bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Isolation, identification, and evaluation of lactic acid bacteria with probiotic potential from traditional fermented sour meat
Authors: Zhao Jiayi , Zhao Jinshan , Zang Jinhong , Peng Chuantao , Li Zhaojie , Zhang Peng
Published: December 2024

Sour meat is a popular traditional fermented product and is a rich source of novel strains with probiotic potential. In this study, we aimed to assess the probiotic potential of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains isolated from fermented sour meat. Firstly, the microbial diversity of sour meat from four different areas in China was analyzed. The results showed that LAB were predominant in all samples. Subsequently, LAB were isolated from sour meat and a series of in vitro probiotic tests were carried out. A total of 130 bacterial strains with dissolved calcium were obtained and 10 strains showed a range of 89–97% survival in an acidic environment and high tolerance to bile salts. The ranges of hydrophobicity and auto-aggregation of 10 strains were 4.85–80.75% and 1.58–84.2%, respectively. Besides, all 10 strains exhibited high antimicrobial activity and antioxidant activity, of which, DZ24 possessed the strongest free radical scavenging (45.1%) and anti-lipid oxidizing ability (90.3%). Furthermore, DZ24 was identified as Lactiplantibacillus plantarum by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Moreover, the fermentation indexes showed that DZ24 could rapidly reduce the pH to 4.14 and showed high salt and nitrite resistance and antioxidant ability. All the above experimental results indicate that Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DZ24 promise a suitable probiotic candidate for future applications in the fermented functional meats.
Revised taxonomic classification of the Stenotrophomonas genomes, providing new insights into the genus Stenotrophomonas
Authors: Yu Ze-Lin , Wang Rui-Bai
Published: December 2024

Background

Stenotrophomonas strains are important opportunistic pathogens with great potential applications in industry and agriculture. Their significant genetic and phenotypic diversity has led to several changes in their taxonomic localization and was prone to inaccurate species classification based on traditional identification methods.

Methods

All 2,615 genomes of the genus Stenotrophomonas were obtained from the NCBI genome database. Genomic methods, including average nucleotide identity (ANI), were used to evaluate the 31 defined species. After evaluating the ANI thresholds applicable to Stenotrophomonas, the species classification of all submitted genomes was revised.

Results

Compared to the reference genomes of each species, 41.17% of the submitted Stenotrophomonas genomes had ANI values below 95, and 8.58% of the genomes were even below 90%. Moreover, 45.3% (705/1555) of the S. maltophilia strains actually belonged to other species within the S. maltophilia complex (Smc), or even to distant relatives outside the Smc. Based on the ANI threshold values of 95 and 90% for species and complexes confirmed to be applicable to Stenotrophomonas, 2,213 submitted Stenotrophomonas genomes were re-divided into 116 ANI genome species.

Conclusion

The results confirmed that 16S rRNA gene sequencing has low discriminability for the closely related Stenotrophomonas species. The annotated species of a considerable strain were indeed incorrect, especially since many S. maltophilia strains did not belong to this representative pathogenic species of Stenotrophomonas. This makes it necessary to reconsider the evolutionary relationship, pathogenicity, and clinical significance of Stenotrophomonas.
Independent evolution of oleate hydratase clades in Bacillales reflects molecular convergence
Authors: Neff Robert J. , Lages Priscilla C. , Donworth Shannon K. , Brien James D. , Radka Christopher D.
Published: December 2024

Oleate hydratase (OhyA), a flavoenzyme that catalyzes the hydration of unsaturated fatty acids, has been identified in various Bacillales organisms, including those in the Listeria, Lysinibacillus, Paenibacillus, and Staphylococcus genera. In this study, we combine structural biology with molecular and phylogenetic analyses to investigate the evolutionary dynamics of the OhyA protein family within the Bacillales order. Our evolutionary analysis reveals two distinct OhyA clades (clade I and clade II) within Bacillales that, while sharing catalytic function, exhibit significant genomic and structural differences. Our findings suggest that these OhyA clades originated from independent evolutionary processes through convergent evolution rather than gene duplication. We also show that the evolutionary divergence in OhyA is likely due to intrinsic sequence variations rather than being strictly linked to functional domain changes. Furthermore, within the Staphylococcus genus, we observed that the evolution of the ohyA gene aligns with the species tree, supporting a common ancestral origin. This study enhances our understanding of the impact of evolutionary history on the structure and function of OhyA across the Bacillales order.
Short-term efficacy of right-to-left shunt closure in patients with vestibular migraine
Authors: Lang Yilin , Zhang Sai , Xie Peifan , Wang Yang , Wang Chuangwei , Wang Wenting , Zhu Xien , Gu Ping
Published: December 2024

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the short-term efficacy of right-to-left shunt closure in vestibular migraine patients, and compare the efficacy between patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure and pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) embolization. Additionally, the study identifies factors related to surgical outcomes.

Methods

Forty-one patients with vestibular migraine and medium to large right-to-left shunts underwent surgery: PFO closure, PAVM embolization, or both. Baseline data and postoperative outcomes at one month, including migraine and dizziness frequency, duration, VAS, HIT-6, migraine scores, and DHI scores, were analyzed. The correlation between efficacy and baseline data was analyzed.

