bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In situ population dynamics of Aurelia coerulea polyps in Tokyo Bay
Authors: Nagatsuka Sarasa , Ishii Haruto , Morimitsu Ryo , Yasuda Akira
Published: April 2024

Long-term changes in the abundance, occurrence period and distribution of Aurelia coerulea polyps were monitored in the innermost (35°37.2′ N, 139°46.4′ E) and mouth regions (35°8.2′ N, 139°37.4′ E) of Tokyo Bay, Japan. The monitoring was performed from January to September 2010 and from January to December 2011, respectively. In the innermost of the bay, the population of A. coerulea polyps was maintained from January to April. However, it rapidly declined in May; by June, it had completely disappeared, losing its attachment space to other sessile organisms such as mussels. Strobilae were observed from January to April, with a peak in March. In contrast, the population of A. coerulea polyps was maintained throughout the year in the mouth of the bay. Strobilae were observed from February to May, with the highest abundance in April The ephyra liberation time was longer in the mouth part than in the innermost of the bay. However, the total number of liberated ephyrae was larger in the innermost part than in the mouth of the bay. These differences were attributed to the substantial variability in water temperature and salinity at the innermost of the bay. The scale of ephyra liberation seems to have been determined by the instability of the water temperature, salinity in the area and the degree of invasion of other sessile organisms in the area. This might be related to the observed medusae blooms in the innermost of the bay.
Mesoporous activated carbon prepared from waste fibers and their application on removing iron (II) ions from aqueous solution: Adsorption isotherm, kinetics, and thermodynamic studies
Authors: azizi Mohamed , azizi Mohamed
Published: April 2024

In this work, a new mesoporous activated carbon from waste corrugated fiberboard (WCF) and waste paper (WP) were prepared via chemical activation impregnation with zinc chloride at different temperatures as a low cost, eco-friendly, and effective biosorbent for elimination of Fe(II) from the aqueous solution. The morphology and surface properties of ACWCF and ACWP were characterized by, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Boehm's titration, specific surface area (BET), and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR). The results showed that the ACWCF and ACWP had a high surface area of 1110.99 m2/g and 298.59 m2/g, respectively. Batch experiments tested the influence of pH, initial Fe(II) concentration, adsorbent mass, contact time, and temperature on the adsorption process. The adsorption kinetics could be expressed well by the PSO model. The adsorptions of Fe(II) onto ACWCF and ACWP were fitted best using the Langmuir and Dubinin- Radushkevich isotherm models with maximum capacities of 66.66 mg/g and 41.67 mg/g at 55°C, respectively. The adsorption process on ACWCF and ACWP may be controlled for both electrostatic interaction mechanisms. Based on the above results, it can be concluded that the ACWCF is effective adsorbent for the elimination of Fe(II) from aqueous solutions
Characteristics and transcriptional regulators of spontaneous epithelial–mesenchymal transition in real-world genetically unperturbed non-spindle breast carcinoma
Authors: Lien Huang-Chun , Yu Hui-Chieh , Yu Wen-Hsuan , Lin Su-Fang , Chen Tom Wei-Wu , Chen I-Chun , Hsiao Li-Ping , Yeh Ling-Chun , Li Yu-Chia , Lo Chiao , Lu Yen-Shen
Published: April 2024

Background
Although epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been well-characterized in experimental models, convincing histopathological evidence of EMT in primary carcinomas has only been obtained for rare spindle carcinomas. The existence, characteristics, and transcriptional regulators of spontaneous EMT in real-world, genetically unperturbed non-spindle carcinoma remain underexplored.
Methods
We used primary culture combined with RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq), and in situ RNA-seq to explore the characteristics and transcription factors (TFs) associated with potential spontaneous EMT in non-spindle breast carcinoma.
Results
Our primary culture revealed carcinoma cells expressing diverse epithelial–mesenchymal traits, consistent with epithelial–mesenchymal plasticity. Importantly, carcinoma cells undergoing spontaneous EMT did not necessarily exhibit spindle morphology, even when undergoing complete EMT. EMT was a favored process, whereas mesenchymal–epithelial transition appeared to be crucial for secondary tumor growth. Through scRNA-seq, we identified TFs that were sequentially and significantly upregulated as carcinoma cells progressed through the EMT process, which correlated with increasing VIM expression. Once upregulated, the TFs remained active throughout the EMT process. ZEB1 was a key initiator and sustainer of EMT, as indicated by its earliest significant upregulation in the EMT process, its exact correlation with VIM expression, and the reversal of EMT and downregulation of EMT-upregulated TFs upon ZEB1 knockdown. The correlation between ZEB1 and vimentin expression in triple-negative breast cancer and metaplastic breast carcinoma tumor cohorts further highlighted its role. The immediate upregulation of ZEB2 following that of ZEB1 suggested their functional cooperation in EMT. This finding, together with that of a lack of correlation of SNAI1, SNAI2, and TWIST1 expression with the mesenchymal phenotype, indicated EMT-TFs have a context-dependent role in EMT. Upregulation of EMT-related gene signatures during EMT correlated with poor patient outcomes, highlighting the biological importance of the model. Elevated EMT gene signatures and increased ZEB1 and ZEB2 expression in vimentin-positive compared to vimentin-negative carcinoma cells within the corresponding primary tumor tissue confirmed ZEB1 and ZEB2 as intrinsic, instead of microenvironmentally-induced, EMT regulators, and vimentin as an in vivo indicator of EMT.
Conclusions
Our findings provide insights into the characteristics and transcriptional regulators of spontaneous EMT in non-spindle carcinoma in real-world scenarios.
A molecular subtype model of ccRCC based on immune-related genes for predicting immunotherapy response
Authors: Li Song , Pan Yang , Hao Xuexue , Liu Xiaoqiang
Published: April 2024

