bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Associations between Soft drinks intake and Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Cross-sectional Study among Chinese undergraduate female students
Authors: Wang Lijiao , Qiao Lingyan , Wen Shuo , Li Xinyuan , Maxwell Ahiafor , Guo Qiang , Lu Peng
Published: May 2024

Background
Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is a common global health concern. However, limited studies explored the association between soft drinks intake and PD among female undergraduates in China.
Objective
To determine the association between soft drinks (carbonated soft drinks, etc.) as well coffee intake and the incidence/severity of PD among female undergraduates in China.
Methods
We performed a cross-sectional study among 1809 female undergraduates in China from September 29, 2020 to October 22, 2020. The demographic information and menstrual information of the participants were collected by a self-administrated questionnaire. Chi-square test, ANOVA test, and logistic regression test were used to investigate the association between soft drinks intake and the incidence/severity of PD. We also conducted stratification analysis among different locations ( rural or urban).
Results
The prevalence of PD was 47.1% (n = 852). There were 221 (25.9%) participants suffered from severe pain. In the participants with PD, the OR of carbonated soft drinks intake was 1.244 (95% CI = 1.010–1.533). Among the participants with PD from rural areas, the OR of carbonated soft drinks intake was 1.402 (95% CI = 1.045–1.881), compared with the non-carbonated soft drink group. In the participants with moderate and severe PD, the OR of coffee intake was 0.451 (95% CI = 0.228–0.892), compared with the non-coffee-drinking group. There was a significant association between carbonated soft drinks intake frequency and the severity of PD (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
Our study showed that carbonated soft drinks intake is a risk factor for PD, especially in participants from rural areas. Coffee intake is a protective factor for the severity of PD. Periodical awareness programs about adverse effects of excessive soft drink consumption should be introduced to reduce the prevalence and exacerbation of PD. Coffee intake might be helpful to relieve the severity of PD.
Altered Intramyocellular Lipids Use with Exercise in Males with Childhood-Onset Obesity
Authors: Santosa Sylvia , Feola Sarah , Al-Nabelsi Lyne , Tam Bjorn , Near Jamie , Morais Jose
Published: May 2024

Objective
Compared to adulthood-onset obesity (AO), those with childhood-onset obesity (CO) are at greater risk of metabolic disease. However, the differences between these two obesity phenotypes are not clear. The aim of this study is to investigate how the age of obesity onset (CO vs. AO) affects the use of intramyocellular (IMCL) and extramyocellular (EMCL) lipids in response to exercise.
Methods
Males with CO (n = 5) and AO (n = 5) were recruited. At the first study visit, body composition was measured via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Energy expenditure and substrate oxidation were measured via indirect calorimetry. Participants were provided with standardized meals for 3 days prior to the exercise study visit. At the exercise study visit, IMCL and EMCL were measured via magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) before and after 90-minute of moderate intensity cycling with indirect calorimetry.
Results
Substrate oxidation at rest and during exercise was not different between groups. Post-exercise, a decrease in IMCL was observed in the AO group that was not demonstrated in the CO group. There were no changes in EMCL post-exercise in either group.
Conclusions
This was the first study to compare the effects of exercise on IMCL and EMCL use in males with CO and AO. The decreases in IMCL of the AO group is similar with those observed in the literature in lean individuals. We made the novel observation that with moderate intensity cycling, males with CO do not appear to use IMCL as effectively as those with AO, suggesting perturbations in IMCL metabolism.
REST/NRSF preserves muscle stem cell identity and survival by repressing alternate cell fates
Authors: Soleimani Vahab , Sahinyan Korin , Blackburn Darren , Simon Marie-Michelle , Lazure Felicia , Kwan Tony , Wilson David , von Maltzahn Julia , Yamada Yasuhiro , Jahani-Asl Arezu , Bourque Guillaume , Rudnicki Michael
Published: May 2024

Cell fate and identity require timely activation of lineage-specific and concomitant repression of alternate-lineage genes. How this process is epigenetically encoded remains largely unknown. In skeletal muscle stem cells (MuSCs), the myogenic regulatory factors play key roles in sequential activation of the myogenic program, however, less is known about how suppression of alternate lineage genes contributes to this program. Here, we report that a significant number of non-lineage genes in MuSCs retain permissive chromatin marks yet are repressed transcriptionally. We show that the master epigenetic regulator, Repressor Element 1- Silencing Transcription factor (REST), also known as Neuron-Restrictive Silencer Factor (NRSF), plays a key role in the repression of these non-muscle lineage genes and developmentally regulated genes. MuSCs lacking functional REST exhibit an altered epigenetic and transcriptional signature and impaired self-renewal. Consequently, MuSCs progressively enter cell death by apoptosis and the stem cell pool undergoes depletion. Skeletal muscle lacking REST shows impaired regeneration and display myofiber atrophy. Collectively, our data suggests that REST plays a key role in safeguarding muscle stem cell identity and survival by repressing multiple non-muscle lineage and developmentally regulated genes in adult mice.
Lateral cracks in soda-lime glass under the threshold load due to the interaction of indentations
Authors: Teles Vinícius Carvalho , de Oliveira Sonia Aparecida Goulart , Silva Washington Martins
Published: May 2024

