bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding the impact of spatial immunophenotypes on the survival of endometrial cancer patients through the ProMisE classification
Authors: Hattori Satomi , Yoshikawa Nobuhisa , Liu Wenting , Matsukawa Tetsuya , Kubokawa Mei , Yoshida Kosuke , Yoshihara Masato , Tamauchi Satoshi , Ikeda Yoshiki , Yokoi Akira , Shimizu Yusuke , Niimi Kaoru , Kajiyama Hiroaki
Published: January 2025

Objectives

We focused on how the immunophenotypes based on the distribution of CD8-positive tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) relate to the endometrial cancer (EC) molecular subtypes and patients’ prognosis.

Patients and methods

Two cohorts of EC patients (total n = 145) were analyzed and categorized using the Molecular Risk Classifier for Endometrial cancer (ProMisE): POLEmut (POLE mutation), MMRd (mismatch repair deficiency), NSMP (no specific molecular profile), and p53abn (p53 abnormality). CD8-positive TILs, within the central tumor and the invasive margin, were examined by using immunohistochemical staining and advanced image-analysis software. It was investigated whether these immunophenotypes correlate with the molecular subtypes and patients' survival. RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) was used to explore tumor-derived factors influencing these immunophenotypes.

Results

Three distinct immunophenotypes (inflamed, excluded, and desert) based on the CD8-positive TIL patterns were identified in EC patients. Notably, the inflamed phenotype was most frequently observed in the POLEmut and MMRd subtypes, while the desert phenotype was predominant in the NSMP subtype; however, other immunophenotypes were also observed. All p53abn subtype showed the non-inflamed (excluded or desert) phenotype. The prognosis was markedly poorer in the patients with the non-inflamed phenotype than in those with the inflamed phenotype. The RNA-seq analysis showed that the expression of MYC target genes and type-1 interferon response genes was enriched in the non-inflamed phenotype in MMRd and NSMP subtypes, respectively.

Conclusion

Evaluating not only the molecular classification but also the immunophenotype may lead to more personalized immunotherapy in EC and elucidating the mechanisms that underlie the formation of the three immunophenotypes could lead to the discovery of new immunotherapy targets.
Detection of H3F3A K27M or BRAF V600E in liquid biopsies of brain tumor patients as diagnostic and monitoring biomarker: impact of tumor localization and sampling method
Authors: Madlener Sibylle , Stepien Natalia , Senfter Daniel , Mayr Lisa , Laemmerer Anna , Hedrich Cora , Baumgartner Alicia , Lötsch-Gojo Daniela , Sterba Jaroslav , Pokorna Petra , Kiesel Barbara , Widhalm Georg , Eckert Franziska , Preusser Matthias , Rössler Karl , Azizi Amedeo , Peyrl Andreas , Czech Thomas , Haberler Christine , Slavc Irene , Kasprian Gregor , Dorfer Christian , Furtner Julia , Gojo Johannes
Published: January 2025

Gliomas are the most common brain tumor type in children and adolescents. To date, diagnosis and therapy monitoring for these tumors rely on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histopathological as well as molecular analyses of tumor tissue. Recently, liquid biopsies (LB) have emerged as promising tool for diagnosis and longitudinal tumor assessment potentially allowing for a more precise therapeutic management. However, the optimal strategy for monitoring gliomas by LB remains to be determined. In this study, we analyzed circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) from 78 liquid biopsies (plasma n = 44, cerebrospinal fluid n = 34 (CSF)) of 35 glioma patients, determining H3F3A K28M (K27M) and BRAF V600E mutation allele frequency using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). All results were correlated to clinically relevant parameters including diagnostic imaging and CSF aspiration site (ventricular vs lumbar) with respect to tumor localization. Regarding diagnostic accuracy, the calculated sensitivity score in the H3F3A K27M cohort was 84.61% for CSF and 73.68% for plasma. In the BRAF V600E cohort, we determined a sensitivity of 83.3% in plasma and 80% in CSF. The overall specificity was 100%. With respect to the CSF aspiration, the intra-operatively obtained CSF demonstrated 100% detection rate, followed by ventricular CSF obtained via Ommaya Reservoir/shunt puncture (93%) and CSF obtained via lumbar puncture (66%). Notably, this further correlated with the proximity of the CSF site to tumor localization. Longitudinal CSF monitoring demonstrated a good correlation to clinical and radiological disease evolution. Importantly, we show for the first time that monitoring BRAF V600E by ddPCR could serve as treatment response assessment in gliomas. In summary, our observation may inform recommendations with regard to location of CSF aspiration when incorporating LB into future treatment protocols.
Pedestrian thermal comfort mapping for evidence-based urban planning; an interdisciplinary and user-friendly mobile approach for the case study of Dresden, Germany
Authors: Gallacher Claire , Boehnke Denise
Published: January 2025

