bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound-Guided Vacuum-Assisted Excision (VAE) in Breast Lesion Management: An Experimental Comparative Study of Two Different VAE Devices Across Various Aspiration Levels and Window Sizes
Authors: Carriero Serena , Cè Maurizio , Pavan Matilde , Pannarale Mariassunta Roberta , Quercioli Giulia , Mortellaro Sveva , Liguori Alessandro , Cosentino Maria , Iodice Maria , Montesano Marta , Querques Giulia , Lanza Carolina , Angileri Salvatore Alessio , Biondetti Pierpaolo , Pesapane Filippo , Carrafiello Gianpaolo , Santicchia Sonia
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Vacuum-assisted excision (VAE) is a minimally invasive technique for breast tumor treatment, offering precision, comfort, and quick recovery. It is widely used for benign breast lesions and is playing an increasingly important role in the therapeutic management of non-surgical patients or patients who refuse surgery. Optimal outcomes require an understanding of device features to tailor treatment to each lesion. The Mammotome® Elite 10G operates in a fixed mode, while the Mammotome® Revolve EX 8G offers multiple aspiration levels and aperture windows for greater versatility. This study analyzed the specimen features (weight and length), comparing the weight obtained from two different VAE systems to aid the appropriate selection of a device based on the clinical setting. It also determined the number of specimens needed to achieve the 4 g diagnostic threshold. Methods: The Mammotome® Elite 10G and the Mammotome® Revolve EX were evaluated under controlled conditions. For Mammotome® Revolve EX, combinations of five aspiration levels and three aperture lengths (12 mm, 18 mm, and 25 mm) were tested. Twelve samples were collected from a chicken breast phantom for each setting. Specimen weights and the minimum excisions required to reach the 4 g threshold were analyzed. Results: The mean weight per sample for the Mammotome® Elite 10G was 0.16 ± 0.04 g. For the Mammotome® Revolve EX, the weights increased with aperture size and aspiration level, ranging from a minimum of 0.132 ± 0.028 g (a window length of 12 mm and aspiration level 1) to a maximum of 0.407 ± 0.055 g (a window length of 25 mm and aspiration level 5). The 25 mm window at aspiration level 5 achieved the 4 g threshold in as few as 10 samples. By comparison, the Mammotome® Elite required up to 26 samples. Conclusions: Compared to the Mammotome Elite, Mammotome® Revolve EX offers superior versatility and efficiency, reducing patient discomfort by minimizing the required samples. Its technical advantages make it a valuable tool for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
Predicting Drug Resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis: A Machine Learning Approach to Genomic Mutation Analysis
Authors: Paredes-Gutierrez Guillermo , Perea-Jacobo Ricardo , Acosta-Mesa Héctor-Gabriel , Mezura-Montes Efren , Morales Reyes José Luis , Zenteno-Cuevas Roberto , Guerrero-Chevannier Miguel-Ángel , Muñiz-Salazar Raquel , Flores Dora-Luz
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis), remains a leading cause of death from infectious diseases globally. The treatment of active TB relies on first- and second-line drugs, however, the emergence of drug resistance poses a significant challenge to global TB control efforts. Recent advances in whole-genome sequencing combined with machine learning have shown promise in predicting drug resistance. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of four machine learning models in classifying resistance to ethambutol, isoniazid, and rifampicin in M. tuberculosis isolates. Methods: Four machine learning models—Extreme Gradient Boosting Classifier (XGBC), Logistic Gradient Boosting Classifier (LGBC), Gradient Boosting Classifier (GBC), and an Artificial Neural Network (ANN)—were trained using a Variant Call Format (VCF) dataset preprocessed by the CRyPTIC consortium. Three datasets were used: the original dataset, a principal component analysis (PCA)-reduced dataset, and a dataset prioritizing significant mutations identified by the XGBC model. The models were trained and tested across these datasets, and their performance was compared using sensitivity, specificity, Precision, F1-scores and Accuracy. Results: All models were applied to the PCA-reduced dataset, while the XGBC model was also evaluated using the mutation-prioritized dataset. The XGBC model trained on the original dataset outperformed the others, achieving sensitivity values of 0.97, 0.90, and 0.94; specificity values of 0.97, 0.99, and 0.96; and F1-scores of 0.93, 0.94, and 0.92 for ethambutol, isoniazid, and rifampicin, respectively. These results demonstrate the superior accuracy of the XGBC model in classifying drug resistance. Conclusions: The study highlights the effectiveness of using a binary representation of mutations to train the XGBC model for predicting resistance and susceptibility to key TB drugs. The XGBC model trained on the original dataset demonstrated the highest performance among the evaluated models, suggesting its potential for clinical application in combating drug-resistant tuberculosis. Further research is needed to validate and expand these findings for broader implementation in TB diagnostics.
Entropy and Complexity Tools Across Scales in Neuroscience: A Review
Authors: Cofré Rodrigo , Destexhe Alain
Published: January 2025