Purpose
To construct a molecular subtype based on immunotherapy response in renal clear cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and explore the regulatory molecular mechanisms of the immune microenvironment between the subtype.
Methods
RNA-seq data related to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy for ccRCC-related from GSE67501 dataset and clinical information were collected from GEO and TCGA datasets. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using the 'limma' R package. GO and KEGG pathways analysis of the DEGs were performed using 'clusterProfiler' R-package. The 'Immuneconv' package was used to assess potential ICB response and tumor mutational burden (TMB) score in different subgroups. ROC curve and survival analysis were conducted for the High-group and Low-group based on the stromal, immune, ESTIMATE scores using 'surviva' and 'survivalROC' packages. Single-cell transcriptome profiling data for ccRCC (GSE121636) was obtained from the GEO database. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of MALs in human histology. Western blot was used to detect the stable knockdown of MALs cell lines. MACS magnetic bead sorting technology was used to sort CD8+cells. Transwell and flow cytometry were used to detect the proportion of chemotactic CD8+T cell infiltration.
Results
A total of 311 DEGs were identified with ICB response and non-response. The renal carcinoma samples were classified into two subgroups (C1 group and C2 group) through consistency cluster analysis. A nomogram was developed based on stage, grade, immune score, and subgroup, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.732. The TIDE score of the C2 group was significantly higher than that of the C1 group, and the immune infiltration levels of B cells, neutrophils, macrophages and myeloid dendritic cells were significantly higher in group C1 compared to group C2. The immune score in the C2 group was significantly higher than that in the C1 group. The expression of MAL gene was negatively correlated with TBM score and was highly expressed in CD8+T cell group of both peripheral blood and tumor tissues. Furthermore, The immunohistochemical results showed that the expression of MAL was significantly lower in renal cancer tissues compared to adjacent tissues. Flow cytometry showed that the proportion of CD8+T cells tending towards si-MAL cells was only 13.35%, while the control group had a chemotactic proportion of 38.09%.
Conclusion
This study identified a correlation between the distribution of infiltrating immune cells and ccRCC subtypes, which could help clinicians to predict the efficacy of ICB. Moreover, MAL gene may play a role in the diagnosis and prognosis of ccRCC by regulating CD8+ T cells infiltration.
Obesity is associated with adverse outcomes in primary immune thrombocytopenia- A retrospective single-center study
Authors: Xiao Zhengrui , He Zhiqiang , Nguyen Hieu Liem Le , Thakur Rahul , Hammami M Bakri , Narvel Hiba , Vegivinti Charan , Townsend Noelle , Billett Henny , Murakhovskaya Irina
Published: April 2024

The pathophysiology of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) involves immune-mediated platelet destruction. The presence of adipose tissue in obese individuals creates an inflammatory environment that could potentially impact the clinical course and outcomes of ITP. However the relationship between obesity and ITP outcomes has not been well described. We evaluated ITP outcomes in 275 patients diagnosed with primary ITP from 2012 to 2022. Patients were categorized into four groups based on their body mass index (BMI) at diagnosis. Female gender was associated with a lower platelet count at the time of diagnosis at any BMI. Patients with high BMI had lower platelet counts at diagnosis and at platelet nadir (p < 0.001), an increased likelihood of requiring therapy (p < 0.001) and requiring multiple lines of therapy (p = 0.032). Non-obese patients who required corticosteroid treatment experienced a longer remission duration compared to obese patients (p = 0.009) and were less likely to be steroid-dependent (p = 0.048). Our findings suggest that obesity may be a significant risk factor for developing ITP and for ITP prognosis. Future studies are needed to evaluate the role of weight loss intervention in improving ITP outcomes.
Polarised human alveolar epithelia enable identification of dichloroacetate as an effective drug against respiratory viruses
Authors: de Iturrate Paula Martínez , Hernáez Bruno , Santos Patricia de los , García-Gómez Alba , Sánchez-Cruz Alonso , Hernández-Sánchez Catalina , Rivas Luis , Val Margarita del , Rial Eduardo
Published: April 2024

