bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Touristic Importance of Gyula Region in the New Destination Structure Defined in 2020
Authors: Bagdi Róbert , Mondok Anita
Published: July 2024

The management system and organisational structure of national tourism fundamentally was renewed in Hungary in 2016, which had several new elements. The five determined ’important tourism development areas’ as destinations became the new frame for developing tourism in 2016 and 2017. Destination system was also renewed in 2020, when not only the official names and territorial range were overviewed, but also eleven destinations were created and six new ones were determined. Among these destinations the Gyula region consists of the least number of settlements only two (Gyula and Békéscsaba). The article focuses on the research questions of what processes and events led to the creation of the current tourist offer of the two municipalities of Gyula tourist region and how the area performed in the years 2020-2022. By examining the socio-economic changes in the two settlements after the Second World War, the roots of the current level of tourism development are explored. The analysis of the statistical data series available from the Central Statistical Office and the National Tourism Data Supply Centre are used to analyse the specificities of the period 2020-2022. Since the two cities have different tourist characteristics, they cannot be considered major competitors, and in fact Békéscsaba’s dominant position in business tourism can be well complemented by the spa services offered in Gyula. In both municipalities surveyed, tourism operators faced challenges due to travel restrictions resulting from the COVID pandemic, but the dominant domestic visitor share in the tourist area meant that guests returned quickly after the closures.
Membangun Generasi Digitalpreneur Melalui Pelatihan Keterampilan Digital Marketing bagi Badan Santunan Yatim, Margonda, Depok
Authors: Basudani Wahid Akbar , Mulyadi Harry , Simamora Valentine Theresia , Purwanto Obi Eko
Published: July 2024

This Community Service activity aims to provide socialization and training for teenagers who are under the guidance of the Margonda Orphan Compensation Agency, Depok where children who take shelter in this institution need knowledge of digital skills in development efforts. The method used is by giving lectures or presenting material directly, consisting of an explanation of what digitalpreneur is to the use of e-commerce in building an online shop. By knowing the concept of digipreneur, teenagers can understand the potential of entrepreneurship which is supported by the ability to utilize technology.
TagP, a PAAR-domain containing protein, plays roles in the fitness and virulence of Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Li Yanbing , Cui Yiming , Song Kai , Shen Leiming , Xiao Liting , Jin Junyan , Zhao Yanting , Yan Yanfeng , Zhao Shengyuan , Yao Wenwu , Wang Shihua , Du Zongmin , Yang Ruifu , Yi Bin , Song Yajun
Published: July 2024

Background

Type VI secretion system (T6SS) is widely present in Gram-negative bacteria and directly mediates antagonistic prokaryote interactions. PAAR (proline-alanine-alanine-arginine repeats) proteins have been proven essential for T6SS-mediated secretion and target cell killing. Although PAAR proteins are commonly found in A. baumannii, their biological functions are not fully disclosed yet. In this study, we investigated the functions of a PAAR protein termed TagP (T6SS-associated-gene PAAR), encoded by the gene ACX60_RS09070 outside the core T6SS locus of A. baumannii strain ATCC 17978.

Methods

In this study, tagP null and complement A. baumannii ATCC 17978 strains were constructed. The influence of TagP on T6SS function was investigated through Hcp detection and bacterial competition assay; the influence on environmental fitness was studied through in vitro growth, biofilm formation assay, surface motility assay, survivability in various simulated environmental conditions; the influence on pathogenicity was explored through cell adhesion and invasion assays, intramacrophage survival assay, serum survival assay, and G. melonella Killing assays. Quantitative transcriptomic and proteomic analyses were utilized to observe the global impact of TagP on bacterial status.

Results

Compared with the wildtype strain, the tagP null mutant was impaired in several tested phenotypes such as surface motility, biofilm formation, tolerance to adverse environments, adherence to eukaryotic cells, endurance to serum complement killing, and virulence to Galleria melonella. Notably, although RNA-Seq and proteomics analysis revealed that many genes were significantly down-regulated in the tagP null mutant compared to the wildtype strain, there is no significant difference in their antagonistic abilities. We also found that Histone-like nucleoid structuring protein (H-NS) was significantly upregulated in the tagP null mutant at both mRNA and protein levels.

