bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Associations between Nicotine Metabolites and Serum Neurofilament Light Chain Levels in the General Population
Authors: Tang Erhan , Ji Qianqian , Liao Yueting , Yang Jialei , Zhu Feiqi , Zhan Yiqiang
Published: May 2024

Background: Nicotine has been recognized for enhancing cognitive functions, with serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) as a biomarker for neurological conditions. However, the relationship between nicotine and its metabolites and sNfL levels remains underexplored. This study aims to investigate the associations of serum and urine levels of cotinine and trans-3’-hydroxycotinine (hydroxycotinine) with sNfL levels in a broad population.
Methods: Employing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2014, this cross-sectional study used multivariable linear regression models and restricted cubic splines to examine the links between cotinine, hydroxycotinine (both in serum and urine), and sNfL levels.
Results: Including individuals with an average age of 46.8 (SD=15.3) years—1069 women (weighted, 52.1%) and 984 men (weighted, 47.9%) for serum analysis, and 327 women (weighted, 49.5%) and 334 men (weighted, 50.5%) for urine analysis—the study found that sNfL levels positively correlated with serum and urine levels of cotinine and hydroxycotinine. Adjusted analyses revealed increases in sNfL levels in association with these substances, noting nonlinear associations for hydroxycotinine (serum and urine) and urine cotinine with sNfL levels.
Conclusions: The findings highlight significant positive relationships between serum and urine levels of cotinine and hydroxycotinine and sNfL levels, with novel U-shaped associations observed at low levels of urine cotinine and hydroxycotinine. These results suggest a potentially beneficial effect of low-dose nicotine or its metabolites on sNfL levels, warranting further research.
Emotional intelligence and resilience impact Sudanese adolescents’ mental health, 2022: A cross-sectional study.
Authors: Ibrahim Danya , Altahir Anfal M. , Abdalla Da'ad , Elkhidir Ibrahim , Abdelmagid Tarteel , SirElkhatim Dalya , Heamid Samah H. , Ali Babikr , Tamim Mohammed , Isam Osama , Abdelaziz Zahra , Mohammed Zainab , Seed-Ahmed Reem , Adil Awatif , Abdelgafour Rania Hassan
Published: May 2024

Background
Adolescents are sensitive to emotions and susceptible to psychiatric morbidity and disturbing behaviors including suicidality. Emotional intelligence is strongly correlated with resilience, which is considered a strong moderator for mental well-being. The study aimed to determine the level of emotional intelligence, resilience, depression and anxiety in Sudanese adolescents and the correlation between these factors.
Methods
In this cross-sectional study, 392 adolescents from four high schools completed a self-administered questionnaire consisting of the 30-item trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire- short form (TEQ-SF), Brief Resilience Scale-6 (BRS-6) and Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4).
Results
The emotional intelligence score was moderate to high (mean 131.53 ± 22.16). While resilience levels were low to normal (mean 3.20 ± 0.51). Students had mild to moderate degrees of anxiety, and depression at 89%, and 78% respectively. There was a positive association between emotional intelligence and resilience (r = .272, p < .0005). Emotional intelligence had no direct significant relationship with anxiety and depression, but resilience was positively correlated with anxiety (r = .105). Anxiety had a strong positive correlation with depression (r = 0.540) and a significant negative association with academic performance (r= -0.102). A significant contributor to the prediction of the resilience levels was the parents’ status (p-value = 0.011) with an unstandardized beta coefficient of 0.368.
Conclusion
The study revealed the prevalence of anxiety and depression among Sudanese adolescents and by boosting the students’ mental health their academic performance will improve.
The effect of DECO-MOM mobile application for a prenatal environmental health program on environmental health behaviors
Authors: Jo Haekyung , Kim Hyun Kyoung
Published: May 2024

Background: The DECO-MOM mobile program was developed to enhance prenatal environmental health behaviors among pregnant women, addressing the challenges of climate change and environmental pollution. This study aimed to explore the effects of the DECO-MOM app on personal and community health behaviors, quality of life, subjective health status, depression, anxiety, and e-learning satisfaction, guided by the revised protection motivation theory.
Methods/Design: This non-randomized controlled study employed a pre-post-test design with experimental and control groups. The study analyzed data from 31 participants in the experimental group and 34 in the control group after a four-week mobile application intervention conducted from September 26 to October 24, 2023, in three cities in South Korea.
Results: The experimental group demonstrated significant improvements in personal environmental health behaviors (p = .003), community environmental health behaviors (p = .001), quality of life (p = .043), and e-learning satisfaction (p = .005) compared to the control group. Significant increases were observed in subcategories such as lifestyle (p = .005), dust management (p < .001), reduction efforts (p = .001), involvement (p = .007), recycling (p = .005), reuse (p = .035), content satisfaction (p < .001), and communication satisfaction (p = .039). However, no significant increases were found in subjective health status, depression, or anxiety.
Discussion: The integration of tailored educational content delivered via mobile technology presents a viable strategy for prenatal health promotion. Future studies should explore the long-term impacts and scalability of such mobile-based interventions.
Trial registration: Trial registration Number: KCT0007725, Registered September 22, 2022. Prospectively registered.
Reference data for body composition parameters in normal weight Polish adolescents: results from the population- based ADOPOLNOR study
Authors: Kaczmarek Maria , Durda-Masny Magdalena , Hanć Tomasz
Published: May 2024

