bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of water and iodine in supramolecular assembly of a 2D coordination of benzimidazole derivate: X-ray crystallography and DFT calculations
Authors: Gandhi Sahaj A. , Soni Saurabh S. , Patel Urmila H. , Kotadia Deepali
Published: February 2024

We describe the synthesis and crystal structure of DBZIW, 1,3-Dimethyl-3H-benzimidazol-1-ium iodide monohydrate, which crystallizes in a monoclinic system with space group P21/c and Z = 4. The asymmetric unit contains a molecule of [C9 H11N2]+, an iodine ion I−, and a water molecule. Water oxygen O1 and iodine ion I− (O-H...I) connection display significant involvement in hydrogen bond interactions in the molecular packing of DBZIW. The network of C-H...O hydrogen bond contacts plays an essential part in the stability. The molecular structures 1, 3-Dimethyl-3H-benzimidazol-1-ium [DBZ], 1, 3-Dimethyl-3H-benzimidazol-1-ium, monohydrate [DBZW], 1, 3-Dimethyl-3H-benzimidazol-1-ium, iodine [DBZI] and 1, 3-dimethyl-3H-benzimidazol-1-ium iodide monohydrate [DBZIW] were optimized at the B3LYP method with 6-311G (d, p) level using Gaussain-09 software. The energy band gap value of HOMO and LUMO of DBZ, DBZW, DBZI and DBZIW have 4.997 eV, 4.786 eV, 3.309 eV and 1.265 eV, respectively. The HOMO-LUMO energy gap, which is useful in determining the molecular electrical transport properties, explains the charge transfer interaction inside the molecule. The molecular docking studies indicated that DBZIW had high binding affinity for thyroid stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) protein targets (4QT5).
The impact of betrayal-based moral injury on PTSD and depression in the aftermath of the October 7th 2023 terror attack in Israel: A nationwide prospective study
Authors: Levi-Belz Yossi , Blank Carmel , Groweiss Yoav , Neria Yuval
Published: February 2024

With more than 1300 civilians murdered and 240 civilians kidnapped, the massacre of October 7th is one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in modern history. The mental health consequences of terrorist attacks have been documented. However, little is known of the impact of betrayal-based moral injury (MI)––in which individuals feel betrayed by leaders they once trusted–– on levels of psychological burden in the aftermath of such an attack. In this national prospective cohort study, we examined to what extent the experience of betrayal exacerbates the risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression in the wake of the October 7th terrorist attack. A representative sample of 710 Israeli adults (362 female, 51.1%), Jews (557, 79.9%) and Arabs (153, 20.1%), aged 18–85 (M = 41.01, SD = 13.72) completed validated self-report questionnaires assessing PTSD, depression, and betrayal-related MI at two timepoints: T1, in August 2023 (6–7 weeks before the attack) and T2, in November 2023 (5–6 weeks after the attack). In two hierarchical logistic regressions, we found that experience of betrayal predicted diagnoses of both PTSD (OR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.18–2.60) and depression (OR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.35–2.91) at T2, beyond probable PTSD/depression at T1 and demographic and trauma-related variables. Moreover, in two repeated-measure analyses predicting PTSD/depression symptoms, we found significant interactions between PTSD/depression trajectories and betrayal, meaning that the increase of PTSD/depression symptoms was significantly higher among participants experiencing betrayal by leaders in the context of the attack. Our study highlights the impact of betrayal-based MI on the dramatic increase in psychopathology following the October 7th terror attack in Israel’s population. Clinicians treating individuals coping with PTSD and depression should attend to their patients’ possible exposure to betrayal-based MI following the attack. Moreover, national leaders and policymakers should take significant steps to repair the public’s betrayal experience.
Co-pyrolysis Development of Waste Tire-sludge Adsorbent by Mixed of Waste Tires and Oily Sludge
Authors: Tang Chao , Guan Jiaojiao , Xie Shui-xiang
Published: February 2024

To facilitate resource utilization of waste tires (WT) and oily sludge (OS), waste tire-sludge adsorbent (WTSA) was developed using co-pyrolysis technology, and its effectiveness in adsorbing crude oil was investigated. The study revealed that the optimal preparation conditions for WTSA included a 1.5:1 mass ratio of WT to OS, a co-pyrolysis temperature of 600 ℃, a co-pyrolysis holding time of 2 hours, and a co-pyrolysis heating rate of 15 ℃/min. The surface of WTSA exhibited numerous pores and cracks with varying shapes and sizes. The dominant pore structures were found to be mesopores and macropores. The carbon content of WTSA was measured to be 89.95%. Moreover, the BET specific surface area, pore volume, and average pore size were determined to be 686.81 m2/g, 0.74 cm3/g, and 5.91 nm, respectively. In the crude oil adsorption test, WTSA demonstrated a comparable adsorption capacity to activated carbon (AC), but with a more attractive initial adsorption rate. Furthermore, thermal regeneration treatment was found to significantly enhance the lipophilic properties of WTSA, leading to an increase in its initial adsorption rate. The adsorption capacity of regenerated WTSA was also found to be relatively stable, making it an ideal solution for emergency crude oil spill cleanups. Compared to AC, WTSA can be recycled and reused multiple times, making it a more sustainable and cost-effective option.
Exercise delayed cognitive decline in Chinese seniors: a new causal inference method for ordered multi-categorical exposures
Authors: Han Lizhen , Zeng Yi , Huang Tao , Jia Jinzhu
Published: February 2024

