bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Drivers of phytoplankton distribution, abundance and community composition off East Antarctica, from 55-80°E (CCAMLR Division 58.4.2 East)
Authors: Heidemann Asta C. , Westwood Karen J. , Foppert Annie , Wright Simon W. , Klocker Andreas , Vives Clara R. , Wotherspoon Simon , Bestley Sophie
Published: October 2024

Southern Ocean phytoplankton form the base of the Antarctic food web, influencing higher trophic levels through biomass and community structure. We examined phytoplankton distribution and abundance in the Indian Sector of the Southern Ocean during austral summer as part a multidisciplinary ecosystem survey: Trends in Euphausiids off Mawson, Predators and Oceanography (TEMPO, 2021). Sampling covered six meridional transects from 55-80°E, and from 62°S or 63°S to the ice edge. To determine phytoplankton groups, CHEMTAX analysis was undertaken on pigments measured using HPLC. Diatoms were the dominant component of phytoplankton communities, explaining 56% of variation in chlorophyll a (Chl a), with haptophytes also being a major component. Prior to sampling the sea ice had retreated in a south-westerly direction, leading to shorter ice-free periods in the west (< 44 days, ≤65°E) compared to east (> 44 days, ≥70°E), inducing a strong seasonal effect. The east was nutrient limited, indicated by low-iron forms of haptophytes, and higher silicate:nitrate drawdown ratios (5.1 east vs 4.3 west), pheophytin a (phaeo) concentrations (30.0 vs 18.4 mg m-2) and phaeo:Chl a ratios (1.06 vs 0.53). Biological influences were evident at northern stations between 75-80°E, where krill “super-swarms” and feeding whales were observed. Here, diatoms were depleted from surface waters likely due to krill grazing, as indicated by high phaeo:Chl a ratios (> 0.75), and continued presence of haptophytes, associated with inefficient filtering or selective grazing by krill. Oceanographic influences included deeper mixed layers reducing diatom biomass, and a bloom to the north of the southern Antarctic Circumpolar Current Front in the western survey area thought to be sinking as waters flowed from west to east. Haptophytes were influenced by the Antarctic Slope Front with high-iron forms prevalent to the south only, showing limited iron transfer from coastal waters. Cryptophytes were associated with meltwater, and greens (chlorophytes + prasinophytes) were prevalent below the mixed layer. The interplay of seasonal, biological and oceanographic influences on phytoplankton populations during TEMPO had parallels with processes observed in the BROKE and BROKE-West voyages conducted 25 and 15 years earlier, respectively. Our research consolidates understanding of the krill ecosystem to ensure sustainable management in East Antarctic waters.
Submicron-scale Au-decorated TiO2 mesoporous spheres for enhanced photon harvesting in DSSCs through near-field enhancement, light scattering, and dye loading
Authors: Joshi Dhavalkumar N. , Pal Anil Kumar , Krishnapriya R. , Arun Prasath R.
Published: October 2024

Light harvesting materials are crucial for capturing the sunlight in a device such as a solar cell for better efficiency. In this study, we developed high surface area, submicron-sized TiO2 spheres (MTS) incorporated with anisotropic Au nanoparticles (Au_MTS) to create highly light-absorbing photoanodes for enhanced dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) efficiency. The high surface area of MTS (∼125 m2/g) allows for increased dye-loading, while their submicron size (150–300 nm) provides superior light-scattering capabilities for significantly enhancing the photoanode’s light absorption. Furthermore, incorporating of anisotropic Au nanoparticles enables broadband surface plasmon resonance (SPR) coupling, synergistically boosting photon harvesting in the Au_MTS photoanodes. The interconnected tiny TiO2 nanoparticle network in MTS supports charge carrier generation and transport, providing ample sites for dye adsorption and efficient electron pathways. Au_MTS with varying amounts of Au nanoparticles synthesized by a greener microwave-assisted synthesis method and DSSC devices were fabricated and compared with devices made from pristine MTS and P25 nanoparticles. The optimal Au_MTS device, containing ∼1.3 wt% Au nanoparticles, achieved a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of ∼7.7%, representing improvements of ∼40% and ∼60% over pristine MTS (PCE of ∼5.2%) and P25 nanoparticles (PCE of ∼4.71%), respectively. Overall, this work demonstrates the effectiveness of plasmonic mesoporous photoanodes in enhancing DSSC performance through improved photo response, light scattering, and dye loading.
Incidence and risk factors of prolonged recovery during procedural sedation in pediatrics
Authors: Cui Yu , Wu Qunying , Tang Min , Chen Qin , Kang Lu , Mu Qixia , He Yani
Published: October 2024

