bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mental health dynamics of adolescents: A one-year longitudinal study in Harari, eastern Ethiopia
Authors: Hunduma Gari , Dessie Yadeta , Geda Biftu , Assebe Yadeta Tesfaye , Deyessa Negussie
Published: April 2024

Aims

This study aims to assess the dynamics of in-school adolescents’ mental health problems in Harari regional state, eastern Ethiopia for a year.

Materials and methods

Using multistage sampling technique, we conducted a year-long longitudinal study at three public high schools between March 2020 and 2021. Three hundred fifty-eight in-school adolescents were chosen by systematic random sampling for the baseline assessment, and 328 completed the follow-up assessment. We used self-administered, adolescent version of SDQ-25 Questionnaire to collect the data. Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test and McNemara’s Chi-squared tests were used to examine the median difference and distribution of mental health problems between times one and two. Random-effects logistic regressions on panel data was used to identify factors associated with mental health problems. A p-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results

The magnitude of overall mental health problems at baseline assessment was 20.11% (95% CI: 16–25), with internalizing problems accounting for 27.14% (95% CI: 23–32) and externalizing problems accounting for 7.01% (95% CI: 4.6–10.3). At the follow-up assessment, these proportions rose to 22.56% (95% CI, 18–27) for overall problems and 10.3% (95% CI, 7.7–14.45) for externalizing problems. On other hand, internalizing problems decreased unexpectedly to 22.86% (95% CI, 18.6–27.7) at follow-up assessment. Internalizing problem scores at time two were significantly lower than baseline among older adolescents, girls and those with average wealth index in our study cohort.

Conclusions

The prevalence of mental health problems were high among the study cohort. The proportion of overall problems and externalizing problems has increased over time, indicating a deterioration in the mental health of the study cohort. However, the decrease in internalizing problems among older adolescents, girls, and those with an average wealth index is a positive sign. The findings highlight that tailored interventions are required to reduce externalizing problems and maintain the decrease in internalizing problems. These interventions should target middle-aged and male adolescents from low-income families.
iSCNT embryo culture system for restoration of Cervus nippon hortulorum, presumed to be sika deer in the Korean Peninsula
Authors: Park Yong-Su , Oh Min-Gee , Kim Sang-Hwan
Published: April 2024

Sika deer inhabiting South Korea became extinct when the last individual was captured on Jeju Island in Korea in 1920 owing to the Japanese seawater relief business, but it is believed that the same subspecies (Cervus nippon hortulorum) inhabits North Korea and the Russian Primorskaya state. In our study, mt-DNA was used to analyze the genetic resources of sika deer in the vicinity of the Korean Peninsula to restore the extinct species of continental deer on the Korean Peninsula. In addition, iSCNT was performed using cells to analyze the potential for restoration of extinct species. The somatic cells of sika deer came from tissues of individuals presumed to be Korean Peninsula sika deer inhabiting the neighboring areas of the Primorskaya state and North Korea. After sequencing 5 deer samples through mt-DNA isolation and PCR, BLAST analysis showed high matching rates for Cervus nippon hortulorum. This shows that the sika deer found near the Russian Primorsky Territory, inhabiting the region adjacent to the Korean Peninsula, can be classified as a subspecies of Cervus nippon hortulorum. The method for producing cloned embryos for species restoration confirmed that iSCNT-embryos developed smoothly when using porcine oocytes. In addition, the stimulation of endometrial cells and progesterone in the IVC system expanded the blastocyst cavity and enabled stable development of energy metabolism and morphological changes in the blastocyst. Our results confirmed that the individual presumed to be a continental deer in the Korean Peninsula had the same genotype as Cervus nippon hortulorum, and securing the individual’s cell-line could restore the species through replication and produce a stable iSCNT embryo.
Inclusion of chia seeds (Salvia hispanica L.) and pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita moschata) in dairy sheep diets
Authors: Robles Jimenez Lizbeth E. , Aguirre Edgar Aranda , Cruz Maria de los Angeles Colin , Schettino-Bermúdez Beatriz , Gutiérrez-Tolentino Rey , Chay-Canul Alfonso J. , Garcia-Herrera Ricardo A. , Ghavipanje Navid , Castelan Ortega Octavio A. , Vargas-Bello-Pérez Einar , Gonzalez-Ronquillo Manuel
Published: April 2024

Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seed (CS) and Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) seed (PS) are used in ruminant diets as energy sources. The current experiment studied the impact of dietary inclusion of CS and PS on nutrient intake and digestibility, milk yield, and milk composition of dairy sheep. Twelve primiparous Texel × Suffolk ewes [70 ± 5 days in milk (DIM); 0.320 ± 0.029 kg milk yield] were distributed in a 4 × 3 Latin square design and fed either a butter-based control diet [CON; 13 g/kg dry matter] or two diets with 61 g/kg DM of either CS or PS. Dietary inclusion of CS and PS did not alter live weight (p >0.1) and DM intake (p >0.1). However, compared to the CON, dietary inclusion of both CS and PS increased the digestibility of neutral detergent fiber (p <0.001) and acid detergent lignin (p < 0.001). Milk production (p = 0.001), fat-corrected milk (p < 0.001), and feed efficiency (p < 0.001) were enhanced with PS, while the highest milk protein yield (p < 0.05) and lactose yield (p < 0.001) were for CS-fed ewes. Compared to the CON diet, the ingestion of either CS and/or PS decreased (p < 0.001) the C16:0 in milk. Moreover, both CS and PS tended to enhance the content of C18:3n6 (p > 0.05) and C18:3n3 (p > 0.05). Overall short-term feeding of CS and/or PS (up to 6.1% DM of diet) not only maintains the production performance and digestibility of nutrients but also positively modifies the milk FA composition.
Knowledge of telemedicine and its associated factors among health professional in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Shibabaw Adamu Ambachew , Chereka Alex Ayenew , Walle Agmasie Damtew , Demsash Addisalem Workie , Dube Geleta Nenko , dubale Abiy Tasew , Kassie Sisay Yitayh , Kitil Gemeda Wakgari , Jember Mesafint zewold , Gebeyehu Chernet Desalegn , Ariger Aster Temesgen , Dires Eshetie Andargie
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Telemedicine is a useful tool for decreasing hospital stress, patient suffering, ambulance needs, hospital anxiety, and costs while improving the standard of care. Nonetheless, the lack of awareness regarding telemedicine poses a barrier to its application, presenting several difficulties in underdeveloped nations like Ethiopia. This review evaluates Ethiopian-specific telemedicine knowledge and associated factors.

Methods

This systematic review was conducted using a search of several online databases in addition to the main databases, like Medline, PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct. The writers have looked for, reviewed, and summarized information about telemedicine knowledge in the healthcare system. This study contained seven studies that examined telemedicine knowledge in the Ethiopian healthcare sector. Studies that followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA) were found using search engines. The investigation was carried out using STATA version 11. The indicator of heterogeneity (I2) was used to assess the level of heterogeneity among the included studies. The funnel plot was visually inspected, and Egger’s regression test was run to check for publication bias. The pooled effect size of every study is estimated using a random-effect model meta-analysis.

Results

Examination of 2160 studies, seven studies involving 2775 health professionals, and seven out of the 2160 publications assessed satisfied the inclusion criteria and were added to the systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of Telemedicine knowledge was 45.20 (95% CI: 34.87–55.53). Whereas the pooled factor was computer training was 2.24 times (AOR = 2.24 (95%; CI: 1.64–3.08)), computer access was 2.07 times (AOR = 2.07 (95% CI: 1.50–2.87)), internet access was 3.09 times (AOR = 3.09 (95% CI: 1.34–7.13)), social media access were 3.09 times (AOR = 3.09(95%; CI: 1.34–7.13)), educational status degree and above were 2.73 times (AOR = 2.73; 95% CI: 0.85–8.82), Awareness were 3.18 times (AOR = 3.18 (95%; CI: 1.02–9.91)), Management support was 1.85 (AOR = 1.85 (95% CI: 01.25–2.75)), computer literacy were 2.90 times (AOR = 2.90 (95% CI: 1.81–4.64)), computer owner were 1.70 times (AOR = 1.70 (95% CI: 1.05–2.76)), male gender were 1.95 times (AOR = 1.95 (95% CI: 1.32–2.87)).

Conclusion

The overall pooled prevalence of telemedicine knowledge was low. Gender, education, management support, computer access, social media access, internet access, telemedicine awareness, and telemedicine training associated with telemedicine knowledge.
Food deserts exposure, density of fast-food restaurants, and park access: Exploring the association of food and recreation environments with obesity and diabetes using global and local regression models
Authors: Oh Jae In , Lee KangJae Jerry , Hipp Aaron
Published: April 2024

To prevent obesity and diabetes environmental interventions such as eliminating food deserts, restricting proliferation of food swamps, and improving park access are essential. In the United States, however, studies that examine the food and park access relationship with obesity and diabetes using both global and local regression are lacking. To guide county, state, and federal policy in combating obesity and diabetes, there is a need for cross-scale analyses to identify that relationship at national and local levels. This study applied spatial regression and geographically weighted regression to the 3,108 counties in the contiguous United States. Global regression show food deserts exposure and density of fast-food restaurants have non-significant association with obesity and diabetes while park access has a significant inverse association with both diseases. Geographically weighted regression that takes into account spatial heterogeneity shows that, among southern states that show high prevalence of obesity and diabetes, Alabama and Mississippi stand out as having opportunity to improve park access. Results suggest food deserts exposure are positively associated with obesity and diabetes in counties close to Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee while density of fast-food restaurants show positive association with two diseases in counties of western New York and northwestern Pennsylvania. These findings will help policymakers and public health agencies in determining which geographic areas need to be prioritized when implementing public interventions such as promoting healthy food access, limiting unhealthy food options, and increasing park access.
Predation risk of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus juveniles in an overfished area reveal system stability mechanisms and restocking challenges
Authors: Pinna Federico , Fois Nicola , Mura Francesco , Ruiu Alberto , Ceccherelli Giulia
Published: April 2024

