bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Case Report: Metastatic central compartment in tongue carcinoma and it’s management
Authors: Pawar Shreya , Bhola Nitin , Agarwal Anchal , Jajoo Bhushan
Published: September 2023

Tongue malignancies predominantly drain into Level I, II and III cervical lymph nodes. Metastasis of tongue primaries into these lymph nodes of the neck is a common phenomenon which warrants neck dissection. After the surgical intervention, there could be alteration in the lymphatic drainage of the oral cavity causing metastasis to aberrant levels of the neck. We present one such case which was previously operated for tongue cancer where wide local excision of lesion and neck dissection was done. The patient then reported with metastasis over Level VI and VII. Involvement of the central compartment of the neck in oral cavity cancers is a very rare occurrence but is possible. It is imperative to evaluate all the levels of neck for metastasis especially in previously operated cases.
L2 acquisition of Wh-interrogatives at the syntax-discourse interface: interface hypothesis again
Authors: Shormani Mohammed
Published: September 2023

This study sets out to answer one major question: do linguistic phenomena relating to syntax-discourse interface constitute difficulty for Yemeni learners of English? It presents data from an experiment on the acquisition of L2 English wh-interrogatives by L1 Yemeni Arabic speakers, aiming to provide empirical evidence either in support of the Interface Hypothesis (IH) or against it. Two learner groups, intermediate and advanced, were recruited as participants of the study, and a native speaker group of (British) English was also recruited as the control group. The advanced group learners have a near-native proficiency in English. The data utilized consisted of 20 (D-)iscourse linked and non-d-linked wh-interrogatives presented to the three groups in the form of a (decontextualized) bi-modal multiple-choice paced judgement task. Results showed that both learner groups, specifically the advanced learners, performed near-native like in the non-d-linked, but far short of near/native-like performance in the d-linked wh-interrogatives. The study concluded that L2 learners’ English is still vulnerable at the syntax-discourse interface, hence supporting the IH.
Effect of epigallocatechin gallate nanoemulsion on submandibular salivary glands following application of botulinum neurotoxins in albino rats: potential therapeutic effects
Authors: Wahba Omneya , Elhelbawy Nahla Gamaeldin , El-Borady Ola M. , Labah Doaa Ahmed , Essa Ahmed Abdelaziz Mohamed
Published: September 2023

Background: Injecting botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) into the salivary glands is a common treatment for certain diseases. Green tea's active compound, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), has been linked to a variety of health benefits, including the reduction of free radicals and inflammation. This study compared the effects of BoNT and BoNT/EGCG on the submandibular salivary glands (SMG) histology and ultrastructure.

Methods: Both BoNT and BoNT/EGCG nanoemulsions were injected into the submandibular salivary glands (SMGs) in adult male albino rats, which were then euthanized, and the right SMGs were thoroughly dissected and prepared for histological, immunohistochemical, and transmission electron microscopic analysis.

Results: When compared to the BoNT group, the BoNT/EGCG nanoemulsion group significantly improved SMG acinar and ductal cells using both H&E and immunohistochemical stainings. Ultrastructural findings of the BoNT/EGCG nanoemulsion group revealed marked improvement in the SMG structure, almost normal acini, and striated ducts.

Conclusion: Salivary gland histological structures are significantly altered after BoNT administration, but the addition of EGCG causes only minor alterations and can be used to treat hyperfunction.
Shark and ray genome size estimation: methodological optimization for inclusive and controllable biodiversity genomics
Authors: Kadota Mitsutaka , Tatsumi Kaori , Yamaguchi Kazuaki , Yamaguchi Atsuko , Asahida Takashi , Sato Keiichi , Sakamoto Tatsuya , Uno Yoshinobu , Kuraku Shigehiro
Published: September 2023

Estimate of nuclear DNA content serves as an independent tool for validating the completeness of whole genome sequences and investigating the among-species variation of genome sizes, but for some species, the requirement of fresh cells makes this tool highly inaccessible. Here we focused on elasmobranch species (sharks and rays), and using flow cytometry or quantitative PCR (qPCR), estimated the nuclear DNA contents of brownbanded bamboo shark, white spotted bamboo shark, zebra shark, small-spotted catshark, sandbar shark, slendertail lanternshark, basking shark, megamouth shark, red stingray, and ocellate spot skate. Our results revealed their genome sizes spanning from 3.18 pg (for ocellate spot skate) to 13.34 pg (for slendertail lanternshark), reflecting the huge variation of genome sizes already documented for elasmobranchs. Our qPCR-based method ‘sQuantGenome’ enabled accurate genome size estimation without using live cells, which has been a severe limitation with elasmobranchs. These findings and our methodology are expected to contribute to better understanding of the diversity of genome sizes in elasmobranchs even including species with limited availability of fresh tissue materials. It will also help validate the completeness of already obtained or anticipated whole genome sequences.
Towards successful aging classification using machine learning algorithms
Authors: Zaccheus Jesuloluwa , Atogwe Victoria , Oyejide Ayodele , Salau Ayodeji Olalekan
Published: September 2023

Background: Aging is a significant risk factor for a majority of chronic diseases and impairments. Increased medical costs brought about by the increasing aging population in the world increases the strain on families and communities. A positive and qualitative perspective on aging is successful aging (SA). Successful aging refers to the state of being free from diseases or impairments that hinder normal functioning, as observed from a biological perspective. This differs from typical aging, which is associated with a gradual decrease in both physical and cognitive capacities as individuals grow older.