Respiratory viral infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the lack of chemotherapeutic tools available for fighting emerging viruses and the need to focus on preclinical models that better recapitulate human disease. We performed a comparative analysis of inhibitors of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, which is involved in virus-induced metabolic reprogramming, since strategies aimed at identifying cellular targets could serve to combat diverse viruses and hamper the development of resistance. Tests were performed in two human cell lines, MRC5 lung fibroblasts and Huh7 hepatoma cells, and the results showed that the inhibitors had markedly different effects on energy metabolism and antiviral activity. Thus, dichloroacetate (DCA) has potent antiviral activity against HCoV-229E in MRC5 cells but not in Huh7 cells, suggesting that the screening model is more critical than previously assumed. DCA was then tested in polarized human alveolar epithelia in air-liquid interface, a 3D model used to study respiratory infections. DCA reduced the viral progeny of HCoV-229E, SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory syncytial virus by 2-3 orders of magnitude, and it was effective even when applied once infection had been established. Although DCA has previously been shown to be effective against other viruses, suggesting that it could be a broad-spectrum antiviral, our experiments reinforce the need to use physiologically appropriate disease models to screen antiviral compound.
WARIO: Weighted families of contact maps to characterize conformational ensembles of (highly-)flexible proteins
Authors: González-Delgado Javier , Bernadó Pau , Neuvial Pierre , Cortés Juan
Published: April 2024

Characterizing the structure of flexible proteins, particularly within the realm of intrinsic disorder, presents a formidable challenge due to their high conformational variability. Currently, their structural representation relies on (possibly large) conformational ensembles derived from a combination of experimental and computational methods. The detailed structural analysis of these ensembles is a difficult task, for which existing tools have limited effectiveness. This study proposes an innovative extension of the concept of contact maps to the ensemble framework, incorporating the intrinsic probabilistic nature of disordered proteins. Within this framework, a conformational ensemble is characterized through a weighted family of contact maps. To achieve this, conformations are first described using a refined definition of contact that appropriately accounts for the geometry of the inter-residue interactions and the sequence context. Representative structural features of the ensemble naturally emerge from the subsequent clustering of the resulting contact-based descriptors. Importantly, transiently-populated structural features are readily identified within large ensembles. The performance of the method is illustrated by several use cases and compared with other existing approaches, highlighting its superiority in capturing relevant structural features of highly flexible proteins. An open-source implementation of the method is provided together with an easy-to-use Jupyter notebook, available at https://gitlab.laas.fr/moma/WARIO.
Can Cell-Free DNA Testing Suffice for Isolated Fetal Nuchal Translucency Between the 95th – 99th Centile? A Retrospective Analysis in A Centre in North India
Authors: Sethi Neha , Kaul Anita , Gupta Rachna , Prabhu Akshatha
Published: April 2024

All pregnancies with increased nuchal translucency (NT) > 95th percentile are traditionally offered invasive testing. This study aimed to determine whether cell-free DNA (cfDNA) could suffice in patients with an isolated increased NT between the 95th – 99th centile. A retrospectively analyzed prospective study was conducted in the Fetal Medicine Unit, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, between 2007 and 2021. Study criteria were singletons with increased NT between 95th – 99th centile without soft markers or structural abnormalities. cfDNA/follow-up was offered if patients declined invasive tests. Karyotyping was the primary genetic testing from 2007 to 2015, while microarray ± exome began thereafter. All outcomes were obtained over the phone or through patient records. There were 213 pregnancies with isolated findings of NT 95th – 99th centile. All were offered invasive testing, and 17 were lost to follow-up. In 196 cases with outcomes available, 7 (3.5%) had an abnormal genetic diagnosis. Four fetuses had trisomy 21, one trisomy 18, and two fetuses (1%) had other cytogenetic abnormalities. Five fetuses (2.5%) with chromosomal aneuploidy could be potentially detected with cfDNA. cfDNA may be a viable substitution to detect common aneuploidies in this clinical population. However, in 1% of cases, microdeletions may still be missed.
Sarcopenia is Associated with Aortic Arch Calcification on Chest X-ray in Unselected Middle- and Older-Aged Patients
Authors: Erkan Merve , OZCAN Seray Gizem GUR , BEKIRCAVUSOGLU Ayse Füsun , CATALKAYA Sibel
Published: April 2024

Purpose
Sarcopenia is the presence of low skeletal muscle quantity or quality. It is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Aortic arch calcification (AAC) is a type of vascular calcification that can be easily detected using chest X-rays. AAC and sarcopenia share common risk factors such as aging, inflammation, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease. In this study, we investigated the relationship between AAC and sarcopenia to evaluate whether chest X-rays can be used to predict sarcopenia in daily clinical practice.
Methods
AAC was assessed via a simple chest X-ray. Sarcopenia was evaluated using chest computed tomography imaging, which allows for the calculation of skeletal mass area (SMA) and skeletal mass index (SMI). Correlation analysis and multivariable models were used to assess the relationship between AAC and sarcopenia.
Results
A total of 340 patients were included in this study (122 with AAC, and 218 without AAC). Sarcopenia was more frequent in patients with AAC than those without (38.5% vs 16.5%, p < 0.001). SMI was also negatively correlated with the severity of AAC (r: -0.246, p < 0.001). In the multivariable model, AAC was independently related to age, glomerular filtration rate, and sarcopenia [(OR = 1.077, 95% CI 1.034–1.120, p < 0.001), (OR = 0.985, 95% CI 0.975–0.996, p = 0.008), and (OR = 1.812, 95% CI 1.030–3.188, p = 0.03), respectively)].
Conclusion
AAC detected by simple chest X-rays is independently related to sarcopenia. It might be used to predict patients with sarcopenia in this population.
Interface Potential Induced Natural Antioxidant Mimic System for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Gao Nan , Liu Kangning , Ding Qi , Cao Doudou , Xi Enpeng , Zhao Yun , Yuan Ye
Published: April 2024