In the face of climate change and increasing urbanisation, ensuring outdoor thermal comfort is becoming an increasingly crucial consideration for sustainable urban planning. However, informed decision-making is limited by the challenge of obtaining high-resolution thermal comfort data. This study introduces an interdisciplinary, low-resource, and user-friendly methodology for thermal comfort mapping, employing a self-built low-cost meteorological device for mobile climate monitoring. This device was utilised in the city center of Dresden, Germany to collect air temperature, humidity, pressure, surface temperature, global radiation, and globe temperature data as key inputs for the calculation of thermal comfort indices. These measurements were then used to calculate the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) using the RayMan Pro urban climate modelling program. Due to the limited resource capacities of urban planning departments, clear priority areas must be identified. Therefore, an exemplary approach for the prioritisation of consistent hotspots using the highest 5% of UTCI values was developed. The spatial variances in UTCI were validated through mobile pedestrian thermal comfort questionnaires, which allowed for the comparison of objective and subjective estimates of thermal comfort and gave the basis on which to make holistic and practical suggestions for urban planning interventions. This paper demonstrates an accessible and interdisciplinary approach to thermal comfort mapping which can empower urban planning stakeholders with scientifically informed and cost-effective decision-making tools for climate-adapted urban development.
How Balanced Can Permutations Be?
Authors: Beniamini Gal , Lavee Nir , Linial Nati
Published: January 2025

A permutation $$\pi \in \mathbb {S}_n$$

π
∈

S
n

is k-balanced if every permutation of order k occurs in $$\pi $$
π
equally often, through order-isomorphism. In this paper, we explicitly construct k-balanced permutations for $$k \le 3$$

k
≤
3

, and every n that satisfies the necessary divisibility conditions. In contrast, we prove that for $$k \ge 4$$

k
≥
4

, no such permutations exist. In fact, we show that in the case $$k \ge 4$$

k
≥
4

, every n-element permutation is at least $$\Omega _n(n^{k-1})$$

Ω
n

(

n

k
-
1

)

far from being k-balanced. This lower bound is matched for $$k=4$$

k
=
4

, by a construction based on the Erdős–Szekeres permutation.
Evaluation of physico-chemical characteristics of biochar produced from red bell pepper waste biomass
Authors: Christophe Nsaka Ntumba , Veronica Ngole Jeme
Published: January 2025

Different types of biomasses are utilised for biochar production, but agricultural solid wastes remain a viable feedstock because of its availability and lower cost. This study investigated the possibility of producing biochar from red bell pepper wastes (RBPW) using slow carbonisation (300 and 400 °C) without chemical modification and characterising the produced biochar in an endeavour to elucidate on its potential use for environmental remediation. Proximate analysis, physical and chemical properties of the biomass and biochars were investigated using standard methods and analytical instruments. The yields of biochars from RBPW were found to be 25.8 and 23.5%, respectively, for biochar produced at carbonisation temperatures of 300 and 400 °C. Elemental analysis showed the presence of elements with concentration patterns that followed the order Fe > Na > Ca > K > Mg > Mn > Zn in the biomass and biochars though the biochars had higher concentrations than the biomass. The specific surface areas and pore volumes of both biomass and biochars were found to be low (< 0.706 and 0.0280 cm2/g, respectively) as per the BET results. FTIR results showed the presence of oxygen-containing functional groups on the surface of both biomass and biochars. The surface of biomass had more acidic sites as opposed to biochars which had more basic sites. RBPW has shown typically acceptable chemical, physical and thermal properties for the production of biochar. Further studies are required to understand whether chemical activation would improve their surface properties and the conditions under which they can be used.

Graphical Abstract
Impact of short and long-term application of low-level laser therapy on mandibular alveolar process of osteoporotic rats – a Histological and Molecular Study
Authors: El-Halwagy Mai O. , Hegazy Enas M. , Shalaby Hany K. , Mahmoud Elham F.
Published: January 2025

This study aims to investigate and compare the effects of short and long-term application of low-level laser therapy on the mandibular alveolar process of osteoporotic rats. Forty adult male albino rats were included in this study. After animal grouping, the experimental group received dexamethasone (0.1 mg/kg b.wt./day for 60 days) for the induction of osteoporosis, then the rats were treated using LLLT (830 nm, 100 mW, at 60 J/cm2). The lower jaw specimens were collected and processed for histological, molecular, and histomorphometric assessments. The osteoporotic group exhibited alveolar bone resorption, accompanied by significantly upregulated RANKL and downregulated OPG mRNA expression. The short-term application of laser group showed alveolar bone partial improvement with slightly downregulated RANKL and slightly upregulated OPG levels. The long-term application of laser group showed dramatic positive changes in the alveolar bone, with markedly downregulated RANKL and upregulated OPG levels. LLLT shows potential as a low-risk and impactful local management for osteoporosis, with long-term laser application demonstrably improving bone quality, quantity, and organization compared to short-term application.

