bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selective head cooling in the acute phase of concussive injury: a neuroimaging study
Authors: Walter Alexa E. , Bai Xiaoxiao , Wilkes James , Neuberger Thomas , Sebastianelli Wayne , Slobounov Semyon M.
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Neurovascular decoupling is a common consequence after brain injuries like sports-related concussion. Failure to appropriately match cerebral blood flow (CBF) with increases in metabolic demands of the brain can lead to alterations in neurological function and symptom presentation. Therapeutic hypothermia has been used in medicine for neuroprotection and has been shown to improve outcome. This study aimed to examine the real time effect of selective head cooling on healthy controls and concussed athletes via magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and arterial spin labeling (ASL) measures.

Methods

24 participants (12 controls; 12 concussed) underwent study procedures including the Post-Concussion Symptom Severity (PCSS) Rating Form and an MRI cooling protocol (pre-cooling (T1 MPRAGE, ASL, single volume spectroscopy (SVS)); during cooling (ASL, SVS)).

Results

Results showed general decreases in brain temperature as a function of time for both groups. Repeated measures ANOVA showed a significant main effect of time (F = 7.94, p < 0.001) and group (F = 22.21, p < 0.001) on temperature, but no significant interaction of group and time (F = 1.36, p = 0.237). CBF assessed via ASL was non-significantly lower in concussed individuals at pre-cooling and generalized linear mixed model analyses demonstrated a significant main effect of time for the occipital left ROI (F = 11.29, p = 0.002) and occipital right ROI (F = 13.39, p = 0.001). There was no relationship between any MRI metric and PCSS symptom burden.

Discussion

These findings suggest the feasibility of MRS thermometry to monitor alterations of brain temperature in concussed athletes and that metabolic responses in response to cooling after concussion may differ from controls.
The ability of the geriatric nutritional risk index to predict the risk of heart diseases in Korean adults: a Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study cohort
Authors: Park Ju Young , Bu So Young
Published: October 2023

Introduction

The predictive ability of nutritional risk index on cardiovascular outcomes in middle-aged and non-hospitalized adults has not yet been reported. This study investigated whether the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), an index for assessing the risk of developing malnutrition, could predict heart disease in middle-aged Korean adults.

Methods

The cohort used in this study consisted of 3,783 participants selected from 10,030 Korean adults who participated in the Ansan-Ansung cohort study as part of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study. The GNRI was determined based on serum albumin level, proportion of current weight, and ideal body weight. Participants were then divided into two groups: GNRI ≤98 and > 98, which corresponded to the risk of malnutrition and normal, respectively. The major outcome of this study was coronary artery disease (CAD) or congestive heart failure (CHF) during a 15-year-follow period.

Results

During the follow-up period spanning 2004–2018, 136 events of heart disease occurred. Using a Kaplan–Meier analysis, event-free rates were found to be associated with 90.5% on a GNRI ≤98 and 96.6% on a GNRI >98 (p < 0.0009). GNRI ≤98 showed a 3.2-fold (hazard ratio, 3.22; 95% credit interval, 1.49–6.96; p = 0.0029) increase in the incidence of heart disease, including CAD or CHF, compared with GNRI >98, after controlling for potential confounders.

Conclusion

Malnutrition risk confers a significantly increased risk for heart disease in middle-aged Koreans. Further studies with larger cohorts are needed to verify the efficacy of the GNRI in predicting disease risk in adults with pre-disease.
Unraveling the occasional occurrence of berry astringency in table grape cv. Scarlet Royal: a physiological and transcriptomic analysis
Authors: Ismail Ahmed , Pervaiz Tariq , Comstock Stacey , Bodaghi Sohrab , Rezk Alaaeldin , Vidalakis Georgios , El-Sharkawy Islam , Obenland David , El-kereamy Ashraf
Published: October 2023

Scarlet Royal, a mid-season ripening table grape, is one of the popular red grape varieties in California. However, its berries develop an undesirable astringent taste under certain conditions. Among the various factors contributing to the degradation of berry attributes, the levels and compositions of polyphenols play a fundamental role in defining berry quality and sensory characteristics. To comprehend the underlying mechanism of astringency development, Scarlet Royal berries with non-astringent attributes at the V7 vineyard were compared to astringent ones at the V9 vineyard. Biochemical analysis revealed that the divergence in berry astringency stemmed from alterations in its polyphenol composition, particularly tannins, during the late ripening stage at the V9 vineyard. Furthermore, transcriptomic profiling of berries positively associated nineteen flavonoid/proanthocyanidins (PAs) structural genes with the accumulation of PAs in V9 berries. The identification of these genes holds significance for table grape genetic improvement programs. At a practical level, the correlation between the taste panel and tannin content revealed a threshold level of tannins causing an astringent taste at approximately 400 mg/L. Additionally, berry astringency at the V9 vineyard was linked to a lower number of clusters and yield during the two study seasons, 2016 and 2017. Furthermore, petiole nutrient analysis at bloom showed differences in nutrient levels between the two vineyards, including higher levels of nitrogen and potassium in V9 vines compared to V7. It’s worth noting that V9 berries at harvest displayed a lower level of total soluble solids and higher titratable acidity compared to V7 berries. In conclusion, our results indicate that the accumulation of tannins in berries during the ripening process results in a reduction in their red color intensity but significantly increases the astringency taste, thereby degrading the berry quality attributes. This study also highlights the association of high nitrogen nutrient levels and a lower crop load with berry astringency in table grapes, paving the way for further research in this area
Mapping the research trends of migration behavior in agricultural households: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Saini Sushmita , Burman Rajarshi Roy , Padaria Rabindra Nath , Mahra Girijesh Singh , Bishnoi Sitaram , Aditya Kaustav , Nithyashree M. L. , Mallick Sonali , Mukherjee Sweety , Padhan Smruti Ranjan
Published: October 2023