Although the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is still unknown, the molecular biology of its pathological phenomena is indeed clear, mainly due to mitochondrial dysfunction and central nervous system inflammation caused by imbalanced antioxidant capacity in nerve cells, as well as subsequent synaptic dysfunction, so antioxidant therapy is still the preferred treatment for AD in clinical practice. However, although antioxidant enzymes have high catalytic efficiency, the substrate spectrum is narrow (just targeting specific types of substrates); Antioxidants have a wider range of effects, but their efficiency is low. Therefore, the antioxidant system in organisms is composed of both antioxidant enzymes and antioxidants, which is also the key to using simulated antioxidant systems for AD treatment. Since the antioxidant defense system in high-grade organisms is composed of both enzymatic and non-enzymatic systems, therefore we synthesized a metal-organic framework (MOF) with superoxide dismutase activity, and then depending on the interface potential effect, curcumin (non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity) was loaded into MOF to construct a synergistic antioxidant AD treatment system. This system demonstrates both good antioxidant activity and efficient β-amyloid plaque scavenging ability, which slowed down the cognitive dysfunction in the brain of AD mice.
Role of immune cells in mediating the effect of phosphatidylcholine (17:0_18:2) on liver cirrhosis
Authors: Lin Weiye , Han Ning , Qu Yiqian , Hong Qianran , Li Jiayang , He Yuting , Qiu Shengliang
Published: April 2024

Liver cirrhosis (LC) is the terminal stage of various chronic liver diseases, with complications of decompensated liver cirrhosis being the primary cause of death. Recent studies have shown that lipid metabolic disorders and chronic inflammatory responses within the liver, leading to fibrosis and inflammation, are associated with the development of liver cirrhosis. This study investigated the causal relationship between phosphatidylcholine (17:0_18:2) (PC) and LC, as well as the mediating role of immune cells. Utilizing summary data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and information from the Finnish database, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected as instrumental variables (IVs) for a two-step Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis of gene-predicted LC (including 1266 cases and 407,801 controls). The results indicate a negative causal relationship between genetically predicted PC levels and LC (OR 0.819, 95% CI 0.693–0.967; P = 0.019, IVW method). Immune cells, specifically CD33 on CD33dim HLA DR- (with a mediation effect ratio of 7.027%) and CD33 on Im MDSC (with a mediation effect ratio of 5.763%), play a reverse mediating role in the causal relationship between PC and LC. This study provides a new perspective on the prevention and treatment strategies for liver cirrhosis involving lipid metabolism and immune regulation.
Polyphasic identification of Fusarium species associated with sunflower seed-borne diseases in Brazil
Authors: de Farias Otília Ricardo , Veloso Josiene Silva , Barbosa Paulo Roberto Ramos , Cruz José Manoel Ferreira de Lima , Xavier Lucimere Maria da Silva , Materatski Patrick , Varanda Carla Marisa Reis , Oliveira Mônica Danielly de Mello , Nascimento Luciana Cordeiro do
Published: April 2024

Fusarium spp. are among the most common fungal species associated with diseases both on wild and cultivated plants, including sunflowers. They infect all plant tissues causing damage to roots, bundle vessels, stems, leaves, and seeds, often causing significant yield losses. Because contaminated seeds can spread diseases into new areas and transmit them to growing plants, the quality and sanitary status of the seeds are the key to limit the spread of the disease. This study aimed to identify and determine the prevalence of Fusarium species associated with sunflower seeds and access their transmission to growing plants. A set of 49 Fusarium isolates was collected from seeds of eight sunflower cultivars. They were characterized through morphological, cultural, and genetic features. Genetic diversity was estimated through amplification of the elongation factor gene (EF-1 α), which also served to select representative isolates to perform amplification of the β-tubulin 2 gene (TUB2). There were identified four species of Fusarium (i.e., F. fabacearum, F. proliferatum, F. pseudocircinatum and F. verticillioides) that caused seed rot, vascular darkening, withering, malformation, and stunting of growing sunflower plants. Among them, F. proliferatum was the most prevalent species. Our results highlight that various species of Fusarium are associated with damage on sunflower seeds and all of them can be transmitted through infected seeds and cause disease in growing plants.
The Survival Benefit of Neo-adjuvant Therapy Among Women Undergoing Breast Reconstruction Surgery: A Real World Study
Authors: Ni Peng , Yang Zejian , Qiu Pei , Cheng Yuan , Wang Yu , Wang Jichang , Li Juan , Niu Ligang , Yan Yu , Ge Guanqun , Ma Yunfeng , Zhou Can
Published: April 2024