Background

Sedation-related adverse events not only referred to a cause for morbidity and mortality but also included events that could disrupt routine procedures and thus lead to reduced procedural efficiency or quality. To date, no literature is available to predict the risk factors associated with prolonged recovery in pediatric patients during procedural sedation. Thus, we retrospectively analyzed the two-year sedation data to explore the above questions.

Methods

Pediatric patients who underwent procedural sedation between January 2022 and January 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups according to sedation duration <120 min (Non-prolonged recovery group); or ≧ 120 min (Prolonged recovery group). The primary outcome was the incidence of prolonged recovery. Risk factors associated with prolonged recovery were assessed.

Results

A total of 30,003 patients were identified; 854 (2.8%) developed prolonged recovery during procedural sedation. By multivariate regression, a higher body weight (OR 1.03, 95%CI 1.01–1.05), outpatients (OR 1.31, 95%CI 1.07–1.59), patients with sedation history (OR 1.25, 95%CI 1.07–1.44), and patients received chloral hydrate (OR 1.47, 95%CI 1.06–2.03), were associated with increased odds of the prolonged recovery with the initial sedative(s).

Conclusion

Monitoring time needs to be extended in patients with sedation history, those with heavier weights, outpatients, and those who received chloral hydrate.
Dysbiosis index and fecal concentrations of sterols, long-chain fatty acids and unconjugated bile acids in dogs with inflammatory protein-losing enteropathy
Authors: Cagnasso Federica , Suchodolski Jan S. , Borrelli Antonio , Borella Franca , Bottero Enrico , Benvenuti Elena , Ferriani Riccardo , Tolbert M. Katherine , Chen Chih-Chun , Giaretta Paula R. , Gianella Paola
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Canine protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is a syndrome characterized by gastrointestinal loss of proteins. While fecal microbiome and metabolome perturbations have been reported in dogs with chronic enteropathy, they have not been widely studied in dogs with PLE. Therefore, the study aims were to investigate gut microbiome and targeted fecal metabolites in dogs with inflammatory PLE (iPLE) and evaluate whether treatment affects these changes at short-term follow-up.

Methods

Thirty-eight dogs with PLE and histopathological evidence of gastrointestinal inflammation and 47 healthy dogs were enrolled. Fecal samples were collected before endoscopy (T0) and after one month of therapy (T1). Microbiome and metabolome alterations were investigated using qPCR assays (dysbiosis index, DI) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (long-chain fatty acids, sterols, unconjugated bile acids), respectively.

Results

Median (min-max) DI of iPLE dogs was 0.4 (−5.9 to 7.7) and was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) than median DI in healthy dogs [−2.0 (−6.0 to 5.3)]. No significant associations were found between DI and selected clinicopathological variables. DI did not significantly differ between T0 and T1. In iPLE dogs, at T0, myristic, palmitic, linoleic, oleic, cis-vaccenic, stearic, arachidonic, gondoic, docosanoic, erucic, and nervonic acids were significantly higher (p < 0.0001) than healthy dogs. In iPLE dogs, oleic acid (p = 0.044), stearic acid (p = 0.013), erucic acid (p = 0.018) and nervonic acid (p = 0.002) were significantly decreased at T1. At T0, cholesterol and lathosterol (p < 0.0001) were significantly higher in iPLE dogs compared to healthy dogs, while total measured phytosterols were significantly lower (p = 0.001). No significant differences in total sterols, total phytosterols and total zoosterols content were found at T1, compared to T0. At T0, total primary bile acids and total secondary bile acids did not significantly differ between healthy control dogs and iPLE dogs. No significant differences in fecal bile acid content were found at T1.

