bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feasibility, validity and reliability of the ASCOT-Proxy and ASCOT-Carer among unpaid carers of people living with dementia in England
Authors: Silarova Barbora , Rand Stacey , Towers Ann-Marie , Jones Karen
Published: June 2023

Background

People with dementia living at home represent a growing group of social care services users in England. Many are unable to complete questionnaires due to cognitive impairment. The ASCOT-Proxy is an adapted version of an established measure, ASCOT, which was developed as a way of collecting social care-related quality of life (SCRQoL) data from this group of service users, either alone or alongside the ASCOT-Carer, a measure of SCRQoL for unpaid carers. The ASCOT-Proxy includes two perspectives, the proxy-proxy perspective (‘My opinion: What I think’) and proxy-person perspective (‘What I think the person I represent thinks’). We aimed to establish the feasibility, construct validity and reliability of the ASCOT-Proxy and ASCOT-Carer, with unpaid carers of people with dementia living at home unable to self-report. We also aimed to establish structural characteristics of the ASCOT-Proxy.

Methods

Cross-sectional data were collected using self-administered questionnaire (paper or online) among unpaid carers living in England between January 2020 and April 2021. Unpaid carers could take part if they supported someone living with dementia who was unable to self-complete a structured questionnaire. The person living with dementia or their unpaid carer had to use at least one social care service. We used the proportion of missing data to establish feasibility, ordinal exploratory factor analysis to establish structural characteristics, Zumbo’s ordinal alpha for internal reliability, and hypothesis testing for construct validity. We also conducted Rasch analysis.

Results

We analysed data for 313 carers (62.4(± 12.0) years, 75.7% (N=237) females). We were able to calculate the ASCOT-Proxy-proxy overall score for 90.7% of our sample, the ASCOT-Proxy-person overall score for 88.8% of our sample and in case of the ASCOT-Carer for 99.7% of our sample. As there was an issue with structural characteristics of the ASCOT-Proxy-proxy we conducted Rasch, reliability and construct validity analysis for the ASCOT-Proxy-person and ASCOT-Carer only.

Conclusions

This was a first study to explore psychometric characteristics of the ASCOT-Proxy and ASCOT-Carer with unpaid carers of people with dementia living at home unable to self-report. There are some aspects of the psychometric characteristics of the ASCOT-Proxy and ASCOT-Carer that warrant further investigation in future.

Trial registration

NA
Single-trial extraction of event-related potentials (ERPs) and classification of visual stimuli by ensemble use of discrete wavelet transform with Huffman coding and machine learning techniques
Authors: Amin Hafeez Ullah , Ullah Rafi , Reza Mohammed Faruque , Malik Aamir Saeed
Published: June 2023

Background

Presentation of visual stimuli can induce changes in EEG signals that are typically detectable by averaging together data from multiple trials for individual participant analysis as well as for groups or conditions analysis of multiple participants. This study proposes a new method based on the discrete wavelet transform with Huffman coding and machine learning for single-trial analysis of evenal (ERPs) and classification of different visual events in the visual object detection task.

Methods

EEG single trials are decomposed with discrete wavelet transform (DWT) up to the $$4{th}$$

4

th

level of decomposition using a biorthogonal B-spline wavelet. The coefficients of DWT in each trial are thresholded to discard sparse wavelet coefficients, while the quality of the signal is well maintained. The remaining optimum coefficients in each trial are encoded into bitstreams using Huffman coding, and the codewords are represented as a feature of the ERP signal. The performance of this method is tested with real visual ERPs of sixty-eight subjects.

Results

The proposed method significantly discards the spontaneous EEG activity, extracts the single-trial visual ERPs, represents the ERP waveform into a compact bitstream as a feature, and achieves promising results in classifying the visual objects with classification performance metrics: accuracies 93.60$$\pm {6.5}$$

±

6.5

, sensitivities 93.55$$\pm {4.5}$$

±

4.5

, specificities 94.85$$\pm {4.2}$$

±

4.2

, precisions 92.50$$\pm {5.5}$$

±

5.5

, and area under the curve (AUC) 0.93$$\pm {0.3}$$

±

0.3

using SVM and k-NN machine learning classifiers.

Conclusion

The proposed method suggests that the joint use of discrete wavelet transform (DWT) with Huffman coding has the potential to efficiently extract ERPs from background EEG for studying evoked responses in single-trial ERPs and classifying visual stimuli. The proposed approach has O(N) time complexity and could be implemented in real-time systems, such as the brain-computer interface (BCI), where fast detection of mental events is desired to smoothly operate a machine with minds.
Clustering trunk movements of children and adolescents with neurological gait disorders undergoing robot-assisted gait therapy: the functional ability determines if actuated pelvis movements are clinically useful
Authors: van Dellen Florian , Aurich-Schuler Tabea , Hesse Nikolas , Labruyère Rob
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Robot-assisted gait therapy is frequently used for gait therapy in children and adolescents but has been shown to limit the physiological excursions of the trunk and pelvis. Actuated pelvis movements might support more physiological trunk patterns during robot-assisted training. However, not every patient is expected to react identically to actuated pelvis movements. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to identify different trunk movement patterns with and without actuated pelvis movements and compare them based on their similarity to the physiological gait pattern.