Results

At one month postoperatively, the frequency and duration of dizziness and migraine attacks significantly decreased, and the VAS, HIT-6, migraine scores, and DHI scores all significantly dropped (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the improvement rates of VAS, HIT-6, migraine scores, and DHI scores between the PFO group and the PAVM group (p > 0.05). Red blood cell parameters positively correlated with the improvement rates of VAS, HIT-6, migraine scores, and DHI. This approach was more effective in male patients than in female patients (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Right-to-left shunt closure has a significant short-term effect on patients with vestibular migraine, regardless of the shunt location. Red blood cell parameters may serve as predictive indicators for the surgical efficacy in these patients.
Favorable long-term outcomes of autoimmune nodopathy with mycophenolate mofetil
Authors: Min Young Gi , Ju Woohee , Sung Jung-Joon
Published: December 2024

Autoimmune nodopathy (AN) is a rare immune-mediated neuropathy characterized by autoantibodies against nodal or paranodal proteins. Patients with AN generally respond poorly to immunoglobulin therapy, and as a newly defined condition, there are currently no established treatment guidelines. Although rituximab shows potential as a therapeutic option, its high cost, limited availability, and the need for infusion monitoring hinder its use as a first-line treatment in many countries. In this report, we identified AN antibodies in five of 106 serum samples (4.7%) prospectively collected from patients initially diagnosed with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP): anti-neurofascin 155 (NF155) in 2 patients, anti-contactin-1 (CNTN1) in 1, anti-contactin associated protein 1 (CASPR1), and anti-NF186/140 in 1. Notably, we observed favorable long-term outcomes in these patients following treatment with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and corticosteroids. Given that these patients had not responded to immunoglobulin therapy and/or experienced relapses with corticosteroid monotherapy in their prior episodes, we propose MMF as a cost-effective treatment strategy for AN.
Early developmental changes in GABAA receptor expression in nucleus accumbens medium spiny neurons
Authors: Wang Ziyi (Zephyr) , Folorunso Oluwarotimi O. , Morris Kiely , Berretta Sabina , Engin Elif
Published: December 2024

The expression of GABAARs goes through large scale, evolutionarily conserved changes through the early postnatal period. While these changes have been well-studied in brain regions such as the hippocampus and sensory cortices, less is known about early developmental changes in other brain areas. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a major hub in the circuitry that mediates motivated behaviors and disruptions in NAc activity is a part of the neuropathology observed in mood and substance use disorders. Considering the importance of early developmental disruptions in the vulnerability to and etiology of these disorders, it is essential to understand normal developmental changes in the NAc as a first step to understanding how these changes might be disrupted to cause long-term pathology. Here, we aimed to address the gap in knowledge of early developmental changes in GABAAR expression in NAc neurons. We investigated the expression patterns of GABAAR α1, α2, and α4 subunits in Drd1+, Drd2+, and putative hybrid medium spiny neurons (MSNs) of the mouse NAc over a developmental window from P2 to P16. Our findings show a consistent increase in expression of all 3 GABAAR subunits in Drd1+ MSNs, accompanied by stable expression or even a decrease in expression in Drd2+ MSNs. The putative hybrid population showed a complex expression pattern, usually showing maximum expression at P9. These early developmental changes likely suggest a specific window where GABAAR expression patterns adjust to increasing glutamatergic inputs from external sources, changes in intracellular chloride concentrations, and a switch towards the mature, bistable activity patterns of MSNs from the immature, relatively excitable singular pattern. We propose that this time of dynamic changes in GABAAR expression could represent a sensitive period during which developmental insults might lead to permanent disruptions in GABAAR expression patterns.
Effects of fish oil supplementation on bone turnover markers in depression: a pilot study
Authors: Wang Feifei , Yuan Hui , Jin Kun , Tang Hui , Guo Jimin , Wang Chuan-Yue , Chen Jindong , Dong Fang , Wang Lu
Published: December 2024

Background and objective

There is a close correlation between bone loss, depression, and antidepressants. N-3 PUFA supplementation has been considered an effective add-on therapeutic approach in ameliorating bone loss and relieving depression. However, the adjunctive effect of n-3 PUFA on bone metabolism in participants with depression is still unknown. This is a pilot study to investigate the dynamics of bone metabolism in depression and evaluate the efficacy of fish oil on bone loss in depression.

Methods

In this study, we focused on the change of bone turnover markers in depression, the effect of n-3 PUFA supplementation on bone turnover markers, and its association with clinical characteristics. A case–control study and a secondary analysis of a previously published randomized clinical trial (NCT03295708) that evaluates the efficacy of n-3 PUFA supplementation in venlafaxine-treated depressed participants have been included.

