bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new Leopoldia (Asparagaceae, Scilloideae) species from South Anatolia-Türkiye: Leopoldia oztasii
Authors: EROĞLU HÜSEYİN , PINAR SÜLEYMAN MESUT , EKER İSMAİL
Published: January 2024

Leopoldia oztasii sp. nov. (Asparagaceae, Scilloideae) is described as a new species in this study. It spreads on the stony slopes of Konya province in the south of Türkiye. Leopoldia oztasii is similar to L. tenuiflora, but it is easily distinguished from it, by having larger bulbs, falcate leaves, shorter scape, conical inflorescence, longer pedicels, and larger capsules. In this study, the morphology, seed surface characteristics and ecology of L. oztasii were studied. A detailed description of the new species, a comparison table between the two species, and detailed photographs showing their differences are provided. The distribution areas of L. oztasii and L. tenuiflora in Türkiye are also presented on the map.
New data on Dysdera Latreille, 1804 and Harpactea Bristowe, 1939 (Araneae: Dysderidae) of the Caucasus, with new species and records
Authors: ZAMANI ALIREZA , MARUSIK YURI M.
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we provide new taxonomic and faunistic data on the dysderid spider genera Dysdera Latreille, 1804 and Harpactea Bristowe, 1939 based on material collected in the Caucasus region. We identified a total of seventeen species, of which D. atabekia sp. n. (♂♀; Goychay and Ismayilli districts, Azerbaijan), H. abasgiana sp. n. (♂♀; Republic of Abkhazia, Georgia), and H. dunini sp. n. (♂; Zagatala district, Azerbaijan) are described as new to science and their distributions are mapped. Furthermore, three new records are provided: D. daghestanica Dunin, 1991 from Krasnodar Krai, D. concinna L. Koch, 1878 from Iran, and D. mazini Dunin, 1991 from Azerbaijan. By examining the type series of Harpactea caucasia (Kulczyński, 1895), we found that at least a part of Dunin’s records of this species refer to H. abasgiana sp. n., and his figures of this species in fact refer to an undescribed species. Brief notes are provided on the northernmost distribution limits of Dysderidae.
Description of the second species of Cingulacarus Elsen (Acari, Mesostigmata, Diplogyniidae), and notes on the genus
Authors: KAZEMI SHAHROOZ , KLOMPEN HANS
Published: January 2024

Cingulacarus Elsen is a monotypic genus of Trigynaspida based on C. gangeticus Elsen, collected from the scarabaeid beetle Scarabaeus gangeticus (Castelnau) (Col., Scarabaeidae) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Herein, a second species of the genus, C. kermanensis sp. nov. is described based on female and male specimens collected in southeastern Iran, in association with Oryctes elegans L. (Col., Scarabaeidae). The diagnosis of the genus Cingulacarus is revised, with a discussion of the impact on current generic keys for the family Diplogyniidae, and a proposal to eliminate the current subfamilial classification within that family.
Notes on a small caponiid spider collection (Araneae: Caponiidae) from Mexico, with the description of a new species of Aamunops Galán-Sánchez & Álvarez-Padilla, 2022
Authors: CHAMÉ-VÁZQUEZ DAVID , JIMÉNEZ MARÍA-LUISA
Published: January 2024

A new species of the spider family Caponiidae, Aamunops kalebi sp. nov., is described from Chiapas, Mexico. Additionally, we provide new distributional or natural history and morphological remarks of three caponiids collected from South and Southern Mexico: Roddenberryus sargi (F. O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1899), R. spock Sánchez-Ruiz & Bonaldo, 2023, and Nops campeche Sánchez-Ruiz & Brescovit, 2018.
The Northern Borderland and Eastern Kujawy – Parallels: The Construction of Narrative Identity in the Cycle of Stories “Konopnicka’s Desk” by Maria Danilewicz Zielińska
Authors: Moch Włodzimierz
Published: January 2024

Maria Danilewicz Zielińska was a writer from the region of Kujawy, but she spent her entire adult life in exile. Her autobiographical stories collected in the volume entitled Biurko Konopnickiej [Konopnicka’s Desk] are an example of constructing a narrative identity based on people rooted in their homelands and related events. The first of the local homelands is Kujawy: the author was born in Aleksandrów Pograniczny (today: Aleksandrów Kujawski) and lived there for the first twenty-one years of her life; the second one is the northern Borderland (Kresy) of the former Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth. Danilewicz had close family ties with the latter, as well as a living memory of its poets and writers. The family, historical and literary parallels connecting but also separating both geographical and cultural areas form pairs. The first one is Kujawy with its towns, nature, inhabitants and their customs, and, on the other hand, the Vilnius and Navahrudak regions, their poets, such as Adam Mickiewicz and Władysław Syrokomla, and ordinary people with their dramatic fate of being displaced. The second pair are rivers and stories related to them: the Vistula and the Nemunas. All these components are places of memory which constitute a hybrid identity of the émigré author from a historical and cultural borderland, an identity constructed by autobiographical memory. Weaving these parallels, she endows them with familiarity, avoiding pathos and mythologisation. Nevertheless, the overwhelming longing for the lost homeland is coupled with its idealisation, especially apparent in the descriptions of nature.
Design and thermal analysis of Fin-PCM-integrated thermal management system for lithium-ion cylindrical battery pack
Authors: Narkhede Swapnil , Sur Anirban , Kothari Gaurav , Netke Ajit
Published: January 2024