Understanding the brain’s intricate dynamics across multiple scales—from cellular interactions to large-scale brain behavior—remains one of the most significant challenges in modern neuroscience. Two key concepts, entropy and complexity, have been increasingly employed by neuroscientists as powerful tools for characterizing the interplay between structure and function in the brain across scales. The flexibility of these two concepts enables researchers to explore quantitatively how the brain processes information, adapts to changing environments, and maintains a delicate balance between order and disorder. This review illustrates the main tools and ideas to study neural phenomena using these concepts. This review does not delve into the specific methods or analyses of each study. Instead, it aims to offer a broad overview of how these tools are applied within the neuroscientific community and how they are transforming our understanding of the brain. We focus on their applications across scales, discuss the strengths and limitations of different metrics, and examine their practical applications and theoretical significance.
Mining Suicidal Ideation in Chinese Social Media: A Dual-Channel Deep Learning Model with Information Gain Optimization
Authors: Meng Xiuyang , Cui Xiaohui , Zhang Yue , Wang Shiyi , Wang Chunling , Li Mairui , Yang Jingran
Published: January 2025

The timely identification of suicidal ideation on social media is pivotal for global suicide prevention efforts. Addressing the challenges posed by the unstructured nature of social media data, we present a novel Chinese-based dual-channel model, DSI-BTCNN, which leverages deep learning to discern patterns indicative of suicidal ideation. Our model is designed to process Chinese data and capture the nuances of text locality, context, and logical structure through a fine-grained text enhancement approach. It features a complex parallel architecture with multiple convolution kernels, operating on two distinct task channels to mine relevant features. We propose an information gain-based IDFN fusion mechanism. This approach efficiently allocates computational resources to the key features associated with suicide by assessing the change in entropy before and after feature partitioning. Evaluations on a customized dataset reveal that our method achieves an accuracy of 89.64%, a precision of 92.84%, an F1-score of 89.24%, and an AUC of 96.50%, surpassing TextCNN and BiLSTM models by an average of 4.66%, 12.85%, 3.08%, and 1.66%, respectively. Notably, our proposed model has an entropy value of 81.75, which represents a 17.53% increase compared to the original DSI-BTCNN model, indicating a more robust detection capability. This enhanced detection capability is vital for real-time social media monitoring, offering a promising tool for early intervention and potentially life-saving support.
Preschool Educators’ Perceptions on Values Education
Authors: Lin Yingxuan , Kadir Mohammad Akshir Ab , Kaur Divjyot
Published: January 2025

This systematic review examines preschool educators’ perceptions and implementation of Values Education (VE), emphasizing its critical role in moral and ethical development during early childhood. Following PRISMA guidelines, the review synthesizes findings from Scopus, ERIC ProQuest, Web of Science, and PsycINFO, covering studies published between 2000 and 2024. While educators recognize the importance of VE in shaping children’s character and promoting ethical behavior, several inconsistencies exist in its application. Successful VE programs often include explicit curriculum integration, teacher role modeling, and structured classroom activities. This review underscores the need for professional development initiatives to equip teachers with the necessary skills and knowledge to deliver VE effectively, and emphasizes fostering a supportive preschool environment to enhance VE practices. Furthermore, the review emphasizes that a systematic approach to VE can positively impact children’s intellectual, emotional, and social development, fostering ethically responsible individuals ready to engage actively in society.
The Influence of Unplugged LEGO Activities on Middle Grades Students’ Computational Thinking Dispositions in a STEM Camp
Authors: Kudaisi Queshonda J.
Published: January 2025

This study reports on a STEM camp that aimed to engage middle grade students in computational thinking dispositions. Case study methodology and data from observational field notes and participant reflections were used to investigate if and how students engaged in computational thinking dispositions as they engaged in the unplugged LEGO activities. The findings revealed that unplugged structured LEGO activities (a) did not facilitate tolerance for ambiguity, (b) facilitated high persistence on difficult problems, and (c) high and developing willingness to collaborate with others to achieve a common goal. The findings also revealed that unplugged semi-structured LEGO activities (a) facilitated high and developing tolerance for ambiguity, (b) facilitated no evidence of persistence, and (c) increased and developed willingness to collaborate with others to achieve a common goal. The overall findings of this study suggest that when using unplugged, LEGO activities: (a) it is better to use unplugged structured LEGO activities to promote the computational thinking disposition of persistence, (b) it is better to use semi-structured activities to promote tolerance for ambiguity, and (c) it is better to use either or both to promote collaboration with others to achieve a common goal. The study’s findings are significant because it provides an empirical example of how the use of LEGOS as an unplugged activity can be used to facilitate computational thinking dispositions in middle grade students. Having this information is important because it can support STEM educators in modifying and adapting unplugged LEGO activities to develop students’ computational thinking dispositions.
Overview of the e-Fuels Market, Projects, and the State of the Art of Production Facilities
Authors: Dybiński Olaf , Szabłowski Łukasz , Martsinchyk Aliaksandr , Szczęśniak Arkadiusz , Milewski Jarosław , Grzebielec Andrzej , Shuhayeu Pavel
Published: January 2025