Graphical abstract
Governance Considerations for Point-of-Care Ultrasound: a HIMSS-SIIM Enterprise Imaging Community Whitepaper in Collaboration with AIUM
Authors: Ma Irene W. Y. , Francavilla Michael L. , Nomura Jason T. , Kielski Adam , Fernandez Francisco , Piro Kevin , Liu Rachel , Valenzuela Josephine , Toland Michael , Koehler Jessica , Cohen Gregg , Eid Monief , Choi Wilson , Nolan James D. , Ferre Robinson M. , McBee Morgan P. , Kummer Tobias , Lanspa Michael J. , Brown Jenn Quattrone , DeStigter Kristen , Desyatnikova Stella , Bottemiller Allan
Published: January 2025

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has emerged as a standard of care across a variety of healthcare settings due to its ability to provide critical clinical information and as well as procedural guidance to clinicians directly at the bedside. Implementation of enterprise imaging (EI) strategies is needed such that POCUS images can be appropriately captured, indexed, managed, stored, distributed, viewed, and analyzed. Because of its unique workflow and educational requirements, reliance on traditional order-based workflow solutions may be insufficient. To improve patient care outcomes and operational efficiency, a robust governance committee for POCUS within healthcare systems that addresses pertinent institutional policies to ensure effective and sustainable implementation of enterprise imaging, appropriate to the specific clinical encounter-based workflow needs of POCUS, is critical. This white paper explores several key governance considerations in the formulation and structure of a POCUS enterprise imaging strategy, focusing on program governance, clinical governance, technology governance, information governance, and financial governance.
Destruction of chemical weapons stockpiles in the Russian Federation: a review
Authors: Rozsypal Tomas , Pejchal Jaroslav , Opravil Jakub , Haralampiev Mihail , Bocos-Bintintan Victor , Kobliha Zbynek
Published: January 2025

Chemical weapons, designed for mass harm, are posing risks of contamination, accidents, and ecological damage, and thus require their destruction. However, destruction of chemical weapons is challenging, notably in the Russian Federation due to the large scale and complexity of chemical weapons stockpiles, the diverse toxic agents stored under varying conditions, logistical and political obstacles, financial constraints, and the disposal process. Here we review the Russian Federation’s chemical weapons disposal program with an emphasis on the political context, declared chemical weapons stockpiles, methods for destruction, health and environmental issues, and nerve agents. We analyze stockpiles totaling nearly 40,000 tonnes of chemical agents across seven facilities, focusing on their composition, storage conditions, and destruction technologies. Methods such as neutralization, bituminization, and thermal destruction are compared. Environmental risks include arsenic migration and groundwater contamination near disposal sites. We observe the limitations of using bitumen salt masses as a safe disposal method.
Modulation of the peak velocities and gains of abduction and adduction saccades according to head position
Authors: Mino Hana , Sawamura Hiromasa , Takahashi Koji , Hara Hiroya , Kudo Yosuke , Yamanaka Kenzo , Kaida Tomoko , Miyata Kazunori , Aihara Makoto , Johkura Ken
Published: January 2025

Purpose

To assess the effects of modifying head position and of static ocular counter-rolling (OCR) on abduction and adduction in saccadic eye movements using a head-mounted video-oculographic device.

Study design

A clinical observational study.

Methods

The peak velocities and amplitude gains of visually guided 12° saccades were binocularly measured in 21 healthy volunteers with their heads in the upright vertical (0°) and horizontal (± 90°, bilateral side-lying) postures, and in 6 participants with their head positions bilaterally tilted by 30°. The rotation angles of eyeballs generated via OCR in the bilateral 30° and 90° head positions were evaluated in five participants.

Results

Peak velocities and gains were significantly higher with the head in the 0° position compared to ± 90°. The decreases in peak velocities and gains at ± 90° were not affected by the apogeotropic or geotropic directions. Faster peak velocities and greater gains on abduction, rather than adduction, were observed under each test condition. The tendencies toward faster peak velocity and greater gain in the 0° head position rather than bilaterally tilted at 30° were preserved. The absolute rotation angles at ± 90° were larger than those at 30°.

Conclusions

Head position affected the peak velocities and gains of both abduction and adduction saccades. The findings suggest that modified force vectors exerted by different eye muscles recruited during OCR play a role. Our research provides valuable insights for assessing eye movements across various head positions.
An Exploratory Longitudinal Dyadic Analysis of Couple Attachment Trajectories
Authors: Dansby Olufowote Rachael A. , Bradshaw Spencer D. , Bean Roy A.
Published: January 2025

