bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kapasitas Remaja Akhir dalam Menghadapi Bencana Banjir di Kelurahan Bidara Cina, Kecamatan Jatinegara, Kota Jakarta Timur
Authors: Muhammad Farhan Damar Pamungkas  , Rayuna Handawati  , Sony Nugratama Hijrawadi
Published: April 2024

This study aims to determine the capacity of late adolescents in facing flood disasters in Bidara Cina Village, East Jakarta City. People in this area consider floods as normal so they need to increase awareness of the dangers of floods and how to overcome them. The method in this study is quantitative descriptive using survey approach techniques. The population in this study was 3,182 people. While the research samples amounted to each of the four RW samples, namely RW 03 totaling 17 samples, RW 05 totaling 13 samples, RW 06 totaling 11 samples, RW 07 totaling 36 samples, and RW 011 totaling 23 samples. The total sample in the study in Bidara Cina Village, East Jakarta City amounted to 100 respondents. This study uses three aspects used to measure the capacity of late adolescents, namely aspects of knowledge, aspects of action plans and aspects of local wisdom. Each aspect has a score, in the knowledge aspect it has a fairly good score of 65.8%, the action plan aspect has a score of 50.1%, and the local wisdom aspect has a score of 52.2%. After calculations were made on the results of the study, it was found that the capacity of late adolescents in dealing with flood disasters had a percentage of 57.3% included in the medium category. Therefore, there is still a need for socialization and debriefing for late adolescents there to increase the capacity of late adolescents and reduce the impact when facing floods.
Pemanfaatan E-Modul Berbasis Canva terhadap Hasil Belajar Kognitif Peserta Didik Di SMAN 61 Jakarta
Authors: Ayuning Tyas Triesna , Sofyan Hardi Ode , Setiawan Cahyadi
Published: April 2024

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of utilizing Canva-based e-module teaching materials on the cognitive learning outcomes of class X students on the material of lithospheric dynamics at SMA Negeri 61 Jakarta. The nonequivalent control group design method was used in this quasi-experimental study. In this study, purposive sampling technique was used with the sample used, namely class X-7 as an experimental class that utilized the application of Canva-based e-modules during the learning process and X-8 as a control class that did not use Canva-based e-modules in learning. Based on the results of research in the field, a significant effect was obtained on the learning outcomes of experimental class students. The learning outcomes of the experimental class experienced a high increase to 88.64 from 49.92. While the control class learning outcomes increased to 83.56 from 51.36. The acquisition of the Sig. value in the t test (Independent sample t-test) of 0.046 which means H0 is rejected and Ha is accepted, because the Sig value. <0.05 is reinforcing evidence of the discovery of differences in students' cognitive learning outcomes. Therefore, there is a significant effect in improving the cognitive learning outcomes of class X students at SMA Negeri 61 Jakarta after utilizing Canva-based E-module teaching materials in learning geography material on the dynamics of the lithosphere
Optimizing Learning Across Multimodal Transfer Features for Modelling Olfactory Perception
Authors: Shin Daniel , Pei Gao , Kumari Priyadarshini , Besold Tarek R.
Published: April 2024

For humans and other animals, the sense of smell provides crucial information in many situations of everyday life. Still, the study of olfactory perception has received only limited attention outside of the biological sciences. From an AI perspective, the complexity of the interactions between olfactory receptors and volatile molecules and the scarcity of comprehensive olfactory datasets present unique challenges in this sensory domain. Previous works have explored the relationship between molecular structure and odor descriptors using fully supervised training approaches. However, these methods are data-intensive and poorly generalized due to labeled data scarcity, particularly for rare-class samples.
Our study partially tackles the challenges of data scarcity and label skewness through multimodal transfer learning. We investigate the potential of large molecular foundation models trained on extensive unlabeled molecular data to effectively model olfactory perception. Additionally, we explore the integration of different molecular representations, including molecular graphs and text-based SMILES encodings, to achieve data efficiency and generalization of the learned model, particularly on sparsely represented classes. By leveraging complementary representations, we aim to learn robust perceptual features of odorants. However, we observe that traditional methods of combining modalities do not yield substantial gains in high-dimensional skewed label spaces. To address this challenge, we introduce a novel \emph{label-balancer} technique specifically designed for high-dimensional multi-label and multi-modal training. The label-balancer technique distributes learning objectives across modalities to optimize collaboratively for distinct subsets of labels. Our results suggest that multi-modal transfer features learned using the label-balancer technique are more effective and robust, surpassing the capabilities of traditional uni- or multi-modal approaches, particularly on rare-class samples.
Association between cytokine and increased risk of death in ART- naïve and ART-non-adherence patients hospitalized with advanced HIV disease
Authors: Mota Wellington , Santana Monique F , Baptista Bárbara J , Almeida Taynná VR , Salimo Zeca M , Balieiro Antônio A S , Costa Allyson G , Ibiapina Hiochelson N dos S , Carvalho Andrea T , Martins-Filho Olindo A , Chaves Yury O , Lacerda Marcus VG , Benzaken Adele S , Ferreira Luiz C L , Nogueira Paulo A
Published: April 2024

