bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE INFLUENCE OF URBANIZATION TO THE WATER INFILTRATION ZONE ON BANYUMANIK SUB-DISTRICT, SEMARANG CITY, CENTRAL JAVA, INDONESIA
Authors: Budianta Wawan , Firmansyah Wahyu , Setijadji Lucas Donny
Published: April 2024

The high growth of developed land in the Banyumanik Sub-District, especially in residential and commercial areas, occurred due to the high demand for housing, lifestyle fulfillment, and speculation and investment by the upper-middle-class society. The reduction or loss of land with vegetation cover in the Banyumanik Sub-District increases the potential for flooding due to more significant surface runoff than water absorption during heavy rainfall. This research used integrated spatial analysis to generate information on the critical level of water infiltration in the research area using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. Both primary and secondary data collected will be compiled and subjected to spatial analysis to address the issues at hand. The weight of each parameter class produced by the AHP method is used for modeling and includes infiltration rate, land use, slope, and lithology parameters. The criticality level of the water infiltration zone in the southern part of Banyumanik Sub-District indicates that the water infiltration condition in the research area consists of good class at 13.589%, naturally normal at 18.405%, started to be critical at 16.114%, slightly critical at 20.764%, critical at 18.286%, and very critical at 12.841%. Changes in land use in the research area have become the primary factors causing alterations in the water infiltration conditions. Infiltration wells are one of the solutions to mitigate runoff as part of sustainable rainwater management. The government plays a crucial role as a policymaker in making decisions to address issues related to urban area development towards sustainable development.
OPTIMIZATION OF THE PERFORMANCE OF THE SANDSTONE CRUSHING PLANT UNIT AT PT PULAU LEMON
Authors: Kusdarini Esthi , Ayunida Sasti Sylvesiana , Shinthya Sari Avellyn
Published: April 2024

The process of processing sandstone material at the PT Pulau Lemon crushing unit is not yet optimal. This is due to differences in the amount of material entering and leaving the crushing unit. To optimize the performance of the processing unit, it is necessary to conduct research on the causes of material loss. Furthermore, the research aims to: 1) calculate material loss; 2) assess the causes of material loss and determine efforts to minimize material loss. The research was carried out using mathematical calculations using mass balance equations for material entering and leaving the processing unit, field observations and interviews. The research results showed that the amount of incoming material was 16.66 tons/day and outgoing material was 14.85 tons/day, so the material lost was 1.81 tons/day. or 10.80%. Material loss is caused by the slope of the conveyor belt being less than gentle and some parts being torn, wind, rain and mechanical problems. Efforts to optimize the performance of processing units include reducing waiting times, regularly checking and repairing equipment, and installing roofs.
THE IMPACT OF HEALTH LITERACY AND HEALTH BELIEFS ON THE ATTITUDES TOWARDS CANCER SCREENING: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
Authors: Söyler Sait , Güvenç Fatmanur , Çavmak Doğancan
Published: April 2024

Early detection of any cancer is crucial for effective treatment. Cancer screening programs are extensively implemented in numerous countries for this purpose. The acceptance of screening programs by young populations is important because their attendance at these programs can reduce the burden of cancer in the health system in the future. Therefore, investigating young people’s attitudes towards cancer screening can be useful to enhance the effectiveness of screening programs. This study aims to examine this phenomenon by analyzing the effects of health literacy level and health beliefs on cancer. The study has been designed in a cross-sectional type. 419 people between the ages of 18 and 30 have been included in the study. The results showed significant relations between health literacy, health beliefs, and attitudes towards cancer screening. Health literacy, perceived severity, perceived benefits, and perceived barriers explained 38% of the variance in attitudes toward cancer screening. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing information about the perceptions of the young population about cancer screening programs and their predictors.
Relearning and remembering: A gradualist account
Authors: Lai Changsheng
Published: April 2024

Relearning and remembering are usually seen as two distinct cognitive processes in contemporary philosophy of memory. In particular, relearning is sometimes regarded as a kind of memory error. This paper aims to address two questions. First, is relearning a kind of memory error? Second, how to draw a distinction (if any) properly between relearning and remembering? My answer to the first question is a conditional ‘yes’—it depends on whether relearning can be falsidical and whether metacognitive monitoring counts as a part of memory process. My answer to the second question appeals to a gradualist account, according to which the distinction between relearning and remembering is not an absolute yes-or-no affair, but a matter of degrees.
EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL OF RED ASH AND MARBLE CHIPS AS ALTERNATIVES IN BASE COURSE MATERIAL VIA BLENDING WITH CRUSHED STONE AGGREGATE
Authors: Getahun Dessalegn , Geremew Anteneh , Amensa Melka
Published: April 2024