Where sea urchin harvest has been so intense that populations have drastically regressed, concerns have arisen about the effectiveness of harvesting management. According to the theory of phase transition in shallow rocky reefs between vegetated and barren habitats, sea urchin recruitment, a key population structuring process, seems hampered by some stabilizing feedback despite an end to local human harvest of sea urchins. To shed a light on predation effects on sea urchin recruits, a 27-day field experiment was conducted using mega-predator exclusion cages (40x40x40 cm, 1 cm in mesh size) in barren and turf substrates. To facilitate this, 672 recruits (1.1 ± 0.02 cm in size) reared under control conditions were positioned in groups of 42 in each experimental unit (n = 4). Exclusion of mega-predators had a significant effect regardless the substrate, since a higher number of recruits was found under cages both in turf and barren. However, the results showed that in uncaged treatments the size of recruits that survived was larger in turf than in barren, as in the former substrate predation had reduced the abundance of the smallest recruits, highlighting that mega-predator presence affects differently the size of the recruits that had survived depending on the substrate. Overall, these results provide valuable information to address restocking actions of sea urchin populations in overharvested areas, where algal turfs are widespread, and assist studies on habitat stability mechanisms.
Comparison of perinatal outcome and mode of birth of twin and singleton pregnancies in migrant and refugee populations on the Thai Myanmar border: A population cohort
Authors: Prins Taco J. , Min Aung Myat , Gilder Mary E. , Tun Nay Win , Schepens Janneke , McGregor Kathryn , Carrara Verena I. , Wiladphaingern Jacher , Paw Mu Koh , Moo Eh , Simpson Julie A. , Angkurawaranon Chaisiri , Rijken Marcus J. , van Vugt Michele , Nosten François , McGready Rose
Published: April 2024

Background

In low- and middle-income countries twin births have a high risk of complications partly due to barriers to accessing hospital care. This study compares pregnancy outcomes, maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality of twin to singleton pregnancy in refugee and migrant clinics on the Thai Myanmar border.

Methods

A retrospective review of medical records of all singleton and twin pregnancies delivered or followed at antenatal clinics of the Shoklo Malaria Research Unit from 1986 to 2020, with a known outcome and estimated gestational age. Logistic regression was done to compare the odds of maternal and neonatal outcomes between twin and singleton pregnancies.

Results

Between 1986 and 2020 this unstable and migratory population had a recorded outcome of pregnancy of 28 weeks or more for 597 twin births and 59,005 singleton births. Twinning rate was low and stable (<9 per 1,000) over 30 years. Three-quarters (446/597) of the twin pregnancies and 96% (56,626/59,005) of singletons birthed vaginally. During pregnancy, a significantly higher proportion of twin pregnancies compared to singleton had pre-eclampsia (7.0% versus 1.7%), gestational hypertension (9.9% versus 3.9%) and eclampsia (1.0% versus 0.2%). The stillbirth rate of twin 1 and twin 2 was higher compared to singletons: twin 1 25 per 1,000 (15/595), twin 2 64 per 1,000 (38/595) and singletons 12 per 1,000 (680/58,781). The estimated odds ratio (95% confidence interval (CI)) for stillbirth of twin 1 and twin 2 compared to singletons was 2.2 (95% CI 1.3–3.6) and 5.8 (95% CI 4.1–8.1); and maternal death 2.0 (0.95–11.4), respectively, As expected most perinatal deaths were 28 to <32 week gestation.

Conclusion

In this fragile setting where access to hospital care is difficult, three in four twins birthed vaginally. Twin pregnancies have a higher maternal morbidity and perinatal mortality, especially the second twin, compared to singleton pregnancies.
Patients’ knowledge about dental emergencies, COVID-19 transmission, and required preparations in dental settings
Authors: Khami Mohammad Reza , Karimi Mahsa , Folayan Morenike Oluwatoyin , Shamshiri Ahmad Reza , Murtomaa Heikki
Published: April 2024

Introduction

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemics negatively affected the delivery of dental care. The study objective was to assess the knowledge of emergency dental treatments, the transmission routes of COVID-19 in the dental settings, necessary precautions to prevent disease transmission, and the associations between demographic factors and the mentioned domains among Iranian dental patients.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study conducted in October 2021. A systematic random sampling approach was used to select 244 participants who had sought services at the dental clinic of Tehran University of Medical Sciences before and during the pandemic. Data was collected using a combination of interviewer-administered and self-administered questionnaire. Three backward stepwise multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the associations between background factors (age, sex, education level, living status, history of dental visits, history of COVID-19 vaccination, and past COVID-19 infection) and knowledge about emergency dental treatments, knowledge about COVID-19 transmission routes, and knowledge about necessary preparations in dental settings.

Results

The mean (SD) scores for knowledge of emergency dental treatments, COVID-19 transmission routes, and essential preparations in dental settings measured on a 100-point scale were 77 (15.4), 84.2 (12.3), and 93.3 (12.1), respectively. Good knowledge of emergency dental treatments was associated with being under 55 years old (p = 0.03). Good knowledge of COVID-19 transmission routes was associated with living with individuals at a high risk of COVID-19 (p = 0.014) and having received the COVID-19 vaccine (p = 0.013). After adjusting for age, among participants aged 30 years and older, good knowledge of necessary preparations in dental settings was associated with being female (p = 0.012) and having received the COVID-19 vaccine (p = 0.001).