Background
Despite significant progress made in healthcare for PLWHA, many patients still present or re-visit healthcare centers, with advanced HIV disease, increasing their risk of death. The main causes of advanced disease are late initiation of treatment and low adherence to ART. Soluble immunological markers have prognostic significance in clinical medicine, but it is not clear whether irregular use of ART influences levels of circulating cytokines. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the association of cytokines to predict mortality among hospitalized PLWHA. In addition, the study evaluated the greater risk of death between ART-naive and ART-non-adherent HIV + patients with advanced disease and quantified the levels of immunological markers in postmortem whole blood samples to assess if they can be influenced by irregular use of ART.
Methods
Longitudinal observational study was carried out at the Fundação de Medicina Tropical Doutor Heitor Vieira Dourado (FMT-HVD) in Manaus, Brazil. In total, 111 participants were conveniently recruited between 2019 to 2021. Clinical and laboratory data were obtained from electronic medical records. From patient plasma samples, 27 types of cytokines/chemokines were measured using the Luminex Multiplex Assay within 72 hours of patient admission and 6 hours after death.
Results
Respiratory syndromes being the main causes of hospitalization. Pulmonary tuberculosis, neurotoxoplasmosis and oropharyngeal-esophageal candidiasis were the most prevalent opportunistic infections. The risk of death is higher among ART-naïve PLWHA. The levels of most of the 27 immunological markers were higher in those who died and post-mortem than those who were discharged from hospitalization. The increased levels of IFNγ, CCL2 and CCL3 were associated with death and increased levels of immunological markers in ART-naïve PLWH were associated with CD4 cell counts. The multivariate model showed that among post-mortem immunological markers, increased IL-17 was associated with ART-naïve PLWHA, while increased IFNγ was associated with ART experienced individuals.
Conclusions
ART-naïve PLWHA hospitalized with advanced disease have a higher risk of death. Some immunological markers are possible predictors of death upon hospital admission due to HIV/AIDS, and their levels increased at post-mortem. Our findings suggest a polarized response to IL-17 and IFNγ among ART-naïve and ART-experienced PLWHA, respectively.
Prebiotic fibre mixtures counteract the manifestation of gut microbial dysbiosis induced by the chemotherapeutic 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) in a validated in vitro model of the colon
Authors: Ziemons Janine , Hillege Lars E. , Aarnoutse Romy , de Vos-Geelen Judith , Iersel Liselot Valkenburg-van , Mastenbroek Jasper , Geel Robin van , Barnett David J. M. , Rensen Sander S. , Helvoort Ardy van , Dopheide Lotte H. J. , Roeselers Guus , Penders John , Smidt Marjolein L. , Venema Koen
Published: April 2024

Background
5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is used as an antineoplastic agent in distinct cancer types. Increasing evidence suggests that the gut microbiota might modulate 5-FU efficacy and toxicity, potentially affecting the patient’s prognosis. The current experimental study investigated 5-FU-induced microbiota alterations, as well as the potential of prebiotic fibre mixtures to counteract these shifts.
Methods
A pooled microbial consortium was derived from ten healthy donors, inoculated in an in vitro model of the colon, and treated with 5-FU, with or without prebiotic fibre mixtures for 72 hours.
Results
We identified 5-FU-induced changes in gut microbiota composition, but not in microbial diversity. Administration of four different prebiotic fibre mixtures during 5-FU influenced gut microbiota composition and taxa abundance. Amongst others, prebiotic fibre mixtures successfully stimulated potentially beneficial bacteria (Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Anaerostipes, Weissela, Olsenella, Senegalimassilia) and suppressed the growth of potentially pathogenic bacteria (Klebsiella, Enterobacter) in the presence of 5-FU. The short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) acetate increased slightly during 5-FU, but even more during 5-FU with prebiotic fibre mixtures, while propionate was lower due to 5-FU with or without prebiotic fibre mixtures, compared to control. The SCFA butyrate and valerate did not show differences among all conditions. The BCFA iso-butyrate and iso-valerate were higher in 5-FU, but lower in 5-FU + prebiotics, compared to control.
Conclusions
These data suggest that prebiotic fibre mixtures represent a promising strategy to modulate 5-FU-induced microbial dysbiosis towards a more favourable microbiota, thereby possibly improving 5-FU efficacy and reducing toxicity, which should be evaluated further in clinical studies.
Modelling Depression Treatment and HIV CareCascade Dynamics in Kenya
Authors: Chemutai Josiline , Waema Rachel , Mwalili Samuel Musili
Published: April 2024

HIV/AIDS has become one of the major global health burdens and threat to public health. By the end of 2021, 38.4 million people globally were living with HIV and over 1.4 million people live with HIV in Kenya. The ''HIV care cascade'' serves as an individual-level tool for evaluating HIV care and treatment results and a population-level paradigm for estimating the percentage of HIV-positive individuals in a given region who are participating in each subsequent phase. Several factors have been highlighted to influence the HIV care cascade and among this is depression which influences the improvements in ART service provision; diagnosis of people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA), linkages to care, continued engagement in HIV care and retention in HIV care which are crucial in attaining the 95% on ART target in the sub-Saharan region. Thus, This study employed mathematical compartmental modeling to investigate the impact of depression treatment on the HIV care cascade dynamics in Kenya. A deterministic compartmental model of the depression and HIV care cascade was developed from a system of Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs). The basic reproduction number was evaluated using the next generation matrix. The numerical results showed that improving depression treatment can positively influence the HIV care cascade, leading to improved outcomes, such as higher rates of testing, linkage, adherence, retention, and viral suppression. The study highlights the importance of integrating depression treatment into HIV care services and provides valuable insights for policymakers and healthcare providers on how to improve the HIV care cascade dynamics in Kenya.
Telehealth Service Utilization among Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study in Bangladesh
Authors: Jamil Safayet , Akter Masuda , Akter Shimpi , Akter Sopon , Koly Anar , Hossain Md Ikbal , Kabir Humayun , Hasan Md. Kamrul
Published: April 2024