Despite its abundance, red ash has compaction issues owing to its lightweight, rough circular surface, and high porosity. The usage of conventional base course materials across the country incurs shipping expenses and takes time, slowing down projects because they are only widely available in limited areas across the country. In this study, non-probably sampling approach was used to examine the potential for employing red ash and marble chips as an alternative base course material by mixing them with crushed stone aggregate (CSA). In order to accomplish the goal of this study, an experimental test was conducted via trial and error, focusing on the mechanical stabilization of red ash and marble chips. Their physical characteristics were subsequently assessed through laboratory testing. In the laboratory, nine (9) samples of red ash and marble chips blended with CSA in varying percentages (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 percent) were examined. The laboratory test results showed that 100% red ash and marble chips gave; CBR, SG, AIV, ACV, LAA, FI, EI, water absorption, and soundness: 55.4%, 2.38%, 18.20%, 26.34%, 19.69%, 5.59%, 12.09%, 2.5% and 13.80 and 83.6%, 2.63%, 19.70%, 26.41%, 19.75%, 23.2%, 16.9%, 1.24% and 12.22 respectively. Several of these test results align with the Ethiopian Road Authority (ERA) standard specifications; however, the findings from the CBR, water absorption, and soundness tests do not. Thus, mechanical stabilization was employed to improve the samples' physical characteristics. Experimental results are obtained by mixing 20% red ash, 20% marble chips, and 60% CSA. The values for CBR, SG, AIV, ACV, LAA, FI, EI, water absorption, and soundness are 102.5%, 2.55, 14.23%, 19.84%, 7.92%, 18.61%, 20.77%, 0.83%, and 7.38, respectively. The CBR, water absorption, and soundness characteristics all meet the necessary ERA standard specifications for crushed weathered rock (GB2) and natural coarsely graded granular materials (GB3) at this particular proportion. Hence, it is recommended to incorporate red ash up to 20% and marble chips up to 20% by weight, alongside 60% CSA, for constructing road base courses, particularly when these materials are reasonably accessible from construction sites and are widely available in the area.
GEOTECHNICAL AND MINERALOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF LATERITIC SOIL AND LOCUST BEAN (PARKIA BIGLOBOSA) PODS ASH AS CONSTRUCTION SOIL
Authors: Okonkwo Ugochukwu Nnatuanya , Enyinnia Chibundu Paul , Ajah Uche Christian , Nwa-David Chidoebere David , Tobby Ubong Nkamare
Published: April 2024

African locust bean (Parkia Biglobosa) has been in great demand and consequently yielding large amounts of the pods which could be a potential hazard to the environment. Converting the pods to ash that would be utilized as construction material is another way of handling them properly. The effects of the mineralogy of the soil on its geotechnical characteristics when the soil is treated with locust bean pod ash have been given very little attention. Therefore, this study considered the effects of locust bean pod ash (LBPA) and the mineralogy of lateritic soil on some geotechnical properties necessary for it to be used as subgrade or foundation soil. The determination of the chemical constituents of the LBPA was carried out using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. The lateritic soil was characterized by identifying the clay minerals as well as non-clay minerals present in the soil using the x-ray diffraction technique and preliminary tests were also carried out to properly rate the soil. The soil was treated by applying dosages of LBPA 0 – 25% at intervals of 5% and the percentages were measured by weight of the dry soil. The tests conducted on the prepared soil samples with LBPA were specific gravity, consistency indices, compaction (British Standard Light), California bearing ratio and direct shear box test. The LBPA was found to be an acceptable pozzolanic material for the treatment of the lateritic soil. The lateritic soil was observed to belong to soil groups A-2-6(0) in the AASHTO and poorly graded sand (SP) in USCS ratings. It was also observed that the non-clay minerals present in the soil were quartz, feldspar and mica whereas the clay minerals present were kaolinite, iolite, vermiculite and chlorite which had a significant influence on the geotechnical characteristics of the soil. The specific gravity of the LBPA was relatively low and the additions of LBPA reduced the specific gravity of the soil. The consistency indices also dropped and subsequently increased with the further addition of LBPA. The increase in LBPA contents caused increments in the optimum moisture content while the maximum dry density and shear strength parameters reduced. The strength characteristics like the California Bearing Ratio of the lateritic soil improved by 173.91% at the addition of 5% LBSA content which was determined to be the optimum dosage.
EDITORIAL NOTES: APPLICATION OF COMPUTATIONAL/ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN CONCRETE STRUCTURES AND MATERIALS
Authors: Ng Chee Khoon
Published: April 2024

In recent years, the application of computational/artificial intelligence (CI/AI) in concrete structures and materials has gained popularity as evident in the search in the SCOPUS database using these keywords. The integration of CI/AI in concrete structures marks a significant advancement in civil engineering, offering innovative solutions across various stages of infrastructure development. From analysis and design to construction, monitoring, and maintenance, CI/AI technologies revolutionize traditional practices, enabling engineers to optimize concrete structures for enhanced performance, durability, and sustainability. Material design and optimization in concrete have also been propelled forward by CI/AI technologies. Traditional methods rely on trial-and-error, but CI/AI models analyze vast datasets to identify optimal mixtures with superior properties and resistance to environmental factors. Utilization of supplementary cementitious materials and industrial wastes introduces complexities, addressed by CI/AI's predictive capabilities for short- and long-term concrete properties. By minimizing waste and energy consumption, CI/AI-driven design fosters environmentally friendly formulations while ensuring structural integrity. Overall, CI/AI enhances prediction, optimization, and monitoring, ushering in a new era of resilient and sustainable concrete materials. These advancements also contribute to sustainable development by optimizing material usage, reducing waste, and improving energy efficiency, underscoring CI/AI's transformative potential in shaping the future of concrete structures and materials.
U.S. Policymakers Need to Mind the Gap between Think Tanks and Geographic Seams: Policy Recommendations for Improving Research Studies and Expert Commentary on Africa and the Middle East at American Think Tanks
Authors: Walsh Michael , Porter Stephen
Published: April 2024