Background
The cognitive problems are prominent in the context of global aging, and the traditional Mendelian randomization method is not applicable to ordered multi-categorical exposures. Therefore, we aimed to address this issue through the development of a new method and to investigate the causal inference of cognitive-related lifestyle factors.
Method
The study sample was derived from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), which included 897 seniors aged 65+. This study used genome-wide association analysis to screen genetic loci as instrumental variables and innovatively combined maximum likelihood estimation to infer causal associations between ordered multi-categorical exposures (diet, exercise, etc.) and continuous outcomes (cognitive level).
Results
The new causal inference method for ordered multi-categorical exposures developed in this study was simple, easy to implement, and able to effectively and reliably discover the potential causal associations between variables. Through this method, we found a potential positive causal association between exercise status and cognitive level in Chinese seniors ( = 1.883, 95%CI: 0.260–3.564), in which there was no horizontal pleiotropy (p = 0.370).
Conclusion
The study provided a new causal inference method applicable to ordered multi-categorical exposures, that addressed the limitations of the traditional Mendelian randomization method.
Overexpression of foxtail millet (Setaria italica) amino acid permease 9 ( SiAAP9 ) inhibits the growth in transgenic Arabidopsis
Authors: Meng Ru , Li Zhi-Peng , Kang Xue-Ting , Zhang Yu-Jia , Wang Yi-Ru , Ma Yu-Chao , Wu Yan-Feng , Dong Shu-Qi , Li Xiao-Rui , Gao Lulu , Chu Xiao-Qian , Yang Guang-Hui , Yuan Xiang-Yang , Wang Jia-Gang
Published: February 2024

Amino acid permeases (AAPs) transporters play a vital role in facilitating the long-distance transportation of amino acids from the source to the sink in plants. Numerous studies have been conducted on Arabidopsis and rice, while the research on foxtail millet remains relatively scarce. In this study, we discovered that SiAAP9 exhibits two transcripts. The expression patterns of the two transcripts of SiAAP9 were generally consistent and both transcripts were induced by NO3-. Overexpression of SiAAP9L and SiAAP9S in Arabidopsis inhibited plant growth and seed size, however, SiAAP9 can transport more amino acids into seeds. Moreover, the tolerance of WT and SiAAP9-OX transgenic Arabidopsis to amino acids demonstrated that SiAAP9-OX transgenic Arabidopsis lines exhibit tolerance to high concentrations of glutamate (Glu) and histidine (His). The high expression level of SiAAP9 makes its encoded protein not only localized on the plasma membrane, but also possibly localized on various organelles. Additionally, we also observed that sequence deletion weakened the sensitivity of SiAAP9 to Brefeldin A (BFA) and SiAAP9 has ectopic localization on endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Protoplast amino acid uptake experiments indicated that SiAAP9 is capable of facilitating increased transport of Glu into foxtail millet cells. Taken together, the functions of two SiAAP9 transcripts are largely functional similar, but the degree of colocalization of SiAAP9L and BFA compartment is significantly higher than that of SiAAP9S. Our research may provide a candidate gene to improve foxtail millet nutritional quality in breeding.
Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles from Hibiscus Syriacus Plant Species Extract and Identifying their Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Rashed Zakarya , Gurunlu Betul
Published: February 2024

Hibiscus Syriacus is a plant species that is rich in phytochemicals according to various reports and has seen utilization in many forms of medicine, especially eastern traditional medicine. It displays “pharmacological effects and related properties like anti-aging, anticancer, anti-depressant, anti-fungal, anti-melanogenic, anti-oxidant, cytoprotective effects. In this study, we build a green and facile method for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles from Hibiscus Syriacus plant. The presence of silver nanoparticles were proved by UV-vis and FT-IR. Anti-oxidant properties of silver nanoparticles were identified by Folin-Ciocalteu assay. Antibacterial capabilites of silvernanoparticles were proved on E.coli and S.aureus cultures via Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and agar well diffusion methods. Photocatalytic degradation activity of silver nanoparticles were tested on methylene blue, methyl red and methyl orange dyes.
Synthesis and evaluation of fluorine-18 labelled tetrazines as pre-targeting imaging agents for PET
Authors: Schlein Eva , Rokka Johanna , Odell Luke R. , Broek Sara Lopes van den , Herth Matthias M. , Battisti Umberto M. , Syvänen Stina , Sehlin Dag , Eriksson Jonas
Published: February 2024