Telehealth is an essential aspect of making it easier for individuals to access healthcare, especially now that healthcare technology has advanced. As a result, both developed and developing countries are increasing the utilization of telehealth services. Our study investigated the relationship of knowledge, perceived benefit, perceived concern, and predisposition with telehealth service utilization in Bangladesh. This cross-sectional study was conducted from May 22, 2021, to June 15, 2021. A total of 1252 respondents were recruited by following a convenient sampling technique. The outcome variable of this study was telehealth service utilization. The explanatory variables included telehealth-related knowledge, perceived benefit, perceived concern, and predisposition, as well as demographic information and perceived health status. The binary logistic regression models were used to investigate the association between the explanatory and outcome variables. The participants utilized the telehealth service in the past six months was 16.61%. Increased knowledge and perceived benefit scores were associated with higher utilization of telehealth services, while higher self-reported concern was associated with a lower likelihood of utilization of telehealth services. The lower education and rural residency were associated with a lower likelihood of telehealth service utilization.
Assessing the Validity and Reliability of the Indonesian Version of Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Global Health
Authors: Biben Vitriana , Arisanti Farida , Fitriana Efi , Maklun Erika , Miguna Vindy Margaretha , Alviani Nabilla Fikria
Published: April 2024

Background
The assessment of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) is an essential clinical outcome, focusing on the subjective perception of individuals regarding their health status in the physical, mental, and social dimensions. However, HRQoL assessment in large-scale studies and mass inspections presents various challenges, necessitating the development of non-burdensome instrument. A promising instrument in this context is PROMIS Global Health, a widely used English tool, which requires translation, validation, and cross-cultural testing for non-English populations, such as Indonesia. Therefore, this study aimed to validate and assess the reliability of the Indonesian version of Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Global Health for comprehensive HRQoL assessment.
Methods
The sample population comprised 343 participants, including patients, caregivers, and residents of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. PROMIS Global Health was subjected to translation and cultural adaptation using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT) method. Subsequently, the content validity test was carried out using S-CVI assessment of 5 experts, and the internal validity was evaluated with Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). The reliability test was performed with Cronbach's Alpha for internal consistency as well as the test-retest method for external consistency and item discrimination analysis.
Results
Questions or statements in the Indonesian version of PROMIS Global Health based on S-CVI/Universal Agreement (0.90), χ2/df (1.53), RMSEA (0.04), RMR (0.03), and CFI (0.99). The reliability results showed that Chronbach's Alpha score for Global Physical Health (GPH) and Global Mental Health (GMH) was 0.61 and 0.77, respectively. In addition, the test-retest method showed a good correlation (GPH r = 0.727, p < 0.05; GMH r = 0.701, p < 05) with item analysis factor loading of > 0.3.
Conclusion
Based on the results, the validity and reliability tests showed that questions or statements in PROMIS Global Health were valid and reliable.
White matter alterations associated with chronic cannabis use disorder: a structural network and fixel-based analysis
Authors: Suo Chao , Yücel Murat , Maleki Suzan , Hendrikse Joshua , Richardson Karyn , Segrave Rebecca , hughes Sam , Kayayan Edouard , Oldham Stuart , Syeda Warda , Coxon James , Caeyenberghs Karen , Dominguezduque Juan , Solowij Nadia , Lubman Dan
Published: April 2024

Cannabis use disorder (CUD) is associated with adverse mental health effects, as well as social and cognitive impairment. Given prevalence rates of CUD are increasing, there is considerable efforts, and need, to identify prognostic markers which may aid in minimising any harms associated with this condition. Previous neuroimaging studies have revealed changes in white matter (WM) organization in people with CUD, though, findings are mixed. In this study, we applied MRI-based analysis techniques that offer complimentary mechanistic insights, i.e., a connectome approach and fixel-based analysis (FBA) to investigate properties of individual WM fibre populations and their microstructure across the entire brain, providing a highly sensitive approach to detect subtle changes and overcome limitations of previous diffusion models. We compared 56 individuals with CUD (median age 25 years) to a sample of 38 healthy individuals (median age 31.5 years). Compared to controls, those with CUD had significantly increased structural connectivity strength (FDR corrected) across 9 edges between the right parietal cortex and several cortical and subcortical regions, including left orbitofrontal, left temporal pole, and left hippocampus and putamen. Utilizing FBA, WM density was significantly higher in those with CUD (FWE corrected) across the splenium of corpus callosum, and lower in bilateral cingulum and right cerebellum. We observed significant correlation between cannabis use over the past month and connectivity strength of the frontoparietal edge, and between age of regular use and WM density of the bilateral cingulum and right cerebellum. Our findings enhance the understanding of WM architecture alterations associated with CUD.
IFN-beta promotes RSAD2 expression and Lupus plasma cell differentiation via DNA Demethylation
Authors: mei yang , Li Xi , Xin Yue , He Zhenghao , Chen Yongjian , Yao Hongmei , Yang Ming , Wu Haijing
Published: April 2024