The Biden Administration recently declared transcending geographic seams to be a national security priority. However, this declaration does not appear to have spurred systematic changes in the production of research studies and expert commentary on African affairs within the United States think tank community. An exploration of the metatags used to label commentary articles published on an African affairs blog by a major United States think tank serves as case in point. Far from transcending the geographic seams, this publication appears to be rife with geographic bias that directs the attention of politicians, policymakers, and regional experts away from these very seams. If the Biden Administration is serious about making progress on transcending geographic seams, then the authors argue that the White House should take immediate action to tackle this problem.
Cotton Economy and Slavery in Alabama during the Nineteenth Century
Authors: Murty Komanduri S.
Published: April 2024

Cotton, more than any other staple, was the economic engine that created Alabama. The search for property to grow cotton drew the first settlers into the region. By 1820, Alabama’s farmers grew approximately 25,390 bales of cotton, 3.7 percent of the national total. On the eve of the Civil War, Alabama led the nation and produced more than 915,000 bales of cotton. Huge fortunes were created, and Alabama became one of the nation’s wealthiest states. The wealth, however, was made possible only by the work of enslaved people. For that reason, on the eve of the Civil War, African slaves numbered 435,080—a 10-folds growth in the last 40 years. This paper focused on the growth and development of cotton economy and slavery in Alabama during the nineteenth century. It also examined their modes of resistance and survival, diet, labor, religion, education, recreation, and the roles of free Blacks.On our way from Montgomery to Mobile, which lies near the mouth of Alabama, on the north shore of the Gulf of Mexico, we called at about twenty different places to take on board bales of cotton. Indeed, we soon found we had got completely into the country of that great staple, for nothing else seemed to be thought or talked of. Numberless persons came on board at each landing-place, some to take a passage, some merely to gossip— but whatever might be the ostensible object, cotton was the sole topic. Every flaw of wind from the shore wafted off the smell of that useful plant; at every dock or wharf we encountered it in huge piles or pyramids of bales, and our decks were soon choked up with it.
Sensing antibody functions with a novel CCR8-responsive engineered cell
Authors: Hao Jianyu , Lv Yitong , Xiao Xufeng , Li Lidan , Yu Changyuan
Published: April 2024

Human chemokine receptor 8 (CCR8) is a promising drug target for immunotherapy of cancer and autoimmune diseases. Monoclonal antibody-based CCR8 targeted treatment shows significant inhibition in tumor growth. The inhibition of CCR8 results in the improvement of antitumor immunity and patient survival rates by regulating tumor-resident regulatory T cells. Recently monoclonal antibody drug development targeting CCR8 has become a research hotspot, which also promotes the advancement of antibody evaluation methods. Therefore, we constructed a novel engineered customized cell line HEK293-cAMP-biosensor-CCR8 combined with CCR8 and a cAMP-biosensor reporter. It can be used for the detection of anti-CCR8 antibody functions like specificity and biological activity, in addition to the detection of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and antibody-dependent-cellular-phagocytosis. We obtained a new CCR8 mAb 22H9 and successfully verified its biological activities with HEK293-cAMP-biosensor-CCR8. Our reporter cell line has high sensitivity and specificity, and also offers a rapid kinetic detection platform for evaluating anti-CCR8 antibody functions.
Visual attention and phonological processing in children with developmental language disorder
Authors: Lara-Díaz María Fernanda , Beltrán Rojas Judy Costanza , Aponte Rippe Yennifer
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is a neurobiological condition characterized by insufficient language and communication development, with no underlying physical, sensory, or cognitive explanations. A prominent feature among children with DLD is their struggle with phonological processing, a pivotal skill for later reading proficiency. Recent research suggests that children with DLD may also exhibit impairments in various non-linguistic cognitive abilities, including memory, attention, and perception. Of particular importance is visual attention, which plays a critical role in integrating visual perceptual information with diverse cognitive and linguistic processes.

Objective

To characterize visual attention during phonological processing tasks in Colombian children with DLD.

Methodology

This study employed a cross-sectional descriptive experimental design involving 20 children diagnosed with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) and 20 children without language difficulties. All participants underwent language, vocabulary, and phonological awareness tests. Additionally, an experimental task utilizing the eye-tracking method was designed and administered to measure phonological processing with phonological and lexical distractors.

