bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Drug selection for inner ear therapy
Authors: Salt Alec N. , Turner Jeremy G.
Published: October 2024

Introduction

One of the primary tenets in pharmacotherapy is that the applied drug must reach the target tissue at therapeutic concentration. For many therapies intended to treat hearing disorders it has become apparent that we have failed to achieve this goal, contributing to poor outcomes in several important clinical trials. The crux of the delivery problem is that small lipophilic molecules pass with relative ease through membranous boundaries of the body. This initially seems advantageous when the drug is applied intratympanically, enabling entry into perilymph through the round window membrane. Unfortunately, the same property also allows the drug to pass through endothelial cells of blood capillaries, allowing it to be eliminated from perilymph. Drugs that are eliminated rapidly as they diffuse along the cochlear scalae will only treat basal high-frequency cochlear regions and will not reach therapeutic concentrations in the apical regions of the human cochlea.

Methods

We have used the FluidSim program, a computer model of the inner ear fluids, to derive perilymph elimination properties for 15 molecules from published and archival data sets, which are compared with calculated molecular properties.

Results

Smaller, lipophilic drugs are shown to be eliminated from perilymph more rapidly, with half-times as fast as 17 min, compared to larger, polar ones, with half-times as long as 1,304 min (21.7 h).

Discussion

Based on their molecular properties’ drugs can be identified that distribute well along the cochlea when applied intratympanically. This excludes many drugs that have been used for, or are currently in development for, inner ear therapy. On the other hand, it opens a vast array of less-studied, larger molecules, many of which would be unsuitable for oral delivery (characterized as “not druglike”) but representing promising candidates for local inner ear therapy. In the earliest stages of consideration, drugs need to be selected based on the properties which govern their ability to reach the appropriate target site and not whether they are efficacious in small animals or have high potency in vitro. Confirmation that the selected drug is reaching the target site(s) in a large animal model should ideally precede expensive clinical trials.
β-Elemene promotes ferroptosis and reverses radioresistance in gastric cancer by inhibiting the OTUB1-GPX4 interaction
Authors: He Jiancheng , Li Ming , Bao Jiapeng , Peng Yifeng , Xue Wanjiang , Chen Junjie , Zhao Jun
Published: October 2024

Introduction

β-Elemene, derived from Curcuma zedoaria (Wenyujin), is clinically recognized for inducing apoptosis, inhibiting cell cycle progression, and reversing chemotherapy resistance in various cancers. However, its effects on radioresistant gastric cancer (GC) remain unclear.

Methods

In this study, radioresistant GC cell lines (MKN45/IR and AGS/IR) were established via multiple low-dose radiations. The impact of β-elemene on radiosensitivity was assessed using CCK-8 and clonogenic assays, with ferroptosis markers such as ROS, MDA, and Fe2+ levels measured. Additionally, the influence of β-elemene on GPX4 and its interaction with OTUB1 was examined through qRT-PCR, Western blot, immunofluorescence, co-immunoprecipitation, and in vivo studies.

Results

Our findings indicate that β-elemene reverses radioresistance in GC cells and significantly inhibits cell growth when combined with radiotherapy. β-Elemene treatment elevated ROS, MDA, and Fe2+ levels, enhancing ferroptosis, which was confirmed by Ferrostatin-1 and Deferoxamine inhibition studies. Mechanistic analysis revealed that β-elemene disrupts the OTUB1-GPX4 interaction, leading to increased GPX4 ubiquitination and degradation, thus promoting ferroptosis. In vivo studies further demonstrated that β-elemene combined with radiotherapy significantly suppressed tumor growth compared to radiotherapy alone.

Discussion

These results suggest that β-elemene effectively modulates radioresistance in GC by targeting the GPX4 pathway and inducing ferroptosis. This highlights its potential as a therapeutic adjunct in radiotherapy for resistant GC cases.
SABTR: semantic analysis-based tourism recommendation
Authors: Li Jiao , Xue Huajian , Tang Qigui , Wang Hailiang , Gao Tieliang
Published: October 2024