Conclusions

This study enriches our understanding of the biofunction of PAAR proteins in A. baumannii. The results indicates that TagP involved in a unique modulation of fitness and virulence control in A. baumannii, it is more than a classic PAAR protein involved in T6SS, while how TagP play roles in the fitness and virulence of A. baumannii needs further investigation to clarify.
Investigating discourse markers “you know” and “I mean” in mediatized English political interviews: a corpus-based comparative study
Authors: Fu Yanli , Afzaal Muhammad , El-Dakhs Dina Abdel Salam
Published: July 2024

This study employs a corpus-based approach to examine and compare the use of two discourse markers (DMs), “you know” and “I mean”, within the context of two mediatised English political interviews. The analysis encompasses frequencies, functions, co-occurrences, and positional distributions of these DMs. The study utilizes specialized corpora from two political interview programs: CGTN’s The Point with Liu Xin and BBC’s HARDtalk. The frequency analysis reveals that “you know” is statistically more prevalent than “I mean” in both programs, reflecting the spontaneity, interactivity, and need for clarification characteristic of political interviews. Notably, the Chinese interviewer (IR) uses “you know” more extensively, possibly due to a cultural preference for ensuring mutual understanding and engaging the audience, while the British IR employs “I mean” slightly more frequently, likely reflecting a tendency to clarify or reframe statements for precision. Functionally, these DMs serve diverse purposes such as hedging, agreeing, and monitoring across various domains including interpersonal, sequential, and rhetorical. Positional analysis shows “you know” typically appearing medially and “I mean” often in initial positions. These results underscore the distinctive interviewing styles of the two IRs and the pivotal role of these DMs in fulfilling a spectrum of communicative functions. This research offers valuable insights into the interviewer’s perspective in political interviews.
Causal factors of cardiovascular disease in end-stage renal disease with maintenance hemodialysis: a longitudinal and Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Tian Dandan , Xu You , Wang Ying , Zhu Xirui , Huang Chun , Liu Min , Li Panlong , Li Xiangyong
Published: July 2024

Background

The risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) with hemodialysis remain not fully understood. In this study, we developed and validated a clinical-longitudinal model for predicting CVD in patients with hemodialysis, and employed Mendelian randomization to evaluate the causal 6study included 468 hemodialysis patients, and biochemical parameters were evaluated every three months. A generalized linear mixed (GLM) predictive model was applied to longitudinal clinical data. Calibration curves and area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) were used to evaluate the performance of the model. Kaplan-Meier curves were applied to verify the effect of selected risk factors on the probability of CVD. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for CVD (n = 218,792,101,866 cases), end-stage renal disease (ESRD, n = 16,405, 326 cases), diabetes (n = 202,046, 9,889 cases), creatinine (n = 7,810), and uric acid (UA, n = 109,029) were obtained from the large-open GWAS project. The inverse-variance weighted MR was used as the main analysis to estimate the causal associations, and several sensitivity analyses were performed to assess pleiotropy and exclude variants with potential pleiotropic effects.

Results

The AUCs of the GLM model was 0.93 (with accuracy rates of 93.9% and 93.1% for the training set and validation set, sensitivity of 0.95 and 0.94, specificity of 0.87 and 0.86). The final clinical-longitudinal model consisted of 5 risk factors, including age, diabetes, ipth, creatinine, and UA. Furthermore, the predicted CVD response also allowed for significant (p < 0.05) discrimination between the Kaplan-Meier curves of each age, diabetes, ipth, and creatinine subclassification. MR analysis indicated that diabetes had a causal role in risk of CVD (β = 0.088, p < 0.0001) and ESRD (β = 0.26, p = 0.007). In turn, ESRD was found to have a causal role in risk of diabetes (β = 0.027, p = 0.013). Additionally, creatinine exhibited a causal role in the risk of ESRD (β = 4.42, p = 0.01).

Conclusions

The results showed that old age, diabetes, and low level of ipth, creatinine, and UA were important risk factors for CVD in hemodialysis patients, and diabetes played an important bridging role in the link between ESRD and CVD.
Exploring the common mechanisms and biomarker ST8SIA4 of atherosclerosis and ankylosing spondylitis through bioinformatics analysis and machine learning
Authors: Ma Yirong , Lai Junyu , Wan Qiang , Sun Liqiang , Wang Yang , Li Xingliang , Zhang Qinhe , Wu Jianguang
Published: July 2024

Background

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a major contributor to cerebrovascular and cardiovascular events. There is growing evidence that ankylosing spondylitis is closely linked to AS, often co-occurring with it; however, the shared pathogenic mechanisms between the two conditions are not well understood. This study employs bioinformatics approaches to identify common biomarkers and pathways between AS and ankylosing spondylitis.

Methods

Gene expression datasets for AS (GSE100927, GSE28829, GSE155512) and ankylosing spondylitis (GSE73754, GSE25101) were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Differential expression genes (DEGs) and module genes for AS and ankylosing spondylitis were identified using the Limma R package and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) techniques, respectively. The machine learning algorithm SVM-RFE was applied to pinpoint promising biomarkers, which were then validated in terms of their expression levels and diagnostic efficacy in AS and ankylosing spondylitis, using two separate GEO datasets. Furthermore, the interaction of the key biomarker with the immune microenvironment was investigated via the CIBERSORT algorithm, single-cell analysis was used to identify the locations of common diagnostic markers.

