bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geotechnical investigation and stabilization of soils through limestone powder at Abbottabad, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan: a cost effective and sustainable approach
Authors: Shah Syed Husnain Ali , Sajjad Raja Umer , Javed Asif , Habib Umer , Ahmad Faizan , Mohamed Abdullah
Published: October 2023

This study was designed to determine the geotechnical parameters and stability of soils in the Abbottabad region of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The seven major sites with high population density were selected, covering the entire city, which includes Kalapul, Mandian, Jhangi, Nawanshehr, Cantonment, Abbottabad Courts and Jinnahabad. A total of thirty-two (32) boreholes were drilled to a depth of 5 m for standard penetration assessment and thirty two (32) field densification tests were performed at the designated sites. The standard penetration tests were carried out at every meter depth of the bore hole for recording penetration resistance, bearing potential and sample collection. Laboratory tests consisting of Grain-size analysis, Atterberg limits, California Bearing Ratio (CBR), Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS), Direct Shear Box, and Proctor Compaction were conducted according to the ASTM standards on the accrued samples. The values of the performed tests were utilized for soils characterization and inspecting the Liquidity Index, Consistency Index, and Foundation evaluation for quite a number of footings. The results showed that most of the soils of the area belong to the Clay category (CL and A6 class) with excessive values of Plasticity Index (16.9%–18.6%), Liquidity Index (−47.33% to −23.07%) and Lower CBR (3%–6%), Angle of Internal Friction (15°–20°), UCS (79 kPa–121 kPa), Dry Density (15.13 kN/m3–17.66 kN/m3), Consistency Index (123.07%–147.33%) and Bearing Capacities, except the parts of Kalapul area, which belonged to the GP (poorly graded gravels) category with significant geotechnical properties. Based on the obtained results, we found that the land in the vicinity needs significant improvement before construction. For this purpose, various concentrations of limestone (12.5% and 25%), which is heavily mined in the area, were used as an additive. The results showed that the addition of limestone powder produced a significant improvement in all investigated properties and made the soft soil suitable for construction, in addition to any extended stabilization measures. The main reason for this improvement is the presence of more dense and lower water-absorbing minerals in the limestone than in the ground, or mineralization reactions between them.
Regulation of SPDEF expression by DNA methylation in advanced prostate cancer
Authors: Vatanmakanian Mousa , Steffan Joshua J. , Koul Sweaty , Ochoa Augusto C. , Chaturvedi Lakshmi S. , Koul Hari K.
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Prostate cancer (PCa) presents a significant health challenge in men, with a substantial number of deaths attributed to metastatic castration resistant PCa (mCRPC). Moreover, African American men experience disproportionately high mortality rates due to PCa. This study delves into the pivotal role of SPDEF, a prostate specific Ets transcription factor, and its regulation by DNA methylation in the context of PCa progression.

Methods

We performed Epigenetic reprogramming using daily treatment with non-toxic dose of 5Aza-2-deoxycytidine (5Aza-dC) for two weeks to assess its impact on PDEF expression in prostate cancer cells. Next, we conducted functional studies on reprogrammed cells, including cell migration (wound-healing assay), invasion (Boyden-Chamber test), and proliferation (MTT assay) to comprehensively evaluate the consequences of altered PDEF expression. We used bisulfite sequencing (BSP) to examine DNA methylation at SPDEF promoter. Simultaneously, we utilized siRNA-mediated targeting of key DNMTs (DNMT1, DNMT3A, and DNMT3B) to elucidate their specific role in regulating PDEF. We measured mRNA and protein expressions using qRT-PCR and immune-blotting techniques, respectively.

Results

In this report, we observed that: a) there is a gradual decrease in SPDEF expression with a concomitant increase in methylated CpG sites within the SPDEF gene during prostate cancer progression from lower to higher Gleason grade; b) Expression of DNMT’s (DNMT1, 3a and 3b) is increased during prostate cancer progression, and there is an inverse correlation between SPDEF and DNMT expression; c) SPDEF levels are decreased in RC77/T, a line of PCa cells from African American origin similar to PC3 and DU145 cells (CRPC cells), as compared to LNCaP cells , a line of androgen dependent cells,; d) the 5′ CpG island of SPDEF gene are hypermethylated in SPDEF-negative CRPC ( PC3, DU145 and RC77/T) cell lines but the same regions are hypomethylated in SPDEF-positive castrate sensitive (LNCaP) cell line ; (e) expression of SPDEF in PCa cells lacking SPDEF decreases cell migration and invasion, but has no significant effect on cell proliferation, and; (f) treatment with the demethylating agent, 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine, or silencing of the DNMT’s by siRNA, partially restores SPDEF expression in SPDEF-negative PCa cell lines, and decreases cell migration and invasion.