Online tourism spot recommendations, as a key component of tourism services, aim to present travel options that align with users’ personal preferences. However, current recommendation systems often underperform due to the sparsity of tourism data and the wide variance in user preferences. To address this challenge, we propose a Semantic Analysis-Based Tourism Recommendation framework, abbreviated as SABTR (Semantic Analysis-Based Tourism Recommendation). The framework comprises two stages: Firstly, Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) models are utilized to deeply mine data between users and attractions, constructing two core matrices: the user similarity matrix and the attraction similarity matrix. Secondly, based on the user similarity matrix, similarity calculation methods are applied to predict ratings for tourism spots that users have not yet evaluated. Simultaneously, within the attraction similarity matrix, probability distributions for each attraction across various thematic interests are calculated. When the system identifies a user’s interest in specific types of attractions, SABTR can select a series of related attractions from associated interest tags. Then, these candidate attractions are ranked according to both known and predicted user ratings, ultimately forming personalized attraction packages recommended to users. Extensive experiments have demonstrated that compared to existing tourism recommendation solutions, our method significantly improves the quality of attraction recommendations and enhances user satisfaction.
Biochar addition enhances remediation efficiency and rapeseed yield in copper-contaminated soil
Authors: Sheng Ziwei , Luo Tao , Wang Linjie , Chen Min , Ma Bingbing , Liu Lijun , Wang Bo , Kuai Jie , Wang Jing , Zhao Jie , Xu Zhenghua , Zhou Guangsheng
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Soil contamination with copper (Cu) threatens ecological security and human health. Rapeseed demonstrates potential in remediating copper-contaminated soil, and biochar-assisted phytoremediation is increasingly being employed to improve remediation efficiency. However, the combined application of them has not been thoroughly studied in terms of the synergistic effects and the mechanisms of their interaction.

Methods

In this regard, this study conducted a pot experiment to evaluate biochar-assisted remediation under Cu-contaminated soil with varying biochar application rates; Furthermore, the plant physiological mechanism and soil physicochemical properties involved in the biocharrapeseed system was explored.

Results

Our results showed that the exchangeable pool of copper in soil decreased by 10.0% and 12.3% with adding 5% biochar (BC1) and 10% biochar (BC2) relative to control (BC0), respectively, prior to rapeseed cultivation. The rapeseed cultivation for one season further reclaimed 4.9%, 9.0%, and 13.6% of the available copper in this soil by root extraction under the BC0, BC1, and BC2 treatments, respectively. The overall copper concentration in plants decreased by 23.7% under BC2 and 13.3% under BC1 compared to BC0. However, the plant’s dry biomass at BC1 and BC2 treatments increased by 1.7-fold and 2.7-fold relative to BC0, which offset the negative impact of the decreased copper concentration on phytoremediation. Physiological analysis showed adding 10% biochar decreased the MDA content by 36% in the leaf and 49% in the root, compared to BC0. The transmission electron microscopy for cell wall ultrastructure in root tips showed that biochar addition in Cu-contaminated soil increased the mechanical strength of the celL wall, explicitly increasing the thickness of the secondary cell wall. Further cell wall components analysis revealed a remarkable increment of the pectin content in BC2 relative to BC0, increased by 56% in the leaf and 99% in the root, respectively. Additionally, 10% biochar application led to a roughly 2-fold increase in seed yield via ameliorating the soil physicochemical properties and increasing the rapeseed growth.

Discussion

These findings offer insights into synergistic rapeseed-biochar use for Cu-contaminated soil remediation.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the codification of China’s civil code
Authors: Zhai Gaoyuan , Liu Xiaochang
Published: October 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has spread widely around the world since 2019, wreaking havoc on social order in a global context. In China, the pandemic has not only provided new challenges to the government’s capacity but also provided new issues for the Civil Code that is being compiled. The study adopts the research method of comparative analysis and combines the case study method, aiming to study the impact of the epidemic on the compilation of China’s Civil Code. We found that the official Civil Code adds, deletes, and adjusts several articles compared to the Civil Code (Draft), five of which are relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Civil Code was enacted at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to some of its provisions being affected by the COVID-19; the “COVID-19 provisions” not only provided legitimacy for the prevention and control of the pandemic but also improved China’s system of governance of public health emergencies. This study exposes the legal loophole in the “COVID-19 provisions” in China’s Civil Code and further suggests ways to fill the legal loophole.
Effects of non-pharmaceutical interventions on COVID-19 transmission: rapid review of evidence from Italy, the United States, the United Kingdom, and China
Authors: Faherty Laura J. , Nascimento de Lima Pedro , Lim Jing Zhi , Roberts Derek , Karr Sarah , Lawson Emily , Willis Henry H.
Published: October 2024

Background

Prior to the development of COVID-19 vaccines, policymakers instituted various non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to limit transmission. Prior studies have attempted to examine the extent to which these NPIs achieved their goals of containment, suppression, or mitigation of disease transmission. Existing evidence syntheses have found that numerous factors limit comparability across studies, and the evidence on NPI effectiveness during COVID-19 pandemic remains sparse and inconsistent. This study documents the magnitude and variation in NPI effectiveness in reducing COVID-19 transmission (i.e., reduction in effective reproduction rate [Reff] and daily contact rate) in Italy, the United States, the United Kingdom, and China.

Methods

Our rapid review and narrative synthesis of existing research identified 126 studies meeting our screening criteria. We selected four contexts with >5 articles to facilitate a meaningful synthesis. This step yielded an analytic sample of 61 articles that used data from China, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Results

We found wide variation and substantial uncertainty around the effectiveness of NPIs at reducing disease transmission. Studies of a single intervention or NPIs that are the least stringent had estimated Reff reductions in the 10–50% range; those that examined so-called “lockdowns” were associated with greater Reff reductions that ranged from 40 to 90%, with many in the 70–80% range. While many studies reported on multiple NPIs, only six of the 61 studies explicitly used the framing of “stringency” or “mild versus strict” or “tiers” of NPIs, concepts that are highly relevant for decisionmakers.

