bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blockchain in Agriculture to Ensure Trust, Effectiveness, and Traceability from Farm Fields to Groceries
Authors: Panwar Arvind , Khari Manju , Misra Sanjay , Sugandh Urvashi
Published: December 2023

Despite its status as one of the most ancient sectors worldwide, agriculture continues to be a fundamental cornerstone of the global economy. Nevertheless, it faces obstacles such as a lack of trust, difficulties in tracking, and inefficiencies in managing the supply chain. This article examines the potential of blockchain technology (BCT) to alter the agricultural industry by providing a decentralized, transparent, and unchangeable solution to meet the difficulties it faces. The initial discussion provides an overview of the challenges encountered by the agricultural industry, followed by a thorough analysis of BCT, highlighting its potential advantages. Following that, the article explores other agricultural uses for blockchain technology, such as managing supply chains, verifying products, and processing payments. In addition, this paper examines the constraints and challenges related to the use of blockchain technology in agriculture, including issues such as scalability, legal frameworks, and interoperability. This paper highlights the potential of BCT to transform the agricultural industry by offering a transparent and secure platform for managing the supply chain. Nevertheless, it emphasizes the need for involving stakeholders, having clear legislation, and possessing technical skills in order to achieve effective implementation. This work utilizes a systematic literature review using the PRISMA technique and applies meta-analysis as the research methodology, enabling a thorough investigation of the present information available. The results emphasize the significant and positive effect of BCT on agriculture, emphasizing the need for cooperative endeavors among governments, industry pioneers, and technology specialists to encourage its extensive implementation and contribute to the advancement of a sustainable and resilient food system.
Mechanisms of CO and CO2 Production during the Low-Temperature Oxidation of Coal: Molecular Simulations and Experimental Research
Authors: Wang Yongjing , Sun Yong , Dai Lihui , Wang Kun , Cheng Gang
Published: December 2023

The spontaneous combustion of coal caused by oxidation often leads to catastrophic fires. However, the understanding of oxidized carbon gas as a predictor of coal’s spontaneous combustion is still in its infancy. To better study the characteristics of CO2 and CO generation during low-temperature coal oxidation, the chemical reactions and activation energies during the formation of oxidized carbon gases within coal molecules were investigated using the molecular simulation method, and the reaction characteristics at different temperatures were determined. In addition, TG was used to experimentally analyze the variations in coal weight, exothermic conditions, and gas generation patterns. The results show that the low-temperature oxidation process consists of four different phases, each of which is characterized by unique CO and CO2 generation. The results of this study are important for the prevention and prediction of the spontaneous combustion of coal.
Effects of Recombinant Leptin Proteins on the Expression of Key Genes in the HPG Axis and Liver of Tongue Sole In Vitro
Authors: Cai Xin , Zhang Yaxing , Wang Bin , Cui Aijun , Jiang Yan , Meng Zhaojun , Li Yuting , Xu Yongjiang
Published: December 2023

Leptin (Lep) plays a crucial role in controlling food intake and maintaining energy balance in mammals. While several studies have shown the presence of multiple leptin genes in teleosts, limited information is currently available on how sex steroid hormones regulate the expression of these genes in fish. In this study, we used two previously expressed and purified leptin proteins to incubate four tissues in vitro (hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and liver) and used the RT-qPCR method to detect the expression of genes related to growth and reproduction in tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis). The results showed that both recombinant LepA and LepB proteins of tongue sole almost entirely suppressed the expression of genes related to growth and reproduction in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and liver, while LepB may have had a positive role on steroid synthesis in gonads. Further, a high concentration of LepA facilitated the expression of IGF-Ι in liver. At the same time, we utilized human leptin to incubate four tissues in vitro; although most of them had trends similar to those stimulated with tongue sole leptins, there were still some differences, indicating differences among leptin homologs between humans and fishes. To our knowledge, this is the first study to explore the function of tongue sole LepA and LepB within the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and liver in vitro. Our results provide a valuable resource and foundation for future studies.
The Bioeconomic Analysis of Hybrid Giant Grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × Epinephelus lanceolatus) and Green Grouper (Epinephelus malabaricus): A Case Study in Taiwan
Authors: Huang Po-Lin , Afero Farok , Chang Yao , Chen Bo-Ying , Lan Hsun-Yu , Hou Yen-Lung , Huang Cheng-Ting
Published: December 2023

Grouper aquaculture is a rapidly growing and dynamic industry within the Taiwan aquaculture sector that serves as an important source of income generation. Farming fishes at a better location (FFABL) is a promising production strategy. This study evaluated the production and economic performance of grouper farming in Taiwan. This investigation employed two steps: (1) a cost–benefit analysis to determine the main component affecting profitability; and (2) multivariate statistics to clarify the relationship between biological and economic factors. The findings suggest that the best choice of species is hybrid giant grouper that generates and highlights a positive income, viable benefit–cost ratio and profit rate. The study found the feed management of hybrid giant groupers requires more consideration due to its low feed conversion ratio. The producers need to replace trash fish in commercial feed during the production cycle to ensure better feed management. Finally, this paper argues that feed is the main constraint for grouper farming, which is sensitive to any change in feed productivity, and this constraint must be solved to sustain the grouper industry in Taiwan.
Development of a Gene-Based Soybean-Origin Discrimination Method Using Allele-Specific Polymerase Chain Reaction
Authors: Jung Kie-Chul , Kim Bo-Young , Kim Myoung-Jin , Kim Nam-Kuk , Kang Jihun , Kim Yul-Ho , Park Hyang-Mi , Jang Han-Sub , Shin Hee-Chang , Kim Tae-Jip
Published: December 2023