As a crucial therapeutic regimen, the popularity of breast reconstruction surgery (BRS) has partly been driven by the rise in the utilization of neo-adjuvant therapy (Neo-AT). However, few studies have specifically examined the survival outcome for patients underwent BRS after Neo-AT. This study aimed to investigate and elucidate the survival benefit of neo-adjuvant therapy (Neo-AT) and adjuvant therapy (AT) among the women who underwent BRS. A total of 18919 patients were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database between 2007 and 2020. Kaplan-Meier, Cox regression model, and propensity score matching (PSM) analyses were employed to identify the predictors associated with the survival. A nomogram was developed using the variables selected by multivariable Cox analysis to predict short and long-term probabilities of BCSS. In this study, the administration of Neo-AT was founded to be associated with a worse prognosis in comparison with AT. This model is anticipated to offer precise and personalized prediction in BCSS, aiding in treatment decision-making.
External validation of a multivariable prediction model for positive resection margins in breast-conserving surgery
Authors: Manhoobi Irina Palimaru , Ellbrant Julia , Bendahl Pär-Ola , Redsted Søren , Bodilsen Anne , Tramm Trine , Christiansen Peer , Rydén Lisa
Published: April 2024

Background: Positive resection margins after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) most often demands a repeat surgery. Identifying patients at risk of positive margins allow for surgical techniques using wider resection margins, which may reduce the need of additional surgeries.
A prediction model by Ellbrant et al. with seven preoperative clinical-pathological and imaging variables predicts positive margins after BCS with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.80.
The aim of the current study was to externally validate this prediction model and to explore if additional available preoperative variables can further improve the accuracy of the model.
Methods: This retrospective cohort study comprises 225 invasive breast cancer patients who underwent BCS and included at Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark during 2020-2022. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and calibration analysis were used to validate the multivariable prediction model. Univariable logistic regression was used to evaluate if additional variables available in the validation cohort were associated with positive margins and backward elimination to explore if these variables could further improve the model´s predictive accuracy.
Results: The AUC of the model was 0.60 (95% CI: 0.50-0.70) in the validation cohort.
High versus low mammographic breast density was associated with positive margins (p=0.009), however the AUC did not further increase, when adding this as an additional variable to the model. Conclusion: The accuracy of the model to predict positive margins after BCS in the validation cohort was lower as compared to in the development cohort, most likely due to differences in patient and tumor characteristics between the sites. High mammographic breast density was found to be associated with positive margins after BCS but did not further improve the model´s predictive accuracy.
Effects of sodium on A2A adenosine receptor expression and function: in cellulo approach and pathophysiological perspectives
Authors: Oufir Farid EL , Claire Guiol , Marlinge Marion , Kipson Nathalie , Criado Christine , Chaptal Marie C. , Lledo Simon , Dedoders Julia , Rebaoui Zohra , Fromonot Julien , Ruf Jean , Mottola Giovanna , Guieu Régis
Published: April 2024

The expression and function of G-protein coupled receptor is modulated by small molecules including sodium ion, acting at an allosteric site. Using Adonis, an Ig M monoclonal antibody against a linear epitope located in the second loop of the A2A adenosine receptor (A2AR) with agonist properties, we evaluate in cellulo the effects of different sodium ion concentrations on the expression and function of A2AR of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). We found that high sodium ion concentration is associated with an increase in A2AR expression and a decrease in cAMP production evaluated by measuring the half-maximal cAMP production, (EC50), in a dose-dependent manner. When Adonis and sodium ions were added simultaneously in the culture medium, (competitive conditions), the KD and the EC50 were high compared to non-competitive conditions (mean 27 and 3 folds respectively). These results suggest that sodium ions could promote Adonis binding to A2AR as well as its activation. We hypothesize that, by steric hindrance, the binding of Adonis to A2AR extends beyond the orthostatic site and prevents sodium ion from reaching its allosteric pocket. When sodium ion can reach its site, it acts as an allosteric modulator with respect to A2AR expression and function. Because the action of sodium ions and A2A-R have opposite effects on blood pressure, our results highlight a possible role of A2A-R/sodium ions interaction in the regulation of blood pressure.
The chemokine receptor type 5 inhibitor maraviroc alleviates sepsis- associated liver injury by regulating MAPK/NF-κB signaling
Authors: Shao Jun , Wang Tianwei , Tang Chengbin , Yu Jiangquan , Chen Ying , Guo Xin , Wang Haoran , Zhou Lulu , Zhang Guozhong , Li Yuping , Yu Hailong , Zheng Ruiqiang
Published: April 2024