Discussion

Dysbiosis and lipid metabolism perturbations were observed in dogs with iPLE. Different therapeutic protocols lead to an improvement of some but not all metabolome perturbations at short-term follow-up.
Genomic insights into Verticillium: a review of progress in the genomics era
Authors: Sayari M. , Dolatabadian A. , El-Shetehy M. , Daayf F.
Published: October 2024

Genomics has emerged as a great tool in enhancing our understanding of the biology of Verticillium species and their interactions with the host plants. Through different genomic approaches, researchers have gained insights into genes, pathways and virulence factors that play crucial roles in both Verticillium pathogenesis and the defense responses of their host organisms. This review emphasizes the significance of genomics in uncovering the mechanisms that underlie pathogenicity, virulence, and host resistance in Verticillium fungi. Our goal is to summarize recent discoveries in Verticillium research highlighting progress made in comprehending the biology and interactions of Verticillium fungi. The integration of genomics into Verticillium studies has the potential to open avenues for developing strategies to control diseases and produce crop varieties resistant to verticillium, thereby offering sustainable solutions for enhancing agricultural productivity.
From marine neglected substrata new fungal taxa of potential biotechnological interest: the case of Pelagia noctiluca
Authors: Pasqualetti Marcella , Braconcini Martina , Barghini Paolo , Gorrasi Susanna , Schillaci Domenico , Ferraro Donatella , Della Sala Gerardo , De Marino Simona , Fenice Massimiliano
Published: October 2024

Introduction

The marine environment is extremely complex and exerts strong evolutionary pressure often leading to the appearance of microbial strains with new metabolic competencies. Microorganisms in marine ecosystems are still largely unknown and should be explored and conserved for biodiversity preservation, possible ecosystem restoring, and other applications. Biodiversity conservation should become a basic ecological strategy of particular significance in relation to global change. In this context, the present research aimed at exploring the culturable mycobiota associated with the jellyfish Pelagia noctiluca, never studied before. In addition, the isolated strains were tested for potential application (antimicrobial activity and presence of genes related to the production of secondary metabolites).

Methods

Five jellyfishes were collected in the coastal area of Giglio Island and processed to isolate epizoic fungi. The strains were identified using a polyphasic approach (morphological, physiological, and molecular) and their salt preference was also investigated. The antifungal and antibacterial activity were tested for each strain with agar plug diffusion test. The presence of some key genes related to the main pathways for the production of secondary metabolites in fungi, polyketide synthases (PKSs), and non-ribosomal peptide synthase (NRPSs), was also assessed.

Results

A total of 164 isolates were obtained; after the dereplication, 40 morphotypes, and 23 species were identified. The phylogenetic analyses suggested the presence of new taxa belonging to Pleosporales: two new genera and species, and a new species of Tamaricicola. The detected mycobiota showed a relatively high diversity, if compared to other epizoic fungal communities. All isolated strains were marine fungi as confirmed by their salt preference and marked euryhalinism. The genes related to the two main pathways for the production of secondary metabolites in fungi, PKSs and NRPSs, were identified in four and nine strains, respectively. The antimicrobial activity was revealed in 70% of the strains, including the new taxa. The abundance of bioactive strains may be related to the potential involvement of epizoic fungi in host defense strategies. Moreover, these strains could show a high potential for further biotechnological applications particularly in the case of new taxa. All strains are maintained in culture collections.
Screening of novel narrow-spectrum benzofuroxan derivatives for the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis through in silico, in vitro, and in vivo approaches
Authors: Campos Débora Leite , Canales Christian Shleider Carnero , Demarqui Fernanda Manaia , Fernandes Guilherme F. S. , dos Santos Camila Gonçalves , Prates João Lucas B. , da Silva Ingrid Gracielle Martins , Barros-Cordeiro Karine Brenda , Báo Sônia Nair , de Andrade Leonardo Neves , Abichabki Nathália , Zacharias Luísa Vieira , de Campos Marli Matiko Anraku , dos Santos Jean Leandro , Pavan Fernando Rogério
Published: October 2024

