bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health Status, Health Determinants, and Use of Preventive Services Among Frontline Workers in Homeless Services
Authors: Nagy-Borsy Emese , Kovács Viktória Anna , Árva Dorottya , Vokó Zoltán , Szeitl Blanka , Kiss István , Rákosy Zsuzsa
Published: February 2025

Introduction:

Homeless service workers play a key role in addressing the social and health needs of people experiencing homelessness, yet little is known about their own health status and behaviors.

Methods:

A nationwide survey of Hungarian homeless service workers (n = 548) was conducted using a short version of the European Health Interview Survey. The results were compared with age- and sex-adjusted data from the general Hungarian population.

Results:

Despite reporting good health, one-third of homeless service workers had long-standing health problems, with one-fourth experiencing activity limitations. Mild (29.1% vs 17.2%) and moderate (8.5% vs 4.7%) depressive symptoms were nearly twice as prevalent among service workers. They also reported lower daily consumption of fruits and vegetables (41.4% and 26.3% vs 57.0% and 45.4%) and a higher rate of daily smoking (35.4% vs 26.4%). Additionally, 59.3% were classified as overweight or obese. Participation in organized cancer screenings was higher among homeless service workers but stayed below 50% in both groups.

Conclusions:

These findings can serve as a foundation for developing strategies to improve the health status of homeless service workers. Ultimately, this benefits both the workforce and the quality of services provided.
Barriers and Facilitators to Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Health Fair Attendees in Utah
Authors: Johnson Jordan E. , Pauleck Svenja , Williamson Andrea J.H. , Pahlkotter Maranda , Brecha Federica S. , Ferre Nathaniel , Ortiz Nancy , Marcus Robin L. , Hardikar Sheetal , Cohan Jessica N.
Published: February 2025

Background:

Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening uptake remains suboptimal despite the importance and effectiveness of various testing options. The purpose of our study was to identify barriers and facilitators to CRC screening in a community-based sample in Salt Lake County, Utah to inform future efforts to develop effective interventions to increase CRC screening.

Methods:

This study enrolled adults eligible for CRC screening at 6 community health events. Participants completed targeted questionnaires based on whether they had discussed screening with a provider and whether they had received screening. We identified participant-reported barriers to CRC screening using descriptive analysis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify participant characteristics associated with receipt of screening.

Results:

Of the 117 participants who completed the questionnaires, 43.6% were 50 to 60 years old, 36.8% identified as white, and 51.3% identified as non-Hispanic. The most common barrier to colonoscopy was the need for extensive bowel preparation (30.8%). For stool tests, common barriers included handling stool (20.5%) and not understanding how to do the test (20.5%). For virtual colonoscopy, barriers included the need for extensive bowel preparation (21.4%) and cost (21.4%). Most participants (67.5%) believed that they should know about all CRC screening options available, and their importance. The majority of participants (68.4%) preferred to learn about CRC screening from their doctor or healthcare provider. Younger age was associated with non-screening.

Conclusion:

We observed that study participants faced procedural barriers to complete CRC screening and preferred to learn about CRC screening options through their providers. Younger age groups were less likely to receive screening within our study sample. Future, targeted interventions to increase CRC screening should focus on increasing the awareness of the importance of CRC screening and educating patients on the various screening options available and their benefits, especially as they pertain to less invasive tests and targeting younger individuals.
Antecedents and Outcomes of Masstige Value: A Multidimensional Approach
Authors: Shah Muhammad Abdul Rauf , Shah Aamir Zubair
Published: February 2025

The purpose of this study is to explore and discuss the concept of masstige value. The authors present a taxonomy of the main antecedents and outcomes of masstige value and empirically assess our model. A survey design using cross-sectional primary data from 500 Pakistani Titan wristwatch consumers was used. Hypotheses related to antecedents and outcomes of masstige value were tested employing structural equation modeling. Findings show that masstige value is triggered by five antecedents (intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, social motivation, actual self-concept, ideal self-concept) and leads to five behavioral outcomes (cognitive attitude, affective attitude, conative attitude, attitudinal loyalty, behavioral loyalty). This paper explores and outlines theoretically and empirically the antecedents and outcomes of masstige value. It also provides a useful taxonomy of masstige value.
Signing Off: An Examination Into Female Journalists Leaving Legacy Media
Authors: Mirabito Timothy , Collett John , Talbott Jack
Published: February 2025

The role of female journalists in local television news is a tenuous space. Having women occupy jobs in traditionally hegemonically male roles enriches perspective and content. Simultaneously, the work environment can be challenging—often hostile—which leads to negative work experiences for female practitioners. The instability has led to an outflow of women opting out of the television news industry. The purpose of this study was to investigate why female local sports journalists were leaving the business. Researchers conducted 27 semi-structured interviews with local sports television journalists who left their jobs in the last four years (since 2020). The findings of this study rendered two main themes and one smaller secondary theme that offered a perspective on several variables behind these decisions and important distinctions between those factors facing women and men. Many of the variables influencing practitioners to leave were similar. For instance, almost every respondent offered low salary and bad schedules as reasons for getting out. However, findings showed that women made less money and did not serve in newsroom leadership roles, which meant they had even worse schedules. The conclusion of this study is that newsroom leaders need to address the stronger headwinds facing female journalists and need to be more strategic about fostering healthier work environments for women in the newsroom.
Is There a Hamstring Autograft Diameter Threshold for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction?
Authors: Mirzayan Raffy , Chang Richard N. , Royse Kathryn E. , Reyes Chelsea E. , Prentice Heather A. , Maletis Gregory B.
Published: February 2025

Background:

Hamstring autograft (HA) is a popular graft for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Although multiple studies have demonstrated that increasing the graft diameter decreases the risk of failure or revision surgery, the exact minimum graft diameter remains controversial, with the unofficial standard being 8 mm.