Purpose
Sepsis-related organ damage, as the most intractable problems in intensive care units(ICUs), receives a great deal of attention from healthcare professionals. Sepsis-associated liver injury (SALI) often leads to poor clinical outcomes due to its complex physiological mechanism. In previous studies, chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) inhibitors were shown to exert unique anti-inflammatory effects. As the therapeutic effect of maraviroc (MVC) on SALI is still unclear, we aimed to explore whether MVC is effective in treating SALI.
Methods
We established a model of SALI by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) and intraperitoneally injected 20 mg/kg MVC two hours after CLP. Results: The results showed that MVC could significantly ameliorate liver injury after CLP. Furthermore, we demonstrated that MVC reduced inflammatory infiltration and apoptosis after SALI. In addition, we found that the function of MVC in reducing inflammatory was obtained through the inhibition of the two inflammatory signaling pathways mentioned above. Finally, the JNK agonist AN was chosen for reverse research. As shown by the results, the therapeutic effects of MVC disappeared after AN treatment, indicating that MVC exerted anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects through JNK.
Conclusion
Our study revealed that MVC could reduce liver injury after SALI by inhibiting liver inflammation and hepatocyte apoptosis induced by CLP and that MVC exerted diminish inflammatory effects by inhibiting theNF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways.
WITHDRAWN: Relationships Between Temperature and Precipitation Conditions and Tree- Ring Growth in Küre Mountains National Park in the Context of Climate Change
Authors: ATAY Selinay , İRDEM Cemil
Published: April 2024

This study aims to determine the effect of monthly average temperature and monthly total precipitation on tree ring growth and to reveal the possible effects of climate change by using gridded data from the lower and upper growing limits of Scots pine, fir and black pine in the Küre Mountains National Park. Küre Mountains National Park is an essential natural protected area in Türkiye's Black Sea Region. This park is one of the 9 Hotspots in Turkey. For dendrochronological analyses, samples were taken from the lower and upper growing limits of Scots pine, fir and black pine trees, using increment borer, from locations determined within the national park's borders. Measurements of the samples taken were made using the LINTABTSAP measurement system with a sensitivity of 0.01 mm. In analyzing climate-tree ring relations, gridded data taken from the World Meteorological Organization Regional Climate Center website was used for areal precipitation totals and temperature averages, as it has longer-term data. Response Functions were calculated with the help of DENDROCLIM2002 to reveal the statistical relationships between climate data and tree ring growth. According to our results, tree ring growth on trees in the research area is positively affected by the increases in monthly total precipitation in June and July for all site all chronologies and negatively affected by November of the previous year and January, February, September and October of the current year.
Exploring the impact of oral health on the quality of life in elderly patients: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Alshammary Nawaf
Published: April 2024

Objective: This aim was to investigate the significant impact of oral health on the quality of life of elderly individuals across various socioeconomic and demographic contexts.
Methods: A cross- sectional study was conducted, involving the distribution of a translated online questionnaire based on the OHQoL-UK®️ tool to evaluate oral health-related quality of life. This included utilizing the Oral Health Quality of Life Scale to assess overall quality of life. Internal reliability was assessed and Cronbach's Alpha reliability measures were determined.
Results: A total of 586 participants were involved in the study, with the majority being over 60 years old (77.1%). The mean score of Oral Health-Related Quality of Life OHRQoL was 3.79. The Social Dental Scale SDS had a mean score of 0.71. The General Oral Health Assessment GOHS scored 3.51 on average. The mean score of Dental Impact Profile DIP was 3.12. The Subjective Oral Health Status Indicators SOHSIs had a mean score of 3.82. The mean score of Oral Health Benefit of Life Inventory OHBLI averaged at 4.04, and DentalImpact on Daily Living DIDL scored an average of 4.05. The mean score of OHRQoL and Oral Impacts on Daily Performance OIDP were 3.90 and 3.89 respectively. Cronbach's Alpha values ranged from 0.854 to 0.939, with an overall questionnaire reliability of 0.977, indicting a good reliability of the study's tool.
Conclusion: Older adults exhibited lower oral health- related quality of life compared to younger adults, particularly influenced by factors such as health insurance coverage, monthly income and educational level. It is essential to develop health programs specifically tailored for senior adults to safeguard their overall health and quality of life. Making health and medical insurance obligatory and accessible to all individuals is crucial for enhancing their quality of life and reducing the prevalence of diseases.
The effect of combining primers and cements from different cement systems on the bond strength between zirconia and dentin
Authors: Le Minh , Papia Evaggelia , Larsson Christel
Published: April 2024

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of combining primers and cements from two different resin cement systems on the microtensile bond strength (μTBS) between zirconia and human dentin.
Materials and methods: A total of 120 specimens of zirconia cemented to dentin were allocated into eight groups based on cement type (RelyX Ultimate or Panavia V5) and primers (Tooth Primer, Clearfil Ceramic Primer and Scotchbond Universal Adhesive) combinations, applied to dentin or ceramic surfaces. Following artificial aging with 5000 thermocycles, μTBS tests were conducted. Statistical analysis was performed using One-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc tests (p≤ .05), and failure modes were assessed.
Results: The Panavia cement systems demonstrated the highest bond strength (19.4 ± 4.4 MPa), significantly higher than the other groups except when RelyX cement was used with Panavia primers (16.9 ± 3.7 MPa). Cohesive fractures at the cement layer were the predominant failure mode.
Conclusions: The combination of primers from different adhesive cement system brands may significantly affects the bonding effectiveness. Therefore, using products from a single product line of the same adhesive cement system, and following the manufacturer's recommendations for indications and use, is crucial for a more predictable clinical outcome.
Placental mesenchymal dysplasia: a rare case associated with second trimester fetal growth restriction
Authors: Chadwick Thomas , Davis Jennifer , Bitar Wafa , Pankaja Susmita
Published: April 2024