Tuberculosis remains a serious global health threat, exacerbated by the rise of resistant strains. This study investigates the potential of two benzofuroxan (Bfx) derivatives, 5n and 5b, as targeted treatments for MDR-TB using in silico, in vitro, and in vivo methodologies. In vitro analyses showed that Bfx compounds have significant activity against Mtb H37Rv, with Bfx 5n standing out with a MIC90 of 0.09 ± 0.04 μM. Additionally, their efficacy against MDR and pre-XDR strains was superior compared to commercial drugs. These Bfx compounds have a narrow spectrum for mycobacteria, which helps avoid dysbiosis of the gut microbiota, and they also exhibit high selectivity and low toxicity. Synergism studies indicate that Bfx derivatives could be combined with rifampicin to enhance treatment efficacy and reduce its duration. Scanning electron microscopy revealed severe damage to the morphology of Mtb following treatment with Bfx 5n, showing significant distortions in the bacillary structures. Whole-genome sequencing of the 5n-resistant isolate suggests resistance mechanisms mediated by the Rv1855c gene, supported by in silico studies. In vivo studies showed that the 5n compound reduced the pulmonary load by 3.0 log10 CFU/mL, demonstrating superiority over rifampicin, which achieved a reduction of 1.23 log10 CFU/mL. In conclusion, Bfx derivatives, especially 5n, effectively address resistant infections caused by Mtb, suggesting they could be a solid foundation for future therapeutic developments against MDR-TB.
Retrospective study of cisplatin plus radiotherapy toxicities in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck – ReCisTT study
Authors: Varges Gomes Ana , Castro Gilberto , de Oliveira Thiago Bueno , Colmenero Ana Medina , Ribeiro Leonor , Psyrri Amanda , Magné Nicolas , Plana Serrahima Maria , Marinho Joana , Giglio Raul , Iglesias Rey Leticia , Angel Martín , Macedo Ana M.
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) is a multifactorial disease involving genetic and environmental factors representing one of the most frequent cancer-related deaths worldwide. Tobacco and alcohol use account for most SCCHN, while a growing subset of oropharyngeal cancers is causally associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Despite improvements in overall survival, patients with HPV-negative locally advanced (LA) SCCHN continue to have a poor prognosis. For these patients, the standard of care is radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy (RCT).

Methods

This retrospective, multicenter, and observational study analyzed the treatment compliance of 326 patients with LA-SCCHN who underwent RCT between January 1st, 2014, and June 30th, 2017. This study also evaluated the potential factors associated with treatment compliance, the compliance impact on clinical response, and the main toxicities experienced by patients.

Results

A total of 274 (84%) patients were compliant and received the planned dose of cisplatin. Overall, 957 adverse events were reported in 98.2% of patients during the study. The overall response rate was 80.2%, with 60.4% of patients achieving a complete response.

Discussion

Despite the high treatment compliance, 62.6% of adverse events reported were related to cisplatin. Identifying risk factors associated with non-compliance could enable physicians to identify ineligible patients for cisplatin-based RCT and prevent patients from receiving inadequate treatment leading to severe adverse events..
Habitat-based CT radiomics enhances the ability to predict spread through air spaces in stage T1 invasive lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Peng Xiuhua , Zhao Hongxing , Wu Shiyong , Jia Dan , Hu Miaomiao , Guo Biping , Hu Jinliang , Xu Pengliang
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Spread through air spaces (STAS) represents a novel invasive pattern in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and is a risk factor for poor prognosis in stage T1 LUAD. This study aims to develop and validate a CT habitat imaging analysis model for predicting STAS in stage T1 invasive LUAD.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 217 patients with preoperative stage T1 invasive LUAD (115 STAS-positive and 102 STAS-negative cases, including 151 in the train set and 66 in the test set). Semi-automatic segmentation was performed on the regions of interest (ROIs) in all CT images, with an automatic 3mm expansion around the tumor, considering the intratumoral and peritumoral 3mm area. This area was divided into three sub-regions via K-means clustering, and 1197 radiomic features were extracted from each sub-region and the overall combined region. After dimension reduction through the Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson correlation analysis, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO), the best features for each sub-region and overall were selected. Models were then built using the selected radiomic features through the Adaptive Boosting (AdaBoost) and Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) classifiers. Four different models were established based on different sub-regions and the overall features. The performance of these models was evaluated through receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) under the DeLong test, calibration curves via the Hosmer-Lemeshow test, and decision curve analysis to assess the performance of these features.