The purpose of this study was twofold: (i) to develop age- and sex-specific reference data on body composition parameters, including fat-free mass (FFM), body cell mass (BCM), total body water (TBW), muscle mass (MM) and fat mass (FM), and indices of FFM, BCM and FM, and (ii) to assess potential differences in these parameters between male and female adolescents aged 10-18 years. Data used in this analysis were obtained from the ADOPOLNOR study, a population-based transdisciplinary cross-sectional survey focussing on the health and quality of life of adolescents, conducted in the western part of Poland. A homogeneous subsample of 4,037 participants of participants of normal weight from all types of schools and socioeconomic backgrounds, including 2,005 male and 2,032 female adolescents, was selected on the basis of BMI for the analyses. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) was used to assess various components of the body. The RefCurv software package, version 0.4.2, was used to calculate age- and sex-specific centile values and to plot smoothed centile curves. Despite the observation that body composition parameters generally increased with age during adolescence, with the exception of FM%, which decreased in boys, there was a clear sexual dimorphism. Boys had consistently higher values for FFM, BCM, TBW,, and MM compared to girls, with statistical significance (p<0.01) noted from the age of 13 (FFM) or 14 (BCM, BCMI, MM) years or throughout adolescence for parameters such as TBW and FFMI. On the contrary, boys consistently had significantly lower values for FM, FMI and FM%, indicating a lower proportion of body fat compared to girls. Centile values and curves were obtained separately for boys and girls and for each chronological age category and compared with other European samples of adolescents.
Conclusion: The development of reference data for body composition in Central European adolescents is of paramount importance. These local reference data provide a contextualised framework that takes into account the unique physiological and environmental factors within the region. They can serve as an invaluable tool for research, screening and clinical assessment of nutritional status in adolescents.
Road damage detection and classification using deep neural networks
Authors: JIANG Yiwen
Published: May 2024

In addressing the challenges of enhancing road damage detection efficiency and accuracy, this paper introduces an optimized YOLOv8 model suitable for embedded systems. The model significantly enhances precision, recall, and mean Average Precision (mAP), achieving 65.7% mAP on the RDD2022 dataset, thereby surpassing models such as Faster R-CNN and SSD. This advancement is attributed to the integration of a Deformable Attention Transformer, a GSConv-powered slim-neck module, and the MPDIoU loss function. These innovations not only contribute to the model's high performance but also set a new benchmark in road damage detection technology, thereby paving the way for future enhancements in the field.
Blowouts in Sandy Grassland Areas: Analysis and Prediction of Spatial Patterns and Landscape Changes
Authors: Guo Ziyue , Gao Liang , Shi Huidong , Yu Ting , Jiang Hongtao , Hai Chunxing , Xie Yunhu , Zhu Li
Published: May 2024

Blowouts are a common type of wind-eroded landform found in sandy and desertified areas. They also represent a major degradative surface process affecting grassland ecosystems. Blowouts exacerbate changes in surface morphology through their effects on other surface phenomena including vegetation. This paper interprets sandy grassland blowouts occurring in Xilingol League, Inner Mongolia, using 3S extraction and high-resolution remote sensing image data from 1962, 1972, 1982, 2013, 2018 and 2023. The Landscape Pattern Index method and Fuzzy Land Use Simulation (FLUS) modelling applied to changes over the last six decades provided spatial evolution parameters for predicting future blowout distributions. Results showed that blowouts affecting the Xilingol grassland area increased by 16.81% over the past 60 years. The patch density (PD) increased by 0.9 hm− 2. The mean proximity index (PROX_MN) and mean Euclidean nearest neighbour distance (ENN_MN) showed a tendency to decrease and then increase indicating initial expansion and then merging of adjacent blowouts to create the present landscape. The FLUS model used ten factors to predict changes in blowout distributions from 2018 to 2033. Factors included digital elevation model (DEM), slope, aspect, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), mean annual temperature, mean annual precipitation, population density, real GDP, distance to water, and distance to impervious surfaces. It was found that grassland area decreased by 6217.12 hm2 and blowout area decreased by 102.91 hm2. Results of this study can expand understanding of blowout morphodynamics in ecologically sensitive areas.
The Impact of Fluid Management during ICU on the Prognosis of Patients with Acute Pancreatitis
Authors: guo jingsheng , zhang aiping , ni haibin , Lu Zhenfeng , song lin
Published: May 2024

