bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediksi Indeks Pembangunan Manusia di Kabupaten Wonosobo Menggunakan Algoritma Backpropagation
Authors: Amiroh Nasmah Nur , Avianto Donny
Published: May 2023

Nilai Indeks Pembangunan Manusia (IPM) diperoleh dari beberapa aspek kehidupan yang realitanya tidak sepenuhnya terlaksana. Ketidakmerataan infrastruktur pembangunan merupakan salah satu permasalahan akibat tidak terlaksananya program peningkatan pembangunan manusia, khususnya di Kabupaten Wonosobo.  Permasalahan tersebut akan tentu akan memberikan dampak kualitas hidup masyarakat. Pada penelitian ini, pembangunan sistem dengan algortima backpropagation dilakukan untuk memprediksi nilai IPM di Kabupaten Wonosobo guna mempermudah preiksi kualitas manusia di Kabupaten Wonosobo. Percobaan yang dilaakukan yaitu dengan melakukan pelatihan, validasi, dan pengujian data IPM diperoleh dari BPS Kabupaten Wonosobo dengan rasio 80:20. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian, arsitektur 5-12-1 menggunakan LR 0,0001 dan epoch sebanyak 10000 menghasilkan nilai MSE sebesar 2.812623341 fungsi aktivasi sigmoid, arsitektur 5-3-1 menggunakan LR 0,0001 dan epoch sebanyak 10000 menghasilkan nilai MSE sebesar 0.2121786277 pada fungsi aktivasi ReLU, arsitektur 5-6-1 menggunakan LR 0,01 dan epochs 10000 menghasilkan nilai MSE sebesar 2.050127723 fungsi aktivasi TanH, dan arsitektur 5-2-1 menggunakan LR 0,01 dan epoch sebanyak 1000 menghasilkan nilai MSE sebesar 3.040008631. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa algoritma backpropagation menggunakan fungsi aktivasi TanH menghasilkan akurasi terbaik untuk prediksi nilai IPM di Kabupaten Wonosobo. Hasil penelitian yang dihasilkan diharapkan dapat berguna untuk mengembangkan sistem prediksi yang lebih mutakhir kedepannya.
Field forest strips of the Middle Dnipro Area Forest- Steppe as raw areas for beekeeping
Authors: Solomakha I. , Postoienko D. , Solomakha V.
Published: May 2023

Studying the supply of beekeeping industry with a spectrum of nectar- and pollen-bearing plants is quite important for increasing the quantitative saturation of bee colonies in certain areas. To do this, it is necessary to analyze the entire phytodiversity of artificially created plantations, spontaneous and natural forest communities, which are widespread on the territory of the Middle Dnipro Area Forest-Steppe. We previously investigated the participation of these raw plants from the list of tree and shrub species of forest plantations of this territory, and in this work we analyzed the full participation of available plant species in the groupings of field protection forest strips. Analysis of the spreading of nectar-bearing and pollen-bearing species made it possible to identify 91 species of plants that have a diverse representation in these plant communities. The most valuable raw material species are Tilia cordata Mill. and Robinia pseudoacacia L., which prevail in some of the studied groups and are promising for the main productive honey collection. Also, in these plantations there are some species with a fairly high value of raw materials, but they mostly have a small spreading. In ad- dition, a significant widespread group of plants was noted, but they do not belong to good honey plants. The investigated plantations in the combination of tree, shrub and herbaceous plant species present in them can also be actively used by bees as a source of supporting food practically throughout the entire period of their flight activity. Especially important is the use of field-protective forest strips as raw land, due to their frequent finding near settlements where apiaries are usually located, as well as the possible use of protective forest plantations for the location of apiaries during migrations. A partial correction of the values of nectar and pollen activity of individual species and the total raw value of some of these species was also performed
Forage characteristics of honey bees beha- vior in sunflower agrophytocenoses in the conditions of Poltava region
Authors: Senchuk T. , Shakalii S. , Aarshchykova A. , Didenko V.
Published: May 2023

The article highlights the main results of assessing the sugar content and nectar content of hybrids of common sunflower (Heliánthus ánnuus L.) Duet, Yason and Avalon in the conditions of the Left Bank Forest Steppe of Ukraine during pollination by honey bees of the Ukrainian steppe breed (Apis mellifera sossimai Engel) of the Gadyatsky type, the originator of which is the National Science Center «Institute of Beekeeping named after P.I. Prokopovich». The investigated sunflower hybrids are included in the State Register of plant varieties and are recommended for cultivation in the forest-steppe zone of Ukraine. The investigated bee families of the Ukrainian steppe breed of the Hadyatskyi type met the requirements of the breed standard according to the results of the exterior evaluation. Their selection for research was carried out by the method of analogues, taking into account their equality in strength, number of offspring, feed reserves, origin and age of queens. The bee colonies were cared for uniformly. The dependence of nectar secretion on weather conditions is shown. The maximum values of nectar secretion of the investigated sunflower hybrids were recorded at an air tempera- ture of 28–30°С and a relative humidity of 67–70%. It is shown that under these conditions the maximum flight of bees was 182 pcs. and was observed in the morning until 12:00 without pollen and 51 pcs. with pollen (under the same conditions). The following nectar content values of sunflower hybrids were recorded: for the Yason hybrid, the nectar content values were 0.28–0.43 mg/day; Avalon — 0.47–0.59 mg/day; Duet — 0.40–0.47 mg/day. The sugar content of the Yason hybrid was 45.9–50.5%; Avalon — 35.9–39.7%; abStract 1512023 • No 1 • Агроекологічний журнАл Duet — 50.1–54.5%. It was shown that the visitation by forager bees of sunflower hybrid crops depends on their sugar content: the visitation by bees of Jason and Duet hybrid crops was higher than Avalon, due to the higher sugar content in the nectar of these two hybrids. Bees of the Ukrainian steppe breed of the Hadyatskyi type prefer plants with higher sugar content. Further studies of the productivity of sun- flower varieties and hybrids from bee pollination are necessary to ensure obtaining agricultural products of appropriate quality.
Biogeochemical and physiological adaptability of winter wheat (Triticum L.) under the influence of heavy metals in the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine
Authors: Shumyhai I. , Konishchuk V. , Moroz V. , Manishevska N.
Published: May 2023