The purpose of this exploratory study was to first examine the dyadic trajectory of attachment change over a longer period (i.e., 5 years) than has been examined in previous research; second, to identify a mean trajectory of attachment security for couples with no history of contact with therapy as well as the effect of therapy utilization; and third, to examine couples’ attachment trajectories for gender differences. This study included 294 heterosexual married couples (78.6% European American). One-hundred and nine (37.07%) female partners and 121 (46.60%) male partners indicated that they had never utilized therapy prior to the study or during the study (had never utilized therapy at all). Research questions were explored using dyadic longitudinal multilevel modeling with pre-existing data. Results indicate overall that couples in this sample were low on attachment insecurity at the start of data collection and became slightly more insecure over a five-year span at a statistically significant, but likely unnoticeable rate. Couples with no therapy use-ever began the study with low attachment insecurity and remained relatively secure throughout the study. Couples who consistently received therapy before and during the study reported the highest levels of insecure attachment and increased in insecurity at a faster rate in comparison to those who had never attended therapy. Males who received consistent therapy before and during the study also demonstrated significantly greater attachment insecurity than their female partners. Therapy that does not specifically focus on attachment related issues is not likely to alter attachment styles. Clinicians may wish to investigate partners’ attachment histories, including complications from trauma or abuse, and tailor treatment to attachment related issues if attachment style change is a treatment goal. Future research could examine attachment change over time for couples of lower income, more diverse racial stratification, and experiencing greater relationship distress.
Individual and Firm Taxation in a CO$$_2$$ Emitting Economy
Authors: Lambertini Luca , Wrzaczek Stefan
Published: January 2025

Typical problems of negative effects of CO$$_{2}$$ emissions are that (i) they are suffered and generated not by the same agent and that (ii) individuals consider them as too small to influence the aggregated effect. Additionally, only little is known about how the behavior depends on the age-composition of a population and individual age-dependent life-cycle effects. We address these issues by an overlapping generations (OLG) structured population and a firm sector producing a homogeneous final consumption good. While firms generate CO$$_{2}$$ emission during the production process, individuals suffer from the aggregated effect. We analyze the difference between the decentralized market and the social welfare solution and study to which extent social optimality can be attained with different taxes on individual consumption and/or production. We find that firm taxation is always sufficient to reach the socially optimal level of CO$$_{2}$$ emissions. A social optimal distribution of consumption across cohorts, however, can only be attained by firm taxes in the steady state. In the general case, i.e., along a dynamic transitional path, additionally age-specific individual taxation is needed.
Fingers crossed behind the back: tactics of hidden resistance in Russian wartime academia
Authors: Yatluk Lidia , Khukalenko Iuliia
Published: January 2025

This study examines the transformation of scholarly activity and academic freedom in Russia under state military censorship and new ideological interventions following the outbreak of the war with Ukraine. Pre-war higher education was characterized by a significant number of restrictions on academic freedom, combined with neoliberal reforms that increased the controllability of universities. The primary goal is to understand how academics navigate high uncertainty, new restrictions on academic freedom, and career threats. Using a theoretical framework based on Scott and de Certeau, the study analyzes localized reactions on external pressure and everyday resistance. Forty in-depth semi-structured interviews with faculty from Russian universities, conducted between May and September 2022, form the basis of this research. The interviewees represented diverse backgrounds, career stages, disciplines, and locations, both within and outside of Russia. The findings reveal a range of tactics, including normalization, adapting research portfolios, finding common ground, avoidance, bootlegging, window dressing, creating safe spaces, and exit. Two general conclusions emerge: tactics focus primarily on protecting teaching over research, and exit power is crucial to everyday resistance. Negotiating exit power facilitated the creation of safe spaces within universities that offered greater academic freedom, while leaving the university became a prominent form of protest.
Life in Perpetual Overdraft: Are Poor Households Doomed to Always be in Debt?
Authors: Costa-Agmon Oshra , Gendel-Guterman Hanna
Published: January 2025

In the last decade, the phenomena of using excessive credit has developed fast. Long-lasting household debt can jeopardize the personal well-being of every member of the household. Most existing research focuses on economic situations to explain the reason that households frequently use overdraft services. The aim of this study is to broaden the scope of the research of the overdraft phenomenon by building a theoretical model which integrates economic factors together with personal psychological traits and external social influence. Qualitative research was used that included in-depth interviews of 29 urban salaried employees. Results showed that economic factors were a significant contributor in explaining overdraft use. Yet social influencing factors, especially the past financial behaviour of the parents and the children’s social demands, were found to have a large effect on the tendency to use overdraft services regularly. Personality traits, mainly locus of control and self-control, added enlightenment to understanding this phenomenon. Through identification of these factors, appropriate preventive steps can be taken by institutions and individuals to reduce the use of surplus credit in ways that lead to harm to the household.
Exposure to Lead, Cadmium, Mercury and Arsenic Among Asian and Non-Asian Children and Adolescents in the United States: NHANES 2015–2018
Authors: Song Lanxin , von Ehrenstein Ondine S.
Published: January 2025

