of pericyte origin, as deduced from expression profiles of marker genes obtained by RNA sequencing analysis (RNA-seq). All cell lines had a functional interferon (IFN) system, as shown by responsiveness to human IFNβ and marmoset IFNα14 and the induction of interferon-stimulated genes (ISG). Infection with retroviral pseudotypes demonstrated susceptibility to entry driven by glycoproteins from a wide range of human pathogenic viruses. Finally, these cell lines are highly permissive for Zika virus, for which marmosets are a model organism, and Herpes simplex virus 1, which causes a deadly disease in marmosets. We believe that these cell lines are a valuable resource for in vitro studies on marmosets.

Evolving threats: Leveraging C. elegans to decode the virulence profiles of highly related environmental Salmonella Newport isolates

Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica , particularly serovar Newport, remains a leading cause of foodborne illnesses in the United States, implicated in numerous outbreaks associated with a diverse array of food products. This study systematically investigates the virulence of five distinct S . Newport isolates, characterized by varying patterns of pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) molecular-diagnostic subtyping, using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as a host model organism. We conducted viability assays on C. elegans to evaluate how these isolates affect nematode survival. The selected bacterial strains, chosen for their historical significance in foodborne outbreaks yet isolated form environmental sources, were previously sequenced to provide a comprehensive genomic framework. A notable focus of our research was on the nearly genetically identical PFGE types Newport-61 and the Newport-1015 isolates, which differ by a 1.7 Mb genomic inversion. C. elegans survival assays in response to pathogenic-strain infections revealed that one Newport-1015 and the Newport-61 isolates were particularly more virulent compared to other isolates tested. These findings enhance our understanding of the pathogenic potential of environmental S . Newport and highlight the need to understand the regulatory mechanisms that contribute to virulence capacity.

Development and psychometric validation of caring leadership scale in nursing

Background Caring leadership plays a pivotal role in supporting nurses’ well-being, fostering patient recovery, and advancing organizational performance. Despite its recognized importance, a validated instrument for measuring caring leadership has been lacking in the literature. Objective This study aimed to develop a Caring Leadership Scale and evaluate its validity, reliability, and practical applicability. Methods Guided by a conceptual framework of caring leadership, scale items were initially generated through qualitative interviews, open-ended questionnaires, and a comprehensive literature review. The Delphi technique was used to refine these items. A pilot survey informed further modifications before a large-scale survey was conducted with 2,125 frontline nurses from six tertiary hospitals across China. Item screening was carried out using classical test theory, including assessments of item discrimination, item-total correlations, and internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha). Content validity, factor structure, internal reliability, and acceptability were investigated using content validity indices, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, correlation coefficients, and descriptive statistics. Results An initial pool of 40 items across five dimensions was developed. Following two Delphi rounds and preliminary testing, 39 items were retained. Item analysis led to the elimination of 12 items that did not meet predetermined criteria. The final scale consisted of 27 items across five dimensions, rated on a 5-point Likert scale. The content validity indices were strong, with item-level CVIs ranging from 0.90 to 1.00, a scale-level content validity index universal agreement (S-CVI/UA) of 0.89, and a scale-level content validity index average (S-CVI/Ave) of 0.99. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) supported a well-defined five-factor structure, with common factor variances ranging from 0.849 to 0.949. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated good model fit (RMSEA = 0.078, CFI = 0.964, NFI = 0.958, TLI = 0.959, IFI = 0.964). The average variance extracted (AVE) ranged from 0.834 to 0.925, and composite reliability (CR) ranged from 0.965 to 0.989. The scale showed moderate correlations with job satisfaction (r = 0.463–0.484, p  < 0.001). Internal consistency was high, with Cronbach’s alpha values between 0.962 and 0.993, and split-half reliability coefficients ranging from 0.955 to 0.982. Conclusion This study presents the first validated instrument for measuring caring leadership in nursing. The final 27-item scale demonstrates robust psychometric properties, including excellent validity, reliability, and user acceptability. It offers a scientifically sound and practical tool for assessing caring leadership among nurse leaders.