Methods: In this study, the geriatric data acquired from the Afe Babalola University Multi-System Hospital, Ado-Ekiti was initially prepared, and three fundamental machine learning (ML) techniques such as artificial neural networks, support vector machines, and Naive Bayes—were then constructed using the data from a sample of 2000 individuals. The Rowe and Kahn Model determined that the dataset was SA based on factors such as the absence of fewer than or equivalent to two diseases, quality of life, nutrition, and capacity for everyday activities.

Results: According to the experimental findings, the predictive network Artificial Neural Network (ANN) performed better than other models in predicting SA with 100% accuracy, 100% sensitivity, and 100% precision.

Conclusions: The results show that ML techniques are useful in assisting social and health policymakers in their decisions on SA. The presented ANN-based method surpasses the other ML models when it comes to classifying people into SA and non-SA categories.
Bellavere's scoring in chronic kidney disease: A study protocol
Authors: Toshniwal Saket , Kumar Sunil , Acharya Sourya
Published: September 2023

Background:Chronic kidney disease (CKD) refers to abnormalities in kidney structure and/or function for more than three months; cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is an indicator of cardiovascular death due to various abnormalities such as cardiac arrhythmias.

Heart rate variability (HRV) is an important component of CAN and has been shown to be related to CAN. This study aims to evaluate cardiac autonomic neuropathy at different stages of CKD with the Bellavere score and to correlate CAN with lipids, plasma, electrolytes and blood pressure in patients with CKD at different stages.

Methods:Consent of 95 patients who met the diagnosis of chronic kidney disease according to Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) criteria were included in the study. All subjects will have blood tests for lipids, anaemia, and electrolytes. All participants' blood pressure will be monitored.

All subjects will also be scored based on the Bellevere scoring system, the Valsava ratio, and the 30:15 ratio. Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 21 and appropriate statistical tests will be used depending on the study objectives and the data collected.

Expected results:Based on the literature review and previous studies, the results of this study should demonstrate the relationship between CAN and CKD at this stage. The study also expects to find higher Bellavere scores in patients with different stages of CKD.
Assessing pooled prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding practice and addressing principal barriers to its practice in North African countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Nouira Mariem , Souayeh Nesrine , Arfa Sondess , Maatouk Mohamed , Hasnaoui Anis , Bouchahda Haifa , Ennigrou Samir
Published: September 2023

Background:  

Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is a public health priority globally. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the global prevalence of EBF during the first six months of life remains low particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In this systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis (MA) we examine the existing evidence of the pooled prevalence and determinants of EBF during the first 6 months of infants’ lives in North African (NA) countries. 

Methods:  

This SR and MA followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. International databases were systematically searched. Inclusion criteria included studies conducted among mothers in NA countries (Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Libya, Egypt, Sudan) on breastfeeding prevalence. Meta-analyses were conducted using R (version 4.2.3). 

Results:  

16 studies with a total of 7,849 participants were included in the analysis. The global pooled prevalence of EBF during the first six months in NA countries was 29.0% (CI95% [18.0; 42.0]) with heterogenous results (Tau2 = 1.41, I2 = 99%, p < 0.01). Tunisia had the lowest prevalence of EBF (11%) while Sudan (63%) and Morocco (48%) had the highest. The prevalence of EBF until the first six months of life (among infants aged at least 6 months) was 30.0% (CI95% [14.0; 52.0]). 

Barriers to EBF practice were examined, including mother's educational level, maternal employment, and mode of delivery. However no statistically significant factors were identified. 

Conclusion: 

EBF in NA countries falls below the recommendations of the WHO. Concerted efforts and adoption of a multi-dimensional approach is needed to promote and support EBF practices. EBF rates in NA vary widely, and efforts to promote and support this practice need to be context-specific and tailored to each country's unique challenges and opportunities. Implementation of Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiatives can contribute to the improvement of breastfeeding practices in this region.
Eye image effect in the context of pedestrian safety: a French questionnaire study
Authors: Sueur Cédric , Piermattéo Anthony , Pelé Marie
Published: September 2023

Human behavior is influenced by the presence of others, which scientists also call ‘the audience effect’. The use of social control to produce more cooperative behaviors may positively influence road use and safety. This study uses an online questionnaire to test how eyes images affect the behavior of pedestrians when crossing a road. Different eyes images of men, women and a child with different facial expressions -neutral, friendly and angry- were presented to participants who were asked what they would feel by looking at these images before crossing a signalized road. Participants completed a questionnaire of 20 questions about pedestrian behaviors (PBQ). The questionnaire was received by 1,447 French participants, 610 of whom answered the entire questionnaire. Seventy-one percent of participants were women, and the mean age was 35 ± 14 years. Eye images give individuals the feeling they are being observed at 33%, feared at 5% and surprised at 26%, and thus seem to indicate mixed results about avoiding crossing at the red light. The expressions shown in the eyes are also an important factor: feelings of being observed increased by about 10-15% whilst feelings of being scared or inhibited increased by about 5% as the expression changed from neutral to friendly to angry. No link was found between the results of our questionnaire and those of the Pedestrian Behavior Questionnaire (PBQ). This study shows that the use of eye images could reduce illegal crossings by pedestrians, and is thus of key interest as a practical road safety tool. However, the effect is limited and how to increase this nudge effect needs further consideration.
A planar Schrödinger-Poisson system with vanishing potentials and exponential critical growth
Authors: Albuquerque Francisco S. B. , Carvalho Jonison L. , Furtado Marcelo F. , Medeiros Everaldo S.
Published: September 2023