Results

In this study, we evaluated the predictive performance of AdaBoost and MLP classifiers on rad feature models across various subregions and the overall dataset. In the test set, the AdaBoost classifier achieved a maximum AUC of 0.871 in Habitat 3, whereas the MLP classifier demonstrated slightly superior performance with an AUC of 0.879. Both classifiers exhibited high efficiency in habitat 3, with the MLP algorithm showing enhanced model performance.

Conclusions

CT habitat imaging analysis for the preoperative prediction of STAS in stage T1 invasive LUAD shows satisfactory diagnostic performance, with the habitat3 model exhibiting the highest efficacy, reflecting tumor heterogeneity.
Integration of ubiquitination-related genes in predictive signatures for prognosis and immunotherapy response in sarcoma
Authors: Qin Haotian , Qi Tiantian , Xu Juan , Wang Tianbing , Zeng Hui , Yang Jun , Yu Fei
Published: October 2024

Background

Ubiquitination is one of the most prevalent and complex post-translational modifications of proteins in eukaryotes, playing a critical role in regulating various physiological and pathological processes. Targeting ubiquitination pathways, either through inhibition or activation, holds promise as a novel therapeutic approach for cancer treatment. However, the expression patterns, prognostic significance, and underlying mechanisms of ubiquitination-related genes (URGs) in sarcoma (SARC) remain unclear.

Methods

We analyzed URG expression patterns and prognostic implications in TCGA-SARC using public databases, identifying DEGs related to ubiquitination among SARC molecular subtypes. Functional enrichment analysis elucidated their biological significance. Prognostic signatures were developed using LASSO-Cox regression, and a predictive nomogram was constructed. External validation was performed using GEO datasets and clinical tissue samples. The association between URG risk scores and various clinical parameters, immune response, drug sensitivity, and RNA modification regulators was investigated. Integration of data from multiple sources and RT-qPCR confirmed upregulated expression of prognostic URGs in SARC. Single-cell RNA sequencing data analyzed URG distribution across immune cell types. Prediction analysis identified potential target genes of microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs.

Results

We identified five valuable genes (CALR, CASP3, BCL10, PSMD7, PSMD10) and constructed a prognostic model, simultaneously identifying two URG-related subtypes in SARC. The UEGs between subtypes in SARC are mainly enriched in pathways such as Cell cycle, focal adhesion, and ECM-receptor interaction. Analysis of URG risk scores reveals that patients with a low-risk score have better prognoses compared to those with high-risk scores. There is a significant correlation between DRG riskscore and clinical features, immune therapy response, drug sensitivity, and genes related to pan-RNA epigenetic modifications. High-risk SARC patients were identified as potential beneficiaries of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. We established regulatory axes in SARC, including CALR/hsa-miR-29c-3p/LINC00943, CASP3/hsa-miR-143-3p/LINC00944, and MIR503HG. RT-qPCR data further confirmed the upregulation of prognostic URGs in SARC. Finally, we validated the prognostic model’s excellent predictive performance in predicting outcomes for SARC patients.

Conclusion

We discovered a significant correlation between aberrant expression of URGs and prognosis in SARC patients, identifying a prognostic model related to ubiquitination. This model provides a basis for individualized treatment and immunotherapy decisions for SARC patients.
A systematic review of the effect of sandplay therapy on social communication deficits in children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Yuxi Ren , Shuqi Jia , Cong Liu , Shufan Li , Yueyu Long
Published: October 2024

Objective

To explore the efficacy of sandplay therapy in intervening social communication deficits in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and whether this efficacy is influenced by the age of the children and the dosage of sandplay therapy intervention.

Methods

Following the PICOS principle, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to sandplay therapy for social communication deficits in ASD children were retrieved from seven databases: PubMed, WOS, The Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP, from the inception of each database to November 10, 2023. Two experimenters independently conducted study screening and excluded studies with concomitant diseases, incomplete data, unextractable data, and non-randomized controlled trials. The PEDro scale was used for methodological quality assessment, and the GRADEprofiler method was employed to evaluate the quality of evidence. Stata17 software was used for meta-analysis, subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias testing. The standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used as the effect statistics.