E-fuels, or synthetic fuels produced from green hydrogen and captured CO2, are a promising solution for achieving climate neutrality by replacing fossil fuels in transportation and industry. They help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and efficiently utilize renewable energy surpluses. This study aims to assess the current state and future potential of e-fuel production technologies, focusing on their scalability and market integration. A comprehensive literature review and market trend analysis, including modeling based on historical data and growth forecasts, were used to estimate market penetration. Results indicate that e-fuels could reach a 10% market share within the next 5 years, potentially reaching 30% in 20 years, particularly in aviation, maritime transport, and the steel industry. Ongoing projects expected to be completed this decade may cover about 20% of the global liquid fuel demand for transportation. However, challenges such as high costs, scalability, and recent project terminations due to funding shortages highlight the need for substantial investment, regulatory support, and innovation. Global collaboration and policy alignment are essential for the successful development and integration of e-fuels as a critical pathway to decarbonization.
Performance Comparison Between Microstepping and Field-Oriented Control for Hybrid Stepper Motors
Authors: Carfagna Emilio , Migliazza Giovanni , Medici Marcello , Lorenzani Emilio
Published: January 2025

With their cost-effective manufacturing process, hybrid stepper motors (HSMs) are a popular choice for position control in low-power industrial applications. These versatile motors offer a compelling solution for reducing system costs and size since at standstill/low speeds, HSMs typically have higher torque density with respect to low-power permanent magnet (PM) motors. This higher torque density determines a reduced use of rare-earth PMs and, therefore, a lower environmental footprint. In practical applications, the commonly used microstepping control faces low efficiency, low dynamic performance, vibrations, and a variable maximum continuous torque depending on the working point. In this paper, the operating region of an HSM is extended in the field-weakening (FW) region, showing how field-oriented control (FOC) with FW allows one to strongly increase the drive performance with a slight cost increase thanks to the availability of low-cost magnetic encoders. Due to the fact that FOC provides only the requested current, the HSM faces lower temperatures, lower insulation degradation, and lower permanent magnet demagnetization issues. An experimental evaluation comparing the commonly used microstepping and the proposed FOC with FW is performed on four commercial HSMs with different DC voltage power supplies using an industrial test bench. In particular, the experimental campaign has a focus on steady-state conditions in the case of the maximum continuous torque, showing the advantages of FOC with FW because the advantages in transient conditions are well known.
The Evaluation of Machine Performance and Hog Fuel Quality in the Salvage Logging of Pinewood Nematode-Infected Pinus Trees Using a Tub Grinder
Authors: Lee Sung-Jae , Lee Eunjai
Published: January 2025

Comminution is performed by using two main types of machines: grinders and chippers. Grinders are commonly used to treat contaminated wood biomass. In South Korea, cut-to-length harvesting is the main salvage logging method, and felled trees and residues often become dirtied during extraction, where logs are moved from the stump to the roadside using a small shovel. Therefore, grinders are preferred for the comminution of wood biomass for conversion into hog fuel. This study aimed to evaluate productivity and hog fuel quality as outcomes of wood biomass sorting. The productivities for unsorted residues and logs were 11.2 ± 1.48 ton/PMH0 and 12.4 ± 1.73 ton/PMH0 at a moisture content of 24%, respectively. Between 33.5% and 46.0% of the total hog fuel mass passed through the screen and reached an acceptable size (3.15 mm to 63 mm). The bulk densities of the two materials ranged from 132.4 kg/m3 to 148.8 kg/m3 on a dry basis. The results of this study suggest that sorting the feedstock has the potential to reduce the number of oversized particles in the hog fuel without screening.
Construction of Trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline-producing Escherichia coli and Optimization of Fermentation Conditions
Authors: Yang Xinchao , Li Xinyu , Wang Yuanxiu , Liu Yuehui , Wang Fang , Sun Naxin , Ye Chunjiang
Published: January 2025

In this study, we combined the citric acid cycle with the biosynthesis pathways of L-proline and L-hydroxyproline to construct a strain that produces L-hydroxyproline directly from glucose and other raw materials, without the addition of L-proline and α-ketoglutarate. The results showed that the level of L-hydroxyproline production was 550 mg/L. Through the optimization of one-way and orthogonal experiments, the optimal shake flask fermentation conditions were obtained, at which time the production of L-hydroxyproline reached 1800 mg/L, which was 3.3-fold higher. The glutamate permease gene GltS was added to the recombinant plasmid pRSFDuet1-p4h-proBA, and the recombinant plasmid obtained was transformed into E. coli T7E by Gibson seamless cloning to obtain the recombinant strain T7E/pRSFDuet1-p4h-GltS-proBA. Finally, by the addition of 30 mmol/L of sodium glutamate, the recombinant strain achieved a yield of L-hydroxyproline of 2150 mg/L, which was about 1.2-fold higher than the yield of L-hydroxyproline without the addition of sodium glutamate.
The Cost Competitiveness of Electric Refrigerated Light Commercial Vehicles: A Total Cost of Ownership Approach
Authors: Awan Muhammad Asees , Scorrano Mariangela
Published: January 2025