Results

The dataset GSE100927 contains 524 DEGs associated with AS, whereas dataset GSE73754 includes 1,384 genes categorized into modules specific to ankylosing spondylitis. Analysis of these datasets revealed an overlap of 71 genes between the DEGs of AS and the modular genes of ankylosing spondylitis. Utilizing the SVM-RFE algorithm, 15 and 24 central diagnostic genes were identified in datasets GSE100927 and GSE73754, respectively. Further validation of six key genes using external datasets confirmed ST8SIA4 as a common diagnostic marker for both conditions. Notably, ST8SIA4 is upregulated in samples from both diseases. Additionally, ROC analysis confirmed the robust diagnostic utility of ST8SIA4. Moreover, analysis through CIBERSORT suggested an association of the ST8SIA4 gene with the immune microenvironment in both disease contexts. Single-cell analysis revealed that ST8SIA4 is primarily expressed in Macrophages, Monocytes, T cells, and CMPs.

Conclusion

This study investigates the role of ST8SIA4 as a common diagnostic gene and the involvement of the lysosomal pathway in both AS and ankylosing spondylitis. The findings may yield potential diagnostic biomarkers and offer new insights into the shared pathogenic mechanisms underlying these conditions.
Exacerbation of delirium and epileptic seizures in an older man with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease due to multiple prescriptions: a case report
Authors: Yamaguchi Takuya , Aihara Akinobu , Mashiko Shigeto , Kurosawa Emiko , Oizumi Tomoya , Yamagata Toshihiro , Ishiki Aiko , Ueda Juri , Fujikawa Yuko , Kanno Atsuhiro , Sumitomo Kazuhiro , Ohara Takahiro , Furukawa Katsutoshi
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a disorder characterized by motor symptoms, such as rigidity, akinesia, and resting tremor, as well as non-motor symptoms, including psychiatric manifestations and autonomic failure. The prevalence of PD increases with age, and the condition is more common in men than in women. Conversely, polypharmacy has emerged as a paramount medical concern, especially among older patients, correlating with medicines’ adverse effects, interactions between medicines, frequent admissions to the hospital, and a high risk of morbidity and mortality.

Case description

We encountered an older male patient with idiopathic PD and mild renal dysfunction. Originally prescribed 14 types of medicines, including anti-PD drugs, the patient developed delirium and epileptic seizures during hospitalization. After reducing the number of medications, including amantadine, the symptoms significantly improved. This clinical course suggests that polypharmacy, in addition to PD itself, poses a significant risk of delirium and epileptic seizures, even in patients with mild renal dysfunction.

Conclusion

This report is indicative of the risk of polypharmacy and highlights the importance of citing drug interactions for a correct diagnosis in patients presenting with complex symptoms.
Mechanisms of bacterial and fungal community assembly in leaf miners during transition from natural to laboratory environments
Authors: Zhu Yu-Xi , Wang Xin-Yu , Yang Tian-Yue , Zhang Huan-Huan , Li Tong-Pu , Du Yu-Zhou
Published: July 2024

Environmental heterogeneity partly drives microbial succession in arthropods, while the microbial assembly mechanisms during environmental changes remain largely unknown. Here, we explored the temporal dynamics and assembly mechanisms within both bacterial and fungal communities in Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard) during the transition from field to laboratory conditions. We observed a decrease in bacterial diversity and complexity of bacterial-fungal co-occurrence networks in leaf miners transitioning from wild to captive environments. Both neutral and null models revealed that stochastic processes, particularly drift (contributing over 70%), play a crucial role in governing bacterial and fungal community assembly. The relative contribution of ecological processes such as dispersal, drift, and selection varied among leaf miners transitioning from wild to captive states. Furthermore, we propose a hypothetical scenario for the assembly and succession of microbial communities in the leaf miner during the short- and long-term transition from the wild to captivity. Our findings suggest that environmental heterogeneity determines the ecological processes governing bacterial and fungal community assembly in leaf miners, offering new insights into microbiome and mycobiome assembly mechanisms in invasive pests amidst environmental change.
Cajal and his love for Nature: a sentimental essence in the legacy of neurosciences
Authors: Garrido Eduardo
Published: July 2024

Santiago Ramón y Cajal (1852–1934) revolutionized the branches of neuroscience in a forceful way, and he did it with extreme delicacy and candor. His scientific writings and drawings are full of allusions to Nature, a fact that demonstrates how he saw, understood and enjoyed it with exquisite sensitivity and pressing emotion. Neuroscience awakened in him the utmost curiosity to delve into the powerful mysteries of the mind, and neurohistology allowed him to satisfy his deepest concerns for fascinating scenarios, a desire not sufficiently fulfilled throughout the fields, mountains and forests of his childhood and youth. Through that wonderful microscopic world Cajal changed the size of the dreamed landscapes but not the dimension of the longed-for adventures. Exploring and entering unknown paths he unraveled some of the greatest enigmas that the nervous system hid, but he would do so with a deep feeling toward the infinite beauty that Nature itself offered him. In short, Nature was the vital axis of Cajal’s overwhelming and complex personality, his most genuine essence and the inexhaustible source of inspiration where he poured his imagination and fantasy. He became a vocational adventurer, an insatiable explorer, a talented artist and an exquisite humanist. An eminently romantic soul who knew how to link Nature and Neuroscience with unconditional and perpetual emotionality.
Cladribine effects on patient-reported outcomes and their clinical and biometric correlates in highly active relapsing multiple sclerosis at first switch: the observational, multicenter, prospective, phase IV CLADFIT-MS study
Authors: Borriello Giovanna , Chisari Clara Grazia , Maimone Davide , Mirabella Massimiliano , Paolicelli Damiano , Assogna Francesco , Caradonna Sandro , Patti Francesco
Published: July 2024

Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are essential for understanding the effects of MS and its treatments on patients’ lives; they play an important role in multiple sclerosis (MS) research and practice. We present the protocol for an observational study to prospectively assess the effect of cladribine tablets on PROs and their correlation to disability and physical activity in adults with highly active relapsing MS switching from a first disease modifying drug (DMD) to cladribine tablets in routine clinical practice at study sites in Italy. The primary objective will be to evaluate changes from baseline in the impact of highly active MS on self-assessed physical functioning 52 weeks after the switch to cladribine tablets using the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale-29 (MSIS-29). Secondary objectives will include self-assessed psychological impact of highly active MS in daily life and general health after the switch to cladribine tablets as well as changes in cognitive function, anxiety, and depression symptoms. Additional PRO measures will include the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the EuroQoL 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L), the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire: Multiple Sclerosis (WPAI:MS), and the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS). Wearable devices will acquire activity data (step counts, walking speed, time asleep, and energy expenditure). Additional clinical, radiological, and laboratory data will be collected when available during routine management. The findings will complement data from controlled trials by providing insight from daily clinical practice into the effect of cladribine tablets on the patient’s experience and self-assessed impact of treatment on daily life.
Exploring the hidden mental health consequences of malaria beyond the fever
Authors: Nandish Prerana , B. M. Shrinivasa , N. Sujith Nath , Shankar G. , Tripathi Praveen Kumar , Kashyap Himani , Jain Animesh , Anvikar Anup , Chalageri Vani H.
Published: July 2024

Malaria morbidity has various presentations and the focus now shifts to uncommon signs and symptoms of malaria infection such as cognitive impairment to address the morbidity when the mortality declines. About 50% of children admitted to hospitals due to malaria experience neurological complications due to factors like low blood sugar, inflammation, elevated pressure, decreased oxygen levels, and excitotoxicity. Malaria during pregnancy negatively also impacts children’s cognitive, behavioral, and executive function leading to neurodevelopmental delay due to increased susceptibility which can significantly affect maternal and child health, leading to higher rates of underestimated factors like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Despite having the world’s second-largest tribal population, India’s indigenous and tribal communities and their mental health are less explored and less understood. Western psychological tools and neurocognitive assessment tools are not universally applicable, thus necessitating the development of tailored tools to investigate psychological or neurocognitive impairment. This paper has illuminated the hidden mental health consequences of malaria infection, emphasizing the prevalence, nature, and implications of psychological distress among affected individuals. The findings underscore the importance of recognizing and addressing these psychological consequences in the holistic management and prevention of malaria and its mental health consequences.
Research and exploration of quality control indicators for nutritional therapy in critically ill patients—a multicenter before-and-after controlled study
Authors: Li Yanhua , Wang Youquan , Chen Bin , Zhang Zhe , Zhang Dong
Published: July 2024

Objective

To evaluate and explore the feasibility of using quality control indicators for nutritional therapy in critically ill patients as quality evaluation criteria.

Methods

This study focused on intensive care unit (ICU) critically ill patients and conducted a cross-sectional investigation of nutritional therapy quality control indicators (the proportion of patients with application of enteral nutrition pump, nutritional risk assessment rate, the proportion of patients start enteral nutrition within 48 hours, and caloric and protein target achievement rate on 7th day) in 13 hospitals in Jilin Province. After training according to the critical patients nutrition related guidelines and the latest literatures, a second cross-sectional investigation was conducted. Then, analyze the improvement of quality control indicators of the nutritional therapy before and after the training, thus evaluating the feasibility of using these quality control indicators as nutritional therapy quality evaluation criteria in critical patients.

Results

(1) A total of 631 patients were included before and after training, with a data acquisition rate of 97.3% for enteral nutrition pumps usage and complete data collection for the remaining nutritional risk assessment rate, start enteral nutrition proportion of patients within 48 h, and caloric and protein target achievement rate on 7th day. (2) The nutritional risk assessment rate before and after training was 88.2% vs. 94.8%, with a P-value of 0.003. The proportion of patients start enteral nutrition within 48 h before and after training was 65.1% vs. 75.4%, with a P-value of 0.039; and protein target achievement rate on 7th day before and after training was 64.6% vs. 79.6%, with a p-value of 0.015. These five indicators as quality evaluation criteria are relevant to the current developments in nutritional therapy and consistent with the national conditions of China. The proportion of patients with application of enteral nutrition pump before and after training was 70.1% vs. 79.4%, with a p-value of 0.065, and the caloric target achievement rate on 7th day before and after training was 73.4% vs. 83.9%, with a p-value of 0.062, and there was no statistical difference between the two groups.