Discussion

These results indicate hypermethylation is a prevalent mechanism for decreasing SPDEF expression during prostate cancer progression. The data demonstrate that loss of SPDEF expression in prostate cancer cells, a critical step in cellular plasticity, results from a potentially reversible process of aberrant DNA methylation. These studies suggest DMNT activity as a potential therapeutic vulnerability that can be exploited for limiting cellular plasticity, tumor progression, and therapy resistance in prostate cancer.
Biomechanical analysis of sandwich vertebrae in osteoporotic patients: finite element analysis
Authors: Huang Shaolong , Zhou Chengqiang , Zhang Xu , Tang Zhongjian , Liu Liangyu , Meng Xiao , Xue Cheng , Tang Xianye
Published: October 2023

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the biomechanical stress of sandwich vertebrae (SVs) and common adjacent vertebrae in different degrees of spinal mobility in daily life.

Materials and methods

A finite element model of the spinal segment of T10-L2 was developed and validated. Simultaneously, T11 and L1 fractures were simulated, and a 6-ml bone cement was constructed in their center. Under the condition of applying a 500-N axial load to the upper surface of T10 and immobilizing the lower surface of L2, moments were applied to the upper surface of T10, T11, T12, L1, and L2 and divided into five groups: M-T10, M-T11, M-T12, M-L1, and M-L2. The maximum von Mises stress of T10, T12, and L2 in different groups was calculated and analyzed.

Results

The maximum von Mises stress of T10 in the M-T10 group was 30.68 MPa, 36.13 MPa, 34.27 MPa, 33.43 MPa, 26.86 MPa, and 27.70 MPa greater than the maximum stress value of T10 in the other groups in six directions of load flexion, extension, left and right lateral bending, and left and right rotation, respectively. The T12 stress value in the M-T12 group was 29.62 MPa, 32.63 MPa, 30.03 MPa, 31.25 MPa, 26.38 MPa, and 26.25 MPa greater than the T12 stress value in the other groups in six directions. The maximum stress of L2 in M-T12 in the M-L2 group was 25.48 MPa, 36.38 MPa, 31.99 MPa, 31.07 MPa, 30.36 MPa, and 32.07 MPa, which was greater than the stress value of L2 in the other groups. When the load is on which vertebral body, it is subjected to the greatest stress.

Conclusion

We found that SVs did not always experience the highest stress. The most stressed vertebrae vary with the degree of curvature of the spine. Patients should be encouraged to avoid the same spinal curvature posture for a long time in life and work or to wear a spinal brace for protection after surgery, which can avoid long-term overload on a specific spine and disrupt its blood supply, resulting in more severe loss of spinal quality and increasing the possibility of fractures.
Qushi Huayu decoction ameliorates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in rats by modulating gut microbiota and serum lipids
Authors: Ni Yiming , Wang Xin , Wu Qian , Yao Yichen , Xu Yuan , Li Yuanyuan , Feng Qin , Zhou Mingmei , Gou Xiaojun
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a multifactorial disease. As a clinical empirical prescription of traditional Chinese medicine, Qushi Huayu decoction (QHD) has attracted considerable attention for its advantages in multi-target treatment of NAFLD. However, the intervention mechanism of QHD on abnormal lipid levels and gut microbiota in NAFLD has not been reported.

Methods

Therefore, we verified the therapeutic effect of QHD on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD in rats by physiological parameters and histopathological examination. In addition, studies on gut microbiota and serum lipidomics based on 16S rRNA sequencing and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) were conducted to elucidate the therapeutic mechanism of NAFLD in QHD.

Results

The changes in gut microbiota in NAFLD rats are mainly reflected in their diversity and composition, while QHD treated rats restored these changes. The genera Blautia, Lactobacillus, Allobaculum, Lachnoclostridium and Bacteroides were predominant in the NAFLD group, whereas, Turicibacter, Blautia, Sporosarcina, Romboutsia, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Allobaculum, and Psychrobacter were predominant in the NAFLD+QHD group. Lipid subclasses, including diacylglycerol (DG), triglycerides (TG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidic acid (PA), phosphatidylserine (PS), lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI), and phosphatidylglycerol (PG), were significantly different between the NAFLD and the control groups, while QHD treatment significantly altered the levels of DG, TG, PA, lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE), and platelet activating factor (PAF). Finally, Spearman’s correlation analysis showed that NAFLD related differential lipid molecules were mainly associated with the genera of Bacteroides, Blautia, Lachnoclostridium, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, and Turicibacter, which were also significantly correlated with the biological parameters of NAFLD.

Discussion

Taken together, QHD may exert beneficial effects by regulating the gut microbiota and thus intervening in serum lipids.
Study on suitability and spatial distribution of human settlement environment in arid areas based on GIS and analytic hierarchy process
Authors: Geng Manguo , Liu Benteng , Zhang Wei
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Scientific evaluation of the suitability of human settlement in arid areas and a grasp of their spatial differentiation characteristics are of great significance for the implementation of regional human settlement environment (HSE) improvement according to local conditions.

Methods

In this study, we took Gansu Province (GS), a typical arid area in China, as the research object. First, based on field research, we used the analytic hierarchy process to determine the weights of 12 evaluation indicators and build an HSE evaluation model from the two dimensions of nature and humanities. Then, we conduct a comprehensive evaluation of each factor based on the GIS spatial analysis module. Finally, we used the GIS natural breakpoint method and zoning statistics to understand the suitability of the HSE and its spatial distribution characteristics in GS Province.