Results

The levels of PINP (z = −2.233, p = 0.026) in depressed participants were significantly increased compared with healthy controls at baseline. The secondary analysis has shown significant differences exited on CTX (χ2 = 4.848, p = 0.028) and OSTEOC (χ2 = 6.178, p = 0.013) between n-3 PUFA and placebo group. The levels of CTX and OSTEOC (p < 0.05) significantly decreased in the placebo group, which indicates that venlafaxine treatment reduces both bone formation and resorption markers. While the levels of OSTEOC and PINP were increased in the n-3 PUFA group (p < 0.05). Moreover, the change in bone turnover markers showed consistency with clinical symptomatic outcomes.

Conclusion

Participants with first-diagnosed, drug-naïve depression show active bone formation. Venlafaxine decreases bone remodeling, while n-3 PUFA increases bone formation, bringing light to preventing and treating bone loss in depression.

Clinical trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03295708.
Integrating food is medicine and regenerative agriculture for planetary health
Authors: Rahman Marcia S. , Wu Olivia Y. , Battaglia Kyra , Blackstone Nicole Tichenor , Economos Christina D. , Mozaffarian Dariush
Published: December 2024

The urgent need to address both human and environmental health crises has brought attention to the role of food systems in driving climate change, biodiversity loss, and diet-related diseases. This paper explores the intersection of Food is Medicine (FIM) and regenerative agriculture (RA) as an emerging approach with the potential to help address the interconnected challenges of human and ecological health within healthcare and food systems. FIM programs, such as produce prescriptions and medically tailored meals, aim to improve health outcomes by increasing access to nutritious foods and promoting nutrition equity. RA, focusing on soil health, biodiversity, and reduced reliance on synthetic inputs, offers more sustainable agricultural practices that can align with FIM goals. This paper highlights key opportunities, recent policy developments, and evidence gaps, calling for concerted efforts to clearly define RA practices and foster collaboration between community, healthcare, agriculture, and policy stakeholders. Strengthening these interconnections could lead to more resilient food systems and improved health outcomes at both individual and population levels.
Association of Fusobacterium nucleatum infection with colorectal cancer in Kazakhstani patients
Authors: Kulmambetova Gulmira , Kurentay Botakoz , Gusmaulemova Alua , Utupov Talgat , Auganova Dana , Tarlykov Pavel , Mamlin Meiram , Khamzina Saule , Shalekenov Sanzhar , Kozhakhmetov Arman
Published: December 2024

Objectives

Fusobacterium nucleatum is a gram-negative anaerobic bacillus associated with colorectal cancer (CRC). We aimed to determine the abundance of F. nucleatum and other CRC-associated bacteria using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis to detect the possible correlations between tumor and normal tissues and the relationships between patients’ clinical characteristics, diet, and CRC-associated bacteria.

Methods

A total of 249 biopsy samples of tumor and paired normal tissues were collected from patients with CRC. Biopsy samples were screened for detection of F. nucleatum using qPCR targeting nusG gene. Bacteroides fragilis, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus gallolyticus were also detected in the samples using species-specific genes.

Results

The frequencies of detection of F. nucleatum in the tumor and normal tissues of patients with CRC were 43.37 and 24.1%, respectively (P < 0.05). Statistical analysis using cycle threshold (Ct) values from qPCR data and clinical characteristics showed that tumor size, tumor location, and processed meat consumption were significantly correlated with the abundance of F. nucleatum (P < 0.05). The significance of the prevalence of B. fragilis and E. coli in tumor tissues was marginally higher than that in normal tissues (P < 0.1), and the consumption of processed/red meat affected the prevalence of these bacteria (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Our results showed an association between the presence of F. nucleatum in tumor tissues and CRC, indicating that F. nucleatum may be a potential marker for CRC diagnosis. F. nucleatum is enriched in CRC tissues and is associated with CRC development.
GSTM1 null genotype underpins recurrence of NF2 meningiomas
Authors: Johnson Anthony C. , Tsitsikov Erdyni N. , Phan Khanh P. , Zuccato Jeffrey A. , Bauer Andrew M. , Graffeo Christopher S. , Hameed Sanaa , Stephens Tressie M. , Liu Yufeng , Dunn Gavin P. , Tsytsykova Alla V. , Jones Pamela S. , Dunn Ian F.
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Meningiomas are the most common primary central nervous system (CNS) tumor in adults, comprising one-third of all primary adult CNS tumors. Although several recent publications have identified molecular alterations in meningioma including characteristic mutations, copy number alterations, and gene expression signatures, our understanding of the drivers of meningioma recurrence is limited.

Objective

To identify gene expression signatures of 1p-22q-NF2- meningioma recurrence, with concurrent biallelic inactivation of NF2 and loss of chr1p that are heterogenous but enriched for recurrent meningiomas.

Methods

Transcriptomic alterations present in recurrent versus primary 1p-22q-NF2- meningiomas were identified using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data in a clinically annotated cohort.

Results

Recurrent 1p-22q-NF2- meningiomas were enriched for a newly identified GSTM1 null genotype compared to primary meningiomas that showed variable GSTM1 expression and independent external validation was performed.