In this paper we look for ground state solutions of the elliptic system
$$
\begin{cases}
-\Delta u+V(x)u+\gamma\phi K(x)u = Q(x)f(u), &x\in\mathbb{R}^{2}, \\
\Delta \phi =K(x) u^{2}, &x\in\mathbb{R}^{2},
\end{cases}
$$%
where $\gamma> 0$ and the continuous potentials $V$, $K$, $Q$ satisfy some
mild growth conditions and the nonlinearity $f$ has exponential critical growth.
The key point of our approach is a new version of the Trudinger-Moser
inequality for weighted Sobolev space.
Liouville type theorems for Kirchhoff sub-elliptic equations involving $\Delta_\lambda$-operators
Authors: Nguyen Thi Thu Huong , Quyet Dao Trong , Vu Thi Hien Anh
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we study the Kirchhoff elliptic equations of the form
$$
-M(\|\nabla_\lambda u\|^2)\Delta_\lambda u=w(x)f(u)
\quad \mbox{in }\mathbb R^{N},
$$
where $M$ is a smooth monotone function, $w$ is a weight function and $f(u)$
is of the form $u^p, e^u$ or $-u^{-p}$. The operator $\Delta_\lambda$ is strongly
degenerate and given by
$$
\Delta_\lambda=\sum_{j=1}^N \frac{\partial}{\partial x_j}\bigg(\lambda_j^2(x)\frac{\partial }{\partial x_j}\bigg).
$$
We shall prove some classifications of stable solutions to the equation above under general assumptions on $M$ and $\lambda_j$, $j=1,\ldots,N$.
Szachy: Nowa gorączka
Authors: Szymala Jacek
Published: September 2023

Historia szachów miała szachową gorączkę w każdym pokoleniu. Celem książki jest próba zmierzenia i zrozumienia tego społecznego fenomenu zainteresowania szachami. Opracowanie adresowane jest nie tylko do szachistów (graczy, instruktorów, trenerów), lecz także do ich rodzin oraz wszystkich niegrających w szachy. Zastosowałem metodę autoetnografii: opowiadam, jak reżyserowałem żywe szachy, jak prowadzić lekcje szachów w szkole średniej, czym są dziś e-szachy, jak wykorzystać filmy szachowe w edukacji; proponuję stosowanie Chess VR i innych gier w muzeach. Ostatni rozdział to przestroga – omawiam wybrane wypadki szachistów (wydarzenia z historii, filmów i doświadczenia). Mam nadzieję, że zachęcę pedagogów, twórców sztuki i animatorów kultury do wykorzystywania królewskiej gry nie tylko w funkcji ludycznej, ale także ze względu na jej aspekt historyczny i kulturowy.
Lessons Learned in Applying Decision Analysis to Natural Resource Management for High-Stakes Issues Surrounded by Uncertainty
Authors: Robinson Kelly F. , DuFour Mark R. , Fischer Jason L. , Herbst Seth J. , Jones Michael L. , Nathan Lucas R. , Newcomb Tammy J.
Published: September 2023

Management agencies are tasked with difficult decisions for conservation and management of natural resources. These decisions are difficult because of ecological and social uncertainties, the potential for multiple decision makers from multiple jurisdictions, and the need to account for the diverse values of stakeholders. Decision analysis provides a framework for accounting for these difficulties when making conservation and management decisions. We discuss the benefits of the application of decision analysis for these types of issues and provide insights from three case studies from the Laurentian Great Lakes. These case studies describe applications of decision analysis for decisions within an agency (management of double-crested cormorant), among agencies (response to invasive grass carp), and among agencies and stakeholders (sustainable fisheries harvest management). These case studies provide insight into the ways that decision analysis can be useful for conservation and management of natural resources, but we also highlight future needs for decision making for these resources. In particular, applications of decision analysis for conservation and management would benefit from enhanced integration of both ecological and social science, inclusion of a broader base of stakeholders and rightsholders, and better educational opportunities surrounding decision analysis for undergraduates and graduate students of natural resources management programs. Specific lessons from our experiences include the importance of establishing trust and transparency early through the formation of a working group, collaboratively defining objectives and evaluating uncertainties, risks, and tradeoffs, and implementing participatory modeling processes with an independent facilitator with appropriate quantitative skills.

History: This paper has been accepted for the Decision Analysis Special Issue on Decision Analysis to Advance Environmental Sustainability.