Results

Children with DLD exhibited diminished performance on phonological awareness tasks, as evidenced by their lower scores. This was further supported by the experimental phonological processing task, where an interference effect was observed in the presence of lexical distractors for word recognition, but not with phonological distractors.

Conclusion

Children with DLD demonstrated deficiencies in both phonological awareness and visual attention skills during linguistic and phonological processing tasks. They also exhibit reduced sensitivity in identifying phonological relations such as rhyme. The study discusses these findings along with their clinical implications, emphasizing the importance of assessing online processing abilities in children with DLD and considering the influence of other cognitive abilities on their linguistic performance.
Differences in source selection and their effect on the quality of written statements during a critical online reasoning performance assessment
Authors: Braunheim Dominik , Martin De Los Santos Kleinz Lisa , Trierweiler Lukas
Published: April 2024

The importance of researching information on the Internet is ever increasing. While ease of use and accessibility are advantages, there is a risk of not being able to adequately assess the relevance and reliability of online sources. With data from the BRIDGE-project (N = 143) we assess the online movements of respondents and track how they researched digitally to answer a task on a generic, accessible topic. We then draw conclusions about their search behavior during this open online performance assessment. The controlled and monitored environment allowed to identify differences in their source selection and how those had an impact on the quality of their written statements respective to the given task.
Pulmonary artery banding: a 20-year experience at a tertiary care center in a developing country
Authors: Ghoussaini Racha , Zareef Rana , Makarem Adham , Younis Nour , Al Hassan Sally , El Rassi Issam , Obeid Munir , Bitar Fadi , Arabi Mariam
Published: April 2024

Aim

Pulmonary artery banding serves as an important palliative procedure used for the management of several congenital heart lesions. This study aims to describe a 20-year experience of pulmonary artery banding at a tertiary care center in a developing country.

Methods

This is a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent pulmonary artery banding over a 20-year period between January 2000 and July 2020 in a tertiary care center in a developing country. Data regarding demographics, indications, diagnosis, echocardiographic findings, postoperative complications, hospital stay, and outcomes were recorded.

Results

A total of 143 patients underwent pulmonary artery banding between 2000 and 2020, with a decrease from approximately 15 surgeries per year in 2012 to 1–2 surgeries a year in 2020. At the time of banding, the median age of patients was approximately 90 days [interquartile range, IQR, 30–150 days]. Four patients (2.8%) died during the band placement. No significant association was observed between baseline characteristics or type of heart defect at presentation and postoperative morbidity and mortality.

Conclusion

Pulmonary artery banding remains useful in a subset of congenital heart lesions and as a surgical palliation, with relatively low mortality, allowing postponement of total correction to a higher weight. This technique continues to be valuable in developing countries or for heart surgical programs with limited resources.
An innovative and meaningful scaffolded curriculum approach to Environmental Health education in Western Australia
Authors: Oosthuizen Jacques , Masaka Edmore , Doherty Sally-Anne , Staples Kerry , Dine Gary , Vance Gerard , Wallace Ruth
Published: April 2024

There has been a critical shortage of qualified Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) both globally and in Australia that has plagued the profession for decades. At Edith Cowan University (ECU), Perth, Western Australia, an undergraduate degree in Environmental Health (EH) was developed in 2006, however, viability was problematic, and the course was under threat of closure. In 2016 both the EH and occupational safety and health (OSH) majors were due for re-accreditation and since there was significant overlap between the two courses both majors were revised and combined into one (Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety). This new qualification has subsequently been accredited by Environmental Health Australia (EHA), as well as the Australian OHS Education Accreditation Board (AOHSEAB) and the British Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). The new dual accredited course has had excellent graduate outcomes and provides graduates with the flexibility to move between traditional OHS and EH roles. In some smaller local governments, and in industry, ECU graduates have been employed to work in both roles. The curriculum was developed in consultation with industry and has an embedded year-long diploma course that consists of eight units (subjects/courses) that prepare graduates to work in a support role to EHOs. The Diploma of Environmental Health course is a scaffolded course that is embedded in the degree, and it has been recognized by the State Government as a qualification leading to appointment as authorized officers under the Public Health Act 2016 (WA). The diploma is more than a pathway course as it is a stand-alone qualification that leads to gainful employment. Most students now enroll in the diploma, initially and gain employment as a Technical Officer, and then progress on to complete the EH degree on a part-time basis while employed in the profession. The diploma is also an exit option for students who struggle with the academic requirements of some of the more traditionally difficult units such as physics, chemistry, and statistics and the EH degree is now a viable university course with excellent graduate employment outcomes.
Predictive value of bone turnover markers and thyroid indicators for bone metabolism in GD patients after treatment
Authors: Su Mengxue , Chai Jinyan , Zheng Wei , Jia Qiang , Tan Jian , He Yajing , Zhang Ruiguo , Men Jianlong , Liu Wei , Shi Tao , Ren Jing , Dong Liyan , Liu Luyi , Meng Zhaowei
Published: April 2024

Purpose

To investigate the relationship between bone turnover markers (BTMs) and thyroid indicators in Graves’ disease (GD) and to further assess predictive value of changes in early stage retrospectively.