Conclusions

Patients who sought care at the dental clinic of Tehran University of Medical Sciences had good knowledge about the transmission routes of COVID-19 and the required preparations in dental settings, and limited knowledge about dental emergency treatments.
Role of oral health in heart and vascular health: A population-based study
Authors: Ghanem Amr Sayed , Németh Orsolya , Móré Marianna , Nagy Attila Csaba
Published: April 2024

Background and aim

Conditions such as hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and hypercholesterolemia, are a major public health challenge. This study investigates the influence of oral health indicators, including gum bleeding, active dental caries, tooth mobility, and tooth loss, on their prevalence in Hungary, considering socioeconomic, demographic, and lifestyle factors.

Materials and methods

Data from the 2019 Hungarian European Health Interview Survey with 5,603 participants informed this analysis. Data were accessed from the records maintained by the Department of Health Informatics at the University of Debrecen between September and November 2023. Variable selection employed elastic net regularization and k-fold cross-validation, leading to high-performing predictors for weighted multiple logistic regression models. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the findings’ validity.

Results

Significant links were found between poor oral health and chronic cardiac conditions. Multiple teeth extractions increased hypertension risk (OR = 1.67, 95% CI: [1.01–2.77]); dental prosthetics had an OR of 1.45 [1.20–1.75]. Gum bleeding was associated with higher cardiovascular disease (OR = 1.69 [1.30–2.21]) and hypercholesterolemia risks (OR = 1.40 [1.09–1.81]).

Conclusions

Oral health improvement may reduce the risk of cardiac conditions. This underscores oral health’s role in multidisciplinary disease management.
Confirming the statistically significant superiority of tree-based machine learning algorithms over their counterparts for tabular data
Authors: Uddin Shahadat , Lu Haohui
Published: April 2024

Many individual studies in the literature observed the superiority of tree-based machine learning (ML) algorithms. However, the current body of literature lacks statistical validation of this superiority. This study addresses this gap by employing five ML algorithms on 200 open-access datasets from a wide range of research contexts to statistically confirm the superiority of tree-based ML algorithms over their counterparts. Specifically, it examines two tree-based ML (Decision tree and Random forest) and three non-tree-based ML (Support vector machine, Logistic regression and k-nearest neighbour) algorithms. Results from paired-sample t-tests show that both tree-based ML algorithms reveal better performance than each non-tree-based ML algorithm for the four ML performance measures (accuracy, precision, recall and F1 score) considered in this study, each at p<0.001 significance level. This performance superiority is consistent across both the model development and test phases. This study also used paired-sample t-tests for the subsets of the research datasets from disease prediction (66) and university-ranking (50) research contexts for further validation. The observed superiority of the tree-based ML algorithms remains valid for these subsets. Tree-based ML algorithms significantly outperformed non-tree-based algorithms for these two research contexts for all four performance measures. We discuss the research implications of these findings in detail in this article.
Histopathologic patterns and factors associated with cervical lesions at Jimma Medical Center, Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia: A two-year cross-sectional study
Authors: Tirkaso Birhanu Hailu , Bayisa Tesfaye Hurgesa , Desta Tewodros Wubshet
Published: April 2024

Background

The cervix is the lower portion of the uterus, which connects this organ to the vagina through the endocervical canal.

Objective

This study aimed to determine the histopathologic patterns and factors associated with cervical lesions at Jimma Medical Center from September 12, 2017, to September 12, 2019.

Methods

A 2-year facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 1 to June 30, 2020.

Result

In this study, cervical cancer was the most common (71%) cause of cervical lesions. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most frequent cervical cancer diagnosed during the study, accounting for 96.4% of 331 cancerous cases, followed by adenocarcinoma (3.3%). High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions were the most frequently diagnosed precancerous lesions, accounting for 68.4% of cases. Endocervical polyps were the most commonly diagnosed benign lesions, accounting for 59.3% of cases.

Conclusion

The maximum age distribution of cervical lesions was in the 41–50-year age range. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most frequent type of cervical cancer. High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions were the most frequently diagnosed precancerous cervical lesions. The most common benign cervical lesions were endocervical polyps.

Recommendation

We recommend educating the community to improve health-seeking behavior and on possible preventive strategies for cervical cancer.
Solution structure and pressure response of thioredoxin-1 of Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Munte Claudia Elisabeth , Kalbitzer Hans Robert
Published: April 2024

We present here the solution structures of the protein thioredoxin-1 from Plasmodium falciparum (PfTrx-1), in its reduced and oxidized forms. They were determined by high-resolution NMR spectroscopy at 293 K on uniformly 13C-, 15N-enriched, matched samples allowing to identification of even small structural differences. PfTrx-1 shows an α/β-fold with a mixed five-stranded β-sheet that is sandwiched between 4 helices in a β1 α1 β2 α2 β3 α3 β4 β5 α4 topology. The redox process of the CGPC motif leads to significant structural changes accompanied by larger chemical shift changes from residue Phe25 to Ile36, Thr70 to Thr74, and Leu88 to Asn91. By high-field high-pressure NMR spectroscopy, rare conformational states can be identified that potentially are functionally important and can be used for targeted drug development. We performed these experiments in the pressure range from 0.1 MPa to 200 MPa. The mean combined, random-coil corrected B1* values of reduced and oxidized thioredoxin are quite similar with -0.145 and -0.114 ppm GPa-1, respectively. The mean combined, random-coil corrected B2* values in the reduced and oxidized form are 0.179 and 0.119 ppm GPa-2, respectively. The mean ratios of the pressure coefficients B2/B1 are -0.484 and -0.831 GPa-1 in the reduced and oxidized form respectively. They differ at some points in the structure after the formation of the disulfide bond between C30 and C33. The thermodynamical description of the pressure dependence of chemical shifts requires the assumption of at least three coexisting conformational states of PfTrx-1. These three conformational states were identified in the reduced as well as in the oxidized form of the protein, therefore, they represent sub-states of the two main oxidation states of PfTrx-1.
Single-cell quantitative expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor mRNA in rat hippocampal interneurons
Authors: Jackson Doris C. , Burgon Richard M. , Thompson Spencer , Sudweeks Sterling N.
Published: April 2024