Indentation fracture is a commonly employed technique for investigating solids' material properties and response to indentation. Subsurface lateral cracks are related to the mass lost on materials presenting brittle behaviour, and these cracks are usually observed in indentation experiments performed above critical loads. In this study, five microindentations were superimposed to evaluate the formation of lateral cracks under low loads, lower than the critical load, on soda-lime glass. Experimental tests were carried out using a standard Vickers indenter for individual indentations, revealing that radial cracks appeared for indentation forces greater than 98 mN. In comparison, lateral cracks only manifested for indentation forces exceeding 980 mN. To further investigate this phenomenon, we performed superimposition tests, consisting of seven lines, each containing five indentations. The indentation load ranged from 200 mN to 1000 mN, with varying relative distances between indentations in subsequent lines, thereby controlling the superimposition index from − 200–90%. Our findings established a direct correlation between crack formation, the degree of superimposition, and the indentation load. A single indentation performed with a load below the critical threshold did not generate sufficient stress to initiate lateral crack formation. However, with the superimposition of indentations, the interaction of the residual stress field near the previous indentation imprints induced lateral cracks even with loads five times lower than the critical threshold. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of the mechanics involved in indentation-induced crack formation in brittle materials, with potential implications for material science and engineering applications.
Evaluation of SLCA62 and CYP2D6 Polymorphisms’ Effects on Atomoxetine Treatment in Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder
Authors: KOLE ISMAIL HASAN , VURAL PINAR , YURDACAN BESTE , ALEMDAR ADEM , MUTLU CANER
Published: May 2024

Background
There is insufficient replicated data to establish a relationship between the polymorphisms of NET/SLC6A2 and the efficacy of Atomoxetine (ATX) treatment. We focused on evaluating the effect of top-line single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in SLC6A2 and CYP2D6 on the ATX treatment response in Attention-Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Methods
Of 160 patient records, thirty-four patients who met the inclusion criteria were evaluated to determine the relationship between genotypes of ten SNPs (six of SLC6A2 and four of CYP2D6) and ATX treatment response. Additionally, the connection between SNPs of CYP2D6 and the severity of side-effects associated with ATX was analyzed in 37 patients, including the 34 study patients, and three patients discontinued because of ATX-dependent side-effects.
Results
All six polymorphisms in SLC6A2 were associated with the treatment response of ATX. The “T” allele of rs3785143 was linked with unresponsiveness to ATX in treating oppositional defiant symptoms of patients with ADHD. We detected an association between higher CGI-side-effect severity scores and the “TT” genotype of rs1065852 polymorphism in CYP2D6.
Conclusions
The findings of this study suggest that genotypes of polymorphisms within the SLC6A2 and CYP2D6 may play an influential role in treatment response or the severity of side-effects associated with ATX in ADHD patients.
High prevalence of Plasmodium spp infections in Bangui, Central African Republic
Authors: Nzoumbou-Boko Romaric , Nalingbo Mireille Cornelia Ingrid Denissio Morissi , Yambiyo Brice Martial , Detol Roger , Moussa Ermeland Rock-feller , Nalinga Didita , Namsenei-Dankpea Lydie Joella-Venus Grace , Manirakiza Alexandre , Ayong Lawrence , II Yap Boum
Published: May 2024

Background
Malaria is a major public health problem in the Central African Republic (CAR), despite the massive scale-up of control interventions. Community-based malaria is still not documented across CAR, although 100 % of its population is at risk of malaria and CAR is the 5th most affected country in Africa in terms of incidence. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of malaria parasite infections in Bangui from August to September 2022.
Methods
A community-based cross-sectional study was undertaken in Bangui, the capital of CAR. Sociodemographic data and venous blood samples were collected from each study participant. Positivity for malaria parasites was determined using malaria rapid diagnostic test (mRDT), thick blood smear microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods.
Results
A total of 638 participants, mean age of 26.44 years (range 1 to 75 years) and a sex ratio (M/F) of 1.22, were tested for malaria parasites using all three detection methods. The overall prevalence of Plasmodium spp. was 32.45% (95% CI 31.29 -33.61%) by PCR, 27.59% (95% CI 25.75% – 30.35%) by mRDT and 23.51% (95% CI 20.64% - 24.82%) by Giemsa-based thick blood smear microscopy. Malaria was more common in people aged 15 to 49 years, and a microspatial heterogeneity in positivity rates was observed, with the majority of cases occurring in semi-urban areas by mRDT and microscopy respectivelly. Approximately 80% of microscopy-positive subjects had a low parasite density (<1000 parasites/µl whole blood). Although P. falciparum was the most common species (98.55%), the transmission of P. ovale appears to be well established in the area, occurring either as mono-infection (1.45%) or coinfection (1.93%) with P. falciparum. In addition, a 9.56% prevalence of submicroscopic infections was observed.
Conclusions
This first study of community malaria in Bangui provides essential baseline data to guide future research on malaria parasites in the Central African Republic, particularly with regard to circulating parasite species. The high prevalence of community malaria demonstrates the persistence of malaria as a major public health challenge in the country, highlighting the need to intensify ongoing control efforts.
Case Study on Art-Based Intervention with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Macau
Authors: WU Haya HOIPIO , Teixeira Vitor Santos
Published: May 2024

Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) experience core difficulties in social interaction and communication. Teaching and interacting with them can be challenging for their families and those surrounding them. Art-based interventionas an approach engaging in the creative process and integrating internal sensations to express thoughts and feelings nonverbally. It has the potential to enhance self-esteem, awareness, and exploration, among other benefits that all are good for people with ASD.
The objective of this study is to develop and implement an art-based intervention for children with ASD in Macau, with the goal of enhancing their communication and reducing the problems behaviors. Utilizing single-subject design and a one-group pre-test with post-test design involves three participants who are similar in age and same gender but differ in terms of their ASD level and comorbidities to evaluate the results.
The results of Social Skills Improvement System - Rating Scales (SSIS-RS) demonstrate positive effects on both social skills and problem behaviors. Additionally, based on the Clinical Observation Reports (COR) children showed improvements in the frequency of interaction and communication.
This study indicated that art-based intervention has a positive effect on children with ASD in Macau. Furthermore, implementing this intervention with children with ASD is highly significant, and the outcomes of this study can serve as a reference for the future well-being of children with ASD in Macau.
Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase(LDH) and Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) Correlate Optimally with Nottingham Prognostic Index for Breast Cancer
Authors: Mwesige Sylvery , Kyaruzi Victor Meza , Misidai Mungeni , Mchembe Mabula , Mwanga Ally
Published: May 2024

Background
LDH and GGT have been identified as breast cancer serum prognostic markers. Serum level of LDH has been found to increase due to uplifted anaerobic glycolysis in malignant neoplastic conditions. GGT has also been noted to rise in circulation indicating the extent of oxidative stress within the body. Their levels are high in advanced BC cases. Meanwhile, in our setting, there are no serum markers done on a routine basis in breast cancer surveillance among women and predicting the prognosis. Thus, these markers can augment the available tool(s) in predicting breast cancer prognosis since they are widely available, accessible, and economically affordable.
Objective
This study aimed to assess the correlation between LDH/GGT with NPI among Breast Cancer Women.
Study Methods
A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted for 12 months. The data were collected by interviewing patients, patients’ files and from the hospital’s electronic database (Jeeva) and then were filled in the structured checklist. IBM SPSS version 27 was used to analyse the data. Mean, median and standard deviation were used to present numerical variables. Categorical variables were presented as frequencies or proportions The correlation was assessed and analyzed by Spearman correlation coefficient and Linear Regression models while ROC was used to determine the accuracy.
Results
Out of the 104 patients who underwent radical mastectomy for Breast Cancer had a mean age of 48.51 ± 12.80. Among them, 27 (26%) were diagnosed below 40 years of age.
Epidemiological characteristics of five non-COVID respiratory viruses among 37139 all-age patients during 2018−2023 in Weifang, China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Quan Yining , Zhang Xiaomeng , Yang Guimao , Ma Chuanqiang , Liu Mengmeng
Published: May 2024

Background: Common non-COVID respiratory viruses, such as influenza virus (IFVA/IFVB), parainfluenza virus (PIV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and adenovirus (ADV), often cause acute respiratory infections (ARIs). This study aimed to explore the epidemiological characteristics of these five viruses in patients with ARIs before, during, and after the pandemic from 2018-2023.
Methods: A total of 37,139 serum specimens and epidemiological data from all-aged patients who presented with ARIs were collected from Jan 2018 to Dec 2023. The IgM antibodies of 5 non-COVID respiratory viruses were tested by an IgM kit with indirect immunofluorescent assay (lFA).
Results: 12,806 specimens were screened as positive for any one of the targeted viruses, with an overall positive rate of 34.48%. Among all age groups, the most prevalent respiratory viruses were PIV (21.30%) and Flu (17.30% of IFVB and 9.91% of IFVA). Children aged 1-14 years were most vulnerable to lower respiratory viruses, as children aged 4-6 years have the highest prevalence no matter the positive rate for overall viruses (53.06%) or for each virus. From 2018 to 2023, the annual percentage change (APC) revealed that the prevalence of total viruses have a 13.53% rise (p < 0.05), which increased with statistically significant for all age groups. In addition, both the infection rate and the number of samples detected have decreased significantly in the "first-level response" stage of the COVID-19 pandemic and in the "first three months" after fully lifting. Compared to those in the previous five years, the total infection rate (44.64%) and infection rate (26.93%) of the older adults (>60 years) were all the highest in 2023, and the number of samples collected in 2023 sharply increased, increasing by 77.10% compared to the average of the number of detected in 2018-2022.
Conclusions: The data from this study indicate that the epidemiological characteristics of five non-COVID respiratory viruses are vulnerability to the environment, age, sex, and epidemics status among AIR patients, and that the detected number and positive rate of these viruses have increased in the "post-pandemic era", which is critical for the late or retrospective diagnosis and can serve as a useful surveillance tool to inform local public policy in Weifang, China.
Ten-Year Single-Centre Experience in Managing Traumatic Subclavian and Axillary Artery Injuries
Authors: Lee Na Hyeon , Kim Seon Hee , Song Seunghwan , Lee Chung Won , Kwon Hoon , Lee Sang Bong , Ryu Dong Yeon , Kim Sun Hyun , Kim Jae Hun , Kim Hohyun , Park Chan Ik , Kim Gil Hwan
Published: May 2024