Background
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease, in which the pathogenesis is revealed as abnormalities in B cells with no clear mechanism. Radical s-adenosyl methionine domain-containing 2 (RSAD2) is an interferon-stimulated gene (ISG), and it has been found to play an important role in innate immunity. Recent years the function of RSAD2 in autoimmune diseases, but its still unknown for RSAD2 in B cells from SLE patients still.
Result
In this study, we found RSAD2 was abnormal in SLE by analysis of database, which was relative with interferon (IFN). Further, we found that RSAD2 in peripheral blood B cell subsets was generally higher in SLE patients than healthy controls (HCs). In the meantime, differentiated B cells showed significantly higher expression of RSAD2 than naïve B cells in human tonsils. In the functional study in vitro, the frequencies of differentiated B cells and the expression of RSAD2 were enhanced by interferon-β (IFN-β). Simultaneously, the frequency of plasma cells (PC) was significantly reduced in sorted peripheral CD19+ B cells which was knock-down RSAD2 and stimulated with IFN-β. Mechanically, IFN-β can induce the hypomethylation of RSAD2 in B cells in vitro, which might be one of mechanisms for increased expression level of RSAD2 in B cells from SLE patients.
Conclusion
This study uncovered that IFN-β up-regulated the expression of RSAD2 by down-regulating the methylation of it to promote B cell differentiation.
Skeletal Muscle Mass Loss with Use of Dual GLP-1/GIP Receptor Agonist Tirzepatide: CaseReport and Review of Literature
Authors: Zinn Jessica , Poretsky Leonid
Published: April 2024

Obesity is a complex chronic disease which poses a significant impact on health and wellbeing. While lifestyle modifications remain important in the treatment of obesity, incretins, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and the dual incretin receptor agonist tirzepatide, have revolutionized diabetes and weight management. We report a 69-year old male initially presenting with a BMI of 31.2 kg/m2 and hemoglobin A1c of 5.9%, whose treatment with tirzepatide resulted in a reduction of weight by 28.7 lbs and a decrease in BMI to 26.8 kg/m2. Patient however, also experienced a 9.9 lb loss of skeletal muscle mass. Multiple studies have demonstrated that treatment with tirzepatide results in significant improvement in HgbA1c as well as meaningful weight loss. Although the loss of skeletal muscle mass has been well described with the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists, there is little information regarding the effect of dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist tirzepatide on skeletal muscle mass. We provide a detailed case study and a literature review on this topic.
Does Living Alone Jeopardize Seniors’ Mental Health? Evidence from China
Authors: Wang Haolin , Sun Bing
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Solitary living has gradually gained popularity in China. From a spatial perspective, this trend weakens the emotional connections between parents and children, a fundamental concept in Confucianism. This has raised concerns about the mental health of older adults who live alone. Despite prior research having evaluated the influence of solitary living on seniors’ mental health in different cultures, there remains controversy about these conclusions.
Methods: This article adopted fixed effect model to analyze three sets of data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study based on different family cultures reflected by living arrangements and mental health.
Results: The results indicate that living alone reduces seniors’ depression levels by 0.322 (P< 0.01). The positive effects generated by solitary living on seniors’ mental health originate from living close to their children. This living style effectively balances the need for individual independence and the demand for maintaining close family relationships, reconciling intergenerational family cultures.Differences in family cultures are also identified between rural and urban areas. This study indicates that living alone is good for the mental health of seniors in rural areas; however, no significant effects were found for older adults in urban areas. This difference is likely because living distantly from their children has increased the depression levels of seniors in urban areas.
Discussion: As living close to their children positively impacts seniors’ mental health, policymakers are advised to focus on enhancing local government’s capabilities to absorb employment. Special emphasis should be placed on incentivizing migrant workers in urban areas to consider returning to their hometowns to initiate entrepreneurial ventures or seek employment opportunities.
The minimum mass ratio of W UMa-type contact binaries --- a new calculation
Authors: Zhang Xu-Dong
Published: April 2024

A model is developed to establish the relationship between the critical gyration radius k of the primary component and the mass ratio (q) by considering the different dimensionless gyration radii of main-sequence stars with varying masses. The next step involves obtaining the low mass ratio limit (qmin= 0.038 - 0.041 for overcontact degree f = 0 - 1) of W UMa-type contact binaries. Furthermore, the radial density distributions are estimated within the range of 0.3 Msun - 4.0 Msun, based on the mass-radius relationship of main-sequence stars. Subsequently, the physical meaning of the minimum k value is proposed, which leads to an explanation for the cause of the minimum mass ratio. Finally, a stability criterion is proposed, which is based on both the mass ratio (q) and the mass of the primary component (M1).
Characterization of the oral and intestinal microbiota in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: WEI WEI , Wang YueKui , Chen Peng , Kuai WenTao , ZHU YU , XU LIANG
Published: April 2024