Results

A total of 12 RCTs (791 cases) were included. Sandplay therapy had a positive impact on the social communication deficits of ASD children [SMD = −1.42, 95%CI (−1.79, −1.04), P < 0.001]. Subgroup analysis revealed that sandplay therapy administered during the early school age (449 cases, SMD = −1.44, P < 0.05), for a duration of 22–28 weeks (208 cases, SMD = 1.69, P < 0.05), and with a frequency of once per week (218 cases, SMD = −1.67, P < 0.05) was most effective in improving on social communication deficits of ASD children.

Discussion

The quality of evidence in this study was rated as high, with good methodological quality, including 12 studies with better quality and no detection of bias risk. The study had high heterogeneity, which was attributed to the measurement tools and intervention duration through subgroup analysis, with no inconsistency found. Additionally, no downgrade factors related to imprecision, publication bias, or indirectness were identified. In conclusion, sandplay therapy is an effective measure to improve social communication deficits in children with ASD, and current evidence recommends early intervention using an individual sandplay therapy or integrated sandplay therapy intervention program once a week for 22–28 weeks, which can serve as evidence-based clinical guidance.

Systematic Review Registration

www.crd.york.ac.uk, identifier (CRD420234821750).
Comprehensive analysis of Hibisci mutabilis Folium extract’s mechanisms in alleviating UV-induced skin photoaging through enhanced network pharmacology and experimental validation
Authors: Chen Wenyuan , Deng Qin , Deng Bili , Li Yueping , Fan Gengqi , Yang Fangfang , Han Wei , Xu Jian , Chen Xiaolan
Published: October 2024

Background

Skin photoaging induced by ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation manifests as skin roughness, desquamation, pigmentation, and wrinkle formation. Current treatments, such as sunscreen, hormones, and antioxidants, have limitations and side effects. Traditional Chinese Medicine Hibisci Mutabilis Folium (HMF), or Mu-Fu-Rong-Ye in Chinese name, refers to the dried leaves of the plant Hibiscus mutabilis L., which belongs to the Malvaceae family. It has been used traditionally to treat acute mastitis, parotitis, neurodermatitis, burns. The reported activities of HMF include anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. However, the therapeutic potential of HMF in preventing and treating UV-induced skin photoaging remains unexplored.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of HMF extract (EHMF) against UV-induced skin photoaging and the underlying mechanisms of action, by using network pharmacology and experimental verification.

Methods

Network pharmacology was employed to identify the effective chemical components of EHMF. Potential targets were identified via PPI network analysis. Representative compounds were characterized using UPLC-MS/MS. In vitro validation involved assessing HaCaT cell viability, observing live/dead cell staining through fluorescence microscopy, and measuring inflammatory factors using ELISA. For in vivo validation, a UV-induced skin photoaging mice model was treated transdermally with EHMF or Methotrexate daily for 7 days. Dermatitis severity, skin morphology, and collagen fiber pathology were evaluated. Inflammatory cytokine and protein expression in dorsal skin lesions was confirmed using Elisa Kits, Western blot and immunohistochemistry.

Results

A total of 22 active ingredients of EHMF were identified. GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analyses revealed a focus on inflammatory signaling pathways. In vitro experiments showed that EHMF significantly reduced UV-induced inflammatory factors in HaCaT cells and improved cell survival rates. In vivo, EHMF alleviated back skin lesions in UV-exposed mice, reducing epidermal and dermal thickening and pathological inflammatory cell infiltration. It also decreased abnormal MMP-9 expression and collagen fiber proliferation, along with levels of inflammatory factors like TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17, and EGFR. Western blot and immunohistochemistry results indicated that the over-activation of the AKT-STAT3 signaling pathway was inhibited.