Conclusion

Existing evidence suggests that NPIs reduce COVID-19 transmission by 40 to 90 percent. This paper documents the extent of the variation in NPI effectiveness estimates and highlights challenges presented by a lack of standardization in modeling approaches. Further research on NPI effectiveness at different stringency levels is needed to inform policy responses to future pandemics.
A qualitative study of how structural vulnerability shaped COVID-19 testing behaviors in Portland, Maine
Authors: Kohut Michael R. , Sclar Gloria D. , Nicoll Leslie , Fernandes Caroline , Volkers Andrew , Tucker Ann , Jacobs Elizabeth A. , Fairfield Kathleen M.
Published: October 2024

Background

People with structural vulnerabilities (including immigrants, people who use drugs, and those who are unhoused or uninsured) are more likely to experience COVID-19 testing disparities relative to other groups. We documented barriers and facilitators to COVID-19 testing and explored how structural vulnerabilities created and/or exacerbated COVID-19 testing barriers.

Methods

Between 2021 and 2022, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 34 members of structurally vulnerable populations and 27 key informants who provide health and social services to them. Our abductive analysis was iterative, utilizing both inductive and deductive coding processes. Recognizing that adequate and appropriate testing for COVID-19 is a complex health behavior that involves both decision-making and issues related to access, we developed a hybrid model of COVID-19 testing behavior to organize reported barriers. We then used that model for more in-depth analysis of structural vulnerabilities in the context of testing.

Results

Our model of testing behaviors provides a framework for understanding the many barriers and facilitators relevant to COVID-19 testing. After identifying locally-reported barriers, we found that specific conditions—economic precarity, legal precarity, the confusing U.S. healthcare landscape, English-exclusive environments, and stigmatizing medical encounters—make adequate and appropriate testing less likely by making COVID-19 testing feel riskier (entailing legal, financial, and psycho-social risks) and making healthcare, and thus vicariously testing, more difficult to access.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed disparities in health care delivery. To avoid under-testing and its associated health consequences during the next pandemic, public health efforts should address structural conditions to ameliorate risks and bolster testing infrastructure to improve access.
Occupational stress and body composition of hospital workers: a follow-up study
Authors: de Lira Carlos Rodrigo Nascimento , Akutsu Rita de Cássia Coelho de Almeida , Coelho Lorene Gonçalves , Zandonadi Renata Puppin , Costa Priscila Ribas de Farias
Published: October 2024

This study sought to analyze the influence of occupational stress on the body composition of hospital workers after one year of follow-up. This prospective cohort study included 218 workers from one of the leading private hospitals in the municipality of Santo Antônio de Jesus, Recôncavo da Bahia region, Northeast Brazil. Body composition was analyzed by proxy (Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference) and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis. The primary exposure adopted in the present study was the perception of occupational stress, assessed with the adapted and reduced version of the Job Content Questionnaire evaluating demand and control dimensions. The covariates were work characteristics; biological characteristics; sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle. Statistical analyses were performed using descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analysis. At the first stage of the study, we identified that 55.96% (n = 122) of workers had high work demand and 25.22% (n = 55) had low control. Among those who had high demand and low control at the beginning of the study, the majority were women, non-white, with low educational and income levels, sleeping less than 7 h/day. After 12 months of follow-up, the median value for demand continued as 13 (IQR: 5–25) and for control, it increased to 16 (IQR: 9–23). In this second moment of the study, 62.38% (n = 136) of workers showed high demand and 45.87% (n = 100) low control. The characteristics of workers with high demand and low control were similar to those of the first moment. The results indicate that high demand and low control at work are risk factors for changes in body mass index, fat mass and fat-free mass in hospital workers. This study shows the importance and need for clinical and epidemiological assessments regarding the body composition of professionals working in hospitals, since high rates of overweight and obesity are triggers of chronic health problems such as dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases, among others. Therefore, managers must promote adequate working conditions and understand the need for periodic body composition assessments.
Rate, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection vs. primary infection in readmitted COVID-19 patients in Iran: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Shahrbaf Mohammadamin , Alimohamadi Yousef , Yousefi Arfaei Reza , Salesi Mahmood , Izadi Morteza , Raei Mehdi
Published: October 2024

Background

Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has severely impacted global health, resulting in high morbidity and mortality, and overwhelming healthcare systems, particularly in Iran. Understanding reinfection is crucial as it has significant implications for immunity, public health strategies, and vaccine development. This study aims to identify rate and the risk factors associated with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) reinfection and compare the clinical course of initial infection versus reinfection in readmitted COVID-19 patients in Iran.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 2020 to the end of 2022 in five hospitals in Iran. The study compared demographic and clinical data, vaccination status, and clinical outcomes between patients with reinfection (defined as a positive PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 at least 90 days after the primary admission) and a control group (patients who had an initial confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection but were not readmitted with a positive PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 at least 90 days after their primary infection). Risk factors for reinfection were evaluated using a regression model. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to compare post-clinical and laboratory outcomes between the matched case and control groups.