Background
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide. HCC has been found to be associated with oral and intestinal flora, and the aim of this paper is to characterize the composition and metabolism of oral and intestinal microbiota and investigate their functions in HCC.
Methods
Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing and clinical data, this study concentrated on a cohort of 29 patients with hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-HCC) and a cohort of 20 patients with chronic viral hepatitis B (HBV). Strict inclusion and exclusion criteria were followed.
Results
Shannon and Simpson indices showed slightly lower oral and gut microbiota diversity and significantly higher OTUS (Chao1, ACE, OTUs, PD whole tree) in HCC patients. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) effect size (LEfSe) revealed a substantial difference between the gut and oral microbiota of HCC patients and the control group. Further OTUs analysis of the oral microbiota showed a significant decrease in Proteobacteria and an impressive rise in Firmicutes and Bacteroidota abundance in the HCC, as well as a significant decrease in Firmicutes and a crucial increase in Proteobacteria and Bacteroidota abundance in the gut microbiota. The most significant groups in the oral and intestinal tracts at the genus level were Neisseria perflava and bacteroidales, respectively. According to the Venn chart, Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, and Proteobacteria represent a majority of the common flora found in the oral and intestinal tracts of HCC patients; Neisseria, Bacteroides, and Prevotella are more significant at the genus level. Finally, Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt) found that a significant elevation of glycan metabolism occurred in the intestinal and oral flora.
Conclusion
The biodiversity of the oral and intestinal flora of HCC patients was significantly higher, characterized by Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, Fusobacteriota, and Actinobacteria. At the genus level, Neisseria perflava was the most important; Neisseria, Bacteroides, and Prevotella were symbiotic bacteria in two ecological niches; they all contribute to the progression of HCC through the oral-intestinal-hepatic axis. Glycan biosynthesis and metabolism are significantly more active in the oral and intestinal flora of patients with HCC, and may promote hepatocellular carcinoma growth.
Content characteristics and risk assessment of heavy metal elements in Shangluo tea garden soil
Authors: Niu Ziru , Zhang Yang , Han Jichang , Zhao Yutong , Hu Kunlin , He Peng
Published: April 2024

The study focused on analyzing the content characteristics of heavy metal elements in the soil of the Shangluo tea garden and conducting a risk assessment. The goal is to offer insights for the prevention and control of soil heavy metal pollution, as well as the protection of the tea garden soil. A comprehensive investigation involved the collection of 165 soil samples from the primary tea production regions in Shangluo. The analysis included the examination of pH values and the concentrations of five heavy metal elements (Cd, Hg, As, Pb, Cr). Pollution levels were evaluated through the utilization of the Nemerow Pollution Index and Geo-accumulation Index. The mean concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cr, As, and Hg in the soil within the research area were 18.99 mg/kg, 0.07 mg/kg, 67.03 mg/kg, 8.67 mg/kg, and 0.03 mg/kg, respectively. These values were all found to be lower than the background levels established for Shangluo soil. According to the single-factor pollution index and geo-accumulation index, the overall status of tea plantation soils in the study area was non-polluted. However, the evaluation based on the Nemerow Pollution Index indicated a mild pollution level due to the light pollution status of Cd, Cr, and Hg, with 87% of the soil samples classified as non-polluted and 12% as mildly polluted. When compared with the risk screening values for agricultural soil, the average concentrations of heavy metals in the examined tea plantation soils were found to be below the prescribed screening thresholds. Pearson correlation analysis and cluster analysis indicated that the heavy metal pollution in Shangluo tea plantation soils is predominantly influenced by natural sources. However, it is important not to disregard the escalating impact of anthropogenic sources. Overall, the tea plantation soils in Shangluo are in a clean state, but there is a risk of pollution with Cd, Cr, and Hg elements.
A multimethod approach to assess arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal diversity in a hot arid and hyperalkaline region
Authors: Robin-Soriano Alexandre , Maurice Kenji , Boivin Stéphane , Bourceret Amelia , Laurent-Webb Liam , Youssef Sami , Nespoulous Jérôme , Boussière Inès , Berder Julie , Damasio Coraline , Vincent Bryan , Boukcim Hassan , Ducousso Marc , Gros-Balthazard Muriel
Published: April 2024

Hot deserts impose extreme conditions on plants growing in arid soils. Deserts are expanding due to climate change, thereby increasing the vulnerability of ecosystems and the need to preserve them. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) improve plant fitness by enhancing plant water/nutrient uptake and stress tolerance. However, few studies have focused on AMF diversity and community composition in deserts, and the soil and land use parameters affecting them. This study aimed to comprehensively describe AMF ecological features in a 5,000 m2 arid hyperalkaline region in AlUla, Saudi Arabia. We used a multimethod approach to analyse over 1,000 soil and 300 plant root samples of various species encompassing agricultural, old agricultural, urban and natural ecosystems. Our method involved metabarcoding using 18S and ITS2 markers, histological techniques for direct AMF colonization observation and soil spore extraction and observation. Our findings revealed a predominance of AMF taxa assigned to Glomeraceae, regardless of the local conditions, and an almost complete absence of Gigasporales taxa. Land use had little effect on the AMF richness, diversity and community composition, while soil texture, pH and substantial unexplained stochastic variance drove their structuring in AlUla soils. Mycorrhization was frequently observed in the studied plant species, even in usually non-mycorrhizal plant taxa. Date palms and Citrus trees, representing two major crops in the region, displayed however a very low mycorrhizal frequency and intensity. AlUla soils had a very low concentration of spores, which were mostly small. This study generated new insight on AMF and specific behavioral features of these fungi in arid environments.
Effect of different neuromuscular training modalities on postural stability in healthy recreation people: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Marinkovic Dragan , Macak Drazenka , Stanic Vukasin , Madic Dejan M , Radanovic Danilo , Gojkovic Zoran , Spasic Miodrag , Ilic Aleksandra , Trivic Tatjana , Drid Patrik
Published: April 2024