Background: Placental mesenchymal dysplasia (PMD) is a rare, benign, placental disorder characterised macroscopically by an enlarged multi-cystic placenta. It is a condition associated with a range of reported clinical outcomes and can be misdiagnosed as a molar or partial molar pregnancy given the similarities in clinical presentation. We present an unusual case of PMD complicated by fetal growth restriction and oligohydramnios in the second trimester.
Case presentation: A 33 year old female was referred to our fetal medicine unit with a multi-cystic placenta at dating scan suspected initially to be a partial molar pregnancy. She opted for conservative management and declined invasive testing. At 16 weeks severe fetal growth restriction was present with an estimated fetal weight <3rd centile and associated with oligohydramnios. Whilst live births in cases of PMD have been reported in the literature, to our knowledge there are no reported successful outcomes in cases of early onset growth restriction at this gestation. The patient opted to proceed with termination of pregnancy given the suspected poor prognosis. Post mortem results confirmed a diagnosis of PMD and fetal growth restriction with normal genetic testing.
Conclusions: Placental mesenchymal dysplasia can be a difficult condition to manage, particularly when counselling about prognosis and deciding whether to continue the pregnancy. More evidence is needed about prognostic factors in PMD associated with a successful outcome. Early onset fetal growth restriction and/or oligohydramnios prior to 20 weeks are likely poor prognostic factors which should be considered in the antenatal counselling.
Pleomorphic Adenoma of the Palate: Navigating Radiologic and Histologic Terrain – A Case Report Demonstrating Comprehensive Clinical Understanding and Management
Authors: Kajla Paramjit , Gowda Sharad , K Sri Sudarsan P
Published: April 2024

Background:- Pleomorphic adenoma can be defined as a benign mixed tumor composed of epithelial and myoepithelial cells arranged with a great histological diversity, such as differentiation into oncocytic, sebaceous, mucinous, squamous, chondroid, osseous or adipose cells demarcated from surrounding tissues by fibrous capsule. It is one of the salivary gland tumors affecting both major and minor salivary glands. Parotid gland is the most commonly affected of the major group. Among minor salivary glands, palate is the most common site intraorally. Often confused with other malignant tumours of salivary gland, systematic approach rather than aggressive treatment reduces patient morbidity and gives best results as in our case.
Case presentation:- Here we present a case report of pleomorphic adenoma of minor salivary gland of hard palate of a young female. Treatment was surgical excision with wide margins which was confirmed by a histopathological report. Surgical obturator was used to close the defect and monthly follow-up for 6 months to assess the healing and recurrence of the tumour.
Conclusion:- Simple systematic treatment approaches often gives best results with follow up of the patient. In this case, complete resolution of the tumour following simple excision and regular follow up.
The data from sightings suggest a causal correspondence between the distribution of survey effort and the distribution of whales in the Gulf of California
Authors: Castañeda Omar Garcia , Lobo Jorge M. , R Jorge Urbán , Pelayo-González Lili , Unzueta Alejandro Gómez-Gallardo
Published: April 2024

Data on the distribution of most species are often collected using non-standardized sampling protocols, resulting in biased data due to preferential selection of certain environmental conditions. This study aimed to assess the distribution of survey effort for whale monitoring in the Gulf of California, México and estimate its correlation with environmental variables at different resolutions. This comprehensive database compiles navigation details and species observations from 1982 to 2018. The number of navigation routes for whale monitoring in the Gulf of California was calculated, and 10% and 5% of the best-surveyed cells were located at five different resolutions. Generalized Linear Models were employed to estimate the explanatory capacity of eight environmental variables in the distribution of the survey effort. Only approximately 3%-10% of the entire area can be considered well-surveyed. Collection effort was highest in areas with cold waters, high levels of particulate organic carbon, and phytoplankton, irrespective of resolution. However, regardless of environmental conditions, the distribution of survey efforts correlated with available data on the distribution of whales. These results suggest that the knowledge and prolonged interaction between data collectors and the whale population mainly influence the heterogeneous distribution of survey effort. Understanding biases and associated factors in survey effort distribution may provide insights for future monitoring programs. This knowledge can inform effective conservation strategies for whales in the Gulf of California and beyond.
Analysis of the correlation between sex and excessive daytime sleepiness in stroke patients
Authors: Zheng Yi-Xi , Sun Shu-Tong , Yu Wen-Yi , Xu Li-Wen , Liu Ruo-Nan , Chu Cheng
Published: April 2024