Results

Out of 31,245 patients, 153 (0.49%) experienced reinfections. The reinfection rate was significantly higher during B.1.617.2 and B.1.1.529 variant wave (p < 0.001). After multivariable regression analysis, incomplete vaccination status (OR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.34–2.31, p = 0.021) and lack of booster vaccination (OR: 2.48, 95% CI: 1.96–3.65, p = 0.001) were the risk factors for reinfection. Furthermore, reinfection was associated with atypical COVID-19 symptoms, and shorter ICU and hospital stays (p < 0.001). The B.1.1.529 variant was significantly more common among reinfected patients (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

SARS-CoV-2 reinfections are more frequently observed during waves of novel variants and are associated with a milder clinical course and shorter hospital stays. Full vaccination and booster doses can effectively reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 reinfections.
Assessment of the microbial contamination in “Do It Yourself” (DIY) stores - a holistic approach to protect workers’ and consumers’ health
Authors: Dias Marta , Gomes Bianca , Pena Pedro , Cervantes Renata , Gonçalves Sara , Carolino Elisabete , Twarużek Magdalena , Kosicki Robert , Ałtyn Iwona , Caetano Liliana Aranha , Viegas Susana , Viegas Carla
Published: October 2024

Introduction

In “Do-It-Yourself” (DIY) stores, workers from the wood department are considered woodworkers. Given the health risks associated with woodworking, particularly from fungi and their metabolites, this study aims to assess microbial contamination and health risks for both workers and customers.

Methods

The study was developed in 13 DIY stores in Lisbon Metropolitan Area, Portugal. It employed a comprehensive sampling approach combining active (MAS-100, Andersen six-stage, Coriolis μ, and SKC Button Aerosol Sampler) and passive (electrostatic dust collectors, surface swabs, e-cloths, settled dust, filters from vacuumed dust, filtering respiratory protection devices, and mechanical protection gloves) methods to assess microbial contamination. A Lighthouse Handheld Particle Counter HH3016- IAQ was used to monitor the particulate matter size, temperature, and humidity.

Results

The wood exhibition area presented the highest fungal load, while the payment area exhibited the highest bacterial load. MAS-100 detected the highest fungal load, and surface swabs had the highest bacterial load. Penicillium sp. was the most frequently observed fungal species, followed by Aspergillus sp. Mycotoxins, namely mycophenolic acid, griseofulvin, and aflatoxin G1, were detected in settled dust samples and one filter from the vacuum cleaner from the wood exhibition area. Cytotoxicity evaluation indicates the wood-cutting area has the highest cytotoxic potential. Correlation analysis highlights relationships between fungal contamination and particle size and biodiversity differences among sampling methods.

Discussion

The comprehensive approach applied, integrating numerous sampling methods and laboratory assays, facilitated a thorough holistic analysis of this specific environment, enabling Occupational and Public Health Services to prioritize interventions for accurate exposure assessment and detailed risk management.
Aesthetic lip filler augmentation is not free of adverse reactions: lack of evidence-based practice from a systematic review
Authors: Coppini M. , Caponio V. C. A. , Mauceri R. , Pizzo G. , Mauceri N. , Lo Muzio L. , Campisi G.
Published: October 2024

Introduction

In the last decades, dermal fillers have gained widespread acceptance for cosmetic purposes since their approval for different health conditions, including lip augmentation and aesthetic intervention of the face. Unfortunately, while filler lip procedures are performed using biomaterials with improved physical characteristics, they are not devoid of adverse drug reactions (ADRs), including those with late-onset.

Methods

This systematic aims to investigate the ADRs associated with lip augmentation procedures using dermal fillers. A systematic review search was conducted in Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science to answer the PEO question: What are the ADRs in patients undergoing lip augmentation procedures with dermal fillers, and how frequent are they?

Results

The risk of bias was assessed, and a systematic review was conducted. Nineteen studies were included. In total, 30 patients affected by filler lip ADRs were analyzed, of which 29 were females and only 1 was male with a mean age of 50.9 ± 12.8 years. Hyaluronic acid was the most commonly dermal filler used and granulomatous foreign body reaction was the most common filler lip reaction reported. The mean time between filler lip injection and granulomatous foreign body reaction onset was 57.9 ± 54 months (median 24 months).