Funding: This study was supported by Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding provided to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources [Grant F16AP01094] from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and sub-awarded to Michigan State University.
¡Santos ventiladores, Batman! Energía eólica y murciélagos
Authors: Vargas-Jiménez Izchel , Flores-Manzanero Alejandro , Rico Yessica
Published: September 2023

La energía eólica es reconocida como un tipo de “energía verde” o “amigable con el ambiente”. Sin embargo, provoca un impacto negativo a los murciélagos, por lo que se requieren acciones que reestructuren la actual legislación en México.
Non-contact optical spectroscopy for tumor-sensitive diffuse reflectance and fluorescence measurements on murine subcutaneous tissue models: Monte Carlo modeling and experimental validations
Authors: Hasan Md Zahid , Saha Pranto Soumik , Korfhage Madison O. , Zhu Caigang
Published: September 2023

Fiber-optic probes are commonly used in biomedical optical spectroscopy platforms for light delivery and collection. At the same time, it was reported that the inconsistent probe-sample contact could induce significant distortions in measured optical signals, which consequently cause large analysis errors. To address this challenge, non-contact optical spectroscopy has been explored for tissue characterizations. However, existing non-contact optical spectroscopy platforms primarily focused on diffuse reflectance measurements and may still use a fiber probe in which the probe was imaged onto the tissue surface using a lens, which serves as a non-contact probe for the measurements. Here, we report a fiber-probe-free, dark-field-based, non-contact optical spectroscopy for both diffuse reflectance and fluorescence measurements on turbid medium and tissues. To optimize the system design, we developed a novel Monte Carlo method to simulate such a non-contact setup for both diffuse reflectance and fluorescence measurements on murine subcutaneous tissue models with a spherical tumor-like target. We performed Monte Carlo simulations to identify the most tumor-sensitive configurations, from which we found that both the depth of the light focal point in tissue and the lens numerical aperture would dramatically affect the system’s tumor detection sensitivity. We then conducted tissue-mimicking phantom studies to solidify these findings. Our reported Monte Carlo technique can be a useful computational tool for designing non-contact optical spectroscopy systems. Our non-contact optical setup and experimental findings will potentially offer a new approach for sensitive optical monitoring of tumor physiology in biological models using a non-contact optical spectroscopy platform to advance cancer research.
Diffraction-limited flat reflective microlenses by plasmonic photopatterning of molecular orientations
Authors: Yu Hao , Jiang Miao , Yun Hai , Zhu Youyang , Qi Yongle , Zhou Ziyuan , Chaganava Irakli , Wei Qi-Huo
Published: September 2023

In this study, we demonstrate that flat reflective microlenses with different f-numbers and focal lengths can be designed by manipulating the Pancharatnam–Berry (PB) phase obtained by light upon reflection from cholesteric liquid crystals and fabricated with high quality using a plasmonic photopatterning technique. We have measured the point-spread functions of these microlenses and show that they are diffraction-limited. An advantage of this approach for fabricating flat micro-optical devices is that it allows for the simultaneous design of diffraction-limited quality and low fabrication cost.
Photolithographic patterning on multi-wavelength quantum dot film of the improved conversion efficiency for digital holography
Authors: Kim Jae Hyun , Jang Se Hwan , Kim Young-Joo
Published: September 2023

A triple-wavelength patterned quantum dot film was fabricated for the light source of digital holography to improve both the axial measurement range and noise reduction. The patterned quantum dot film was fabricated after optimizing the photolithography process condition based on the UV-curable quantum dot solution, which was capable of multiple patterning processes. In addition, an optimized pattern structure was developed by adding TiO2 nanoparticles to both the quantum dot and bank layers to increase the scattering effect for the improved photoluminescence intensity. Finally, the newly developed light source with the balanced spectral distribution was applied to the digital holography, rendering it applicable as an improved light source.
Anomalous Hall conductivity in a honeycomb topological insulator under counter-rotating bicircular laser field
Authors: Kim Dasol , Kim Dong Eon
Published: September 2023

We investigate the interaction between the counter-rotating bicircular field and the trivial and topological insulator with anomalous Hall conductivity (AHC) to show the effect of the asymmetric spin band and topological invariant. We show that the reaction of the system to the counter-rotating bicircular field is classified into the high-field and low-field regimes. In the high-field regime, it is shown that the AHC of the system is controlled by the phase difference between the ω0 and 2ω0 fields. We also show that in the low-field regime, the AHC of the topological insulator is determined by the helicity of the laser, while the AHC is negligible in the trivial insulator. For the spin-orbit coupling (SOC), it is demonstrated that the high SOC increases the required field amplitude for the transition from the low-field to the high-field regime. Also, we show that strong SOC leads to an additional sign change of the AHC in the high-field regime, but with different origins in the trivial and topological insulator.
Polarization microscopy: from ensemble structural imaging to single-molecule 3D orientation and localization microscopy
Authors: Brasselet Sophie , Alonso Miguel A.
Published: September 2023