Methods and results

A clustering algorithm was used to separate pediatric patients into three groups based on different kinematic reactions of the trunk to walking with and without actuated pelvis movements. The three clusters included 9, 11 and 15 patients and showed weak to strong correlations with physiological treadmill gait. The groups also statistically differed in clinical assessment scores, which were consistent with the strength of the correlations. Patients with a higher gait capacity reacted with more physiological trunk movements to actuated pelvis movements.

Conclusion

Actuated pelvis movements do not lead to physiological trunk movements in patients with a poor trunk control, while patients with better walking functions can show physiological trunk movements. Therapists should carefully consider for whom and why they decide to include actuated pelvis movements in their therapy plan.
Palm Sunday in central Mexico: among sellers, palms and syncretism
Authors: Briseño-Tellez Jocelyn M. , Pulido Silva María Teresa , Bautista Karen , García Mera Amairani , Larios-Lozano Omar , López Gutiérrez Berenice Nathaly , López López Yazmín Alejandra , Mendoza Cruz Yesenia , Monzalvo René , Ortega-Meza Daniela , Sánchez Trejo Edith Carmina , Zepeda-Hernández Zeltzin K.
Published: June 2023

Background

Domingo de Ramos, or Palm Sunday, is a traditional Christian religious event where devotees use ramos, which are bouquets currently elaborated from palm leaves and other natural elements. In various countries, it is assumed this use of biodiversity leads to the depletion of the species involved. However, other important aspects must be considered, including the role of the people who produce and sell these ramos, the associated symbolism that has been overlooked, as well as commercial aspects that have barely been documented. This ethnobotanical study evaluates the regional-scale cultural, biological and socioeconomic aspects associated with Domingo de Ramos in central Mexico from an emic perspective.

Methods

Ethnographic and commercial information was obtained through interviews with ramos sellers in 28 municipalities in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico. We specifically sought sociodemographic data regarding the interviewees, as well as information pertaining to the ramos themselves and the palms. These aspects were explored with all of the sellers. The free list method was used to describe the uses and key elements associated with the ramos.

Results

Although the ramos are used for religious purposes, they have eight different uses in the daily life of the sellers, the main one being “protection.” They serve to protect families, crops and animals, as well as against several diseases. Likewise, they are considered valuable for diminishing strong storms. This belief in the protection conferred by the ramos preserves pre-Hispanic concepts and is combined with their use in blessing corresponding to Western beliefs. Ramos are made from 35 introduced and native plant species and comprise a base (made of palm, wheat or sotol), a “reliquia” (palm, rosemary, chamomile and laurel) and natural or artificial flowers. The ramos sellers are mostly adult women of indigenous origin and heads of family.

Conclusions

This study of Domingo de Ramos, carried out at a regional scale, highlights a syncretism that is reflected in both the symbolic importance of ramos palm and in the species used, as well as socioeconomic aspects that had not previously been identified in the study area and reflect the occurrence of complex relationships in non-timber forest products that remain little addressed.
Ethnobotany of wild edible plants in Soro District of Hadiya Zone, southern Ethiopia
Authors: Hankiso Mulatu , Warkineh Bikila , Asfaw Zemede , Debella Asfaw
Published: June 2023

Background

Despite their paramount importance all over the globe in supporting food security, information about wild edible plants is generally patchy. In this study, we investigated the wild edible plants used by the local people in the Soro District of Hadiya Zone, southern Ethiopia. The main purpose of the study was to document and analyze the indigenous and local knowledge of the people on their abundance, diversity, use and management.

Methods and materials

Purposive sampling and systematic random sampling were used to identify informants who can give information about the wild edible plants of the area. Data were collected by interviewing 26 purposively sampled key informants and 128 systematically randomly sampled general informants using semi-structured interviews. Guided observations and 13 focus group discussions (FGDs) consisting of 5–12 participants/discussants at each FGD session were also undertaken. Statistical analyses (mainly descriptive statistics approaches) and common analytical tools of ethnobotany including informant consensus, informant consensus factor, preference ranking, direct matrix ranking, paired comparison and index of fidelity level were applied to the data sets.

Results

A total of 64 wild edible plant species belonging to 52 genera and 39 families were recorded. All of these species are indigenous, 16 are new additions to the database and seven of them, including Urtica simensis and Thymus schimperi, are endemic to Ethiopia. In about 82.81% of the species, the edible plant part is also used in the Ethiopian traditional herbal medicine. It is striking to see that almost all wild edible plants recorded from the study area are nutraceutical plant species, serving multiple roles as food and therapeutic sources for the local people. We recorded five growth habits of 34.38% trees, 32.81% herbs, 25% shrubs, 6.25% climbers, and 1.56% liana. We found the Flacourtiaceae, Solanaceae, and Moraceae to be families that represented more species (4 each), followed by Acanthaceae, Apocynaceae, Amaranthaceae, and Asteraceae, which accounted for 3 species each. Fruits (53.13%) and leaves (31.25%) were consumed in more proportions than other edible parts (15.63%); mostly the ripe, raw fruit is eaten upon simple processing, followed by leaves eaten after boiling, roasting and cooking.