Hippocampal interneurons are a very diverse population of cells. Using single-cell quantitative PCR to analyze rat CA1 hippocampal interneurons, we quantified neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) mRNA subunit expression and detailed possible nAChR subtype combinations for the α2, α3, α4, α5, α7, β2, β3, and β4 subunits. We also compared the expression detected in the stratum oriens and the stratum radiatum hippocampal layers. We show that the majority of interneurons in the CA1 of the rat hippocampus contain detectable levels of nAChR subunit mRNA. Our results highlight the complexity of the CA1 nAChR population. Interestingly, the α3 nAChR subunit is one of the highest expressed subunit mRNAs in this population, while the α4 is one of the least likely subunits to be detected in CA1 interneurons. The β2 nAChR subunit is the highest expressed beta subunit mRNA in these cells. In addition, Pearson’s correlation coefficient values are calculated to identify significant differences between the nAChR subunit combinations expressed in the CA1 stratum oriens and the stratum radiatum. Statistical analysis also indicates that there are likely over 100 different nAChR subunit mRNA combinations expressed in rat CA1 interneurons. These results provide a valid avenue for identifying nAChR subtype targets that may be effective hippocampus-specific pharmacological targets.
Call it a conspiracy: How conspiracy belief predicts recognition of conspiracy theories
Authors: Prims J. P.
Published: April 2024

While conspiracy theories are treated as irrational fringe beliefs in popular culture, conspiracy belief is quite common. Given the disconnect between stereotypes about conspiracy belief and its prevalence, I tested whether people have difficulty recognizing the conspiracy theories that they believe as conspiracy theories. Across two studies I demonstrate that people have considerable difficulty identifying conspiracy theories they believe as conspiracy theories, particularly when they do not take much time to consider whether their beliefs might be conspiracy theories. This is consistent with the notion that people experience “conspiracy blindness.” People have trouble recognizing the conspiracy theories they believe as conspiracy theories because they do not take the time to consider whether their beliefs might be conspiracy theories. In Study 2, I demonstrate that people can overcome their conspiracy blindness and recognize the conspiracy theories they believe as conspiracy theories when they are given a definition for “conspiracy theory” and asked to consider their answer. This suggests that people are typically ignorant of their own conspiracy beliefs, but capable of recognizing them when given the tools and motivation to do so. However, recognizing their beliefs as conspiracy theories does not reduce their adherence to those beliefs.
A trimeric glycosylated GH45 cellulase from the red abalone (Haliotis rufescens) exhibits endo and exoactivity
Authors: Hernández-Benítez L. Joshua , Ramírez-Rodríguez Miguel A. , Hernández-Santoyo Alejandra , Rodríguez-Romero Adela
Published: April 2024

The red abalone (Haliotis rufescens) represents North America’s most important aquaculture species. Its hepatopancreas is rich in cellulases and other polysaccharide-degrading enzymes, which provide it the remarkable ability to digest cellulose-rich macroalgae; nevertheless, its cellulolytic systems are poorly explored. This manuscript describes some functional and structural properties of an endogenous trimeric glycosylated endoglucanase from H. rufescens. The purified enzyme showed a molecular mass of 23.4 kDa determined by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, which behaved as a homotrimer in gel filtration chromatography and zymograms. According to the periodic acid-Schiff reagent staining, detecting sugar moieties in SDS-PAGE gel confirmed that abalone cellulase is a glycoprotein. Hydrolysis of cello-oligosaccharides and p-nitrophenyl-β-D-glucopyranosides confirmed its endo/exoactivity. A maximum enzyme activity toward 0.5% (w/v) carboxymethylcellulose of 53.9 ± 1.0 U/mg was achieved at 45°C and pH 6.0. We elucidated the abalone cellulase primary structure using proteases and mass spectrometry methods. Based on these results and using a bioinformatic approach, we identified the gene encoding this enzyme and deduced its full-length amino acid sequence; the mature protein comprised 177 residues with a calculated molecular mass of 19.1 kDa and, according to sequence similarity, it was classified into the glycosyl-hydrolase family 45 subfamily B. An AlphaFold theoretical model and docking simulations with cellopentaose confirmed that abalone cellulase is a β-sheet rich protein, as also observed by circular dichroism experiments, with conserved catalytic residues: Asp26, Asn109, and Asp134. Interestingly, the AlphaFold-Multimer analysis indicated a trimeric assembly for abalone cellulase, which supported our experimental findings. The discovery and characterization of these enzymes may contribute to developing efficient cellulose bioconversion processes for biofuels and sustainable bioproducts.
Does the priority of ambulance guarantee no delay? a MIPSSTW model of emergency vehicle routing optimization considering complex traffic conditions for highway incidents
Authors: Luan Siliang , Jiang Zhongtai
Published: April 2024