The migration patterns of farmers, rural women, and youth within agricultural households have a significant impact on rural communities and the agricultural sector. To gain a deeper understanding of research trends in migration behavior, a study was conducted using comprehensive bibliometric analysis and text mining. René Descartes’ Discourse framework was employed to analyze 504 research articles retrieved from the Dimension.ai database followed by further analysis with Microsoft Excel, R software and VOS viewer. The study revealed a growing interest of various stakeholders in this field, with an increasing number of publications focusing on various aspects from 1934 to 2023. In terms of the publication’s performance analysis, the study identified human society and the second Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) as the most significant research areas. These areas aim to address hunger and improve food security for migrants. Regarding migration studies, three influential journals—Sustainability, World Development, and Journal of Rural Studies—were identified, with the most influential author being J. Vernon Henderson from the United Kingdom. Citation analysis was conducted to determine the highest number of citations for the influential author (J. V. Hernderon), journal (World Development), organization (World Bank), and country (United States) based on scientific attribution. Additionally, a co-word analysis was performed to research article’s abstracts to map into key thematic clusters that include climate change, food insecurity, and the COVID-19 crisis. The study visualized the social network of authors, organizations, and countries involved in co-authorship analysis within the research field. Furthermore, a journal co-citation analysis was undertaken to reveal the intellectual structure of migration studies in the agricultural context. Text mining of the research documents uncovered both anticipated and unanticipated effects of migration on households. Consequently, these findings provide valuable insights into future research directions and evidence-based policy framing which will contribute to shielding agricultural households from unforeseen consequences of migration, benefiting researchers, policymakers, and practitioners in this arena.
Brief research report: OM-85 reduces SARS-COV-2 viral RNA expression in nasopharyngeal cells from COVID-19 patients
Authors: Cassão Gisele , Antunes Krist Helen , Gonçalvez João Ismael Budelon , Santos Leonardo Duarte , Abbadi Bruno Lopes , Bizarro Cristiano Valim , Machado Pablo , Basso Luiz Augusto , Pasquali Christian , Stein Renato T. , de Souza Ana Paula Duarte
Published: October 2023

OM-85 is a bacterial lysate from common respiratory tract pathogens, with an excellent safety profile, widely used to prevent recurrent respiratory tract infections. Several studies have been reporting the immunomodulating properties and antiviral roles of OM-85. The COVID-19 pandemic, originating in 2019, has presented a significant global public health crisis. While effective vaccines have been developed, vaccination rates vary considerably, and numerous concerning viral variants continue to emerge. The challenge persists in creating early interventions to halt the progression of the disease to its severe stages. To examine the therapeutic effect of OM-85 after SARS-CoV-2 infection and compared to recombinant human (rhINF-β) we collected nasopharyngeal cells from COVID-19 patients. The cells were treated ex-vivo with OM-85 or hrINF-β and the response was analyzed after 24h for gene expression by real-time PCR. We found that OM-85 decreased the SARS-CoV-2 N1 gene expression and increased RIG-I (DDX58) in these cells. The expression of ACE2 was undetected in these samples. These data support the antiviral effect of OM-85 against SARS-CoV-2.
DJAN: Deep Joint Adaptation Network for Wildlife Image Recognition
Authors: Zhang Changchun , Zhang Junguo
Published: October 2023

Wildlife recognition is of utmost importance for monitoring and preserving biodiversity. In recent years, deep-learning-based methods for wildlife image recognition have exhibited remarkable performance on specific datasets and are becoming a mainstream research direction. However, wildlife image recognition tasks face the challenge of weak generalization in open environments. In this paper, a Deep Joint Adaptation Network (DJAN) for wildlife image recognition is proposed to deal with the above issue by taking a transfer learning paradigm into consideration. To alleviate the distribution discrepancy between the known dataset and the target task dataset while enhancing the transferability of the model’s generated features, we introduce a correlation alignment constraint and a strategy of conditional adversarial training, which enhance the capability of individual domain adaptation modules. In addition, a transformer unit is utilized to capture the long-range relationships between the local and global feature representations, which facilitates better understanding of the overall structure and relationships within the image. The proposed approach is evaluated on a wildlife dataset; a series of experimental results testify that the DJAN model yields state-of-the-art results, and, compared to the best results obtained by the baseline methods, the average accuracy of identifying the eleven wildlife species improves by 3.6 percentage points.
Testing the Effectiveness of the “Smelly” Elephant Repellent in Controlled Experiments in Semi-Captive Asian and African Savanna Elephants
Authors: Robertson Marion R. , Olivier Lisa J. , Roberts John , Yonthantham Laddawan , Banda Constance , N’gombwa Innocent B. , Dale Rachel , Tiller Lydia N.
Published: October 2023