A low soybean self-sufficiency rate in South Korea has caused a high import dependence and considerable price variation between domestic and foreign soybeans, causing the false labeling of foreign soybeans as domestic. Conventional soybean origin discrimination methods prevent a single-grain analysis and rely on the presence or absence of several compounds or concentration differences. This limits the origin discrimination of mixed samples, demonstrating the need for a method that analyzes individual grains. Therefore, we developed a method for origin discrimination using genetic analysis. The whole-genome sequencing data of the Williams 82 reference cultivar and 15 soybean varieties cultivated in South Korea were analyzed to identify the dense variation blocks (dVBs) with a high single-nucleotide polymorphism density. The PCR primers were prepared and validated for the insertion–deletion (InDel) sequences of the dVBs to discriminate each soybean variety. Our method effectively discriminated domestic and foreign soybean varieties, eliminating their false labeling.
Influence of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide on the Activity and Conformational Changes of α-Amylase, Lipase, and Peroxidase in the Solid State Using White Wheat Flour as an Example
Authors: Ivanović Milena , Knez Željko , Leitgeb Maja
Published: December 2023

Green technologies using renewable and alternative sources, including supercritical carbon dioxide (sc-CO2), are becoming a priority for researchers in a variety of fields, including the control of enzyme activity which, among other applications, is extremely important in the food industry. Namely, extending shelf life of e.g., flour could be reached by tuning the present enzymes activity. In this study, the effect of different sc-CO2 conditions such as temperature (35–50 °C), pressure (200 bar and 300 bar), and exposure time (1–6 h) on the inactivation and structural changes of α-amylase, lipase, and horseradish peroxidase (POD) from white wheat flour and native enzymes was investigated. The total protein (TPC) content and residual activities of the enzymes were determined by standard spectrophotometric methods, while the changes in the secondary structures of the enzymes were determined by circular dichroism spectrometry (CD). The present work is therefore concerned for the first time with the study of the stability and structural changes of the enzyme molecules dominant in white wheat flour under sc-CO2 conditions at different pressures and temperatures. In addition, the changes in aggregation or dissociation of the enzyme molecules were investigated based on the changes in particle size distribution and ζ-potential. The results of the activity assays showed a decrease in the activity of native POD and lipase under optimal exposure conditions (6 h and 50 °C; and 1 h and 50 °C) by 22% and 16%, respectively. In contrast, no significant changes were observed in α-amylase activity. Consequently, analysis of the CD spectra of POD and lipase confirmed a significant effect on secondary structure damage (changes in α-helix, β-sheet, and β-turn content), whereas the secondary structure of α-amylase retained its original configuration. Moreover, the changes in particle size distribution and ζ-potential showed a significant effect of sc-CO2 treatment on the aggregation and dissociation of the selected enzymes. The results of this study confirm that sc-CO2 technology can be effectively used as an environmentally friendly technology to control the activity of major flour enzymes by altering their structures.
Exploring for HPLC-MS/MS Profiles and Biological Activities of Different Extracts from Allium lycaonicum Siehe ex Hayek from Turkey Flora
Authors: Yagi Sakina , Nilofar  , Zengin Gokhan , Yildiztugay Evren , Caprioli Giovanni , Piatti Diletta , Menghini Luigi , Ferrante Claudio , Di Simone Simonetta Cristina , Chiavaroli Annalisa , Maggi Filippo
Published: December 2023