Background
Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is a common complication of stroke that has a detrimental effect on patients' daily life and functional recovery.The clinical and sleep-related factors of poststroke EDS may differ between males and females.
Methods
Stroke patients who participated in polysomnographic monitoring at Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University from February 2022 to September 2023 were included, and baseline data, laboratory tests, polysomnographic data, and related scale scores were retrospectively collected. The ESS (Epworth Sleepiness Scale) score and sex were used as the basis for grouping, and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0.
Results
Compared with females with EDS, female patients without EDS had lower white blood cell counts (p = 0.029); male patients with EDS had higher creatinine values than did those without EDS (p = 0.009); female patients with EDS had higher PSQI scores than did females without EDS vs. did males with EDS (p = 0.007; p = 0.034); and both male and female patients with EDS had poorer subjective sleep quality; and both male and female patients with EDS had higher daytime dysfunction scores than did those without EDS (p < 0.001); among female patients, depression scores (HADS-D) were greater in the EDS group than in the no-EDS group (p = 0.004); women with EDS had longer sleep latency (p = 0.002) and a shorter percentage of N2 sleep periods (p = 0.027) than did men with EDS did; Spearman correlation analysis related to ESS scores revealed a significant positive correlation between HADS-D scores and ESS scores in female patients (p = 0.001); and daytime dysfunction scores were significantly positively correlated with ESS scores in both male and female patients. (p < 0.001; p = 0.001).
Conclusions
Female patients suffering from daytime sleepiness have poorer sleep quality and more disturbed sleep architecture. Targeted development of different interventions is necessary, especially focusing on the psychological and sleep problems of female patients, and may further advance the treatment and prognosis of female stroke patients.
Pre-Service Teachers‘ Approaches in Solving Mathematics Tasks with ChatGPT – A Qualitative Analysis of the Current Status Quo
Authors: Noster Norbert , Gerber Sebastian , Siller Hans-Stefan
Published: April 2024

This study investigates pre-service teachers’ competence in using large language models in mathematical contexts and with that the ability to evaluate answers provided by the chatbot. This is of interest as due to its probabilistic nature the answers cannot be foreseen while bearing the risk of being erroneous although sounding plausible. Eleven pre-service teachers were asked to solve four different tasks with the help of ChatGPT. The chatlogs and information provided in an interview after working on the tasks are analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results show that both correct and incorrect answers were produced for all tasks. The rate of pre-service teacher providing an incorrect answer is high when having been presented an incorrect answer generated by the large language model. Despite having access to ChatGPT as a tool many of the participants were not able to live up to their self-evaluated mathematical skill and had trouble solving more complex problems. Furthermore, prompting techniques are analyzed and found to have a great variety while seemingly being dependent on the task as a context. Therefore, the focus of future research should lie on the user’s competence as well as the context the model is used in.
Effects of Radio Frequency Roasting and Pressing Techniques on Peanut Oil Quality and Aroma
Authors: Hung Chun-Hsiang , Chen Su-Der
Published: April 2024

Peanuts undergo roasting to develop a distinctive aroma before undergoing controlled temperature pressing for peanut oil extraction. This study utilized 100°C hot air-assisted 5 kW radio frequency (HARF) equipment for peanut roasting. Subsequently, peanut oil extraction was conducted through cold pressing (CP) at 60°C and hot pressing (HP) at 120°C, with a comprehensive evaluation of their qualities and aromas. Analysis revealed that the surface temperatures of roasted peanuts were lower than their center temperatures, with center temperatures ranging from 120.6°C to 167.6°C for RF roasting durations of 4.5 to 10.5 min. As RF roasting time increased, acidity value, peroxide value, and malondialdehyde content significantly rose, reaching maximum values after 10.5 min, which evident charring on the peanut surface rendered them unsuitable for oil extraction. Aroma analysis via GC-IMS showed that peanuts roasted for 8.5 min exhibited volatile compounds similar to those found in commercial peanuts. Comparatively, 120°C HP yielded more oil than 60°C CP. Furthermore, GC-IMS analysis indicated that HP peanut oil contained more volatile compounds, contributing to a burnt odor and Maillard reaction, affecting both color and oxidation levels. Accelerated storage experiments at 65°C for duration of 24 days demonstrated a continuous increase in both acidity and peroxide values throughout the storage period."
GIS-MCDM Integrated approach for suitable landfill site selection: Case study of the southwestern part of Bejaia Province, Algeria
Authors: Bechroune Wissam , Kherrour Louardi , Belaid Lyes , Goumrasa Abdeldjalil
Published: April 2024

Household waste management in developing countries is a major concern, from production to final disposal, so siting a landfill is a difficult and complex process, requiring the assessment of many factors. In this study, an integrated approach combining Geographic Information System (GIS) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to select optimal sites for the implementation of a landfill in the south-eastern region of the Bejaia Province. This analysis is based on fourteen factors from different sources, including geomorphological, hydrological, climatic and socio-economic criteria. These spatial data are processed and analyzed in a GIS environment, while the AHP approach has been used to evaluate the importance of each factor in order to determine the weight and combine the selected factors. Finally, a suitability map was prepared by overlay analysis, indicating that the study area is divided into four suitability classes, with areas classified as unsuitable and low suitable representing 4.484% and 28.26% respectively, while 60% is considered moderately suitable and only 0.49% is highly suitable for the construction of a landfill. Based on these results, four potential sites were identified out of a total of thirteen. However, this study underlines the need to take into account social-economic and environmental aspects in the decision-making process to ensure efficient and durable waste management.