Methods

We studied 435 patients with GD and 113 healthy physical examiners retrospectively and followed up these two groups of patients after 6 months. We investigated the correlations between BTMs and other 15 observed factors, and analyzed the predictive value of FT3 and FT4 before and after treatment (FT3-P/FT3-A, FT4-P/FT4-A) on whether BTMs recovered.

Results

The levels of thyroid hormones and BTMs in GD group were significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.05) and decreased after 6 months of treatment. FT3, W, Ca and ALP were independent factors in predicting the elevation of OST. Duration of disease, FT3, TSH and ALP were independent factors in predicting the elevation of P1NP. Age, duration of disease, TRAb and ALP were independent factors in predicting the elevation of CTX-1. The AUC of FT3-P/FT3-A and FT4-P/FT4-A for predicting OST recovery were 0.748 and 0.705 (P < 0.05), respectively, and the cut-off values were 0.51 and 0.595. There was no predictive value for P1NP and CTX-1 recovery (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

BTMs were abnormally elevated in GD and were significantly correlated with serum levels of FT3, FT4, TRAb, Ca, and ALP. FT3 decreased more than 51% and FT4 dropped more than 59.5% after 6 months of treatment were independent predictors for the recovery of BTMs in GD.
Pregnancy outcomes in women with primary ovarian insufficiency in assisted reproductive technology therapy: a retrospective study
Authors: Sun Bo , Li Lu , Zhang Yile , Wang Fang , Sun Yingpu
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to retrospectively estimate cumulative reproductive outcomes in women with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) in assisted reproductive technology (ART) therapy.

Methods

A total of 139 patients diagnosed with POI were reviewed in this study. Firstly, they were divided into two groups according to oocyte origin: using their own oocytes (OG group) or accepting oocyte donations (OD I group). Secondly, the patients were split depending on the pregnancy outcome. In the OG group, nine patients decided to use others’ oocytes after a failure of attempting to use their own, and this population was the oocyte donation II group (OD II group).

Results

There were 88 patients who used their own oocytes, while 51 patients accepted oocyte donations. In the OG group, there are only 10 (7.2%) patients who got pregnant, and patients in the OD group had worse hormone levels (FSH 71.37 ± 4.18 vs. 43.98 ± 2.53, AMH 0.06 ± 0.04 vs. 1.15 ± 0.15, and AFC 0.10 ± 0.06 vs. 1.15 ± 0.15) and more years of infertility (5.04 ± 0.48 vs. 3.82 ± 0.30), which explained why they choose oocyte donation. In all the three groups, baseline characteristics were comparable between pregnant women and non-pregnant women. Of the 10 pregnant patients in the OG group, four of them used luteal-phase short-acting long protocol and had pregnancies successfully in their first cycles.

Conclusion

Ovarian stimulation in POI women requires more cost and time. For those with a stronger desire to have genetic offspring, luteal-phase short-acting long protocol may help them obtain pregnancy rapidly.
Dissecting the shared genetic architecture between endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Tan Hangjing , Long Panpan , Xiao Hongmei
Published: April 2024

Background

Previous study suggested evidence for coexistence and similarities between endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but it is unclear regarding the shared genetic architecture and causality underlying the phenotypic similarities observed for endometriosis and PCOS.

Methods

By leveraging summary statistics from public genome-wide association studies regarding endometriosis (European-based: N=470,866) and PCOS (European-based: N=210,870), we explored the genetic correlation that shared between endometriosis and PCOS using linkage disequilibrium score regression. Shared risk SNPs were derived using PLACO (Pleiotropic analysis under composite null hypothesis) and FUMA (Functional Mapping and Annotation of Genetic Associations). The potential causal association between endometriosis and PCOS was investigated using two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR). Linkage disequilibrium score for the specific expression of genes analysis (LDSC-SEG) were performed for tissue enrichment analysis. The expression profiles of the risk gene in tissues were further examined.

Results

A positive genetic association was observed between endometriosis and PCOS. 12 significant pleiotropic loci shared between endometriosis and PCOS were identified. Genetic associations between endometriosis and PCOS were particularly enriched in uterus, endometrium and fallopian tube. Two-sample MR analysis further indicated a potential causative effect of endometriosis on PCOS, and vice versa. Microarray and RNA-seq verified the expressions of SYNE1 and DNM3 were significantly altered in the endometrium of patients with endometriosis or PCOS compared to those of control subjects.