Results

The study findings can be summarized as follows: (1) The spatial distribution of the suitability of the natural environment in GS Province shows that the east-central part of the province is significantly higher than the northwestern, and there is a big difference between localities. (2) The comprehensive suitability of human settlement in GS Province appears as a spatial distribution characteristic, gradually decreasing from the central urban area to the surrounding areas. The suitability index of the living environment is between 0.26 and 0.71. (3) The area sizes of the five types of suitability are ranked as the following: low suitable (138,502 km2) > moderately suitable (133,761 km2) > critical suitable (97,244 km2) > high suitable (47,459 km2) > unsuitable (38,980km2); in 14 cities, the average value of habitat suitability index is more than 0.5 accounting for 42.9%.

Discussion

Our research not only fills a gap in the research of human settlement in arid zones but also provides policy support for government departments to improve human settlement.
Pleural clinic: where thoracic ultrasound meets respiratory medicine
Authors: Tinè Mariaenrica , Daverio Matteo , Semenzato Umberto , Cocconcelli Elisabetta , Bernardinello Nicol , Damin Marco , Saetta Marina , Spagnolo Paolo , Balestro Elisabetta
Published: October 2023

Thoracic ultrasound (TUS) has become an essential procedure in respiratory medicine. Due to its intrinsic safety and versatility, it has been applied in patients affected by several respiratory diseases both in intensive care and outpatient settings. TUS can complement and often exceed stethoscope and radiological findings, especially in managing pleural diseases. We hereby aimed to describe the establishment, development, and optimization in a large, tertiary care hospital of a pleural clinic, which is dedicated to the evaluation and monitoring of patients with pleural diseases, including, among others, pleural effusion and/or thickening, pneumothorax and subpleural consolidation. The clinic was initially meant to follow outpatients undergoing medical thoracoscopy. In this scenario, TUS allowed rapid and regular assessment of these patients, promptly diagnosing recurrence of pleural effusion and other complications that could be appropriately managed. Over time, our clinic has rapidly expanded its initial indications thus becoming the place to handle more complex respiratory patients in collaboration with, among others, thoracic surgeons and oncologists. In this article, we critically describe the strengths and pitfalls of our “pleural clinic” and propose an organizational model that results from a synergy between respiratory physicians and other professionals. This model can inspire other healthcare professionals to develop a similar organization based on their local setting.
The reciprocal relationship between openness and creativity: from neurobiology to multicultural environments
Authors: Abu Raya Maison , Ogunyemi Adedoyin O. , Rojas Carstensen Veronica , Broder Jake , Illanes-Manrique Maryenela , Rankin Katherine P.
Published: October 2023

The desire for novelty and variety in experiences, which may manifest in an inclination to engage with individuals from a diverse range of cultural backgrounds, collectively constitutes the personality dimension known as “Openness to Experience.” Empirical research has identified a positive correlation between trait openness and various expressions of creativity, such as divergent ideation, innovative problem-solving strategies, and cumulative creative accomplishments. This nexus between openness to interpersonal diversity, as an aspect of the larger personality trait of openness, and creativity has precipitated considerable scholarly interest across the disciplines of personality, social and organizational psychology, and neuroscientific investigation. In this paper, we review the neurobehavioral properties, including the cognitive processes and neural mechanisms, that connect these two constructs. Further, we explore how culture influences levels of openness and creativity in individuals and consider how creativity predisposes individuals toward openness to a plethora of experiences, including those occurring in culturally diverse contexts. This reciprocal entanglement of creativity and openness has been shown to foster a reduction in biases, augment conflict resolution capabilities, and generally yield superior outcomes in multicultural environments.
Maternal capital predicts investment in infant growth and development through lactation
Authors: Dib Sarah , Fewtrell Mary , Wells Jonathan C. K.
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Maternal capital (MC) is a broad term from evolutionary biology, referring to any aspects of maternal phenotype that represent resources available for investment in offspring. We investigated MC in breastfeeding mothers of late preterm and early term infants, examining its relationship with infant and breastfeeding outcomes. We also determined whether MC modified the effect of the relaxation intervention on these outcomes.

Methods

The data was collected as part of a randomized controlled trial investigating breastfeeding relaxation in 72 mothers of late preterm and early term infants. Indicators of MC (socioeconomic, social, somatic, reproductive, psychological, and cognitive) were collected at baseline at 2–3 weeks post-delivery. Principal Component Analysis was conducted for the MC measures and two components were identified: 1.”Subjective” maternal capital which included stress and depression scores, and 2.”Objective” maternal capital which included height, infant birth weight, and verbal memory. Univariate linear regression was conducted to assess the relationship between objective and subjective MC (predictors) and infant growth, infant behavior, maternal behavior, and infant feeding variables (outcomes) at 6–8 weeks. The interaction of MC and intervention assignment with outcomes was assessed.