Purpose:

To evaluate the risk of aseptic revision after HA-ACLR in patients aged ≤25 years, comparing graft diameters of (1) <8 versus ≥8 mm and (2) ≤8 versus >8 mm. A secondary purpose was to determine whether there was a threshold for graft diameter that best identifies patients at a higher risk of aseptic revision.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A total of 5972 primary HA-ACLRs were identified using data from the ACLR registry of Kaiser Permanente. Propensity score–weighted Cox regression was used to evaluate revision risk for HAs with <8 versus ≥8 mm diameter and with ≤8 versus >8 mm diameter. An effect plot and receiver operating characteristic curve and area under the curve (AUC) analysis were also created to model the probability of revision based on the HA diameter to determine whether there was a specific diameter threshold to minimize revision risk.

Results:

In the propensity score–weighted Cox model, <8 mm autografts had a higher risk of aseptic revision compared with ≥8 mm autografts (hazard ratio [HR], 1.32 [95% CI, 1.01-1.71]; P = .039); a higher risk was also observed when comparing ≤8 to >8 mm grafts (HR, 1.32 [95% CI, 1.06-1.66]; P = .015). In receiver operating characteristic analysis, an HA diameter that best identified patients at a higher risk for revision after ACLR could not be identified (AUC, 0.56). However, the adjusted effect plot showed a direct decrease in revision risk with each increasing increment in graft size.

Conclusion:

A 32% higher risk of revision was observed in smaller graft diameter groups (<8 or ≤8 mm) compared with larger graft sizes (≥8 or >8 mm), regardless of specific diameter cutoff. In a cohort of almost 6000 HA-ACLR, the authors were unable to determine a definitive minimum graft diameter threshold that should be used.
Innovations in skin cancer treatment: The role of nanotechnology and cellular biotechnology
Authors: Mamadapur Shakeel Ahmed , Jadhav Hemangi Yashwant , Lodh Moushumi , Kale Preeti
Published: February 2025

Advancements in nanotechnology and cellular biotechnology are revolutionizing skin cancer treatment. Nanotechnology enables smart nanoparticles for precise drug delivery, enhanced imaging, and real-time treatment monitoring, targeting tumors with high specificity and improving outcomes. Theranostic systems further personalize therapy by combining treatment with diagnostics. Cellular biotechnology, especially through gene editing and synthetic biology, offers new cancer therapies, with techniques like CRISPR-Cas9 refining immune-based treatments such as CAR-T cells. These innovations are steering skin cancer therapy toward more personalized and effective approaches. However, challenges in safety, scalability, and regulation remain. Addressing these through interdisciplinary collaboration and robust regulatory frameworks is crucial, particularly for the integration of nanotechnology and cellular biotechnology in combination therapies for advanced or resistant skin cancers.
VALID: A Checklist-Based Approach for Improving Validity in Psychological Research
Authors: Kerschbaumer Susanne , Voracek Martin , Aczél Balazs , Anderson Samantha F. , Booth Brandon M. , Buchanan Erin M. , Carlsson Rickard , Heck Daniel W. , Hiekkaranta Anu Pauliina , Hoekstra Rink , Karch Julian D. , Lafit Ginette , Lin Zhicheng , Liu Siwei , MacKinnon David P. , McGorray Emma L. , Moreau David , Papadatou-Pastou Marietta , Paterson Helena , Perera Robert A. , Schad Daniel J. , Sewell David K. , Syed Moin , Tay Louis , Tendeiro Jorge N. , Toland Michael D. , Vanpaemel Wolf , van Ravenzwaaij Don , Voncken Lieke , Tran Ulrich S.
Published: February 2025

In response to the replication and confidence crisis across various empirical disciplines, ensuring the validity of research has gained attention. High validity is crucial for obtaining replicable and robust study outcomes when both exploring new questions and replicating previous findings. In this study, we aimed to address this issue by developing a comprehensive checklist to assist researchers in enhancing and monitoring the validity of their research. After systematically analyzing previous findings on validity, a comprehensive list of potential checklist items was compiled. Over the course of three rounds, more than 30 interdisciplinary and psychological-science experts participated in a Delphi study. Experts rated items on their importance and were given the opportunity to propose novel items as well as improve existing ones. This process resulted in a final set of 91 items, organized according to common stages of a research project. The VALID checklist is accessible online ( https://www.validchecklist.com/ ) and provides researchers with an adaptable, versatile tool to monitor and improve the validity of their research and to suit their specific needs. By focusing on adaptiveness during its development, VALID encompasses 331 unique checklist versions, making it a one-stop solution suitable for a wide range of projects, designs, and requirements.
Interaction of genetic variants and methylation in transcript-level expression regulation in Alzheimer’s disease by multi-omics data analysis
Authors: Han Seonggyun , Cho Soo-ah , Choi Wongyung , Eilbeck Karen , Coon Hilary , Nho Kwangsik , Lee Younghee
Published: February 2025