In recent decades, the main objects of biogeochemical research have become the territories of agroecosystems, industrial cities and adjacent agricultural lands. The problem of environmental pollution with pollutants, chemical compounds of microelement composition is one of the most important problems of environmental safety. At present, modern studies of scientists consider toxic heavy metals as the most dangerous pollutants of soil, water and plant products of agriculture. In addition, the most active agents of pollution are their mobile chemical forms, which are able to pass from solid phases into soil and water solutions and be absorbed by plants and other organisms. Cereal crops have the ability to absorb nutrients both through the root system and the leaf apparatus, the surface of the stem. Also, trace elements are involved in many physiological and biochemical processes in plants, including acceleration of development, flowering, fertilization and fruiting, metabolism, etc. Quantitative characteristics of the migration of heavy metals from soil to plants during 2022 were evaluated for the studied territories of the Forest Steppe of Ukraine, in particular in Kyiv and Vinnytsia regions. Complex studies were carried out to determine the influence of Zn2+ and Cu2+ on phytocomponents of ecosystems. At the same time, data were obtained on the effect of zinc and copper salts on seed germination and growth of winter wheat seedlings. It is shown that, depending on the concentration of salts, there is a different effect on seed germination. As you know, heavy metals have a mutagenic, toxic effect and affect the intensity of biochemical processes. The authors established that according to the ecotoxicological criterion of bioaccumulation in the «soil — plant» system, the studied trace elements can be arranged in the following order: Cu2+ > Zn2+. Based on the results of experimental and theoretical research, a comparative analysis of the accumulation of heavy metals in the organs of Triticum aestivum (vulgare) L. (common wheat) is presented. According to the results of field experience, differences in the distribution of Zn 2+ and Cu 2+ in the organs of winter wheat have been established, grown on typical chernozem and gray podzolized soils. It was found that the main barrier function of the inactivation of the investigated heavy metals is performed by the roots of plants.
Weediness of soybean (Glycine max) crops under different systems of main tillage and green manuring
Authors: Hranovska L. , Reznichenko N. , Rоi S.
Published: May 2023

Study of the impact of traditional and zero-tillage systems and organo-mineral fertilization systems with the use of green manure crops in intermediate post-harvest sowings on crop weediness and soybean yield when growing it in an irrigated short-rotation crop rotation of the Southern Steppe of Ukraine. The research was carried out on the basis of a stationary experiment laid out in the fields of the Askanian State Agricultural Research Station Institute of Irrigated Agriculture of NAAS in the area of operation of the Kakhovka irrigation system. The scheme of the experiment included three variants of the main tillage and four variants of fertilization with post-harvest sowings of green manure of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.), phacelia (Pracelia tanacetifolia Benth.) and white one-year-old sweet clover (Melilotus albus). Field, quantitative-weight, calculation-comparative, and mathematical-statistical methods were used. The average number of weeds in soybean crops when plowing was the lowest and was 28.5 pcs/m2. With zero tillage, both in the second year and longterm use, an increase in the weediness of crops was observed by 16 and 8.5 pcs/m2 , respectively. When sowing soybeans according to zero technology, weediness was lower in the options with post-harvest sideral sowing of phacelia and buckwheat, where the number of weeds, compared to the control, was 10 and 16 pcs/m2 fewer. For all methods of the main tillage, an increase in soybean yield was recorded when using post-harvest green manures, which was 0.22–0.57 t/ha when sowing buckwheat on green manure, 0.06–0.23 t/ha when using white one-year-old sweet clover, and 0.29–0.67 t/ha when using phacelia. It was established that when growing soybeans in an irrigated short-rotation crop rotation in the Southern Steppe zone of Ukraine, the least weediness of crops and the highest crop yield at the level of 3.77 t/ha was provided by plowing to a depth of 28–30 cm. Sowing of post-harvest green manures contributed to an increase in soybean productivity from 0.06 to 0.67 t/ha. When growing soybeans according to zero technology, using buckwheat in the intermediate post-harvest sowings and phacelia for green manure can reduce weediness of the main crop by 24 and 39%, respectively, and increase productivity by 0.22 and 0.29 t/ha.
A novel enzyme-linked immunostaining technique based on silk membrane for the prenatal detection of fetomaternal haemorrhage
Authors: Li Xinyang , Li Miyang , Duan Shengbao , Wang Hongmei , Li Yong , Liu Tiemei
Published: May 2023

Objective: Developing a simple, rapid, reliable, sensitive, and cost-effective method for prenatal detection of fetomaternal haemorrhage by combining multi-aperture silk membrane with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), which does not require any complicated instruments and can be visually colored, so as to provide a new method for clinical detection of fetomaternal haemorrhage.