Higher concentrations of heavy metals were reported mainly among adult Asian persons compared to other racial/ethnic groups in earlier NHANES cycles’ studies. We aimed to examine concentrations of metals among Asian children/adolescents compared to children/adolescents identifying with other racial/ethnic groups, considering socio-demographic factors and potential mediation by fish/shellfish consumption. Using NHANES data (2015–2018), 5293 participants (1–19 years) with blood/urinary measurements of lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic were included. Survey-weighted adjusted generalized linear models assessed differences in log-transformed metal concentrations between Asian and non-Asian participants, considering potential effect measure modification by parental education. Causal mediation effects of recent fish/shellfish consumption were estimated. Log-transformed metal concentrations were higher among Asian than among non-Asian children/adolescents. Lower parental education was associated with higher concentrations of cadmium and methylmercury among Asian participants, and effect measure modification was suggested. Proportions of the mercury exposure disparity mediated by recent fish/shellfish consumption were 9.1% (95% CI 2.6, 17.3%) for fish, and 5.7% (0.5, 12.0%) for shellfish, with similar findings for methylmercury. Overall, Asian identification was associated with higher toxic metal exposure, and among Asian children/adolescents those with parents with lower education were particularly affected. Dietary fish/shellfish intake explained a portion of the disparities. Prevention efforts should identify sources of elevated metal exposure focusing children and adolescents while considering diverse backgrounds and dietary habits including high fish consumption.
Boundedness in locative prepositions: Evidence from Catalan
Authors: Acedo-Matellán Víctor , Real-Puigdollers Cristina
Published: January 2025

This paper provides evidence from Catalan for the existence of bounded and unbounded locative prepositions, and proposes that boundedness in the adpositional domain is derived similarly to boundedness in the verbal, nominal or adjectival domains. Our contribution is both empirical and theoretical. First, we show that Catalan has two simple locative prepositions, a and en, which form a minimal pair as far as boundedness is concerned and exhibit, correspondingly, different selection patterns: while bounded a only selects DPs with a quantity interpretation, unbounded en can combine with both NPs and DPs, which receive a homogeneous interpretation. Second, we develop a syntactic and semantic theory to account for these facts that relates them to the crosscategorial property of boundedness: a-PPs, but not en-PPs, contain an aspectual projection that imposes the interpretation that the otherwise homogeneous region denoted by the preposition is delimited. Moreover, we show that the difference between the structures licensed by a and en has consequences for the interpretation of quantifiers within PPs. Specifically, we set eyes upon a particular context in which a and en take a universally quantified singular DP as complement and form a minimal pair. We propose that while the bounded preposition a allows for the interpretation of the quantifier tot ‘all’ as a universal quantifier of parts, the unbounded preposition en does not. Instead, with en the quantifier behaves as an adjective of sorts associated to a maximality operator. Our paper contributes to furthering our understanding of boundedness across categories in human language.
Wastewater Treatment using Innovative Green-Synthesized rGO, TiO2NPs, and rGO/TiO2 Nanocomposite: Structural, Morphological, Spectroscopic, Thermal, and Photocatalytic Studies
Authors: El-Borady Ola M.
Published: January 2025

Recently, innovative research focused on combining 2D nanosheet materials with semiconducting metal oxide for several industrial applications. Notably, for wastewater treatment, new techniques were developed by experts to mitigate environmental hazards. The TiO2/reduced graphene (rGO) nanocomposite has recently attracted interest due to its superior activity in diverse fields, particularly water treatment. This study compares and evaluates the environmental application of innovative and eco-friendly synthesized TiO2NPs, rGO, and TiO2/rGO nanocomposite using Carob pods (Ceratonia siliqua) extract. Extensive morphological, structural, spectroscopic, thermal, and surface charge analysis was performed, including TEM, AFM, SEM mapping, X-ray diffraction, UV–visible, FTIR, Raman Spectroscopy, EDX, TGA, and the Zeta Potential analysis were performed to bring out the properties of synthesized nanomaterials. In addition, the phenolic compounds determined (30.78 ± 0.1 µg/mL) in the pods' extract confirmed their role in the reduction process to form rGO and TiO2NPs. Furthermore, the three designed nanomaterials were applied as adsorbent candidates for heavy metals and as photocatalysts for removing industrial dye from wastewater. The nanocomposite exhibited the highest absorption capacity for Zn2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, and Cd2+. Also, the photocatalytic performance of the nanocomposite demonstrated a significant improvement in Methylene Blue (MB) dye elimination (90%, 15 min) compared to free TiO2NPs (87.5%, 150 min). The findings reveal that the green synthesized rGO/TiO2 nanocomposite can be used to improve the removal of heavy metals and dye contaminants from wastewater.

Graphical Abstract

Represents the green synthesis of rGO, TiO2, and rGO/TiO2 nanocomposite using carob extract and their potential application in wastewater treatment
Assessment of 40-year Al Deposition in some Exotic Conifer Species in the Urban Air of Düzce, Türkiye
Authors: Koç İsmail , Canturk Ugur , Cobanoglu Hatice , Kulac Semsettin , Key Kubra , Sevik Hakan
Published: January 2025