Conclusion

The frequency and intensity of consumption of these plants varied significantly (P < 0.05) with gender differences, key and general informants, and people’s religious backgrounds. We postulate that priority setting for in situ and ex situ conservation of multipurpose wild edible plants in human-inhabited landscapes is essential to warrant sustainable use and conservation of the species as well as the use of new modes of application and valorization.
Partial inactivation of songbird auditory cortex impairs both tempo and pitch discrimination
Authors: Kim Gunsoo , Sánchez-Valpuesta Miguel , Kao Mimi H.
Published: June 2023

Neuronal tuning for spectral and temporal features has been studied extensively in the auditory system. In the auditory cortex, diverse combinations of spectral and temporal tuning have been found, but how specific feature tuning contributes to the perception of complex sounds remains unclear. Neurons in the avian auditory cortex are spatially organized in terms of spectral or temporal tuning widths, providing an opportunity for investigating the link between auditory tuning and perception. Here, using naturalistic conspecific vocalizations, we asked whether subregions of the auditory cortex that are tuned for broadband sounds are more important for discriminating tempo than pitch, due to the lower frequency selectivity. We found that bilateral inactivation of the broadband region impairs performance on both tempo and pitch discrimination. Our results do not support the hypothesis that the lateral, more broadband subregion of the songbird auditory cortex contributes more to processing temporal than spectral information.
Treatment of haemorrhoids: rubber band ligation or sclerotherapy (THROS)? Study protocol for a multicentre, non-inferiority, randomised controlled trial
Authors: van Oostendorp J. Y. , Sluckin T. C. , Han-Geurts I. J. M. , van Dieren S. , Schouten R. ,   on behalf of the THROS trial research group
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Haemorrhoidal disease (HD) is a common condition with significant epidemiologic and economic implications. While it is possible to treat symptomatic grade 1–2 haemorrhoids with rubber band ligation (RBL) or sclerotherapy (SCL), the effectiveness of these treatments compatible with current standards has not yet been investigated with a randomised controlled trial. The hypothesis is that SCL is not inferior to RBL in terms of symptom reduction (patient-related outcome measures (PROMs)), patient experience, complications or recurrence rate.

Methods and analysis

This protocol describes the methodology of a non-inferiority, multicentre, randomised controlled trial comparing rubber band ligation and sclerotherapy for symptomatic grade 1–2 haemorrhoids in adults (> 18 years). Patients are preferably randomised between the two treatment arms. However, patients with a strong preference for one of the treatments and refuse randomisation are eligible for the registration arm. Patients either receive 4 cc Aethoxysklerol 3% SCL or 3 × RBL. The primary outcome measures are symptom reduction by means of PROMs, recurrence and complication rates. Secondary outcome measures are patient experience, number of treatments and days of sick leave from work. Data are collected at 4 different time points.

Discussion

The THROS trial is the first large multicentre randomised trial to study the difference in effectivity between RBL and SCL for the treatment of grade 1–2 HD. It will provide information as to which treatment method (RBL or SCL) is the most effective, gives fewer complications and is experienced by the patient as the best option.

Ethics and dissemination

The study protocol has been approved by the Medical Ethics Review Committee of the Amsterdam University Medical Centers, location AMC (nr. 2020_053). The gathered data and results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals and spread to coloproctological associations and guidelines.

Trial registration

Dutch Trial Register NL8377. Registered on 12–02-2020.
Cross-sectional analysis characterizing the use of rank preserving structural failure time in oncology studies: changes to hazard ratio and frequency of inappropriate use
Authors: Prasad Vinay , Kim Myung Sun , Haslam Alyson
Published: June 2023

Background

Rank preserving structural failure time (RPSFT) is a statistical method to correct or adjust for crossover in clinical trials, by estimating the counterfactual effect on overall survival (OS) when control arm patients do not receive the interventional drug when their tumor progresses. We sought to examine the strength of correlation between differences in uncorrected and corrected OS hazard ratios and percentage of crossover, and characterize instances of fundamental and sequential efficacy.

Methods

In a cross-sectional analysis (2003–2023), we reviewed oncology randomized trials that used RPSFT analysis to adjust the OS hazard ratio for patients who crossed over to an anti-cancer drug. We calculated the percentage of RPSFT studies evaluating a drug for fundamental efficacy (with or without a standard of care (SOC)) or sequential efficacy and the correlation between the OS hazard ratio difference (unadjusted and adjusted) and the percentage of crossover.

Results

Among 65 studies, the median difference between the uncorrected and corrected OS hazard ratio was −0.1 (quartile 1, quartile 3 : −0.3 to −0.06). The median percentage of crossover was 56% (quartile 1, quartile 3: 37% to 72%). All studies were funded by the industry or had authors who were employees of the industry. Twelve studies (19%) tested a drug’s fundamental efficacy when there was no SOC; 34 studies (52%) tested a drug’s fundamental efficacy when there was already a SOC; and 19 studies (29%) tested a drug’s sequential efficacy. The correlation between the uncorrected and corrected OS hazard ratio difference and the percentage of crossover was 0.44 (95% CI: 0.21 to 0.63).