This article aims to investigate the economic feasibility of renewing a fleet of diesel light commercial vehicles (LCVs) with equivalent more environmentally friendly vehicles in the distribution of frozen and chilled foods. A Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) approach is proposed that includes all pertinent expenses to compare the cost competitiveness of battery electric, fuel-cell electric, and bio-diesel LCVs with respect to their conventional diesel counterparts, and to perform policy scenarios. We adopt both a private and a social perspective by also accounting for the external costs of transportation. We found that electric LCVs outperform their rivals in the city and panel LCV categories even in the absence of government subsidies while being cost competitive in box LCV segment, while FCEVs require the development of refueling infrastructure and government subsidies to compete with diesel counterparts.
Fabrication of Functional Polymers with Gradual Release of a Bioactive Precursor for Agricultural Applications
Authors: Marambio Oscar G. , Martin-Trasancos Rudy , Sánchez Julio , Ramos Felipe A. , Pizarro Guadalupe del C.
Published: January 2025

Biodegradable and biocompatible polymeric materials and stimulus-responsive hydrogels are widely used in the pharmaceutical, agricultural, biomedical, and consumer sectors. The effectiveness of these formulations depends significantly on the appropriate selection of polymer support. Through chemical or enzymatic hydrolysis, these materials can gradually release bioactive agents, enabling controlled drug release. The objective of this work is to synthesize, characterize, and apply two controlled-release polymeric systems, focusing on the release of a phyto-pharmaceutical agent (herbicide) at varying pH levels. The copolymers were synthesized via free radical polymerization in solution, utilizing tetrahydrofuran (THF) as the organic solvent and benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as the initiator, without the use of a cross-linking agent. Initially, the herbicide was grafted onto the polymeric chains, and its release was subsequently tested across different pH environments in a heterogeneous phase using an ultrafiltration (UF) system. The development of these two controlled-release polymer systems aimed to measure the herbicide’s release across different pH levels. The goal is to adapt these materials for agricultural use, enhancing soil quality and promoting efficient water usage in farming practices. The results indicate that the release of the herbicide from the conjugate systems exceeded 90% of the bioactive compound after 8 days at pH 10 for both systems. Furthermore, the two polymeric systems demonstrated first-order kinetics for herbicide release in aqueous solutions at different pH levels. The kinetic constant was found to be higher at pH 7 and 10 compared to pH 3. These synthetic hydrogels are recognized as functional polymers suitable for the sustained release of herbicides in agricultural applications.
Trophectoderm Biopsy: Present State of the Art
Authors: De Vos Anick , De Munck Neelke
Published: January 2025

Trophectoderm (TE) biopsy is at present the most widely used procedure for preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). At the blastocyst stage, more TE cells (five to seven) can be obtained for genetic analysis. While removing TE cells and not touching the inner cell mass (ICM), the procedure is less invasive. Due to a natural selection happening between day 3 and day 5, 6 or 7 of human embryo development, fewer embryos will have to be biopsied and tested. An additional benefit, especially in view of aneuploidy testing (PGT-A), is the lower level of mosaicism present at the blastocyst stage. The biopsy procedure involves two steps: laser-assisted zona pellucida (ZP) opening and the excision of five to eight TE cells from the blastocyst with or without additional laser energy. Different protocols have emerged over time with variations regarding the technique, the exact moment of ZP opening, and the method of cell removal. The ‘pulling’ method involves laser excision, whereas the ‘flicking’ method represents a mechanical approach with or without laser assistance. Embryo developmental speed reaching the full/expanded or hatching/hatched blastocyst stage dictates the timing of the procedure, mostly on day 5 post-insemination, and to a lesser extent on day 6 or even on day 7. The inclusion of lesser quality or delayed blastocysts may impact the quality of the TE sample as well as the clinical outcome. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is still the preferred method of fertilization for PGT-M (monogenic disorders) and PGT-SR (structural rearrangements). However, conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) seems feasible for PGT-A (aneuploidy testing). In the absence of a (conclusive) genetic result, the re-biopsy of cryopreserved blastocysts is possible, however, with reduced clinical outcomes. So far, neonatal outcome post-TE biopsy has so far been reassuringly documented.
Syndromic and Non-Syndromic Primary Failure of Tooth Eruption: A Genetic Overview
Authors: Modafferi Clarissa , Tabolacci Elisabetta , Grippaudo Cristina , Chiurazzi Pietro
Published: January 2025