Purpose
Trauma-induced injuries to the subclavian and axillary arteries are rare. Treatment options include open repair and endovascular procedures, and the selection ofthe appropriate modality requires careful consideration. We aimed to evaluate the management of traumatic subclavian and axillary artery injuries at a single trauma center.
Methods
This single-center retrospective study analyzed the medical records of 12 patients who sustained injuries to the subclavian and axillary arteries between January 2013 and January 2023. Injury grading was categorized as follows: grade A, minimal injury (intima only); grade B, vessel laceration <25%; grade C, laceration 25–50%; grade D, laceration >50%; grade E, pseudoaneurysm; grade F, vessel transection; and grade G, occlusion. Patient outcomes, including in-hospital mortality, limb salvage and length of stay (LOS) in the hospital and intensive care unit (ICU), were identified.
Results
The mean age of the patients was 52.5±16.4 years, and 67% were males. The mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 22±4. The in-hospital mortality rate was 17% (n=2), and none of the patients required amputation. The median hospital LOS was 48 days (interquartile range [IQR], 22–71 days) and the median ICU LOS was 4 days (IQR, 2–22 days). When categorized into open repair, endovascular repair, and observation groups, a significant difference was observed in injury grade but not in ISS, LOS, or ICU LOS.
Conclusion
When managing patients with traumatic subclavian and axillary artery injuries, it is crucial to consider the patient's hemodynamic status and the degree of the injury.
Influence of Partial Replacement of Ordinary Portland Cementitious System with Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS) on Concrete Strength and Durability
Authors: Maske Mayur Madhukar , Sayyed Sabir Salim , More Sachin Krishna , Patil Savita Nandkishor , Chandak Piyush Govind
Published: May 2024

This study aims to investigate the characteristics of a blended cement system consisting of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) and Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS), with a focus on strength and durability performance. This research also focuses on exploring the potential advantages of using GGBFS in OPC-based cement mixes. The experimental investigation includes a series of laboratory tests, such as compressive strength tests and durability tests, such as the Rapid Chloride Permeability Test and Water Impermeability Test. The strength and durability of cementitious systems containing GGBFS in varying percentages were tested against aggressive environments. Both pure and blended cement can achieve the compressive strength required for M20-grade concrete. However, in the case of M60 grade concrete, blended cement exhibits 7.4% lower strength when compared to pure OPC. Both pure OPC and blended cement used in M20 grade concrete exhibited good durability. Likewise, M60 grade concrete with blended cement also demonstrated good durability, whereas M60 grade concrete made with pure OPC was found to be unsatisfactory. The findings from this study provide valuable insights into the use of GGBFS as a supplementary cementitious material, which contributes to the development of sustainable and durable concrete structures.
Prenatal maternal stress: triangulating evidence for intrauterine exposure effects on birth and early childhood outcomes across multiple approaches
Authors: Lund Ingunn Olea , Hannigan Laurie J. , Ask Helga , Askelund Adrian , Hegemann Laura , Corfield Elizabeth C. , Wootton Robyn E. , Ahmadzadeh Yasmin , Smith George Davey , McAdams Tom A. , Ystrom Eivind , Havdahl Alexandra
Published: May 2024

Background:
Maternal stress during pregnancy may impact offspring development via changes in the intrauterine environment. However, genetic and environmental factors shared between mothers and children might skew our understanding of this pathway. This study assesses whether prenatal maternal stress has causal links to offspring birthweight, gestational age, or emotional and behavioral difficulties, triangulating across methods that account for various measured and unmeasured confounders.
Methods:
We used data from the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study (MoBa), including maternal reports on prenatal stress at work, at home, and via stressful life events as exposures. Outcomes were children’s birth weight and gestational age, from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway, and maternal reports on early childhood emotional and behavioral difficulties. We assessed associations using four approaches: sibling control analyses, gene-environment interaction analyses, intergenerational Mendelian Randomization (MR), and negative control (i.e., post-natal stress) analyses.
Results:
Maternal prenatal stress was observationally associated with lower birthweight (e.g., 𝛽work = -0.01 [95%CI: -0.02,-0.01]), earlier birth (e.g., 𝛽work = -0.04 [95%CI:-0.04,-0.03])), and more emotional (e.g., 𝛽events = [0.08 95%CI:0.07,0.9]) and behavioral difficulties (e.g., 𝛽relationship = 0.08 [95%CI: 0.07,0.09]) in the full sample (N = 112,784). However, sibling control analyses (N = 36,511), revealed substantial attenuation of all associations after accounting for familial factors. Gene-environment interaction models (N = 76,288) showed no clear evidence of moderation of associations by mothers’ polygenic scores for traits linked to stress sensitivity. Intergenerational MR analyses (N = 29,288) showed no clear evidence of causal effects of maternal plasma cortisol on any offspring outcomes. Negative control exposure analyses revealed similar effect sizes whether exposures were measured prenatally or postnatally.
Conclusion:
Our results indicate that links between prenatal maternal stress and variation in early offspring outcomes are more likely to be confounded than causal. While no observational study can rule out causality, the consistency of our findings across different approaches is striking. Other sources of prenatal stress or more extreme levels may represent intrauterine causal risk factors for offspring development. Nonetheless, our research contributes to identifying boundary conditions of the fetal programming and developmental origins of health and disease hypotheses, which may not be as universal as sometimes assumed.
Enhancing concrete strength and durability of normal and high- strength concrete: Exploring combined effects of optimized silica fume and slag
Authors: Mostofinejad Davood , Nasrollahi Mohsen , Bahmani Hadi , Zajshoor Zahra , Sadeghi Morteza
Published: May 2024