A fin and phase-change material (PCM) integrated battery thermal management system (BTMS) for the 18650 cylindrical Li-ion battery is designed, analysed, and validated with experimental results. The performance of different cooling techniques such as natural air convection cooling, fin cooling, PCM cooling, and fin-PCM cooling is investigated for a single battery and a 14S1P battery pack and compared. A PCM-based BTMS is employed to absorb the heat from the battery, thereby lowering its temperature and maintaining its temperature uniformity. N-eicosane is used as a PCM for this study. It has a melting temperature of 308 K. Result shows at a 5C discharge rate. The PCM cooling system lowers the temperature by approximately 31 K, and the fin-PCM system lowers the battery temperature by 33 K compared to simple natural air convection cooling. The experimental results agree with the numerical simulations with an error below 1%. The results show that connecting batteries in series does not affect the heat generation and battery surface temperature.
Performance analysis of solar parabolic trough receiver with twisted perforated conical inserts
Authors: Singh Sushma , Samir Sushant , Kumar Khushmeet
Published: January 2024

A solar parabolic trough is one of the types of solar thermal collector used to harness sunlight and convert it into usable heat energy. Solar parabolic trough collector demonstrates reduced efficiency compared to point-focusing types of concentrating solar collectors when it comes to converting solar energy into thermal energy. This disparity arises due to its operation within the medium temperature range of 100–400 °C. The enhancement of efficiency is achievable through the utilization of several passive heat transfer augmentation methods within the receiver tube. Among these approaches, the implementation of conical strip inserts stands out as a particularly promising method in the receiver's design because of their straight-forward construction, simple design and wide range of geometric customization options. The present study examines how the solar parabolic trough receiver performs when passive heat augmentation approaches are used in the receiver. The evaluation involved testing using perforated conical strips with pitch ratios ( P*) of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, twist angle ( φ) of 6°, 8°, 10°, 12°, and geometry angle ( θ) as 60°, 70°, 80°, and 90° for Reynolds number ( Re) in the range of 3000–21,000. Air is used as working fluid inside the solar parabolic trough receiver tube. The results demonstrate that modified receiver tube geometry significantly enhances the Nusselt number ( Nu) and friction factor ( ff) by 4.26 and 7.29 times as compared to the plain receiver tube respectively. This indicates an improvement in heat transfer characteristics of solar parabolic trough collector in term of thermo-hydraulic performance ([Formula: see text]). The maximum ([Formula: see text]) of 2.94 is received by using twisted perforated conical strips at pitch ratio ( P*)  =  1, twist angle ( φ)  =  6° and geometry angle ( θ)  =  60° at the Re  =  21,000. Correlations for Nu and ff of twisted perforated conical strips have also been established, demonstrating accuracy within the range of ±5.0% for Nu and ±4.5% for ff.
Sonochemically synthesized novel CNTs-PANI/CoNi(PO4)2 nanocomposites with enhanced electrochemical energy storage performance for asymmetric supercapacitor applications
Authors: Abdul Karim Muhammad Ramzan , Shehzad Waseem , Atif Muhammad , Haq Ehsan ul , Abbas Zaheer
Published: January 2024

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were polymerized with polyaniline (PANI) via an in-situ polymerization approach. These functionalized CNTs (PANI-CNTs) were added in various concentrations to the sono-chemically synthesized Co-Ni binary transition metals phosphate (CoNi(PO4)2) to ultimately have their nanocomposites. Electron microscopy (SEM & HRTEM) was employed to reveal the morphology and microscopic features. The structural evaluation of metal phosphate and PANI/CNTs was done by X-ray diffractometer analysis, whereas chemical grafting of cobalt nickel phosphate (CoNi(PO4)2) was done by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The hierarchical structured CoNi(PO4)2 with 40 mg PANI/CNTs mass (CNP40) presented enhanced specific capacity of 1268 Cg−1 (2136 F g−1 at 1.5 F g−1) with excellent diffusive behavior (b = 0.5). A resulted hybrid supercapacitor device consisting of CNP40 as +ve electrode and activated carbon AC) as −ve electrode, presented excellent energy density of ∼87 Whkg−1 with good power density of 680 W kg−1 maintained to 32.9 W kg−1 (@ 20,400 W kg−1) with 37% rate performance, and excellent cyclic performance (∼100%) after 5000 charge-discharge cycles. Furthermore, capacitive-diffusive analysis revealed that the device showed 55% diffusive and 45% capacitive behaviour. This improved electrochemical performance might be attributed mainly to the uniform and hierarchical chemical grafted morphology of the novel combination of binary phosphates and PANI functionalized CNTs in the nanocomposite obtained via a rather different sonochemical approach.
A novel semi-active control of an integrated chassis and seat quasi-zero stiffness suspension system for off-road vehicles
Authors: Atindana Vincent Akolbire , Xu Xing , Kwaku Nkrumah Jacob , Akayeti Anthony , Jiang Xinwei
Published: January 2024