Conclusion

The five quality control indicators for nutritional therapy in critically ill patients are clinically feasible and can be used as quality evaluation criteria for nutritional therapy in critically ill patients.
Preclinical models for the study of pediatric solid tumors: focus on bone sarcomas
Authors: Petrescu D. Isabel , Yustein Jason T. , Dasgupta Atreyi
Published: July 2024

Sarcomas comprise between 10–15% of all pediatric malignancies. Osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma are the two most common pediatric bone tumors diagnosed in children and young adults. These tumors are commonly treated with surgery and/or radiation therapy and combination chemotherapy. However, there is a strong need for the development and utilization of targeted therapeutic methods to improve patient outcomes. Towards accomplishing this goal, pre-clinical models for these unique malignancies are of particular importance to design and test experimental therapeutic strategies prior to being introduced to patients due to their origination site and propensity to metastasize. Pre-clinical models offer several advantages for the study of pediatric sarcomas with unique benefits and shortcomings dependent on the type of model. This review addresses the types of pre-clinical models available for the study of pediatric solid tumors, with special attention to the bone sarcomas osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma.
Diabetes in pregnancy and offspring cardiac function: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Skovsgaard Camilla Bjørn , Møller Anna , Bjerre Jesper Vandborg , Kampmann Ulla , Kyng Kasper Jacobsen
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Diabetes in pregnancy is associated with impaired offspring cardiac function. The objective of this systematic review was to determine the effect of diabetes in pregnancy on cardiac function in the offspring measured by echocardiography.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL and Web of Science databases were searched from 1992 to June 27, 2023. Studies reporting offspring (age < 18 years) cardiac function by echocardiography compared between any type of diabetes in pregnancy and healthy control pregnancies were included. Study selection, quality assessment and risk of bias was independently performed by two reviewers. Meta-analyses was performed where possible.

Results

Thirty-one observational studies were included 1,679 cases and 2,694 controls. In the first week of life (23 studies, n = 2,663), intraventricular septum diastolic diameter (hypertrophy) was increased, while myocardial performance index (global function) and LV E/A-ratio (diastolic function) were decreased. No difference was found for left ventricular ejection fraction (systolic function). At 1–6 months (4 studies, n = 454) studies found hypertrophy, and decreased global function, but no difference in systolic or diastolic function. At 1–8 years (7 studies, n = 1,609) no difference was found. The available data did not allow for sub-analysis based on the type of diabetes, treatment, or glycemic control.

Conclusions

Diabetes in pregnancy is associated with cardiac hypertrophy and impaired global cardiac function in infants up to six months old. The few studies reporting on older children found no difference in the parameters investigated. Longitudinal studies employing more advanced echocardiographic measures or MRI are needed to evaluate consequences for long-term cardiac health.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/, identifier (CRD42022312471).
Harnessing the power of bee venom for therapeutic and regenerative medical applications: an updated review
Authors: Sadek Kadry M. , Shib Naira A. , Taher Ehab S. , Rashed Fatema , Shukry Mustafa , Atia Gamal A. , Taymour Noha , El-Nablaway Mohammad , Ibrahim Ateya M. , Ramadan Mahmoud M. , Abdelkader Afaf , Abdo Mohamed , Imbrea Ilinca , Pet Elena , Ali Lashin S. , Abdeen Ahmed
Published: July 2024

Honeybees have been helpful insects since ancient centuries, and this benefit is not limited to being a honey producer only. After the bee stings a person, pain, and swelling occur in this place, due to the effects of bee venom (BV). This is not a poison in the total sense of the word because it has many benefits, and this is due to its composition being rich in proteins, peptides, enzymes, and other types of molecules in low concentrations that show promise in the treatment of numerous diseases and conditions. BV has also demonstrated positive effects against various cancers, antimicrobial activity, and wound healing versus the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Even though topical BV therapy is used to varying degrees among countries, localized swelling or itching are common side effects that may occur in some patients. This review provides an in-depth analysis of the complex chemical composition of BV, highlighting the diverse range of bioactive compounds and their therapeutic applications, which extend beyond the well-known anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects, showcasing the versatility of BV in modern medicine. A specific search strategy was followed across various databases; Web of sciences, Scopus, Medline, and Google Scholar including in vitro and in vivo clinical studies.to outline an overview of BV composition, methods to use, preparation requirements, and Individual consumption contraindications. Furthermore, this review addresses safety concerns and emerging approaches, such as the use of nanoparticles, to mitigate adverse effects, demonstrating a balanced and holistic perspective. Importantly, the review also incorporates historical context and traditional uses, as well as a unique focus on veterinary applications, setting it apart from previous works and providing a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners in the field.
Nutrient vitamins enabled metabolic regulation of ferroptosis via reactive oxygen species biology
Authors: Wu Junjie , Shi Yanting , Zhou Man , Chen Min , Ji Shuying , Liu Xingxing , Zhou Mengjiao , Xia Rui , Zheng Xiaohua , Wang Weiqi
Published: July 2024