Background

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) presents a significant public health problem and major cause of dementia. Not only genetic but epigenetic factors contribute to complex and heterogeneous molecular mechanisms underlying AD risk; in particular, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and DNA methylation can lead to dysregulation of gene expression in the AD brain. Each of these regulators has been independently studied well in AD progression, however, their interactive roles, particularly when they are located differently, still remains unclear. Here, we aimed to explore the interplay between SNPs and DNA methylation in regulating transcript expression levels in the AD brain through an integrative analysis of whole-genome sequencing, RNA-seq, and methylation data measured from the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

Results

We identified 179 SNP-methylation combination pairs that showed statistically significant interactions associated with the expression of 67 transcripts (63 unique genes), enriched in functional pathways, including immune-related and post-synaptic assembly pathways. Particularly, a number of HLA family genes (HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C, HLA-DRB1, HLA-DRB5, HLA-DPA1, HLA-K, HLA-DQB1, and HLA-DMA) were observed as having expression changes associated with the interplay.

Conclusions

Our findings especially implicate immune-related pathways as targets of these regulatory interactions. SNP-methylation interactions may thus contribute to the molecular complexity underlying immune-related pathogenies in AD patients. Our study provides a new molecular knowledge in the context of the interplay between genetic and epigenetic regulations, in that it concerns transcript expression status in AD.
Identification of key genes controlling anthocyanin biosynthesis in the fruits of a bud variety of Tarocco blood-orange
Authors: Zhang Peian , Zhao Quan , Song Yang , Jin Huanchun , Liu Yingyao , Hu Dan , Liu Dongfeng
Published: February 2025

Tarocco is a prevalent blood-orange variety in China, has a bud variant identified in Wenzhou City. To characterize the quality traits and molecular mechanisms underlying inhibition of anthocyanin synthesis in this variety, we collected fruits of Tarocco (WT) and the bud variant Ouya (MT) at nine developmental stages. Their anthocyanin, soluble sugar, and organic acid profiles were examined, and transcriptomes and metabolites were analyzed at three developmental stages. The results revealed that MT is a new blood orange variety with weak anthocyanins and a better sugar-acid ratio than the WT. The content of anthocyanin in MT fruits were significantly lower than those in WT fruits, especially cyanidin-like anthocyanins, while the flavone contents exhibited no remarkable variation. A total of 64 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including five transcription factors (TFs), five methylation-related genes, and one flavonoid biosynthesis gene, were identified between WT and MT at three fruit developmental stages. The potential regulatory networks of these TFs were further constructed using weighted gene co-expression network analysis.Furthermore, in MT fruit treated with the 5-azacytidine, we observed hypomethylation of anthocyanins accumulated in the pulp and the promoters and genebodies of some anthocyanin synthesis-related genes. These results provide new insights into the influence of DNA methylation on anthocyanin accumulation in MT and also provide support for the promotion of MT as a new variety.
GATA3 amplification is associated with high grade disease in non-invasive urothelial bladder cancer but unrelated to patient prognosis
Authors: Plage Henning , Frericks Adrian , Hofbauer Sebastian , Furlano Kira , Weinberger Sarah , Roßner Florian , Schallenberg Simon , Elezkurtaj Sefer , Lennartz Maximilian , Marx Andreas , Samtleben Henrik , Fisch Margit , Rink Michael , Slojewski Marcin , Kaczmarek Krystian , Ecke Thorsten , Koch Stefan , Simon Ronald , Sauter Guido , Zecha Henrik , Weischenfeldt Joachim , Klatte Tobias , Minner Sarah , Horst David , Schlomm Thorsten , Kluth Martina
Published: February 2025

Purpose

We aimed to assess the impact of GATA3 binding protein (GATA3) gene copy number alterations on tumor aggressiveness, patient prognosis, and GATA3 protein expression in a large urothelial bladder cancer cohort.

Methods

A tissue microarray containing over 2,700 urothelial bladder cancers (pTa-pT4) was analyzed retrospectively using dual-labeling fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) with probes for GATA3 (10p14) and centromere 10. GATA3 copy number gains were categorized as GATA3 elevation (ratio GATA3/centromere ≥ 2/≤4), low-level amplification (ratio > 4/≤12), and high-level amplification (ratio > 12) and deletions were divided between homozygous and heterozygous.