This article introduces an innovative semi-active suspension system for off-road vehicles, incorporating a quasi-zero stiffness suspension to enhance driver comfort. The system includes a central pneumatic spring, double-acting pneumatic linear actuators for adjustable stiffness, and magnetorheological dampers for controlled damping. Using Lyapunov stability theory, a static output feedback control law is designed to address uncertainties in road profiles, driver body parameters, and actuator saturation, relying on measured variables as feedback. Performance constraints focus on driver head acceleration, suspension displacement, and dynamic tire load. The control law problem is converted into a convex optimization problem with linear matrix inequalities. The new semi-active QZSS system is theoretically tested via Matlab simulations and validated through hardware-in-the-loop testing. Comparative analysis between passive QZSS and the new semi-active QZSS on different roads, and vehicle speeds closely aligns with simulation results, with minor disparities attributable to network discrepancies and signal interruptions. Impressively, the semi-active QZSS system reduces driver head vertical acceleration between 26.53 and 35.0% compared to passive air QZSS, showing potential for significantly improving ride comfort, reducing vibration transfer, and enhancing driver wellbeing with minimal energy requirement.
Medication Treatment for Youth in Substance Use Disorder Residential Treatment
Authors: Yule Amy M. , Mail Victoria , Butler Rebecca , Wilens Timothy E.
Published: January 2024

Objective:

Residential is a common treatment setting for youth with high-severity substance use disorders (SUD). This study evaluated the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms and medication for youth in residential SUD treatment.

Methods:

Youth in Massachusetts state licensed and funded SUD residential programs completed questionnaires assessing demographics, primary substance of use, and psychopathology symptoms (Youth Self Report [YSR]/Adult Self Report [ASR]). De-identified medication lists were provided by the programs. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the sample.

Results:

Among the 47 youth who participated, 51.1% were male, 72.3% white, 83% non-Hispanic, mean age 20.7 years. Opioids were the most common primary substance identified by youth (51.1%), and 75% had at least one clinically elevated subscale on the YSR/ASR. Most youth were prescribed at least one medication (89.4%) with a mean of 2.9 medications.

Conclusion:

Youth in SUD residential treatment frequently have clinically elevated psychiatric symptoms, and psychotropic medication was commonly prescribed.
Preschool-level socio-economic deprivation in relation to emotional and behavioural problems among preschool children in Sweden
Authors: Durbeej Natalie , Ssegonja Richard , Salari Raziye , Dahlberg Anton , Fabian Helena , Sarkadi Anna
Published: January 2024

Aims:

The aim of this study was to explore the association between preschool-level socio-economic deprivation and emotional and behavioural problems among preschool children in Sweden using a multilevel approach.

Methods:

In this cross-sectional study, we used data on 2267 children whose parents and preschool teachers had responded to items measuring individual-level socio-economic deprivation and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) for assessment of emotional and behavioural problems. Further, the Socioeconomic Structure Compensation Index (SSCI), collected from Uppsala municipality, was used to assess preschool-level socio-economic deprivation. Unadjusted and adjusted multilevel logistic regression models were used to explore the relations between preschool-level socio-economic deprivation and emotional and behavioural problems.

Results:

In unadjusted models, children who attended preschools classified as highly deprived had elevated odds for emotional symptoms (odds ratio (OR) 1.71) as rated by parents. However, this association did not remain significant after adjusting for individual-level socio-economic deprivation factors. In both unadjusted and adjusted models, children who attended preschools classified as moderately deprived had elevated odds for peer-relationship problems as rated by parents (OR 1.63; adjusted OR 1.48). There were no significant associations between preschool deprivation and emotional and behavioural problems as rated by preschool teachers.

Conclusions:

Swedish preschools may have a compensatory capacity in addressing children’s emotional and behavioural problems, whereas preschool-level deprivation remained significantly associated with peer-relationship problems after controlling for individual-level socio-economic deprivation factors. This implies that peer-relationship problems in deprived preschools need to be addressed in a broader community context.
Do hospital data breaches affect health information technology investment?
Authors: Lee Jinhyung , Kim Hyeyeong , Choi Sung J
Published: January 2024

Objectives

Data breaches are a financial and operational threat to hospitals. In this study, we examine the association between a data breach and information technology capital and labor investment.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, we used American Hospital Association data from 2017 to 2019 and an unbalanced panel of hospitals with 6751 unique hospital-year observations. The breached group had 482 hospital-years, and the control group had 6269 hospital-years. We estimated the association between data breaches, information technology capital, and labor investment using the average treatment effect with propensity-score matching.

Results

From 2017 to 2019, hospitals experienced more hacking and information technology incidents but fewer thefts and losses. We found that hospital data breaches were associated with a 66% increase in employed information technology staff and a 57% increase in outsourced information technology staff. Breaches were not associated with information technology operating expenses and information technology capital expenses.