Stakeholder priorities and conceptualization of One Health: Insights from fuzzy cognitive mapping and grounded theory

One Health (OH) has gained global recognition as a framework and practice for addressing interconnected health and sustainability challenges, such as emerging infectious diseases, food insecurity and climate change. Yet its operationalization remains limited, in part due to persistent differences in how OH is conceptualized across sectors and knowledge systems, including Indigenous knowledge holders and environmental actors. To address these gaps, we applied a mixed methods approach that combined fuzzy cognitive mapping (FCM) with grounded theory (GT) to examine stakeholder priorities and conceptualization of OH in Turkana County, Kenya. Thirty-six fuzzy cognitive maps were co-developed with community members, frontline workers, health, veterinary, and NGO stakeholders, then aggregated by group and analyzed using network metrics including normalized degree centrality and Jaccard similarity. Results revealed areas of alignment and convergence in OH conceptualization and perspective. Conceptually, the environment group map was the most distinct, while the health and NGO maps were the most similar. Environmental actors emphasized human-driven degradation, while community members described a pluralistic health system and the importance of wild foods, both absent from other group narratives. Shared priorities such as human and livestock health, nutrition, and water resources represent potential entry points for cross-sectoral integration. These findings demonstrate that barriers to OH operationalization are not only structural, but also shaped by differences in knowledge, experience, and problem framing across sectors and society within the socioecological system. Embedding ecosystem services, biodiversity, and traditional knowledge at the core of OH can enhance inclusivity and contextual relevance. Our integrated FCM-GT approach offers a transferable framework for participatory systems research, providing actionable insights for more inclusive and ecologically grounded OH implementation.

Reimagining <i>o</i> ‐Carborane‐Based Fluorophores: Charge‐Transfer from Boron Substituents Triggers Aggregation‐ and Crystallization‐Induced Emission

Abstract o ‐Carborane‐based fluorophores are widely recognized for their aggregation‐induced and crystallization‐induced emission (AIE and CIE) properties, making them valuable building blocks for materials used in fluorescence applications such as bioimaging or optoelectronics. Until now, observing AIE/CIE required the fluorophore to be attached via the carbon atom of the carborane, inherently limiting further functionalization possibilities. Herein, we report for the first time that boron‐substituted carboranes (substituent is at position 9) exhibit AIE/CIE activity, which originates from photoexcitation‐induced electron‐transfer from the substituents linked to the carborane cage via its boron vertices. Furthermore, the solid state emission can be tailored by the proper selection of the substituents. This finding not only significantly broadens the scope of AIE‐active compounds but also offers new design strategies for the development of luminescent carborane‐based materials.

Correction: Factors associated with death from COVID-19 in traditional peoples and communities in Brazil

Cheminformatics-driven discovery of natural isoquinoline alkaloid inhibitors of Beta-secretase I for Alzheimer’s management

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by the gradual deterioration of cognitive functions, speech impairment, and memory loss. It can potentially be treated by targeting the beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleavage enzyme 1 (BACE1), which plays a key role in amyloid plaque formation, neurofibrillary tangles, and hyperphosphorylated tau protein. Current drugs have limitations in terms of safety, efficacy, and blood-brain barrier permeability. In view of this, this study was designed to determine the potential inhibitors of the BACE1 enzyme by virtual screening using a curated library of 415 natural products including terpenoids, phenolic compounds, and alkaloids from different medicinal plants. Based on the docking score and interaction analysis, 50 compounds were selected for the downstream analysis, such as ligand binding interactions, pharmacokinetics, druglikness and physicochemical parameters. Among the lead compounds, Palmatine (compound 45) and Berberine (compound 49), demonstrated optimal drug-likeness and blood-brain barrier permeability among the top compounds. 2-[(9Z,12Z)-heptadeca-9,12-dienyl]-6-hydroxybenzoic acid (compound 4) was inactive in most toxicity parameters. Pharmacophore analysis revealed that Palmatine and Berberine share similar features with the standard, highlighting their potential as effective compounds. Furthermore, structural chemistry analysis provided insights on their shared isoquinoline alkaloid framework, illustrating their structural similarities. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the stability of the Palmatine-BACE1 and Berberine-BACE1 complexes during a 50 ns production run. Overall, these findings highlighted the potential of Palmatine and Berberine as promising candidates for the experimental validation and the development of the drugs for the treatment of AD.