Heavy metal (HM) pollution in urban air, a global dilemma, has increased drastically in the last century. Aluminum (Al) is one of the HMs and a neurotoxic element that can be absorbed into human tissues through digestion, breathing, and skin. Al accumulation in humans can cause diseases and even cause death. Due to the risks it poses to human and environmental health, it is vital to track the Al contamination shifts in the airborne and decrease them. In this study, 40-year Al concentration differences in Pseudotsuga menziesii, Cedrus atlantica, Picea orientalis, Cupressus arizonica, and Pinus pinaster grown in Düzce, Türkiye, the fifth most polluted European town, in terms of direction, tree species, and tissue type were assessed. As a result, Al accumulation in the tissues generally varies as outer bark > inner bark > wood. Whole species can accumulate Al significantly, and Al transfer between adjacent cells in the wood part is limited. In conclusion, all species can be used as biomonitors to track temporal Al pollution changes. However, the highest concentrations, especially in the wood part, were observed in Cedrus atlantica, Picea orientalis, and Cupressus arizonica, and these species were chosen to be the most suitable species to be used in phytoremediation studies.
The Effect of Metabolic Bariatric Surgery on Cardiovascular Risks: A Prospective Study Measuring Antibodies to Apolipoprotein A-1
Authors: Elgazawey Mohamed Osama Soliman , EL-Sayegh Sarah , Mikhail Sameh , Ayad Amr Mohamed AbdelFattah , Abosayed Amir K.
Published: January 2025

Background

Obesity is a chronic disease associated with other associated medical problems, including atherogenic dyslipidemia. Metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) has been shown to reduce long-term cardiovascular risk (CVR). Anti-ApoA-1 antibodies (AAA1) are independently associated with cardiovascular disease, which remains a major cause of death in individuals with obesity. This study aimed to determine the effect of MBS on anti-ApoA-1 antibodies. We also looked for changes in lipid parameters, insulin resistance, inflammatory profile, and percentage of total weight loss (%TWL).

Methods

We assessed 72 patients before surgery and 12 months postoperatively. Clinical history and measurements of body mass index (BMI), lipid profile (including non-HDL cholesterol, TG/HDL-C ratio, TG-Gly index, total cholesterol to HDL ratio), AAA1, CRP, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), HbA1c, and HOMA-IR were measured/calculated at each point.

Results

MBS significantly improved BMI, %TWL, lipids, anti-ApoA-1 antibodies, CRP, HBA1c, FBG, and HOMA-IR. Baseline AAA1 antibodies were positive in 38.9% and were associated with higher CRP levels, total cholesterol, LDL-C, total cholesterol to HDL ratio, and non-HDL cholesterol. One year after MBS, there was a significant reduction in anti-ApoA-1 antibodies (p < 0.001). Furthermore, there was a significant postoperative correlation between anti-ApoA-1 antibodies with total cholesterol. Also, there were significant correlations between HBA1C (%), TG-Gly index, and HOMA-IR.

Conclusions

Antibodies to apolipoprotein A-1 levels are significantly reduced following MBS. Furthermore, there was a notable improvement in the HBA1C, CRP, and lipid profile.

Graphical Abstract
Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia Treatment: New Developments
Authors: Blom Dirk J. , Marais A. David , Raal Frederick J.
Published: January 2025

Purpose of review

Homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HoFH) is characterized by marked elevation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) and premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This is a review of novel pharmacological therapies to lower LDLC in patients with HoFH.

Recent findings

Novel therapies can be broadly divided by whether their efficacy is dependent or independent of residual low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) function. Novel LDLR dependent therapies that reduce proprotein subtilisin kexin type 9 levels include monoclonal antibodies (alirocumab and evolocumab) and a small inhibitory RNA (inclisiran). LDLC reductions are highly variable and depend on residual LDLR function. Microsomal triglyceride inhibitors (lomitapide) and therapies that reduce angiopoietin like factor 3 (evinacumab and zodasiran) both reduce LDLC by approximately 50%, irrespective of residual LDLR function.

Most patients with HoFH require multiple therapies to achieve LDLC targets. Better LDLC control with LDLR independent therapies is likely to improve the outlook for patients with HoFH while at the same time reducing the need for other therapies such as apheresis or hepatic transplantation.
Screening of Plant UDP-Glycosyltransferases for Betanin Production in Yeast
Authors: Glitz Christiane , Dyekjær Jane Dannow , Vaitkus Dovydas , Babaei Mahsa , Welner Ditte Hededam , Borodina Irina
Published: January 2025

To cover the rising demand for natural food dyes, new sources and production methods are needed. Microbial fermentation of nature-identical colours, such as the red pigment betanin, has the potential to be a cost-efficient alternative to plant extraction. The last step of betanin production is catalysed by a UDP-glycosyltransferase (UGT). To find a high-performing UGT, we screened 27 UGTs from different plant species and tested their ability to produce betanin in vivo in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We identified two new UGTs likely involved in the betanin synthesis in the plant they derive from: CqGT2 (UGT73A37) from Chenopodium quinoa and BgGT2 (UGT92X1) from Bougainvillea glabra. The betanin-producing UGTs were also tested in Yarrowia lipolytica, where CqGT2 was the best-performing glycosyltransferase for betanin production. While it has previously been shown that the UGTs can glycosylate either betanidin or cyclo-DOPA to ultimately form betanin, the molecular mechanism behind the preference for the acceptor molecule has not been elucidated. Therefore, we performed in silico structural analysis to characterise the betanin-producing UGTs further, particularly by looking into their binding mechanism. The docking model suggested that a smaller binding site found in some UGTs only allows glycosylation of cDOPA, while a wider binding site allows glycosylation of both cyclo-DOPA and betanidin.
When AI-Based Agents Are Proactive: Implications for Competence and System Satisfaction in Human–AI Collaboration
Authors: Diebel Christopher , Goutier Marc , Adam Martin , Benlian Alexander
Published: January 2025