The present study was designed to determine the phenolic constituents, antioxidant, and enzyme inhibition activities of aerial parts and bulbs of Allium lycaonicum (family Amaryllidaceae). Extracts were prepared by maceration and Soxhlet/infusion using hexane, methanol, and water as extraction solvents. Generally, extracts from the aerial parts showed higher total phenolic and individual components and antioxidant activity than their respective bulb extracts. Maceration with water was the best to extract total phenolic content from the aerial parts (29.00 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g), while the Soxhlet extraction with hexane (22.29 mg GAE/g) was the best for the bulb. Maceration with methanol recovered the highest total flavonoid content from both the aerial parts (41.95 mg (rutin equivalents (RE)/g) and bulb (1.83 mg RE/g). Polar extracts of aerial parts were characterized by higher abundance of kaempferol-3-glucoside (≤20,624.27 µg/mg), hyperoside (≤19,722.76 µg/g), isoquercitrin (≤17,270.70 µg/g), delphindin-3,5-diglucoside (≤14,625.21 µg/g), and rutin (≤10,901.61 µg/g) than the bulb. Aerial parts’ aqueous extract, prepared by maceration, exerted the highest anti-ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical activity (64.09 mg trolox equivalents (TE)/g), Cu++ (83.03 mg TE/g) and Fe+++ (63.03 mg TE/g) reducing capacity while that prepared by infusion recorded the highest anti-DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical (31.70 mg TE/g) and metal chelating (27.66 mg EDTAE/g) activities. The highest total antioxidant activity (1.46 mmol TE/g) was obtained by maceration of the bulb with water. Extracts obtained by organic solvents showed remarkable enzyme inhibition properties against the tested enzymes. Soxhlet extraction of the bulb with hexane and methanol recorded the highest acetylcholinesterase inhibition (4.75 mg galanthamine equivalents (GALAE)/g) and tyrosinase inhibition (139.95 mg kojic acid equivalents/g) activities, respectively. Extracts obtained by maceration of the bulb with methanol and the aerial parts with hexane exerted the highest glucosidase inhibition (3.25 mmol acarbose equivalents/g) and butyrylcholinesterase inhibition (20.99 mg GALAE/g) activities, respectively. These data indicated that A. lycaonicum is a source of bioactive molecules with potential antioxidant and enzyme inhibition properties. Nonetheless, the extracts obtained through various solvents and extraction techniques showed variations in their phytoconstituent composition and biological properties.
Complex Rayleigh–van-der-Pol–Duffing Oscillators: Dynamics, Phase, Antiphase Synchronization, and Image Encryption
Authors: Al Themairi Asma , Mahmoud Gamal M. , Farghaly Ahmed A. , Abed-Elhameed Tarek M.
Published: December 2023

This paper introduces the complex Rayleigh–van-der- Pol–Duffing oscillators (RVDOs), which are hyperchaotic and can be autonomous or nonautonomous. The fundamental dynamics of the autonomous and nonautonomous complex RVDOs, including dissipation, symmetry, fixed points, and stability, are studied. These oscillators are found in various necessary fields of physics and engineering. The paper proposes a scheme to achieve phase synchronization (PS) and antiphase synchronization (APS) for different dimensional models. These kinds of synchronization are considered a generalization of several other types of synchronization. We use the active control method based on Lyapunov’s stability theory for this scheme. By analytically determining the control functions, the scheme achieved PS and APS. Our scheme is applied to study the PS of hyperchaotic behaviors for two distinct hyperchaotic nonautonomous and autonomous complex RVDOs. Additionally, the scheme is employed to achieve the APS of a chaotic real nonautonomous RVDO and a hyperchaotic complex autonomous RVDO, including those with different dimensions. Our work presents numerical results that plot the amplitudes and phases of these hyperchaotic behaviors, demonstrating the achievement of the PS and APS. The encryption and decryption of grayscale images are researched based on APS. The experimental results of image encryption and decryption are computed with information entropy, visual analysis, and histograms.
Cryogel Scaffolds for Tissue-Engineering: Advances and Challenges for Effective Bone and Cartilage Regeneration
Authors: Carriero Vito Cosimo , Di Muzio Laura , Petralito Stefania , Casadei Maria Antonietta , Paolicelli Patrizia
Published: December 2023

Critical-sized bone defects and articular cartilage injuries resulting from trauma, osteonecrosis, or age-related degeneration can be often non-healed by physiological repairing mechanisms, thus representing a relevant clinical issue due to a high epidemiological incidence rate. Novel tissue-engineering approaches have been proposed as an alternative to common clinical practices. This cutting-edge technology is based on the combination of three fundamental components, generally referred to as the tissue-engineering triad: autologous or allogenic cells, growth-stimulating factors, and a scaffold. Three-dimensional polymer networks are frequently used as scaffolds to allow cell proliferation and tissue regeneration. In particular, cryogels give promising results for this purpose, thanks to their peculiar properties. Cryogels are indeed characterized by an interconnected porous structure and a typical sponge-like behavior, which facilitate cellular infiltration and ingrowth. Their composition and the fabrication procedure can be appropriately tuned to obtain scaffolds that match the requirements of a specific tissue or organ to be regenerated. These features make cryogels interesting and promising scaffolds for the regeneration of different tissues, including those characterized by very complex mechanical and physical properties, such as bones and joints. In this review, state-of-the-art fabrication and employment of cryogels for supporting effective osteogenic or chondrogenic differentiation to allow for the regeneration of functional tissues is reported. Current progress and challenges for the implementation of this technology in clinical practice are also highlighted.
Electrochemical Performance of Symmetric Solid-State Supercapacitors Based on Carbon Xerogel Electrodes and Solid Polymer Electrolytes
Authors: Karamanova Boryana , Mladenova Emiliya , Thomas Minju , Rey-Raap Natalia , Arenillas Ana , Lufrano Francesco , Stoyanova Antonia
Published: December 2023