Conclusion

Our study indicates the genetic correlation and shared risk genes between PCOS and endometriosis. These findings provide insights into the potential mechanisms behind their comorbidity and the future development of therapeutics.
Estradiol improves behavior in FAD transgenic mice that express APOE3 but not APOE4 after ovariectomy
Authors: Balu Deebika , Valencia-Olvera Ana C. , Deshpande Ashwini , Narayanam Saharsh , Konasani Sravya , Pattisapu Shreya , York Jason M. , Thatcher Gregory R. J. , LaDu Mary Jo , Tai Leon M.
Published: April 2024

Increasing evidence suggests that female individuals have a higher Alzheimer’s disease (AD) risk associated with post-menopausal loss of circulating estradiol (E2). However, clinical data are conflicting on whether E2 lowers AD risk. One potential contributing factor is APOE. The greatest genetic risk factor for AD is APOE4, a factor that is pronounced in female individuals post-menopause. Clinical data suggests that APOE impacts the response of AD patients to E2 replacement therapy. However, whether APOE4 prevents, is neutral, or promotes any positive effects of E2 is unclear. Therefore, our goal was to determine whether APOE modulates the impact of E2 on behavior and AD pathology in vivo. To that end, mice that express human APOE3 (E3FAD) or APOE4 (E4FAD) and overproduce Aβ42 were ovariectomized at either 4 months (early) or 8 months (late) and treated with vehicle or E2 for 4 months. In E3FAD mice, we found that E2 mitigated the detrimental effect of ovariectomy on memory, with no effect on Aβ in the early paradigm and only improved learning in the late paradigm. Although E2 lowered Aβ in E4FAD mice in the early paradigm, there was no impact on learning or memory, possibly due to higher Aβ pathology compared to E3FAD mice. In the late paradigm, there was no effect on learning/memory and Aβ pathology in E4FAD mice. Collectively, these data support the idea that, in the presence of Aβ pathology, APOE impacts the response to E2 supplementation post-menopause.
Induction of diabetes by Tacrolimus in a phenotypic model of obesity and metabolic syndrome
Authors: Teixidó-Trujillo Silvia , Porrini Esteban , Menéndez-Quintanal Luis Manuel , Torres-Ramírez Armando , Fumero Cecilia , Rodríguez-Rodríguez Ana Elena
Published: April 2024

Introduction

The pathogenesis of Post-Transplant Diabetes Mellitus (PTDM) is complex and multifactorial and it resembles that of Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). One risk factor specific to PTDM differentiates both entities: the use of immunosuppressive therapy. Specifically, Tacrolimus interacts with obesity and insulin resistance (IR) in accelerating the onset of PTDM. In a genotypic model of IR, the obese Zucker rats, Tacrolimus is highly diabetogenic by promoting the same changes in beta-cell already modified by IR. Nevertheless, genotypic animal models have their limitations and may not resemble the real pathophysiology of diabetes. In this study, we have evaluated the interaction between beta-cell damage and Tacrolimus in a non-genotypic animal model of obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Methods

Sprague Dawley rats were fed a high-fat enriched diet during 45 days to induce obesity and metabolic dysregulation. On top of this established obesity, the administration of Tacrolimus (1mg/kg/day) during 15 days induced severe hyperglycaemia and changes in morphological and structural characteristics of the pancreas.

Results

Obese animals administered with Tacrolimus showed increased size of islets of Langerhans and reduced beta-cell proliferation without changes in apoptosis. There were also changes in beta-cell nuclear factors such as a decrease in nuclear expression of MafA and a nuclear overexpression of FoxO1A, PDX-1 and NeuroD1. These animals also showed increased levels of pancreatic insulin and glucagon.

Discussion

This model could be evidence of the relationship between the T2DM and PTDM physiopathology and, eventually, the model may be instrumental to study the pathogenesis of T2DM.
Challenges creating monarch butterfly management strategies for electric power companies in the United States
Authors: Fox Jessica , Allen Kasey , Diffendorfer Jay E. , Lukens Laura , Thogmartin Wayne E. , Newman Christian
Published: April 2024

Returning monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) to sustainable levels of abundance will require an array of contributors to protect and restore habitat over broad areas. Due to the diversity and scale of land managed by electric power companies across the monarch range, plus an additional 32 million hectares needed for new solar arrays by 2050 to meet renewable energy goals, the industry may have potential to contribute to monarch conservation. However, it is challenging to clearly understand an individual company’s potential for monarch conservation because of the scale and distribution of their specific land assets (ranging from 4,800 to 240,000 hectares in this study alone), the complexity of monarch science, and the lack of a science-based approach for evaluating large land assets for monarch habitat. With monarchs potentially being protected under the United States Endangered Species Act in the future and thereby limiting land management approaches, there is interest from electric power companies to understand how their lands relate to monarchs. In collaboration with companies, we developed a GIS-based model to identify company landholdings that contain high-quality monarch habitat and applied the model to specific landholdings of eight power companies in the United States. We then facilitated discussions with company teams to balance conservation goals, corporate risk, and social opinion. This paper describes non-confidential results for developing a national GIS-based monarch habitat model and applying it to electric power companies who are considering monarch conservation while simultaneously transitioning to a new clean energy future. The model and applied experience may be useful for other organizations working across large landscapes to manage monarchs.
Identification of PANoptosis-related subtypes, construction of a prognosis signature, and tumor microenvironment landscape of hepatocellular carcinoma using bioinformatic analysis and experimental verification
Authors: Ouyang Guoqing , Li Qiuyun , Wei Yangnian , Dai Wenbin , Deng Haojian , Liu Youli , Li Jiaguang , Li Mingjuan , Luo Shunwen , Li Shuang , Liang Yunying , Pan Guandong , Yang Jianqing , Gan Tao
Published: April 2024

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most lethal malignancies worldwide. PANoptosis is a recently unveiled programmed cell death pathway, Nonetheless, the precise implications of PANoptosis within the context of HCC remain incompletely elucidated.