As the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies continue to improve, collaboration with AI-based agents enables users to be more efficient and productive. Not only has the quality of AI-based agents’ outcomes increased, but they can now help proactively, and even take over entire work tasks. However, users need to be satisfied with the system to remain motivated to collaborate and engage with AI-based agents. Drawing on self-determination theory, a vignette-based online experiment was conducted that revealed that proactive (vs. reactive) help from AI-based agents leads to a higher loss of users’ competence-based self-esteem and thus reduces users’ system satisfaction. This effect is moderated by the users’ knowledge of AI. Higher (vs. lower) levels of AI knowledge cause a greater loss of competence-based self-esteem through proactive (vs. reactive) help. The findings contribute to a better understanding of help from AI-based agents and provide important implications for managers and designers who seek to enhance human–AI collaboration.
What does “sustainable seafood” mean to seafood system actors in Japan and Sweden?
Authors: Blandon Abigayil , Jonell Malin , Ishihara Hiroe , Zabala Aiora
Published: January 2025

“Sustainability” can mean different prioritisations of society, environment and economy to different people. As one of the largest globally traded food commodities, for seafood, these differences could have large implications. The study captures different understandings of “sustainable seafood” among 29 key actors along the seafood supply chain—government, NGOs, industry bodies, retailers and producers—using a novel cross-country application of Q method in Japan and Sweden. Sweden, known for its uptake of green consumption, contrasts with Japan’s focus on alternative sustainability initiatives such as satoumi. Participants ranked 40 prepared statements on seafood sustainability revealing four distinct perspectives: Regulation-centric, Ecocentric, Industry-centric and Community-centric. There were clear country-based divisions, with only one perspective containing participants from both countries. Interactions and prioritisations of different dimensions of sustainability are also presented, through which we hypothesise areas of conflict and consensus. We stress the need to understand diverse perspectives when tackling global seafood sustainability challenges.
Cognitive training with adaptive algorithm improves cognitive ability in older people with MCI
Authors: Li Chenxi , Li Meiyun , Shang Yunfeng
Published: January 2025

Recent discoveries indicating that the brain retains its ability to adapt and change throughout life have sparked interest in cognitive training (CT) as a possible means to postpone the development of dementia. Despite this, most research has focused on confirming the efficacy of training outcomes, with few studies examining the correlation between performance and results across various stages of training. In particular, the relationship between initial performance and the extent of improvement, the rate of learning, and the asymptotic performance level throughout the learning curve remains ambiguous. In this study, older adults underwent ten days of selective attention training using an adaptive algorithm, which enabled a detailed analysis of the learning curve's progression. Cognitive abilities were assessed before and after CT using the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). The findings indicated that: (1) Initial performance is positively correlated with Learning amount and asymptotic performance level, and negatively correlated with learning speed; (2) Age is negatively correlated with learning speed, while it is positively correlated with the other three parameters. (3) Higher pre-training MMSE scores predicted higher post-training MMSE scores but less improvement; (4) Higher pre-training MoCA scores predicted higher post-training MoCA scores and less improvement; (5) The parameters of the learning curve did not correlate with performance on the MMSE or MoCA. These results indicate that: (1)Selective attention training using adaptive algorithms is an effective tool for cognitive intervention; (2) Older individuals with poor baseline cognitive abilities require more diversified cognitive training; (3) The study supports the compensation hypothesis.
Pivotal role of the optimal dose in allergen immunotherapy
Authors: Werminghaus Pascal , Becker Sven , Klimek Ludger , Cuevas Mandy , Rosewich Martin , Hermanns Frauke , Graessel Anke , de Kam Pieter-Jan , Kramer Matthias F.
Published: January 2025

The transitioning of named patient products (NPPs) of therapy allergens is regulated under the German therapy allergen ordinance (TAO) since 2008. The establishment of a sound dose–response relationship constitutes a pivotal aspect in clinical development programs of drugs in general. Up to now, there are only few comprehensive studies dedicated to the determination of a dose–response relationship in allergen immunotherapy (AIT) because of various challenges. Among these aggravating factors are high placebo effects, variability of trial endpoints and especially for native allergens a narrow therapeutic window and safety profile. The phase II trials of the modified allergen tyrosine associated—monophosphoryl lipid A (MATA MPL) platform for birch and grasses established convincing and significant dose–response relationships decisive for AIT product optimization. The significant dose–response relationship for birch and grass allergoids reached an efficacy plateau and allowed the definition of critical milestones in drug development such as the median effective dose (ED50) for the MATA MPL platform combining modified allergens (allergoids) with microcrystalline tyrosine (MCT) and MPL in an adjuvant system. This marked a pivotal milestone in AIT drug development allowing the definition of the “optimal dose” (optimal risk–benefit ratio) to be taken forward to phase III trial. The MATA MPL platform is characterized by a scientifically sound dose–response relationship across allergens which underlines the pivotal role of a well-defined optimal dose as a success factor for phase III.
Assessment of Surface Water Quality Using Chemometric Tools: A Case Study of Jabi Lake, Abuja, Nigeria
Authors: Adejuwon E. O. , Ogwueleka T. C. , Ogungbemi E. O. , Prabhu R. , Rendon-Nava A. , Yates K.
Published: January 2025