Results

GATA3 copy number gain was detected in 9.9% of 2,213 interpretable tumors, including 2.0% with GATA3 elevation, 3.2% with low-level amplification, and 4.7% with high-level amplification. The frequency of high-level amplification increased from pTa G2 low (0%) to pTa G3 tumors (12% [CI 0.07;0.21]; p < 0.0001 pTa G2 low vs. pTaG2 high) but decreased in advanced-stage carcinomas pT2-4 with 5.4% [CI 0.07;0.21] (p < 0.0001, pTa vs. pT2-4). In muscle-invasive carcinomas, GATA3 amplification was not linked to tumor aggressiveness or patient survival. Overall, no homozygous GATA3 deletion was detected and heterozygous GATA3 deletion was only observed in 1.1%; of 1,432 pT2-4 tumors without any association to cancer progression. While GATA3 copy number was significantly correlated with GATA3 expression (p < 0.0001), the relationship was not strong. Only 2.3% of GATA3-negative cancers had a deletion, and 42.1% of strong GATA3-expressing cancers exhibited high-level amplification.

Conclusion

High-level GATA3 amplification is common in urothelial bladder cancer and correlates with grade progression in pTa tumors, while GATA3 deletion is rare. Neither amplification nor deletion appears to be the primary driver of GATA3 expression dysregulation.

Clinical trial number

Not applicable.
Increasing challenges of general practitioner-oncologist interaction in end-of-life communication: a qualitative study
Authors: Villalobos Matthias , Korezelidou Anastasia , Unsöld Laura , Deis Nicole , Thomas Michael , Siegle Anja
Published: February 2025

Background

The timely initiation of end-of-life (EOL) conversations is considerered best practice for patients with advanced cancer and therefore recommended in oncological guidelines. General practitioners (GPs) play a key role in the coordination of EOL-care and often claim that they have also the responsibility to initiate the necessary conversations. Nonetheless, the content of these conversations is rarely a subject of communication between GPs and oncology specialists but crucial for timely integration of palliative care. The aim of this study is to explore the GPs‘ perspectives on initiation and conduction of EOL-conversations in patients with metastatic lung cancer and how they perceive the interaction with the oncologists of a cancer center.

Methods

Qualitative design with in-depth interviews with GPs that refer patients with metastatic lung cancer to a cancer center; thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke.

Results

We identified three main themes: timing and conduction of EOL-conversations, factors influencing EOL-conversations, and modes of GP-oncologist interaction. All themes showed important and increasing challenges in regard to communication strategies or procedures within the cancer center and between general practitioners and oncologists. Aside from the elucidated challenges of EOL-communication, new problems arise from the difficulties in keeping pace with advances in oncology and the increasing prognostic uncertainty. Additionally, the lack of standardized communication in EOL-topics between GPs and oncologists is underlined. Options in the mode of interaction include written information in reports or digital platforms and direct phone calls.

Conclusions

Because of the growing complexity in modern oncology, strategies for improvement in GP-oncologist interaction have to consider information about therapeutic advances and prognosis of patients. The increasing prognostic uncertainty hazards the adequate provision and conduction of EOL-conversations and thus, the timely integration of palliative care. As a consequence, a trustful personal interaction that includes direct contact via phone calls between GPs and oncologists should be encouraged.
Emotions and feelings in neuroscience education across career stages: a qualitative study with views from alumni, junior and senior academics
Authors: Sandrone Stefano
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Emotions and feelings are crucial components of our lives. However, their role in medical education scholarship, including in neuroscience education, has been overlooked. Moreover, their impact has been understudied in academia, especially across career stages. We explored emotions and feelings in the context of neuroscience education and across different career stages.

Methods

This work is based on a project exploring the value of learning in postgraduate education, drawing on data from nineteen semi-structured interviews with university alumni and academics. Eight alumni (six females and two males) and eleven academics from a UK-based STEM-intensive institution participated in the study. Alumni refers to former students who have completed the MSc in neuroscience at a STEM-intense institution within the last six years. Lecturers and Senior Lecturers in neuroscience have been labelled as junior academics, whereas Readers and Professors have been labelled senior academics.

Results

The alumni recognised their master experience was intense and challenging, yet acknowledged that enjoyment and stress are two faces of the same coin. Many cited their peers as an inspiration to go beyond the limits but only one student mentioned gratitude, which was never mentioned by the academics. At least one alumnus and one junior academic mentioned trust and confidence, but not the senior academics. Anxiety and confidence (and lack of) dominated the interviews with junior academics, who used intense words when discussing the pleasures of science. Conversely, the senior academics dedicated few words to emotions and feelings, never talked about anxiety, trust or gratitude, and very briefly mentioned the reward linked to sharing their knowledge with the next generations.

Discussion

This work epitomises the importance of exploring emotions and feelings in neuroscience education. Talking more openly about emotions and reducing the pervasive narration of ‘success stories’ might be directions to follow, along with stressing the importance of cultivating self-efficacy, trust and gratitude since the early stages. Meetings between students and supervisors can play a key role in developing self-trust among the students. More focus should be placed on supporting the transition process between postgraduate studies and the subsequent steps of the academic ladder.
Mandatory verses voluntary self-tests for new online casino customers: effect on engagement, quality, gambling behavior and use of responsible gambling measures
Authors: Jonsson Jakob , Lakew Nathan , Lindner Philip
Published: February 2025

Background

To combat the public health concern that is problem gambling, gambling operators are increasingly being required by legislation to exercise a duty of care obligation, including the provision of Responsible Gambling (RG) tools. Self-test assessments have long been a popular RG tool implemented by many operators, yet there has been scant empirical research on self-tests, including on how the method of delivery impacts engagement, quality, and subsequent gambling behavior. The main objective of the current study was to examine if the level of voluntariness to perform a self-test moderated these key outcomes.