Vitamins are dietary components necessary for cellular metabolic balance, especially redox homeostasis; deficient or excessive supply may give rise to symptoms of psychiatric disorders. Exploring the nutritional and metabolic pathways of vitamins could contribute to uncovering the underlying pathogenesis of ferroptosis-associated diseases. This mini-review aims to provide insights into vitamins closely linked to the regulation of ferroptosis from the perspective of cellular reactive oxygen species biology. The mainstream reprogramming mechanisms of ferroptosis are overviewed, focusing on unique biological processes of iron metabolism, lipid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism. Moreover, recent breakthroughs in therapeutic interventions targeting ferroptosis via fully utilizing vitamin-based pharmacological tools were overviewed, covering vitamins (B, C, E, and K). Finally, mechanism insight related to vitamin-associated nutrient signaling was provided, highlighting the pharmacological benefits of metabolically reprogramming ferroptosis-associated diseases.
Introducing a new approach for modeling stock market prices using the combination of jump-drift processes
Authors: Movahed Ali Asghar , Noshad Houshyar
Published: July 2024

The stock price data are sampled at discrete times (e.g., hourly, daily, weekly, etc). When data are sampled at discrete times, they appear as a sequence of discontinuous jump events, even if they have been sampled from a continuous process. On the other hand, distinguishing between discontinuities due to finite sampling of the continuous stochastic process and real jump discontinuities in the sample path is often a challenging task. Such considerations, led us to the question: Can discrete data (e.g., stock price) be modeled using only jump-drift processes, regardless of whether the sampled time series originally belongs to the class of continuous processes or discontinuous processes? To answer this question, we built a stochastic dynamical equation in the general form dyt=μ¯dt+∑i=1NξidJit, which includes a deterministic drift term (μ¯dt) and a combination of stochastic terms with jumpy behaviors (ξidJit), and used it to model the log-price time series yt. In this article, we first introduce this equation in its simplest form, including a drift term and a stochastic term, and show that such a jump-drift equation is capable of reconstructing stock prices in Black-Scholes diffusion markets. Afterwards, we extend the equation by considering two jump processes, and show that such a drift-jump-jump equation enables us to reconstruct stock prices in jump-diffusion markets more accurately than the old jump-diffusion model. To demonstrate the practical applications of the proposed method, we analyze real-world data, including the daily stock price of two different shares and gold price data with two different time horizons (hourly and weekly). Our analysis supports the practical applicability of the methodology. It should be noted that the presented approach is expandable and can be used even in non-financial research fields.
Analysis of drug-induced and spontaneous cardioversions reveals similar patterns leading to termination of atrial fibrillation
Authors: van Hunnik Arne , Sobota Vladimír , Zeemering Stef , Opacic Dragan , Scaf Billy , D’Alessandro Elisa , Oyaert Karel , Kuiper Marion , Diness Jonas G. , Sørensen Ulrik S. , Milnes James T. , van der Heyden Marcel A. G. , Jespersen Thomas , Schotten Ulrich , Verheule Sander
Published: July 2024

Introduction

The mechanisms leading to the conversion of atrial fibrillation (AF) to sinus rhythm are poorly understood. This study describes the dynamic behavior of electrophysiological parameters and conduction patterns leading to spontaneous and pharmacological AF termination.

Methods

Five independent groups of goats were investigated: (1) spontaneous termination of AF, and drug-induced terminations of AF by various potassium channel inhibitors: (2) AP14145, (3) PA-6, (4) XAF-1407, and (5) vernakalant. Bi-atrial contact mapping was performed during an open chest surgery and intervals with continuous and discrete atrial activity were determined. AF cycle length (AFCL), conduction velocity and path length were calculated for each interval, and the final conduction pattern preceding AF termination was evaluated.

Results

AF termination was preceded by a sudden episode of discrete activity both in the presence and absence of an antiarrhythmic drug. This episode was accompanied by substantial increases in AFCL and conduction velocity, resulting in prolongation of path length. In 77% ± 4% of all terminations the conduction pattern preceding AF termination involved medial to lateral conduction along Bachmann’s bundle into both atria, followed by anterior to posterior conduction. This finding suggests conduction block in the interatrial septum and/or pulmonary vein area as final step of AF termination.