Discussion

No study reported ADRs to regulatory authorities. Our results indicate that adverse reactions can occur even long-term after the aesthetic procedure. Therefore, ongoing short-term and long-term follow-up visits are essential, as biocompatible materials are not free from ADRs. Additionally, a lack of reporting ADRs to regulatory authorities has emerged, which is crucial for patient safety.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=534656, identifier: CRD42024534656.
How Our Bodily Experiences Shape Our Thinking
Authors: Gashaj Venera , Moeller Korbinian , Trninic Dragan
Published: October 2024

Have you ever wondered how we—as humans—think? Interestingly, while our thinking seems limitless, some scientists argue it relies on something quite ordinary: the human body. This is based on recent research on what is called embodied cognition. This research explores how our thinking is closely tied to our bodily experiences. In this article, we will discuss embodied cognition and how understanding it can transform our approach to learning. Get ready for a fascinating journey that uncovers how your body and mind team up to shape your understanding of the world.
Exploring mental functions utilised by male youth team-based ball-sport athletes within academy programs: a systematic review and meta-aggregation
Authors: Whitty Joshua P. , Gray Bon , Milne Nikki
Published: October 2024

The rise of youth sport academies has led to a focus on long-term athletic development, and exploration into holistic approaches that incorporate psychological attributes to form biopsychosocial frameworks. The primary aim of this systematic review was to profile the psychological attributes of male youth team-based ball-sport athletes in academy-based programs and explore interactions between psychological attributes and athlete participation through the biopsychosocial model, the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework. This systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Six databases; PubMed, SPORTdiscus, Proquest, PsychINFO, Embase and Scopus were searched for relevant publications from root to 14th March 2024. The search returned 3306 records, and after applying the eligibility criteria 51 studies were included at full text and were critically appraised utilising the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Data synthesis revealed 178 mental functions measured across 12 ICF categories, via 66 psychometric tools. Meta-aggregation revealed mean scores for 34 mental functions across eight ICF categories and 12 sub-categories. Male youth team-based ball-sport academy athletes display high levels of orientation to self and high energy levels; moderate to high levels of motivation and self-regulation; moderate levels of psychosocial functions, conscientiousness, regulation of emotion, and organising and planning. Low levels of clinical indicators and burnout were observed. The ICF framework can be utilised as a biopsychosocial framework for sport practitioners looking to profile the multidimensional and complex attributes of team-based ball-sport youth athletes in academy programs.

Systematic Review Registration:https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/9CE24.
Accumulative and adaptive responses of maize transpiration, biomass, and yield under continuous drought stress
Authors: Cui Yi , Tang Huiyan , Zhou Yuliang , Jin Juliang , Jiang Shangming
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Continuous drought stress aggravates agricultural losses and threats food security. However, the responses of crops to continuous drought stress remain uncertain.

Methods

To make up the limitations of field experiment and achieve the setting of multiple continuous drought stress scenarios, AquaCrop model is calibrated and validated using field experiment data of summer maize in 2017 and 2018 seasons. Then, the whole growth processes under different continuous drought stress scenarios at two growth stages of maize are simulated. The quantitative responses of transpiration (Tr), biomass accumulation, and yield formation to continuous drought stress are analyzed.

Results and discussion

The results show that when the maize encounters serious drought at the seedling stage, the reduction rates of Tr at the jointing stage, the tasseling stage, and the milking stage are 57.45%, 43.61%, and 5.24%, respectively. Drought stress at a growth stage of maize not only have negative impacts on transpiration and biomass accumulation at this stage, but also have after-effects on these elements at the subsequent stages. In addition, continuous serious drought at the seedling and jointing stages reduces yield by 100%, which is higher than the sum of the loss rates at these two stages [>33.30% + 24.16%)], while the loss rate due to continuous light drought is lower than the sum [20.66% < (18.80% + 12.45%)]. The impact of continuous drought stress at two growth stages generally exceeds the sum of the impacts of the two single stages. Nevertheless, drought at the seedling stage promotes the adaptability of maize to drought, alleviating the negative impacts of light drought at the jointing stage, while the adaptability disappears when drought at the jointing stage is serious. Therefore, in the actual production of maize, serious drought at the seedling stage should be avoided to ensure seed survival. Meanwhile, continuous drought at the seedling and jointing stages should be prevented to reduce the severe accumulative effects, which guides drought disaster reduction and sustainable agricultural production.
Optimized bioconversion of grapeseed oil-based bioactive conjugated linoleic acid by Bacillus coagulans IBRC-M 10807
Authors: Rezavand Hesari Mana , Amiri Saber , Asianezhad Amirhossein , Khalili Amin , Ho Thao M. , Saris Per E. J. , Yousefvand Amin
Published: October 2024