Globally, traffic accidents on the highway network contribute significantly to a high fatality rate, drawing considerable attention from health institutions. The efficiency of transportation plays a vital role in mitigating the severe consequences of these incidents. This study delves into the issues of emergency vehicles experiencing delays despite having priority. Therefore, we construct mixed-integer linear programming with semi-soft time windows (MIPSSTW) model for optimizing emergency vehicle routing in highway incidents. We analyze the time-varying and complex traffic situations and respectively propose corresponding estimation approaches for the travel time of road segments, intersections on the urban road network, and ramp-weave sections on the highway network. Furthermore, we developed a modified cuckoo search(MCS) algorithm to solve this combinatorial problem. Optimization strategies of Lévy flight and dynamic inertial weight strategy are introduced to strengthen the exploration capability and the diversity of solution space of the CS algorithm. Computational experiments based on the Chinese emergency medical system data are designed to validate the efficacy and effectiveness of the MIPSSTW model and MCS algorithm. The results show that our works succeed in searching for high-quality solutions for emergency vehicle routing problems and enhance the efficacy of strategic decision-making processes in the realm of incident management and emergency response systems.
An open platform for visual stimulation of insects
Authors: Prech Stefan , Groschner Lukas N. , Borst Alexander
Published: April 2024

To study how the nervous system processes visual information, experimenters must record neural activity while delivering visual stimuli in a controlled fashion. In animals with a nearly panoramic field of view, such as flies, precise stimulation of the entire visual field is challenging. We describe a projector-based device for stimulation of the insect visual system under a microscope. The device is based on a bowl-shaped screen that provides a wide and nearly distortion-free field of view. It is compact, cheap, easy to assemble, and easy to operate using the included open-source software for stimulus generation. We validate the virtual reality system technically and demonstrate its capabilities in a series of experiments at two levels: the cellular, by measuring the membrane potential responses of visual interneurons; and the organismal, by recording optomotor and fixation behavior of Drosophila melanogaster in tethered flight. Our experiments reveal the importance of stimulating the visual system of an insect with a wide field of view, and we provide a simple solution to do so.
Performance feedback and obsessive passion: The moderating role of human capital
Authors: Lee Sanggeun , Lee Younggeun , Park Kyung Min
Published: April 2024

Based on the behavioral theory of the firm, we research how performance feedback influences the formation of CEOs’ passion. We articulate that previous performance directly increases CEOs’ passion. Specifically, positive affective outcomes (performance above aspiration-level) advance CEOs’ positive feelings and motivation toward the domains of success (obsessive passion). For instance, when a firm accomplishes performance objectives, such as reaching sales goals, CEOs’ positive feelings toward developing current products would be boosted. Moreover, negative affective outcomes (performance below aspiration-level) would also positively impact CEOs’ passion since the CEOs would endeavor to reduce the difference between performance and their aspiration-level. As such, performance feedback is a critical antecedent of CEOs’ obsessive passion. In addition, we apply human capital as a moderator between performance feedback and CEOs’ obsessive passion. Results based on multiphase survey data from 189 CEOs of Korean small- and medium-sized enterprises indicate that both positive and negative performance feedback positively increase CEOs’ obsessive passion. Moreover, human capital negatively moderates the relationship between positive performance feedback and CEOs’ obsessive passion and positively moderates the relationship between negative performance feedback and CEOs’ obsessive passion.
Variable resource allocation pattern, biased sex-ratio, and extent of sexual dimorphism in subdioecious Hippophae rhamnoides
Authors: Jhajhariya Manisha , Mangla Yash , Chandra Atika , Goel Shailendra , Tandon Rajesh
Published: April 2024

Evolutionary maintenance of dioecy is a complex phenomenon and varies by species and underlying pathways. Also, different sexes may exhibit variable resource allocation (RA) patterns among the vegetative and reproductive functions. Such differences are reflected in the extent of sexual dimorphism. Though rarely pursued, investigation on plant species harbouring intermediate sexual phenotypes may reveal useful information on the strategy pertaining to sex-ratios and evolutionary pathways. We studied H. rhamnoides ssp. turkestanica, a subdioecious species with polygamomonoecious (PGM) plants, in western Himalaya. The species naturally inhabits a wide range of habitats ranging from river deltas to hill slopes. These attributes of the species are conducive to test the influence of abiotic factors on sexual dimorphism, and RA strategy among different sexes. The study demonstrates sexual dimorphism in vegetative and reproductive traits. The sexual dimorphism index, aligned the traits like height, number of branches, flower production, and dry-weight of flowers with males while others including fresh-weight of leaves, number of thorns, fruit production were significantly associated with females. The difference in RA pattern is more pronounced in reproductive traits of the male and female plants, while in the PGM plants the traits overlap. In general, habitat conditions did not influence either the extent of sexual dimorphism or RA pattern. However, it seems to influence secondary sex-ratio as females show their significant association with soil moisture. Our findings on sexual dimorphism and RA pattern supports attributes of wind-pollination in the species. The observed extent of sexual dimorphism in the species reiterates limited genomic differences among the sexes and the ongoing evolution of dioecy via monoecy in the species. The dynamics of RA in the species appears to be independent of resource availability in the habitats as the species grows in a resource-limited and extreme environment.
Incidence rates of the most common canine tumors based on data from the Swiss Canine Cancer Registry (2008 to 2020)
Authors: Dhein Elena Sophie , Heikkilä Ulla , Oevermann Anna , Blatter Sohvi , Meier Daniela , Hartnack Sonja , Guscetti Franco
Published: April 2024