Background
The brain is a challenging target for antibody-based positron emission tomography (immunoPET) imaging due to the restricted access of antibody-based ligands through the blood-brain barrier (BBB). To overcome this physiological obstacle, we have previously developed bispecific antibody ligands that pass through the BBB via receptor-mediated transcytosis. While these radiolabelled ligands have high affinity and specificity, their long residence time in the blood and brain, typical for large molecules, poses another challenge for PET imaging. A viable solution could be a two-step pre-targeting approach which involves the administration of a tagged antibody that accumulates at the target site in the brain and then clears from the blood, followed by administration of a small radiolabelled molecule with fast kinetics. This radiolabelled molecule can couple to the tagged antibody and thereby make the antibody localisation visible by PET imaging. The in vivo linkage can be achieved by using the inverse electron demand Diels-Alder reaction (IEDDA), with trans-cyclooctene (TCO) and tetrazine groups participating as reactants. In this study, two novel 18F-labelled tetrazines were synthesized and evaluated for their potential use as pre-targeting imaging agents, i.e., for their ability to rapidly enter the brain and, if unbound, to be efficiently cleared with minimal background retention.
Results
The two compounds, a methyl tetrazine [18F]MeTz and an H-tetrazine [18F]HTz were radiolabelled using a two-step procedure via [18F]F-Py-TFP synthesized on solid support followed by amidation with amine-bearing tetrazines, resulting in radiochemical yields of 24% and 22%, respectively, and a radiochemical purity of > 96%. In vivo PET imaging was performed to assess their suitability for in vivo pre-targeting. Time-activity curves from PET-scans showed [18F]MeTz to be the more pharmacokinetically suitable agent, given its fast and homogenous distribution in the brain and rapid clearance. However, in terms of rection kinetics, H-tetrazines are advantageous, exhibiting faster reaction rates in IEDDA reactions with dienophiles like trans-cyclooctenes, making [18F]HTz potentially more beneficial for pre-targeting applications.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates a significant potential of [18F]MeTz and [18F]HTz as agents for pre-targeted PET brain imaging due to their efficient brain uptake, swift clearance and appropriate chemical stability.
Determinants of primary care physicians’ intention to provide Breast cancer screening services for rural women: a structural equation model based on the theory of planned behavior
Authors: Hu Zhiqing , Zhang Huiying , Wang Yiping , Sun Yanjun , Meng Rui , Shen Ke , Xu Kai , He Yuan
Published: February 2024

Background Breast cancer has been a serious health problem all around the world. Early detection is undoubtedly effective in combating severe public health problems in developing countries. Meanwhile, primary care physicians play an important role in implementation of screening programs. The objective of our study was to evaluate the determinates of the primary care physicians’ intention to provide the Breast cancer screening services ( BCSs ) for rural women.Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey in 24 towns in Jiangsu. In total, 1,101 primary care physicians entered and completed the study. The data collection tool was developed based on the theory of planned behaviour (i.e., attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control) and extended components (i.e., knowledge about breast cancer screening services (BCSs), and past providing-BCSs behavior.Results The results of our study showed that subjective norms (β = 0.352, p < 0.001) had the greatest influence on primary care physicians’ intention to engage in breast cancer screening, followed by attitudes and perceived behavioural control. Both screening knowledge and past screening provision behavior had an indirect effect on behavioural intentions.Conclusions The present study demonstrated that extended TPB appears to be an efficient model in explaining primary care physicians' intention to engage in Breast cancer screening program. Meanwhile, our findings provide a reference for governments, hospitals and policies aiming to increasing primary care physicians’ intention to provide rural women with BCSs.
Effect of grinding liberation on recovery of silicon from MG-Si waste slag by flotation
Authors: Tan Ning , Han Shifeng , Wei Kuixian , Wu Dandan , Ma Wenhui
Published: February 2024

Metallurgical-grade silicon-refined waste slag (MGSRS) was produced during the MG-Si refining production process, which occupies huge amounts of land resources, caused the loss of nearly 110,000 tons of MG-Si every year. Though, it is of great significance to recover the elemental silicon in MGSRS. However, because silicon is tightly wrapped by slag and difficult to separate, resulting in the difficulty of silicon recovery. In this study, silicon recovery powders were obtained through the process of grinding liberation and flotation separation. The effect of grinding time on the liberation of MGSRS and the flotation recovery of silicon was studied. The liberation mechanism of MGSRS was further discussed. The results showed that the liberation degree of silicon particles was 79.45% (grinding for 15 min), which was 7.94% higher than that of silicon particles after 5 min grinding time, and 77.15% of the silicon particles were fully liberated. The flotation recovery of silicon can increase from 10.5–78.7% with the appropriate collector. Mechanism study shows that during the grinding process, silicon was separated along the (111) surface, and Ca2Al2SiO7 had the largest amount of liberation along the (211) plane. More unsaturated sites of aluminum and calcium ions were observed on the silicate surface, which were favorable for adsorption with the reagent and beneficial to the silicon recovery. These results indicated that the silicon and slag of MGSRS can be sufficiently separated through grinding and flotation, and the purity of recovered silicon is about 70%. The silicon resources in MGSRS were recovered economically and could be used as the raw materials for the preparation of silicon alloy and high purity silicon.
Multi-Stain Multi-Level Convolutional Network for Multi-Tissue breast cancer image segmentation
Authors: Mishra Purnendu , Modi Akash , Jha Sumit , Kumar Rajiv , Aatre Kiran , Singh Gursewak , Mathur Shubham
Published: February 2024