Optical contrasts in microscopy are sensitive to light polarization,
whose interaction with molecular dipoles provides an important lever
for probing molecular orientation. Polarization microscopy has evolved
considerably during the last decade, integrating strategies ranging
from traditional linear dichroism to single-molecule orientation and
localization imaging. This review aims to provide a summary of
concepts and techniques behind orientation and structural imaging at
the molecular level, from ensemble microscopy in 2D to single-molecule
super-resolution microscopy in 3D.
Human genetic adaptation related to cellular zinc homeostasis
Authors: Roca-Umbert Ana , Garcia-Calleja Jorge , Vogel-González Marina , Fierro-Villegas Alejandro , Ill-Raga Gerard , Herrera-Fernández Víctor , Bosnjak Anja , Muntané Gerard , Gutiérrez Esteban , Campelo Felix , Vicente Rubén , Bosch Elena
Published: September 2023

SLC30A9 encodes a ubiquitously zinc transporter (ZnT9) and has been consistently suggested as a candidate for positive selection in humans. However, no direct adaptive molecular phenotype has been demonstrated. Our results provide evidence for directional selection operating in two major complementary haplotypes in Africa and East Asia. These haplotypes are associated with differential gene expression but also differ in the Met50Val substitution (rs1047626) in ZnT9, which we show is found in homozygosis in the Denisovan genome and displays accompanying signatures suggestive of archaic introgression. Although we found no significant differences in systemic zinc content between individuals with different rs1047626 genotypes, we demonstrate that the expression of the derived isoform (ZnT9 50Val) in HEK293 cells shows a gain of function when compared with the ancestral (ZnT9 50Met) variant. Notably, the ZnT9 50Val variant was found associated with differences in zinc handling by the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum, with an impact on mitochondrial metabolism. Given the essential role of the mitochondria in skeletal muscle and since the derived allele at rs1047626 is known to be associated with greater susceptibility to several neuropsychiatric traits, we propose that adaptation to cold may have driven this selection event, while also impacting predisposition to neuropsychiatric disorders in modern humans.
TDP-43 pathology in Drosophila induces glial-cell type specific toxicity that can be ameliorated by knock-down of SF2/SRSF1
Authors: Krupp Sarah , Hubbard Isabel , Tam Oliver , Hammell Gale M. , Dubnau Josh
Published: September 2023

Accumulation of cytoplasmic inclusions of TAR-DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is seen in both neurons and glia in a range of neurodegenerative disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Disease progression involves non-cell autonomous interactions among multiple cell types, including neurons, microglia and astrocytes. We investigated the effects in Drosophila of inducible, glial cell type-specific TDP-43 overexpression, a model that causes TDP-43 protein pathology including loss of nuclear TDP-43 and accumulation of cytoplasmic inclusions. We report that TDP-43 pathology in Drosophila is sufficient to cause progressive loss of each of the 5 glial sub-types. But the effects on organismal survival were most pronounced when TDP-43 pathology was induced in the perineural glia (PNG) or astrocytes. In the case of PNG, this effect is not attributable to loss of the glial population, because ablation of these glia by expression of pro-apoptotic reaper expression has relatively little impact on survival. To uncover underlying mechanisms, we used cell-type-specific nuclear RNA sequencing to characterize the transcriptional changes induced by pathological TDP-43 expression. We identified numerous glial cell-type specific transcriptional changes. Notably, SF2/SRSF1 levels were found to be decreased in both PNG and in astrocytes. We found that further knockdown of SF2/SRSF1 in either PNG or astrocytes lessens the detrimental effects of TDP-43 pathology on lifespan, but extends survival of the glial cells. Thus TDP-43 pathology in astrocytes or PNG causes systemic effects that shorten lifespan and SF2/SRSF1 knockdown rescues the loss of these glia, and also reduces their systemic toxicity to the organism.
Acceptability of minimally invasive autopsy by community members and healthcare workers in Siaya and Kisumu counties, western Kenya, 2017–2018
Authors: Otieno Peter , Akelo Victor , Khagayi Sammy , Omore Richard , Akoth Kelvin , Nyanjom Maryanne , Ngere Sara , Ochola Ken , Maixenchs Maria , Kone Ahoua , Blevins John , Zielinski-Gutierrez Emily , Barr Beth A. Tippett
Published: September 2023

Worldwide, nearly six million children under the age of five (<5s) die annually, a substantial proportion of which are due to preventable and treatable diseases. Efforts to reduce child mortality indicators in the most affected regions are often undermined by a lack of accurate cause of death data. To generate timely and more accurate causes of death data for <5s, the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) Network established mortality surveillance in multiple countries using Minimally Invasive Tissue Sampling (MITS) in <5 deaths. Here we present acceptability of MITS by community members and healthcare workers in Siaya and Kisumu counties, western Kenya. From April 2017 to February 2018, we conducted 40 in-depth interviews and five focus group discussions with healthcare workers and community members, before and during CHAMPS implementation. Participants were purposively selected. Field observations to understand traditional death-related practices were also performed. Interviews were transcribed into Nvivo 11.0 for data organization and management. Analysis was guided by the grounded theory approach. Facilitators of acceptability were desire to understand why death occurred, timely performance of MITS procedures, potential for MITS results in improving clinical practice and specific assistance provided to families by the CHAMPS program. However, cultural and religious beliefs highlighted important challenges to acceptability, including CHAMPS teams recruiting after a child’s death, rumours and myths, unmet expectations from families, and fear by healthcare workers that some families could use MITS results to sue for negligence. Increasing MITS uptake requires sustained strategies to strengthen the identified facilitators of acceptability and simultaneously address the barriers. MITS acceptance will contribute to better characterization of causes of death and support the development of improved interventions aimed at reducing <5 mortality.
What went right during the COVID crisis: The capabilities of local actors and lasting innovations in oncology care and research
Authors: Bogaert Brenda , Kozlakidis Zisis , Caboux Elodie , Péron Julien , Saintingy Pierre
Published: September 2023