Conclusion

Higher information technology labor investment due to the remediation of data breaches is an added cost to the healthcare system. Hospitals and policymakers should consider initiatives to improve cybersecurity and protect patient data.
A multicenter study of posttransplantation low-dose inotuzumab ozogamicin to prevent relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Metheny Leland L. , Sobecks Ronald , Cho Christina , Fu Pingfu , Margevicius Seunghee , Wang Jiasheng , Ciarrone Lisa , Kopp Shelby , Convents Robin D. , Majhail Navneet , Caimi Paolo F. , Otegbeye Folashade , Cooper Brenda W. , Gallogly Molly , Malek Ehsan , Tomlinson Benjamin , Gerds Aaron T. , Hamilton Betty , Giralt Sergio , Perales Miguel-Angel , de Lima Marcos
Published: January 2024

The curative potential of allogeneic hematopoietic transplantation (allo-HCT) in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is hampered by relapse. Inotuzumab ozogamicin (INO) is an anti-CD22 monoclonal antibody bound to calicheamicin, which has significant activity against ALL. We hypothesized that low-dose INO would be safe and feasible after allo-HCT. Therefore, we conducted a phase 1 study to determine the dose and safety in this setting. Patients were eligible if they were aged 16 to 75 years, had undergone allo-HCT for CD22+ ALL, were in complete remission (CR) after allo-HCT, had high risk of recurrence, were between day 40 and 100 after allo-HCT with adequate graft function, and did not have a history of sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS). The objectives of this trial were to define INO maximum tolerated dose (MTD), to determine post–allo-HCT INO safety, and to measure 1-year progression-free survival (PFS). The trial design followed a “3+3” model. The treatment consisted of INO given on day 1 of 28-day cycles. Dose levels were 0.3 mg/m2, 0.4 mg/m2, 0.5 mg/m2, and 0.6 mg/m2. Median age was 44 years (range, 17-66 years; n = 18). Disease status at transplantation was first CR (n = 14) or second CR or beyond (n = 4). Preparative regimen was of reduced intensity in 72% of patients who received transplantation. Most common toxicity was thrombocytopenia. There were no instances of SOS; the MTD was 0.6 mg/m2. One-year nonrelapse mortality was 5.6%. With a median follow-up of 18.1 months (range, 8.6-59 months) 1-year post–allo-HCT PFS and overall survival is 89% and 94%, respectively. Low-dose INO has a favorable safety profile and was associated with high rates of 1-year PFS. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT03104491.
Nonlinear Impact Damage Evolution of Charpy Type and Analysis of Its Key Influencing Factors
Authors: Mao Jianfeng , Xu Qian , Yang Jiadong , Cao Chi , Wang Dasheng , Zhong Fengping , Chen Mingya
Published: January 2024

The current research of Charpy impact mainly focuses on obtaining the ductile brittle transition temperature of materials by experiments. Compared with experiments, numerical simulation can study many problems with harsh conditions. However, there are still few studies on the influence of geometric factors such as side grooves. In this paper, the geometry of standard Charpy impact test is designed. Specimens with different widths and side grooves are tested. The finite element model of Charpy impact was established by ABAQUS software. Use test results and simulation results to verify each other. The effects of sample width, side groove depth and side groove bottom fillet on the impact fracture resistance of the sample were studied. The results show that the specimen width is positively correlated with the impact toughness of the specimen. The side groove greatly reduces the impact toughness of the material; the toughness of side groove decreases with the increase of depth; the fracture toughness of side groove decreases with the increase of fillet at the bottom of side groove. The proportion of toughness energy to impact energy of samples was analyzed. The results show that the toughness energy accounts for about 70% of the impact energy of the sample, which has little to do with the geometric characteristics of the sample. This study presents a reliable method for studying Charpy impact tests. The influence of geometric parameters is obtained, which provides a reference method for the study of impact toughness of high toughness materials.
Circular RNA-circPan3 attenuates cardiac hypertrophy via miR-320-3p/HSP20 axis
Authors: Fang Xinyu , Ao Xiang , Xiao Dandan , Wang Yu , Jia Yi , Wang Peiyan , Li Mengyang , Wang Jianxun
Published: January 2024

Background

Circular RNAs are enriched in cardiac tissue and play important roles in the pathogenesis of heart diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate the regulatory mechanism of a conserved heart-enriched circRNA, circPan3, in cardiac hypertrophy.

Methods

Cardiac hypertrophy was induced by isoproterenol. The progression of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy was assessed by sarcomere organization staining, cell surface area measurement, and expression levels of cardiac hypertrophy markers. RNA interactions were detected by RNA pull-down assays, and methylated RNA immunoprecipitation was used to detect m6A level.

Results

The expression of circPan3 was downregulated in an isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy model. Forced expression of circPan3 attenuated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, while inhibition of circPan3 aggravated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Mechanistically, circPan3 was an endogenous sponge of miR-320-3p without affecting miR-320-3p levels. It elevated the expression of HSP20 by endogenously interacting with miR-320-3p. In addition, circPan3 was N6-methylated. Stimulation by isoproterenol downregulated the m6A eraser ALKBH5, resulting in N6-methylation and destabilization of circPan3.

Conclusions

Our research is the first to report that circPan3 has an antihypertrophic effect in cardiomyocytes and revealed a novel circPan3-modulated signalling pathway involved in cardiac hypertrophy. CircPan3 inhibits cardiac hypertrophy by targeting the miR-320-3p/HSP20 axis and is regulated by ALKBH5-mediated N6-methylation. This pathway could provide potential therapeutic targets for cardiac hypertrophy.