Digital pathology and microscopy image analysis are widely employed in the segmentation of digitally scanned IHC slides, primarily to identify cancer and pinpoint regions of interest (ROI) indicative of tumor presence. However, current ROI segmentation models are either stain specific or suffer from the issues of stain and scanner variance due to different staining protocols or modalities across multiple labs. Also, tissues like Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS), ACINIs etc. are often classified as Tumors due to their structural similarities and color compositions. In this paper, we proposed a novel convolutional neural network (CNN) based Multi-class Tissue Segmentation model for histopathology whole-slide Breast slides which classifies tumor and segments other tissue regions such as Ducts, ACINIs, DCIS, Squamous epithelium, Blood Vessels, Necrosis etc. as separate class. Our unique pixel aligned non-linear merge across spatial resolutions, empowers models with both local and global field of view for accurate detection of various classes. Our proposed model is also able separate bad regions such as folds, artifacts, blurry regions, bubbles etc. from tissue regions using multi-level context from different resolutions of WSI. Multi-phase iterative training with context aware augmentation and increasing noise was used to efficiently train multi-stain generic model with partial and noisy annotations from 513 slides. Our training pipeline used 12 million patches generated using context aware augmentations which made our model stain & scanner invariant across data sources. We have achieved an Area Under curve (AUC) of 0.85 for tumor and 0.93 for other class on 35000 test patches distributed across stains, scanners and data sources. To extrapolate stain & scanner invariance, our model was evaluated on 23000 patches which were for a completely new stain (Hematoxylin and Eosin) from a completely new scanner (Motic) from a different lab. The mean IOU was 0.72 which is on par with model performance on other data sources and scanners. Our results illustrate that the proposed model exhibits remarkable accuracy with consistent performance and broad utility especially in facilitating pathologists’ assessment of breast cancer.
Association between Cooking Fuels and Hypertension among Women at Reproductive Age in Bangladesh: A Nationally Representative Population Dataset from the BDHS 2017-2018
Authors: Bishwas Md. Sajan , Alin Sayma Islam , Ashor Mokhtar , Paul Sneha , Chowdhury Devjani
Published: February 2024

Background: Air pollution, a critical environmental issue, encompasses various pollutants from several sources, including household fuel combustion. This study aimed to explore the association between cooking fuel types and hypertension among Bangladeshi women, using data from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS 2017–18). The study focuses on the high prevalence of solid fuel use (e.g., wood, animal dung) for cooking in Bangladeshi households and its potential impact on women’s health, particularly hypertension.
Methods: The BDHS data encompassed 5,219 women, with a stratified cluster sampling method used to ensure nationwide representation. The analysis included blood pressure measurements, categorizing participants into normal and hypertensive groups, and identifying cooking fuel type as the primary exposure variable. Covariates such as age, education, residence, body mass index (BMI), household size, wealth index, and stove location were considered in the multivariate model.
Results: Age, urban residency, education, wealth, obesity, and cooking fuel use all influence high blood pressure in various ways. Older individuals show a higher prevalence of high blood pressure. Obesity is a significant factor, with obese individuals having more than four times the odds of developing hypertension. The use of solid fuels for cooking is linked to a 13% higher likelihood of hypertension among women of reproductive age. More specifically, using solid fuel for cooking is associated with a 60% higher risk of elevated systolic blood pressure (OR 1.60, 95% CI: 1.21-2.12) and a 70% higher risk of elevated diastolic blood pressure (OR 1.70, 95% CI: 1.30-2.00).
Conclusion: The study underscores the health implications of household air pollution in Bangladesh, particularly for women exposed to solid cooking fuels. It highlights the need for public health interventions and policy shifts towards cleaner cooking technologies, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Despite its strengths, including a nationally representative sample and robust statistical analysis, the cross-sectional design limits the ability to infer causality. Future longitudinal studies are necessary to understand the temporal dynamics of cooking fuel use and hypertension. This research is crucial for global health, given the rising prevalence of hypertension and the extensive use of solid fuels in similar socioeconomic contexts.
Predicting Multiple Outcomes Associated with Frailty based on Imbalanced Multi-label Classification
Authors: Tarekegn Adane Nega , Michalak Krzysztof , Costa Giuseppe , Ricceri Fulvio , Giacobini Mario
Published: February 2024

Frailty syndrome is prevalent among the elderly, often linked to chronic diseases and resulting in various adverse health outcomes. Existing research has predominantly focused on predicting individual frailty-related outcomes. However, this paper takes a novel approach by framing frailty as a multi-label learning problem, aiming to predict multiple adverse outcomes simultaneously. In the context of multi-label classification, dealing with imbalanced label distribution poses inherent challenges to multi-label prediction. To address this issue, our study proposes a hybrid resampling approach tailored for handling imbalance problems in the multi-label scenario. The proposed resampling technique and prediction tasks were applied to a high-dimensional real-life medical dataset comprising individuals aged 65 years and above. Several multi-label algorithms were employed in the experiment, and their performance was evaluated using multi-label metrics. The results obtained through our proposed approach revealed that the best-performing prediction model achieved an average precision score of 83%. These findings underscore the effectiveness of our method in predicting multiple frailty outcomes from a complex and imbalanced multi-label dataset.
Development and Psychometric Assessment of the Measure of the Barriers to Discussing Sexual Wellbeing Among Arab Australian with Chronic Disease
Authors: alananzeh Ibrahim , Alomari Albara , Lord Heidi , Fernandez Ritin
Published: February 2024