Psychosocial career preoccupation and organisational commitment at higher educational institutions in Ghana: The role of workplace friendship

Empirically, the study examined how psychosocial career preoccupation [PCP] directly affects organizational commitment [OC] and indirectly affects the same via workplace friendship [WF] among administrative and teaching staff in public higher education institutions in Ghana. The numerical orientation to the data analysis supported the use of the explanatory research design and quantitative approach. The population included both administrative and teaching staff in public higher education institutions in Ghana with at least one year of service. Structured questionnaires were issued for the primary data collection via the convenience sampling technique and the response rate was 96% (288 valid responses from 300 approached participants). The unit of analysis was at the individual level. SMART-PLS software (version 4.1.0.8) was used for the data processing. The repeated indicator structural modelling technique was employed to configure the model reflectively to test the hypotheses. PCP fails to contribute significantly to predicting OC directly (β = 0.045, p = 0.250). However, PCP contributes significantly in a strong manner to predicting WF (β = 0.454, p &lt; 0.001), and WF significantly predicts OC (β = 0.442, p &lt; 0.001). WF successfully mediates the predictive relationship between PCP and OC with a significant indirect effect (β = 0.201, p &lt; 0.001). Higher education policymakers in Ghana are advised to develop and enforce policies that promote the integration of career development with social support systems within institutions, mandating structured programs that address employees’ career advancement while actively encouraging workplace friendship networks. It is advisable for higher education administrators and human resource practitioners in Ghana to prioritize cultivating workplace friendships as a strategic resource to enhance organisational commitment while implementing comprehensive career development programs that address psychosocial career preoccupations. These results provide an innovative, contextually relevant perspective on the mediating role of workplace friendship in translating career concerns into organisational commitment within Ghanaian higher education, thus enhancing current theoretical frameworks by demonstrating the indirect pathway through social relationships rather than direct effects of career preoccupations.

Cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms to predict renal outcome and mortality in older adult patients

Cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms are common in older adults, but their impacts on adverse renal and survival outcomes remain unclear. This retrospective cohort study examined associations of cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms with renal replacement therapy (RRT) initiation and mortality among 5,191 adults aged ≥ 65 years. Cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Korean Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE-KC) and the Korean Short Geriatric Depression Scale (SGDS-K), respectively. During a mean follow-up of 45 months, 1,512 participants (29.1%) died and 68 (1.3%) initiated RRT. Depressive symptoms (SGDS-K score ≥ 5) were associated with increased risks of both incident RRT (HR 2.066, p = 0.004) and mortality (HR 1.565, p &lt; 0.001). Cognitive impairment (MMSE-KC score ≤ 23) was associated with both incident RRT (HR 2.028, p = 0.007) and mortality (HR 1.728, p &lt; 0.001). Subgroup analyses demonstrated that depressive symptoms remained associated with RRT risk across age groups and renal function strata, while cognitive impairment was linked to RRT primarily among those with preserved renal function or age &lt; 75 years. Both factors were consistently associated with higher mortality across subgroups. Although receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed comparable predictive value for RRT, cognitive impairment demonstrated greater discriminative ability for mortality. These findings suggest that depressive symptoms may serve as a relevant marker of renal deterioration requiring RRT, whereas cognitive impairment may more closely reflect mortality risk. Routine psychological and cognitive assessments may support early identification of high-risk patients and inform prevention strategies in geriatric care.

Comparative analysis of the diversity within the B. bronchiseptica fimX locus

Bordetella bronchiseptica is a highly contagious veterinary bacterial respiratory pathogen with a broad host range that can cause a variety of clinical disease outcomes ranging from asymptomatic carriage to severe pneumonia. B. bronchiseptica fimbriae mediate attachment to respiratory epithelium and are considered to serve as potential protective antigens. Several comparative genomic studies involving B. bronchiseptica strains have demonstrated an overall low level of genomic variability. The region located within the fimX locus is one of the few regions in which genomic variability has been reported. The goal of this study was to comprehensively evaluate the genomic variability harbored within the fimX locus among B. bronchiseptica strains. Our analysis revealed that the genetic variability identified within the fimX locus included both the number of genes harbored, as well as the type of predicted fimbrial subunit gene types contained within the fimX locus. A total of six different fimbrial subunit gene types were identified among the B. bronchiseptica genome assemblies analyzed in this study. Comparative analysis data also suggests that the diversity among the fimbrial subunit genes located within the fimX locus was likely generated by homologous recombination.

Evaluation of peripheral intravenous line securement devices under clinically relevant loading and perspiratory conditions