Crop-raiding by elephants is one of the most prevalent forms of human–elephant conflict and is increasing with the spread of agriculture into wildlife range areas. As the magnitude of conflicts between people and elephants increases across Africa and Asia, mitigating and reducing the impacts of elephant crop-raiding has become a major focus of conservation intervention. In this study, we tested the responses of semi-captive elephants to the “smelly” elephant repellent, a novel olfactory crop-raiding mitigation method. At two trial sites, in Zambia and Thailand, African elephants (Loxodonta africana) and Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) were exposed to the repellent, in order to test whether or not they entered an area protected by the repellent and whether they ate the food provided. The repellent elicited clear reactions from both study groups of elephants compared to control conditions. Generalised linear models revealed that the elephants were more alert, sniffed more, and vocalised more when they encountered the repellent. Although the repellent triggered a response, it did not prevent elephants from entering plots protected by the repellent or from eating crops, unlike in trials conducted with wild elephants. Personality played a role in responses towards the repellent, as the elephants that entered the experimental plots were bolder and more curious individuals. We conclude that, although captive environments provide controlled settings for experimental testing, the ecological validity of testing human–elephant conflict mitigation methods with captive wildlife should be strongly considered. This study also shows that understanding animal behaviour is essential for improving human–elephant coexistence and for designing deterrence mechanisms. Appreciating personality traits in elephants, especially amongst “problem” elephants who have a greater propensity to crop raid, could lead to the design of new mitigation methods designed to target these individuals.
Tongue of the Egyptian Endemic Bridled Skink (Heremites vittatus; Olivier, 1804): Gross, Electron Microscopy, Histochemistry, and Immunohistochemical Analysis
Authors: Kandyel Ramadan M. , Choudhary Om Prakash , El-Nagar Sahar H. , Miles Donald B. , Abumandour Mohamed
Published: October 2023

The present study used light and scanning electron microscopy to describe the integrative morphological description of the tongue and laryngeal mound of Heremites vittatus, an endemic lizard of Saharan Africa. Additionally, ultrastructure, histology, histochemistry, and immunohistochemical approaches were used to characterize the lingual apparatus adaptations. In the present study, Heremites vittatus consisted of a complex lingual papillary system in which the ventral apical surface of the foretongue comprised conical papillae. The dorsal surface consisted of different filiform papillary (papillae filiformes) types: the anterior section had two types (bifid and pointed), and the posterior section had four types (triangular, trifid, quadrifid, and pentafid) papillae. The dorsal midtongue surface exhibits scale-like, serrated filiform papillae with anterior gland openings. The hindtongue consisted of two overlapping filiform papillae: scale-like, board-serrated papillae on the median portion and finger-like papillae on the wings. The dorsal surface of the laryngeal mound had 18 longitudinal folds with glandular openings. Histologically, the foretongue was covered by a slightly keratinized layer that was absent in the mid- and hindtongue. The lingual glands were absent from the foretongue but present in the interpapillary space in the mid- and hindtongues. We observed a few rounded taste buds in the conical papilla epithelium. Histochemical analysis revealed strong glandular Alcian Blue (AB)-positive and Periodic Acid–Schiff (PAS)-positive reactions. Immunohistochemistry showed strong cytokeratin immunopositivity in all parts of the tongue. In conclusion, the obtained data about the lingual characterizations have been consistent with the active foraging behavior of the species and its environmental conditions.
Mitogenomic Phylogeny of Tonnoidea Suter, 1913 (1825) (Gastropoda: Caenogastropoda)
Authors: Zheng Jiawen , Li Fengping , Fan Mingfu , Gu Zhifeng , Liu Chunsheng , Wang Aimin , Yang Yi
Published: October 2023

The Tonnoidea Suter, 1913 (1825) is a moderately diverse group of large predatory gastropods, the systematics of which remain unclear. In the present study, the complete mitochondrial genomes of nine Tonnoidean species were sequenced. All newly sequenced mitogenomes contain 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes and two ribosomal RNA genes, showing similar patterns in genome size, gene order and nucleotide composition. The ratio of nonsynonymous to synonymous of PCGs indicated that NADH complex genes of Tonnoideans were experiencing a more relaxed purifying selection compared with the COX genes. The reconstructed phylogeny based on the combined amino acid sequences of 13 protein-coding genes and the nucleotide sequences of two rRNA genes supported that Ficidae Meek, 1864 (1840) is a sister to Tonnoidea. The monophylies of all Tonnoidean families were recovered and the internal phylogenetic relationships were consistent with the current classification. The phylogeny also revealed that Tutufa rebuta (Linnaeus, 1758) is composed of at least two different species, indicating that the species diversity within Bursidae Thiele, 1925 might be underestimated. The present study contributes to the understanding of the Tonnoidean systematics, and it could provide important information for the revision of Tonnoidean systematics in the future.
Ammonia and Particulate Matter Emissions at a Korean Commercial Pig Farm and Influencing Factors
Authors: Choi Lak-yeong , Lee Se-yeon , Jeong Hanna , Park Jinseon , Hong Se-woon , Kwon Kyeong-Seok , Song Mijung
Published: October 2023