This article will elaborate how oncology care and research was adapted during the COVID pandemic in the Metropole of Lyon (France), including the lasting innovations that came out of the crisis. The research method involved 22 semi-structured qualitative interviews of healthcare professionals, managers, and researchers in the Lyon, France region coming from both public and private academic hospitals. The interviews took place from February 2021-December 2022 in order to assess the long-term adaptations and innovations in cancer care organization in the post-COVID era. The main results show adaptations and innovations in 1) new processes and resources to facilitate disciplinary and interdisciplinary work; 2) harmonization and streamlining of patient journeys. In the discussion section, we will mobilize the capabilities approach, an interdisciplinary social sciences approach that focuses on the capabilities of persons to be and to do, to elaborate the conditions by which local actors were able to be agile, to adapt and to innovate in spite of the healthcare emergency and in coherence with their professional and personal values.
Variable microbiomes between mosquito lines are maintained across different environments
Authors: Accoti Anastasia , Quek Shannon , Vulcan Julia , Cansado-Utrilla Cintia , Anderson Enyia R. , Abu Angel Elma I. , Alsing Jessica , Narra Hema P. , Khanipov Kamil , Hughes Grant L. , Dickson Laura B.
Published: September 2023

The composition of the microbiome is shaped by both environment and host in most organisms, but in the mosquito Aedes aegypti the role of the host in shaping the microbiome is poorly understood. Previously, we had shown that four lines of Ae. aegypti harbored different microbiomes when reared in the same insectary under identical conditions. To determine whether these lines differed from each other across time and in different environments, we characterized the microbiome of the same four lines of Ae. aegypti reared in the original insectary and at another institution. While it was clear that the environment influenced the microbiomes of these lines, we did still observe distinct differences in the microbiome between lines within each insectary. Clear differences were observed in alpha diversity, beta diversity, and abundance of specific bacterial taxa. To determine if the line specific differences in the microbiome were maintained across environments, pair-wise differential abundances of taxa was compared between insectaries. Lines were most similar to other lines from the same insectary than to the same line reared in a different insectary. Additionally, relatively few differentially abundant taxa identified between pairs of lines were shared across insectaries, indicating that line specific properties of the microbiome are not conserved across environments, or that there were distinct microbiota within each insectary. Overall, these results demonstrate that mosquito lines under the same environmental conditions have different microbiomes across microbially- diverse environments and host by microbe interactions affecting microbiome composition and abundance is dependent on environmentally available bacteria.
Ostrowski and Čebyšev type inequalities for interval-valued functions and applications
Authors: Guo Jing , Zhu Xianjun , Li Wenfeng , Li Hui
Published: September 2023

As an essential part of classical analysis, Ostrowski and Čebyšev type inequalities have recently attracted considerable attention. Due to its universality, the non-additive integral inequality takes several forms, including Sugeno integrals, Choquet integrals, and pseudo-integrals. Set-valued analysis, a well-known generalization of classical analysis, is frequently employed in studying mathematical economics, control theory, etc. Inspired by pioneering work on interval-valued inequalities, this paper establishes specific Ostrowski and Čebyšev type inequalities for interval-valued functions. Moreover, the error estimation to quadrature rules is presented as some applications for illustrating our results. In addition, illustrative examples are offered to demonstrate the applicability of the mathematical methods presented.
“It’s a habit. They’ve been doing it for decades and they feel good and safe.”: A qualitative study of barriers and opportunities to changing antimicrobial use in the Indonesian poultry sector
Authors: Hibbard Rebecca , Chapot Lorraine , Yusuf Havan , Ariyanto Kurnia Bagus , Maulana Kusnul Yuli , Febriyani Widya , Cameron Angus , Vergne Timothée , Faverjon Céline , Paul Mathilde C.
Published: September 2023

Interventions to change antimicrobial use (AMU) practices can help mitigate the risk of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) development. However, changing AMU practices can be challenging due to the complex nature of the factors influencing AMU-related behaviours. This study used a qualitative approach to explore the factors that influenced decision-making on AMU by farmers and other actors in the Indonesian poultry sector. Thirty-five semi-structured interviews were conducted with farmers, technical services staff from the private sector, and representatives of associations, universities, and international organisations in Central Java, West Java, and East Java. Thematic analysis identified three patterns of influence on AMU: how farmers used information to make AMU-related decisions, the importance of farmers’ social and advisory networks, and the motivations driving changes in AMU behaviours. Key barriers identified included a lack of shared understanding around when to use antibiotics, financial pressures in the poultry sector, and a lack of engagement with government veterinary services. Potential opportunities identified included high farmer awareness of AMU, identification of private sector actors and peer networks as the stakeholders with established relationships of trust with farmers, and the importance of farmers’ conceptions of good farming practices, which could be engaged with to improve AMU practices.
Comprehensive metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis reveals protein and amino acid metabolic characteristics in liver tissue under chronic hypoxia
Authors: Liang Hong , Song Kang
Published: September 2023