The utilization of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) in concrete attracted significant attention worldwide due to both environmental benefits and the potential for enhancing concrete's mechanical properties and durability. This study investigates the interaction effects of silica fume and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) on the behavior of normal and high-strength concrete in terms of steel corrosion resistance, carbonation depth, and compressive strength. Fifty-two concrete specimens were prepared in four groups with different combinations of water-to-cementitious materials ratio (w/cm), slag content, and silica fume content and were tested. A method was employed to compare the corrosion initiation times of different concrete specimens. The results demonstrated that silica fume improves the concrete's resistance to steel corrosion by enhancing the density, strength, and durability of the cement matrix. The specimen with a w/cm ratio of 0.3 containing 35% slag and 10% silica fume achieved a 33% reduction in carbonation depth and a compressive strength of 118 MPa, representing a 20% increase compared to the similar specimen without slag. Furthermore, the specimen with a w/cm ratio of 0.3 containing 35% slag and 15% silica fume exhibited a 44% increase in steel corrosion resistance compared to the similar specimen without silica fume. While optimizing the combined content of slag and silica fume, this study highlights that their individual effects are less significant than their combined effect when used as partial replacements for cement.
Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB): metabolic adaptation and transcriptional response to human urine (HU)
Authors: Escalante Jenny , Hamza Mase , Nishimura Brent , Melecio Meghan , Davies-Sala Carol , Tuttobene Marisel R. , Subils Tomás , Traglia German M. , Pham Chloe , Sieira Rodrigo , Actis Luis , Bonomo Robert A. , Tolmasky Marcelo E. , Ramirez María Soledad
Published: May 2024

Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) is a major human pathogen and a research priority for developing new antimicrobial agents. CRAB is a causative agent of a variety of infections in different body sites. One of the manifestations is catheter-associated urinary tract infection, which exposes the bacteria to the host's urine, creating a particular environment. Exposure of two CRAB clinical isolates, AB5075 and AMA40, to human urine (HU) resulted in the differential expression levels of 264 and 455 genes, respectively, of which 112 were common to both strains. Genes within this group play roles in metabolic pathways such as phenylacetic acid (PAA) catabolism, the Hut system, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and other processes like quorum sensing and biofilm formation. These results indicate that the presence of HU induces numerous adaptive changes in gene expression of the infecting bacteria. These modifications presumably help bacteria establish and thrive in the hostile conditions in the urinary tract. These analyses advance our understanding of CRAB's metabolic adaptations to human fluids, as well as expanding knowledge on bacterial responses to distinct human fluids containing different concentrations of human serum albumin (HSA).
Experimental study on the response characteristic and formation mechanism for the precursor information chain of rockburst
Authors: Sun Jie , Liu Dongqiao , Huang Huili , He Manchao , Sun Qingfeng , Cui Mengyao
Published: May 2024

Good understanding of the precursor phenomena is essential to the warning of rockburst. Based on the acoustic emission (AE) monitoring results of 12 rockburst experiments induced by disturbance load, the dynamic response process of rockburst precursors was revealed by the first difference of AE intrinsic trend. Considering the nonlinear evolution process of AE intrinsic trend, three precursor phenomena (including the warning precursor, subcritical precursor, and disaster precursor) were revealed in a continuous process. And then, three mechanisms were proposed to interpreted the formation of these precursors under the framework of rockburst rupture evolution process, including: (i) warning precursor dominated by the reach of maximum damage rate of intergranular rupture, (ii) subcritical precursor dominated by the formation of large-scale rupture, and (iii) disaster precursor dominated by the formation of frictional slip cracks. In addition, the promotion induced effect of dynamic frequency on precursor response time was revealed, and specifically reflected in that the increase of disturbance load frequency shortens the precursor response time.
Enhanced Data Augmentation for Infrared Images with Generative Adversarial Networks Aided byPretrained Models
Authors: Wang Yan , Deng Lianbing
Published: May 2024