Graphical Abstract
The regulatory relationship between transcription factor STAT3 and noncoding RNA
Authors: Liu Siyi , Li Wentao , Liang Lin , Zhou Yanhong , Li Yanling
Published: January 2024

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), as a key node in numerous carcinogenic signaling pathways, is activated in various tumor tissues and plays important roles in tumor formation, metastasis, and drug resistance. STAT3 is considered a potential subtarget for tumor therapy. Noncoding RNA (ncRNA) is a special type of RNA transcript. Transforming from “junk” transcripts into key molecules involved in cell apoptosis, growth, and functional regulation, ncRNA has been proven to be closely related to various epithelial–mesenchymal transition and drug resistance processes in tumor cells over the past few decades. Research on the relationship between transcription factor STAT3 and ncRNAs has attracted increased attention. To date, existing reviews have mainly focused on the regulation by ncRNAs on the transcription factor STAT3; there has been no review of the regulation by STAT3 on ncRNAs. However, understanding the regulation of ncRNAs by STAT3 and its mechanism is important to comprehensively understand the mutual regulatory relationship between STAT3 and ncRNAs. Therefore, in this review, we summarize the regulation by transcription factor STAT3 on long noncoding RNA, microRNA, and circular RNA and its possible mechanisms. In addition, we provide an update on research progress on the regulation of STAT3 by ncRNAs. This will provide a new perspective to comprehensively understand the regulatory relationship between transcription factor STAT3 and ncRNAs, as well as targeting STAT3 or ncRNAs to treat diseases such as tumors.
Identification of NADPH Oxidase Genes Crucial for Rice Multiple Disease Resistance and Yield Traits
Authors: Zhu Yong , Su Hao , Liu Xin-Xian , Sun Ji-Fen , Xiang Ling , Liu Yan-Jing , Hu Zhang-Wei , Xiong Xiao-Yu , Yang Xue-Mei , Bhutto Sadam Hussain , Li Guo-Bang , Peng Yuan-Ying , Wang He , Shen Xu , Zhao Zhi-Xue , Zhang Ji-Wei , Huang Yan-Yan , Fan Jing , Wang Wen-Ming , Li Yan
Published: January 2024

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) act as a group of signaling molecules in rice functioning in regulation of development and stress responses. Respiratory burst oxidase homologues (Rbohs) are key enzymes in generation of ROS. However, the role of the nine Rboh family members was not fully understood in rice multiple disease resistance and yield traits. In this study, we constructed mutants of each Rboh genes and detected their requirement in rice multiple disease resistance and yield traits. Our results revealed that mutations of five Rboh genes (RbohA, RbohB, RbohE, RbohH, and RbohI) lead to compromised rice blast disease resistance in a disease nursery and lab conditions; mutations of five Rbohs (RbohA, RbohB, RbohC, RbohE, and RbohH) result in suppressed rice sheath blight resistance in a disease nursery and lab conditions; mutations of six Rbohs (RbohA, RbohB, RbohC, RbohE, RbohH and RbohI) lead to decreased rice leaf blight resistance in a paddy yard and ROS production induced by PAMPs and pathogen. Moreover, all Rboh genes participate in the regulation of rice yield traits, for all rboh mutants display one or more compromised yield traits, such as panicle number, grain number per panicle, seed setting rate, and grain weight, resulting in reduced yield per plant except rbohb and rbohf. Our results identified the Rboh family members involved in the regulation of rice resistance against multiple pathogens that caused the most serious diseases worldwide and provide theoretical supporting for breeding application of these Rbohs to coordinate rice disease resistance and yield traits.
A two-sequence motif-based method for the inventory of gene families in fragmented and poorly annotated genome sequences
Authors: Nørrevang Anton Frisgaard , Shabala Sergey , Palmgren Michael
Published: January 2024

Databases of genome sequences are growing exponentially, but, in some cases, assembly is incomplete and genes are poorly annotated. For evolutionary studies, it is important to identify all members of a given gene family in a genome. We developed a method for identifying most, if not all, members of a gene family from raw genomes in which assembly is of low quality, using the P-type ATPase superfamily as an example. The method is based on the translation of an entire genome in all six reading frames and the co-occurrence of two family-specific sequence motifs that are in close proximity to each other. To test the method’s usability, we first used it to identify P-type ATPase members in the high-quality annotated genome of barley (Hordeum vulgare). Subsequently, after successfully identifying plasma membrane H+-ATPase family members (P3A ATPases) in various plant genomes of varying quality, we tested the hypothesis that the number of P3A ATPases correlates with the ability of the plant to tolerate saline conditions. In 19 genomes of glycophytes and halophytes, the total number of P3A ATPase genes was found to vary from 7 to 22, but no significant difference was found between the two groups. The method successfully identified P-type ATPase family members in raw genomes that are poorly assembled.
Preliminary study on the diagnosis of NK stress based on the puncture mechanical characteristics of cucumber stem
Authors: Liu Yong , Wang Yafei , Wang Bin , Shi Qiang , Mao Hanping
Published: January 2024