Method

Participants in the study, 1800 new online customers at a leading Swedish gambling company, were randomized to one of three arms: No message (control), up to four messages inviting them to do a self-test, and one message with a mandatory (but technically possible to circumvent) self-test. The interventions were presented when the customer logged in.

Results

The results showed that 38.9% in the mandatory group and 4.8% in the voluntary group completed the self-test, with indications of a somewhat lower quality of the test by the mandatory group. There was no difference in customer churn or gambling behavior, and only minor differences in use of RG-measures post intervention.

Conclusions

We conclude that presentation format matters and can affect the use and quality of tests: gambling operators should exercise caution when interpreting non-risk assessment results derived solely from self-test tools, particularly mandatory ones, as it can result in inaccurate risk assessments that may mislead duty of care obligations. The balance between achieving high participation and maintaining quality (and thereby meaningfulness) is discussed.
Inclusive health for people with disabilities in Chile: a national health system assessment
Authors: Rodríguez Gatta Danae , Piriz Tapia Constanza , Tagle Schmidt Elvira , Luna Benavides Jimena , Vivar Jara Daniel , Moreno Celis Rodrigo , Tobar Carrizo Gonzalo , Vilaró Cáceres Judit , Heydt Phyllis , Banks Lena Morgon , Kuper Hannah
Published: February 2025

Background

Globally, one in six people have disabilities. They often experience health inequities and many of them arise from system-level failures. This study aimed to assess the inclusion of people with disabilities in the health system of Chile and define recommendations for improvement on the basis of the evidence.

Methods

A health system assessment was conducted between June and November 2023 following the Missing Billion Disability-Inclusive Health Systems Framework and System Level Assessment Toolkit. The assessment was led by the Ministry of Health and conducted by a task team, including organizations of people with disabilities. Mixed methods were used to collect data on nine system-level and service delivery components for a set of 33 indicators, including through a health policy review, systematic review, key informant interviews and a scoping review. Scores were assigned to indicators, components and the overall health system. With this assessment, key recommendations were developed and agreed upon on the basis of a prioritization analysis of impact and feasibility during workshops.

Results

The Chilean health system was assessed to have a low progress towards disability-inclusive health. Among system-level components, intermediate progress has been made in governance, health financing and data and evidence. However, progress in leadership on disability seems low. Among service delivery components, the accessibility of health facilities and rehabilitation and assistive technology showed the best results. However, there were notable gaps in the autonomy and awareness and ability to afford care by people with disabilities, and the capacity of human resources to support this group. The task team defined priority actions in governance, leadership, and human resources.

Conclusions

Short-term actions for the country should involve foundational governance on inclusive health, strengthened leadership of people with disabilities, and mandatory training of healthcare workers to improve healthcare access among this population. Future reassessments should be conducted to monitor and evaluate progress on effective healthcare coverage and health status among people with disabilities.
Automated pipeline for leaf spot severity scoring in peanuts using segmentation neural networks
Authors: Larsen Joshua , Dunne Jeffrey , Austin Robert , Newman Cassondra , Kudenov Michael
Published: February 2025

Background

Late and early leaf spot in peanuts is a foliar disease contributing to a significant amount of lost yield globally. Peanut breeding programs frequently focus on developing disease-resistant peanut genotypes. However, existing phenotyping protocols employ subjective rating scales, performed by human raters, who determine the severity of leaf spot infection. The objective of this study was to develop an objective end-to-end pipeline that can serve to replace an expert human scorer in the field. This was accomplished using image capture protocols and segmentation neural networks that extracted lesion areas from plot-level images to determine an appropriate rating for infection severity.

Results

The pipeline incorporated a neural network that accurately determined the infected leaf surface area and identified dead leaves from plot-level cellphone imagery. Image processing algorithms then convert these labels into quality metrics that can efficiently score these images based on infected versus non-infected area. The pipeline was evaluated using field data from plots with varying leaf spot severity, creating a dataset of thousands of images that spanned conventional visual severity scores ranging from 1–9. These predictions were based on the amount of infected leaf area and the presence of defoliated leaves in the surrounding area. We were able to demonstrate automated scoring, as compared to expert visual scoring, with a root mean square error of 0.996 visual scores, on individual images (one image per plot), and 0.800 visual scores when three images were captured of each plot.