This study aimed to determine the effects of dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (DNS), whole-body vibration (WBV), and a combination of DNS and WBV (MIX) training modalities on postural stability (PS) in healthy recreation participants. 180 gender-balanced groups (age 24.02 ± 2.07 years) were divided into: MIX (n = 47), DNS (n = 45), VIBRO (n = 44), and control group (CONTROL, n = 43) and underwent two months treatment. The single and double-leg Center of Force (COF) parameters were collected. A 2x4 mixed-design analysis of covariances indicated that improvements were trivial to large in most of the PS measures of MIX and DNS, while no significant change occurred in VIBRO and CONTROL. In the MIX and DNS, the average COF path length of double and single support on the left leg and ML displacements of single support on the right leg vastly improved (Hedge’s gav: MIX vs. DNS); MIX group improved COF path length of double support (1.99 vs. 0.79), COF path length of single support on the left leg (1.64 vs. 1.28), and ML displacement of single support on the right leg (0.92 vs. 0.75) to a greater extent. Combined modalities seem more efficient than single modalities for enhancing measures.
Features of chronic urticaria after COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, a real-life cohort study
Authors: Muller Yannick ,   Johan Schwab1, Foglierini Mathilde , Pescosolido Eva , Pacheco Inès , Buendía Gustavo Ruiz , Madelon Natacha , Pellaton Celine , Monzambani Véronique , Ribi Camillo , Bergmann Marcel , Didierlaurent Arnaud , Fenwick Craig , Duperrex Olivier
Published: April 2024

Background New onsets of chronic urticaria (CU) have been reported after repeated immunizations, mainly with the Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine (Spikevax)
Objective This study aims to evaluate patients with CU after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination. The contribution of SARS-Cov2 infection, atopy and IgE against the vaccine was analyzed.
Methods We monitored the features of patients who developed CU after vaccination in the Canton of Vaud through two surveys conducted in 2022 and 2023. Fifty individuals with CU underwent blood tests, and their results were compared with individuals without a history of urticaria (N=135). The presence of anti-vaccine IgE was detected with basophil activation tests (BAT). We assessed anti-SARS-Cov2 humoral response, and the presence of IgEs against common respiratory allergens (Phadiatop) as a surrogate for atopy.
Results Post-vaccination CU occurred after a median interval of 10 days and significantly more after the Spikevax booster, affecting middle-aged individuals (median 41, 66% females). In 2023, CU was still active in 53% of the cases. Inducible forms of CU, primarily dermographism, were reported in 54% (2022) and 61% (2023) of the cases. BAT positivity was not specific to CU, anti-nucleocapsid positivity, or atopy but was significantly associated with higher anti-spike neutralizing activities and younger age. Four CU patients tolerated an additional dose of mRNA vaccine with no disease exacerbation/recurrence.
Conclusion The Spikevax booster induced anti-vaccine IgE independently of CU, the latter being not directly associated with COVID-19 infection nor atopy. The tolerance to a new booster in 4/4 patients suggests that the Spikevax vaccine indirectly triggered CU in predisposed individuals.
Research on the distribution of debris flow impact on the upstream surface of the check dam
Authors: Yu Xianbin , Li Wei , Zhang Guibin
Published: April 2024

The impact force of debris flow is not only an important indicator of the risk assessment of debris flow and the strength impact resistance of buildings against debris flow, but also an important parameter in the design of various debris flow prevention projects (such as the check dam and the drainage channel, etc.). The pressure sensors are arranged at different positions (monitoring points) on the upstream face of the check dam. By changing the slope of the drainage channel, the bulk density of debris flow and the slope gradient of the upstream face of the check dam, the time history curves of the impact force at the monitoring points under different experiment conditions are obtained. The characteristic value of impact force of debris flow acting on the surface of sand retaining dam is analyzed, and the evolution law of mean value and maximum value of impact force of debris flow at the same detection location with the above conditions is obtained. The mean value and maximum value of debris flow impact force at different detection locations under the same working condition are analyzed to obtain the evolution law of debris flow impact force at different locations, and then the distribution trend of debris flow impact force on the upstream face of the check dam is obtained. The research results provide scientific and reasonable theoretical basis and technical support for the stability analysis of the check dam, so as to better serve the disaster prevention and reduction of debris flow, which will improve the technical level of the debris flow prevention project to a certain extent.
Baicalein inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in glioblastoma by downregulating LGR4-EGFR pathway
Authors: Qi Xuchen , Zhang Xiaobing , Shao Xian , Bao Qingquan , He Lingyan
Published: April 2024