Addressing sexual health is an essential component of health care. However, patients are reluctant to broach this topic with their health care providers. Moreover, there is no instrument available to assess the barriers relating to discussing sexual issues among patients with chronic diseases. This article describes the development and psychometric assessment of an instrument intended to measure the barriers to discussing sexual wellbeing among Arab Australians with chronic disease. Through a comprehensive literature review and in consultation with key experts, barriers relating to discussing sexual issues were identified and the Information for Sexual Wellbeing Tool (IBaRIT) was developed and completed by 84 participants. Psychometric analysis supports the use of the IBaRIT as a valid and reliable instrument for understanding the barriers to discussing sexual wellbeing among Arab Australians with chronic disease and developing the needed interventions.
Revolutionizing Breast Cancer Treatment: Unveiling the Effectiveness and Safety of Trastuzumab Deruxtecan through a Comprehensive Meta-Analysis
Authors: Qin Jiqiu , Sun Sheng , Ma Hong , Ding Peng , Yang Qin , Hu Lilai , Wu Deliu , Xiong Shaoquan
Published: February 2024

Objective
Targeting HER2 has significantly improved Overall Survival (OS) for breast cancer (BC) patients. Trastuzumab, a pivotal first-line BC drug, has transformed patient outcomes, and the introduction of trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) has provided an additional source of hope for patients with BC. The aim of this meta-analysis is to comprehensively appraise the clinical effectiveness and safety aspects of T-DXd in patients with BC.
Methods
Electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library, were methodically searched until April 6, 2023. Data analysis was performed using Stata 15.0.
Result
In total, 12 studies were encompassed, consisting of 3 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) providing data and 9 single-arm studies. In the RCTs, T-DXd were shown to OS[ES = 0.62, 95%CI (0.52,0.75); P = 0.826]、PFS[ES = 0.36, 95%CI (0.25,0.51); P = 0.003]、ORR[RR = 2.46,95%CI(2.18,2.78); P = 0.166], compared with Control group, in patients assigned to T-DXd show better outcomes. For single-arm studies, after T-DXd therapy, patients with breast cancer achieved an ORR[ES = 0.57, 95%CI (0.50–0.64)], DCR[ES = 0.94, 95%CI (0.91–0.97)].
Conclusion
T-DXd exhibits promising application prospects for breast cancer patients. However, further clinical trials and foundational research are imperative to robustly substantiate our findings.
Pattern of Cardiac Diseases and Co-Existing Comorbidity Among Newly Registered Adult Cardiac Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study at Jimma University Medical Center, Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia
Authors: Asefa Elsah Tegene , Jiru Gurmessa Shugute , Fedlu Hikma , Woyimo Tamirat Godebo , fogi Mohammed Mecha Aba
Published: February 2024

Introduction
Over the past decades cardiovascular diseases have emerged as the single most important cause of death and high economic burden worldwide. Low income and middle-income countries are seeing an alarming rise in cardiovascular disease. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries are facing an epidemiological shift from infectious disease to non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), diabetes, and obesity. More than 1 million deaths were attributable to CVD in sub-Saharan Africa, which constituted 5.4% of all global CVD-related deaths and 13% of all deaths in Africa. The pattern of cardiac diseases is dynamic, so this study aimed to assess the pattern of cardiac diseases among newly registered adult cardiac patients who were on follow-up at Jimma University medical center.
Methods
A cross sectional study was conducted to assess pattern of cardiac disease among newly registered cardiac patients who were on follow-up at cardiac clinic of Jimma Medical Center from September 2020 to September 2022. Patients were selected from their clinical records by using systematic sampling technique. The collected data were entered into EPI data and analyzed using SPSS (version 26.0).
Results
A total of 207 patients were studied, 110(53.1%) were males. Ischemic heart disease was the leading cardiac disease 74(35.7%) followed by rheumatic heart diseases 58(28%). Most of the patients, 164(79.2%) were from urban areas, and the most common valvular lesion identified was combined mitral regurgitation and mitral stenosis (MR + MS), 23 (39.6%). Hypertension was the most common comorbidity,44(21.3%).
The Effect of a Wheat Protein-based Magnesium Silicate Hydrogel Loaded with a Glucosamine Composite on the Regeneration of Cartilage
Authors: Zhang Haochen , Yang Lanqing , Ma Susu , Yao Bin , Cai Zhuyun , Xu Min , Wei Jie , Wei Qiang , Li Di , Niu Yunfei
Published: February 2024

How to treat cartilage defects effectively in the clinic has become a great challenge. Due to the lack of blood vessels, nerves and the lymphatic system, self-repair of cartilage usually cannot be achieved when damaged. Therefore, identifying a potential therapeutic method for cartilage regeneration is necessary. In the present study, wheat protein (WP)-based hydrogels loaded with magnesium silicate (MS) and glucosamine (GA) were fabricated via the sol-gel method, and the restorative effect of the resulting hydrogel composite (MSWG) on cartilage defects was also evaluated. The mechanical strength, biodegradability and hydrophilicity of MSW have been largely improved. Moreover, the porous structure of MSWG promotes cell adhesion, proliferation and migration. MSWG promotes the expression of genes and proteins related to chondrogenic differentiation in vitro To evaluate the effect of MSWG on cartilage regeneration in vivo, rabbit knee cartilage defects were established in this study, and MSWG composites were implanted into the defects. More cartilage and subchondral bone appeared around the defect in the MSWG group, and the chondrocytes seemed to mature. In conclusion, the addition of GA to MSW improved its physicochemical properties and biocompatibility. The synergistic effect of hydrogel composites has been proven to promote the expression of chondrogenic biomarkers and accelerate the repair of cartilage defects. MSWG hydrogel composites, as potential candidates, are promising for application in cartilage regeneration.
Verification of Tetrodotoxin Utilization Against Predators in Japanese Blue-lined Octopus Hapalochlaena Cf. Fasciata
Authors: Yamate Yuta , Takatani Tomohiro , Takegaki Takeshi
Published: February 2024