Quantifying emission factors of ammonia and particulate matter (PM) in livestock production systems is crucial for assessing and mitigating the environmental impact of animal production and for ensuring industry sustainability. This study aimed to determine emission factors of ammonia, total suspended particles (TSPs), PM10, and PM2.5 for piglets and growing–finishing pigs at a commercial pig farm in Korea. It also sought to identify factors influencing these emission factors. The research found that the emission factors measured were generally lower than those currently used in Korea, but were consistent with findings from individual research studies in the literature. Seasonal variations were observed, with ammonia emissions peaking in spring and autumn, and PM emissions rising in summer. Correlation analyses indicated that the number of animals and their average age correlated positively with both ammonia and PM emission factors. Ventilation rate was also positively correlated with PM emissions. Future extended field measurements across diverse pig farms will offer deeper insights into the emission factors of pig farms in Korea, guiding the development of sustainable livestock management practices.
Effect of CeO2@GNPs on the Corrosion Properties of 2024 Alloy
Authors: Wu Qingjie , Guo Zhenghua , Cui Junhua , Yang Liang , Li Ning , Li Surui
Published: October 2023

The nanocomposites of 2024 Al reinforced with CeO2@GNPs (graphene) nanoparticles were fabricated using the hot-press sintering method. With the addition of 0.5 wt% CeO2@GNPs, the YS and UTS of the fabricated nanocomposites increased by 21.1% and 24.7%, respectively. The load transfer effect and optimization of the interfacial bonding were the main factors to improve the mechanical properties of the composites. The effect of the surface modification of GNPs on the corrosion resistance of the composites was investigated, demonstrating that the addition of GNPs weakened the corrosion resistance of the fabricated nanocomposites. Meanwhile, the corrosion current density (2.776 × 10−3 A·cm−2) and polarization resistance (13,971.37 Ω cm2) of the prepared composites with CeO2 nanoparticle-layered GNPs exhibited a significant decreasing trend compared with the composites without a CeO2 nanoparticle layer (3.540 × 10−3 A·cm−2, 10,199.72 Ω cm2). Optimizing the dispersion of GNPs and their interfacial bonding with the aluminum matrix promoted the reduction in the corrosion area and the possibility of micro-couple formation, leading to an effective enhancement of the corrosion resistance of the nanocomposites.
Assessment of Atmospheric Air Quality in the Region of Central Kazakhstan and Astana
Authors: Beisenova Raikhan , Kuanyshevich Bektemir Zhumashev , Turlybekova Gulzhazira , Yelikbayev Bakhytzhan , Kakabayev Anuarbek A. , Shamshedenova Samal , Nugmanov Askar
Published: October 2023

One of the main issues of environmental protection is the quality of atmospheric air. These problems are especially acute in industrialized regions, where the level of anthropogenic impact is increasing; in Kazakhstan, Central Kazakhstan belongs to such regions. The purpose of this study is to study the relationship between diseases of the population and air pollutants from industrial sources. The research methodology was the use of ArcGIS tools and the construction of a correlation between two parameters: pollution and morbidity in the region. Analysis of mortality rates of the population by main classes of causes of death for 2017–2020 in the regional context in the Republic of Kazakhstan revealed that the mortality rate in 2020 increased by 20.2%. When analyzing the causes of death of the population, diseases associated with the negative impact of the environment were selected. It was noted that, in general, in the Republic of Kazakhstan from 2017 to 2020, there was a downward trend, but in the Karaganda region, in 2020, it increased by 8.7%. In Astana, this indicator also tended to decrease, but as a result, a very strong correlation was found between the incidence of malignant neoplasms in Astana and nitrogen dioxide pollution (Pearson index 0.95).
Atmosphere-Transported Emerging and Persistent Contaminants (EPCs) in Rainfall and Throughfall: Insights from a Rural Site in Northern Thailand
Authors: Lee Theodora H.Y. , Srinuansom Khajornkiat , Snyder Shane A. , Ziegler Alan D.
Published: October 2023

This study investigates the presence and concentrations of emerging and persistent contaminants (EPCs) in rainwater and throughfall water collected from urban areas and agricultural lands in northern Thailand. It focuses on one daily-use compound (caffeine), two industrial compounds (4-nitrophenol and tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBEP)), and three agrichemicals (atrazine, fenobucarb, and 2,4-D). Additionally, information is provided regarding the presence of acetaminophen, fexofenadine, diphenhydramine, and gabapentin. Small differences in the chemical composition of the six main contaminants were observed between rainwater and forest throughfall water. However, significant variations were found in the concentration ranges of each EPC. In most cases, throughfall samples exhibited slightly higher concentrations, suggesting a limited contribution from dry deposition compared to rainfall. Limited reliable evidence was found concerning seasonal patterns in EPC concentrations in precipitation (rainfall and throughfall) and surface water samples in remote ponds and reservoirs. The transportation of EPCs via rainwater appears to vary among the compounds tested and is likely to vary from one rainfall event to another, rather than showing a strong and common seasonal response within the monsoon rainfall regime. These findings suggest that the transport of EPCs to remote areas via rainfall does occur for some EPCs. However, the dominance of this process over other transport mechanisms could not be determined with high confidence.
PM2.5 Concentration Prediction Based on LightGBM Optimized by Adaptive Multi-Strategy Enhanced Sparrow Search Algorithm
Authors: Liu Xuehu , Zhao Kexin , Liu Zuhan , Wang Lili
Published: October 2023