Conclusion

EHMF effectively reduced UV-induced skin damage, inflammation, and wrinkles, providing strong support for its clinical application as a dermatological agent.
GABA Type A receptors expressed in triple negative breast cancer cells mediate chloride ion flux
Authors: Bundy J , Ahmed Y , Weller S , Nguyen J , Shaw J , Mercier I , Suryanarayanan A
Published: October 2024

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is known for its heterogeneous nature and aggressive onset, limited unresponsiveness to hormone therapies and immunotherapy as well as high likelihood of metastasis and recurrence. Since no targeted standard treatment options are available for TNBC, novel and effective therapeutic targets are urgently needed. Ion channels have emerged as possible novel therapeutic candidates for cancer therapy. We previously showed that GABAA β3 subunit are expressed at higher levels in TNBC cell lines than non-tumorigenic MCF10A cells. GABAA β3 subunit knockdown causes cell cycle arrest in TNBC cell lines via decreased cyclin D1 and increased p21 expression. However, it is not known if the upregulated GABAAR express at the cell-surface in TNBC and mediate Cl− flux. Cl− ions are known to play a role in cell-cycle progression in other cancers such as gastric cancer. Here, using surface biotinylation and (N-(Ethoxycarbonylmethyl)-6-Methoxyquinolinium Bromide) MQAE-dye based fluorescence quenching, we show that upregulated GABAAR are on the cell-surface in TNBC cell lines and mediate significantly higher chloride (Cl−) flux as compared to non-tumorigenic MCF10A cells. Moreover, this GABAAR mediated Cl− flux can be modulated by pharmacological agents and is decreased in TNBC cells with GABAA β3 subunit knockdown. Further, treatment of TNBC cells with bicuculline, a GABAAR antagonist reduced cell viability in TNBC cells Overall, these results point to an unexplored role of GABAAR mediated Cl− flux in TNBC.
Exploring career interest and STEM self-efficacy: implications for promoting gender equity
Authors: Yamani Niam , Almazroa Hiya
Published: October 2024

This study explores the relationship between career interests and self-efficacy in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) among young girls in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Employing a quantitative research design with a correlational approach, we utilize the S-STEM survey to measure changes in students’ STEM subject efficacy and their interest in STEM careers. Our sample comprises 671 middle and high school female students from 49 schools, representing a diverse cross-section of the population. The findings indicate that female students exhibit high levels of STEM self-efficacy and have a strong preference for medicine as a career choice. While the overall interest in STEM careers among students is moderate, there are notable variations in interest across different STEM fields. Importantly, a positive and significant correlation was observed between female students’ interest in STEM careers and their self-efficacy in STEM. This research holds important implications for the promotion of STEM education and careers among female students. By recognizing the unique context of Saudi Arabia and the perspectives of young girls in Riyadh, this study offers a fresh perspective on the factors influencing STEM career aspirations and highlights the importance of fostering self-efficacy beliefs among female students.
Exploring the link between sedentary behavior and cognitive decline: a comprehensive study combining Mendelian randomization and animal model experiments
Authors: Bai Yupeng , Liu Mengke , Fang Yan , Zhan Ruonan
Published: October 2024

Objective

The causal link between detrimental behaviors and cognitive performance remains unclear. This research seeks to investigate the causal impact of adjustable lifestyle factors on cognitive deterioration, including frequency of alcohol intake, onset of smoking, and sedentary activities like prolonged television viewing.

Methods

This research combines large-scale genetic data obtained from univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization analyses with experimental findings obtained from animal models.

Results

Our findings reveal that the odds ratio (OR) for cognitive function deterioration was 0.445 (inverse variance weighted [IVW] 95% CI: 0.370 to 0.536, p < 0.001) for each standard deviation increase in television watching time. After adjustment for body mass index (BMI), number of days walked /moderate activity over 10+ min and education in Multivariable Mendelian Randomization (MVMR), only the genetic predisposition to increased television watching time remained significantly associated with worse cognitive function (OR 0.659, 95% CI: 0.452 to 0.960, p = 0.030). The other two habits had no significant effects. Sensitivity analyses have confirmed that genetic pleiotropy did not influence the results. To further explore the relationship between sedentary behavior and cognitive function, as well as the underlying mechanisms, we conducted a restricted cage housing experiment and a physical exercise training experiment in mice. The results showed that physical exercise significantly improved spatial memory, as assessed by the Morris water maze, and increased exploratory interest, as evaluated by the open field test (OFT) and the elevated plus-maze test, compared to the sedentary control group. These cognitive advantages may be mediated through mechanisms involving free radical scavenging and enhanced synaptic plasticity.