Results

Higher objective MC was significantly associated with higher infant weight (0.43; 95%CI 0.21,0.66) and length z-scores (0.47; 95%CI 0.19,0.76), shorter duration of crying (−17.5; 95%CI −33.2,−1.9), and lower food (−0.28; 95%CI −0.48,−0.08) and satiety responsiveness (−0.17; 95%CI −0.31,−0.02) at 6–8 weeks. It was also associated with greater maternal responsiveness to infant cues (−0.05, 95%CI −0.09,−0.02 for non-responsiveness). Greater subjective maternal capital was significantly associated with higher breastfeeding frequency (2.3; 95%CI 0.8,3.8) and infant appetite (0.30; 95%CI 0.07,0.54). There was a significant interaction between the intervention assignment and objective MC for infant length, with trends for infant weight and crying, which indicated that the intervention had greater effects among mothers with lower capital.

Conclusion

Higher MC was associated with better infant growth and shorter crying duration. This was possibly mediated through more frequent breastfeeding and prompt responsiveness to infant cues, reflecting greater maternal investment. The findings also suggest that a relaxation intervention was most effective among those with low MC, suggesting some reduction in social inequalities in health.
Combined helical tomotherapy and Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery for high-grade recurrent orbital meningioma: a case report
Authors: Zhang Haomiao , Wu Hanfeng , Lu Jianjie , Shao Wencheng , Yu Lili
Published: October 2023

Orbital meningioma is a rare type of orbital tumor with high invasiveness and recurrence rates, making it extremely challenging to treat. Due to the special location of the disease, surgery often cannot completely remove the tumor, requiring postoperative radiation therapy. Here, we report a case of an elderly male patient with right-sided proptosis, visual impairment, and diplopia. Imaging diagnosis revealed a space-occupying lesion in the extraconal space of the right orbit. Pathological and immunohistochemical examination of the resected tumor confirmed it as a grade 3 anaplastic meningioma. Two months after surgery, the patient complained of right eye swelling and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan showed a recurrence of the tumor. The patient received helical tomotherapy (TOMO) in the postoperative tumor bed and high-risk areas within the orbit with a total dose of 48Gy. However, there was no significant improvement in the patient’s right eye swelling, and the size of the recurrent lesion showed no significant change on imaging. Gamma knife multifractionated stereotactic radiosurgery (MF-SRS) was then given to the recurrent lesion with 50% prescription dose 13.5Gy/3f, once every other day. An imaging diagnosis performed 45 days later showed that the tumor had disappeared completely. The patient’s vision remained unchanged, but diplopia was significantly relieved after MF-SRS. We propose a new hybrid treatment model for recurrent orbital meningioma, where conventional radiation therapy ensures local control of high-risk areas around the postoperative cavity, and MF-SRS maximizes the radiation dose to recurrent lesion areas while protecting surrounding tissues and organs.
Experience of management of pediatric upper gastrointestinal perforations: a series of 30 cases
Authors: Wang Mengqi , Sun Shuai , Niu Qiong , Hu Baoguang , Zhao Haiyan , Geng Lei , Fu Tingliang , Qin Hong , Zheng Bufeng , Li Hesheng
Published: October 2023

Background

This study aimed to explore the characteristics of pediatric upper gastrointestinal (UGI) perforations, focusing on their diagnosis and management.

Methods

Between January 2013 and December 2021, 30 children with confirmed UGI perforations were enrolled, and their clinical data were analyzed. Two groups were compared according to management options, including open surgical repair (OSR) and laparoscopic/gastroscopic repair (LR).

Results

A total of 30 patients with a median age of 36.0 months (1 day–17 years) were included in the study. There were 19 and 11 patients in the LR and OSR groups, respectively. In the LR group, two patients were treated via exploratory laparoscopy and OSR, and the other patients were managed via gastroscopic repair. Ten and three patients presented the duration from symptom onset to diagnosis within 24 h (p = 0.177) and the number of patients with hemodynamically unstable perforations was 4 and 3 in the LR and OSR groups, respectively. Simple suture or clip closure was performed in 27 patients, and laparoscopically pedicled omental patch repair was performed in two patients. There was no significant difference in operative time and length of hospital stay between the LR and OSR groups. Treatment failed in two patients because of severe sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, including one with fungal peritonitis.

Conclusion

Surgery for pediatric UGI perforations should be selected according to the general status of the patient, age of the patient, duration from symptom onset, inflammation, and perforation site and size. Antibiotic administration and surgical closure remain the main strategies for pediatric UGI perforations.
Plant miRNA integrated functions in development and reproduction
Authors: Arnaud Nicolas , Laufs Patrick
Published: October 2023