Background: Acute pancreatitis is a severe inflammatory condition with 6.6-7.6% of patients needing ICU admission, and a mortality rate of approximately 20%. Early and aggressive fluid resuscitation is crucial, but excessive administration leads to complications. Fluid overload in the ICU correlates with adverse outcomes. Continuous fluid management during ICU stay is necessary. Therefore, fluid management post-ICU admission is significant. This study investigates the impact of ICU fluid management on the prognosis of acute pancreatitis patients.
Methods: This study utilized the MIMIC-IV database（2.2）.Data extraction used Navicat Premium (version 15). The study focuses on analyzing the relationship between fluid balance and patient outcomes, particularly mortality risk factors. SPSS (version 26.0) was used for statistical analysis. Normality tests, descriptive statistics, and comparisons were performed. Factors with p<0.1 in univariate analysis were included in multivariate analysis using logistic regression. Odds ratios and confidence intervals were reported. Model accuracy was evaluated with ROC curve analysis. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant.
Results: A total of 469 eligible acute pancreatitis were included in the data analysis. The mortality rate was 31.6%. Deceased patients were older and had higher comorbidity index, lactate levels, and daily fluid balance(P<0.01). Logistic regression analysis identified age, comorbidity index, lactate levels, and daily fluid balance as independent predictors of outcomes (AUC,0.683 (0.616-0.750), 0.691 (0.627-0.755), 0.692 (0.626-0.759), and 0.631 (0.563-0.70)). The combined model showed higher predictive accuracy (AUC,0.778 (0.718-0.839)). The optimal cutoff value for daily fluid balance was determined to be 1.162L, with a sensitivity of 66.7% and a specificity of 57.1%.
Conclusions: This study demonstrates a correlation between cumulative positive fluid balance during ICU hospitalization and adverse outcomes in acute pancreatitis. Factors such as older age, comorbidities, and high lactate levels are associated with poorer outcomes.
Identification of a novel oxidative stress-based molecular classification and treatment vulnerabilities in WHO grade II/III meningiomas
Authors: Luo Xiao-Xiao , Wang Jian-Hua , Hu Guang-Yuan , Yuan Xiang-Lin , Long Guo-Xian
Published: May 2024

Objective
The WHO grading based upon histopathology cannot accurately predict behaviors of meningiomas. Hence, the study proposed an oxidative stress-based molecular classification for WHO grade II/III meningiomas.
Methods
Differentially expressed oxidative stress-related genes were analyzed to develop a relative classification through consensus clustering. Immune-related characteristics and potential drugs were estimated. Three machine learning models: logistic regression, support vector machine, and random forest were built for testing the classification. Key oxidative stress-related genes were verified in human meningeal cells (HMC), and two meningioma cells (CH-157MN, and IOMM-Lee) via RT-qPCR and western blot. After knockdown of FOXM1 or PRNP, cell growth, migration, and ROS levels were measured through CCK-8, transwell, and immunofluorescence.
Results
The study classified high grade meningiomas into two oxidative stress-based clusters. Cluster 1 exhibited higher infiltrations of immune and stromal cells and higher expression of immune checkpoints: CD86, PDCD1, and LAIR1, indicating a better responding to immunotherapy. The three classifiers were proven to accurately differentiate the molecular classification. FOXM1 and PRNP were highly expressed in meningioma cells, and their silence potently hindered cell growth and migration and triggered ROS accumulation.
Conclusion
Our findings establish a novel oxidative stress-based molecular classification and identify potential treatment vulnerabilities in high grade meningiomas.
The Influence of Internet Information Exposure on Chinese Youth's Intention of Online Psychological Counseling: Based on SOR Theory and the Mindful Coping Model
Authors: Wang Yi , Qiao Tianrui , Liu Chao
Published: May 2024

Background: Psychological health is a prominent social issue worldwide and in China. However, the cultural values of Chinese people often lead to a reluctance to pursue psychological counseling. Simultaneously, the rapid development of internet medical services in China provides a solid foundation for online psychological counseling. The purpose of this study is to explore how information exposure, trait mindfulness, public stigma, and self-stigma among Chinese youth affect their intentions of seeking online psychological counseling.
Methods: Based on the SOR (stimulus-organism-response) theory, combined with a mindful coping model, a structural equation model was constructed to analyze the path of the effects of information exposure, trait mindfulness, public stigma, and self-stigma on behavioral intention. A total of 671 valid questionnaires were collected through online random surveys. First, SPSS 26.0 was used for questionnaire reliability and validity analysis, demographic characteristic difference testing, and correlation testing between variables. Secondly, Amos 26.0 was used to construct the structural equation model, verify the model fitting, identify the relationship between latent variables, and perform path testing.
Results: The study results indicate that 1) The intention of online psychological counseling among Chinese youth has significant differences in terms of age, occupation, monthly income, and previous counseling experiences. 2) Information exposure positively affects counseling intention (β=0.434, P<0.001), Trait mindfulness positively affects counseling intention (β=0.1, P<0.05), information exposure doesn't significantly affect public stigma (β=0.015, P=0.727), information exposure negatively affects self-stigma (β=-0.079, P<0.05), mindfulness character negatively affects public stigma (β=-0.421, P<0.001), mindfulness character negatively affects self-stigma (β=-0.115, P<0.001), public stigma positively affects self-stigma (β=-0.766, P<0.001), public stigma negatively affects counseling intention (β=-0.234, P<0.01), and self-stigma negatively affects counseling intention (β=-0.248, P<0.001).
Conclusions: Combining the SOR theory with the mindful coping model, it has been found that information exposure and trait mindfulness positively affect counseling intention, information exposure doesn't affect public stigma but negatively affects self-stigma, trait mindfulness negatively affects both public and self-stigma, and both public stigma and self-stigma negatively affect counseling intention. This study provides a sample for the SOR theory and the mindful coping model, and provides new insights and path support for individuals resisting the stigma of psychological illness and seeking professional help under Eastern cultural values.
Deciphering Alkaloid and Flavonoid Biosynthesis in Different Tissues of Sophora tonkinensis via Transcriptomics and Metabolomics
Authors: Liang Ying , Wei Guili , Liang Ximei , Tang Meiqiong , He Hong , Tang Danfeng , Lin Yang , Li Linxuan , Qin Shuangshuang , Wei Fan
Published: May 2024