Conclusions

RPSFT is a common tactic used by the industry to reinterpret trial results. Nineteen percent of RPSFT use is appropriate. We recognize that while crossover can bias OS results, the allowance and handling of crossover in trials should be limited to appropriate circumstances.
Production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) as chemicals or substrates for microbes to obtain biochemicals
Authors: Tomás-Pejó Elia , González-Fernández Cristina , Greses Silvia , Kennes Christian , Otero-Logilde Nuria , Veiga María C. , Bolzonella David , Müller Bettina , Passoth Volkmar
Published: June 2023

Carboxylic acids have become interesting platform molecules in the last years due to their versatility to act as carbon sources for different microorganisms or as precursors for the chemical industry. Among carboxylic acids, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as acetic, propionic, butyric, valeric, and caproic acids can be biotechnologically produced in an anaerobic fermentation process from lignocellulose or other organic wastes of agricultural, industrial, or municipal origin. The biosynthesis of SCFAs is advantageous compared to chemical synthesis, since the latter relies on fossil-derived raw materials, expensive and toxic catalysts and harsh process conditions. This review article gives an overview on biosynthesis of SCFAs from complex waste products. Different applications of SCFAs are explored and how these acids can be considered as a source of bioproducts, aiming at the development of a circular economy. The use of SCFAs as platform molecules requires adequate concentration and separation processes that are also addressed in this review. Various microorganisms such as bacteria or oleaginous yeasts can efficiently use SCFA mixtures derived from anaerobic fermentation, an attribute that can be exploited in microbial electrolytic cells or to produce biopolymers such as microbial oils or polyhydroxyalkanoates. Promising technologies for the microbial conversion of SCFAs into bioproducts are outlined with recent examples, highlighting SCFAs as interesting platform molecules for the development of future bioeconomy.
Plasma amyloid beta 42 is a biomarker for patients with hereditary, but not sporadic, cerebral amyloid angiopathy
Authors: de Kort Anna M. , Kuiperij H. Bea , Jäkel Lieke , Kersten Iris , Rasing Ingeborg , van Etten Ellis S. , van Rooden Sanneke , van Osch Matthias J. P. , Wermer Marieke J. H. , Terwindt Gisela M. , Schreuder Floris H. B. M. , Klijn Catharina J. M. , Verbeek Marcel M.
Published: June 2023

Background

The diagnosis of probable cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is currently mostly based on characteristics of brain MRI. Blood biomarkers would be a cost-effective, easily accessible diagnostic method that may complement diagnosis by MRI and aid in monitoring disease progression. We studied the diagnostic potential of plasma Aβ38, Aβ40, and Aβ42 in patients with hereditary Dutch-type CAA (D-CAA) and sporadic CAA (sCAA).

Methods

All Aβ peptides were quantified in the plasma by immunoassays in a discovery cohort (11 patients with presymptomatic D-CAA and 24 patients with symptomatic D-CAA, and 16 and 24 matched controls, respectively) and an independent validation cohort (54 patients with D-CAA, 26 presymptomatic and 28 symptomatic, and 39 and 46 matched controls, respectively). In addition, peptides were quantified in the plasma in a group of 61 patients with sCAA and 42 matched controls. We compared Aβ peptide levels between patients and controls using linear regression adjusting for age and sex.

Results

In the discovery cohort, we found significantly decreased levels of all Aβ peptides in patients with presymptomatic D-CAA (Aβ38: p < 0.001; Aβ40: p = 0.009; Aβ42: p < 0.001) and patients with symptomatic D-CAA (Aβ38: p < 0.001; Aβ40: p = 0.01; Aβ42: p < 0.001) compared with controls. In contrast, in the validation cohort, plasma Aβ38, Aβ40, and Aβ42 were similar in patients with presymptomatic D-CAA and controls (Aβ38: p = 0.18; Aβ40: p = 0.28; Aβ42: p = 0.63). In patients with symptomatic D-CAA and controls, plasma Aβ38 and Aβ40 were similar (Aβ38: p = 0.14; Aβ40: p = 0.38), whereas plasma Aβ42 was significantly decreased in patients with symptomatic D-CAA (p = 0.033). Plasma Aβ38, Aβ40, and Aβ42 levels were similar in patients with sCAA and controls (Aβ38: p = 0.092; Aβ40: p = 0.64. Aβ42: p = 0.68).

Conclusions

Plasma Aβ42 levels, but not plasma Aβ38 and Aβ40, may be used as a biomarker for patients with symptomatic D-CAA. In contrast, plasma Aβ38, Aβ40, and Aβ42 levels do not appear to be applicable as a biomarker in patients with sCAA.
Unilateral pulmonary vein atresia presenting with recurrent hemoptysis and bronchial varices in an Ethiopian adolescent: a case report
Authors: Weldetsadik Abate Yeshidinber , Kebede Abdi , Godu Binyam Gebremedhin , Gama Maru
Published: June 2023

Background

Congenital unilateral pulmonary vein atresia is a rare anomaly resulting from failure of the pulmonary vein to incorporate in the left atrium. It is a very rare cause of recurrent respiratory infections and hemoptysis requiring a high index of suspicion for proper diagnosis and management in early childhood.

Case presentation

We report a 13-year old Anuac (Ethiopia, Region of Gambela) male adolescent with a delayed diagnosis of isolated atresia of the left pulmonary veins despite early childhood presentation with recurrent chest infections, hemoptysis and exercise intolerance. Contrast enhanced CT of thorax with reconstructed planes confirmed the diagnosis. He underwent pneumonectomy for severe and recurrent symptoms and did well on subsequent follow ups after 6 months of pneumonectomy.