Patients with glioblastoma (GBM) have poor prognoses and limited therapeutic options. LGR4 was reported to overexpressed in GBM and involved in tumorigenesis of many cancers, Baicalein (BAI) is a kind of flavonoid that exhibited anti-tumor effects in various tumors. However, the function and association of BAI and LGR4 in GBM are still unclear. In thisi study, firstly, GEPIA and HPA databas was used to perform expression and survival analysis of LGR4 in GBM patients. Then, the significance of LGR4-EGFR in GBM cells (HS683 and KNS89) and GBM animal models was explored by RNA interference and subcutaneous transplantation. Additionally, GBM cells were treated with BAI to explore the role and mechanism of BAI involved in GBM. The results showed that LGR4 was highly expressed in GBM and related to bad prognosis. LGR4 knockdown obviously repressed the proliferation and EGFR expression but induced apoptosis in GBM cells, however, the situations were reserved by EGFR overexpression and CBL knockdown. In contrast, both in vitro and in vivo experiments revealed LGR4 overexpression facilitated GBM cellular biological activities and promoted tumor development, but the effects were rescued by BAI and EGFR inhibitor. In addition, si-LGR4 accelerated EGFR protein degradation while oe-LGR4 exhibit opposite effect. Without affecting normal cellular viability, BAI inhibited malignant behaviour, interacted with LGR4 and blocked the LGR4-EGFR pathway in both GBM cells. Taken together, our data suggested that BAI could inhibit GBM cell proliferation and induce apoptosis via downregulation of the LGR4-EGFR pathway, and the LGR4-EGFR pathway may be an underlying target for GBM therapy of BAI.
Effect and safety of sivelestat on acute severe pancreatitis with systemic inflammatory response syndrome: A retrospective study
Authors: XIe Jiafeng , Lei Ruyi , Pei Hui , Gu Yulei , Zhang Luanluan , Liu Jingrong , Huang Yahui , Zhang Yepeng , Zi Yanan , Zhu Changju , Zhu Zhiqiang
Published: April 2024

Purpose
To explore the efficacy and safety of sivelestat (SV) in the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).
Methods
A total of 71 SAP patients diagnosed and treated in the Emergency Intensive Care Unit of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2021 to June 2023 were selected. The changes of disease outcome, hospital stays and mortality were compared between the two groups.
Results
A total of 71 patients were recruited to control group (n = 42) or SV group (n = 29) according to whether SV was applied or not. There was no significant difference in baseline data at admission between the two groups. After 1 week of treatment, all the indexes in both groups improved. The duration of ventilator use in SV group was shorter than that in control group (p = 0.0302), but there was no significant difference in hospital stays and mortality between the two groups.
Conclusion
SV had a good safety in the treatment of SAP combined with SIRS, and could shorten the ventilator use time of patients with respiratory failure, but could not reduce the hospital stays and mortality.
One Stage Anterior Sagittal Sphincter Saving Anorectoplasty (ASSSARP) for the Repair or Rectovestibular Fistula: Mid and Long-term Outcome in Two Tertiary Centers.
Authors: Elbatarny Akram Mohamed , Shehata Sherif , Ashour Mohamed , Abou-Halawa Nezar
Published: April 2024

Purpose
This is a retrospective study of 1-stage ASSSARP for RVF including operative details and postoperative complications, functional and cosmetic outcome.
Patients and Methods:
Records of 41 cases of RVF, managed between April 2010 and September 2019 by one-stage ASSSARP, were reviewed. Preoperative preparation, both early and late postoperative care & complications, hospital stay, and functional & cosmetic outcomes were reported.
Results
The mean age was 6.6 months. Vaginal tear 5/41 cases, and distal rectal tears 4/41 cases. Mild superficial wound inflammation; 13 patients, Skin dehiscence; 5 patients. No colostomy or redo was needed. The mean hospital stay was 6.1 days. Mean follow-up was 43.13 months; (Range; 24–100 months). Anal stricture; 6 patients. constipation occurred in 14 cases. Soiling grade I occurred in 5 patients. 32 patients > 3 years; 2 patients showed cough/diarrhea incontinence.
Conclusion
One-stage ASSSARP is safe and gives functional and cosmetic results comparable to other techniques. It provides better access to female anomalies. The avoidance of muscle incision protects against muscle breakdown, if infection sets in, and thus against incontinence. It avoids the morbidity, cost and psychological burden of performing a 3-stage repair.
Integrate multiple machine learning algorithms to establish a prognostic model of risk signature for programmed cell death and hypoxia and conduct multi-omics analysis of risk signatures in colorectal cancer
Authors: Ma Lujuan , Peng Qian , Wei Yitian , Lu Lin
Published: April 2024