Background：Sophora tonkinensis Gagnep is an important Chinese herbal medicine, with alkaloids and flavonoids being the primary pharmacological substances. However, theinformation on the metabolic pathways of alkaloids and flavonoids in S. tonkinensis are not well understood.
Results: This research delves into the molecular regulation of the accumulation of alkaloids and flavonoids in S. tonkinensis. By examining four tissues (seeds, leaves, stems, and roots), through high-throughput transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), it identified differential metabolites and genes related to alkaloid and flavonoid biosynthesis. Transcriptome analysis identified 2,727 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Among these DEGs, 35 were related to alkaloids and 48 to flavonoids. Furthermore, metabolome analysis revealed 296 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs), comprising 23 alkaloid-related DEMs and 23 flavonoid-related DEMs. Additionally, the weighted gene co-expression network analysis highlighted the potential of StCAO (evm.model.3.924) in regulating alkaloid biosynthesis and StCHIs (evm.model.3.2047, evm.model.1.2104, and evm.model.1.2101) in flavonoid biosynthesis. To reinforce these findings, qPCR validation confirmed the consistency of expression trends for 12 selected DEGs across the roots, stems, leaves, and seeds of S. tonkinensis.
Conclusion: This study provides a detailed exploration of the regulatory mechanisms of alkaloid and flavonoid accumulation and associated key genes in different S. tonkinensis tissues. These findings provide insights for future investigations into the regulatory mechanisms of alkaloids and flavonoids in S. tonkinensis.
Deep Learning Prediction of Survival in Patients with Heart Failure Using Chest Radiographs
Authors: Jia Han , Liao Shengen , Zhu Xiaomei , Liu Wangyan , Xu Yi , Ge Rongjun , Zhu Yinsu
Published: May 2024

Background: Heart failure (HF) is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. The value of deep learning survival prediction models using chest radiographs (DLSPCR) in patients with heart failure is currently unclear.
Objective: To develop and validate a deep learning survival prediction model using chest radiographs (DLSPCR) in patients with HF.
Methods: The study retrospectively enrolled a cohort of 353 patients with HF who underwent chest radiographs (CR) at our institution between March 2012 and March 2017. The dataset was randomly divided into training (n=247) and validation (n=106) datasets. Univariate and multivariate Cox analysis were applied to the training dataset to develop clinical and imaging survival prediction models. The DLSPCR algorithm was trained and the selected clinical parameters were incorporated into DLSPCR to establish a new model called DLSPinteg. Discrimination performance was evaluated by using the time-dependent area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (TD AUC) at 1, 3, and 5-year survival. Delong’s test was employed for the comparison of difference between two AUCs of different models. The risk-discrimination capability of the optimal model was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier curve.
Results: In multivariable Cox analysis, older age, higher N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-ProBNP), systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) > 50 mmHg, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III-IV and cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) ≥ 0.62 in CR were independent predictors of poor prognosis in patients with HF. As the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed, DLSPCR had better performance at predicting 5-year survival than the imaging Cox model in the validation cohort (AUC: 0.757 vs 0.561, P=0.01). DLSPinteg as the optimal model outperforms clinical Cox model (AUC: 0.826 vs 0.633, P=0.03), imaging Cox model (AUC: 0.826 vs 0.555, P<0.001), and DLSPCR (AUC: 0.826 vs 0.767, P=0.06).
Conclusions: Deep learning models using chest radiographs can predict survival in patients with heart failure with acceptable accuracy.
Serum lipid profiles of children with autism: A pilot study
Authors: Ma Yu , An Shigang , Wang Yaozhou , Luo Linyin , Peng Zhongbi , Wang Xike , Cui Yuxia , Hu Xiao , Wang Yi , Zhou Hao
Published: May 2024