Methods

We conducted a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis to evaluate both the expression and mutation patterns of PANoptosis-related genes (PRGs). We categorized HCC into two clusters and identified differentially expressed PANoptosis-related genes (DEPRGs). Next, a PANoptosis risk model was constructed using LASSO and multivariate Cox regression analyses. The relationship between PRGs, risk genes, the risk model, and the immune microenvironment was studies. In addition, drug sensitivity between high- and low-risk groups was examined. The expression profiles of these four risk genes were elucidate by qRT-PCR or immunohistochemical (IHC). Furthermore, the effect of CTSC knock down on HCC cell behavior was verified using in vitro experiments.

Results

We constructed a prognostic signature of four DEPRGs (CTSC, CDCA8, G6PD, and CXCL9). Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses underscored the superior prognostic capacity of this signature in assessing the outcomes of HCC patients. Subsequently, patients were stratified based on their risk scores, which revealed that the low-risk group had better prognosis than those in the high-risk group. High-risk group displayed a lower Stromal Score, Immune Score, ESTIMATE score, and higher cancer stem cell content, tumor mutation burden (TMB) values. Furthermore, a correlation was noted between the risk model and the sensitivity to 56 chemotherapeutic agents, as well as immunotherapy efficacy, in patient with. These findings provide valuable guidance for personalized clinical treatment strategies. The qRT−PCR analysis revealed that upregulated expression of CTSC, CDCA8, and G6PD, whereas downregulated expression of CXCL9 in HCC compared with adjacent tumor tissue and normal liver cell lines. The knockdown of CTSC significantly reduced both HCC cell proliferation and migration.

Conclusion

Our study underscores the promise of PANoptosis-based molecular clustering and prognostic signatures in predicting patient survival and discerning the intricacies of the tumor microenvironment within the context of HCC. These insights hold the potential to advance our comprehension of the therapeutic contribution of PANoptosis plays in HCC and pave the way for generating more efficacious treatment strategies.
Enhancing life with celiac disease: unveiling effective tools for assessing health-related quality of life
Authors: Falcomer Ana Luísa , de Lima Bernardo Romão , Farage Priscila , Fabris Samantha , Ritter Ruth , Raposo António , Teixeira-Lemos Edite , Chaves Cláudia , Zandonadi Renata Puppin
Published: April 2024

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune chronic enteropathy provoked by gluten ingestion in genetically predisposed individuals. Considering it´s only safe treatment is a lifelong gluten-free diet, the burden of living with the disease becomes evident, as well as the need to assess CD health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This review aims to identify and analyze the instruments used to evaluate the HRQOL of adults with CD. This integrative review using a systematic approach was designed to achieve high scientific standards. Accordingly, the search strategy was developed and executed as recommended by the guideline of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Detailed individual searches were developed to Pubmed, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. After careful analysis of the papers, 43 studies were included, in which seven instruments were identified: Celiac Disease Questionnaire (CDQ) (n=21), Celiac Disease Specific Quality of Life Instrument (CD-QOL) (n=17), Celiac Disease Assessment Questionnaire (CDAQ) (n=4), CeliacQ-7 (n=1), CeliacQ-27 (n=1), Black and Orfila´s self-developed instrument (n=1) and the Coeliac Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire (CDQL) (n=1). The CDQ and CD-QOL were the two most applied instruments. Since the first focuses on the physical and mental symptoms related to the disease and the second focuses on the emotional repercussions of adhering to the GFD treatment for life (dysphoria), the CDQ application is an interesting option for countries that struggle with public policies for CD patients and patients with active CD. The CD-QOL could be used for countries with strict regulations for CD and gluten-free products and populations in remission. When comparing results among different populations, it is preferable to utilize culturally validated instruments, which have been applied across multiple countries, providing greater comparability between study findings.
A multi-omics approach to investigate characteristics of gut microbiota and metabolites in hypertension and diabetic nephropathy SPF rat models
Authors: Lu Jinjing , Gong Xiaoying , Zhang Chenlu , Yang Tengfei , Pei Dongmei
Published: April 2024

Background

Imbalance in intestinal microbiota caused by microbial species and proportions or metabolites derived from microbes are associated with hypertension, as well as diabetic nephropathy. However, the involvement of the intestinal microbiota and metabolites in hypertension and diabetic nephropathy comorbidities (HDN) remains to be elucidated.