Background
Colorectal cancer (CRC) poses a significant challenge due to its high heterogeneity, making accurate prognosis prediction complex. Hypoxia plays a central role in influencing cell death mechanisms, tumorigenesis and progression. However, the prognostic significance of the interplay between hypoxia and cell death in CRC needs further investigation.
Methods
We employed a robust computational framework to explore the relationship between hypoxia and 18 cell death patterns in a global cohort of 1294 CRC patients from four multicenter cohorts. Thirteen commonly used machine learning algorithms were employed to develop optimal-performing hypoxia-associated programmed cell death risk signatures. Additionally, risk signature genes were screened at both the single-cell and spatial transcriptome levels using AddModuleScore analysis to enhance the identification of the signature.
Results
The risk signature, composed of 63 influential genes, conducted significant performance in predicting in CRC patients. The high-risk signature correlates significantly with pathways related to tumor occurrence, progression, and increased immune cells infiltration. The risk signature scores closely correlated with various immune cells proportions. At the single-cell level, high-risk epithelial cells were closely linked to pathways involving tumor occurrence, development, and drug resistance. High-risk epithelial cells exhibit enhanced communication with different cell types, acting as stronger Senders, Mediators, Receivers, and Influencers, promoting tumor progression. There are significant differences in copy number variation (CNV) and developmental trajectory between high-risk and low-risk epithelial cells. Moreover, we identified these risk signatures at the spatial transcriptome level, revealing their high expression throughout the entire tumor tissue.
Conclusion
Our robust machine learning framework highlights the prognostic potential of hypoxia-associated programmed cell death risk signatures in CRC. Integrating these signatures into prognosis prediction offers a unique opportunity for clinical intelligence and innovative management approaches.
VOLUME VERSUS PRESSURE TARGETED NON-INVASIVE VENTILATION IN AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS (VOP ALS): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Parkes Edward , Hee Siew Wan , Ali Asad , Shakespeare Joanna
Published: April 2024

Introduction Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare, idiopathic, progressive, neuromuscular disease. The prevalence in England and Wales is between 4 and 5 cases per 100,000. A significant proportion of ALS cases are complicated by respiratory and sleep impairment which can reduce health related quality of life (HRQOL) and survival. Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is the standard of care to treat respiratory and sleep symptoms. Patients who are compliant with NIV have improved survival, HRQOL and reduced symptoms. Different modes of NIV are available and broadly fall into two categories: pressure support ventilation (PSV) and volume assured pressure support (VAPS) ventilation. A clinically enhanced version of VAPS in the form of intelligent volume assured pressure support with automatic EPAP (iVAPS-AE) is now widely available and although spontaneous timed (ST) mode is the preferred choice in ALS, to date no one mode has been shown to be superior. In this single-centre randomised controlled trial we will explore the differences in NIV compliance and effect on HRQOL, between ST and iVAPS-AE NIV modes in patients diagnosed with respiratory failure due to ALS. We also want to explore the optimal NIV mode for patients diagnosed with ALS. This trial is still in the data collection phase and has the potential to guide changes in clinical respiratory practice in ALS. Methods and Analysis VOP ALS is a single blinded, single centre, RCT exploring the impact of iVAPS-AE on patient outcomes compared to ST-mode in patients diagnosed with ALS related respiratory impairment. Primary outcome is mean NIV compliance and secondary outcome is health reported quality of life, both measured over 90 days. The study aimed to recruit 40 patients, but it was revised to 15 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis will be mainly descriptive by treatment arms and summarised with 95% confidence interval. Ethics and Dissemination VOP ALS is sponsored in the UK by University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust and has been granted ethical approval by Northwest - Haydock Research Ethics Committee Ethics Committee (REC ref: 21/NW/0326). Publication of results in a peer-reviewed journal and conference presentations are expected. Trial Registration Number: NCT05328492. Registered 4th April 2022 - Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05328492
Late dental and bone alterations in patients after orbital rhabdomyosarcoma treatment
Authors: de Mattos Valkiria D Aiuto , Ferman Sima Esther , Magalhães Denise Maria Araújo , Costa Felipe Vieira da , Antunes Héliton Spíndola , Junior Arley Silva
Published: April 2024

Purpose: Orbital rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare soft tissue sarcoma in childhood but with a good prognosis. Treatment usually includes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. This study aimed to evaluate long-term alterations in teeth and cranial bones in children, adolescents, and young adults after oncologic treatment for childhood orbital rhabdomyosarcoma.
Method: This was a cross-sectional study that evaluated patients treated for orbital rhabdomyosarcoma between 1988 and 2011. Demographic, clinical, and treatment data were collected during the study period; also, panoramic radiographs, cephalometric study, and photographs of the face were taken.
Results: Eight long-term survivors were studied. Of those, 50% were male, 75% had less than 5 years of treatment, and 88% had only one of the orbits affected by the tumor. Regarding treatment, 50% received 50.4 Gy of radiotherapy in the orbit; the chemotherapy included vincristine, actinomycin D, and cyclophosphamide in 75% of the cases and also ifosfamide and etoposide in 25%. The children presented craniofacial alterations, mainly when radiotherapy occurred between 0 and 5-year- old. (p=0.01) The mandibles also showed dental alterations, probably due to chemotherapy.
Conclusion: In conclusion, orbital RMS patients treated with chemoradiotherapy, important dental and facial bone alterations were found. The most significant were in the maxilla and close to the irradiation field. Dental and mandibular bone alterations were also found, indicating the probable chemotherapy action, as this region was not included in the irradiation field.