Background
The etiology and pathogenic mechanism of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remain unclear. To provide data on the etiology and biomarkers of ASD, our study evaluated serum lipid levels and nutrition profiles of Chinese children with ASD.
Methods
A total of 32 ASD childrenand 59 healthychildren were enrolled in this study. We assessed thirteen biochemical indicators that reflect serum lipids and nutritional status. Univariate and multivariate analysis, spearman correlation analysis, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess differential indicator between the ASD and control groups and the diagnostic value for ASD.
Results
TG (odds ratio [OR] = 2.187, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.299-3.682), CHOL (OR = 1.808, 95% CI: 1.055-3.097) and ALB (OR = 4.709, 95% CI: 1.294-17.135) were the main factors that led to a diagnosis of ASD. Each of the differential indicators provided significant diagnostic value for ASD, including TG (AUC=0.6504, P=0.0182), CHOL (AUC=0.7055, P=0.0013), and ALB (AUC=0.7587, P<0.0001).
Conclusion
Impaired lipid metabolism may be related to the pathogenesis of ASD. TG, CHOL and ALB were important influencing factors that led to ASD and may be potential biomarkers for early diagnosis and treatment.
Returning to sport after pregnancy: A qualitative study of elite female athletes in the UK
Authors: O'Leary Noreen , Caro Catherine , Trow Storm , Bell Zoe , Payne Elana , Silverio Sergio A. , Lavelle Fiona , Flynn Angela C
Published: May 2024

Background: Returning to sport postpartum is becoming increasingly common for elite athletes. While policies to support women during this period are emerging, this remains an area of limited research. To date the lived postpartum experience of UK elite athletes as they returned to sport has not been explored.
Methods: This qualitative study collated the experiences of 11 women via online interviews. Data was analysed using thematic analysis.
Results: Three key themes were generated from the data: 1) navigating the mother-athlete identity 2) personal support and inspiration and 3) systemic supports. Athletes must navigate their return to sport, both in terms of their changed identity and practical challenges associated with having a child. Seeing other women navigate this journey provided encouragement to athletes that they could do this. Findings also illustrated the role of the athletes’ own sports community and wider organisations. Access to specific supports such as timelines for return to sport and nutritional advice positively impacted the athlete’s postpartum return to sport, as did access to maternity leave policies which protected funding during the pregnancy and postpartum period.
Conclusions: Moving forward, carrying out high-quality research to inform guidelines for elite athletes return to sport and developing national level maternity leave polices need to be seen as urgent priorities. This is to ensure that elite athletes are properly supported during the postpartum period and can resume their careers.
The landscape of pregnancy and prepregnancy cohorts: a scoping review
Authors: Maxwell Lauren , Gilyan Regina , Chavan Sayali Arvind , Akter Shaila , Bhatt Mahir , Cunningham Solveig A. , Jaenisch Thomas
Published: May 2024

Background
Recent research in life course epidemiology has demonstrated the importance of evaluating how prepregnancy and pregnancy exposures affect later life developmental outcomes. In this scoping review, we identified and described completed or ongoing pregnancy and prepregnancy cohorts to assess gaps in the maternal exposures and child outcomes measured in these initiatives and inform future research investments.
Methods
We developed a systematic search that included text and MeSH terms and was tailored for four biomedical citation databases. We applied the Arskey and O’Malley scoping review methodology. We selected a scoping review methodology to provide a comprehensive overview of pregnancy and prepregnancy cohorts and their characteristics. Two reviewers independently conducted the title, abstract, full-text screening, and data charting; a third reviewer resolved discrepancies. The results were summarised in narrative form.
Results
We reviewed 147 manuscripts that presented findings from 56 pregnancy and two prepregnancy cohorts, 23 of which were ongoing. Half of the pregnancy cohorts were based in Europe. The most commonly described maternal exposures were nutrition, anthropometric measures, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and demographic factors. Children’s mental, behavioural, neurodevelopmental, and physical outcomes were the most commonly measured outcomes. Fewer studies evaluated infectious disease, biomarkers, and environmental or workplace exposures. No cohorts examined vaccine or climate-related exposures during pregnancy. About half of the cohorts collected samples from pregnant women or the fetus and a third from children, with blood being the most common sample type. Most studies did not indicate how data or samples could be accessed.
Conclusions
This comprehensive overview of pregnancy and prepregnancy cohorts provides a foundation for cross-cohort coordination. Infectious disease, vaccine, environmental, and climate related exposures and microbiome, immune function, and economic outcomes remain underrepresented in pregnancy and prepregnancy cohorts.
Leveraging Adrenergic Receptor Blockade for Enhanced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Treatment via a Biomimetic Nanoplatform
Authors: Fei Bingyuan , Zhao Yuewu , Wang Jine , Wen Panyue , Li Junjie , Tanaka Masaru , Wang Zheng , Li Shuo
Published: May 2024