Peripheral vascular access devices (PVADs) and their associated intravenous (IV) lines are widely used in clinical care. Securement devices are typically employed to prevent accidental dislodgement and complications such as occlusion and phlebitis. Despite the wide use of securement devices, there are no standardised methods for evaluating their actual ability to secure IV lines. This study assessed the securing ability of four commercially available IV line securement devices – Grip Lok, Javelo, micropore tape, and IV bracelet – under controlled laboratory conditions. First, all four devices were tested for resistance to axial pull-out forces using a uniaxial materials testing machine across ten participants. Participant comfort during testing was assessed via questionnaire. Grip-Lok and Javelo exhibited significantly greater axial pull-out strength than the other two devices (p-adj &lt; 0.001), and were progressed to further testing, consisting of off-axis loading at 90°, 135°, and peel-off, and axial pull-out under simulated perspiration conditions. No significant differences were observed between Grip Lok and Javelo under loading in 90° and 135°. Javelo demonstrated superior performance in both peel-off and perspirant conditions (p-adj &lt; 0.05). Javelo was rated the most comfortable by 60% of participants. The results highlight the need for incorporating realistic loading conditions and comfort metrics when evaluating the performance of infusion line securement aids. Furthermore, the results provide evidence that using a non-adhesive based device, particularly in patients with marked diaphoresis might provide more infusion line security, though further study is required.

Comparative outcomes of DSAEK and DMEK in eyes with prior Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation

Background To compare the outcomes of Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) and Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) in eyes with prior Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation. Methods This retrospective study included 27 eyes from 27 patients who underwent endothelial keratoplasty (16 DSAEK, 11 DMEK) between 01/01/2020 and 31/12/2022. All eyes had a prior AGV implantation and a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), endothelial cell density (ECD), central corneal thickness (CCT), complications, and graft survival were compared between groups. Results The donor age was significantly younger in the DSAEK group (52.94 ± 11.17 years vs. 62.36 ± 10.02 years, P = 0.034). The DSAEK group had significantly higher ECD at 6 and 12 months (1583.2 ± 562.6 and 1441.1 ± 502.6 cells/mm²) compared to the DMEK group (1109.5 ± 484.8 and 1046.6 ± 327.3 cells/mm², P = 0.040 and P = 0.043). However, this difference was no longer significant after covariate analysis with donor ECD. Postoperative BCVA improved significantly in both groups, with no significant differences between them. Complication rates were comparable. The 1-year survival rates were 87% for DSAEK and 91% for DMEK, the 2-year survival rates were 78% for DSAEK and 74% for DMEK. Mean graft survival was 28.7 ± 3.3 months for DSAEK and 24.7 ± 2.8 months for DMEK (P = 0.777). Conclusions DSAEK and DMEK demonstrated comparable visual outcomes, complication rates, and graft survival in eyes with prior AGV implantation. While both procedures appear to be viable options for this complex patient population, these findings should be confirmed in larger studies.

Impact of timing from last dose of dexamethasone administration to delivery, different steroid courses, and fetal number on preterm neonatal outcomes

Objectives To evaluate the impact of the timing from the last dose of dexamethasone to delivery, different steroid courses, and the number of fetuses (singleton vs twin) on preterm neonatal outcomes. This study focused on respiratory complications and associated conditions. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1800 pregnancies, comprising 1585 singleton pregnancies and 215 twin pregnancies, resulting in a total of 2015 neonates. The timing of dexamethasone administration relative to delivery was categorized into intervals: less than 6 hours, between 2 and 7 days, between 8 and 13 days, and 14 days or more. Neonatal outcomes, including respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) support, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), pneumothorax, and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression assessed the adjusted odds ratios (AORs) for these outcomes based on timing, steroid course (complete vs partial), and number of fetuses. Results Neonates exposed to dexamethasone between 2 and 7 days before delivery showed a reduced need for CPAP support (AOR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.48–0.88). This group was compared to those exposed for less than 6 hours or more than 14 days before delivery. However, the incidence of RDS did not significantly decrease with the timing of dexamethasone administration. A higher incidence of pneumothorax was observed in neonates born less than 6 hours after an incomplete course (AOR: 1.89; 95% CI: 1.01–3.54). Twin pregnancies delivered within 12 hours of a complete course were at increased risk for NEC (AOR: 2.11; 95% CI: 1.07–4.16). Deliveries occurring more than 14 days after the last dose were associated with increased risks of ventilator support (AOR: 2.11; 95% CI: 1.08–4.11) and BPD. This was particularly evident in cases where multiple courses were administered. Conclusions The timing of the last dexamethasone dose is crucial for reducing respiratory complications other than RDS. The optimal window is between 2 and 7 days before delivery. This effect is influenced by the completeness of the steroid course and the number of fetuses. Tailoring dexamethasone administration according to these factors can significantly improve outcomes in preterm neonates, particularly in reducing the severity of respiratory complications. Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR) number TCTR20230724002 (Registration date: 24 July 2023) http://thaiclinicaltrials.org/export/pdf/TCTR20230724002

Blood gas and lactate analysis in nesting loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) sea turtles from southeastern Florida, USA