Monitoring neoplasms in standardized registries facilitates epidemiologic studies of risk factors for tumor development and predisposition. In an observational study, we determined incidence rates (IR) and malignant tumor incidence rate ratios (IRR) by age, sex, and breed in Swiss dogs using demographic data from the official Swiss dog registration database Amicus. The dataset analyzed included 54’986 tumors diagnosed by histology and cytology in four Swiss veterinary pathology laboratories between 2008 and 2020. Diagnoses were coded according to the Vet-ICD-O-canine-1 system. Most tumors occurred in the skin (n = 19’045; 34.64%), soft tissues (n = 11’092; 20.17%), and mammary glands (n = 7’974; 14.50%). The IRs for all and for malignant tumors were 775/100’000 dog-years at risk (95%CI 764–777) and 338/100’000 dog-years at risk (95%CI 333–342), respectively. Females (850; 95%CI 834–853) had a higher overall tumor IR than males (679; 95%CI 666–684). The highest tumor IR was found at 11 years of age (1’857; 95%CI 1’780–1’867). Potential novel breed-specific predispositions were uncovered, with high IRs for several benign and malignant tumors in Polski Owczarek Nizinnys (overall IR: 3’303; 95%CI 2’502–3’864) and high IRs for malignant tumors in Russian Black Terriers (melanomas: 345; 95%CI 138–708), Field Spaniels (adenocarcinomas: 376; CI95% 138–817), Dogo Argentinos (mast cell tumors: 844; CI95% 591–1‘169), King Charles Spaniels and Manchester Terriers (lymphomas: 319; CI95% 137–627 and 302; CI95% 98–704, respectively), Landseers (osteosarcomas: 74; CI95% 15–216), Bouvier des Flandres (hemangiosarcomas: 127; CI95% 26–371), and Bearded Collies and Cane Corso Italianos (gliomas: 91; CI95% 45–162 and 34; CI95% 7–99, respectively). Nordic hunting dogs had the highest (8.08; CI95% 3.55–16.7) and Chihuahueno the lowest cancer IRRs (0.42; 95%CI 0.31–0.57) compared to mixed breeds. In conclusion, the calculated IRs and IRRs revealed previously unknown predisposing factors, including novel breed-specific susceptibilities. The results may have implications for cancer screening, diagnostic work-up, breeding management and oncologic and translational research.
The SARM1 TIR domain produces glycocyclic ADPR molecules as minor products
Authors: Garb Jeremy , Amitai Gil , Lu Allen , Ofir Gal , Brandis Alexander , Mehlman Tevie , Kranzusch Philip J. , Sorek Rotem
Published: April 2024

Sterile alpha and TIR motif-containing 1 (SARM1) is a protein involved in programmed death of injured axons. Following axon injury or a drug-induced insult, the TIR domain of SARM1 degrades the essential molecule nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), leading to a form of axonal death called Wallerian degeneration. Degradation of NAD+ by SARM1 is essential for the Wallerian degeneration process, but accumulating evidence suggest that other activities of SARM1, beyond the mere degradation of NAD+, may be necessary for programmed axonal death. In this study we show that the TIR domains of both human and fruit fly SARM1 produce 1′′–2′ and 1′′–3′ glycocyclic ADP-ribose (gcADPR) molecules as minor products. As previously reported, we observed that SARM1 TIR domains mostly convert NAD+ to ADPR (for human SARM1) or cADPR (in the case of SARM1 from Drosophila melanogaster). However, we now show that human and Drosophila SARM1 additionally convert ~0.1–0.5% of NAD+ into gcADPR molecules. We find that SARM1 TIR domains produce gcADPR molecules both when purified in vitro and when expressed in bacterial cells. Given that gcADPR is a second messenger involved in programmed cell death in bacteria and likely in plants, we propose that gcADPR may play a role in SARM1-induced programmed axonal death in animals.
Visual outcomes of intraocular inflammation after brolucizumab injection in Japanese patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Hirono Kazushi , Maruyama-Inoue Maiko , Yanagi Yasuo , Kadonosono Kazuaki
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study investigates the visual outcomes of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) patients who developed intraocular inflammation (IOI) after intravitreal brolucizumab injection (IVBr).

Methods

We studied 285 eyes of 279 cases diagnosed with nAMD and focused on 18 eyes (6.3%) of 17 cases which developed IOI after IVBr. IVBr was performed either on the initial treatment or for switching of other anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents during January 2020 to December 2021. We evaluated clinical features and the course of treatment of a 6-month follow-up after IOI occurred.