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is characterized by excessive lipid accumulation, steatosis and fibrosis. Sympathetic nerves play a critical role in maintaining hepatic lipid homeostasis and regulating fibrotic progression through adrenergic receptors expressed by hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells; however, the use of sympathetic nerve-focused strategies for the treatment of NAFLD is still in the infancy. Herein, a biomimetic nanoplatform with ROS-responsive and ROS-scavenging properties was developed for the codelivery of retinoic acid (RA) and the adrenoceptor antagonist labetalol (LA). The nanoplatform exhibited improved accumulation and sufficient drug release in the fibrotic liver, thereby achieving precise codelivery of drugs. Integration of adrenergic blockade effectively interrupted the vicious cycle of sympathetic nerves with hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and hepatocytes, which not only combined with RA to restore HSCs to a quiescent state but also helped to reduce hepatic lipid accumulation. We demonstrated the excellent ability of the biomimetic nanoplatform to ameliorate liver inflammation, fibrosis and steatosis. Our work highlights the tremendous potential of a sympathetic nerve-focused strategy for the management of NAFLD and provides a promising nanoplatform for the treatment of NAFLD.
Herpes Simplex Virus Encephalitis Complicated by IntraParenchymal Hemorrhage in an 8-Month-Old Female: A Case Report
Authors: Zare Samaneh , Hashemi Maryam , Ayareh Nazanin
Published: May 2024

Background: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis is a serious illness of the nervous system in children. While acyclovir treatment improves outcomes, mortality and morbidity are still considerable. Hemorrhagic consequences are uncommon and can cause diagnostic delays. This case report describes a child who experienced intraparenchymal bleeding as a result of temporal lobe encephalitis caused by the herpes simplex virus.
Case Presentation: An 8-month-old girl presented with fever, convulsions, and lethargy. Her initial antibiotic treatment did not improve her condition. CSF PCR proved HSV-1 encephalitis and brain CT showed intraparenchymal hemorrhage, which was a delayed finding. MRI revealed temporal lobe, basal ganglia, and posterior fossa involvement, which was consistent with HSV encephalitis. Treatment with acyclovir began promptly and the patient responded very well.
Conclusion: This case study highlights how patients with HSV encephalitis who do not improve with treatment should be evaluated for intraparenchymal bleeding. Prompt action and early diagnosis are essential for successful management.
Traveling Wave Fault Location for AC Transmission Lines: An Approach Based on the Application of EMD and Teager Energy Operator
Authors: Oliveira Andressa Pereira , Moreira Fernando Augusto , Picanço Alessandra Freitas , Vasconcellos Felipe Mendes
Published: May 2024

This paper proposes an approach for the single-ended and the double-ended traveling wave based fault location algorithm using the empirical mode decomposition associated with the Teager energy operator to extract characteristic data from the faulted voltage signals of an overhead transmission line. The simulation of the power system uses the JMarti line model, with an ideally transposed transmission line, and it was carried out using the Alternative Transients Program (ATP) software. After, the MATLAB® software was used for extracting the traveling wave arrival times and to perform the single-ended and the double-ended fault location algorithms for all simulated scenarios in ATP. The numerical and graphical results prove that the proposed methodology with the Teager Energy operator and the double-ended analysis can better extract the characteristic data of the voltage signals and estimate the fault location with good accuracy, with percentage error of 0.034% for the best results, depending only on the fault type and the sampling rate adopted.
An Observational Study of Oncological and Short-Term Outcomes in Laparoscopic Colon Surgery
Authors: Malet Marcelo Viola , Duffau Alexandra , Laurini Marcelo , Soumastre Alejandro , Brito Noelia , Domínguez Fabiana , Durán Federico , Rodríguez Pablo
Published: May 2024

Objective: The advancement of colorectal surgery through laparoscopic approach has represented one of the greatest challenges for digestive surgeons in the modern era.
The questioning of this approach oncological quality and radical nature was for many years the cause of the delay in its implementation in colonic pathology, mainly malignant.
Our objective is to share the results and analysis of the oncological quality of work we do in the Coloproctology Section of Médica Uruguaya (MUCAM).
Methods: This is a descriptive, retrospective, observational study on a prospective database of patients over 15 years of age undergoing consecutive laparoscopic colon surgery. Scheduled between December 2008 and December 2022 at MUCAM. 432 patients were operated on (377 cancer patients).
Demographical population carachteristics, hospital stay, suture leakage, reinterventions, 90 days mortality, nodal harvest, overall survival, cancer-related survival, disease-free survival.
Results: Our series including 53% women and 47% men, with an average age of 62.6 years (15-90 years). The average hospital stay was 4 days. We reported 5.5% suture leakage, 11.3% reinterventions and 3.2% mortality at 90 days. The average nodal harvest was 16. Overall survival was 77.7% and 65.5% at 5 and 10 years, and cancer-related survival was 82.7% and 79.2% at 5 and 10 years. Median survival was 136.6 months. The 5-year survival for Stage 0 is 96.6%, EI 91.7%, IBD 92.8%, EIII 80.3%, EIV 35.2
Our study has the limitation of being a retrospective study of a case series in a single health institution.
Conclusions: The above results show that laparoscopic colon surgery is feasible and safe in our environment, and are comparable with large prospective, randomized, multicenter studies.
The Effect of Eleventh Rib Excision on Perioperative Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Partial Nephrectomy for Upper Pole Renal Tumors
Authors: BAYLAN BURHAN , GUREL ABDULLAH
Published: May 2024