Biosynthesizing conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) using food processing by-products offers a practical and efficient method for producing this valuable compound, delivering health benefits, promoting sustainability, and providing economic advantages. Here, we optimized the fermentation conditions for in situ biosynthesis of CLA using Bacillus coagulans IBRC-M 10807, with grapeseed oil by-product providing the linoleic acid precursor, focusing on temperature, pH, incubation time, concentrations of grapeseed oil and yeast extract. The total CLA was measured using a UV–Vis spectrophotometer at 233 nm, and the concentration was evaluated using a standard curve of conjugated linoleic acid. To analyze the isomers and identify the functional groups of biosynthesized CLA, gas chromatography (GC) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used, respectively. The results indicated that the maximum amount of CLA production was 225.37 ± 0.74 μg/mL, obtained under optimal conditions: an initial pH of 6.8, a temperature of 44.8°C, an incubation time of 48 h, a grapeseed oil concentration of 1,000 μg/mL, and a yeast extract concentration of 3.88%. Characterization of the produced CLA revealed two main isomers—CLA 1: c-9, t-11 C18:2, and CLA 2: t-10, c-12 C18:2 methyl esters. These results suggest that B. coagulans has high potential to produce CLA as a bioactive compound, offering an excellent opportunity for use in various industries, including nutraceuticals, foods, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and animal feeds.
A new approach methodology to identify tumorigenic chemicals using short-term exposures and transcript profiling
Authors: Ledbetter Victoria , Auerbach Scott , Everett Logan J. , Vallanat Beena , Lowit Anna , Akerman Gregory , Gwinn William , Wehmas Leah C. , Hughes Michael F. , Devito Michael , Corton J. Christopher
Published: October 2024

Current methods for cancer risk assessment are resource-intensive and not feasible for most of the thousands of untested chemicals. In earlier studies, we developed a new approach methodology (NAM) to identify liver tumorigens using gene expression biomarkers and associated tumorigenic activation levels (TALs) after short-term exposures in rats. The biomarkers are used to predict the six most common rodent liver cancer molecular initiating events. In the present study, we wished to confirm that our approach could be used to identify liver tumorigens at only one time point/dose and if the approach could be applied to (targeted) RNA-Seq analyses. Male rats were exposed for 4 days by daily gavage to 15 chemicals at doses with known chronic outcomes and liver transcript profiles were generated using Affymetrix arrays. Our approach had 75% or 85% predictive accuracy using TALs derived from the TG-GATES or DrugMatrix studies, respectively. In a dataset generated from the livers of male rats exposed to 16 chemicals at up to 10 doses for 5 days, we found that our NAM coupled with targeted RNA-Seq (TempO-Seq) could be used to identify tumorigenic chemicals with predictive accuracies of up to 91%. Overall, these results demonstrate that our NAM can be applied to both microarray and (targeted) RNA-Seq data generated from short-term rat exposures to identify chemicals, their doses, and mode of action that would induce liver tumors, one of the most common endpoints in rodent bioassays.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of triclosan exposure on human semen quality
Authors: Adegbola Cecilia Adedeji , Akhigbe Tunmise Maryanne , Adeogun Adetomiwa Ezekiel , Tvrdá Eva , Pizent Alica , Akhigbe Roland Eghoghosoa
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Triclosan is an antibacterial and antifungal compound that is frequently found in personal care and consumer products, and its its impact on male reproductive health is a growing concern. Despite existing experimental studies demonstrating its potential threats to male fertility, reports on its effects on human semen quality remains limited and inconsistent. Therefore, this study presents a systematic review and meta-analysis assessing the relationship between triclosan exposure and semen quality.

Methods

This study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024524192) and adhered to PRISMA guidelines.

Results

The study analyzed 562 screened studies, out of which five articles including 1,312 male subjects were finally included in the study. The eligible studies were geographically diverse, with three from China, one from Belgium, and one from Poland. More so, the eligible studies were both case-control and cross-sectional. The meta-analysis revealed that triclosan exposure significantly reduced sperm concentration (Standard Mean Difference (SMD) −0.42 [95% CI: −0.75, −0.10], P = 0.01) and sperm total motility (SMD −1.30 [95% CI: −2.26, −0.34], P = 0.008). Mechanistic insights from animal and in vitro studies showed that oxidative stress may mediate the adverse effects of triclosan on semen quality.

Discussion

This meta-analysis is the first comprehensive evaluation of the impact of triclosan on human semen quality, highlighting its potential to impair male fertility through reductions in sperm concentration and motility. However, the high heterogeneity among the included studies underscores the need for further high-quality research to establish more definitive conclusions regarding the effects of triclosan exposure on human reproductive health.
Is There a Clinical Benefit of Abdominal Binders After Abdominal Surgery: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Michot Nicolas , Ortega-Deballon Pablo , Karam Elias , Pabst-Giger Urs , Ouaissi Mehdi
Published: October 2024

Background

The incidence of incisional hernia following laparotomy varies between 2% and 30%. It is well-established that the need to control several risk factors prior to surgery exists (weight loss before surgery, diabetes control). Postoperative abdominal binder (AB) is often recommended by surgeons, yet evidence on this topic is lacking. The aim of this review was to present current evidence on the use of abdominal binders after abdominal surgery.