To investigate the relationship between stem puncture mechanical characteristics and NK stress diagnosis, the microstructure, surface morphology, cellulose and lignin content, puncture mechanical characteristics, and epidermal cell morphology of cucumber stems were measured herein. The results indicated that the middle stem, which had a diameter of approximately 7000 μm, was more suitable for puncturing due to its lower amount of epidermal hair, and its gradual regularity in shape. Further, the cucumber stems were protected from puncture damage due to their ability to rapidly heal within 25 h.. The epidermal penetration of the cucumber stems increased with the increase in cellulose and lignin, though cellulose played a more decisive role. The epidermal break distance increased with an increase in N application and decreased with an increase in K+ application, but the change in intercellular space caused by K+ supply was the most critical factor affecting the epidermal break distance. In addition, a decrease in K+ concentration led to a decrease in epidermal brittleness, whereas the factors affecting epidermal toughness were more complex. Finally, we found that although the detection of epidermal brittleness and toughness on nutrient stress was poor under certain treatment, the puncture mechanical characteristics of the stem still had a significant indicative effect on N application rate. Therefore, elucidating of the relationship between the puncture mechanical characteristics of the stems and crop nutritional stress is not only beneficial for promoting stem stress physiology research but also for designing on-site nutritional testing equipment in the future.
Enhancing salinity tolerance in cucumber through Selenium biofortification and grafting
Authors: Amerian Masoomeh , Palangi Amir , Gohari Gholamreza , Ntatsi Georgia
Published: January 2024

Background

Salinity stress is a major limiting factor for plant growth, particularly in arid and semi-arid environments. To mitigate the detrimental effects of salinity stress on vegetable production, selenium (Se) biofortification and grafting onto tolerant rootstocks have emerged as effective and sustainable cultivation practices. This study aimed to investigate the combined effects of Se biofortification and grafting onto tolerant rootstock on the yield of cucumber grown under salinity stress greenhouse conditions. The experiment followed a completely randomized factorial design with three factors: salinity level (0, 50, and 100 mM of NaCl), foliar Se application (0, 5, and 10 mg L-1 of sodium selenate) and grafting (grafted and non-grafted plants) using pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) as the rootstock. Each treatment was triplicated.

Results

The results of this study showed that Se biofortification and grafting significantly enhanced salinity tolerance in grafted cucumbers, leading to increased yield and growth. Moreover, under salinity stress conditions, Se-Biofortified plants exhibited increased leaf relative water content (RWC), proline, total soluble sugars, protein, phenol, flavonoids, and antioxidant enzymes. These findings indicate that Se contributes to the stabilization of cucumber cell membrane and the reduction of ion leakage by promoting the synthesis of protective compounds and enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity. Moreover, grafting onto pumpkin resulted in increased salinity tolerance of cucumber through reduced Na uptake and translocation to the scion.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the results highlight the effectiveness of Se biofortification and grafting onto pumpkin in improving cucumber salinity tolerance. A sodium selenate concentration of 10 mg L-1 is suggested to enhance the salinity tolerance of grafted cucumbers. These findings provide valuable insights for the development of sustainable cultivation practices to mitigate the adverse impact of salinity stress on cucumber production in challenging environments.
In-hospital outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement in patients with chronic and end-stage renal disease: a nationwide database study
Authors: Lorente-Ros Marta , Das Subrat , Malik Aaqib , Romeo Francisco Jose , Aguilar-Gallardo Jose S. , Fakhoury Maya , Patel Amisha
Published: January 2024

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have been associated with worse outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). With TAVR indications extending to a wider range of patient populations, it is important to understand the current implications of chronic renal insufficiency on clinical outcomes. We aim to determine the impact of CKD and ESRD on in-hospital outcomes after TAVR.

Methods

We queried the National Inpatient Sample for TAVR performed between 2016 and 2020 using International Classification of Diseases-10th Revision codes. We compared in-hospital mortality and clinical outcomes between three groups: normal renal function, CKD and ESRD. The association between CKD/ESRD and outcomes was tested with multivariable logistic regression analyses, using normal renal function as baseline.

Results

In the five-year study period, 279,195 patients underwent TAVR (mean age 78.9 ± 8.5 years, 44.4% female). Of all patients, 67.1% had normal renal function, 29.2% had CKD, and 3.7% had ESRD. There were significant differences in age, sex, and prevalence of comorbidities across groups. In-hospital mortality was 1.3%. Compared to patients with normal renal function, patients with renal insufficiency had higher in-hospital mortality, with the highest risk found in patients with ESRD (adjusted odds ratio: 1.4 [95% confidence interval: 1.2–1.7] for CKD; adjusted odds ratio: 2.4 [95% confidence interval: 1.8–3.3] for ESRD). Patients with CKD or ESRD had a higher risk of cardiogenic shock, need for mechanical circulatory support, and vascular access complications, compared to those with normal renal function. In addition, patients with ESRD had a higher risk of cardiac arrest and periprocedural acute myocardial infarction. The incidence of conversion to open heart surgery was 0.3% and did not differ between groups. Post-procedural infectious and respiratory complications were more common among patients with CKD or ESRD.