Many taxa secrete chemicals to avoid predation. The Japanese blue-lined octopus Hapalochlaena cf. fasciata has high levels of potent lethal tetrodotoxin (TTX) in the muscles and skin; thus, it has been hypothesized that TTX is a defense mechanism. However, this hypothesis is based on the relationship between the location and level of TTX possession, and it has not been verified whether TTX is actually secreted in response to predators. In determining whether the external secretion of chemicals is a predator avoidance behavior, TTX must be verified as targeted to predators. In this study, TTX concentrations in the arms (muscle and skin) of octopus decreased after 3 days of predator (moray eel) presentation. In addition, TTX was only secreted in the mucus on the body surface of the octopus in the presence of a predator. Our findings showed that octopuses secrete TTX in the muscle and skin for defense, indicating that H. cf. fasciata does not necessarily require a physical contact attack by the predator to stimulate TTX secretion and can recognize predators by visual or olfactory stimuli, secreting TTX in response.
Method for estimation of compressive strength by in-situ cutting mortar sheet
Authors: Yang Suhang , Cao Xiaoyun , Xu Zhifeng
Published: February 2024

To accurately estimate the compressive strength of in-situ cutting mortar sheets, a partially nondestructive testing (PDT) method, namely the innovative shear testing method (STM) is suggested. The mortar sheet from the horizontal masonry joint was removed by drilling a core. Load was applied through the designated STM apparatus to generate approximately pure shear stress and obtain the shear strength of the mortar sheet. The mortar board to withstand pressure from two opposite cone heads was tested and the peak load was recorded when the mortar board fails. The correctness of the test results can be demonstrated by the visible shear failure mode of the mortar sheets. Scattering characteristics were reviewed to check the reliability and repeatability of STM results. The compressive strength measured by STM is closely related to the cube compressive strength, ranging from M2.0 to M16.0. Comparative testing of STM with other available test methods confirmed that STM offers an alternative to in-situ testing of mortar compressive strength. The accuracy of STM is high, and samples extracted from masonry joints can be directly, repetitively, and quickly tested in-situ.
Multivariate physical activity signatures of physical well-being in children: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Stai Mari , Aadland Eivind , Andersen John Roger
Published: February 2024

Background
Physical activity is advocated to promote well-being among children. However, our understanding of the association between the full spectrum of physical activity intensity and physical well-being is limited.
Methods
A cross-sectional study design was applied to explore the associations between physical well-being and physical activity signatures in 10-year-olds. We also conducted stratified analyses for girls and boys without and with overweight/obesity. Kidscreen-27 was used to assess physical well-being, and accelerometers (ActiGraph GT3X+) were used to measure physical activity by deriving 23 intensity levels ranging from 0–99 to ≥ 10,000 counts per minute (cpm). Associations between physical well-being and physical activity were examined using partial least square regression analysis, adjusted for covariates.
Results
We included 722 fifth graders (10.2 ± 0.3 years, waist circumference 61.8 ± 7.4 cm, 51% boys). In the total sample, the physical activity signature explained 5.23% of the variance in physical well-being, 2.03% for girls and 9.06% for boys. The explained variance for boys without overweight/obesity was 8.63%, compared to 20.03% for those with overweight/obesity. There was no association for girls without overweight/obesity compared to an explained variance of 8.93% in those with overweight/obesity. The strongest associations were found for high-intensity physical activity (6000–7000 cpm).
Conclusion
Signatures displaying high-intensity physical activity were associated with better physical well-being in children, particularly in those with overweight/obesity.
Trial registration:
This study presents a cross-sectional secondary analysis of a cluster-randomised controlled trial: The Active Smarter Kids (ASK) study (Clinicaltrials.gov ID number, NCT02132494).
A needs assessment for enhancing workplace-based assessment: a grounded theory study
Authors: Andreou Vasiliki , Peters Sanne , Eggermont Jan , Schoenmakers Birgitte
Published: February 2024

Objectives
Workplace-based assessment (WBA) has been vigorously criticized for not fulfilling its educational purpose by medical educators. A comprehensive exploration of stakeholders’ needs regarding WBA is essential to optimize its implementation in clinical practice.
Method
Three homogeneous focus groups were conducted with three groups of stakeholders: General Practitioner (GP) trainees, GP trainers, and GP tutors. Due to COVID-19 measures, we opted for an online asynchronous form to enable participation. An constructivist grounded theory approach was used to employ this study and allow the identification of stakeholders’ needs for using WBA.
Results
Three core needs for WBA were identified in the analysis. Within GP Training, stakeholders found WBA essential, primarily, for establishing learning goals, secondarily, for assessment purposes, and, lastly, for providing or receiving feedback.
Conclusion
All stakeholders perceive WBA as valuable when it fosters learning. The identified needs were notably influenced by agency, trust, availability, and mutual understanding were factors influencing needs for WBA. Embracing these insights can significantly illuminate the landscape of workplace learning culture for clinical educators and guide a successful implementation of WBA.
Effects of global change on streamflow, water demand and supply: a case study from the Pyrenees
Authors: Domènech Marta , Travesset-Baro Oriol , Pesado-Pons Cristina , López-Moreno Juan Ignacio , Pons Marc
Published: February 2024