Material and Methods

A comprehensive literature review between January and May 2024 was conducted using a range of search engines, including PubMed, Science Direct, EMBASE, Google Scholar, and Google. The following keywords were used: “abdominal binder,” “abdominal support,” “hernia,” “girdle and hernia,” “compression belt and hernia,” and “abdominal support and hernia.”

Results

Sixteen articles were selected for further analysis (7 RCTs, 6 non-RCTs and 3 meta-analyses). None of the studies reported a reduction in the incidence of abdominal dehiscence or incisional hernia. Postoperative use of the AB has been shown to reduce postoperative discomfort and pain for a limited period of up to 48–72 h. There was no discernible difference in the incidence of surgical site complications.

Conclusion

The current evidence indicates that the use of AB following abdominal surgery is safe, although no benefit has been established (except 48 h after surgery). AB may enhance comfort in select patients; however, further studies are necessary to justify their routine use, with a particular focus on the medical and economic implications.
DMCCT: Dual-Branch Multi-Granularity Convolutional Cross-Substitution Transformer for Hyperspectral Image Classification
Authors: Fu Laiying , Chen Xiaoyong , Xu Yanan , Li Xiao
Published: October 2024

In the field of hyperspectral image classification, deep learning technology, especially convolutional neural networks, has achieved remarkable progress. However, convolutional neural network models encounter challenges in hyperspectral image classification due to limitations in their receptive fields. Conversely, the global modeling capability of Transformers has garnered attention in hyperspectral image classification. Nevertheless, the high computational cost and inadequate local feature extraction hinder its widespread application. In this study, we propose a novel fusion model of convolutional neural networks and Transformers to enhance performance in hyperspectral image classification, namely the dual-branch multi-granularity convolutional cross-substitution Transformer (DMCCT). The proposed model adopts a dual-branch structure to separately extract spatial and spectral features, thereby mitigating mutual interference and information loss between spectral and spatial data during feature extraction. Moreover, a multi-granularity embedding module is introduced to facilitate multi-scale and multi-level local feature extraction for spatial and spectral information. In particular, the improved convolutional cross-substitution Transformer module effectively integrates convolution and Transformer, reducing the complexity of attention operations and enhancing the accuracy of hyperspectral image classification tasks. Subsequently, the proposed method is evaluated against existing approaches using three classical datasets, namely Pavia University, Kennedy Space Center, and Indian Pines. Experimental results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed method, achieving significant classification results on these datasets with overall classification accuracies of 98.57%, 97.96%, and 96.59%, respectively. These results establish the superiority of the proposed method in the context of hyperspectral image classification under similar experimental conditions.
Evaluating COVID-19 Vaccine Efficacy Using Kaplan–Meier Survival Analysis
Authors: Hilal Waleed , Chislett Michael G. , Wu Yuandi , Snider Brett , McBean Edward A. , Yawney John , Gadsden Stephen Andrew
Published: October 2024

Analyses of COVID-19 vaccines have become a forefront of pandemic-related research, as jurisdictions around the world encourage vaccinations as the most assured method to curtail the need for stringent public health measures. Kaplan–Meier models, a form of “survival analysis”, provide a statistical approach to improve the understanding of time-to-event probabilities of occurrence. In applications of epidemiology and the study of vaccines, survival analyses can be implemented to quantify the probability of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2, given a population’s vaccination status. In this study, a large proportion of Ontario COVID-19 testing data is used to derive Kaplan–Meier probability curves for individuals who received two doses of a vaccine during a period of peak Delta variant cases, and again for those receiving three doses during a peak time of the Omicron variant. Data consisting of 614,470 individuals with two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 49,551 individuals with three-doses of vaccine, show that recipients of the Moderna vaccine are slightly less likely to test positive for the virus in a 38-day period following their last vaccination than recipients of the Pfizer vaccine, although the difference between the two is marginal in most age groups. This result is largely consistent for two doses of the vaccines during a Delta variant period, as well as an Omicron variant period. The evaluated probabilities of testing positive align with the publicly reported vaccine efficacies of the mRNA vaccines, supporting the resolution that Kaplan–Meier methods in determining vaccine benefits are a justifiable and useful approach in addressing vaccine-related concerns in the COVID-19 landscape.
Construction of a Miniaturized Detector for Flow Injection Spectrophotometric Analysis
Authors: Ferreira T. Alexandra , Ordaz Mario , Rodriguez Jose A. , Paez-Hernandez M. Elena , Gutierrez Evelin
Published: October 2024

Analytical instrumentation is essential for chemical analysis in many fields, including biology and chemistry, but it can be costly and inaccessible to many educational institutions because it often requires expensive and sophisticated equipment. To address this issue, there has been growing interest in developing new and accessible alternatives. In this study, we developed a low-cost and user-friendly spectrophotometric detector based on an Arduino UNO platform. This detector was coupled with a flow injection analysis system (FIA) and used to quantify the concentration of tartrazine in commercial beverages and candy samples. The proposed miniaturized detector offers an affordable and portable alternative to conventional spectrophotometers. We evaluated the performance of our detector by comparing its results with those obtained using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD), and the accuracy and precision were comparable. The results demonstrate the potential of the Arduino-based spectrophotometric detector as a cost-effective and accessible tool, with potential applications in food science, environmental monitoring, and other fields.
Could a Two-Staged Repair Be the Solution to the Dilemma of Repair Timing for Severe Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Requiring Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation?
Authors: Yokoi Akiko
Published: October 2024