Conclusion

Patients with CKD and ESRD are at higher risk of in-hospital mortality, cardiovascular, and non-cardiovascular complications after TAVR. The risk of complications is highest in patients with ESRD and does not result in more frequent conversion to open heart surgery. These results emphasize the importance of individualized patient selection for TAVR and procedural planning among patients with chronic renal insufficiency.
Frail older people with decreased cognition can perceive reduced self-determination in self-care and social relationships
Authors: Andersson Hammar Isabelle , Westgård Theresa , Dahlin-Ivanoff Synneve , Wilhelmson Katarina
Published: January 2024

Background

Self-determination in old age is essential for people’s experiences of good subjective health and quality of life. The knowledge concerning how frail older people with decreased cognition perceive their ability to be self-determined in the different dimension in daily life is, however, limited. The aim of this study was therefore to explore the relationship of self-determination and cognition in frail older people.

Methods

This study was a cross-sectional secondary data analysis using baseline data with 119 frail people 75 ≥ from a larger randomized control trial. Self-determination was measured with the statements from the Impact on Participation and Autonomy-Older persons (IPA-O). Cognition was measured using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), where decreased cognition was broadly defined as a score below 25 points. Fisher’s exact test was used to test differences in proportions of perceiving self-determination in relation to cognition. The Relative Risk (RR) with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was used to explore the risk of perceiving reduced self-determination in relation to cognitive functioning.

Results

Nearly the entire study population, regardless of cognitive functioning, perceived self-determination in Financial situation. For people with decreased cognition, the relative risk for perceiving reduced self-determination was statistically significant higher in activities related to Self-care and in Social relationships when comparing with the participants with intact cognition.

Conclusion

Perceiving self-determination when being old, frail and having decreased cognition is possible but is dependent upon which activities that are involved. Organizing healthcare needs according to the older people’s wants and wishes is crucial regardless of people having a cognitive decline or not when the effort is to enable the people to be as self-determined as they want. The frail older people with decreased cognition should be treated as being experts in their own lives, and healthcare professionals should navigate the older people to get to their desired direction.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02773914. Retrospectively registered 16 May 2016.
Association between social integration and loneliness among the female migrant older adults with children: the mediating effect of social support
Authors: Xu Jing , Liu Guangwen , Li Hexian , Jiang Xiaoxu , Zhou Shengyu , Wang Jieru , Pang Mingli , Li Shixue , Kong Fanlei
Published: January 2024

Background

The number of migrant older adults with children (MOAC) in China has been increasing in recent years, and most of them are women. This study aimed to explore the mediating effect of social support between social integration and loneliness among the female MOAC in Jinan, China.

Methods

In this study, 418 female MOAC were selected using multi-stage cluster random sampling in Jinan, Shandong Province, China. Loneliness was measured by the eight-item version of the University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale (ULS-8), and social support was measured by The Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS). Descriptive analyses, t-tests, ANOVA, and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to illustrate the relationship between social integration, social support, and loneliness.

Results

The average scores of ULS-8 and SSRS were 12.9 ± 4.0 and 39.4 ± 5.9 among female MOAC in this study. Social integration and social support were found to be negatively related to loneliness, and the standardized direct effect was -0.20 [95% CI: -0.343 to -0.068] and -0.39 [95% CI: -0.230 to -0.033], respectively. Social support mediated the relationship between social integration and loneliness, and the indirect effect was -0.16 [95% CI: -0.252 to -0.100].

Conclusion

The female MOAC’s loneliness was at a relatively lower level in this study. It was found that social integration was negatively associated with loneliness, and social support mediated the relationship between them. Helping female MOAC integrate into the inflow city and improving their social support could be beneficial for alleviating their loneliness.
Azvudine versus paxlovid for oral treatment of COVID-19 in Chinese patients
Authors: Su Peng , Yang Cong-xian , Wang Xing-guang
Published: January 2024

Purpose

To explore the effect of azvudine as compared to paxlovid for oral treatment of hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods

We analyzed data from a cohort of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection in Shandong provincial hospital between February 15 and March 15, 2023. The primary outcome was time to sustained clinical recovery through Day 28 and secondary outcomes included the percentage of participants who died from any cause by Day 28, the average hospitilization time and expenses, the changes in liver and kidney function and adverse events. The Kaplan–Meier method and Cox regression model was used for statistical analysis.

Results

There was no significant difference between azvudine and paxlovid in terms of time to sustained clinical recovery (p = 0.429) and death rates (p = 0.687). As for hospitalization time and fee, no significant differences were observed between azvudine group and paxlovid group (Hospitalization time: p = 0.633; Hospitalization fee: p = 0.820). In addition, there were no significant differences in the effects of the two drugs on liver and kidney function (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Among adults who were hospitalised with SARS-CoV-2 infection, azvudine was noninferior to paxlovid in terms of time to sustained clinical recovery, death rates, hospitalization time and cost, with few safety concerns.

Trial registration

ChiCTR2300071309; Registered 11 May 2023.