Infrared imaging emerges as a promising technique for vision tasks within environments characterized by low or obscured visibility. However, the scarcity of infrared datasets, particularly those comprising paired infrared-visible images, addresses significant challenges for the training of high-performance deep learning models. This paper investigates the application of generative adversarial networks (GANs) for data augmentation in infrared imaging. Our work encompasses a range of GAN models including Pix2Pix, CycleGAN, StyleGAN3, and the proposed Cycle-aided model, which incorporates vision-aided loss to enhance both model training and stability. The results demonstrate that CycleGAN encounters stability issues and is prone to mode collapse, leading to less satisfactory performance. By contrast, the Cycle-aided model that leverages pre-trained models to substantially improve both the discriminative and generative capabilities ofGANs, evidenced by a 51% increase in peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), a 43%increase in structural similarity index (SSIM) and an 18% decrease in the Fr´echetinception distance (FID) over CycleGAN. These improvements underscore the potential of GANs to improve data augmentation practices for infrared imaging in low-visibility environments. The insights gained also pave the way for future research aimed at developing architectures and training strategies of GANS for fully exploiting the unique properties of data augmentation.
The role of zonal advective feedback in depicting the deficiency of ENSO’s diversity in CESM2
Authors: Pang Da , Fang Xianghui , Wang Lei
Published: May 2024

During the mature phases of two types of El Niño, the patterns of sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTA) are obviously different, with the centers near eastern Pacific (EP) for the EP El Niño and near the dateline (180° of longitude) for the central Pacific (CP) El Niño. However, contradicting with the observation, in the Community Earth System Model version 2 (CESM2), the SSTA centers of both types of El Niño are close to the CP area, which makes them difficult to be separated, i.e., the CESM2 shows a relatively poor depiction of the realistic El Niño diversity. To explore the possible reasons for this deficiency, a meticulous comparison of the dominant mechanisms for the equatorial Pacific SSTA evolution, i.e., the thermocline feedback (TH) and the zonal advective feedback (ZA), between the model and observation is conducted in this study. The results suggest that comparing with the observation, the weak intensity of TH and the westward shift of the dominant ZA position in the model are the primary causes that induce such proximity of SSTA centers of the two types of El Niño. The deeper distance between thermocline and sea surface, which induce smaller amplitude of thermocline depth variation, cause the deviation of the TH in CESM2. Furthermore, the deviation of the ZA comes from the pronounced westward bias in simulating the background zonal gradient of sea surface temperature, along with the weak zonal current anomalies in the EP area.
Heat Shock Transcription Factor HSF2b Plays a Critical Role in the Synthesis of Fucoxanthin by Modulating the Expression of ZEP1 in Phaeodactylum tricornutum
Authors: Li Yixuan , Fan Sizhe , Wang Qi , Liu Shixia , Zhang Xin , li xiaohui
Published: May 2024

Fucoxanthin is a pigment with important economic value, however, the transcriptional regulatory mechanism of its synthetic pathway is relatively poorly reported. In this study, we screened a heat-excited transcription factor, HSF2b, which is able to bind to the ZEP1 promoter, using a yeast one-hybrid screen library. Functional studies revealed that overexpression of HSF2b increased the content of fucoxanthin, while gene editing of HSF2b decreased the content of fucoxanthin. Further studies showed that HSF2b was able to further mediate the synthesis of fucoxanthin by regulating the expression of the fucoxanthin synthesis-related genes DXS, PSY1, ZDS, ZEP1, ZEP3 and CRTISO5. In addition, HSF2b was able to bind to the promoters of ZEP1, ZEP3 and CRTISO5 and activate their expression. The results of genetic studies showed that the regulation of fucoxanthin by HSF2b was dependent on ZEP1. Therefore, the present study systematically elucidated the transcriptional regulatory mechanism of fucoxanthin synthesis, which provides a new idea for understanding the mechanism of fucoxanthin synthesis.
Older Fallers and Non-fallers’ Neuromuscular and Kinematic Alterations in Reactive Balance Control: Indicators of Balance Decline or Compensation?
Authors: Zhu Ringo Tang-Long , Hung Timmi Tim Mei , Lam Freddy Man Hin , Li Jun-Zhe , Luo Yu-Yan , Sun Jingting , Wang Shujun , Ma Christina Zong-Hao
Published: May 2024