Conclusions

The GSTM1 null genotype is a novel biomarker of 1p-22q-NF2- meningioma recurrence that resolves heterogeneity in existing meningioma subtypes and may be used to guide future clinical management decisions on extent of treatment to improve patient outcomes.
Prenatal echocardiographic diagnosis of a discontinuous left pulmonary artery with Taussig–Bing syndrome: a case report and literature review
Authors: He Yun , Yang Yufei , Song Xiaoyu , Zhang Zhonglei , Yan Dingfang , Xie Chao , Zeng Min , Zhang Wenjun
Published: December 2024

Background

Unilateral pulmonary artery discontinuity (UPAD) is a rare fetal abnormality, for which a prenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis remains challenging. We report a case of left pulmonary artery discontinuity in association with Taussig–Bing syndrome, which has rarely been reported in the literature thus far.

Case presentation

A pregnant woman with a fetus with congenital heart disease (CHD) at 23 weeks gestation was referred to our center. She denied any familial history of genetic disorders in either spouse, and non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) also showed a low risk of CHD for the fetus. An ultrasound examination revealed a complex cardiac malformation indicative of left pulmonary artery discontinuity originating from the ductus arteriosus with Taussig–Bing syndrome. The family eventually chose to terminate the pregnancy and agreed to an autopsy, which confirmed that the prenatal echocardiographic diagnosis was correct. In addition, in this report, we review and analyze 17 reported cases of prenatal echocardiographic diagnoses of UPAD.

Conclusions

UPAD is characterized by discontinuity between the proximal and distal pulmonary arteries, along with a ductal origin of the distal pulmonary artery. A discontinuous pulmonary artery originating from the ductus can be detected on prenatal sonography using ultrasound technology. The aim is to detect malformations earlier and carry out the necessary intervention measures as soon as possible.
Attenuation of neutrophil adhesion and formation of neutrophil extracellular traps by pooled human immune globulins
Authors: Rao Vidhya R. , Iqbal Sana , Young Bradford A. , Mun Christine , Jain Sandeep , Kaja Simon
Published: December 2024

Introduction

This study investigated the efficacy of pooled human immune globulins (Flebogamma® DIF) to combat the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and NETosis, along with neutrophil adhesion to corneal epithelial cells in response to dry eye disease relevant stimuli.

Methods

Human neutrophils were isolated by bead-based immunomagnetic depletion of non-target cells from human whole blood. NETosis was induced using phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) or anti-citrullinated histone 4 R3 antibody (H4R3 ACPA). Extracellular DNA was used as a surrogate biomarker of NETosis, and it was quantified using a 96-well, plate reader-based fluorescent assay and by confocal microscopy in 8-well chambers using the DNA dye, SYTOXTM Green. Neutrophils were labeled with calcein-AM and adhesion to human corneal epithelial cells was measured. The efficacy of a dose-range of pooled human immune globulin (Flebogamma® DIF, 0.01%–5%) was tested in all assays.

Results

Pooled human immune globulins (Flebogamma® DIF) dose-dependently inhibited both PMA and H4R3 ACPA induced NETosis, with concentrations ≥2.5% fully preventing release of extracellular DNA over a 2–16 h time period. Similarly, Flebogamma® 5% DIF prevented NETosis against PMA (20 nM) and a dose range (0.1–10 μg/mL) of H4R3 ACPA. Both PMA and H4R3 ACPA increased adhesion of neutrophils to corneal epithelial cells by 20% and 5%, respectively. Flebogamma® DIF treatment resulted in a dose-dependent reduction of neutrophil adhesion, with Flebogamma® 5% DIF reducing adhesion to baseline levels.

Discussion

These findings show the dose-dependent efficacy of pooled human immune globulins, specifically Flebogamma® DIF against experimentally and pathologically induced NETosis and neutrophil adhesion to corneal epithelial cells, in vitro. The results from this study support the continued clinical development of Flebogamma® 5% DIF as a novel and efficacious treatment for the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease.
Efficacy and safety of danshen class injections in the treatment of coronary heart disease: a network meta-analysis
Authors: Dai Shuang , Ding Yukun , Guo Jianbo , Wang Xian
Published: December 2024

Background

Danshen [Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Lamiaceae; Salviae miltiorrhizae radix et rhizoma)] class injections (DSCIs) are widely used in the treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD). However, there are various types of DSCIs available on the market, and it remains uncertain which DSCI has the best clinical efficacy, as well as which one is most effective in regulating inflammatory markers and oxidative stress indicators. The aim of this network meta-analysis (NMA) is to compare the therapeutic effects of different DSCIs to identify the optimal DSCI for the treatment of CHD.

Methods

The databases searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of DSCIs for CHD included the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. The search period spanned from the inception of each database up to June 2024. NMA was conducted using RevMan 5.3 and Stata 16.0 software.