Conclusion

Results indicated that the model and image processing pipeline can serve as an alternative to human scoring. Eliminating human subjectivity for the scoring protocols will allow non-experts to collect scores and may enable drone-based data collection. This could reduce the time needed to obtain new lines or identify new genes responsible for leaf spot resistance in peanut.
Two dramatically different clinical scenarios of neonatal Echovirus-11 infection in late preterm male twins: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Perniciaro Simona , Proietti Caterina , Bossi Angela , Maragliano Roberta , Facco Carla , Novazzi Federica , Mancini Nicasio , Agosti Massimo Agostino
Published: February 2025

Background

Enterovirus is a well-known cause of infection in all age groups, with particular importance for neonates with both vertically and horizontally transmission. Neonatal clinical manifestations are highly variable and mostly is asymptomatic, but severe infections are described such as myocarditis, meningitis, encephalitis, hepatitis, coagulopathy, pneumonia and viral sepsis. Since 2022, The World Health Organization has recently reported an increasing number of severe neonatal infection associated with a new variant of Echovirus-11 (E-11). Many of the infants described with E-11 infections in a case reports series were preterm, male and twins. Despite the criticality of neonatal disease, the clinical management remains primarily supportive and therapeutic options are unfortunately few.

Case presentation

We present the case of male dichorionic diamniotic late-preterm twins, born in December 2023 at Filippo del Ponte Hospital in Varese (Northen Italy) with early Echovirus-11 infection. They had two dramatically different clinical scenarios and one of them developed a severe and fatal hemorrhage-hepatitis syndrome.

Conclusions

Our experience has the purpose to emphasize public health attention to Echovirus-11 neonatal infections and their rare dramatically neonatal clinical presentations. Prematurity, host genetic predisposition and vertical transmission seem to be strong risk factors for severe infections, but it still need to be elucidated. According to previous Italian report, a surveillance protocols in all cases with unexpected clinical presentations and sequencing complete genome in order to better understand typing and molecular characterization of emerging and re-emerging pathogenic variants and new strains are strongly recommend in Italy.
Multiple regulatory events contribute to a widespread circular RNA downregulation in precancer and early stage of colorectal cancer development
Authors: Camandona Alessandro , Gagliardi Amedeo , Licheri Nicola , Tarallo Sonia , Francescato Giulia , Budinska Eva , Carnogurska Martina , Zwinsová Barbora , Martinoglio Barbara , Franchitti Lorenzo , Gallo Gaetano , Cutrupi Santina , De Bortoli Michele , Pardini Barbara , Naccarati Alessio , Ferrero Giulio
Published: February 2025

Background

Early detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) significantly improves its management and patients’ survival. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are peculiar covalently closed transcripts involved in gene expression modulation whose dysregulation has been extensively reported in CRC cells. However, little is known about their alterations in the early phases of colorectal carcinogenesis.

Methods

In this study, we performed an integrative analysis of circRNA profiles in RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) data of 96 colorectal cancers, 27 adenomas, and matched adjacent mucosa tissues. We also investigated the levels of cognate linear transcripts and those of regulating RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). Levels of circRNA-interacting microRNAs (miRNAs) were explored by integrating data of small RNA-Seq performed on the same samples.

Results

Our results revealed a significant dysregulation of 34 circRNAs (paired adj. p < 0.05), almost exclusively downregulated in tumor tissues and, prevalently, in early disease stages. This downregulation was associated with decreased expression of circRNA host genes and those encoding for RBPs involved in circRNA biogenesis, including NOVA1, RBMS3, and MBNL1. Guilt-by-association analysis showed that dysregulated circRNAs correlated with increased predicted activity of cell proliferation, DNA repair, and c-Myc signaling pathways. Functional analysis showed interactions among dysregulated circRNAs, RBPs, and miRNAs, which were supported by significant correlations among their expression levels. Findings were validated in independent cohorts and public datasets, and the downregulation of circLPAR1(2,3) and circLINC00632(5) was validated by ddPCR.

Conclusions

These results support that multiple altered regulatory mechanisms may contribute to the reduction of circRNA levels that characterize early colorectal carcinogenesis.
Ac-225 radiochemistry through the lens of [225Ac]Ac-DOTA-TATE
Authors: Hooijman Eline L. , de Jong Jan R. , Ntihabose Carolline M. , Bruchertseifer Frank , Morgenstern Alfred , Seimbille Yann , Brabander Tessa , Koolen Stijn L. W. , de Blois Erik
Published: February 2025

Background

Targeted alpha therapy with Ac-225 showed to be effective in treating metastatic cancers. However, the complex decay chain requires optimized radiolabeling and quality control. This study aims to determine critical parameters and establish optimal labeling and accurate measuring techniques for radiochemical yield and purity with DOTA-TATE as a model molecule. Ac-225 sources were analyzed for metals (ΣFe, Zn, Cu) and quantified by UPLC. Optimization of radiolabeling kinetics for clinical conditions was performed in regards to temperature (20–90 °C), heating time (5–60 min), pH (2.5–10, with/without excess of metal ions), buffers, quenchers, volume (0.1–10 mL) and molar activity (90–540 kBq/nmol). The quality control was investigated using radio-TLC/HPLC by changing gradient to evaluate peak separation, radiolysed peptide and impurity separation.