For the development and optimization of solid-state symmetrical supercapacitors, herein, we propose using carbon-based electrodes and sodium- and lithium-form Aquivion electrolyte membranes, which serve as the separator and electrolyte. Carbon xerogels, synthesized using microwave-assisted sol-gel methodology, with designed and controlled properties were obtained as electrode materials. Commercial activated carbon (YP-50F, “Kuraray Europe” GmbH) was used as the active material for comparison. Notably, the developed solid-state symmetrical supercapacitors provide sufficiently high specific capacitances of 105–110 F g−1 at 0.2 A g−1, along with an energy density of 4.5 Wh kg−1 at 300 W kg−1, and a voltage window of 0–1.2 V in aqueous environments, also demonstrating an excellent cycling stability for up to 10,000 charge/discharge cycles. These results can demonstrate the potential applications of carbon xerogel as the active electrode material and cation exchange membrane as the electrolyte in the development of solid-state supercapacitor devices.
Rheology in Product Development: An Insight into 3D Printing of Hydrogels and Aerogels
Authors: Barrulas Raquel V. , Corvo Marta C.
Published: December 2023

Rheological characterisation plays a crucial role in developing and optimising advanced materials in the form of hydrogels and aerogels, especially if 3D printing technologies are involved. Applications ranging from tissue engineering to environmental remediation require the fine-tuning of such properties. Nonetheless, their complex rheological behaviour presents unique challenges in additive manufacturing. This review outlines the vital rheological parameters that influence the printability of hydrogel and aerogel inks, emphasising the importance of viscosity, yield stress, and viscoelasticity. Furthermore, the article discusses the latest developments in rheological modifiers and printing techniques that enable precise control over material deposition and resolution in 3D printing. By understanding and manipulating the rheological properties of these materials, researchers can explore new possibilities for applications such as biomedicine or nanotechnology. An optimal 3D printing ink requires strong shear-thinning behaviour for smooth extrusion, forming continuous filaments. Favourable thixotropic properties aid viscosity recovery post-printing, and adequate yield stress and G′ are crucial for structural integrity, preventing deformation or collapse in printed objects, and ensuring high-fidelity preservation of shapes. This insight into rheology provides tools for the future of material design and manufacturing in the rapidly evolving field of 3D printing of hydrogels and aerogels.
Wound Microenvironment Self-Adjusting Hydrogels with Thermo-Sensitivity for Promoting Diabetic Wound Healing
Authors: Li Jia , Guo Jing , Wang Bo-Xiang , Zhang Yue , Yao Qiang , Cheng De-Hong , Lu Yan-Hua
Published: December 2023

The hard-healing chronic wounds of diabetics are still one of the most intractable problems in clinical skin injury repair. Wound microenvironments directly affect wound healing speed, but conventional dressings exhibit limited efficacy in regulating the wound microenvironment and facilitating healing. To address this serious issue, we designed a thermo-sensitive drug-controlled hydrogel with wound self-adjusting effects, consisting of a sodium alginate (SA), Antheraeapernyi silk gland protein (ASGP) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) for a self-adjusting microenvironment, resulting in an intelligent releasing drug which promotes skin regeneration. PNIPAM has a benign temperature-sensitive effect. The contraction, drugs and water molecules expulsion of hydrogel were generated upon surpassing lower critical solution temperatures, which made the hydrogel system have smart drug release properties. The addition of ASGP further improves the biocompatibility and endows the thermo-sensitive drug-controlled hydrogel with adhesion. Additionally, in vitro assays demonstrate that the thermo-sensitive drug-controlled hydrogels have good biocompatibility, including the ability to promote the adhesion and proliferation of human skin fibroblast cells. This work proposes an approach for smart drug-controlled hydrogels with a thermo response to promote wound healing by self-adjusting the wound microenvironment.
Enhancing Soil Resilience: Bacterial Alginate Hydrogel vs. Algal Alginate in Mitigating Agricultural Challenges
Authors: Dorochesi Flavia , Barrientos-Sanhueza Cesar , Díaz-Barrera Álvaro , Cuneo Italo F.
Published: December 2023

Erosion and tillage changes negatively the soil physical structure, which directly impacts agricultural systems and consequently food security. To mitigate these adverse modifications, different polymeric materials from synthetic and natural sources, have been used as soil conditioners to improve the hydro-mechanical behavior of affected soils. One of the most interesting and used natural polymers is the alginate hydrogel. Although commercially available alginate hydrogels are primarily sourced from algal, they can also be sourced from bacteria. The gelation capacity of these hydrogels is determined by their molecular properties, which, in turn, are influenced by the production conditions. Bacterial alginate hydrogel production offers the advantage of precise control over environmental conditions during cultivation and extraction, thereby maintaining and enhancing their molecular properties. This, in turn, results in higher molecular weight and improved gelation capacity. In this study, we compared the effects of bacterial alginate (BH) and algal alginate (AH) hydrogels over the mechanical, hydraulic, and structural behavior of coarse quartz sand as a model soil. Mechanically, it was observed that the treatment with the lowest concentration of bacteria alginate hydrogel (BH1) reached higher values of yield strength, Young’s modulus (E), shear modulus (G) and strain energy (U) than those treatments with algal alginate hydrogel (AH). Furthermore, the increase in the aggregate stability could be associated with the improvement of mechanical parameters. On the other hand, a greater water retention capacity was observed in the BH treatments, as well as a greater decrease in hydraulic conductivity with respect to the AH and control treatments. All these changes could be explained by the formation of bridge-like structures between the sand particles and the hydrogel, and this alteration may result in a shift in the mechanical and wettability characteristics of the treated soils. Finally, our findings emphasize the superior impact of bacterial alginate hydrogel on enhancing the mechanical and hydraulic properties of coarse quartz sand compared to traditional algal alginate. Besides, the use of bacterial alginate hydrogel could be useful to counteract erosion and water scarcity scenarios in agricultural systems.
Underused Marine Resources: Sudden Properties of Cod Skin Gelatin Gel
Authors: Zuev Yuriy F. , Derkach Svetlana R. , Bogdanova Liliya R. , Voron’ko Nikolai G. , Kuchina Yulia A. , Gubaidullin Aidar T. , Lunev Ivan V. , Gnezdilov Oleg I. , Sedov Igor A. , Larionov Radik A. , Latypova Larisa , Zueva Olga S.
Published: December 2023