Methods: As a carrier, a chemically treated silk membrane was used to immobilize anti-A/anti-B antibody reagent. PBS washed slowly after vertically dropping red blood cells. After adding biotin-labeled anti-A/anti-B antibody reagent, PBS is slowly washed, enzyme-labeled avidin is added, and TMB is used for color development after washing.

Results: When there were both anti-A and anti-B fetal erythrocytes in pregnant women’s peripheral blood, the final color was dark brown. When there are no anti-A and anti-B fetal red blood cells in pregnant women’s peripheral blood, the final color development results do not change, which corresponds to the color of chemically treated silk membrane.

Conclusion: The new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on a silk membrane can distinguish fetal red blood cells from maternal red blood cells prenatally and can be used for prenatal detection of fetomaternal haemorrhage.
Associations of aortic stiffness and intra-aortic flow parameters with epicardial adipose tissue in patients with type-2 diabetes
Authors: Bouazizi Khaoula , Zarai Mohamed , Noufaily Abdallah , Prigent Mikaël , Dietenbeck Thomas , Bollache Emilie , Nguyen Toan , Della Valle Valéria , Blondiaux Eléonore , Clément Karine , Aron-Wisnewsky Judith , Andreelli Fabrizio , Redheuil Alban , Kachenoura Nadjia
Published: May 2023

Background

It has been shown that increased aortic stiffness is related to type-2 diabetes (T2D) which is considered as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Among other risk factors is epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) which is increased in T2D and is a relevant biomarker of metabolic severity and adverse outcome.

Purpose

To assess aortic flow parameters in T2D patients as compared to healthy individuals and to evaluate their associations with EAT accumulation as an index of cardiometabolic severity in T2D patients.

Materials and methods

Thirty-six T2D patients as well as 29 healthy controls matched by age and sex were included in this study. Participants had cardiac and aortic MRI exams at 1.5 T. Imaging sequences included cine SSFP for left ventricle (LV) function and EAT assessment and aortic cine and phase-contrast imaging for strain and flow parameters quantification.

Results

In this study, we found LV phenotype to be characterized by concentric remodeling with decreased stroke volume index despite global LV mass within a normal range. EAT was increased in T2D patients compared to controls (p<0.0001). Moreover, EAT, a biomarker of metabolic severity, was negatively correlated to ascending aortic (AA) distensibility (p=0.048) and positively to the normalized backward flow volume (p=0.001). These relationships remained significant after further adjustment for age, sex and central mean blood pressure. In a multivariate model, presence/absence of T2D and AA normalized backward flow (BF) to forward flow (FF) volumes ratio are both significant and independent correlates of EAT.

Conclusion

In our study, aortic stiffness as depicted by an increased backward flow volume and decreased distensibility seems to be related to EAT volume in T2D patients. This observation should be confirmed in the future on a larger population while considering additional biomarkers specific to inflammation and using a longitudinal prospective study design.
Interplays of mutations in waaA, cmk, and ail contribute to phage resistance in Yersinia pestis
Authors: Xiao Lisheng , Qi Zhizhen , Song Kai , Lv Ruichen , Chen Rong , Zhao Haihong , Wu Hailian , Li Cunxiang , Xin Youquan , Jin Yong , Li Xiang , Xu Xiaoqing , Tan Yafang , Du Zongmin , Cui Yujun , Zhang Xuefei , Yang Ruifu , Zhao Xilin , Song Yajun
Published: May 2023

Plague caused by Yersinia pestis remains a public health threat worldwide. Because multidrug-resistant Y. pestis strains have been found in both humans and animals, phage therapy has attracted increasing attention as an alternative strategy against plague. However, phage resistance is a potential drawback of phage therapies, and the mechanism of phage resistance in Y. pestis is yet to be investigated. In this study, we obtained a bacteriophage-resistant strain of Y. pestis (S56) by continuously challenging Y. pestis 614F with the bacteriophage Yep-phi. Genome analysis identified three mutations in strain S56: waaA* (9-bp in-frame deletion 249GTCATCGTG257), cmk* (10-bp frameshift deletion 15CCGGTGATAA24), and ail* (1-bp frameshift deletion A538). WaaA (3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic acid transferase) is a key enzyme in lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis. The waaA* mutation leads to decreased phage adsorption because of the failure to synthesize the lipopolysaccharide core. The mutation in cmk (encoding cytidine monophosphate kinase) increased phage resistance, independent of phage adsorption, and caused in vitro growth defects in Y. pestis. The mutation in ail inhibited phage adsorption while restoring the growth of the waaA null mutant and accelerating the growth of the cmk null mutant. Our results confirmed that mutations in the WaaA–Cmk–Ail cascade in Y. pestis contribute to resistance against bacteriophage. Our findings help in understanding the interactions between Y. pestis and its phages.
Predictive value of atherogenic index of plasma and atherogenic index of plasma combined with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol for the risk of acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Chen Min , Fang Cao-yang , Guo Jiong-chao , Pang La-mei , Zhou Yuan , Hong Yu , Yang Lin-fei , Zhang Jing , Zhang Ting , Zhou Bing-feng , Hu Guang-quan
Published: May 2023