Primary failure of tooth eruption (PFE) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by the failure of teeth to erupt in the absence of obvious physical obstructions, often resulting in a progressive open bite that is resistant to orthodontic treatment. While PFE can be caused by genetic or systemic factors (such as cysts, tumors, and endocrine imbalances), the non-syndromic causes are primarily genetic, with an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern with variable expressivity. Several genes have been closely associated with the non-syndromic PFE form. The PTH1R (parathyroid hormone 1 receptor) is the most commonly PFE-associated gene. Additional genes associated with minor frequency are Transmembrane protein 119 (TMEM119), which reduces the glycolytic efficiency of bone cells, limiting their mineralization capacity and causing bone fragility; Periostin (POSTN), which regulates the extracellular matrix and the bone’s response to mechanical stress; and Lysine (K)-specific methyltransferase 2C (KMT2C), which establishes histone methylation near the Wnt Family Member 5A (WNT5A) gene involved in dental development (odontogenesis). Syndromic forms of PFE are typically associated with complex multisystem disorders, where dental eruption failure is one of the clinical features of the spectrum. These syndromes are often linked to genetic variants that affect ectodermal development, craniofacial patterning, and skeletal growth, leading to abnormal tooth development and eruption patterns. Notable syndromes include GAPO syndrome, ectodermal dysplasia, and cleidocranial dysplasia, each contributing to PFE through distinct molecular mechanisms, such as disruptions in dental structure development, cranial abnormalities, or systemic developmental delays. The main aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the genetic basis underlying both syndromic and non-syndromic forms of PFE to facilitate precision diagnosis, foster the development of personalized therapeutic strategies, and offer new insights into managing this complex dental anomaly.
Exploring Copper Resources: A Geophysical and Geological Approach in the South Riogrande Shield, RS, Brazil
Authors: Zago Marieli Machado , Fries Maximilian
Published: January 2025

The search for mineral resources presents an enduring challenge as these demands consistently surge, and the utilization of geophysics is undeniably intertwined with the pursuit of novel prospects. Technological advancements over recent decades have facilitated access to 2D and 3D visualization software, enabling robust data integrations. Consequently, interpreters possess the latitude to harness their ingenuity and technical acumen in conducting multifarious analyses. Mineral exploration in greenfield areas, a particularly challenging endeavor, often commences with regional surveys and circumscribed information about the terrain. Notwithstanding limited preliminary data, the judicious deployment of filtering, modeling, and inversion techniques with geophysical data holds sway in catalyzing discoveries. This study, with its comprehensive amalgamation of diverse copper occurrence indicators and the novel procedural framework it establishes for processing and integrating airborne gamma-ray spectrometry and magnetometry geophysical and geological data, exemplifies the complexity and depth of our field. Elaborate litho-geophysical profiles, linked with data concerning mineral occurrences and geochemistry, pinpoint potential copper deposits in the area. This multidisciplinary approach and inversion mode provide detailed insights into probable mineralized body continuity and regional structural frameworks, offering valuable guidance for future regional mineral exploration efforts.
Application of a Ground-Penetrating Radar in the Characterization of the Archaeological Environment of Site GO-JA-02, Serranópolis-GO: A Non-Invasive Approach for Archaeological Excavation Planning
Authors: Almeida Isabela Resende , Borges Welitom Rodrigues , de Rubin Julio Cezar Rubin , Canata Rafael Espindola , da Silva Rosiclér Theodoro , Barbosa Jordana Batista
Published: January 2025

This study used a ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to characterize the archaeological environment of site GO-Ja-02 in Serranópolis, Goiás, Brazil. In the Serranópolis region, there are records of numerous human burials in archaeological sites located in predominantly sandy soils. Thus, this study proposed the application of a ground-penetrating radar to locate buried archaeological structures. Using a 400 MHz shielded antenna, the 2D data revealed distinct reflection patterns associated with subsurface elements such as rock blocks, roots, and rock surfaces, which were correlated with the anomalies observed in the depth slices of the generated pseudo-3D block. A ranking methodology was developed based on the archaeological context of the area and was used to indicate priority excavation areas. The results provided an understanding of the site’s archaeological environment, allowing for prior knowledge of areas to be excavated. The non-invasive GPR approach enabled a detailed investigation without disturbing the site, aiding in decision-making for the archaeological team. Furthermore, this study establishes a methodological foundation for future investigations, demonstrating the effectiveness of integrating advanced technologies into archaeological research.
Late-Life Informal Social Participation, Physical and Cognitive Functions Among the Chinese Elderly: A Life Course Perspective
Authors: Zeng Yonghui , Tan Yunyu , Jia Cindy Xinshan , Li Li
Published: January 2025