The main object of this work was to characterize the structure and properties of laboratory-made fish gelatin from cod skin in comparison with known commercial gelatins of fish and mammalian origin. This is one way we can contribute to the World Food Program and characterize foodstuff resources from alternative natural sources. Our research was based on the combination of an expanded set of complementary physical–chemical methods to study the similarities and distinctions of hydrogels from traditional and novel gelatin sources from underused marine resources. In this work, we have compared the morphology, supramolecular structure and colloid properties of two commercial (mammalian and fish) gelatins with gelatin we extracted from cold-water cod skin in laboratory conditions. The obtained results are novel, showing that our laboratory-produced fish gelatin is much closer to the mammalian one in terms of such parameters as thermal stability and strength of structural network under temperature alterations. Especially interesting are our experimental observations comparing both fish gelatins: it was shown that the laboratory-extracted cod gelatin is essentially more thermally stable compared to its commercial analogue, being even closer in its rheological properties to the mammalian one.
Brothers Home and the Production of Vanished Lives
Authors: Sorensen Eli Park
Published: December 2023

This article delves into the history of one of the most infamous internment facilities in Korea’s recent past—Hyungje Bokjiwon (형제복지원), or Brothers Home. The article outlines the history of Brothers Home, its biopolitical production of ‘vanished lives’, and what enabled it to come into existence—arguing that this is an essential context for understanding the history of international adoption from Korea. Located in Busan, South Korea, Brothers Home began as an orphanage in the early 1960s but developed into a ‘social welfare institution’ in the early 1970s. The events that transpired from the early 1970s until the facility shut down in the late 1980s—a period which aligns with the height of international adoption from Korea—have led to some referring to this place as Korea’s ‘concentration camp’. Inmates died in the hundreds, predominantly due to malnutrition and illness, while many suffered brutal deaths through physical abuse and torture. Some of the children from Brothers Home were relocated to Western nations for adoption. The history of Brothers Home embodies the biopolitical process of bodies and lives simultaneously enveloped in and, at the same time, kept outside socio-legal frameworks to invalidate those lives or render them insignificant or invisible; to erase them from any meaningful, socio-legal context and thereby reducing those lives to bare life. The article will focus on three main areas: the history of Brothers Home, the biopolitical production of vanished lives, and how the latter resonates with specific instances depicted in testimonies written by people returning to Korea to uncover details about their adoption circumstances, that is, moments encapsulating this ‘production of vanished lives’. The central concern here is less to draw a direct line between international adoption and the events at Brothers Home, but rather to outline a crucial biopolitical context—epitomized in the history of Brothers Home—that precedes the adoption process and thus constitutes its condition of possibility. By juxtaposing this biopolitical context with autobiographical testimonies of people searching for information about the circumstances of their adoption, the article seeks to understand what it means to bear witness to the existence of a life whose desubjectivization—or disappearance—at the same time constitutes the witnessing subject’s condition of possibility.
Sex Differences in Colon Cancer: Genomic and Nongenomic Signalling of Oestrogen
Authors: Harvey Brian J. , Harvey Harry M.
Published: December 2023

Colon cancer (CRC) is a prevalent malignancy that exhibits distinct differences in incidence, prognosis, and treatment responses between males and females. These disparities have long been attributed to hormonal differences, particularly the influence of oestrogen signalling. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying sex differences in colon cancer and the protective role of membrane and nuclear oestrogen signalling in CRC development, progression, and therapeutic interventions. We discuss the epidemiological and molecular evidence supporting sex differences in colon cancer, followed by an exploration of the impact of oestrogen in CRC through various genomic and nongenomic signalling pathways involving membrane and nuclear oestrogen receptors. Furthermore, we examine the interplay between oestrogen receptors and other signalling pathways, in particular the Wnt/β-catenin proliferative pathway and hypoxia in shaping biological sex differences and oestrogen protective actions in colon cancer. Lastly, we highlight the potential therapeutic implications of targeting oestrogen signalling in the management of colon cancer and propose future research directions to address the current gaps in our understanding of this complex phenomenon.
Gas6-Axl Signaling Induces SRF/MRTF-A Gene Transcription via MICAL2
Authors: Lundquist Mark R. , Jaffrey Samie R.
Published: December 2023