Background and aims

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a prevalent medical condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates. The principal underlying factor leading to myocardial infarction is atherosclerosis, with dyslipidemia being a key risk factor. Nonetheless, relying solely on a single lipid level is insufficient for accurately predicting the onset and progression of AMI. The present investigation aims to assess established clinical indicators in China, to identify practical, precise, and effective tools for predicting AMI.

Methods

The study enrolled 267 patients diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction as the experimental group, while the control group consisted of 73 hospitalized patients with normal coronary angiography. The investigators collected general clinical data and relevant laboratory test results and computed the Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) for each participant. Using acute myocardial infarction status as the dependent variable and controlling for confounding factors such as smoking history, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), blood pressure at admission, and diabetes history, the researchers conducted multivariate logistic regression analysis with AIP as an independent variable. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were employed to determine the predictive value of AIP and AIP combined with LDL-C for acute myocardial infarction.

Result

The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the AIP was an independent predictor of acute myocardial infarction. The optimal cut-off value for AIP to predict AMI was −0.06142, with a sensitivity of 81.3%, a specificity of 65.8%, and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.801 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.743–0.859, P < 0.001). When AIP was combined with LDL-C, the best cut-off value for predicting acute myocardial infarction was 0.756107, with a sensitivity of 79%, a specificity of 74%, and an AUC of 0.819 (95% CI: 0.759–0.879, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The AIP is considered an autonomous determinant of risk for AMI. Utilizing the AIP index alone, as well as in conjunction with LDL-C, can serve as effective predictors of AMI.
Case report: obstruction in the right ventricular outflow tract due to hemolymphangioma
Authors: Chen Bo , Fan Ting , Cao Yong , Hu Lian , Yu Guanshui
Published: May 2023

Cardiac masses commonly involve primary tumors, metastatic diseases, and nonbacterial thrombotic and infective endocarditis. myxomas are the most common primary tumors, accounting for 75%. Hemolymphangiomas are a group of congenital vascular and lymphatic malformations that originate from the mesenchyme, with an incidence rate of 0.12%–0.28% per year. Hemolymphangiomas have been found in the rectum, small intestine, spleen, liver, chest wall, and mediastinum but have not yet been reported in the ventricular outflow tract in the heart. Herein, we report a case of a hemolymphangioma tumor in the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). The tumor was successfully resected, and the patient was followed up for 18 months and did not exhibit tumor recurrence.
Non-invasive central aortic pressure measurement: what limits its application in clinical practice?
Authors: Diaz Alejandro , Zócalo Yanina , Salazar Federico , Bia Daniel
Published: May 2023

The following article highlights the need for methodological transparency and consensus for an accurate and non-invasive assessment of central aortic blood pressure (aoBP), which would contribute to increasing its validity and value in both clinical and physiological research settings. The recording method and site, the mathematical model used to quantify aoBP, and mainly the method applied to calibrate pulse waveforms are essential when estimating aoBP and should be considered when analyzing and/or comparing data from different works, populations and/or obtained with different approaches. Up to now, many questions remain concerning the incremental predictive ability of aoBP over peripheral blood pressure and the possible role of aoBP-guided therapy in everyday practice. In this article, we focus on “putting it on the table” and discussing the main aspects analyzed in the literature as potential determinants of the lack of consensus on the non-invasive measurement of aoBP.
Conv-trans dual network for landslide detection of multi-channel optical remote sensing images
Authors: Chen Xin , Liu Mingzhe , Li Dongfen , Jia Jiaru , Yang Aiqing , Zheng Wenfeng , Yin Lirong
Published: May 2023

Landslide detection is crucial for disaster management and prevention. With the advent of multi-channel optical remote sensing technology, detecting landslides have become more accessible and more accurate. Although the use of the convolutional neural network (CNN) has significantly increased the accuracy of landslide detection on multi-channel optical remote sensing images, most previous methods using CNN lack the ability to obtain global context information due to the structural limitations of the convolution operation. Motivated by the powerful global modeling capability of the Swin transformer, we propose a new Conv-Trans Dual Network (CTDNet) based on Swin-Unet. First, we propose a dual-stream module (CTDBlock) that combines the advantages of ConvNeXt and Swin transformer, which can establish pixel-level connections and global dependencies from the CNN hierarchy to enhance the ability of the model to extract spatial information. Second, we apply an additional gating module (AGM) to effectively fuse the low-level information extracted by the shallow network and the high-level information extracted by the deep network and minimize the loss of detailed information when propagating. In addition, We conducted extensive subjective and objective comparison and ablation experiments on the Landslide4Sense dataset. Experimental results demonstrate that our proposed CTDNet outperforms other models currently applied in our experiments.
Is beta-carotene consumption associated with thyroid hormone levels?
Authors: Farasati Far Bahareh , Broomand Lomer Nima , Gharedaghi Hossein , Sahrai Hadi , Mahmoudvand Golnaz , Karimi Rouzbahani Arian
Published: May 2023