Methods

We investigated the effects of intestinal microbiota on HDN in a rat model and determined the abundance of the intestinal microbiota using 16S rRNA sequencing. Changes in fecal and serum metabolites were analyzed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Results

The results showed abundance of Proteobacteria and Verrucomicrobia was substantially higher, whereas that of Bacteroidetes was significant lower in the HDN group than in the sham group. Akkermansia, Bacteroides, Blautia, Turicibacter, Lactobacillus, Romboutsia, and Fusicatenibacter were the most abundant, and Prevotella, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, and Prevotella_9 were the least abundant in the HDN group. Further analysis with bile acid metabolites in serum showed that Blautia was negatively correlated with taurochenodeoxycholic acid, taurocholic acid, positively correlated with cholic acid and glycocholic acid in serum.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that the gut microbiota and metabolites in feces and serum substantially differed between the HDN and sham groups. The F/B ratio was higher in the HDN group than in the sham group. Blautia is potentially associated with HDN that correlated with differentially expressed bile acid metabolites, which might regulate the pathogenesis of HDN via the microorganism–gut–metabolite axis.
Advanced fructo-oligosaccharides improve itching and aberrant epidermal lipid composition in children with atopic dermatitis
Authors: Kim Sukyung , Kang Bae-Gon , Sa Soonok , Park Se Young , Ryu Kyungheon , Lee Jinyoung , Park Boram , Kwon Mijeong , Kim Yeonghee , Kim Jiwon , Shin Sanghee , Jang Sehun , Kim Byung Eui , Bae Jaewoong , Ahn Kangmo , Liu Kwang-Hyeon , Kim Jihyun
Published: April 2024

Introduction

The effects of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) on atopic dermatitis (AD) have not been determined.

Methods

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, children with AD aged 24 months to 17 years received either advanced FOS containing 4.25 g of 1-kestose or a placebo (maltose) for 12 weeks.

Results

The SCORAD and itching scores were reduced in patients treated with both FOS (all p < 0.01) and maltose (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01). Sleep disturbance was improved only in the FOS group (p < 0.01). The FOS group revealed a decreased proportion of linoleic acid (18:2) esterified omega-hydroxy-ceramides (EOS-CERs) with amide-linked shorter chain fatty acids (C28 and C30, all p < 0.05), along with an increased proportion of EOS-CERs with longer chain fatty acids (C32, p < 0.01).

Discussion

FOS may be beneficial in alleviating itching and sleep disturbance, as well as improving skin barrier function in children with AD.
Metal-organic framework as nanocarriers for agricultural applications: a review
Authors: Basak Sanchari , Bhattacharyya Puja , Pudake Ramesh Namdeo , Lokhande P. E. , Rednam Udayabhaskar , Chakrabarti Sandip
Published: April 2024

Agrochemicals are substances used to promote plant growth and eradicate pests; and are essential to meeting the world food demand both qualitatively and quantitatively. Unfortunately, their extensive usage has resulted in certain significant problems, i.e., soil contamination, bioaccumulation, and the development of pest resistance. Consequently, there is a need for a reduced and more regulated usage of agrochemicals. The development of sustainable nanomaterials is encouraged in agricultural nanotechnology to minimize the usage of conventional fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. Metal-organic Framework (MOF)s are porous materials made of functional organic ligands and metal nodes or clusters connected by covalent bonds. Researchers are becoming increasingly interested in using MOF in a variety of sectors. The features of engineered MOFs have the potential to be an optimal strategy for producing impressively unique results in agricultural research. They also have advantages in terms of biocompatibility and biodegradability, which can be leveraged to boost the efficiency of traditional agrochemicals administration. Controlled release of agrochemicals offers an innovative solution to decrease the nutrient uptake rates and contamination of the environment. The application of MOF nanoparticles as nanocarriers to modify the loading and release properties of agrochemicals is particularly highlighted in this review.
High mirror symmetry in mouse exploratory behavior
Authors: Fonio Ehud , Feinerman Ofer
Published: April 2024

The physicality of the world in which the animal acts—its anatomical structure, physiology, perception, emotional states, and cognitive capabilities—determines the boundaries of the behavioral space within which the animal can operate. Behavior, therefore, can be considered as the subspace that remains after secluding all actions that are not available to the animal due to constraints. The very signature of being a certain creature is reflected in these limitations that shape its behavior. A major goal of ethology is to expose those constraints that carve the intricate structure of animal behavior and reveal both uniqueness and commonalities between animals within and across taxa. Exploratory behavior in an empty arena seems to be stochastic; nevertheless, it does not mean that the moving animal is a random walker. In this study, we present how, by adding constraints to the animal’s locomotion, one can gradually retain the ‘mousiness’ that characterizes the behaving mouse. We then introduce a novel phenomenon of high mirror symmetry along the locomotion of mice, which highlights another constraint that further compresses the complex nature of exploratory behavior in these animals. We link these findings to a known neural mechanism that could explain this phenomenon. Finally, we suggest our novel finding and derived methods to be used in the search for commonalities in the motion trajectories of various organisms across taxa.