MICAL2 is an actin-regulatory protein that functions through redox modification of actin. Nuclear localized MICAL2 triggers the disassembly of nuclear actin, which subsequently leads to nuclear retention of the actin-binding transcriptional coregulator myocardin-related transcription factor-A (MRTF-A), which leads to the activation of serum response factor (SRF)/MRTF-A-dependent gene transcription. In this study, we show that the secreted signaling protein GAS6 (growth-arrest specific 6) and its cognate receptor Axl, a transmembrane tyrosine kinase, also induce the activation of SRF/MRTF-A and their downstream target genes. We find that serum-induced SRF/MRTF-A-dependent gene expression can be blocked, in part, by the inhibition of Axl signaling. Furthermore, we find that Gas6/Axl-induced SRF/MRTF-A-dependent transcription is dependent on MICAL2. Gas6/Axl promotes cell invasion, which is blocked by MICAL2 knockdown, suggesting that MICAL2 promotes cytoskeletal effects of the Gas6/Axl pathway. We find that Gas/6/Axl signaling promotes the nuclear localization of MICAL2, which may contribute to the ability of Gas6/SRF to augment SRF/MRTF-A-dependent gene transcription. The physiological significance of the Gas6/Axl-MICAL2 signaling pathway described here is supported by the marked gene expression correlation across a broad array of different cancers between MICAL2 and Axl and Gas6, as well as the coexpression of these genes and the known SRF/MRTF-A target transcripts. Overall, these data reveal a new link between Gas6/Axl and SRF/MRTF-A-dependent gene transcription and link MICAL2 as a novel effector of the Gas6/Axl signaling pathway.
Holocene Depositional History of Low-Lying Reef-Rim Carbonate Islets of Fakarava Atoll, Northwest Tuamotu, Central South Pacific
Authors: Montaggioni Lucien F. , Salvat Bernard , Pons-Branchu Edwige , Martin-Garin Bertrand , Dapoigny Arnaud , Brunaud Éric , Poli Gilbert , Tatarata Miri
Published: December 2023

Assumptions about the fate of low-lying coral reef islands (atolls) facing global warming are poorly constrained, due to insufficient information on their depositional history. Based on the U/Th dating of 48 coral clasts, the chronostratigraphic analysis of excavated sections through rim islets (motu) at the windward and leeward sides of Fakarava Atoll (Tuamotu, French Polynesia) reveal that the deposition of coral detritus started approximately 2000 years ago. Most of these deposits lie on conglomerate pavements or reef flat surfaces, and are about 4500 to 3000 years old. The islet expansion at the windward sites seems to have operated coevally across the reef rim, from the ocean-facing shore lagoonwards. Meanwhile, well-developed, continuous, elongated, vegetated islets mostly occur along the windward, northeast to southeast coast, and isolated islets, vegetated or not, associated with the dense networks of conglomerates, are common on the leeward, partly submerged, western rim. Islet accretion on the windward rim sides is believed to have been mainly triggered by winter storms and occasional cyclonic events, whilst the leeward atoll parts were most likely shaped by distant-source swells from mid to high latitudes. The projections of the accelerated sea level rise in the future suggest that the long-term islet stability at Fakarava could be altered because the islets have accreted under the conditions of the falling sea level.
The Risk of Drug Interactions in Older Primary Care Patients after Hospital Discharge: The Role of Drug Reconciliation
Authors: Vocca Cristina , Siniscalchi Antonio , Rania Vincenzo , Galati Cecilia , Marcianò Gianmarco , Palleria Caterina , Catarisano Luca , Gareri Ilaria , Leuzzi Marco , Muraca Lucia , Citraro Rita , Nanci Giacinto , Scuteri Antonio , Bianco Rosa Candida , Fera Iolanda , Greco Antonietta , Leuzzi Giacomo , De Sarro Giovambattista , D’Agostino Bruno , Gallelli Luca
Published: December 2023