Plant development and reproduction are complex processes during which an individual fulfills its life cycle, starting from germination and the elaboration of new organs and growth, leading to the formation of reproductive structures and ultimately terminating in the production of the next generation. These mechanisms are the result of a long evolutionary history that has led to sophisticated regulatory mechanisms involving multiple levels of regulators. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small regulatory molecules that play a pivotal role in regulatory networks by negatively controlling target genes. Since miRNA very first identification twenty years ago, they have attracted much interest for their role as essential regulators of plant development. In this review, we propose a comprehensive and critical analysis of the importance of miRNAs during plant development and reproduction. We begin by presenting the current understanding of miRNAs’ evolutionary history, biogenesis, mode of action, position in regulatory networks, and their potential as mobile molecules, exploring how these aspects contribute to their functions in plant development and reproduction. Then, we explore the genetic strategies employed to effectively analyze their roles, with an emphasis on recent advancements resulting from genome editing techniques. Next, we focus on miRNA contributions to four crucial processes: growth, organ patterning and identity, life cycle progression and reproduction. Through this analysis, the importance of miRNAs during plant development and reproduction emerges, which we finally discuss in light of the current view miRNAs’ roles during animal development.
Effects of 4 weeks of whole-body vibration training on energy expenditure during deep squats of male well-trained students
Authors: Huang Xiaohan , Ye Zhengyang , Qin Xuelin
Published: October 2023

From the perspective of energy expenditure, this study investigated the effects of whole-body vibration training on the energy metabolism of deep squats with different weights. Twenty-two healthy male college students with sports experiences were selected and randomly assigned to perform resistance exercise vibration (REV) or resistance exercise (RE) with varying loads two times per week for 4 weeks. Oxygen uptake and heart rate were measured before, during, and after exercises using a gas analyzer, and energy expenditure was calculated. The results showed the following: 1) the oxygen uptake and energy expenditure of the REV group were significantly higher than those of the RE group during and 30 min after exercise (p < 0.01), respectively, and the excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) was also significantly higher than that of the RE group (p < 0.01). 2) Changes in the oxygen uptake and energy expenditure were stable with increasing exercise in both vibration and non-vibration conditions. There was no difference in energy expenditure per unit of body mass versus additional energy per kilogram of body weight (p > 0.05). 3) No significant differences in changing exercise intensity were observed in the REV group compared to those in the RE group during the adjacent incremental load phases of △ (40%–0%) and △ (80%–40%) of load during and 30 min after exercise (p > 0.05). Our results suggest that 1) vibration training can increase energy expenditure during low-intensity training and excess post-exercise oxygen consumption, and improve the exercise intensity. 2) The effects on energy expenditure were the same for both weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing deep squats, up to 40% of body mass.
Comparison of western diet-induced obesity and streptozotocin mouse models: insights into energy balance, somatosensory dysfunction, and cardiac autonomic neuropathy
Authors: Elshareif Nadia , Gornick Emily , Gavini Chaitanya K. , Aubert Gregory , Mansuy-Aubert Virginie
Published: October 2023

Metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are increasingly prevalent worldwide, necessitating a deeper comprehension of their underlying mechanisms. However, translating findings from animal research to human patients remains challenging. This study aimed to investigate the long-term effects of Streptozotocin (STZ) on metabolic, cardiac, and somatosensory function in mice fed a Western diet (WD) of high fat, sucrose, and cholesterol with low doses of STZ administration compared to mice fed WD alone. In our research, we thoroughly characterized energy balance and glucose homeostasis, as well as allodynia and cardiac function, all of which have been previously shown to be altered by WD feeding. Notably, our findings revealed that the treatment of WD-fed mice with STZ exacerbated dysfunction in glucose homeostasis via reduced insulin secretion in addition to impaired peripheral insulin signaling. Furthermore, both WD and WD + STZ mice exhibited the same degree of cardiac autonomic neuropathy, such as reduced heart rate variability and decreased protein levels of cardiac autonomic markers. Furthermore, both groups developed the same symptoms of neuropathic pain, accompanied by elevated levels of activating transcription factor 3(Atf3)in the dorsal root ganglia. These discoveries enhance our understanding of metabolic activity, insulin resistance, neuropathy, and cardiac dysfunction of diet-induced models of obesity and diabetes. The exacerbation of impaired insulin signaling pathways by STZ did not lead to or worsen cardiac and somatosensory dysfunction. Additionally, they offer valuable insights into suitable diet induced translational mouse models, thereby advancing the development of potential interventions for associated conditions.
Sensitivity of cognitive function tests to acute hypoxia in healthy subjects: a systematic literature review
Authors: Post Titiaan E. , Heijn Laurens G. , Jordan Jens , van Gerven Joop M. A.
Published: October 2023