Water resources have a fundamental value for both ecosystems and society. However, changes in climate, population, consumption patterns, land use and urbanization are affecting its quality and future availability. In Andorra, a country located in the middle of the Pyrenees, the confluence of climate change and a socioeconomic model with an important weight of the tourism industry based on an intensive use of water could threaten the future sustainability of water resources. This paper analyses the water resources of Andorra and its future sustainability using the Water Evaluation and Planning system (WEAP) modelling tool. The WEAP-Andorra model presents an initial estimate of the national water demand segregated into the main water consumers in the country (i.e. tourism, residential, primary sector, snowmaking, and hydro power production). It explores the future evolution of water resources combining climatic, including an extreme drought scenario, and socioeconomic variables (i.e. demography, tourism, irrigation, and snowmaking trends). The model includes an Adaptation scenario to assess the impact of some strategic adaptation measures. The results indicate a significant decrease in annual streamflow across all simulated scenarios by 2050. In the global change scenarios, yearly streamflow is projected to decrease between 5.3% and 8.5%, while in an extreme drought scenario, the loss reaches 65.4%. The impact of global change on future water demand at the country scale is not expected to be compromised. However, in an extreme drought scenario, it could be affected. The sectors most affected by the combination of global change and drought could be ski resorts, especially to ensure snowmaking and hydropower production. The future frequency and duration of droughts will determine the severity of the unmet demand.
A Comprehensive Metagenomic Analysis of Bacterial and Fungal Microbiome Responses to Leaf-Based Compost Amendment in Soil, Unveiling the Bio-Fertilizing Potential
Authors: Mahongnao Sophayo , Sharma Pooja , Ahamad Arif , Nanda Sarita
Published: February 2024

A comprehensive understanding of soil microbiome dynamics is imperative for bolstering sustainable agricultural productivity and devising effective soil management strategies. This study investigates the impact of leaf and other compost amendments on soil microbial richness and diversity. Metagenomic profiling techniques targeting 16S rRNA genes and Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region were employed to examine the bacterial and fungal microbiome structure in both pre-plantation and post-harvest soils. The findings reveal a notable increase in beneficial bacterial and fungal genera in the soil amended with compost, including Bacillus, Nitrospira, Planctomyces, Myxococcus, Agromyces, Wallemia, Pichia, and Microascus. Conversely, pathogenic genera such as Corynebacterium, Burkholderia, Nocardia, Olpidium, Penicillium, Acremonium, and Alternaria exhibited higher abundance in soil amended with chemical fertilizers, highlighting the potential of bio-compost amendments in bioremediation and pathogen control. The post-harvest soil samples amended with leaf-based compost showed an increase of 116% in beneficial bacterial genera and a 21% increase in beneficial fungal genera, accompanied by a 59% and 60% decrease in pathogenic bacterial and fungal genera, respectively. In contrast, the chemical fertilizer amendment reduced beneficial bacterial and fungal genera by approximately 49% and 2%, respectively, while increasing pathogenic bacterial genera by about 132% in the post-harvest soil. The study underscores the significant impact of leaf-based bio-compost amendments on soil microbial richness, diversity, and overall soil health. Leaf-based bio-compost enhanced microbial diversity and functionality, fostering beneficial microorganisms that play pivotal roles in nutrient cycling, plant growth promotion, and strengthening soil ecosystem resilience.
Enhancing Photocatalytic Activity and Stability of Zeolite-Based Catalysts through Synergistic Effect of Doped Cations for Efficient Removal of Dye Contamination Enhancing catalytic activity using double- metal doped on zeolite structure
Authors: Moosavifar Maryam , Azarmehr Marzieh , Fathyunes Leila
Published: February 2024

The cationic interaction of binary metals in zeolite frameworks is a motivating field. Isomorphous substitution of Ti and Ce in the framework of NaY zeolite has been performed using post-synthesis treatment. Dealumination of the zeolite was performed by EDTA treatment, followed by the incorporation of Ce and Ti to decorate the metals in the zeolite framework. It was achieved in two steps based on their solubility in the corresponding solvents. The stability of the zeolite framework was studied using metal loading. It has been observed that as the amount of metals increased in the zeolite, the d spacing of the crystal lattice changed. Besides, at higher loading, certain metals are introduced into the framework, and others as exchangeable cations extra-framework in the zeolite network. The spectroscopic studies were used to characterize the modified zeolite, and the catalysts were studied for their catalytic activity in the photodegradation of 4-NP. Various parameters such as temperature, reaction time, pH, catalyst amount, and 4-NP concentration were studied to optimize the process. The synthesized catalysts show good activity for the photodegradation process. The study investigated the synergetic effect of Ce and Ti on the yield of photodegradation. The mineralization of 4-NP was confirmed by COD experiments with a removal efficiency of 68.76%. The catalyst was recoverable and maintained its catalytic activity after six runs. This finding is particularly significant as it suggests that the catalyst has the potential for industrial application and cost-effectiveness.
Clinical, Endoscopic, Pathological Characteristics and Managements of Cap Polyposis: A Real-world Study from China
Authors: Huang Lingyu , Lou Xiaoying , Chen Chunyu , Lu Yi
Published: February 2024