Introduction: We aimed to evaluate the effect of 11th rib resection.on the perioperative period TRIFECTA criteria in patients who underwent retroperitoneal partial nephrectomy (PN) with the diagnosis of upper pole kidney tumors.
Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the data of the patients who underwent Open PN for upper pole renal masses between 2018 and 2023. The patients were divided into two groups: PN with rib resection and PN without rib resection. The demographic characteristics, tumor sizes, PADUA scores, warm-cold renal ischemia times, mass excision and tumor bed suturing times, histopathological tumor type and surgical margin positivity of the patients were examined. Both groups were evaluated comparatively based on this data.
Results: The renal nephrometry scores of the two groups were similar. The total renal ischemia time was significantly shorter in the patients who underwent a rib resection than in those who did not (p <0.001). Both the tumor excision and tumor bed suturing times were significantly shorter in the group that underwent a rib resection than in the group that did not (p <0.001). The Clavien-Dindo complication grades were statistically similar between the two groups.
Conclusion: Complex in nature and high risk renal masses located in the upper pole of the kidney, partial nephrectomy performed with an 11th rib resection can be considered a reliable surgical option with a shorter ischemia time, supporting the preservation of long-term renal function.
Assessing the Public Health and Zoonotic Impacts of Giardia duodenalis Assemblages in Domestic Animals of Southwestern Iran
Authors: Asghari Ali , Motazedian Mohammad Hossein , Asgari Qasem , Shamsi Laya
Published: May 2024

Domestic animals play a vital role in the spread and transmission of various zoonotic agents to humans. Giardia duodenalis, an important enteric zoonotic parasite, is widespread globally. This research aimed to assess the presence and genetic diversity of G. duodenalis assemblages in domestic animals in Shiraz, southern Iran. 245 fresh fecal samples were collected from 87 dogs, 63 cats, and 95 cattle in Shiraz, the capital city of Fars province, between July 2021 and August 2022. None of the animals showed gastrointestinal signs such as diarrhea, and all fecal samples had normal consistency. Upon parasite observation using light microscopy, a DNA fragment of G. duodenalis tpi gene was amplified using nested-PCR. Using direct wet mount and Wheatley’s trichrome staining examination, 9 out of 245 samples (3.7%; 1 from dogs and 8 from cattle) tested positive for G. duodenalis. Molecular methods confirmed 1.1% (1/87) of dogs and 8.4% (8/95) of cattle to be positive. Giardiasis was not detected in cats. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Giardia isolates infecting dogs and cattle in Shiraz belonged to three genotypes/assemblages: A, B (zoonotic), and E (non-zoonotic). In cattle, assemblages E (75%; 6/8), A (12.5%; 1/8), and B (12.5%; 1/8) were identified, while dogs were infected with assemblage A (100%; 1/1). In Shiraz, southwestern Iran, domestic animals like cattle and dogs could potentially serve as reservoirs for zoonotic infections caused by G. duodenalis.
Profiling the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA interaction network in the cold-resistant exercise period of grape (Vitis amurensis Rupr.)
Authors: Ma Weifeng , Ma Lijuan , Ma Zonghuan , Li Wenfang , Lu Shixiong , Gou Huimin , Mao Juan , Chen Baihong
Published: May 2024

Background
Grape is a plant that is sensitive to low temperature and is vulnerable to low temperature damage. However, little is known about the roles of lncRNAs, miRNAs and mRNAs regulate the hypothermia response mechanism in Vitis amurensis Rupr.
Methods
In this study, the expression and regulatory network of low-temperature response genes were studied in phloem of grape under different low temperature stress.
Results
Here, we performed analyses related to RNA-seq and miRNA-seq on grape phloem tissues from five periods of cold resistance campaigns. Three RNA (lncRNAs, miRNAs and mRNAs) obtained by KEGG and GO analyses were used to identify starch and sucrose metabolic pathways associated with cold resistance, and specific changes in BP, CC, and MF were identified in four comparisons. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of these pathways were analysed by using Venn diagrams, thermograms and pathway maps respectively, to obtain their specific gene expression during cold exercise. The six DEGs were finally selected, and they were used for qRT-PCR to verify the RNA-seq data. In addition, we found the regulatory networks of miRNAs and lncRNAs correspond to the six DEGs. This study will contribute to further experimental studies to elucidate the cold resistance mechanism of Vitis amurensis Rupr.
Conclusions
The low temperature response genes of grape are mainly enriched in the metabolic pathways of starch and sucrose, and regulated by miRNA and lncrna, which will provide basic information for further understanding of the cold resistance mechanism of grape in the future.
Research on the Constitutive Model for Load Point Displacement in Large Span Towers Due to Long-Span Conductor Galloping
Authors: ShiJie Zou , Rui Zhu , BinXia Yuan , Hongli Wang , ShiWei Zhang , SiYuan Chen , JiaYang Zou , Wei Chen
Published: May 2024