Results

A total of 106 studies including 14,979 patients, involving 10,931 patients, with 5,640 in the experimental group and 5,291 in the control group. And ten DSCIs were extracted, namely: Danhong injection (DH), Danshen injection (DS), Danshenchuanxiongqin injection (DSCXQ), Dansenduofensuanyan injection (DSDFSY), Danshenfen injection (DSFZ), Fufang Danshen injection (FFDS), Guanxinning injection (GXN), Sodium Tanshinone IIA Sulfonate injection (STS), Xiangdan injection (XD), Shenxiongputaotang injection (SXPTT). The results of NMA showed that, XD injection significantly enhances clinical efficacy; STS is more effective in reducing hs-CRP levels; DSDFSY shows better efficacy in decreasing IL-1 and increasing NO levels; DSCXQ has a greater advantage in reducing IL-6 levels; GXN is more effective in regulating SOD levels; and DH is better at reducing MDA levels.

Conclusion

The combined treatment of DSCIs and WM more significant efficacy in patients with CHD compared to WM treatment alone, including clinical efficacy evaluation, inflammatory markers, and oxidative stress markers. Overall, DSDFSY and DSCXQ show better performance in clinical efficacy evaluation and regulation of inflammatory markers, while DH exhibits a more stable effect in regulating oxidative stress. However, larger sample sizes and high-quality RCTs are still necessary to further compare the various DSCIs.

Systematic Review Registration

[PROSPERO], identifier [CRD42024548928].
Research on multi-scenario adaptive acoustic encoders based on neural architecture search
Authors: Wu Yiliang , Luo Xuliang , Guo Fengchan , Lu Tinghui , Liu Cuimei
Published: December 2024

This paper presents the Scene Adaptive Acoustic Encoder (SAAE) method, which is tailored to diverse acoustic environments for adaptive design. Hand-crafted acoustic encoders often struggle to adapt to varying acoustic conditions, resulting in performance degradation in end-to-end speech recognition tasks. To address this challenge, the proposed SAAE method learns the differences in acoustic features across different environments and accordingly designs suitable acoustic encoders. By incorporating neural architecture search technology, the effectiveness of the encoder design is enhanced, leading to improved speech recognition performance. Experimental evaluations on three commonly used Mandarin and English datasets (Aishell-1, HKUST, and SWBD) demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The SAAE method achieves an average error rate reduction of more than 5% compared with existing acoustic encoders, highlighting its capability to deeply analyze speech features in specific scenarios and design high-performance acoustic encoders in a targeted manner.
Overview of the development of satellite navigation blanket interference monitoring
Authors: He Yinhui , Li Baiyu , Chen Jinping , Wang Zhi , Xiao Wei , Lu Zukun
Published: December 2024

Satellite navigation interference monitoring is an important means to effectively evaluate interference and ensure the normal operation of global navigation satellite system (GNSS). Once interference is detected, this monitoring can identify the type of it, perform direction-finding and localization, evaluate its impact on GNSS, and guide the implementation of effective countermeasures. With the continuous progress of interference technology, the power required to cause the same jamming effect to the navigation system is getting smaller and smaller. Traditional radio monitoring system has been unable to meet the needs of the current satellite navigation monitoring in terms of sensitivity and accuracy. It is of great significance to develop and improve the dedicated satellite navigation monitoring system. This paper introduces the basic concept of satellite navigation interference monitoring and the composition of the system, analyzes the key technologies and finally gives an outlook on the development trends in this field.
Unraveling the complexity of the impact of physical exercise on male reproductive functions: a review of both sides of a coin
Authors: Adelowo Olayinka Emmanuel , Akindele Blessing Monica , Adegbola Cecilia Adedeji , Oyedokun Precious Adeoye , Akhigbe Tunmise Maryanne , Akhigbe Roland Eghoghosoa
Published: December 2024

Regular exercise is widely recognized for its numerous physical and mental benefits, but its effects on male reproductive health are less understood. This review aims to summarize the current evidence on the impact of exercise on male reproduction, including reproductive hormone regulation, spermatogenesis sperm quality, and fertility. Moderate exercise improves sperm quality, increasing count, motility, and morphology, while excessive and severe exercise may have detrimental effects. Exercise positively influences fertility by reducing oxidative stress and enhancing sperm DNA integrity. Regular physical activity regulates reproductive hormones, including testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone. Exercise-induced weight management and improved insulin sensitivity also contribute to better reproductive health. In conclusion, exercise has a profound impact on male reproductive health, with moderate physical activity promoting improved hormonal balance, sperm quality, and fertility. However, severe/excessive exercise exerts negative effects. These findings imply that a balanced exercise routine, usually mild to moderate, combined with a healthy lifestyle is essential for optimal male reproductive health. However, once exercise is severe and prolonged, it could impair male reproductive health. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying the exercise-reproduction relationship fully.
Mechanism-based myofilament manipulation to treat diastolic dysfunction in HFpEF
Authors: Dominic Katherine L. , Schmidt Alexandra V. , Granzier Henk , Campbell Kenneth S. , Stelzer Julian E.
Published: December 2024