The atmospheric environment is of great importance to human health. However, its influencing factors are complex and variable. An efficient technique is required to more precisely estimate PM2.5 concentration values. In this paper, an enhanced Sparrow Search Algorithm (LASSA)-optimized Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM) is proposed for PM2.5 concentration prediction. This approach can provide accurate predictions while also reducing potential losses resulting from unexpected events. LightGBM is regarded as an outstanding machine learning approach; however, it includes hyperparameters that must be optimally mixed in order to achieve the desired results. We update the Sparrow Search Algorithm (SSA) and utilize it to identify the optimal combination of the most crucial parameters, using cross-validation to increase the reliability. Using limited air quality data and meteorological data as inputs, PM2.5 concentration values were predicted. The LASSA-LGB’s output was compared to normal LGB, SSA-LGB and ISSA-LGB. The findings demonstrate that LASSA-LGB outperforms the other models in terms of prediction accuracy. The RMSE and MAPE error indices were lowered from 3% to 16%. The concordance correlation coefficient is not less than 0.91, and the R2 reached 0.96. This indicates that the proposed model has potential advantages in the field of PM2.5 concentration prediction.
Is Metagenomics the Future Routine Diagnosis Tool for Brain Abscesses? About a Case
Authors: Lars William , Lamoureux Claudie , Picard Jérémy , Rodriguez Christophe , Beauruelle Clémence , Quaesaet Luc , Héry-Arnaud Geneviève , Ansart Séverine , Coste Anne
Published: October 2023

Shotgun metagenomics (SMg) usefulness for brain abscess diagnosis is not known. We describe a case of brain abscess diagnosed with SMg and provide a review of the literature. A 70-year-old woman was diagnosed with multiple brain abscesses. Standard culture techniques and 16S rRNA gene sequencing of abscess samples remained negative. SMg finally revealed the presence of sequences from Streptococcus anginosus and Fusobacterium nucleatum, leading to antimicrobial treatment adaptation and corticosteroids initiation. The patient finally recovered. A literature review retrieved fifteen other cases of brain abscesses diagnosed with SMg. SMg results led to changes in patient management in most cases. The existing literature about the performances of SMg, its advantages, future evolutions, and limitations is then discussed. SMg place in routine should be evaluated and defined through prospective studies.
Prognostic Value of Tumor Budding for Early Breast Cancer
Authors: Silva Diogo J. , Miranda Gonçalo , Amaro Teresina , Salgado Matilde , Mesquita Alexandra
Published: October 2023

Background: Tumor budding (TB) is a dynamic process associated with the epithelial–mesenchymal transition and a well-established prognostic biomarker for colorectal cancer. As part of the tumor microenvironment, tumor buds demonstrate increased cell motility and invasiveness. Current evidence demonstrates that high levels of TB correlate with disease progression and worst outcomes across different solid tumors. Our work aims to demonstrate the clinical applicability of TB analysis and its utility as a prognostic factor for patients with early breast cancer (EBC). Methods: Retrospective, single-center, observational study, enrolling patients with EBC diagnosed in a Portuguese hospital between 2014 and 2015. TB classification was performed according to the International Tumor Budding Conference 2016 guidelines. Results: A statistically significant relation was found between higher TB score and aggressive clinicopathological features (angiolymphatic/perineural invasion-p < 0.001; tumor size-p = 0.012; nuclear grading-p < 0.001; and Ki-67 index-p = 0.011), higher number of relapses (p < 0.001), and short disease-free survival (DFS) (p < 0.001). Conclusion: We demonstrate that high TB correlates with shorter DFS and aggressive clinicopathological features used in daily practice to decide on the benefit of chemotherapy for EBC. TB represents a needed prognostic biomarker for EBC, comprising a new factor to be considered in the adjuvant decision-making process by identifying patients at a high risk of relapse and with higher benefit on treatment intensification. Clinical trials incorporating TB are needed to validate its prognostic impact.
Discrepancies in Adolescent–Parent Perceptions of Parental Phubbing and Their Relevance to Adolescent Smartphone Dependence: The Mediating Role of Parent–Child Relationship
Authors: Chen Shi , Qiu Dongqing , Li Xing , Zhao Qingbai
Published: October 2023

Parental phubbing behavior is a significant predictor of adolescent smartphone dependence. However, previous research has mainly focused on the child and adolescent’s perspective, overlooking potential differences in how parents and their children perceive parental phubbing. Therefore, this study investigates whether disparities exist in how parents and adolescents perceive parental phubbing and how these perceptual differences impact adolescent smartphone dependence. We also explore the role of the parent–child relationship in this context. In this study, 728 families from a middle school in Wuhan were selected and surveys were administered to both children and parents. The findings are as follows: (1) Significant perceptual differences were found between parents and adolescents regarding parental phubbing. (2) These perceptual discrepancies positively predict adolescent smartphone dependence and negatively impact parent–child relationships. Additionally, parent–child relationships have a negative influence on adolescent smartphone dependence. (3) The parent–child relationship serves as a mediator between perceptual differences in parental phubbing behavior and adolescent smartphone dependence. In summary, this research highlights the importance of considering both parent and adolescent perspectives on parental phubbing and emphasizes the role of the parent–child relationship in influencing adolescent smartphone dependence.
Cholesterol Metabolism in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Rebelo Artur , Kleeff Jörg , Sunami Yoshiaki
Published: October 2023