Results

Metal ingrowth was observed in Ac-225 stocks (n = 3), (time of arrival: 17.9, 36.8 and 101.4 nmol per 10 MBq). Optimal radiochemical yields were achieved with > 80 °C (20 min) at pH 8.5 (15 mM TRIS) up to 270 kBq. Labeling at a high pH showed a higher RCY, even in presence of an excess of metals. High stability (RCP > 90%) was achieved after addition of quenchers (cysteine, methionine, ascorbate, histidine, or gentisic acid (35 mM)) up to 24 h. For optimal determination of the radiochemical purity (indirect HPLC) fifty fractions are required.

Conclusion

The quality of Ac-225 labeled DOTA-radiopharmaceuticals is highly dependent on the pH and stabilization (buffer/quencher). Within this research it is demonstrated that optimized quality control methods and accurate measurement of the radiolabeling kinetics are crucial to ensure safe implementation for patient treatment.
Alkaline-enhanced boehmite catalysts for catalytic hydrolysis of carbonyl sulfide at low temperature
Authors: Lin Jia-Yin , Lee Jia-Yu , Wang Chih-Ying
Published: February 2025

The removal of carbonyl sulfide (COS), a byproduct gas in the steel industry, is crucial due to its environmental impact, including acid rain formation and corrosion of chemical equipment. This study explores enhancing the catalytic performance for COS hydrolysis at low temperatures by loading potassium hydroxide (KOH) onto boehmite catalysts. The modified catalysts demonstrated significantly improved COS conversion rates and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) yields compared to untreated counterparts. At 40 °C, K/Boehmite catalysts achieved approximately 80% COS conversion. As the temperature increased to 50, 60, and 70 °C, COS conversion efficiencies neared 100%, with H2S yields reaching up to 98% for K/Boehmite-3 (A method involving the loading of KOH onto boehmite catalysts.) Characterization results confirmed that KOH increased the number of active sites on the catalyst surface, enhancing COS adsorption and reaction. The KOH modification increases alkalinity and promotes the formation of surface hydroxyl groups, which play a key role in the hydrolysis reaction. These hydroxyl groups facilitate water adsorption and the breakdown of COS into H2S and CO2. This study presents a straightforward method for KOH impregnation on boehmite, marking the first use of boehmite as a COS hydrolysis catalyst, significantly boosting its efficiency and offering a viable solution for industrial COS removal while effectively generating H2S.
Surveillance of H7N9 avian influenza virus in farmers’ markets in Beijing in 2019–2023
Authors: Zou Lin , Zhang Chong , Zhang Jianming , Wang Jianguo , Tong Ling , Xi Lu , Liu Xiao , Ma Jing , Gao Xiang , Zhen Bojun , Zhang Ping , Li Jie , Li Xiaohui
Published: February 2025

Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) present an ongoing threat of human infections. Continuous surveillance is important for detecting new infections and verifying prevention and control measures. Swabs of the external environment and throat swabs of employees were collected from six farmers’ markets in Beijing to detect influenza A virus. Positive samples were sequenced, and their genetic characteristics analyzed. In total, 3251 environmental samples were collected from 2019 to 2023, 11 of which were positive for influenza A virus (positivity rate of 0.34%), including nine for H9N2 and two for H7N9. In a genetic analysis, all H7N9 samples showed low pathogenicity, and no mutations at highly pathogenic sites were detected. All 1135 throat swab samples from staff were negative for influenza A virus. At present, the detection rate of AIVs in farmers’ markets is very low, and no adaptive mutations allowing cross-host transmission were found, indicating a low risk of AIV infection among the people of Beijing.
The emerging roles of the endoplasmic reticulum in mechanosensing and mechanotransduction
Authors: Townson Jonathan , Progida Cinzia
Published: February 2025

Cells are continuously subjected to physical and chemical cues from the extracellular environment, and sense and respond to mechanical cues via mechanosensation and mechanotransduction. Although the role of the cytoskeleton in these processes is well known, the contribution of intracellular membranes has been long neglected. Recently, it has become evident that various organelles play active roles in both mechanosensing and mechanotransduction. In this Review, we focus on mechanosensitive roles of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the functions of which are crucial for maintaining cell homeostasis. We discuss the effects of mechanical stimuli on interactions between the ER, the cytoskeleton and other organelles; the role of the ER in intracellular Ca2+ signalling via mechanosensitive channels; and how the unfolded protein response and lipid homeostasis contribute to mechanosensing. The expansive structure of the ER positions it as a key intracellular communication hub, and we additionally explore how this may be leveraged to transduce mechanical signals around the cell. By synthesising current knowledge, we aim to shed light on the emerging roles of the ER in cellular mechanosensing and mechanotransduction.
How do feeding biomechanics, extreme predator–prey size ratios and the rare enemy effect determine energetics and ecology at the largest scale?
Authors: Goldbogen Jeremy A. , Cade David E.
Published: February 2025