Objectives: The current study aims to investigate how childhood conditions influence the reciprocal associations between informational social participation and the functions in cognitive and physical aspects in late life. Methods: A longitudinal dataset, merged from the 2016, 2018, and 2020 waves from the China Family Panel Studies, was employed. It comprised 4686 individuals aged 60 or older in the 2016 wave. A cross-lagged structural equation model was estimated to examine the influences of health and family socioeconomic status in childhood on the cross-lagged associations between informational social participation (i.e., contact with child(ren), grandparenting, and digital access) and functions in cognitive and physical aspects (i.e., cognitive function and personal activities of daily living) in late life. Results: The results revealed that poor health in childhood was associated with less informal social participation in late life, particularly in contact with families. Moreover, internet access appeared to have a temporal and reciprocal association with cognitive function in late life. Conclusions: The current study highlighted the impact of childhood health on late-life informal social participation and emphasized the crucial role of engaging in social activities through the internet in preserving the elderly’s cognitive function in later stages of life.
Investigating Older Adults’ Response to Climate Change
Authors: Ni Qing , Dong Hua , Kaniadakis Antonios , Wang Zhili , Ge Chang
Published: January 2025

Older adults are both vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and uniquely positioned to contribute to climate action. However, their ability and willingness to engage vary significantly due to health disparities, financial constraints, and cultural factors. To ensure inclusivity, climate policies must reflect these differences and empower older adults to participate effectively. This research focused on 30 London-based older adults aged 60–85 (18 women, 12 men) selected via purposive sampling and stratified by gender and climate awareness. All participants were interested in climate issues and engaged in seven small focus groups facilitated by two researchers. Discussions addressed climate perceptions, low-carbon behaviors, and policy recommendations. The findings reveal that tailored communication, featuring simplified language and visual materials, resonates deeply with older adults, fostering better understanding and emotional connection. Participants highlighted practical low-carbon actions they already undertake, such as energy conservation, food waste reduction, and public transport use. They also proposed innovative strategies for promoting climate awareness, including integrating cultural and emotional elements, encouraging intergenerational learning, and providing economic incentives for green practices. To enhance the engagement of older adults in climate action, governments and corporations should develop inclusive communication strategies, provide financial support for adopting green technologies, and foster intergenerational collaboration to share knowledge and experiences in the communities. This study amplifies the voices of older adults in climate discourse, offering actionable insights for shaping communication strategies and policies. While this study provides valuable insights into older adults’ contributions to climate action, future research could expand the sample size and geographic diversity to enhance the generalizability of findings.
Role of Kynurenine and Its Derivatives in Liver Diseases: Recent Advances and Future Clinical Perspectives
Authors: Tan Qiwen , Deng Shenghe , Xiong Lijuan
Published: January 2025

Liver health is integral to overall human well-being and the pathogenesis of various diseases. In recent years, kynurenine and its derivatives have gradually been recognized for their involvement in various pathophysiological processes, especially in the regulation of liver diseases, such as acute liver injury, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Kynurenine and its derivatives are derived from tryptophan, which is broken down by the enzymes indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO), converting the essential amino acid tryptophan into kynurenine (KYN) and other downstream metabolites, such as kynurenic acid (KYNA), 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK), xanthurenic acid (XA), and quinolinic acid (QA). In liver diseases, kynurenine and its derivatives can promote the activity of the transcription factor aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), suppress T cell activity for immune modulation, inhibit the activation of inflammatory signaling pathways, such as NF-κB for anti-inflammatory effects, and inhibit the activation of hepatic stellate cells to slow down fibrosis progression. Additionally, kynurenine and other downstream metabolites can influence the progression of liver diseases by modulating the gut microbiota. Therefore, in this review, we summarize and explore the mechanisms by which kynurenine and its derivatives regulate liver diseases to help develop new diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers and effective therapies targeting the kynurenine pathway for liver disease treatment.
PbrMYB14 Enhances Pear Resistance to Alternaria alternata by Regulating Genes in Lignin and Salicylic Acid Biosynthesis Pathways
Authors: Yan Qi , Chen Weiyi , Zhang Hui , Liu Peng , Zhang Yuxing
Published: January 2025

Pear is an important originate fruiter in China, ranking first in the world in terms of cultivation area and yield. However, it is susceptible to infection by Alternaria alternata (A. alternata), resulting in a reduction of approximately 30% in yield. While both lignin and salicylic acid (SA) are recognized as key components of plant immune responses, the molecular mechanisms connecting these pathways remain poorly understood. Here, we have discovered a nuclear localization transcription activator PbrMYB14 in pears, whose expression can be induced by exogenous SA and A. alternata. Overexpression of PbrMYB14 significantly increased lignin and SA content in pears, making them more resistant to A. alternata, and the relative lesion area decreased by 68.95% compared with WT plants. By analyzing the transcriptome of PbrMYB14-overexpressing plants, the lignin synthesis gene Pbr4CL1 and SA synthesis gene PbrPAL1 regulated by PbrMYB14 were screened and identified. Through yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) and a Dual-Luciferase assay (LUC), it was confirmed that PbrMYB14 positively regulates the expression of Pbr4CL1 and PbrPAL1 genes. Our results suggest that PbrMYB14 links lignin resistance and SA resistance in pears, providing valuable information for future genetic breeding research on pear disease resistance.
Genome-Wide Identification and Functional Characterization of the Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase (ACAD) Family in Fusarium sacchari
Authors: Zeng Quan , Yu Quan , Mo Yingxi , Liang Haoming , Chen Baoshan , Meng Jiaorong
Published: January 2025