Pancreatic cancer’s substantial impact on cancer-related mortality, responsible for 8% of cancer deaths and ranking fourth in the US, persists despite advancements, with a five-year relative survival rate of only 11%. Forecasts predict a 70% surge in new cases and a 72% increase in global pancreatic cancer-related deaths by 2040. This review explores the intrinsic metabolic reprogramming of pancreatic cancer, focusing on the mevalonate pathway, including cholesterol biosynthesis, transportation, targeting strategies, and clinical studies. The mevalonate pathway, central to cellular metabolism, significantly shapes pancreatic cancer progression. Acetyl coenzyme A (Acetyl-CoA) serves a dual role in fatty acid and cholesterol biosynthesis, fueling acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM) and pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) development. Enzymes, including acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase, 3-hydroxy-3methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) synthase, and HMG-CoA reductase, are key enzymes in pancreatic cancer. Inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, e.g., by using statins, shows promise in delaying PanIN progression and impeding pancreatic cancer. Dysregulation of cholesterol modification, uptake, and transport significantly impacts tumor progression, with Sterol O-acyltransferase 1 (SOAT1) driving cholesterol ester (CE) accumulation and disrupted low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) expression contributing to cancer recurrence. Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) expression in tumor stroma influences immune suppression. Clinical trials targeting cholesterol metabolism, including statins and SOAT1 inhibitors, exhibit potential anti-tumor effects, and combination therapies enhance efficacy. This review provides insights into cholesterol metabolism’s convergence with pancreatic cancer, shedding light on therapeutic avenues and ongoing clinical investigations.
Brain Noradrenergic Innervation Supports the Development of Parkinson’s Tremor: A Study in a Reserpinized Rat Model
Authors: Pozzi Nicoló Gabriele , Bolzoni Francesco , Biella Gabriele Eliseo Mario , Pezzoli Gianni , Ip Chi Wang , Volkmann Jens , Cavallari Paolo , Asan Esther , Isaias Ioannis Ugo
Published: October 2023

The pathophysiology of tremor in Parkinson’s disease (PD) is evolving towards a complex alteration to monoaminergic innervation, and increasing evidence suggests a key role of the locus coeruleus noradrenergic system (LC-NA). However, the difficulties in imaging LC-NA in patients challenge its direct investigation. To this end, we studied the development of tremor in a reserpinized rat model of PD, with or without a selective lesioning of LC-NA innervation with the neurotoxin DSP-4. Eight male rats (Sprague Dawley) received DSP-4 (50 mg/kg) two weeks prior to reserpine injection (10 mg/kg) (DR-group), while seven male animals received only reserpine treatment (R-group). Tremor, rigidity, hypokinesia, postural flexion and postural immobility were scored before and after 20, 40, 60, 80, 120 and 180 min of reserpine injection. Tremor was assessed visually and with accelerometers. The injection of DSP-4 induced a severe reduction in LC-NA terminal axons (DR-group: 0.024 ± 0.01 vs. R-group: 0.27 ± 0.04 axons/um2, p < 0.001) and was associated with significantly less tremor, as compared to the R-group (peak tremor score, DR-group: 0.5 ± 0.8 vs. R-group: 1.6 ± 0.5; p < 0.01). Kinematic measurement confirmed the clinical data (tremor consistency (% of tremor during 180 s recording), DR-group: 37.9 ± 35.8 vs. R-group: 69.3 ± 29.6; p < 0.05). Akinetic–rigid symptoms did not differ between the DR- and R-groups. Our results provide preliminary causal evidence for a critical role of LC-NA innervation in the development of PD tremor and foster the development of targeted therapies for PD patients.
Advancing Alzheimer’s Therapeutics: Exploring the Impact of Physical Exercise in Animal Models and Patients
Authors: Andrade-Guerrero Jesús , Rodríguez-Arellano Paola , Barron-Leon Nayeli , Orta-Salazar Erika , Ledesma-Alonso Carlos , Díaz-Cintra Sofía , Soto-Rojas Luis O.
Published: October 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the main neurodegenerative disorder characterized by several pathophysiological features, including the misfolding of the tau protein and the amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, synaptic dysfunction, metabolic alterations, and cognitive impairment. These mechanisms collectively contribute to neurodegeneration, necessitating the exploration of therapeutic approaches with multiple targets. Physical exercise has emerged as a promising non-pharmacological intervention for AD, with demonstrated effects on promoting neurogenesis, activating neurotrophic factors, reducing Aβ aggregates, minimizing the formation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), dampening inflammatory processes, mitigating oxidative stress, and improving the functionality of the neurovascular unit (NVU). Overall, the neuroprotective effects of exercise are not singular, but are multi-targets. Numerous studies have investigated physical exercise’s potential in both AD patients and animal models, employing various exercise protocols to elucidate the underlying neurobiological mechanisms and effects. The objective of this review is to analyze the neurological therapeutic effects of these exercise protocols in animal models and compare them with studies conducted in AD patients. By translating findings from different approaches, this review aims to identify opportune, specific, and personalized therapeutic windows, thus advancing research on the use of physical exercise with AD patients.
Role of Cytokines and Other Soluble Factors in Tumor Development: Rationale for New Therapeutic Strategies
Authors: Cavazzoni Andrea , Digiacomo Graziana
Published: October 2023