Conclusion

AF termination is preceded by an increased organization of fibrillatory conduction. The termination itself is a sudden process with a critical role for the interplay between spatiotemporal organization and anatomical structure.
An advanced TSMK-FVC approach combined with Landsat 5/8 imagery for assessing the long-term effects of terrain and climate on vegetation growth
Authors: Xu Zhenxian , Shen Xin , Ge Sang , Sun Qinglei , Yang Ying , Cao Lin
Published: July 2024

Introduction

As an exceptional geographical entity, the vegetation of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) exhibits high sensitivity to climate change. The Baima Snow Mountain National Nature Reserve (BNNR) is located in the south-eastern sector of the QTP, serving as a transition area from sub-tropical evergreen broadleaf forest to high-mountain vegetation. However, there has been limited exploration into predicting the temporal and spatial variability of vegetation cover using anti-interference methods to address outliers in long-term historical data. Additionally, the correlation between these variables and environmental factors in natural forests with complex terrain has rarely been analyzed.

Methods

This study has developed an advanced approach based on TS (Theil-Sen slope estimator) MK (Mann-Kendall test)-FVC (fractional vegetation cover) to accurately evaluate and predict the time and spatial shifts in FVC within the BNNR, utilizing the GEE (Google Earth Engine). The satellite data utilized in this paper consisted of Landsat images spanning from 1986 to2020. By integrating TS and MK methodologies to monitor and assess the FVC trend, the Hurst index was employed to forecast FVC. Furthermore, the association between FVC and topographic factors was evaluated, the partial correlation between FVC and climatic influences was analyzed at the pixel level (30×30m).

Results and discussion

Here are the results of this research: (1) Overall, the FVC of the BNNR exhibits a growth trend, with the mean FVC value increasing from 59.40% in 1986 to 68.67% in 2020. (2) The results based on the TS-MK algorithm showed that the percentage of the area of the study area with an increasing and decreasing trend was 59.03% (significant increase of 28.04%) and 22.13% (significant decrease of 6.42%), respectively. The coupling of the Hurst exponent with the Theil-Sen slope estimator suggests that the majority of regions within the BNNR are projected to sustain an upward trend in FVC in the future. (3) Overlaying the outcomes of TS-MK with the terrain factors revealed that the FVC changes were notably influenced by elevation. The partial correlation analysis between climate factors and vegetation changes indicated that temperature exerts a significant influence on vegetation cover, demonstrating a high spatial correlation.
The successful experience of gymnastics world champion coach: an interview analysis
Authors: Liu Xiuxia , Weng Xinghe , Qin Huahui , Ma Shuai , Wang Guoqing
Published: July 2024

Objectives

The role of a coach in enhancing athletes’ performance and achieving success is well-documented across numerous studies. However, the strategies employed by Chinese coaches in developing world champion gymnasts remain under explored.

Methods

This research involved a single case study focusing on a coach from the Chinese National Men’s Gymnastics Team, credited with nurturing eight world champion gymnasts.

Results

The inductive content analysis leads to that 6 subthemes, “international perspective and collaborative ability,” “ability to control and regulate training loads,” “identifying athletes’ needs and transforming them into motivation,” “goal setting aligned with athletes’ abilities,” “adopting authoritative democratic coaching style,” and “establishing hierarchical-style friendship”, and 3 themes, “training management and planning,” “motivation and goal setting,” and “interpersonal communication” are manifested. An overarching theme “the successful experience of gymnastics world champion coach,” is derived from the analysis.

Conclusion

This research bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, offering valuable insights into the successful experiences of gymnastics world champion coaches. The findings have the potential to influence coaching methodologies globally, fostering the development of resilient, motivated, and high-performing athletes. Future research should focus on sport-specific studies, longitudinal analyses, and cross-cultural comparisons to further advance the field of sports coaching and validate the effectiveness of these innovative coaching strategies.
The Puerto Rico community engagement alliance (PR-CEAL) against COVID-19 disparities: outreach and research engagement efforts in disproportionately affected communities
Authors: Pons-Calvo Adriana D. , Pérez Cynthia M. , Canales-Birriel Karelys , Tamarit-Quevedo Zaydelis , Solís-Torres Norangelys , López-Cepero Andrea , García-Rivera Enid , Larriuz María , Acosta-Pérez Edna , Colón Marcilyn , Román Zuleska Soto , Ortiz Ana P. , Rivera-Gastón Fabiola , Colón-López Vivian
Published: July 2024