The thyroid hormones play a pivotal role in various physiological processes, including growth, metabolism regulation, and reproduction. While non-modifiable factors are known to impact thyroid function, such as genetics and age, nutritional factors are also important. Diets rich in selenium and iodine are conventionally acknowledged to be beneficial for the production and release of thyroid hormones. Recent studies have suggested a potential link between beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A (retinol), and thyroid function. Beta-carotene is known for its antioxidant properties and has been shown to play a role in the prevention of various clinical conditions such as cancer and cardiovascular and neurological diseases. However, its impact on thyroid function is still unclear. Some studies have suggested a positive association between beta-carotene levels and thyroid function, while others have found no significant effect. Conversely, the hormone produced by the thyroid gland, thyroxine, enhances the conversion of beta-carotene to retinol. Furthermore, vitamin A derivatives are being explored as potential therapeutic options for thyroid malignancies. In this review, we highlight the mechanisms through which beta-carotene/retinol and thyroid hormones interact and review the findings of clinical studies examining the association between beta-carotene consumption and thyroid hormone levels. Our review underscores the need for further research to clarify the relationship between beta-carotene and thyroid function.
A nomogram based on radiomics intermuscular adipose analysis to indicate arteriosclerosis in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes
Authors: He Cong , Xie Dong , Fu Lin-feng , Yu Jin-na , Wu Fang-ye , Qiu Yong-gang , Xu Hong-wei
Published: May 2023

Objective

Early identifying arteriosclerosis in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients could contribute to choosing proper subjects for early prevention. Here, we aimed to investigate whether radiomic intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) analysis could be used as a novel marker to indicate arteriosclerosis in newly diagnosed T2D patients.

Methods

A total of 549 patients with newly diagnosed T2D were included in this study. The clinical information of the patients was recorded and the carotid plaque burden was used to indicate arteriosclerosis. Three models were constructed to evaluate the risk of arteriosclerosis: a clinical model, a radiomics model (a model based on IMAT analysis proceeded on chest CT images), and a clinical-radiomics combined model (a model that integrated clinical-radiological features). The performance of the three models were compared using the area under the curve (AUC) and DeLong test. Nomograms were constructed to indicate arteriosclerosis presence and severity. Calibration curves and decision curves were plotted to evaluate the clinical benefit of using the optimal model.

Results

The AUC for indicating arteriosclerosis of the clinical-radiomics combined model was higher than that of the clinical model [0.934 (0.909, 0.959) vs. 0.687 (0.634, 0.730), P < 0.001 in the training set, 0.933 (0.898, 0.969) vs. 0.721 (0.642, 0.799), P < 0.001 in the validation set]. Similar indicative efficacies were found between the clinical-radiomics combined model and radiomics model (P = 0.5694). The AUC for indicating the severity of arteriosclerosis of the combined clinical-radiomics model was higher than that of both the clinical model and radiomics model [0.824 (0.765, 0.882) vs. 0.755 (0.683, 0.826) and 0.734 (0.663, 0.805), P < 0.001 in the training set, 0.717 (0.604, 0.830) vs. 0.620 (0.490, 0.750) and 0.698 (0.582, 0.814), P < 0.001 in the validation set, respectively]. The decision curve showed that the clinical-radiomics combined model and radiomics model indicated a better performance than the clinical model in indicating arteriosclerosis. However, in indicating severe arteriosclerosis, the clinical-radiomics combined model had higher efficacy than the other two models.

Conclusion

Radiomics IMAT analysis could be a novel marker for indicating arteriosclerosis in patients with newly diagnosed T2D. The constructed nomograms provide a quantitative and intuitive way to assess the risk of arteriosclerosis, which may help clinicians comprehensively analyse radiomics characteristics and clinical risk factors more confidently.
Land development and road salt usage drive long-term changes in major-ion chemistry of streamwater in six exurban and suburban watersheds, southeastern Pennsylvania, 1999–2019
Authors: Rossi Marissa L. , Kremer Peleg , Cravotta Charles A. , Seng Krista E. , Goldsmith Steven T.
Published: May 2023