Purpose of review: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) remains a significant challenge, particularly in severe cases with persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) and hypoplastic lungs and heart. For patients unresponsive to conventional therapies, ECMO is required. While the surgical repair is relatively simple, determining the optimal timing for surgery in patients requiring ECMO is particularly challenging. This review explores the dilemma of surgical timing and proposes a two-staged approach: a reduction in herniated organs and the creation of a silo to relieve abdominal pressure before initiating ECMO, with defect closure following ECMO decannulation. Recent Findings: Studies support pre-, on-, and post-ECMO repair, each with its own risks and benefits. Pre-ECMO repair may enhance ECMO efficacy by relieving organ compression but poses risks due to instability. Post-ECMO repair is safer but may result in losing the chance to repair. On-ECMO repair has significant hemorrhage risks, but early repair with careful anticoagulation management is currently recommended. Recently, the author reported a successful case using a two-staged approach—reducing herniated organs and creating a silo before ECMO, followed by defect closure after ECMO decannulation—which suggests a potential alternative strategy for managing severe CDH. Summary: A two-staged approach may offer a solution for severe CDH patients requiring ECMO.
Al-Mg-Zn(-Cu) Cross-Over Alloys: The New Frontier in High-Strength and Radiation-Resistant Lightweight Materials
Authors: Ceci Alessandra , Costanza Girolamo , Tata Maria Elisa
Published: October 2024

Over the past few years, researchers have developed the alloy Al-Mg-Zn(-Cu), a new aluminum alloy based on the technique of ‘crossover alloying’. The main strengthening phase of this novel alloy is T-Mg32(Al, X)49(X is Zn and Cu) after ageing and hardening. This alloy system has exceptional strength and corrosion resistance, making it a promising candidate for applications in fields like automotive, marine, aerospace, and many others. In this work, the research progress of the Al-Mg-Zn(-Cu) alloy based on microstructure control, composition, design, and properties has been reviewed. Future directions for the research of this alloy are highlighted, too. In this work, crossover alloys are presented as a potential novel class of Al alloys implicating a pioneering design approach, with particular emphasis on the aeronautical and aerospace field in which radiation resistance results are one hundred times higher than traditional precipitation hardening alloys.
Stochastic Fusion Techniques for State Estimation
Authors: Ahmed Alaa H. , Tomán Henrietta
Published: October 2024

The fusion process considers the boundary between correct and conflict records. It has been a fundamental component in ensuring the accuracy of many mathematical algorithms that utilize multiple input sources. Fusion techniques give priority and high weight to reliable and qualified sources since their information is most likely to be trustworthy. This study stochastically investigates the three most common fusion techniques: Kalman filtering, particle filtering and Bayesian probability (which is the basis of other techniques). The paper focuses on using fusion techniques in the context of state estimation for dynamic systems to improve reliability and accuracy. The fusion methods are investigated using different types of datasets to find out their performance and accuracy in state estimation.
Long COVID as a Possible Contributor to Rising Suicide Mortality in Bharat (India): An Analysis of Suicide Trends Since the Emergence of COVID-19
Authors: Varshney Karan , Panhwar Mansoor Ahmed
Published: October 2024

Mortality due to suicide is amongst the largest public health concerns across the world today in Bharat (India). There have been concerns that the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to worsening mental health outcomes across the world, including in Bharat. Furthermore, long COVID has been proposed to be a major consequence of COVID-19, which can also worsen mental health outcomes. Therefore, our objective in this study was to analyse trends in suicide mortality across Bharat and to compare these trends to changes prior to the COVID-19 pandemic; in addition, we aimed to analyse if long COVID had any role in these changes. It was found that, at a national level, the average annual increase in the suicide rate between 2019 and 2022 was 0.7 per 100,000 people (a 6.41% increase). There was also an average annual rise in suicide rates across 27 states/union territories (out of the 33 that were analysed). States/UTs with the highest annual increases since the start of the COVID-19, despite a decrease from 2018 to 2019, were Tamil Nadu (increased by 2.7; a 15.17% increase) and Telangana (increased by 1.9; a 9.22% increase). Multi-linear regression showed that the annual suicide rate changes were not associated with COVID-19 deaths per 10,000 people (standardized beta coefficient = 0.077; p = 0.605) but were associated with COVID-19 cases per 100 people (standardized beta coefficient = 0.578; p < 0.001). It has been shown that suicide mortality has worsened, and long COVID may have a potential role in this in Bharat.