This paper establishes an intrinsic function model for the displacement of the mounting point under the wind load of the conductor. This paper mainly takes the K1 cross-tower transmission line of 500kV transmission and substation project as the research object. Finite element analysis is used to establish the model and modal analysis is performed on the large-span tower-line coupling model to obtain the vibration modal data. Then, the average wind load is converted to the equivalent static load acting on the tower-line coupled system, and the transmission tower and conductor are mechanically analyzed. The loads at the tower suspension points are determined and a constitutive model of the displacements at these points is constructed. Error analyses of the model and simulated data provide a new perspective on the subsequent study of conductor dancing in transmission lines.
An examination of residents' mental health in particular Dhaka City neighborhoods in the context of civic health and environmental well-being
Authors: Islam Md. Zahirul , Gomes Reeju Francis Leonard , Islam Md. Ekhtekharul
Published: May 2024

The rapid urbanization and environmental degradation in Dhaka City, Bangladesh, have raised concerns about their potential impacts on residents' mental health. This study aims to explore the relationship between environmental quality in specific Dhaka City neighborhoods—Farmgate and Bashundhara Residential Area—and the mental health of its residents. Employing a quantitative methodology, we gathered data from 503 participants using online surveys, focusing on environmental factors such as noise, air, and water quality, alongside mental health indicators captured through the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and Residential Environmental Assessment Tool (REAT 2.0). Statistical analyses, including simple linear regression and Pearson’s chi-square tests, revealed a significant association between poor environmental quality, especially noise pollution, and adverse mental health outcomes, including reduced concentration, sleep disturbances, decreased confidence, and diminished overall happiness. The study highlights the critical influence of urban environmental conditions on psychological well-being, underscoring the need for integrating mental health considerations in urban planning and policymaking. These findings contribute to the growing evidence on the environmental determinants of mental health and call for enhanced strategies to mitigate these impacts in urban settings.
The critical social processes for standardising the ecological monitoring of Australian landscapes
Authors: Grypma Hitje-Aikaterini , Bardsley Douglas K. , Sparrow Ben
Published: May 2024

The social aspects of ecological monitoring are often overlooked. Ecological monitoring provides vital information for decision-makers and natural resource management practitioners to make informed environmental management decisions. For a long time, ecological monitoring across Australia has utilised a wide variety of different methodologies resulting in data that is difficult to analyse across place or time. Much of the ecological data that is currently generated in incomparable with other data or it has been collected using inappropriate methods for the intended aims. In response to these limitations, a new systematic approach to ecological monitoring has been developed in collaboration between the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network and the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water - the Ecological Monitoring System Australia. We found that environmental management stakeholders are not opposing the standardisation of ecological monitoring. However, key concerns emerged regarding the capacity needed to implement the standard protocols, the utility of the resultant data for regional projects, and the adaptability of the EMSA. Stakeholders emphasised the need for autonomy and flexibility, so their participation in protocol development can facilitate regional adoption of the standards. Respondents’ concerns about a perceived lack of genuine consultation and acknowledgement of feedback revealed the importance of clear communication at all stages of an environmental management project aiming to standardise practices. New approaches to environmental management will increasingly have to account for the complexity of socio-ecological systems in order to overcome the unprecedented challenges that will arise in the wake of future global change.
An aphid pest superclone benefits from a facultative bacterial endosymbiont in a host dependent-manner
Authors: Mahieu Leandro , González-González Angélica , Rubio-Meléndez María E. , Francis Frederic , Ramirez Claudio C.
Published: May 2024

The English grain aphid, Sitobion avenae, is a significant agricultural pest affecting wheat, barley, and oats. In Chile, the most prevalent and persistent clone (superclone) of S. avenae harbours the facultative endosymbiont bacterium Regiella insecticola. To determine the role of this bacteria in the ecological success of this superclone, the presence of R. insecticola was manipulated to evaluate the impact on 1) the reproductive performance of this clone in two host plant species (wheat and barley), 2) the production of winged morphs, 3) changes in the proteomic profile of insects, and 4) root/shoot ratio of plant. It was determined that this superclone of S. avenae proliferates differentially in the host plants studied depending on the presence of the facultative bacterial endosymbiont, observing that the clone develops better in wheat when it is infected with R. insecticola while the opposite occurs when it develops in barley. Aphid biomass was higher when harbouring R. insecticola, particularly in barley. Individuals infected with R. insecticola, in both host plants, showed higher proportion of winged individuals. The protein regulation of aphids on wheat was comparatively lower and stable than that on barley. A higher root/shoot biomass ratio was detected in wheat than in oats in plants attacked with aphids harbouring R. insecticola. R. insecticola significantly affects the reproductive and proteomic performance of the S. avenae superclone, changes influenced by the host plant, suggesting that the host plant x facultative endosymbiont interaction can drive host specialization intraclonally, partly the ecological success of the superclones.