In urbanized areas, the “freshwater salinization syndrome” (FSS), which pertains to long-term increases in concentrations of major ions and metals in fresh surface waters, has been attributed to road salt application. In addition to FSS, the water composition changes as an influx of sodium (Na+) in recharge may displace calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), potassium (K+), and trace metals by reverse cation exchange. These changing ion fluxes can result in adverse impacts on groundwater and surface waters used for municipal supplies. Few datasets exist to quantify the FSS on a watershed scale or link its manifestation to potential controlling factors such as changes in urban development, land use/land cover (LULC), or wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) discharges in upstream areas. Here, we use two decades (1999–2019) of monthly streamwater quality data combined with daily streamflow for six exurban and suburban watersheds in southeastern Pennsylvania to examine the relations among Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+, chloride (Cl−), sulfate (SO42-), and alkalinity (HCO3−) concentrations and upstream controlling factors. Flow-normalized annual and baseflow (August ̶ November) concentrations for Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, and Cl− increased in all six watersheds over the 20-year study, providing evidence of FSS’s impacts on groundwater that sustains streamflow. Additionally, a redundancy analysis using 2019 flow-normalized values identified the following positive associations between solute concentrations and controlling variables: 1) Cl−, Mg2+, and Ca2+ with impervious surface cover (ISC), 2) Na+ and SO42- with ISC and total WWTP discharge volume, and 3) HCO3− with agriculture and total WWTP discharge volume. From a human health perspective, 2019 flow-normalized Na+ concentrations exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 20 mg L-1 threshold for individuals restricted to a low sodium diet. Furthermore, indices used to evaluate the corrosivity of source waters to drinking water infrastructure and inform municipal water treatment practices, such as the Chloride to Sulfate Mass Ratio and Larson Ratio, increased between two- and seven-fold over the 20-year time. Collectively, the results elucidate the causal factors of the FSS in suburban and exurban watersheds and its potential impacts on human health and drinking water infrastructure.
Isotherm and kinetic studies for the adsorption of methylene blue onto a novel Mn3O4-Bi2O3 composite and their antifungal performance
Authors: Al-Saeedi Sameerah I. , Areej Asfa , Qamar Muhammad Tariq , Alhujaily Ahmad , Iqbal Shahid , Alotaibi Mohammed T. , Aslam Muhammad , Qayyum Muhammad Abdul , Bahadur Ali , Awwad Nasser S. , Jazaa Yosef , Elkaeed Eslam B.
Published: May 2023

Metal oxide-based adsorbents are quite in for wastewater treatment because of their selectivity, stable structure and very low solubility in aqueous systems. To explore the adsorption of methylene blue (MB), Mn3O4-Bi2O3 adsorbents were made using a wet-impregnation technique with various concentrations of Mn3O4. The presence of Mn3O4 contents on the surface of monoclinic Bi2O3 was confirmed through representative scanning electron micrographs. The diffractions pertaining to cubic Mn3O4 and monoclinic Bi2O3 were noticed in the XRD pattern of 5% Mn3O4-Bi2O3 which confirm the composite nature of the adsorbent. XPS analysis revealed the existance of Bi 4f, Bi 4d, Bi 4p, Bi4s, and Mn 2p core levels in Mn3O4-Bi2O3. The adsorption study divulged highest efficiency (∼95% and qe = ∼1.4 mgg-1) of 5% Mn3O4-Bi2O3 composite among other contestants in removing 30 ppm MB at 28 ° C, pH 7 and 250 rpm. In addition to the determination of adsorption ability, the effect of preliminary dye concentration (5, 10, 20, and 30 ppm) and contact time (0.5–6 h) on the removal efficiency of prepared adsorbents were also monitored. The adsorption data from the batch experiments were evaluated using the Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin-Radushkevich-Kaganer (DRK) adsorption isotherms and pseudo 1st and 2nd-order kinetic models. The fitting of adsorption isotherms and kinetic models revealed the formation of adsorbate’s monolayer on the surface of adsorbents through the process of chemisorption. Through FTIR measurement, the MB adsorption onto the effective adsorbent (5% Mn3O4-Bi2O3) was also confirmed. Moreover, TGA analysis showed ∼1.5% weight loss by 5% Mn3O4-Bi2O3 before MB adsorption whereas ∼2.6% weight loss was noticed after dye adsorption onto the adsorbent. The antifungal activity was evaluated against the fungi A. solani and M. fructicola using the agar well diffusion technique. The 5% Mn3O4-Bi2O3 composites have exceptional antifungal characteristics compared to Bi2O3 and Mn3O4, with zone inhibition values of 58.6 and 53.9 mm, respectively.
Risky business: relating probability of direct contact to risk of chronic wasting disease
Authors: Dobbin Maria A. , Smolko Peter , Put Laurens , Merrill Evelyn H.
Published: May 2023

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal, prion disease of cervids that was first detected in Alberta in 2005. Transmission of CWD by direct contact with infected individuals plays a major role in the early phases of an outbreak. Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) comprise 85% of CWD-infected animals in the province, and we investigated the seasonal effects of grouping patterns and landscape heterogeneity on direct, pair-wise contacts (distance of 3 m) within and between sex-specific (same or mixed sex) groups of mule deer in east-central Alberta. We determined seasonal contacts of mule deer based on proximity loggers that alter GPS schedules to record contact locations. We modeled the relative risk of contact between sex-specific dyads both within and between social groups based on landscape characteristics at the location of contact. We then assessed the support for 5 hypotheses that linked locations of seasonal contacts to occurrence of CWD on the landscape. Disease occurrence on the landscape was derived by comparing locations of CWD-infected and CWD-uninfected deer collected as part of the Alberta’s CWD hunter-harvest surveillance program. We found that contacts in winter occurred in areas where deer use was concentrated, whereas in summer, contact locations were less constrained in space where patterns of landscape characteristics at contact locations varied between sex-specific dyads. Contact probabilities of within and between-group male dyads in winter and between-group female dyads in summer were the best predictors of CWD risk in east-central Alberta. Our results relate habitat specific, social behaviors between conspecific mule deer to potential routes of CWD transmission and contribute to CWD research that guides management strategies for an emergent wildlife disease.
Weak phylogenetic and habitat effects on root trait variation of 218 Neotropical tree species
Authors: Weemstra Monique , Valverde-Barrantes Oscar J. , Fortunel Claire , Oblitas Mendoza Erick M. , Prata Eduardo M. B. , Vásquez Pilco Magno , Vicentini Alberto , Vleminckx Jason , Baraloto Christopher
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Tropical forests harbor a large diversity of closely related tree species that can thrive across habitats. This biodiversity has been found to correspond to large functional diversity in aboveground traits, and likely also relates to belowground trait variation. Globally, root trait (co-)variation is driven by different belowground resource strategies of species, environmental variation, and phylogeny; however, these patterns mostly reflect observations from temperate biomes and remain unconfirmed in tropical trees. We examine phylogenetic and environmental effects on root trait (co-)variation of trees across habitats in an Amazonian rainforest.