Acute exposure to hypoxia can lead to cognitive impairment. Therefore, hypoxia may become a safety concern for occupational or recreational settings at altitude. Cognitive tests are used as a tool to assess the degree to which hypoxia affects cognitive performance. However, so many different cognitive tests are used that comparing studies is challenging. This structured literature evaluation provides an overview of the different cognitive tests used to assess the effects of acute hypoxia on cognitive performance in healthy volunteers. Less frequently used similar cognitive tests were clustered and classified into domains. Subsequently, the different cognitive test clusters were compared for sensitivity to different levels of oxygen saturation. A total of 38 articles complied with the selection criteria, covering 86 different cognitive tests. The tests and clusters showed that the most consistent effects of acute hypoxia were found with the Stroop test (where 42% of studies demonstrated significant abnormalities). The most sensitive clusters were auditory/verbal memory: delayed recognition (83%); evoked potentials (60%); visual/spatial delayed recognition (50%); and sustained attention (47%). Attention tasks were not particularly sensitive to acute hypoxia (impairments in 0%–47% of studies). A significant hypoxia level-response relationship was found for the Stroop test (p= 0.001), as well as three clusters in the executive domain: inhibition (p= 0.034), reasoning/association (p= 0.019), and working memory (p= 0.024). This relationship shows a higher test sensitivity at more severe levels of hypoxia, predominantly below 80% saturation. No significant influence of barometric pressure could be identified in the limited number of studies where this was varied. This review suggests that complex and executive functions are particularly sensitive to hypoxia. Moreover, this literature evaluation provides the first step towards standardization of cognitive testing, which is crucial for a better understanding of the effects of acute hypoxia on cognition.
TeaDiseaseNet: multi-scale self-attentive tea disease detection
Authors: Sun Yange , Wu Fei , Guo Huaping , Li Ran , Yao Jianfeng , Shen Jianbo
Published: October 2023

Accurate detection of tea diseases is essential for optimizing tea yield and quality, improving production, and minimizing economic losses. In this paper, we introduce TeaDiseaseNet, a novel disease detection method designed to address the challenges in tea disease detection, such as variability in disease scales and dense, obscuring disease patterns. TeaDiseaseNet utilizes a multi-scale self-attention mechanism to enhance disease detection performance. Specifically, it incorporates a CNN-based module for extracting features at multiple scales, effectively capturing localized information such as texture and edges. This approach enables a comprehensive representation of tea images. Additionally, a self-attention module captures global dependencies among pixels, facilitating effective interaction between global information and local features. Furthermore, we integrate a channel attention mechanism, which selectively weighs and combines the multi-scale features, eliminating redundant information and enabling precise localization and recognition of tea disease information across diverse scales and complex backgrounds. Extensive comparative experiments and ablation studies validate the effectiveness of the proposed method, demonstrating superior detection results in scenarios characterized by complex backgrounds and varying disease scales. The presented method provides valuable insights for intelligent tea disease diagnosis, with significant potential for improving tea disease management and production.
Correlation of motor-auditory cross-modal and auditory unimodal N1 and mismatch responses of schizophrenic patients and normal subjects: an MEG study
Authors: Okazaki Mitsutoshi , Yumoto Masato , Kaneko Yuu , Maruo Kazushi
Published: October 2023

Introduction

It has been suggested that the positive symptoms of schizophrenic patients (hallucinations, delusions, and passivity experience) are caused by dysfunction of their internal and external sensory prediction errors. This is often discussed as related to dysfunction of the forward model that executes self-monitoring. Several reports have suggested that dysfunction of the forward model in schizophrenia causes misattributions of self-generated thoughts and actions to external sources. There is some evidence that the forward model can be measured using the electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) components such as N1 (m) and mismatch negativity (MMN) (m). The objective in this MEG study is to investigate differences in the N1m and MMNm-like activity generated in motor-auditory cross-modal tasks in normal control (NC) subjects and schizophrenic (SC) patients, and compared that activity with N1m and MMNm in the auditory unimodal task.

Methods

The N1m and MMNm/MMNm-like activity were recorded in 15 SC patients and 12 matched NC subjects. The N1m-attenuation effects and peak amplitude of MMNm/MMNm-like activity of the NC and SC groups were compared. Additionally, correlations between MEG measures (N1m suppression rate, MMNm, and MMNm-like activity) and clinical variables (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) scores and antipsychotic drug (APD) dosages) in SC patients were investigated.

Results

It was found that (i) there was no significant difference in N1m-attenuation for the NC and SC groups, and that (ii) MMNm in the unimodal task in the SC group was significantly smaller than that in the NC group. Further, the MMNm-like activity in the cross-modal task was smaller than that of the MMNm in the unimodal task in the NC group, but there was no significant difference in the SC group. The PANSS positive symptoms and general psychopathology score were moderately negatively correlated with the amplitudes of the MMNm-like activity, and the APD dosage was moderately negatively correlated with the N1m suppression rate. However, none of these correlations reached statistical significance.

Discussion

The findings suggest that schizophrenic patients perform altered predictive processes differently from healthy subjects in latencies reflecting MMNm, depending on whether they are under forward model generation or not. This may support the hypothesis that schizophrenic patients tend to misattribute their inner experience to external agents, thus leading to the characteristic schizophrenia symptoms.
Old drug, new tricks: the utility of metformin in infection and vaccination responses to influenza and SARS-CoV-2 in older adults
Authors: Martin Dominique E. , Cadar Andreia N. , Bartley Jenna M.
Published: October 2023