At high altitudes, oxygen deprivation can cause pathophysiological changes. Liver tissue function is known to impact whole-body energy metabolism; however, how these functions are affected by chronic hypoxia remains unclear. We aimed to elucidate changing characteristics underlying the effect of chronic hypoxia on protein and amino acid metabolism in mouse livers. Mice were maintained in a hypobaric chamber simulating high altitude for 4 weeks. Livers were collected for metabolomic analysis via ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. For transcriptomics analysis, we conducted RNA sequencing of hepatic tissues followed by Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses. Chronic hypoxic exposure caused metabolic disorders of amino acids and their derivatives in liver tissue. We identified a number of metabolites with significantly altered profiles (including amino acids, peptides, and analogues), of which serine, phenylalanine, leucine, proline, aspartic acid, L-glutamate, creatine, 5-aminovaleric acid, L-hydroxyarginin, and g-guanidinobutyrate showed great potential as biomarkers of chronic hypoxia. A total of 2124 genes with significantly different expression levels were identified in hypoxic liver tissue, of which 1244 were upregulated and 880 were downregulated. We found pathways for protein digestion and absorption, arginine and proline metabolism, and mineral absorption related to amino acid metabolism were affected by hypoxia. Our findings surrounding the regulation of key metabolites and differentially expressed genes provide new insights into changes in protein and amino acid metabolism in the liver that result from chronic hypoxia.
Functional and structural insights into the multi-step activation and catalytic mechanism of bacterial ExoY nucleotidyl cyclase toxins bound to actin-profilin
Authors: Teixeira Nunes Magda , Retailleau Pascal , Raoux-Barbot Dorothée , Comisso Martine , Missinou Anani Amegan , Velours Christophe , Plancqueel Stéphane , Ladant Daniel , Mechold Undine , Renault Louis
Published: September 2023

ExoY virulence factors are members of a family of bacterial nucleotidyl cyclases (NCs) that are activated by specific eukaryotic cofactors and overproduce cyclic purine and pyrimidine nucleotides in host cells. ExoYs act as actin-activated NC toxins. Here, we explore the Vibrio nigripulchritudo Multifunctional-Autoprocessing Repeats-in-ToXin (MARTX) ExoY effector domain (Vn-ExoY) as a model for ExoY-type members that interact with monomeric (G-actin) instead of filamentous (F-actin) actin. Vn-ExoY exhibits moderate binding affinity to free or profilin-bound G-actin but can capture the G-actin:profilin complex, preventing its spontaneous or VASP- or formin-mediated assembly at F-actin barbed ends in vitro. This mechanism may prolong the activated cofactor-bound state of Vn-ExoY at sites of active actin cytoskeleton remodelling. We present a series of high-resolution crystal structures of nucleotide-free, 3’-deoxy-ATP- or 3’-deoxy-CTP-bound Vn-ExoY, activated by free or profilin-bound G-actin-ATP/-ADP, revealing that the cofactor only partially stabilises the nucleotide-binding pocket (NBP) of NC toxins. Substrate binding induces a large, previously-unidentified, closure of their NBP, confining catalytically important residues and metal cofactors around the substrate, and facilitating the recruitment of two metal ions to tightly coordinate the triphosphate moiety of purine or pyrimidine nucleotide substrates. We validate critical residues for both the purinyl and pyrimidinyl cyclase activity of NC toxins in Vn-ExoY and its distantly-related ExoY from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which specifically interacts with F-actin. The data conclusively demonstrate that NC toxins employ a similar two-metal-ion mechanism for catalysing the cyclisation of nucleotides of different sizes. These structural insights into the dynamics of the actin-binding interface of actin-activated ExoYs and the multi-step activation of all NC toxins offer new perspectives for the specific inhibition of class II bacterial NC enzymes.
Choline metabolism underpins macrophage IL-4 polarization and RELMα up-regulation in helminth infection
Authors: Ghorbani Peyman , Kim Sang Yong , Smith Tyler K. T. , Minarrieta Lucía , Robert-Gostlin Victoria , Kilgour Marisa K. , Ilijevska Maja , Alecu Irina , Snider Shayne A. , Margison Kaitlyn D. , Nunes Julia R. C. , Woo Daniel , Pember Ciara , O’Dwyer Conor , Ouellette Julie , Kotchetkov Pavel , St-Pierre Julie , Bennett Steffany A. L. , Lacoste Baptiste , Blais Alexandre , Nair Meera G. , Fullerton Morgan D.
Published: September 2023