Background: Falls and fall consequences in older adults are global health issues. Previous studies have compared postural sways or stepping strategies between older adults with and without fall histories, to identify the associated factors of falls. However, more in-depth neuromuscular/kinematic mechanisms have remained unclear. This study therefore aimed to comprehensively investigate and compare the muscle activities and joint kinematics during reactive balance control in older adults with different fall histories.
Methods: This pilot observational study recruited six community-dwelling older fallers (≥1 fall in past one year) and six non-fallers, who received unexpected translational balance perturbations in randomized directions and intensities during natural standing. The whole-body center-of-mass (COM) displacements, eight dominant-leg joint motions and muscle electrical activities were collected, and analyzed using the temporal and amplitude parameters. Four-way ANOVA and post hoc analyses were conducted to examine the effects of fall history, perturbation direction, perturbation intensity, and postural sway/joint/muscle on each parameter.
Results: Post hoc analyses revealed that compared to older non-fallers, fallers had significantly: (a) smaller activation rate in ankle dorsiflexor, delayed activation in hip flexor/extensor, larger activation rate in knee flexor, and smaller agonist-antagonist co-contraction in lower-limb muscles; (b) larger knee/hip flexion angles, longer ankle dorsiflexion duration, and delayed timing of recovery in joint motions; and (c) earlier downward COM displacements and larger anteroposterior overshooting COM displacements following unexpected perturbations (p< 0.05).
Conclusion and Implication: Compared to older non-fallers, fallers tended to use more suspensory strategies to maintain reactive standing balance. Such strategies could enable older fallers to compensate for their inadequate initiation of ankle/hip strategies, but led to prolonged and overacted balance recovery among them. This study’s comprehensive neuromuscular/kinematic analyses and controlled balance perturbation preliminarily uncovered some specific declines and ineffective strategies in fall-prone older adults during reactive balance control, which can potentially enhance the instrumented assessments for early identification of fall-prone older adults and facilitate the targeted training to prevent their falls. Further longitudinal studies are still needed to examine diagnostic accuracies of these identified neuromuscular/kinematic factors in differentiating fall risks of older people.
A Nighttime Driving Detection Model with Adaptive Growth Characteristics
Authors: Ma Hang , Yang Genjian , Chen Wenbai , Hou Junzhuo
Published: May 2024

Nighttime driving scene detection currently trails its daytime counterpart, largely due to challenges such as reduced illumination, glare, and ambiguous datasets. This research introduces an innovative adaptive model crafted to amplify nighttime driving detection precision. The model integrates a specially conceived Confidence Iterative Generative Adversarial Network (CI-GAN) with Adaptive Fine-Tuning, ensuring persistent model enhancement. While safeguarding the foundational features of the initial model, our strategy optimally acclimatizes the model to multifarious nighttime nuances. In daylight conditions, CI-GAN deploys a confidence iterative learning tactic to aptly steer the generative network, subsequently boosting its generative velocity. In tandem, during nocturnal periods, it ceaselessly refines its discriminator, prompting CI-GAN to produce images that bear a closer resemblance to authentic nighttime vistas. Adaptive Fine-Tuning incorporates a differential optimization technique grounded in transfer learning. This obviates the traditionally tedious manual layer selection process, instead harnessing the algorithm's expansive search potential to pinpoint the most effective fine-tuning methodology. Empirical analyses affirm that our refined model progressively elevates nighttime detection capabilities, all while maintaining the original model's inference velocity and dimensions. This advancement diverges from conventional methods that preprocess nighttime imagery prior to detection. Instead, it equips the model to dynamically evolve within nighttime environments, offering fresh insights and techniques for enhancing nighttime driving detection.
Implementation of advanced analytical methods MeD-seq and LC-MS/MS for assessing the epigenetic profile of high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome
Authors: Nikolopoulos Theodoros , Bochalis Eleftherios , Chatzilygeroudi Theodora , Chondrou Vasiliki , Dereki Irene , Athanasopoulou Katerina , Zafeiropoulos John , Bourikas Kyriakos , Patrinos George , Symeonidis Argiris , Sgourou Argyro
Published: May 2024

Treatment decision and response assessment in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) can be enhanced by the implementation of advanced diagnostic and prognostic assays for the detection of multiple molecular features. Higher-risk (HR) MDS, ineligible for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT), require prompt therapeutic interventions such as treatment with hypomethylating agents (HMAs) to restore normal DNA methylation levels, mainly of oncosuppressor genes and consequently to delay disease progression and increase overall survival (OS). However, response assessment to HMA treatment relies on conventional methods with limited capacity to uncover a wide spectrum of molecular events. We studied bone marrow aspirates from twenty-one HR MDS patients pre- and post-HMA treatment and seven healthy controls. Genomic DNA was analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for 5’ methyl-cytosine (5mC), 5’ hydroxy-methyl cytosine (5hmC) levels detection, and global adenosine/thymidine ([dA]/[T]) ratio, to correlate differences during treatment course and at baseline state prior drug therapy. Results from methylation DNA sequencing (MeD-seq) from the same HR MDS cohort were also analyzed to identify targeted differentially methylated regions (DMRs). LC/MS-MS analysis revealed a significant hypomethylation status in responders (Rs) already established at baseline and a trend for further DNA methylation reduction post-HMA treatment. Non-responders (NRs) reached statistical significance for DNA hypomethylation only post-HMA treatment. MeD-seq confirmed results globally for both Rs and NRs and more specifically, identified DMRs associated with HMA treatment. Additionally, within statistically significant selected chromosomal bins, genes encoding for proteins and non-coding RNAs were highlighted with reversed methylation profiles between Rs and NRs. Dynamic DNA methylation changes in HR MDS patients undergoing HMA therapy demonstrated that response to treatment is associated only with few specific hypomethylated DMRs rather than presenting a global effect across genome. The 5hmC epigenetic mark was only rarely detected in Rs and NRs, in contrast to healthy controls. Global [dA]/[T] ratio was lower in both R and NR subgroups compared to controls suggesting high frequences of baseline transitions from 5mC to thymidine. Conclusively, LC-MS/MS methodology provided broad-based but rapid and cost-effective results on the molecular HR MDS background, potentially translatable into responsive phenotypes to HMA treatment.
RNA-seq analysis reveals transcriptome changes associated with the progression of non-alcoholic liver disease in livers from Efcab4b knockout mice
Authors: Cheng Chew W. , Pedicini Lucia , Alcala Cintli Morales , Deligianni Fenia , Smith Jessica , Forde Niamh , McKeown Lynn
Published: May 2024