In the face of global pathogens such as influenza (flu) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), strategies beyond standard vaccines and virus-specific treatments are critically needed for older populations who are more susceptible to severe disease and death from these infections due to age-related immune dysregulation. Thus, complimentary therapeutics are needed to address the increased risk of complications and death in older adults. Metformin, an FDA approved diabetes drug, is an attractive therapeutic candidate to improve immune defenses and resilience in older adults facing viral challenge. Metformin is already a candidate anti-aging drug, but its benefits have potential to span beyond this and improve specific immune responses. Metformin can target multiple aging hallmarks as well as directly impact innate and adaptive immune cell subsets. Both retrospective and prospective studies have demonstrated metformin’s efficacy in improving outcomes after SARS-CoV-2 or flu infections. Moreover, evidence from clinical trials has also suggested that metformin treatment can improve vaccination responses. In totality, these findings suggest that metformin can improve age-related declines in immunological resilience. Strategies to improve outcomes after infection or improve vaccine-induced protection are invaluable for older adults. Moreover, the ability to repurpose an already FDA approved drug has significant advantages in terms of necessary time and resources. Thus, metformin has great potential as a therapeutic to improve age-related immune dysregulation during flu and SARS-CoV-2 infections and should be further explored to confirm its ability to improve overall immunological resilience in older adults.
Prevalence of asymptomatic malaria and associated factors among pregnant women in Ethiopia: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Duguma Tadesse , Tekalign Eyob , Kebede Samuel Sahile , Bambo Getachew Mesfin
Published: October 2023

The proactive identification of asymptomatic patients and the mitigation of associated problems are essential to the elimination of malaria. For asymptomatic malaria and related variables among pregnant women in Ethiopia, there are no national pooled estimates. As a result, the goal of this study is to compile thorough and compelling data from several Ethiopian investigations. Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopes, the Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and African Journals Online were a few of the electronic resources that were accessed. The investigation included all observational studies. STATA version 15 was used to extract the data from the Microsoft Excel file and conduct the analysis. The estimated pooled prevalence of asymptomatic malaria among pregnant women was calculated using a random-effects model. An inverse variance index (I2) analysis was utilized to find heterogeneity. To assess the publication bias, funnel plots, and Egger's statistical tests were used. The study determined that the combined prevalence of asymptomatic malaria among pregnant women was 7.20 (95% confidence interval = 4.22, 10.18) and 4.69 (95% confidence interval = 2.77, 6.62) by microscopy and rapid diagnostic test, respectively. The presence of stagnant water near their home (odds ratio = 4.31; 95% confidence interval = 1.66, 11.20); not using insecticide-treated nets (odds ratio = 6.93; 95% confidence interval = 3.27, 14.71); the lack of indoor residual spray service (odds ratio = 2.68; 95% confidence interval = 1.63, 4.40); and the presence of pregnant women in their neighborhood (odds ratio = 3.14; 95% confidence interval = 1.4). This study showed that pregnant women have a high pooled prevalence of asymptomatic malaria. Women living in rural areas near stagnant water and those who never used insecticide-treated nets had a two-, four-, or six-fold higher prevalence of asymptomatic malaria, respectively. The use of advanced diagnostic techniques could produce a higher magnitude of the disease. For effective intervention toward elimination, active case detection at the community level is also advised.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023411385; identifier, CRD42023411385.
How can GIS support the evaluation and design of biodiverse agroecosystems and landscapes? Applying the Main Agroecological Structure to European agroecosystems
Authors: Rettore Valentino Giorgio , Codato Daniele , De Marchi Massimo
Published: October 2023

Agrobiodiversity plays a critical role in fostering the stability, resilience, and sustainability of European farming systems. Nonetheless, there is currently a lack of comprehensive methods to describe its spatial distribution within farms, its connectivity with the surrounding landscape, and, most crucially, how the perceptions and actions of human communities affect it. The Main Agroecological Structure (MAS) has recently been proposed as an environmental index aiming to tackle such challenges by promoting a dialogue between landscape ecology and agroecology, encompassing criteria that focus on both landscape parameters and cultural variables. Geographic information systems (GIS) can play a key role in the measurement of the index by leveraging public geodata and engaging with the direct participation of communities to map the territories they inhabit and cultivate. Nevertheless, their use in this context has not yet been studied. We propose here a new GIS-based approach for estimating the Main Agroecological Structure: landscape criteria are assessed through the hybrid use of free and open-source GIS tools, field samplings, and participative mapping methods; cultural parameters are evaluated through semi-structured interviews. Contextually to the definition of such methodological foundations, the present study tests the relevance of the index to European agroecological contexts by applying the proposed workflow to three Italian farms characterized by different territorial and organizational forms. Along with a few modifications to the original proposal, we highlight the relevance of GIS in making agrobiodiversity visible at a landscape level within the context of the index. We also suggest some potential future applications related to local empowerment and agroecosystem mapping.
Clinical presentation, management and outcomes of bile duct injuries after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a 15-year single-center experience in Vietnam
Authors: Vu Hung Quang , Quach Duc Trong , Nguyen Bac Hoang , Le Anh-Tuan Quan , Le Nhan Quang , Pham Hai Minh , Tran Ngoc-Huy Thai , Nguyen Dang-Khoa Hang , Duong Ngoc-Sang Thi , Tran Toan Van , Pham Binh Long
Published: October 2023

Objectives

To evaluate the clinical presentation, management, and outcomes of bile duct injuries (BDIs) after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).