Conclusion

Although a rare anomaly, congenital unilateral pulmonary vein atresia should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a child presenting with recurrent chest infections, exercise intolerance and hemoptysis to facilitate early appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
Midterm outcome after en bloc resection of C2 chordoma with transoral mandibular split and mesh cage reconstruction: a case report
Authors: Korwutthikulrangsri Ekkapoj , Ongard Sunun , Pisutbenya Jirachai , Ruangchainikom Monchai , Sutipornpalangkul Werasak
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Chordomas are rare, locally aggressive tumors that often occur in the axial spine, especially in the sacrum. The treatment of chordomas located in the upper cervical spine is challenging. En bloc resection is the preferred surgical option for total tumor removal.

Case presentation

We report the case of a C2 chordoma in a 47-year-old Thai woman. She was treated with a two-stage, anterior–posterior, C2 total spondylectomy with titanium mesh cage reconstruction and radiotherapy. The first stage involved posterior stabilization from the occiput to C5, a total laminectomy, and removal of the posterior rings of the bilateral foramen transversarium to preserve the bilateral vertebral arteries. The second stage comprised a transoral mandibular split with en bloc resection of C2, followed by titanium mesh cage reconstruction and kick-off anterior cervical plating. At the 5 year follow-up, no tumor recurrence was identified on magnetic resonance imaging. The patient had no neurological deficits but still had minor complications from the anterior transoral mandibular split.

Conclusions

Excellent midterm results were obtained using a transoral mandibular split with reconstruction and posterior spinal fusion from the occiput to the lower cervical spine coupled with adjuvant radiotherapy. We recommend this approach as the treatment of choice for chordoma in the upper cervical spine.
Receiver architectures for positioning with low earth orbit satellite signals: a survey
Authors: Pinell Christina , Prol Fabricio S. , Bhuiyan M. Zahidul H. , Praks Jaan
Published: June 2023

Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) are services generally provided by Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). GNSS reside in medium to high orbital altitudes from the Earth’s surface, resulting in weak signal reception. However, user applications are increasingly in need of higher power signal strength or alternative PNT solutions. An influx of satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) are driving such innovation in PNT technology. Improved signal strength compared to GNSS can be obtained from LEO satellites merely due to their proximity to Earth. Therefore, even communication satellite transmissions are becoming appealing to navigation, as so-called Signals of OPportunity (SOP). In order to benefit user applications, the receiver architectures for LEO-SOP, as well as potential LEO-PNT signals are explored.
Asymptotic results for a class of Markovian self-exciting processes
Authors: Seol Youngsoo
Published: June 2023

Hawkes process is a class of self-exciting point processes with clustering effect whose jump rate relies on their entire past history. This process is usually defined as a continuous-time setting and has been widely applied in several fields, including insurance, finance, queueing theory, and statistics. The Hawkes model is generally non-Markovian because the future development of a self-exciting point process is determined by the timing of past events. However, it can be Markovian in special cases such as when the exciting function is an exponential function or a sum of exponential functions. Difficulty arises when the exciting function is not an exponential function or a sum of exponentials, in which case the process can be non-Markovian. The inverse Markovian case for Hawkes processes was introduced by Seol (Stat. Probab. Lett. 155:108580, 2019) who studied some asymptotic behaviors. An extended version of the inverse Markovian Hawkes process was also studied by Seol (J. Korean Math. Soc. 58(4):819–833, 2021). In the current work, we propose a class of Markovian self-exciting processes that interpolates between the Hawkes process and the inverse Hawkes process. We derived limit theorems for the newly considered class of Markovian self-exciting processes. In particular, we established both the law of large numbers (LLN) and central limit theorems (CLT) with some key results.
In vitro repress of breast cancer by bio-product of edible Pleurotus ostreatus loaded with chitosan nanoparticles
Authors: Al-Rajhi Aisha M. H. , Ghany Tarek M. Abdel
Published: June 2023