In September 2020, the National Institutes of Health acted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, recognizing the critical need to combat misinformation, particularly in communities disproportionately affected by the crisis. The Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL) emerged as an initiative dedicated to fostering reliable, science-based information, diversity, and inclusion; aiming to implement effective strategies to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 nationwide. One of the teams participating in this initiative is Puerto Rico-CEAL (PR-CEAL). Our whose goal was to raise awareness about the coronavirus disease and advance research, mainly focusing on vulnerable and underserved populations. This concept paper seeks to outline PR-CEAL’s infrastructure during its initial two cycles, providing insights into the research and community engagement activities designed to enhance prevention, counter misinformation, and foster awareness and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines. Ultimately, our objective is to reflect on the strengths and challenges encountered thus far as we endeavor to sustain this robust infrastructure, addressing ongoing public health issues with a forward-looking approach.
Responsible artificial intelligence for addressing equity in oral healthcare
Authors: Khoury Zaid H. , Ferguson Alexys , Price Jeffery B. , Sultan Ahmed S. , Wang Rong
Published: July 2024

Oral diseases pose a significant burden on global healthcare. While many oral conditions are preventable and manageable through regular dental office visits, a substantial portion of the population faces obstacles in accessing essential and affordable quality oral healthcare. In this mini review, we describe the issue of inequity and bias in oral healthcare and discuss various strategies to address these challenges, with an emphasis on the application of artificial intelligence (AI). Recent advances in AI technologies have led to significant performance improvements in oral healthcare. AI also holds tremendous potential for advancing equity in oral healthcare, yet its application must be approached with caution to prevent the exacerbation of inequities. The “black box” approaches of some advanced AI models raise uncertainty about their operations and decision-making processes. To this end, we discuss the use of interpretable and explainable AI techniques in enhancing transparency and trustworthiness. Those techniques, aimed at augmenting rather than replacing oral health practitioners’ judgment and skills, have the potential to achieve personalized dental and oral care that is unbiased, equitable, and transparent. Overall, achieving equity in oral healthcare through the responsible use of AI requires collective efforts from all stakeholders involved in the design, implementation, regulation, and utilization of AI systems. We use the United States as an example due to its uniquely diverse population, making it an excellent model for our discussion. However, the general and responsible AI strategies suggested in this article can be applied to address equity in oral healthcare on a global level.
Finding the optimal balance: father-athlete challenges facing elite Nordic skiers
Authors: Bergström Max , Solli Guro Strøm , Sandbakk Øyvind , McGawley Kerry , Sæther Stig Arve
Published: July 2024

Background

In the last decade, a growing body of research has focused on the many aspects and challenges of combining parenthood with elite sport. Although the number of father-athletes is significantly higher than the number of mother-athletes, few studies to date have focused on male athletes’ experiences in a parenting context.

Aim

The aims of the present study were to explore how father-athlete challenges manifest among elite Nordic skiers in Norway, and to better understand how male athletes balance their priorities as they initiate, maintain, and/or discontinue their athletic career as a father-athlete.

Methods

Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 10 world-class male Nordic skiers in Norway (3 athletes without a child, 4 current father-athletes and 3 former father-athletes) and the content was analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results

Four main stages were identified in the father-athlete transition: (a) Expecting incompatibility (b) Taking the step, (c), The first blow, and (d) Finding the optimal balance. Through these stages the informants expected/had experienced challenges such as performance decline, disturbed sleeping patterns, fear of sickness and role conflicts. To manage these challenges, the father-athletes had developed various strategies to balance their dual roles (e.g., adapting training and competition seasons). Among the benefits, the father-athletes mentioned that they had become more structured, time efficient and ruthless with their priorities, enhanced motivation to train and a better work-life balance.

Conclusion

This study offers valuable insights into father-athlete challenges that can be used to support career longevity and work-life balance among male athletes.
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) effects on lung health: a perspective on the current literature and future recommendations
Authors: Solan Megan E. , Park Jin-Ah
Published: July 2024

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a broad class of synthetic compounds widely used in commercial applications. The persistent nature of PFAS in the environment has earned them the epithet “forever chemicals.” Concerns arise from widespread exposure to PFAS from occupational, household, and environmental sources. This widespread use of PFAS is particularly concerning, as emerging epidemiological evidence highlights their adverse effects on lung health. Such adverse impacts include impaired fetal lung development, reduced immune function in children, and potential links to lung cancer. Both in vivo and in vitro studies illuminate potential mechanisms underlying such adverse health outcomes subsequent to PFAS inhalation exposure, which may include immunomodulation, oxidative stress, and disruptions to epithelial barriers. However, evidence-based information focusing on the mechanisms of PFAS-mediated lung injury is lacking. Additionally, the discrepancies between data collected from animal and epidemiological studies highlight the need for improved approaches to better understand the toxicity results of PFAS exposure. To address these gaps, we recommend leveraging route-to-route extrapolation for risk assessment, prioritizing research on understudied PFAS, and adopting physiologically relevant, high-throughput approaches. These strategies are aimed at enhancing our understanding of PFAS inhalation effects, aiding in more informed risk management decisions. In this review, we summarize the current literature on PFAS exposure, emphasizing its adverse effects on lung health, particularly through inhalation. We then discuss the current knowledge on mechanisms underlying tissue- and cellular-level adverse outcomes caused by PFAS.