Methods

This is a case series of 28 patients with BDIs after LC treated at a tertiary hospital in Vietnam during the 2006-2021 period. The BDI's clinical presentations, Strasberg classification types, management methods, and outcomes were reported.

Results

BDIs were diagnosed intraoperatively in 3 (10.7%) patients and postoperatively in 25 (89.3%). The BDI types included Strasberg A (13, 46.4%), D (1, 3.6%), E1 (1, 3.6%), E2 (4, 14.3%), E3 (5, 17.9%), D + E2 (2, 7.1%), and nonclassified (2, 7.1%). Of the postoperative BDIs, the injury manifested as biliary obstruction (18, 72.0%), bile leak (5, 20.0%), and mixed scenarios (2, 8.0%). Regarding diagnostic methods, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was more useful in bile leak scenarios, while multislice computed tomography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography were more useful in biliary obstruction scenarios. All 28 BDIs were successfully treated. ERCP with stenting was very effective in the majority of Strasberg A BDIs. For more complex BDI types, hepaticocutaneous jejunostomy was a safe and effective approach. The in-hospital morbidities included postoperative pneumonia (2, 10.7%) and biliary-enteric anastomosis leakage (1, 5.4%). There was no cholangitis or anastomotic stenosis during the follow-up after discharge (median 18 months).

Conclusions

The majority of BDIs are type A and diagnosed postoperatively. ERCP is effective for the majority of Strasberg A BDIs. For major and complex BDIs, hepaticocutaneous jejunostomy is a safe and effective approach.
Aging, longevity, and the role of environmental stressors: a focus on wildfire smoke and air quality
Authors: Scieszka David , Bolt Alicia M. , McCormick Mark A. , Brigman Jonathan L. , Campen Matthew J.
Published: October 2023

Aging is a complex biological process involving multiple interacting mechanisms and is being increasingly linked to environmental exposures such as wildfire smoke. In this review, we detail the hallmarks of aging, emphasizing the role of telomere attrition, cellular senescence, epigenetic alterations, proteostasis, genomic instability, and mitochondrial dysfunction, while also exploring integrative hallmarks - altered intercellular communication and stem cell exhaustion. Within each hallmark of aging, our review explores how environmental disasters like wildfires, and their resultant inhaled toxicants, interact with these aging mechanisms. The intersection between aging and environmental exposures, especially high-concentration insults from wildfires, remains under-studied. Preliminary evidence, from our group and others, suggests that inhaled wildfire smoke can accelerate markers of neurological aging and reduce learning capabilities. This is likely mediated by the augmentation of circulatory factors that compromise vascular and blood-brain barrier integrity, induce chronic neuroinflammation, and promote age-associated proteinopathy-related outcomes. Moreover, wildfire smoke may induce a reduced metabolic, senescent cellular phenotype. Future interventions could potentially leverage combined anti-inflammatory and NAD + boosting compounds to counter these effects. This review underscores the critical need to study the intricate interplay between environmental factors and the biological mechanisms of aging to pave the way for effective interventions.
Bodyweight and body condition scores of Australian British shorthaired cats, 2008–2017
Authors: Murphy B. J. , Stevenson M. A. , Mansfield C. S.
Published: October 2023

Obesity is the most common nutritional problem in companion animals today, and Australian British shorthair (BSH) cats have been shown to have a greater likelihood of being overweight relative to other cat breeds. The objectives of this research were to quantify bodyweight (BW) and body condition scores (BCSs) of BSH cats attending first opinion practice in Australia for the period 2008–2017 and to determine if: (1) being classified as overweight was associated with geographical location (urban versus rural and socio-economic index); and (2) BW recorded in the first 12 months of life was associated with length of life beyond 12 months. Electronic medical records from BSH cats were obtained from VetCompass Australia and used for BW and BCS analysis. Desexed males (n = 971) had the highest mean BW followed by entire males (n = 79), desexed females (n = 815), and entire females (n = 82). The desexed males, desexed females, and entire females had a mean BCS classified as overweight using a 1-to-9 point BCS scale. The entire male population was the only group with a mean BCS classified as ideal. No statistically significant association between BW and urban-rural status and no consistent trend between BW and socioeconomic deprivation was found. For cats with at least one BW measurement in the first 12 months of life that was ≤3.3 kg, the age when 20 percent of the group had died or were euthanised was 12.3 (95% CI 11.7 to 13.1) years. For cats with at least one BW measurement in the first 12 months of life that was ≥3.3 kg age, the age when 20 percent of the group had died or were euthanised was 6.6 (95% CI 5.2 to 6.6) years. This was a substantial clinical difference in survival. The study concluded that a large proportion of BSH cats attending first opinion veterinary clinics in Australia between 2008 and 2017 (48%) were classified as overweight. Cats less than 12 months of age that were greater than 3.3 kg had a shortened lifespan beyond 12 months of age compared with cats that were less than 3.3 kg.