Many cytokines control tumor development by directly lowering cancer cell proliferation and inducing apoptotic cell death, or indirectly by activating the antitumoral activity of specific immune cells such as NK or CD8+ T-lymphocytes [...]
Simvastatin Attenuates Areca Nut Extract-Induced Subdermal Fibrosis in Mice by Targeting TGF-β Signaling Pathways
Authors: Chang Chi-Hua , Lin Ching-Ping , Chen Yuk-Kwan , Hsiao Yu-Fang , Wang Yan-Hsiung
Published: October 2023

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic inflammatory disease and a potentially malignant oral disorder, characterized by fibrosis of the oral mucosa. TGF-β signaling pathways have been implicated in the development of OSMF, with areca nut extract (ANE) contributing to the disease progression. Simvastatin, a statin drug, has demonstrated anti-fibrotic properties in various fibrotic conditions. However, its therapeutic potential in treating OSMF remains unclear. In this study, 8-week-old male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into three groups based on different time points. Each mouse was then treated with four different drug formulations. Post-treatment, specimens were collected for histopathological examination and staining to assess skin thickness, fibrosis, and collagen deposition. ANE treatment alone significantly increased skin thickness and collagen deposition compared to the control group after the 4-week time point. The combined administration of ANE and simvastatin, resulted in a notable reduction in skin thickness and collagen deposition. Western blot analysis revealed that simvastatin effectively suppressed the expression of fibrosis-related proteins, including CTGF, and α-SMA, in ANE-induced subdermal fibrosis. These results suggest that simvastatin has potential therapeutic effects on ANE-induced subdermal fibrosis, providing a foundation for future studies and possible clinical applications.
Relaxor Ferroelectric AgNbO3 Film Fabricated on (110) SrTiO3 Substrates via Pulsed Laser Deposition
Authors: Ma Qingzhu , Yao Yao , Su Dandan , Zhang Suwei , Zhao Lei
Published: October 2023

AgNbO3-based materials have attracted extensive attention in energy storage due to their double hysteresis loops, but they suffer from low breakdown strength (Eb). AgNbO3 films with few defects and small thickness exhibit high Eb, which helps to improve the energy storage performance. In this work, we successfully prepared AgNbO3 thin films on (110) SrTiO3 substrate using pulsed laser deposition technology. The AgNbO3 film shows good crystalline and relaxor ferroelectric behavior. A high Eb up to 1200 kV/cm is obtained in AgNbO3 film, which contributes to good recoverable energy storage density Wrec up to 10.9 J/cm3 and energy efficiency η of 75.3%. Furthermore, the Wrec remains above 2.9 J/cm3 and the η varies between 72.5% and 82.5% in a wide temperature range of 30–150 °C. This work reveals the great potential of relaxor ferroelectric AgNbO3 film for energy storage.
A Comparative Thermodynamic Study of AlF3, ScF3, Al0.5Sc0.5F3, and In0.5Sc0.5F3 for Optical Coatings: A Computational Study
Authors: Alruqi Adel Bandar , Ongwen Nicholas O.
Published: October 2023

Optical coatings are thin layers of materials applied to optical components in order to modify the transmission, reflection, or polarization properties of light. The common materials used for optical coatings include magnesium fluoride (MgF2), scandium trifluoride (ScF3), and aluminum trifluoride (AlF3), owing to their desirable optical properties, spectral range, and compatibility with substrates. However, each of these materials has its own drawbacks. For instance, AlF3 has been found to exhibit limited resistance to attack by chemicals, as well as poor thermal stability, while MgF2 has low durability, as well as being hygroscopic. In this study, we undertook ab initio calculations in order to compare the thermal properties of AlF3, ScF3, Al0.5Sc0.5F3, and In0.5Sc0.5F3 in order to obtain the best material for optical coatings. MgF2 was also included in the study as a reference. The calculations used PBE pseudopotentials and the extended generalized gradient approximation within the quantum espresso algorithm. The study demonstrated that the computed results agree with the information found in the literature. ScF3 exhibited a negative coefficient of thermal expansion, unlike the other four. Moreover, AlF3 was found to be the best candidate for optical coatings that are used in high-power laser systems with high thermal dissipation, due to its superior thermal expansion coefficient as well as its better response to thermal stress. The large variation between the cp and cv of ScF3 is not desirable. Moreover, due to its negative thermal expansion coefficient, ScF3 is not thermally stable. The highest thermal stability was exhibited by In0.5Sc0.5F3. Since Al0.5Sc0.5F3 and In0.5Sc0.5F3 have been modeled in this study for the first time, experimental determination of their crystal structures needs to be investigated.
Effect of Cyclic Loading on the Surface Microstructure Evolution in the Pearlitic Rail
Authors: Shi Tong , Liu Jiapeng , Yang Guang , Liu Ao , Liu Fengshou
Published: October 2023