Methods

Roots of 218 tree species from ten dominant families were sampled across three major habitats near Manaus, Brazil. We quantified five morphological and architectural root traits to (i) investigate how they reflected different resource strategies across species, (ii) compare them between families and superorders to test phylogenetic effects, and (iii) compare them between habitats to determine environmental effects on root trait expressions and variability.

Results

Root traits discriminated species along a tradeoff between root diameter and root branching and, secondly, due to variation in root tissue density. Our results further show weak phylogenetic effects on tropical tree root variation, for example, families from the same superorder showed large divergence in their root traits, while those from different superorders often overlapped in their root morphology and architecture. Root traits differed significantly between habitats but habitat type had only little effect on overall root trait variation.

Discussion

Our work suggests that the dimensions and drivers that underlie (co-)variation in tropical root traits may differ from global patterns defined by mostly temperate datasets. Due to (a)biotic environmental differences, different root trait dimensions may underlie the belowground functional diversity in (Neo)tropical forests, and we found little evidence for the strong phylogenetic conservatism observed in root traits in temperate biomes. We highlight important avenues for future research on tropical roots in order to determine the degree of, and shifts in functional diversity belowground as communities and environments change in tropical forests.
Construction of ceRNA network based on RNA-seq for identifying prognostic lncRNA biomarkers in Perthes disease
Authors: Zhang Tianjiu , Hu Xiaolin , Yu Song , Wei Chunyan
Published: May 2023

Introduction: Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease or Perthes disease is a condition that occurs in children aged 2 to 15 years, and is characterized by osteonecrosis of the femoral head, which results in physical limitations. Despite ongoing research, the pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms underlying the development of Perthes disease remain unclear. In order to obtain further insights, the expression patterns of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), miRNAs, and mRNAs in a rabbit model of Perthes disease were analyzed in this study by transcriptome sequencing.

Methods and results: The results of RNA-seq analyses revealed that 77 lncRNAs, 239 miRNAs, and 1027 mRNAs were differentially expressed in the rabbit model. This finding suggested that multiple genetic pathways are involved in the development of Perthes disease. A weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) network was subsequently constructed using the differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs), and network analysis revealed that the genes associated with angiogenesis and platelet activation were downregulated, which was consistent with the findings of Perthes disease. A competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network was additionally constructed using 29 differentially expressed lncRNAs (including HIF3A and LOC103350994), 28 differentially expressed miRNAs (including ocu-miR-574-5p and ocu-miR-324-3p), and 76 DEmRNAs (including ALOX12 and PTGER2).

Disscusion: The results obtained herein provide novel perspectives regarding the pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms underlying the development of Perthes disease. The findings of this study can pave the way for the development of effective therapeutic strategies for Perthes disease in future.
Case report: Frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis caused by a missense variant (p.Arg89Trp) in the valosin-containing protein gene
Authors: Miura Shiroh , Hiruki Shigeyoshi , Okada Tomohisa , Takei Satoko Itani , Senzaki Kensuke , Okada Yoko , Ochi Masayuki , Tanabe Yuki , Ochi Hirofumi , Igase Michiya , Ohyagi Yasumasa , Shibata Hiroki
Published: May 2023

Frontotemporal dementia and/or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 6, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 14, is an autosomal dominant, progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by various mutations in the valosin-containing protein gene. In this report, we examined a 51-year-old female Japanese patient with frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The patient began noticing gait disturbances at the age of 45 years. Neurological examination at the age of 46 years met the Awaji criteria for clinically probable amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. At the age of 49 years, she tended to have poor mood and an aversion to activity. Her symptoms gradually worsened. She required a wheelchair for transport and had difficulty communicating with others because of poor comprehension. She then began to frequently exhibit irritability. Eventually, she was admitted to the psychiatric hospital because uncontrollable violent behavior throughout the day. Longitudinal brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed progressive brain atrophy with temporal dominance, non-progressive cerebellar atrophy, and some non-specific white matter intensities. Brain single photon emission computed tomography showed hypoperfusion in the bilateral temporal lobes and cerebellar hemispheres. Clinical exome sequencing revealed the presence of a heterozygous nonsynonymous variant (NM_007126.5, c.265C>T; p.Arg89Trp) in the valosin-containing protein gene, which was absent in the 1000 Genomes Project, the Exome Aggregation Consortium Database, and the Genome Aggregation Database, and was predicted to be “damaging” by PolyPhen-2 and “deleterious” using SIFT with a Combined Annotation Dependent Depletion score of 35. We also confirmed the absence of this variant in 505 Japanese control subjects. Therefore, we concluded that the variant in the valosin-containing protein gene was responsible for the symptoms of this patient.
Ferroptosis and multi-organ complications in COVID-19: mechanisms and potential therapies
Authors: Li Qi , Chen Zeyuan , Zhou Xiaoshi , Li Guolin , Zhang Changji , Yang Yong
Published: May 2023