Despite advances in early detection and therapy, cancer still is a significant health challenge with the highest priority for investigation. Breast cancer represents the most common cancerous disease among women in the world. The study’s purpose is to estimate the cytotoxic activity of the edible mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus extract (PE), chitosan nanoparticles (ChNPs), and PE loaded with ChNPs (PELChNPs), as well as to identify the molecular docking of the cytotoxicity of methyl gallate (MG) as a main component of the PE against breast cancer (MCF-7) cell line. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of PE exhibited the existence of various phenolic and flavonoid compounds such as MG, gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, hesperetin, naringenin, rutin, and cinnamic acid. The proliferation of the MCF-7 cell line was inhibited at 1, 3.9, and 62.50 µg/mL of PELChNPs, PE, and ChNPs, respectively. PELChNPs were more effective against the MCF-7 cell line than PE, particularly at low concentrations. For instance, at 7.8 µg/mL of PELChNPs and PE, the inhibitory % of MCF-7 proliferation was 20.59±1.75% and 8.57±0.59%, respectively. At 15.6 µg/mL of PELChNPs and PE, the inhibitory % of MCF-7 proliferation was 51.37±1.09% and 25.18±1.64%, respectively. While there is slight difference in the inhibition % of MCF-7 cells (98.64±0.21 and 97.22±0.16%) at high concentration 500 µg/mL of PELChNPs and PE, respectively. IC50 was 15.25 ± 0.54 µg/mL, 46.27 ± 1.94 µg/mL, and 337.38 ± 13.68 µg/mL against MCF-7 cell line of PELChNPs, PE, and ChNPs, respectively. The value of IC50 documented the efficacy of PELChNPs compared with the IC50 (5.91 ± 0.43 µg/mL) of Vinblastine sulfate. Noticeable distortions were observed in the MCF-7 cell line mainly treated with PELChNPs, followed by PE alone. While ChNPs exhibited less effect on the morphology of the MCF-7 cell line. Antioxidant activity of ChNPs, PE, and PELChNPs was evaluated compared with Trolox, which reflected IC50 = 118.33 ± 4.02, 85.63 ± 3.96, 36.80 ± 2.52 and 24.74 ± 0.45 µg/mL. Methyl gallate binding interactions were assessed using molecular docking with the MOE-Dock tool against the target crystal structures of Breast cancer cell line 3HB5. The results shed light on how molecular modeling techniques can inhibit methyl gallate with possible uses in treating breast cancer.
A bibliographic review of climate change and fertilization as the main drivers of maize yield: implications for food security
Authors: Ocwa Akasairi , Harsanyi Endre , Széles Adrienn , Holb Imre János , Szabó Szilárd , Rátonyi Tamás , Mohammed Safwan
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Crop production contribution to food security faces unprecedented challenge of increasing human population. This is due to the decline in major cereal crop yields including maize resulting from climate change and declining soil infertility. Changes in soil nutrient status and climate have continued to occur and in response, new fertilizer recommendations in terms of formulations and application rates are continuously developed and applied globally. In this sense, this review was conducted to: (i) identify the key areas of concentration of research on fertilizer and climate change effect on maize grain yield, (ii) assess the extent of the effect of climate change on maize grain yield, (iii) evaluate the extent of the effect of fertilization practices on maize grain yield, and (iv) examine the effect of interaction between climate change factors and fertilization practices on maize grain yield at global perspective.

Methodology

Comprehensive search of global literature was conducted in Web of Science (WoS) database. For objective 1, metadata on co-authorship (country, organisation), and co-occurrence of keywords were exported and analysed using VOSviewer software. For objective 2–4, yield data for each treatment presented in the articles were extracted and yield increment calculated.

Results

The most significant keywords: soil fertility, nutrient use efficiency, nitrogen use efficiency, integrated nutrient management, sustainability, and climate change adaptation revealed efforts to improve maize production, achieve food security, and protect the environment. A temperature rise of 1–4 °C decreased yield by 5–14% in warm areas and increased by < 5% in cold areas globally. Precipitation reduction decreased yield by 25–32%, while CO2 concentration increased and decreased yield by 2.4 to 7.3% and  9 to 14.6%, respectively. A promising fertilizer was a combination of urea + nitrapyrin with an average yield of 5.1 and 14.4 t ha−1 under non-irrigation and irrigation, respectively. Fertilization under climate change was projected to reduce yield in the average range of 10.5–18.3% by 2099.

Conclusion

The results signified that sole fertilizer intensification is insufficient to attain sustainable maize yield. Therefore, there is need for integrated agronomic research that combines fertilizers and other technologies for enhancing maize yield, and consequently maize contribution to the attainment of global food security under climate change conditions.
Long-read genome sequencing identifies cryptic structural variants in congenital aniridia cases
Authors: Damián Alejandra , Núñez-Moreno Gonzalo , Jubin Claire , Tamayo Alejandra , de Alba Marta Rodríguez , Villaverde Cristina , Fund Cédric , Delépine Marc , Leduc Aurélie , Deleuze Jean François , Mínguez Pablo , Ayuso Carmen , Corton Marta
Published: June 2023

Background

Haploinsufficiency of the transcription factor PAX6 is the main cause of congenital aniridia, a genetic disorder characterized by iris and foveal hypoplasia. 11p13 microdeletions altering PAX6 or its downstream regulatory region (DRR) are present in about 25% of patients; however, only a few complex rearrangements have been described to date. Here, we performed nanopore-based whole-genome sequencing to assess the presence of cryptic structural variants (SVs) on the only two unsolved “PAX6-negative” cases from a cohort of 110 patients with congenital aniridia after unsuccessfully short-read sequencing approaches.

Results

Long-read sequencing (LRS) unveiled balanced chromosomal rearrangements affecting the PAX6 locus at 11p13 in these two patients and allowed nucleotide-level breakpoint analysis. First, we identified a cryptic 4.9 Mb de novo inversion disrupting intron 7 of PAX6, further verified by targeted polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing and FISH-based cytogenetic analysis. Furthermore, LRS was decisive in correctly mapping a t(6;11) balanced translocation cytogenetically detected in a second proband with congenital aniridia and considered non-causal 15 years ago. LRS resolved that the breakpoint on chromosome 11 was indeed located at 11p13, disrupting the DNase I hypersensitive site 2 enhancer within the DRR of PAX6, 161 Kb from the causal gene. Patient-derived RNA expression analysis demonstrated PAX6 haploinsufficiency, thus supporting that the 11p13 breakpoint led to a positional effect by cleaving crucial enhancers for PAX6 transactivation. LRS analysis was also critical for mapping the exact breakpoint on chromosome 6 to the highly repetitive centromeric region at 6p11.1.