High-energy demands and transition to a catabolic state pose physiological challenges for sea turtles during the nesting season. The objectives of this study were to assess venous blood gas analytes and lactate in loggerhead ( Caretta caretta ) and green turtles ( Chelonia mydas ) nesting in southeastern Florida to establish species-specific reference intervals, examine correlations between blood analytes, and investigate differences between species. For each species, the goal was to identify associations of analytes with morphometrics, nest deposition date, and, in loggerheads, duration of emergence from the water to blood sampling. The agreement of lactate concentrations between two point-of-care analyzers (i-STAT and Nova Lactate Plus) was also compared. In total, 49 loggerheads and 30 green turtles were sampled over portions of two nesting seasons. Reference intervals were established for clinically normal nesting turtles for each species. Partial pressure of oxygen was higher in loggerheads, while partial pressure of carbon dioxide and bicarbonate were higher in green turtles. In loggerheads, lactate positively correlated with curved carapace length, while pH declined and lactate increased across the nesting season, and there were no relationships between blood analytes and time from emergence to blood collection. No morphometric or seasonal trends were observed for green turtles. There was a strong association between lactate concentrations determined by i-STAT and Nova Lactate Plus, with the i-STAT yielding higher results. The mild trend toward relative lactic acidosis across portions of the nesting season in loggerheads suggests that physiological strategies to manage periods of high-energy utilization during nesting activities vary between species. These results provide insight into the variability of blood analyte data of two species of nesting sea turtles, allow for understanding physiological and metabolic changes during nesting, and provide relevance for clinical evaluations during health assessment studies, stranding response, and rehabilitation.

A comparative analysis of HIV status by sociodemographic and sexual behavior characteristics among men in Bexar county, Texas: An Ending the HIV Epidemic priority county

A combination of sociodemographic and sexual behaviors is associated with HIV status awareness. We collaborated with HIV service organizations to collect survey data from 389 men in Bexar County, Texas, an Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) priority county. We examined sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics across three self-reported HIV status groups: HIV-negative, HIV-positive, and unknown HIV status. Bivariate tests compared characteristics across the three groups, and multinomial logistic regression models assessed factors associated with HIV status, using HIV-negative and unknown status as alternating reference categories. Overall, 35% of respondents were HIV-negative, 26% were HIV-positive, and 39% did not know their HIV status. Compared with men who did not know their status, HIV-negative men were more likely to be non-Hispanic White, employed, married, and to have higher educational attainment and income. In multivariable models, higher education and employment were associated with greater odds of being HIV-negative relative to unknown status, whereas lower education and unemployment were associated with unknown status. Income differences were more nuanced, with men of unknown status more likely to report higher income categories than HIV-negative men. Men with unknown status reported lower condom use and less alcohol use during sex than HIV-negative men. Compared with men with unknown status, HIV-positive men were less likely to report recent casual and anal sex but more likely to report condom use and drug use during sex. These findings indicate that, in this EHE county, HIV status awareness among men is patterned by intersecting sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics rather than by single risk indicators. Men who know their HIV status, particularly those who are HIV-negative, more often occupy socioeconomically advantaged positions and report distinct sexual behavior profiles compared with men whose HIV status is unknown. Although these cross-sectional associations cannot establish causality, they highlight men with lower education, unstable employment, and unknown status as a locally relevant, under-reached group for targeted HIV testing and outreach to advance Bexar County’s EHE goals.

Local Acidic Microenvironments Enhanced Anodic Formamide Electrosynthesis over Isolated Pd Sites

Abstract Electrocatalytic C─N oxidative coupling of methanol and ammonia enables sustainable formamide synthesis under ambient conditions. However, the poor C─N coupling selectivity and limited Faradaic efficiency hinder practical application. As the critical step involves nucleophilic attack of NH 3 on in situ generated *CH 2 O intermediates, enhancing *CH 2 O electrophilicity while suppressing over‐oxidation is essential. Herein, Pd single atoms anchored on MnO 2 nanoarrays achieve state‐of‐the‐art Faradaic efficiency (62.6%) and carbon selectivity (80.2%) for anodic formamide synthesis. In situ characterization and theoretical simulations reveal dual enhancement mechanisms: Isolated Pd sites adopt end‐on *CH 2 O adsorption to expose the electrophilic carbon, while the MnO 2 ‐induced acidic microenvironment enhances *CH 2 O electrophilicity via oxygen‐atom protonation. This synergy accelerates nucleophilic attack by NH 3 , enabling efficient C─N coupling.