Type 2 cytokines like IL-4 are hallmarks of helminth infection and activate macrophages to limit immunopathology and mediate helminth clearance. In addition to cytokines, nutrients and metabolites critically influence macrophage polarization. Choline is an essential nutrient known to support normal macrophage responses to lipopolysaccharide; however, its function in macrophages polarized by type 2 cytokines is unknown. Using murine IL-4-polarized macrophages, targeted lipidomics revealed significantly elevated levels of phosphatidylcholine, with select changes to other choline-containing lipid species. These changes were supported by the coordinated up-regulation of choline transport compared to naïve macrophages. Pharmacological inhibition of choline metabolism significantly suppressed several mitochondrial transcripts and dramatically inhibited select IL-4-responsive transcripts, most notably, Retnla. We further confirmed that blocking choline metabolism diminished IL-4-induced RELMα (encoded by Retnla) protein content and secretion and caused a dramatic reprogramming toward glycolytic metabolism. To better understand the physiological implications of these observations, naïve or mice infected with the intestinal helminth Heligmosomoides polygyrus were treated with the choline kinase α inhibitor, RSM-932A, to limit choline metabolism in vivo. Pharmacological inhibition of choline metabolism lowered RELMα expression across cell-types and tissues and led to the disappearance of peritoneal macrophages and B-1 lymphocytes and an influx of infiltrating monocytes. The impaired macrophage activation was associated with some loss in optimal immunity to H. polygyrus, with increased egg burden. Together, these data demonstrate that choline metabolism is required for macrophage RELMα induction, metabolic programming, and peritoneal immune homeostasis, which could have important implications in the context of other models of infection or cancer immunity.
Hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects of Tessaria integrifolia Ruiz and Pav. on diclofenac-induced toxicity in rats
Authors: Mendoza-Fernández Paquito D. , Silva-Correa Carmen R. , Villarreal-La Torre Víctor E. , Aspajo-Villalaz Cinthya L. , Calderón-Peña Abhel A. , Rosario-Chávarri Jorge Del
Published: September 2023

Background and Aim: Tessaria integrifolia Ruiz and Pav. (also known as “Pájaro bobo”) is known for its medicinal properties, including antiulcer, antiasthmatic, leishmanicidal, antipyretic, antispasmodic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and hepatoprotective effects. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate its hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects using a rat model of diclofenac-induced toxicity.

Materials and Methods: We administered three different doses of the methanolic extract of T. integrifolia (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/day orally) and compared them with the commercial medicine silymarin (100 mg/kg orally). The rats received the T. integrifolia extracts for 5 days, and on days 3 and 4, 1 h after receiving the extracts, diclofenac was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 50 mg/kg. The animals were euthanized 48 h after the last diclofenac injection, and blood samples were obtained to measure biochemical parameters related to liver and kidney function, such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), bilirubin, cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine, and urea. Kidney and liver tissues were preserved in 10% formaldehyde and sent for histopathological analysis.

Results: The results show that T. integrifolia has hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects. These effects are verified by the lower blood levels of ALT, AST, urea, and creatinine compared to the diclofenac group, which exhibited elevated biochemical parameters. In addition, histopathological analysis showed that the groups that received T. integrifolia did not display necrosis or infiltration, which were observed in the diclofenac group.

Conclusion: The methanolic extract of T. integrifolia has hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects, with the highest protective activity observed at a dose of 400 mg/kg/day.

Keywords: diclofenac, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, Tessaria integrifolia.
Diagrammatic Representation of Relationships in Multiobjective Optimization
Authors: Kolo Brian
Published: September 2023

We compute the probability of finding a particular relationship between points in a multiobjective space of arbitrary dimension. The probability is expressed as an integral relation and is represented as a graph where vertices and edges express the relationship between points. A method to compute the values of the diagrams (and hence the probabilities) via diagram manipulation is presented. Probabilities are computed for both labeled and unlabeled diagrams, and the probability values for all multiobjective diagrams on three or fewer points is provided as an Appendix.
DETERMINATION OF FISHING INPUTS AND CHALLENGES WITH ARTISANAL FISHING IN IBI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, TARABA STATE NIGERIA.
Authors: Tyohemba Stephen , Aboki Moses Msughaondo
Published: September 2023

The Fisheries sector despite being an important source of livelihood for the majority of riverine households, has been plagued by a number of problems. The study therefore determined fishing inputs and challenges associated with artisanal fishing in Ibi Local Government Area, Taraba State, Nigeria. Random sampling technique was used to obtain data from sixty (60) artisanal fishers from each of the four major fishing wards (Ibi town, Nwonyo, Sarki kudu and Dampar) through structured questionnaire and scheduled interview. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency distribution and percentage) and inferential statistics (Chi-square and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) at p<0.05 significant level. The result showed that majority of the fish artisans were male (93.3%), married (69.5%), had formal education (52.3%), have over 21 years of fishing experience (34.7%),

fish in the evening(55.2%) and spent 6-10 hours on water while fishing (67.4%). Artisanal fishers used gill net (26.4%), plank canoe (77.8%), paddle (70.3%), gura net (34.3%), cast net (33.1%), crew members (59.8%) as inputs for fishing. High cost of fishing inputs (=3.98), problem of theft (=3.70), lack of capital (=3.54), post-harvest losses (=2.83), poor sales (=2.44), poor catches (=2.41) and inefficient fishing gear (=2.28) were challenges faced by the artisanal fishers. Significant relationship existed between fishing inputs and challenges associated with artisanal fishing at p<0.05 level. It was recommended that soft loans should be provided to artisanal fishers by the government at low interest rate for procurement of fishing inputs and fish artisans in the community should be encouraged to form fisheries cooperative society to mobilize or pool their financial resources in order to ameliorate the constraints imposed through lack or inadequate finance.