Conclusions

In both cases, the LRS-based identified SVs have been deemed the hidden pathogenic cause of congenital aniridia. Our study underscores the limitations of traditional short-read sequencing in uncovering pathogenic SVs affecting low-complexity regions of the genome and the value of LRS in providing insight into hidden sources of variation in rare genetic diseases.
Genomic approaches to identify and investigate genes associated with atrial fibrillation and heart failure susceptibility
Authors: Patel Kush Ketan , Venkatesan Cynthia , Abdelhalim Habiba , Zeeshan Saman , Arima Yuichiro , Linna-Kuosmanen Suvi , Ahmed Zeeshan
Published: June 2023

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) contribute to about 45% of all cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths in the USA and around the globe. Due to the complex nature, progression, inherent genetic makeup, and heterogeneity of CVDs, personalized treatments are believed to be critical. To improve the deciphering of CVD mechanisms, we need to deeply investigate well-known and identify novel genes that are responsible for CVD development. With the advancements in sequencing technologies, genomic data have been generated at an unprecedented pace to foster translational research. Correct application of bioinformatics using genomic data holds the potential to reveal the genetic underpinnings of various health conditions. It can help in the identification of causal variants for AF, HF, and other CVDs by moving beyond the one-gene one-disease model through the integration of common and rare variant association, the expressed genome, and characterization of comorbidities and phenotypic traits derived from the clinical information. In this study, we examined and discussed variable genomic approaches investigating genes associated with AF, HF, and other CVDs. We collected, reviewed, and compared high-quality scientific literature published between 2009 and 2022 and accessible through PubMed/NCBI. While selecting relevant literature, we mainly focused on identifying genomic approaches involving the integration of genomic data; analysis of common and rare genetic variants; metadata and phenotypic details; and multi-ethnic studies including individuals from ethnic minorities, and European, Asian, and American ancestries. We found 190 genes associated with AF and 26 genes linked to HF. Seven genes had implications in both AF and HF, which are SYNPO2L, TTN, MTSS1, SCN5A, PITX2, KLHL3, and AGAP5. We listed our conclusion, which include detailed information about genes and SNPs associated with AF and HF.
Flexible hidden Markov models for behaviour-dependent habitat selection
Authors: Klappstein N. J. , Thomas L. , Michelot T.
Published: June 2023

Background

There is strong incentive to model behaviour-dependent habitat selection, as this can help delineate critical habitats for important life processes and reduce bias in model parameters. For this purpose, a two-stage modelling approach is often taken: (i) classify behaviours with a hidden Markov model (HMM), and (ii) fit a step selection function (SSF) to each subset of data. However, this approach does not properly account for the uncertainty in behavioural classification, nor does it allow states to depend on habitat selection. An alternative approach is to estimate both state switching and habitat selection in a single, integrated model called an HMM-SSF.

Methods

We build on this recent methodological work to make the HMM-SSF approach more efficient and general. We focus on writing the model as an HMM where the observation process is defined by an SSF, such that well-known inferential methods for HMMs can be used directly for parameter estimation and state classification. We extend the model to include covariates on the HMM transition probabilities, allowing for inferences into the temporal and individual-specific drivers of state switching. We demonstrate the method through an illustrative example of plains zebra (Equus quagga), including state estimation, and simulations to estimate a utilisation distribution.

Results

In the zebra analysis, we identified two behavioural states, with clearly distinct patterns of movement and habitat selection (“encamped” and “exploratory”). In particular, although the zebra tended to prefer areas higher in grassland across both behavioural states, this selection was much stronger in the fast, directed exploratory state. We also found a clear diel cycle in behaviour, which indicated that zebras were more likely to be exploring in the morning and encamped in the evening.

Conclusions

This method can be used to analyse behaviour-specific habitat selection in a wide range of species and systems. A large suite of statistical extensions and tools developed for HMMs and SSFs can be applied directly to this integrated model, making it a very versatile framework to jointly learn about animal behaviour, habitat selection, and space use.
Scalable approach for high-resolution land cover: a case study in the Mediterranean Basin
Authors: Burgueño Antonio Manuel , Aldana-Martín José F. , Vázquez-Pendón María , Barba-González Cristóbal , Jiménez Gómez Yaiza , García Millán Virginia , Navas-Delgado Ismael
Published: June 2023

The production of land cover maps is an everyday use of image classification applications on remote sensing. However, managing Earth observation satellite data for a large region of interest is challenging in the task of creating land cover maps. Since satellite imagery is getting more precise and extensive, Big Data techniques are becoming essential to handle the rising quantity of data. Furthermore, given the complexity of managing and analysing the data, defining a methodology that reduces the complexity of the process into different smaller steps is vital to data processing. This paper presents a Big Data methodology for creating land cover maps employing artificial intelligence algorithms. Machine Learning algorithms are contemplated for remote sensing and geodata classification, supported by explainable artificial intelligence. Furthermore, the process considers aspects related to downloading data from different satellites, Copernicus and ASTER, executing the pre-processing and processing of the data in a distributed environment, and depicting the visualisation of the result. The methodology is validated in a test case for er map of the Mediterranean Basin.
Tuning into Harmut Rosa’s systematic romanticism
Authors: Vandenberghe Frédéric
Published: June 2023