Level of evidence

Level III; Retrospective cohort study.
Acute renal failure after kidney transplantation due to mizoribine-induced ureteral stones
Authors: Ding Mao , Zhao Hongchao , Zhu Hengcheng
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Mizoribine (MZR) is used to prevent rejection reactions after kidney transplantation and increase the risk of hyperuricemia. There is a lack of reports of MZR-induced ureteral stones after kidney transplantation. The surgery treatment of ureteral stones in transplanted kidney is a challenging clinical issue that should only be performed by experienced urologists at professional centers. It is very important to have a thorough understanding of the patient's medical history, analyze the causes of stone formation, and choose a reasonable treatment plan based on the characteristics of the stones. The case report is aim to emphasize the recognition of the possibility of mizoribine-induced ureteral uric acid stones in transplanted kidney and to avoid unnecessary surgery.

Case presentation

A patient after kidney transplantation was diagnosed with acute renal failure caused by ureteral stones. The medical history, CT images of the renal graft, the results of laboratory test and stone composition analysis were provided. Based on medical history and laboratory test results, it was determined that the ureteral stones of renal graft was induced by MZR. To our best knowledge, this is the first report of MZR-induced stones in transplanted kidney and ureters. It was completely cured by urinary alkalinization, avoiding surgery treatment. We summarize the characteristics, treatment and methods for preventing the formation of uric acid stones of patients with MZR.

Conclusion

By analyze our case report, it shows that acute renal failure with ureteral stones after kidney transplantation can caused by MZR. Urinary alkalinization for MZR induced uric acid stones is simple and effective.
Association between systemic immune inflammation Index and all-cause mortality in incident peritoneal dialysis-treated CKD patients: a multi-center retrospective cohort study
Authors: Tang Ruiying , Chen Jiexin , Zhou Qian , Deng Jihong , Zhan Xiaojiang , Wang Xiaoyang , Wen Yueqiang , Su Ning , Feng Xiaoran , Xu Qingdong
Published: January 2024

Background

Chronic inflammatory disorders in peritoneal dialysis (PD) contribute to the adverse clinical outcome. Systemic immune inflammation index (SII) is the novel and convenient measurement that is positively associated with various diseases. However, scarce is known regarding the association between SII with all-cause mortality among PD patients.

Methods

In this multi-center retrospective cohort study, 1,677 incident patients with PD were enrolled. Eligible patients were stratified into groups based on SII level: tertile 1(< 456.76), tertile 2(456.76 to 819.03), and tertile 3(> 819.03). The primary endpoint was the all-cause mortality. Both Cox regression analysis and competing risk models were used to examine the association between SII and all-cause mortality. Subgroup analysis was performed to assess the influence of the SII tertiles on all-cause mortality in different subgroups.

Results

During the follow-up period of 30.5 ± 20.0 months, 26.0% (437/1,677) patients died, of whom the SII tertile 3 group accounted for 39.1% (171/437) of the deaths. Patients in the SII tertile 3 group had a higher all-cause mortality rate than patients in the SII tertile 1 and 2 groups (log-rank = 13.037, P < 0.001). The SII tertile 3 group was significantly associated with 80% greater risk (95% confidence interval:1.13 to 2.85; P = 0.013) compared with the SII tertile 1 group in multivariable Cox regression analysis. The competing risk model also indicated that the relationship between SII tertiles and all-cause mortality remains (subdistribution hazard ratio: 1.86; 95% confidence interval: 1.15 to 2.02, P = 0.011). Furthermore, the relationship between the log-transformed SII and all-cause mortality in patients with PD was nearly linear (P = 0.124).

Conclusion

A close relationship was observed between the SII and all-cause mortality in patients undergoing PD, suggesting that more attention should be paid to the SII, which is a convenient and effective measurement in clinical practice.
Neonatal outcomes and follow-up of children born to women with pregnancy-associated cancer: a prospective observational study
Authors: Capozza Michele Antonio , Romano Alberto , Mastrangelo Stefano , Attinà Giorgio , Maurizi Palma , Costa Simonetta , Vento Giovanni , Scambia Giovanni , Ruggiero Antonio
Published: January 2024

Background

During the last decade, there has been a growing number of cases of children born from pregnancy-associated cancer (PAC), however there are currently insufficient data on the follow up to be observed in this category of newborns. Objective of the study was to evaluate the neonatal outcomes of infants born to mother with PAC, the potential adverse effect of chemotherapy during pregnancy and the risk of metastasis to the fetus.

Methods

Maternal clinical data and neonatal outcomes of child born to mothers diagnosed with PAC were collected; infants were divided into those were and were not exposed to chemotherapy during fetal life and their outcomes were compered.

Results

A total of 37 newborn infants from 36 women with PAC were analyzed. Preterm delivery occurred in 83.8% of the cases. No significant differences in neonatal outcomes were found between infants who were and were not exposed to chemotherapy during pregnancy. The median follow-up period was 12 months.

Conclusions

PAC treatment during the second or third trimester does not seem to be dangerous for the fetus, however infants born from PAC must be carefully evaluated for to rule out the consequences of chemotherapy and exclude the presence of metastasis. Long-term follow-up, especially in children exposed to chemotherapy, should be encouraged to obtain relevant data on long-term toxicity.