Fusarium sacchari is one of the primary causal agents of Pokkah boeng disease (PBD), an important disease of sugarcane worldwide. The acyl-CoA dehydrogenases (ACADs) constitute a family of flavoenzymes involved in the β-oxidation of fatty acids and amino acid catabolism in mitochondria. However, the role of ACADs in the pathogenesis of F. sacchari is unclear. Here, 14 ACAD-encoding genes (FsACAD-1–FsACAD-14) were identified by screening the entire genome sequence of F. sacchari. The FsACAD genes are distributed across seven chromosomes and were classified into seven clades based on phylogenetic analysis of the protein sequences. In vivo mRNA quantification revealed that the FsACAD genes are differentially expressed during sugarcane infection, and their expression patterns differ significantly in response to the in vitro induction of fatty acids of different classes. Fatty acid utilization assays of the FsACAD-deletion mutants revealed that the FsACADs varied in their preference and ability to break down different fatty acids and amino acids. There was variation in the adverse impact of FsACAD-deletion mutants on fungal traits, including growth, conidiation, stress tolerance, and virulence. These findings provide insights into the roles of FsACADs in F. sacchari, and the identification of FsACADs offers potential new targets for the improved control of PBD.
Disruption of Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Partially Mediates Neonatal Isoflurane Anesthesia-Induced Changes in Dendritic Spines and Cognitive Function in Juvenile Mice
Authors: Agarwal Swati , Bochkova Jacqueline , Mohamed Mazen K. , Schaefer Michele L. , Zhou Annika , Skinner John , Johns Roger A.
Published: January 2025

There is a growing concern worldwide about the potential harmful effects of anesthesia on brain development, based on studies in both humans and animals. In infants, repeated anesthesia exposure is linked to learning disabilities and attention disorders. Similarly, laboratory studies in mice show that neonates exposed to general anesthesia experience long-term cognitive and behavioral impairments. Inhaled anesthetics affect the postsynaptic density (PSD)-95, discs large homolog, and zona occludens-1 (PDZ) domains. The disruption of the synaptic PSD95-PDZ2 domain-mediated protein interactions leads to a loss of spine plasticity and cognitive deficits in juvenile mice. The nitric oxide-mediated protein kinase-G signaling pathway enhances synaptic plasticity also by activating extracellular signal-regulated kinase, which subsequently phosphorylates cAMP-response element binding protein, a crucial transcription factor for memory formation. Exposure to isoflurane or postsynaptic density-95-PDZ2-wildtype peptides results in decreased levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK) and phosphorylated cAMP-response element binding protein (p-CREB), which are critical for synaptic plasticity and memory formation. Pizotifen treatment after isoflurane or postsynaptic density-95-PDZ2-wildtype peptide exposure in mice prevented decline in p-ERK levels, preserved learning and memory functions at 5 weeks of age, and maintained mushroom spine density at 7 weeks of age. Protein kinase-G activation by components of the nitric oxide signaling pathway leads to the stabilization of dendritic spines and synaptic connections. Concurrently, the ERK/CREB pathway, which is crucial for synaptic plasticity and memory consolidation, is supported and maintained by pizotifen, thereby preventing cognitive deficits caused in response to isoflurane or postsynaptic density-95-PDZ2-wildtype peptide exposure. Activation of ERK signaling cascade by pizotifen helps to prevent cognitive impairment and spine loss in response to postsynaptic density-95-PDZ2 domain disruption.
New Biomarkers in the Prognostic Assessment of Acute Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction: Beyond Natriuretic Peptides
Authors: Cortés Marcelino , Lumpuy-Castillo Jairo , García-Talavera Camila Sofía , Arroyo Rivera María Belén , de Miguel Lara , Bollas Antonio José , Romero-Otero Jose Maria , Esteban Chapel Jose Antonio , Taibo-Urquía Mikel , Pello Ana María , González-Casaus María Luisa , Mahíllo-Fernández Ignacio , Lorenzo Oscar , Tuñón José
Published: January 2025