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a major public health challenge, affecting millions worldwide and placing a significant burden on healthcare systems due to high hospitalization rates and limited treatment options. HFpEF is characterized by impaired cardiac relaxation, or diastolic dysfunction. However, there are no therapies that directly treat the primary feature of the disease. This is due in part to the complexity of normal diastolic function, and the challenge of isolating the mechanisms responsible for dysfunction in HFpEF. Without a clear understanding of the mechanisms driving diastolic dysfunction, progress in treatment development has been slow. In this review, we highlight three key areas of molecular dysregulation directly underlying impaired cardiac relaxation in HFpEF: altered calcium sensitivity in the troponin complex, impaired phosphorylation of myosin-binding protein C (cMyBP-C), and reduced titin compliance. We explore how targeting these pathways can restore normal relaxation, improve diastolic function, and potentially provide new therapeutic strategies for HFpEF treatment. Developing effective HFpEF therapies requires precision targeting to balance systolic and diastolic function, avoiding both upstream non-specificity and downstream rigidity. This review highlights three rational molecular targets with a strong mechanistic basis and potential for therapeutic success.
Functional interaction of melatonin with gasotransmitters and ROS in plant adaptation to abiotic stresses
Authors: Kolupaev Yuriy E. , Yemets Alla , Yastreb Tetiana O. , Blume Yaroslav
Published: December 2024

Melatonin is considered a multifunctional stress metabolite and a novel plant hormone affecting seed germination, root architecture, circadian rhythms, leaf senescence, and fruit ripening. Melatonin functions related to plant adaptation to stress stimuli of various natures are considered especially important. One of the key components of melatonin’s stress-protective action is its ability to neutralise reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species directly. However, many of its effects are related to its involvement in the signalling network of plant cells and its influence on the expression of a large number of genes important for adaptation to adverse factors. Insights into the functional relationships of melatonin with gasotransmitters (GT) – gaseous molecules performing signalling functions – are still emerging. This review has analysed and summarised the experimental data that testify to the participation of the main GTs – nitric oxide, hydrogen sulfide, and carbon monoxide – in the implementation of the protective effect of melatonin when plants are exposed to abiotic stimuli of various nature. In addition, modulation by melatonin of one of the most important components in the action of GTs and ROS – post-translational modifications of proteins and the influence of ROS and GTs on melatonin synthesis in plants under stress conditions and the specific physiological effects of exogenous melatonin and GTs have been reviewed. Finally, the prospects of the GTs’ practical application to achieve synergistic stress-protective effects on plants have been considered.
The use of the differential outcomes procedure for the recognition of facial expressions of complex emotions and its electrophysiological correlates
Authors: García-Pérez Ángel , Carmona Isabel , Estévez Angeles F.
Published: December 2024

The differential outcomes procedure (DOP) is an easily applicable method for enhancing discriminative learning and recognition memory. Its effectiveness in improving the recognition of facial expressions of emotion has been recently explored, with mixed success. This study aims to explore whether the expectancies generated via the DOP are reflected as differences in event-related potentials (ERPs) between participants in differential (DOP) or non-differential conditions (NOP) in a facial expression of complex emotion label task. Participants (n = 27 total, 14 DOP) in the DOP group received a specific reward for each specific emotion, while those in the NOP group received a random reinforcer when they correctly identified the emotion. We did not find differences in participants' accuracy or reaction time depending on group (DOP or NOP). These findings suggest that the DOP may not provide significant benefits for tasks involving labeling complex emotional expressions. However, differences in ERP components were observed between both groups. Specifically, the NOP group showed an increased Late Positive Component during encoding, fronto-central P300 during memory maintenance of facial stimuli, and frontal, fronto-central, and central P300 during retrieval. These ERPs, taken together, suggest that the task was more attentionally demanding for the NOP group. Additionally, some markers identified in previous ERP studies on the DOP were absent, indicating that the outcome expectancies may not have been fully generated. Finally, there were also interactions between the valence of the facial stimuli, participant group, and some of the potentials, such as N100 or N200 during encoding. These findings suggest that participants in the DOP group may have allocated more attentional resources to processing expressions of positive-valence emotions during earlier stages, possibly due to reward expectancy effects.
“Challenging behavior” in dementia care: ethical complications of a well-intentioned concept
Authors: Barth Jonas
Published: December 2024

Uncommon behaviours such as aggression, apathy or restlessness are described as challenging behaviours in dementia care. On the one hand, this concept describes a practical problem faced by care staff and, at the same time, defines normatively how care staff should deal with this problem. A frequent benchmark here is the dignity of the person in need of care, which caregivers should also respect in the case of challenging behaviour. However, little is known about the normative standards that are effective in practice in everyday care when dealing with challenging behaviour. Researching these can provide information on which standards are actually applied and encourage reflection on which standards should be applied. In view of the fact that challenging behaviour can also be associated with aggression and/or violence in particular, an ethically significant question arises as to what effects the practical handling of such behaviour has on the extent of the willingness to use violence. The aim of this article is therefore to present empirical findings from an ethnographic study that focuses on the interpretation and practical handling of aggressive behaviour of care recipients by the nursing staff. In essence, it will be shown that a professional approach to challenging behaviour helps to prevent people with dementia in need of care from committing violent acts. If this finding is analysed in terms of its ethical implications, the conclusion suggests itself that the exclusion of the possibility of using violence is to be welcomed, since the exercise of violence makes respect for the dignity of another person, if not impossible, at least more difficult. However, it is questionable whether, under such conditions, the renunciation of violence can still be attributed the freedom required to qualify it as ethically good behaviour.
Treatment access gap during the COVID-19 Pandemic: impact on problematic alcohol use and the moderating roles of perceived stress and resilience
Authors: Vergeer Rhianna R. , Luk Jeremy W. , Stangl Bethany L. , McCabe Emma M. , Ziausyte Ugne , Schwandt Melanie L. , Goldman David , Ramchandani Vijay A. , Diazgranados Nancy
Published: December 2024