The effects of cyclic loading on the surface microstructure evolution of different contact locations in a used pearlitic rail were studied. Microstructures were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Meanwhile, grain boundaries and crystallographic orientations were explored via Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD). At last, wheel–rail contact probabilities and forces were calculated using rail profiles. The results indicate that the side wear region located in the gauge face was 71.5% in the high-angle grain boundaries (HAGBs) fraction, 0.88 in the Kernel Average Misorientation (KAM) value, 36% in the recrystallization (REX) fraction, and had a predominant orientation in grains. The rolling contact fatigue (RCF) region situated at the gauge corner was 66.3% in the HAGBs fraction, 0.92 in the KAM value, 33% in the REX fraction, and was mis-orientated in grains. The region located at the edge of the running band was 60.7% in the low-angle grain boundaries (LAGBs) fraction, 0.97 in the KAM value, 12% in the REX fraction, and was mis-orientated in grains. Continuous dynamic recrystallization (cDRX) took place in wear and RCF regions during the cyclic rolling contact loading, creating ultra-fine grains with a transformation from LAGBs to HAGBs, lower KAM values, and more REX. Grains oriented along [111] parallel to the vertical direction in the wear region were influenced by the dominant normal force, while grains in the RCF region were non-oriented, which was attributed to large lateral and vertical forces of similar magnitudes.
Fixed-Target Pink-Beam Serial Synchrotron Crystallography at Pohang Light Source II
Authors: Kim Yongsam , Nam Ki Hyun
Published: October 2023

Serial crystallography (SX) enables the determination of the structure of macromolecules or small molecules with minimal radiation damage. In particular, biomolecule structures determined using the SX technique have the advantage of providing room-temperature crystal structures with high biological relevance. The SX technique requires numerous crystals to be collected to complete three-dimensional structural information. To minimize crystal sample consumption, we introduced SX data collection with fixed-target (FT) pink-beam serial synchrotron crystallography (SSX) at the 1C beamline of Pohang Light Source II. A new sample holder consisting of a magnetic frame with a nylon mesh was developed for easy sample handling. The FT-pink-SSX diffraction data were collected by continuously scanning X-rays using a stepping motor. The room-temperature structures of glucose isomerase and lysozyme were successfully determined at a resolution of 1.7 and 2.2 Å, respectively. The use of pink-beam FT-SSX in experimental applications and data acquisition for large beam sizes is discussed. Our results provide useful information for future pink-beam SSX and SX data collection using large X-ray beams.
Assessment of Anthropogenic Impacts on the Genetic Diversity of Phragmites australis in Small-River Habitats
Authors: Patamsytė Jolanta , Lambertini Carla , Butkuvienė Jurgita , Naugžemys Donatas , Žvingila Donatas
Published: October 2023

Common reed is often used as a model plant to study the anthropogenic impacts on ecosystems at local and global scales. As a community-forming species, it is directly exposed to the impacts of human activities on the ecosystem. The aim of our study was to evaluate the patterns of genetic diversity in common reed stands located in habitats that are differently affected by anthropogenic factors. We studied whether riverbed modifications, land cover in the neighborhood of the stand and the chemical and physical parameters of the river water affect the genetic diversity of P. australis at the studied sites. Using DNA fingerprinting, we genotyped 747 plants from 42 sites located in 16 small Lithuanian rivers. Bayesian clustering and principal coordinate analysis revealed two main gene pools at the population (river) level. At the site level (i.e., considering all sites independently of their rivers), polymorphism was high even between sites in the same river. Our study revealed a negative relationship between the concentration of nitrogen compounds and the genotypic richness of P. australis populations. We did not find any correlations between the other chemical parameters of the water and the parameters of the genetic diversity. Additionally, there were no genetic differences between sites in modified and unmodified river sections or between sites that differed in land cover type in the neighborhood of the stand.
Automated Remodelling of Connectors in Fixed Partial Dentures
Authors: Jemaa Hassen , Eisenburger Michael , Greuling Andreas
Published: October 2023

In this study, an approach for automated parametric remodelling of the connector cross-sectional area in a CAD model of a given fixed partial denture (FPD) geometry was developed and then applied to a 4-unit FPD. The remodelling algorithm was implemented using Rhinoceros and the Grasshopper plugin. The generated CAD models were used to perform a finite element analysis with Ansys to analyse the stress distribution in an implant-supported 4-unit FPD for different connector designs. The results showed that the type of connector adjustment matters and that the resulting stress can be significantly different even for connectors with the same cross-sectional area. For tensile stresses, a reduction in the connector cross-sectional area from the gingival side showed the highest influence on each connector type. It can be concluded that the developed algorithm is suitable for automatic connector detection and adjustment.
Online Virtual Reality-Based vs. Face-to-Face Physics Laboratory: A Case Study in Distance Learning Science Curriculum
Authors: Lakka Irini , Zafeiropoulos Vasilis , Leisos Antonios
Published: October 2023

In the context of this work, a physics laboratory exercise was designed and implemented in a virtual reality environment with the aim of familiarizing students with the process of collecting measurements, applying basic methods of statistical analysis, and drawing conclusions. Two groups of second-year students from the “Natural Sciences” undergraduate program of the School of Science and Technology at the Hellenic Open University (HOU) were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the training methodology. The first group consisted of 31 students who performed the laboratory exercise in person with the guidance of a tutor, while the second group consisted of 26 students who used the virtual reality laboratory without supervision. The results showed that the second group demonstrated an improvement in achieving the expected results.