Natriuretic peptides are established biomarkers related to the prognosis of heart failure. New biomarkers have emerged in the field of cardiovascular disease. The prognostic value of these biomarkers in heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction is not well-established. We conducted a prospective, single-centre study, including (July 2019 to March 2023) 104 patients being consecutively admitted with a diagnosis of acute heart failure with reduced ejection fraction decompensation. The median follow-up was 23.5 months, during which 20 deaths (19.4%) and 21 readmissions for heart failure (20.2%) were recorded. Plasma biomarkers, such as NT-proBNP, GDF-15, sST2, suPAR, and FGF-23, were associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality. However, a Cox regression analysis showed that the strongest predictors of mortality were an estimated glomerular filtration rate (HR 0.96 [0.93–0.98]), GDF-15 (HR 1.3 [1.16–1.45]), and sST2 (HR 1.2 [1.11–1.35]). The strongest predictive model was formed by the combination of the glomerular filtration rate and sST2 (C-index 0.758). In conclusion, in patients with acute decompensated heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, GDF-15 and sST2 showed the highest predictive power for all-cause mortality, which was superior to other established biomarkers such as natriuretic peptides. GDF-15 and sST2 may provide additional prognostic information to improve the prognostic assessment.
Brain Tumors and Beyond: Multi-Compartment Microbiome and Mycobiome Analysis
Authors: Sipos László , Banczerowski Péter , Juhász János , Fedorcsák Imre , Berényi György , Makra Nóra , Dunai Zsuzsanna A. , Szabó Dóra , Erőss Loránd
Published: January 2025

Brain tumors are frequently diagnosed diseases in which etiology and progression largely depend on mutations and genetic factors. Additionally, recent reports document that the microbiome may influence tumor growth, tumor microenvironment, and response to therapy. Our goal was to examine the extent to which the bacterial composition—microbiota—and fungal composition—mycobiota—characteristic of the tumor and its microenvironment correlate with the composition of the gut and blood microbiota and mycobiota in five randomly selected brain tumor patients. The bacterial composition of the tumor, tumor-adjacent tissue (TAT), blood, and gut samples of the five patients were analyzed by 16S rRNA and ITS-based sequencing in order to determine the bacterial and fungal composition. The gut microbiome and mycobiome composition showed individual and tissue-specific signatures in each patient. The microbiome composition of the blood, TAT, and tumor tissue was very similar in each patient, dominated by Klebsiella, Enterococcus, Blautia, and Lactobacillus spp. In contrast, the mycobiome composition of the blood, TAT, and tumor showed a diverse, individual picture. The most common fungal species in the blood and TAT were Tomentella, Didymosphaeria, Alternaria, Penicillium, Mycosphaerella, and Discosia. The blood and TAT mycobiome were similar to each other but unique and characteristic of the patients. In contrast, in the tumor tissues, Alternaria, Malassezia, Schizophyllum, and Tomentella genus were the most common fungi genus. Our results showed that the presence of fungi in tumors shows a unique pattern that is independent of the pattern observed in the gut, blood, and tumor environment and that the effects of the mycobiome are distinct and cannot be associated with those of the microbiome. Elucidating the role of fungi in tumors and exploring the relationship between fungi and brain tumor types may open up further therapeutic options.
Effects of Exercises of Different Intensities on Bone Microstructure and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Ovariectomized Mice
Authors: Wang Xiaoni , Kang Yiting , Yao Jie , Gao Xiaohang , Feng Zeguo , Song Yifei , Di Xiaohui , Zhang Qianyu , Zhang Jianbao
Published: January 2025

Postmenopausal women face increased risks of osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases due to estrogen decline. This study investigated the effects of moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on bone microstructure and cardiovascular risk factors in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. Results showed that both exercise regimens improved blood lipid profiles and vascular structure, reducing systolic blood pressure (−11.81% and −10.89%) and undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOCN) levels (−52.14% and −52.05%). However, moderate-intensity exercise was more effective in enhancing bone mineral density (+82.38% and +45.02%) and microstructure recovery. No significant correlation was found between ucOCN and cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as lipid parameters, systolic blood pressure, and vascular wall thickness. This study suggests that both exercise intensities can mitigate cardiovascular risks in OVX mice, which is independent of OCN. MICT is superior for promoting osteoporosis recovery.
A Data-Driven Approach to Estimating the Impact of Audiovisual Art Events Through Web Presence
Authors: Giannakoulopoulos Andreas , Pergantis Minas , Lamprogeorgos Aristeidis , Lampoura Stella
Published: January 2025

In the modern era, a major avenue of dissemination for cultural and artistic events is through the World-Wide Web, where every such event has a multifaceted distinct digital footprint. This digital footprint is an indicator of how strong the influence of each event is in the public’s perception and to what extent it becomes part of the audiovisual art landscape. This study aims to present how the impact of an audiovisual event may be estimated using quantitative data collected through its online presence. This data-driven approach is made possible through web data extraction techniques and the use of generative artificial intelligence, which allows for structured information extraction from an endless variety of websites. Based on an event’s innate characteristics, web outreach, estimated scope, and thematical popularity, an encompassing impact factor is calculated, which may be used to rank events on the basis of perceived influence. For the purposes of this study, a dataset consisting of thousands of events in Greece was collected over an extended period. These data were used for a computational statistical analysis. Through this process of data collection, impact calculation, and analysis, data-driven insights were derived concerning the landscape of audiovisual art events.