Water pollution has become a growing threat to human society and natural ecosystems in recent decades. It increases the need to understand surface water quality assessment better using chemometric tools within aquatic systems. This study sampled the water quality of 21 parameters at multiple sampling points in Jabi Lake during wet and dry seasons (August–December 2021) using various statistical methods including cluster analysis, principal component analysis/factorial analysis, discriminant analysis, and box plot analysis. These samples were examined for physicochemical parameters employing standard techniques. The study revealed significant seasonal variations in water quality. During the wet season, key measurements included total dissolved solids (100.40 mg/l), dissolved oxygen (13.72 mg/l), and electrical conductivity (97.14 µs/cm). The dry season showed higher levels of most parameters, with total dissolved solids at 137.91 mg/l and electrical conductivity at 230.93 µs/cm. Statistical analysis identified strong correlations between various parameters, notably between phosphate and total hardness in the wet season (r = 0.978, α = 0.05) and between pH and temperature in the dry season (r = 0.995, α = 0.05). The study identified four principal components explaining 98.5–100% of the variance, representing various pollution sources including organic waste, domestic sewage, and natural factors. The findings indicated that dry season water samples were more polluted, with some parameters exceeding World Health Organisation standards, suggesting potential health risks. The research demonstrated the effectiveness of multivariate statistical techniques in analysing complex water quality data and provided valuable insights for water resource management, particularly regarding seasonal variations' impact on water quality.
Advancing modified biochar for sustainable agriculture: a comprehensive review on characterization, analysis, and soil performance
Authors: Fakhar Ali , Galgo Snowie Jane C. , Canatoy Ronley C. , Rafique Mazhar , Sarfraz Rubab , Farooque Aitazaz Ahsan , Khan Muhammad Israr
Published: January 2025

Biochar is a carbon-rich material produced through the pyrolysis of various feedstocks. It can be further modified to enhance its properties and is referred to as modified biochar (MB). The research interest in MB application in soil has been on the surge over the past decade. However, the potential benefits of MB are considerable, and its efficiency can be subject to various influencing factors. For instance, unknown physicochemical characteristics, outdated analytical techniques, and a limited understanding of soil factors that could impact its effectiveness after application. This paper reviewed the recent literature pertaining to MB and its evolved physicochemical characteristics to provide a comprehensive understanding beyond synthesis techniques. These include surface area, porosity, alkalinity, pH, elemental composition, and functional groups. Furthermore, it explored innovative analytical methods for characterizing these properties and evaluating their effectiveness in soil applications. In addition to exploring the potential benefits and limitations of utilizing MB as a soil amendment, this article delved into the soil factors that influence its efficacy, along with the latest research findings and advancements in MB technology. Overall, this study will facilitate the synthesis of current knowledge and the identification of gaps in our understanding of MB.

Graphical Abstract
Data-driven analysis in 3D concrete printing: predicting and optimizing construction mixtures
Authors: Schossler Rodrigo Teixeira , Ullah Shafi , Alajlan Zaid , Yu Xiong
Published: January 2025

Accurately predicting 3D concrete printing (3DCP) properties through the utilization of machine learning holds promise for advancing cost-effective, eco-friendly construction practices that prioritize safety, reliability, and environmental sustainability. In this study, a comprehensive exploration of seven regression models was undertaken, complemented by the application of Bayesian optimization techniques to forecast critical metrics such as compressive strength, pump speed, and carbon footprint within the realm of 3DCP technology. Drawing upon a compilation of various 3DCP mixtures sourced from existing literature, an intricate carbon footprint calculation methodology was devised, resulting in the establishment of a bespoke database tailored to the study’s objectives. The performance evaluation of the developed models was conducted through the analysis of key statistical indicators, including R2, RMSE, MAE, and Pearson correlation. To enhance the robustness and generalizability of the models, a rigorous tenfold cross-validation strategy coupled with a strategic introduction of noise was employed during the validation process. The incorporation of Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) analysis provided insightful interpretability into the predictive capabilities of the models, enabling a nuanced understanding of the underlying relationships between input variables and target outputs. Furthermore, the application of multi-objective optimization techniques facilitated judicious decision-making processes, enabling the identification of optimal 3DCP mixture compositions that concurrently enhance performance metrics, reduce operational costs, and mitigate CO₂ emissions.