The most recent and largest radiation of marine filter feeders are edentulous baleen whales (Mysticeti) that use keratinized racks of fringed and matted baleen to filter zooplankton (e.g. krill) or small schooling fish (e.g. anchovies, sardines). Rorqual whales (Balaeopteridae) exhibit the greatest size range among mysticetes and employ a unique lunge-feeding mechanism whereby engulfment and filtration are temporally decoupled. As a result, lunge feeding confers the ability to rapidly engulf large prey aggregations, such as krill or schooling fish, followed by a prolonged filter phase. In contrast, engulfment and filtration occur at the same time in all other gigantic filter feeders (e.g. basking sharks, whale sharks) at slow speeds. Although lunges in rorquals occur at higher speeds, the extreme predator–prey ratios at play suggest that whales may not be able to overcome the escape abilities of scattering prey. These types of prey have been engaged in evolutionary arms races with smaller predators for tens of millions of years prior to the rise of today's ocean giants. Extant rorqual whales evolved gigantism only in the last few million years; thus, they represent rare enemies of small prey such that flight responses may be delayed until escape is less likely. Data from whale-borne movement-sensing tags, looming stimulus experiments and stomach contents suggest a potential trade-off in capture efficiency for different prey types (e.g. fish versus krill) with increasing whale body size. Such constraints likely shaped the ecology and energetics of foraging at the largest scales.
Understanding mechanisms of avian flight by integrating observations with tests of competing hypotheses
Authors: Altshuler Douglas L. , Baliga Vikram B. , Lapsansky Anthony B. , Lee Phillip , Press Eric R. , Theriault Jolan S.
Published: February 2025

A long-standing problem in the study of avian flight is determining how biomechanics and physiology are associated with behaviour, ecological interactions and evolution. In some avian clades, flight mechanisms are strongly linked to ecology. Hummingbirds, for example, exhibit traits that support both hovering flight and nectar foraging. In most avian clades, however, features such as wing shape are highly variable among taxa without clear relationships to biomechanics, energetics or ecology. In this Commentary, we discuss challenges to understanding associations between phenotype and performance in avian flight. A potential pitfall in studies that attempt to link trait specialization with performance is that the most relevant traits and environments are not being considered. Additionally, a large number of studies of the mechanisms of avian flight are highly phenomenological. Although observations are essential for hypothesis development, we argue that for our discipline to make progress, we will need much more integration of the observational phase with developing crucial tests of competing hypotheses. Direct comparison of alternative hypotheses can be accomplished through analytical frameworks as well as through experimentation.
How might turbulence affect animal flight in a changing world?
Authors: Shepard Emily L. C.
Published: February 2025

The influence of wind on animal flight costs and flight decisions is well established. Far less is known about the effects of turbulence. Indeed, a mechanistic framework allowing researchers to predict the costs and consequences of turbulence for flapping flight is lacking. This is a notable knowledge gap, as turbulence is ubiquitous within the natural flight environment, and its characteristics and distribution are changing across the spectrum of animal flight heights as a result of, for example, land use change and increasing atmospheric instability. Here, I briefly assess naturally occurring and anthropogenic drivers of turbulence before considering how turbulence affects the metabolic costs of flight and how animals might respond in the wild. Turbulence has a measurable effect on flight costs when eddy diameter is comparable to the wingspan. The few metabolic data on this suggest that turbulence can increase flight power by 25–100%. The ability to meet the costs of turbulence should decrease with increasing body mass, because of the negative relationship between available power and mass. Larger flapping fliers may therefore show stronger behavioural responses to turbulence. Consistent with this, waterbirds and large seabirds show marked avoidance of offshore wind farms, but this has yet to be analysed in relation to turbulence. Overall, the integration of laboratory and field approaches should provide new insight into the conditions animals avoid, the associated costs (according to eddy size, velocity and flight morphology) and the implications for flight in changing airscapes.
The role of plumage and heat dissipation areas in thermoregulation in doves
Authors: Crandell Kristen E. , Powers Donald R. , Tobalske Bret W.
Published: February 2025

Avian plumage contributes to the regulation of body temperature. In most climates, avian heat dissipation occurs passively via radiation, conduction and convection owing to the thermal gradient between the environment and the animal. The muscles that power flight also produce significant heat that must be dissipated. How plumage and areas with sparse or no feathers (termed ‘heat dissipation areas’, HDAs) interact with these mechanisms is unclear. We examined the role of plumage as an insulator, or dissipator, of heat in ringed turtle-doves (Streptopelia risoria) under four thermal regimes: resting, post-flight, heating via radiative lamps, and cooling via wind. We measured internal body temperature and skin-level temperature (under the plumage) using thermal PIT tags alongside surface temperature using a thermal imaging camera. Flight increased internal temperature by 0.6°C compared with resting, but the other treatments did not have significant effects. The skin-level temperature during wind exposure was 1.6°C cooler than in other conditions. HDAs changed in surface area above 35°C but not maximum temperature among treatments. Post-flight and during radiant heating, birds increased HDA surface area – most notably at the wing. During simulated wind produced using a fan, the HDAs of the beak and wing were eliminated, and areas of other HDAs were reduced. Our results demonstrate that birds modulate active HDAs to maintain consistent core body temperatures under induced temperature challenges. They also promote caution for extrapolating from thermal images of surface temperature to infer core temperature in birds.