Results

Of 17 cases, 9 cases were male, 8 cases were female. Baseline logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution(logMAR) best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.36, BCVA before IOI occurred was 0.30, and BCVA when IOI occurred was 0.43. 16 eyes (88.9%) had symptoms such as visual loss or floaters when IOI occurred. On the other hand, the remaining 2 eyes (11.1%) had no symptoms. 11 eyes (61.1%) had only IOI, while the remaining 7 eyes (38.9%) had IOI and perivascular sheathing. Steroid sub-tenon injection was performed on 1 eye (5.6%), steroid eye drops were used in 11 eyes (61.1%), and 6 eyes (33.3%) were followed-up without treatment. Neovascular AMD recurred in 16 eyes (88.9%) after IOI occurred and were treated with aflibercept. VA at 3 and 6 months after IOI occurred were significantly improved to 0.34 and 0.30, respectively (P= 0.09 at 3 months andP= 0.02 at 6 months). The symptoms of patients were improved in all cases. We were able to stop steroid treatment in all cases.

Conclusions

IOI occurred in 6.3% of nAMD patients after IVBr treatment. All of which showed significant improvement from logMAR of 0.43 to 0.30 with steroid treatment or without any treatment. We should consider the possibility of IOI after IVBr as a complication, however, they have a relatively good prognosis if treated at an early stage.
Class I histone deacetylases inhibition reverses memory impairment induced by acute stress in mice
Authors: Martínez-Pacheco Heidy , Zepeda Rossana Citlali , Picazo Ofir , Quirarte Gina L. , Roldán-Roldán Gabriel
Published: April 2024

While chronic stress induces learning and memory impairments, acute stress may facilitate or prevent memory consolidation depending on whether it occurs during the learning event or before it, respectively. On the other hand, it has been shown that histone acetylation regulates long-term memory formation. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of two inhibitors of class I histone deacetylases (HDACs), 4-phenylbutyrate (PB) and IN14 (100 mg/kg/day, ip for 2 days), on memory performance in mice exposed to a single 15-min forced swimming stress session. Plasma corticosterone levels were determined 30 minutes after acute swim stress in one group of mice. In another experimental series, independent groups of mice were trained in one of three different memory tasks: Object recognition test, Elevated T maze, and Buried food location test. Subsequently, the hippocampi were removed to perform ELISA assays for histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) expression. Acute stress induced an increase in plasma corticosterone levels, as well as hippocampal HDAC2 content, along with an impaired performance in memory tests. Moreover, PB and IN14 treatment prevented memory loss in stressed mice. These findings suggest that HDAC2 is involved in acute stress-induced cognitive impairment. None of the drugs improved memory in non-stressed animals, indicating that HDACs inhibitors are not cognitive boosters, but rather potentially useful drugs for mitigating memory deficits.
‘Vetrine della Moda’: Forms and models of femininity on the pages of fascist movie magazines
Authors: Saponari Angela Bianca
Published: April 2024

Italian fascism of the 1930s dominated more than just politics, particularly as it spilled over into styles of clothing. This article demonstrates that, despite the manipulative ideology of fascism, women found other ways to affirm their femininity. American fashion and costumes conveyed through the movie magazines of the same period became evidence of new cultural models that stood out in opposition to the Duce and his familiar and domestic ideals. Magazines such as Stelle and Cinema Illustrazione, which were considered ‘cultural intermediaries’, proposed an image of a new woman built through exotic and sensual clothing and looks. Many columns were dedicated to building a direct relationship between the audience and the entertainment industry. As the industry sprung up with more advertisements and fashion articles, it promoted new clothing styles, make-up use and acting. This cultural orientation represented a historical contradiction, which this article will consider.
The costumes of an archaic dream: Pasolini, Danilo Donati and Oedipus the King (1967)
Authors: Chiesi Roberto
Published: April 2024

This article examines the collaboration between Pier Paolo Pasolini and Danilo Donati. Pasolini wanted the aesthetic of Oedipus the King to evoke an ‘indistinct barbaric’ feel and asked the great costume designer Danilo Donati for a mélange of Persian, Sumerian, Aztec and African art. Pasolini sought the shapes, the drawings and the sculptures of an archaic civilization, but mixed together, adhering to the Pasolinian method of contamination, so that they would lose their original identity in a new form that at the same time recalled ancient cultures or, in the case of the African art, even tribal history.
Fashioning: Women and gender in film and fashion
Authors: Paulicelli Eugenia
Published: April 2024

This article introduces the interviews featured in this issue of the journal with filmmaker Alina Marazzi and creative director of the Maison Christian Dior Maria Grazia Chiuri. In 2020, Maria Grazia Chiuri commissioned Alina Marazzi to make a short film about the work of Lucia Marcucci, a feminist visual poet and artist, active in the 1960s and 1970s who combined the language of mass media and advertising, and addressed themes such as the changing values of family, domesticity and the role of women. Focusing on the work of Alina Marazzi and Maria Grazia Chiuri, this article provides a framework to explore the long history of fashion and film, as well as the collaboration between Chiuri and female artists. In addition to discussing the digital genre of the ‘fashion film’, the essay contextualizes the emergence and development of the field of fashion studies and its relationship with feminism, women, the media and the history of women and fashion.
L’abito di domani: Storia della moda nel tempo, Giovanna Gagliardo (dir.) (2009), Italy: Luce Cinecittà
Authors: Laviosa Flavia
Published: April 2024

Review of: L’abito di domani: Storia della moda nel tempo, Giovanna Gagliardo (dir.) (2009), Italy: Luce Cinecittà