EFCAB4B is an evolutionarily conserved protein that encodes for the Rab GTPase Rab46, and the CRAC channel modulator, CRACR2A. Previous genome wide association studies have demonstrated the association of EFCAB4B variants in the progression of non-alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD). In this study we show that mice with global depletion of Efcab4b-/-have significantly larger livers than their wild-type (WT) counterparts. We performed RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis of liver tissues to investigate differential global gene expression among Efcab4b-/-and WT mice. Of the 69 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), analyses of biological processes found significant enrichment in liver and bile development, with 6 genes (Pck1, Aacs, Onecut1, E2f8, Xbp1, and Hes1) involved in both processes. Specific consideration of possible roles of DEGs or their products in NAFLD progression to (NASH) and hepatocarcinoma (HCC), demonstrated DEGs in the livers of Efcab4b-/-mice had roles in molecular pathways including lipid metabolism, inflammation, ER stress and fibrosis. The results in this study provide additional insights into molecular mechanisms responsible for increasing susceptibility of liver injuries associated with EFCAB4B.
Wait times for surgery of cutaneous malignancies following the COVID-19 Pandemic: A retrospective cohort analysis
Authors: Cleland Jane B. , Greenzaid Jonathan D. , Doerfler Laura , Ahn Christine S.
Published: May 2024

There was an increase in undiagnosed skin cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a significant backlog of untreated cases. However, it is unclear how this affected the long-term surgical management of tumors after the recovery from the pandemic. We aimed to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the long-term management of cutaneous tumors. We completed a retrospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with cutaneous tumors from June 1, 2018 to August 31, 2018 (pre-COVID cohort) and June 1, 2022 to August 31, 2022 (post-COVID cohort) at Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center (AWFBMC). For these two cohorts, we compared the number of tumors diagnosed, severity of tumors, tumor duration prior to diagnosis, and time from diagnosis to treatment.
More tumors were diagnosed in the post-COVID cohort compared to the pre-COVID cohort (1045 vs. 850, respectively). There was a larger proportion of patients diagnosed within 6 months of tumor presentation in the pre-COVID cohort compared to the post-COVID cohort (56% vs. 46%, p=0.0005). There was a shorter time from diagnosis to treatment in the post-COVID cohort compared to the pre- COVID cohort (41.7 vs. 48.5 days, p=0.0015). There is still an increased caseload of cutaneous tumors at an academic, tertiary-care medical center in the U.S. However, treatment times have improved, possibly indicating increased productivity of the healthcare system.
Characterization of brain transduction capability of a BBB-penetrant, peptide-displaying AAV vector in mice, rats and non-human primates
Authors: Hernandez-Alcoceba Ruben , Bunuales Maria , Garduno Angeles , Chillon Miguel , Bosch Assumpció , Gonzalez-Aparicio Manuela , Espelosin Maria , Garcia-Gomara Marta , Rico Alberto , Garcia-Osta Ana , Cuadrado-Tejedor Mar , Lanciego Jose Luis
Published: May 2024

Different screening methods are being developed to generate adeno-associated viral vectors (AAV) with the ability to bypass the blood-brain barrier (BBB) upon intravenous administration. Recently, the AAV9P31 stood out as the most efficient version among a library of peptide-displaying capsids selected in C57BL/6 mice using RNA-driven biopanning. In this work we have characterized in detail its biodistribution in different mouse strains (C57BL/6 and Balb/c), as well as in Sprague Dawley rats and non-human primates (Macaca fascicularis). Using GFP and NanoLuc reporter genes, we confirmed homogeneous infection and transgene expression across the CNS of mice injected intravenously with AAV9P31. A more restricted pattern was observed upon either intracerebroventricular or intraparenchymal injection. Following intravenous delivery, region- and cell-specific differential patterns of transduction were observed in the mouse brain, including a preferential transduction of astrocytes and neurons in the cerebral cortex and striatum, whereas neurons were the only transduced cell type in subcortical locations across the hippocampus, thalamus, hypothalamus, mesencephalon, brainstem and cerebellum. Furthermore, transduced microglial cells were never found in any CNS location. Peripheral organs transduced upon intravenous administration included lung, liver, peritoneum, heart and skeletal muscle. However, a comparable performance of AAV9P31 to bypass the BBB in rats and macaques was not observed, although a more limited neuronal transduction was found in the brainstem of rats upon intravenous delivery. Finally, intracerebroventricular delivery in macaques resulted in neuronal transduction in cortical, subcortical structures and cerebellum following a patchy pattern. In conclusion, the widespread CNS transduction obtained in mice upon intravenous delivery of AAV9P31 represents a powerful tool for modeling a wide variety of neurological disorders as well as an appealing choice for the evaluation of gene therapy-based therapeutics.