Introduction: Drug–drug interactions (DDIs) represent an important clinical problem, particularly in older patients, due to polytherapy, comorbidity, and physiological changes in pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic pathways. In this study, we investigated the association between drugs prescribed after discharge from the hospital or clinic and the risk of DDIs with drugs used daily by each patient. Methods: We performed an observational, retrospective, multicenter study on the medical records of outpatients referred to general practitioners. DDIs were measured using the drug interaction probability scale. Potential drug interactions were evaluated by clinical pharmacologists (physicians) and neurologists. Collected data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Results: During the study, we evaluated 1772 medical records. We recorded the development of DDIs in 10.3% of patients; 11.6% of these patients required hospitalization. Logistic regression showed an association among DDIs, sex, and the number of drugs used (p = 0.023). Conclusions: This observational real-life study shows that the risk of DDIs is common in older patients. Physicians must pay more attention after hospital discharge, evaluating the treatment to reduce the risk of DDIs.
Quality of Reporting Randomized Controlled Trials Published in Three of the Most Citable Periodontal Journals from 2018 to 2022
Authors: Alharbi Fahad , Gufran Khalid , Ahmed Muzammil Moin , Alsakr Abdulaziz , Almutairi Abdullah
Published: December 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the reporting quality of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) in periodontology. Three leading periodontology journals, the Journal of Periodontology (JOP), the Journal of Clinical Periodontology (JOCP), and the Journal of Periodontal Research (JOPR), were selected for this investigation. The RCTs were identified by manually searching for human trial articles published in these three journals. Two authors independently conducted the literature search, and a pre-piloted extraction sheet was used to screen the potential RCTs. The CONSORT checklist guidelines were employed to calculate the score value. Intra-examiner reliability was assessed by scoring a random sample of 10% of the papers in a second round conducted by the first examiner three months after the initial data collection. A search of abstracts published over a five-year period yielded 176 articles that reported RCTs, accounting for 11.7% of all articles published in the three journals. The highest number of RCTs was published in 2020, and more than half of the included RCTs (51%) originated from Europe. Many of the analyzed RCTs inadequately reported almost half of the items on the CONSORT checklist. Furthermore, univariate analysis revealed significant associations between certain factors and the overall CONSORT score, such as publication in JOP (p = 0.048), publication year of 2019 (p = 0.041) and 2021 (p = 0.042), first author from North America (p = 0.016), and RCTs with more than six authors (p = 0.042). Clinical trial research in periodontics has made significant progress in the past five years. However, there is room for improvement in adhering to the CONSORT guidelines.
Subjective Well-Being in Cancer Patients: The Roles of Social Support, Purpose in Life, Resilience, and Informativeness
Authors: Brajković Lovorka , Milat-Panža Karla , Kopilaš Vanja
Published: December 2023

The aim of this research was to determine the relationship between subjective well-being (life satisfaction, positive and negative experiences, and prosperity) and various psychosocial factors (social support received from family members and partners, purpose in life, resilience and information) in cancer patients and to examine the possibility of predicting components of subjective well-being based on these mentioned factors in cancer patients. A total of 338 adult cancer patients from Croatia participated in the study (41.1% male and 58.9% female). To measure the constructs, the Diener Subjective Well-Being Scale, the Social Support Scale at work and in the family, the Purpose in Life Scale, the Short Resilience Scale, and the EORTC-QLQ information questionnaire were used. Results showed a high level of life satisfaction and prosperity, as well as more frequent positive compared to negative experiences. A medium to high level of social support received from family members and from the partner was determined. High levels of purpose in life and medium levels of resilience and information were found. A high correlation was found among the components of the construct of subjective well-being, and a low to medium correlation among the predictors. Positive associations were found between the criteria of life satisfaction and prosperity with psychosocial factors. Negative associations were established between the positive/negative experience variables and the factors. Furthermore, the purpose in life was determined as an important predictor of all three components of subjective well-being, social support (both sources) as important for predicting life satisfaction, resilience for experiencing positive and negative experiences, and social family support for predicting the prosperity of cancer patients.
A Federated Learning Approach to Breast Cancer Prediction in a Collaborative Learning Framework
Authors: Almufareh Maram Fahaad , Tariq Noshina , Humayun Mamoona , Almas Bushra
Published: December 2023

Breast cancer continues to pose a substantial worldwide public health concern, necessitating the use of sophisticated diagnostic methods to enable timely identification and management. The present research utilizes an iterative methodology for collaborative learning, using Deep Neural Networks (DNN) to construct a breast cancer detection model with a high level of accuracy. By leveraging Federated Learning (FL), this collaborative framework effectively utilizes the combined knowledge and data assets of several healthcare organizations while ensuring the protection of patient privacy and data security. The model described in this study showcases significant progress in the field of breast cancer diagnoses, with a maximum accuracy rate of 97.54%, precision of 96.5%, and recall of 98.0%, by using an optimum feature selection technique. Data augmentation approaches play a crucial role in decreasing loss and improving model performance. Significantly, the F1-Score, a comprehensive metric for evaluating performance, turns out to be 97%. This study signifies a notable advancement in the field of breast cancer screening, fostering hope for improved patient outcomes via increased accuracy and reliability. This study highlights the potential impact of collaborative learning, namely, in the field of FL, in transforming breast cancer detection. The incorporation of privacy considerations and the use of diverse data sources contribute to the advancement of early detection and the treatment of breast cancer, hence yielding significant benefits for patients on a global scale.
Frailty Prevention Care Management Program (FPCMP) on Frailty and Health Function in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Quasi-Experimental Trial Protocol
Authors: Lin Chia-Hui , Liu Ming-Yi , Chen Nan-Fu
Published: December 2023