The article reconstructs the intellectual itinerary of the German social theorist Hartmut Rosa. It follows the development of his oeuvre, from his doctoral thesis on Charles Taylor and his book on social acceleration to his more recent work on resonance and responsivity. It shows that throughout the four phases of his career, the social philosophy of Charles Taylor has had a decisive influence on his philosophical anthropology, theory of society and moral sociology. It calls for a new rapprochement between the different generations of critical theory to think through societal pathologies without giving up on the promises of modernity.
The clinical evaluation of Basti along with Rasayana on symptoms of post-COVID-19 syndrome: an open-labeled proof of concept pragmatic study—a study protocol
Authors: Nakanekar Amit , Rathod Payal
Published: June 2023

Background

Post-COVID-19 syndrome is a result of triggering various immune pathways and metabolic disturbances. Basti is an important per rectal Ayurveda-based treatment having multi-targeted actions. Basti and Rasayana treatment modulate immune responses by regulating pro-inflammatory cytokines, immune globulins, and functional properties of T cell. We propose to study the clinical evaluation of Basti along with Rasayana (rejuvenation therapy) on symptoms of post-COVID 19 syndrome.

Methods and analysis

We designed a prospective, open-labeled proof of concept pragmatic study. The study duration is 18 months, and the intervention period are 35 days from the day of enrollment of the patients. The patients will be treated on the basis of Ayurvedic classification of Santarpanottha (over nutrition) symptoms and Apatarpanottha (lack of nutrition) symptoms. The Santarpanottha group will be treated within 3–5 days of oral Guggulu Tiktak Kashayam followed by 8 days of Yog Basti treatment and then 21 days of Rasayana therapy with Brahma Rasayan. The Apatarpanottha group will be treated within 3–5 days of oral Laghumalini Vasant, followed by 8 days of Yog Basti treatment and then 21 days of Kalyanak Ghrit.

The outcome measures of this study will be to evaluate the changes in fatigue severity scale, MMRC dyspnea chest pain scale, pain score assessed by VAS scale, smell and taste scale, WOMAC scale, Hamilton depression scale, Hamilton anxiety scale, Insomnia Severity Index, change in Cough Severity Index, facial aging scale, dizziness scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Severity Quality Index, functional status scale, and heart palpitation scale.

All adverse events will be monitored at each time throughout the study visit time. A total of 24 participants will be recruited to demonstrate with 95% confidence interval and 80% power.

Discussion

Ayurveda treats Santarpanottha (originated from over nutrition) symptoms and Apatarpanottha (symptoms originated from undernutrition) symptoms differently; hence, inspite of the same disease or symptom management, changes depend upon the type of the origin. This pragmatic clinical study is developed on the fundamental grounds of Ayurveda.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval was obtained through the Institutional Ethics Committees of Government Ayurved College and Hospital on 23 July 2021.

Trial registration

The trial is prospectively registered with the Clinical Trial Registry of India on 17 August 2021 [CTRI/2021/08/035732] after the Institutional Ethics Committee approval [GACN/PGS/Synopsis/800/2021 Date 23/7/2021].
Effective approaches to public involvement in care home research: a systematic review and narrative synthesis
Authors: Burgher Tanisha , Shepherd Victoria , Nollett Claire
Published: June 2023

Background

Public involvement (often referred to as patient and public involvement or PPI) integrates the voices of the public in health and care research. However, groups such as care home residents are often excluded from involvement opportunities due to the complexities of involving people with additional care and communication needs. Despite a range of approaches being used, there is little understanding about how best to incorporate their experiences, and those of other care home stakeholders, into the design and conduct of research.

Objective

A systematic review was conducted to identify PPI methods that better meet the specific needs of care home stakeholders. This was undertaken by (1) outlining effective PPI approaches used in care home research and the key stakeholders involved; (2) describing the role of PPI in different care home contexts and (3) identifying stakeholders’ experiences and attitudes towards PPI in care homes.

Methods

Databases CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Scopus were searched for English language papers from inception to November 2021. A narrative synthesis approach was utilised to organise the extracted data into five themes.

Results

The search initially yielded 2314 articles (following de-duplication), with 27 meeting the inclusion criteria. Articles reported a range of input from stakeholders (including residents, staff, relatives and community stakeholders), with the impact of PPI varying according to the type of care establishment and research context. The experiences and reflections of stakeholders’ about their involvement in care home research varied, with some studies offering first-hand accounts compared with summaries from researchers. Some articles explicitly evaluated the effectiveness of the PPI approach using specific outcome measures whilst others indirectly described the impact of their approach. Five themes were identified as characterising an effective PPI approach: (1) valuing stakeholders’ perspectives, (2) awareness of the multi-faceted research context, (3) ensuring inclusivity and transparency, (4) maintaining flexibility and adaptability and (5) utilising resources and wider support.

Conclusion

Effective PPI in care home research requires researchers to create person-centred opportunities to adequately involve groups with physical and cognitive impairments. The findings led to the creation of evidence-based practical recommendations to support future involvement opportunities and help researchers develop strategies for inclusive opportunities for involvement.

Systematic Review Registration: The review was prospectively registered on PROPSERO (CRD42021293353).