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, with respiratory symptoms as primary manifestations. It can progress to severe illness, leading to respiratory failure and multiple organ dysfunction. Recovered patients may experience persistent neurological, respiratory, or cardiovascular symptoms. Mitigating the multi-organ complications of COVID-19 has been highlighted as a crucial part of fighting the epidemic. Ferroptosis is a type of cell death linked to altered iron metabolism, glutathione depletion, glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) inactivation, and increased oxidative stress. Cell death can prevent virus replication, but uncontrolled cell death can also harm the body. COVID-19 patients with multi-organ complications often exhibit factors related to ferroptosis, suggesting a possible connection. Ferroptosis inhibitors can resist SARS-CoV-2 infection from damaging vital organs and potentially reduce COVID-19 complications. In this paper, we outline the molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis and, based on this, discuss multi-organ complications in COVID-19, then explore the potential of ferroptosis inhibitors as a supplementary intervention for COVID-19. This paper will provide a reference for the possible treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infected disease to reduce the severity of COVID-19 and its subsequent impact.
Immune response plays a role in Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia
Authors: Zhu Yifan , Luo Yingying , Li Ling , Jiang Xinyi , Du Yi , Wang Jing , Li Huilin , Gu Haiyan , Li Daiying , Tang Heng , Qin Houbing , Xu Changdi , Liu Yan , Zhao Deyu , Guo Yun , Liu Feng
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) is a major pathogen of community-acquired pneumonia in children. However, the specific pathogenesis of the progression of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) is unclear. We aimed to reveal the landscape of microbiota and the host immune response in MPP.

Methods

This self-controlled study analyzed the microbiome and transcriptome of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from the severe side (SD) and opposite side (OD) of 41 children with MPP from January to December 2021 and revealed the differences of the peripheral blood neutrophil function among children with mild MPP, severe MPP, and healthy children through transcriptome sequencing.

Results

The MP load or the pulmonary microbiota had no significant difference between the SD group and OD group, and the deterioration of MPP was related to the immune response, especially the intrinsic immune response.

Discussion

The immune response plays a role in MPP, which may inform treatment strategies for MPP.
Tfl deletion induces extraordinary Cxcl13 secretion and cachexia in VavP-Bcl2 transgenic mice
Authors: Minagawa Kentaro , Wakahashi Kanako , Fukui Chie , Kawano Yuko , Kawano Hiroki , Suzuki Tomohide , Ishii Shinichi , Sada Akiko , Nishikawa Shinichiro , Asada Noboru , Katayama Yoshio , Matsui Toshimitsu
Published: May 2023

Statement of significance: Loss of TFL, found in several types of lymphoma, induces excessive CXCL13 secretion through RNA dysregulation contributing to body weight loss and early death in lymphoma model mice. Follicular lymphoma (FL) is associated with overexpressed BCL-2 and other genetic aberrations, including 6q-. We identified a novel gene on 6q25, “Transformed follicular lymphoma (TFL),” from a transformed FL. TFL regulates several cytokines via mRNA degradation, which has been suggested to underlie resolving inflammation. Fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed a deletion of TFL occurred in 13.6% of various B-cell lymphoma samples. We developed VavP-bcl2 transgenic, TFL deficit mice (Bcl2-Tg/Tfl-/-) to seek how TFL affects disease progression in this lymphoma model. While Bcl2-Tg mice developed lymphadenopathy and died around 50 weeks, Bcl2-Tg/Tfl-/- mice lost body weight around 30 weeks and died about 20 weeks earlier than Bcl2-Tg mice. Furthermore, we found a unique B220-IgM+ cell population in the bone marrow of Bcl2-Tg mice. cDNA array in this population revealed that Cxcl13 mRNA in Bcl2-Tg/Tfl-/- mice expressed significantly higher than Bcl2-Tg mice. In addition, bone marrow extracellular fluid and serum showed an extremely high Cxcl13 concentration in Bcl2-Tg/Tfl-/- mice. Among bone marrow cells, the B220-IgM+ fraction was the main producer of Cxcl13 in culture. A reporter assay demonstrated TFL regulates CXCL-13 via induction of 3’UTR mRNA degradation in B lineage cells. These data suggest Tfl regulates Cxcl13 in B220-IgM+ cells in the bone marrow, and a very high concentration of serum Cxcl13 arising from these cells may contribute to early death in lymphoma-bearing mice. Since several reports have suggested the association of CXCL13 expression with lymphoma, these findings provide new insights into cytokine regulation via TFL in lymphoma.