Objective

The COVID-19 pandemic may have interfered with individuals’ access to alcohol use disorder (AUD) treatment, but limited research has documented the impact of treatment interference on drinking behavior. This study’s purpose was to examine the associations of AUD treatment interference with problematic alcohol use, and the moderating roles of perceived stress and resilience.

Method

A cross-sectional survey design was employed. Data were drawn from the baseline assessment of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Alcohol Study. Between June 2020 and March 2021, 288 participants (48.6% female, 51.4% male) responded to key measures of interest by phone and/or through an online survey. Study hypotheses were tested using multiple linear regression models adjusted for demographic characteristics (age, sex, race, ethnicity, years of education, household income, marital status), study enrollment phase, and history of AUD.

Results

Self-reported AUD treatment interference was positively associated with problematic alcohol use as measured by the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (b = 2.05, p < 0.001). Significant moderation effects indicated the association between AUD treatment interference and problematic alcohol use was stronger at a high level of perceived stress (b = 3.08, p < 0.001) and was attenuated at a high level of resilience (b = -0.13, p = 0.874).

Conclusions

Self-reported AUD treatment interference may indicate interruption to individuals’ support systems and highlight the need for continued access to treatment. Fostering positive coping strategies and resilience may help individuals mitigate risks of problematic drinking amidst a public health crisis.
Socioeconomic inequalities in depression and the role of job conditions in China
Authors: Ma Jie , Wu Jinjing , Marois Guillaume
Published: December 2024

Background

The rising prevalence of depression in China, coupled with a tightening job market, highlights concern for the workforce’s mental health. Although socioeconomic inequalities in depression have been well documented in high-income countries, the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and depression, along with its work-related mediators, has not been sufficiently studied in China.

Methods

The study participants are 6,536 non-agriculturally employed working adults from the 2020 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS). We build linear regression models to examine the relationship between SES and depression, using education and income as indicators of SES. We also apply a framework based on seemingly unrelated estimation (SUEST) to assess how job conditions, which include job demands and job resources, mediate this relationship.

Results

Both education and income are negatively associated with depression, with education’s association with depression remaining net of income. Mediation analysis reveals that the well-educated tend to occupy less demanding work with shorter working hours and lower probability of on-call duty, which partially helps explain the education-based depression gap. Higher earners experience more demanding work with longer working hours and higher probability of on-call duty, which potentially masks the income-based depression gap. Greater job resources including moderate schedule flexibility and better job security, appear to contribute to explaining the depression gap across SES.

Limitation

The cross-sectional design of this study precludes causal inferences. Not all typical job demands and resources could be included due to data limitations.

Conclusion

Our study provides insights into socioeconomic inequalities in mental health in the Chinese working population, with implications for policies aimed at preventing depression and improving mental health equity.
Effects of volcanic eruptions on the mental health of exposed populations: a systematic review
Authors: Mendoza Danae A. , Reales José M. , Ballesteros Soledad
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Millions of people living in volcanic environments are at risk of experiencing volcanic eruptions, a natural disaster. This systematic review aimed to collect empirical evidence of the effects of volcanic eruptions on the mental health of the exposed populations.

Methods

Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we conducted systematic searches on Scopus, PubMed, PsycINFO, Medline, and Web of Science (WoS) databases.

Results

A total of 17,044 articles were screened. Of these, 24 articles met the inclusion criteria and data were extracted. Twenty-one articles investigated psychological disorders, two articles studied emotions and their relationships with certain environmental factors, and one article explored cognitive functions in the exposed populations. These studies showed that highly exposed populations were more vulnerable to develop long-lasting psychological disorders than less exposed populations.