Background: Frailty often results from deteriorating muscle strength and decreased physical function in older adults. Frailty includes not only physical components, but also psychological and social aspects. Previous research has shown that exercise programs, especially resistance exercises combined with nutritional care, can reduce frailty. Objectives: This study aimed to develop a Frailty Prevention Care Management Program that prevents frailty and improves physical activity and nutrition compared to usual care for community-dwelling older adults. Methods: A quasi-experimental and single-blinded trial with a non-equivalent control group using a before-after design will be performed involving Frailty Prevention Care Management Program interventions, taking place both at the communities. Participants will be divided into two different intervention groups and two control groups. All groups will be assessed three times: at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 3 months post intervention. A total of 72 community-dwelling older adults are recruited. This intervention includes an exercise program (design TRX program) and nutritional education. The control group will not receive any specific exercise training. The primary outcome shall comprise the effect of the Frailty Prevention Care Management Program on frailty using the Taiwanese version of the Tilburg frailty indicator. Secondary outcomes include the effect of physical activity using the Senior Fitness Test and nutrition measures using the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form. A generalized estimating equation is constructed to analyze the effects of the intervention. Conclusions: This trial will provide vital information to guide interventions to improve outcomes (frailty, physical activity, and nutrition) and inform the integration of nutrition and TRX exercises in community-dwelling older adults.
Pain Prevalence and Satisfaction with Pain Management in Inpatients: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Becerra-Bolaños Ángel , Armas-Domínguez Annette , Valencia Lucía , Jiménez-Marrero Pedro , López-Ruiz Sergio , Rodríguez-Pérez Aurelio
Published: December 2023

Background: Pain in hospitalized adults is underestimated and undervalued. The aim of this study was to evaluate pain prevalence and satisfaction with the hospital’s pain management among patients attending a tertiary university hospital. Predictor factors of pain were also studied. Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional study was carried out through a structured questionnaire given on one day to all hospitalized patients in a university hospital. Clinical data, such as personal history and analgesic treatment, were collected from medical records. Other variables related to pain (including intensity rated by the visual analogue scale as well as location and patient satisfaction measured by the numerical rating scale) were also obtained. Results: Of the 274 surveyed patients, pain prevalence was 52.9%, with an average intensity of 5.3 ± 2.8 according to VAS. The overall satisfaction was 87.2%, and 72.6% had already been prescribed at least one analgesic. Patients receiving analgesics showed higher pain intensity (VAS 3.6 ± 3.4) than those without treatment (VAS 1.1 ± 2.1) (p < 0.001). However, patients with treatment showed more satisfaction (NRS 7.8 ± 2 vs. 5.3 ± 1.4, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The prevalence of pain in hospitalized patients was high, despite the fact that patient satisfaction was also very high.
Internet Addiction, Sleep Habits and Family Communication: The Perspectives of a Sample of Adolescents
Authors: Monteiro Francisca , Simões Margarida , Relva Inês Carvalho
Published: December 2023

Background: With the increase in communication technologies, the internet has become an indispensable tool in the life of the individual. Several studies report on the advantages of this resource; however, there is still a group of individuals who use the internet excessively. The aim of this study was to explore the relationships between internet addiction, daytime sleepiness, and family communication in adolescents. Methods: A total of 340 adolescents aged between 12 and 17 years participated in this study. All completed the sociodemographic questionnaire, the internet addiction test, the pediatric daytime sleepiness scale, and the family communication scale. Results: The results indicate that 64.1% of the adolescents had mild to moderate addiction to the internet. The main results suggest that internet addiction in adolescents is negatively associated with family communication and positively associated with excessive daytime sleepiness. It was also observed that gender had a significant effect on daytime sleepiness, with female participants having more excessive daytime sleepiness. Regarding age, the results indicate higher values of internet addiction among younger adolescents. Conclusions: In view of the above, it is considered important to develop preventive actions with a view to healthy family communication, with the adoption of sleep hygiene habits and the promotion of healthy use of the internet.
A Dialogue between the Humanities and Social Sciences: Cultural Landscapes and Their Transformative Potential for Social Innovation
Authors: Panagiotopoulos Diamantis , Wallenwein Fabienne , Mildenberger Georg , Schimpf Gudrun-Christine
Published: December 2023

Throughout the last decades, engaging with cultural landscapes has been a scientific, social, ethical, political, and economic imperative that calls for novel theoretical approaches, effective strategies and, above all, participatory action. Facing this multifarious challenge, academic disciplines have to redefine their traditional methods and aims, and demonstrate an openness towards new and risky paths of scientific pursuits. The present paper arose from interdisciplinary cooperation between the humanities and social sciences with the main objective to explore the potential of cultural landscapes as resources for social innovation in rural regions, addressing issues such as out-migration of original inhabitants, unemployment, and an overaging population. Based on an overview of landscape semantics and theoretical approaches, the paper first analyzes (cultural) landscape and social innovation as applied concepts. In a second step, both disciplinary angles mingle into a joint approach. Moving from methodologies to challenges, the authors discuss the Social Grid Model, which allows for an integrated analysis of social networks, institutions, and cognitive frames. They also delve into the Structured Democratic Dialogue as a tool for the revitalization of ‘active’ and ‘inactive’ cultural landscapes by reinforcing the role of local communities. Finally, the authors investigate how such novel ideas for the promotion of tangible and intangible heritage in rural habitats can be employed by example of two intervention regions in Greece (Koumasa) and the People’s Republic of China (Honghe Hani Rice Terraces), and as part of an orchestrated collective action.