Background and aims:
Cap polyposis (CP) is a rare kind of benign disease, and the majority of previously published articles on it involve a small number of patients. Hence, we summarized our experience to add more data, hoping to raise awareness of this disease.
Methods
From January, 1st, 2017 to November, 1st, 2021, consecutive patients diagnosed with CP were retrospectively reviewed. Their medical histories, and laboratory, imaging, endoscopic, and pathology results were analyzed. We made telephone calls to the patients and searched for the information in our electronic medical records to obtain the follow-up results.
Results
Forty-one patients were chosen for analysis. The median age of the patients was 20 years old, and 90.24% (37 patients) of the patients were male. There were multiple and combined treatments for these patients. These treatments can be mainly divided into 3 categories: medical therapy, endotherapy and surgery. Medical therapy could help to diminish the size of the polyps but was difficult to resolve; however, the patients’ symptoms could be diminished. Twenty-three patients received surgical resection, and 12 patients received endotherapy. We further compared the two methods of polyp resection. Both endotherapy and surgery were safe, and the recurrence risk was not significantly different between the two kinds of therapy (P = 0.321).
Conclusions
The clinical improvement of medical treatments was not satisfactory, and endotherapy or surgical resection could remove the polyposis and provide temporary relief, but the recurrence rates were high.
Development of 225 Ac-doped Biocompatible Nanoparticles for Targeted Alpha Therapy
Authors: Toro-González Miguel , Akingbesote Ngozi , Bible Amber , Sanders Brian , Ivanov Alexander S. , Jansone-Popova Santa , Popovs Ilja , Benny Paul , Perry Rachel , Davern Sandra
Published: February 2024

Targeted alpha therapy (TAT) relies on chemical affinity or active targeting using radioimmunoconjugates as strategies to deliver α-emitting radionuclides to cancerous tissue. These strategies can be affected by transmetalation of the parent radionuclide by competing ions in vivo and the bond-breaking recoil energy of decay daughters. The retention of α-emitting radionuclides and the dose delivered to cancer cells are influenced by these processes. Encapsulating α-emitting radionuclides within nanoparticles can help overcome many of these challenges. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles are a biodegradable and biocompatible delivery platform that has been used for drug delivery. In this study, PLGA nanoparticles are utilized for encapsulation and retention of actinium-225 (225Ac). Encapsulation of 225Ac within PLGA nanoparticles (Zave = 155.3 nm) was achieved by adapting a double-emulsion solvent evaporation method. The encapsulation efficiency was affected by both the solvent conditions and the chelation of 225Ac. Chelation of 225Ac to a lipophilic 2,9-bis-lactam-1,10-phenanthroline ligand (225Ac-BLPhen) significantly decreased its release (< 2%) and that of its decay daughters (< 50%) from PLGA nanoparticles. PLGA nanoparticles encapsulating 225Ac-BLPhen significantly increased the delivery of 225Ac to murine (E0771) and human (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) breast cancer cells with a concomitant increase in cell death over free 225Ac in solution. These results demonstrate that PLGA nanoparticles have potential as radionuclide delivery platforms for TAT to advance precision radiotherapy for cancer. In addition, this technology offers an alternative use for ligands with poor aqueous solubility, low stability, or low affinity, allowing them to be repurposed for TAT by encapsulation within PLGA nanoparticles.
Phenotypic and functional characterization of bovine adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells
Authors: Powell Jeremy G. , Pokharel Sriya , Maldonado Vitali V. , Samsonraj Rebekah Margaret
Published: February 2024

Objective: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are increasingly trialed in cellular therapy applications in humans to treat several degenerative and inflammatory disorders. Not only are MSCs useful as a therapeutic for human diseases, but they can also be applied to treat a range of diseases in animals. Particularly, larger animals such as cattle can benefit from MSC therapies to combat inflammatory conditions and aging-associated degenerative disorders. Given that MSCs have multilineage differentiation and immunomodulatory properties, we sought to demonstrate the feasibility of obtaining MSCs from adipose tissue and characterizing cells using established phenotypic and functional assays.
Animals: Adipose tissue from three individual healthy cows was obtained from the tail head area and processed for MSC isolation.
Procedures: MSCs were isolated using in-house optimized tissue digestion protocols and characterized by performing colony formation assay, cell growth assessments, cell-surface marker analysis by immunocytochemistry, osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation, and secretion of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO).
Results: MSCs were successfully isolated from bovine adipose (bv-Ad) tissue and demonstrated the ability for prolonged culture expansion, colony formation, and differentiation into osteogenic and adipogenic lineages. Bv-AdMSCs secreted significant amounts of IDO with or without interferon-gamma stimulation, indicating the ability for immunomodulation.
Clinical Relevance: Research outcomes point toward the feasibility of achieving autologous bv-AdMSC cellular preparations that can be applied in the cattle industry as a cell therapy. Our methodology can be utilized by veterinary cell therapy labs for preparing autologous or allogeneic MSCs for disease management in cattle.