Conclusion

The negative influence of experiencing volcanic activity on mental health was confirmed. Clearly, there is a need for more research to improve the mental health of the populations highly exposed to volcanic eruptions. Recommendations for future research are also included.
Adenoid facies: a long-term vicious cycle of mouth breathing, adenoid hypertrophy, and atypical craniofacial development
Authors: Zhang Jiaqi , Fu Yongwei , Wang Lei , Wu Geng
Published: December 2024

Adenoid hypertrophy (AH) is characterized by pathological hyperplasia of the nasopharyngeal tonsils, a component of Waldryer’s ring, which represents the first immune defense of the upper respiratory tract. The pathogenic factors contributing to AH remain to be comprehensively investigated to date. Although some studies suggest that environmental exposure to smoke and allergens, respiratory tract infections, and hormonal influences likely contribute to the development of AH, further research is necessary for fully elucidating the effects of these factors on the onset and progression of AH. AH is the most common cause of airway obstruction in the pediatric population, with a prevalence rate of 49.7%, and is frequently accompanied by various comorbidities. These patients often present with distinctive dental characteristics, including increased overjet, posterior crossbite, a high palatal plane, narrow dental arches, and facial features characterized by disproportionate alterations in facial height, commonly referred to as “adenoid facies.” Individuals with adenoid facies frequently display abnormal breathing patterns, especially mouth breathing. The present review summarizes the findings of research articles sourced from PubMed, IEEE, and Web of Science over the last 20 years up to September 2024. Several high-quality studies screened using the PICOPS framework reported that perioral muscle dysfunction, dental and skeletal malocclusions, and upper airway obstruction caused by AH are interdependent issues and mutually exacerbate one another. The review summarizes the potential associations and mechanisms linking AH, mouth breathing, and the subsequent development of adenoid facies in children.
Segmenting female students' perceptions about Fintech using Explainable AI
Authors: Adam Christos
Published: December 2024

The use of Financial Technology (Fintech) has been proposed as a promising way to bridge the gender gap, both financially and socially. However, there is evidence that Fintech is far from achieving this objective, and that women's perceptions of Fintech usages are not clear. Therefore, the main objective of the this study is to segment women's perceptions toward Fintech tools and interpret these segments using machine learning methods. Two primary segments of women were produced, namely a “Fintech-friendly” group and a “Fintech-sceptical” group. The importance and reasonings behind the aforementioned segmentation are then examined. The most prominent factors affecting a woman being in the “Fintech-friendly” group are the perceived benefits of Fintech tools compared to the traditional ones, such as ease of usage, time-space convenience, and its advantageous nature. Finally, for Fintech stakeholders, implications for usability, ease, Fintech education, and tailored experiences may be advantageous approaches.
Purified fibers in chemically defined synthetic diets destabilize the gut microbiome of an omnivorous insect model
Authors: Dockman Rachel Louise , Ottesen Elizabeth A.
Published: December 2024

The macronutrient composition of a host’s diet shapes its gut microbial community, with dietary fiber in particular escaping host digestion to serve as a potent carbon source for gut microbiota. Despite widespread recognition of fiber’s importance to microbiome health, nutritional research often fails to differentiate hyper-processed fibers from cell-matrix-derived intrinsic fibers, limiting our understanding of how individual polysaccharides influence the gut community. We use the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) as a model system to dissect the response of complex gut microbial communities to dietary modifications that are difficult to test in traditional host models. Here, we designed synthetic diets from lab-grade, purified ingredients to identify how the cockroach microbiome responds to six different carbohydrates (chitin, methylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, pectin, starch, and xylan) in otherwise balanced diets. We show via 16S rRNA gene profiling that these synthetic diets reduce bacterial diversity and alter the phylogenetic composition of cockroach gut microbiota in a fiber-dependent manner, regardless of the vitamin and protein content of the diet. Comparisons with cockroaches fed whole-food diets reveal that synthetic diets induce blooms in common cockroach-associated taxa and subsequently fragment previously stable microbial correlation networks. Our research leverages an unconventional microbiome model system and customizable lab-grade artificial diets to shed light on how purified polysaccharides, as opposed to nutritionally complex intrinsic fibers, exert substantial influence over a normally stable gut community.
Modeling exospheres: analytical and numerical methods with application examples
Authors: Tenishev Valeriy , Shou Yinsi , Lee Yuni , Ma Yingjuan , Combi Michael R.
Published: December 2024

Exospheres, the tenuous gas environments surrounding planets, planetary satellites, and cometary comae, play a significant role in mediating the interactions of these astronomical bodies with their surrounding space environments. This paper presents a comprehensive review of both analytical and numerical methods employed in modeling exospheres. The paper explores analytical models, including the Chamberlain and Haser models, which have significantly contributed to our understanding of exospheres of planets, planetary satellites, and cometary comae. Despite their simplicity, these models provide baselines for more complex simulations. Numerical methods, particularly the Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method, have proven to be highly effective in capturing the detailed dynamics of exospheres under non-equilibrium conditions. The DSMC method’s capacity to incorporate a wide range of physical processes, such as particle collisions, chemical reactions, and surface interactions, makes it an indispensable tool in planetary science. The Adaptive Mesh Particle Simulator (AMPS), which employs the DSMC method, has demonstrated its versatility and effectiveness in simulating gases in planetary and satellite exospheres and dusty gas cometary comae. It provides a detailed characterization of the physical processes that govern these environments. Additionally, the multi-fluid model BATSRUS has been effective in modeling neutral gases in cometary comae, as discussed in the paper. The paper presents methodologies of exosphere modeling and illustrates them with specific examples, including the modeling of the Enceladus plume, the sodium exosphere of the Moon, the coma of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, and the hot oxygen corona of Mars and Venus.