Conclusion

Our research provides genetic evidence indicating that extended television viewing is linked to an elevated risk of cognitive decline. Additionally, experimental data from mouse models suggest that physical exercise can counteract cognitive decline and anxiety-like behaviors induced by sedentary behavior. This protective effect is likely mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent mechanisms that enhance synaptic plasticity within the hippocampus.
Gaze behavior in response to affect during natural social interactions
Authors: Vehlen Antonia , Belopolsky Artem V. , Domes Gregor
Published: October 2024

Attention in social interactions is directed by social cues such as the face or eye region of an interaction partner. Several factors that influence these attentional biases have been identified in the past. However, most findings are based on paradigms with static stimuli and no interaction potential. Therefore, the current study investigated the influence of one of these factors, namely facial affect in natural social interactions using an evaluated eye-tracking setup. In a sample of 35 female participants, we examined how individuals' gaze behavior responds to changes in the facial affect of an interaction partner trained in affect modulation. Our goal was to analyze the effects on attention to facial features and to investigate their temporal dynamics in a natural social interaction. The study results, obtained from both aggregated and dynamic analyses, indicate that facial affect has only subtle influences on gaze behavior during social interactions. In a sample with high measurement precision, these findings highlight the difficulties of capturing the subtleties of social attention in more naturalistic settings. The methodology used in this study serves as a foundation for future research on social attention differences in more ecologically valid scenarios.
Ten-words recall test: an effective tool to differentiate mild cognitive impairment from subjective cognitive decline
Authors: Ren Hua , Feng Qiansen , Chen Lei , Li Linlin , Wang Jiayu , Wu Jiajing , Dong Li , Liu Tiejun , Wang Ziqi
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are stages 2 and 3, respectively, of the Alzheimer’s continuum. The Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-cog’s) ten-words recall test is a validated method for the early detection of cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease. However, limited studies have investigated its ability to differentiate between SCD and MCI.

Methods

203 participants with SCD and 62 participants with MCI underwent multiple neuropsychological assessments. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Basic (MOCA-B) served as brief global cognition tests. A binary logistic regression model was used to analyze the potential factors affecting MCI. The accuracy of the ten-words recall test was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and the area under the curve (AUC).

Results

The neuropsychological assessment revealed significant differences in the ten-words recall test scores between the SCD (median age 61 years; 70.44% female) and MCI (median age 64 years; 61.29% female) groups (p < 0.001), with the MCI group scoring the highest. Using a cut-off value of 3.15 for the ten-words recall test, sensitivity for distinguishing MCI from SCD reached 87%, while specificity stood at 61% (AUC 0.777, p < 0.001). DeLong’s test indicated no statistically significant difference in the ten-words recall test’s ability to distinguish between SCD and MCI compared to the total score of ADAS-Cog (AUC 0.833, p) and MMSE (AUC 0.784, p > 0.05). However, a significant difference was observed when compared to MoCA-B (AUC 0.973, p < 0.001). In the population with an education level of ≤ 9 years, the optimal cut-off value for the ten-words recall test was 3.15, yielding a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 45% (AUC = 0.674, p = 0.030). In the population with an education level > 9 years, the optimal cut-off value was 3.63, resulting in a sensitivity of 79% and a specificity of 71% (AUC = 0.785, p < 0.001).

Discussion

The ten-words recall test from the ADAS-cog may detect MCI early owing to its simplicity and quick administration. It is an effective and convenient tool for rapidly identifying mild cognitive impairment.
Sentiment analysis of post-COVID-19 health information needs of autism spectrum disorder community: insights from social media discussions
Authors: Larnyo Ebenezer , Nutakor Jonathan Aseye , Addai-Dansoh Stephen , Nkrumah Edmund Nana Kwame
Published: October 2024

Objective

This study explores the health information needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their caregivers in the post-COVID-19 era by analyzing discussions from Reddit, a popular social media platform.

Methods

Utilizing a mixed-method approach that integrates qualitative content analysis with quantitative sentiment analysis, we analyzed user-generated content from the “r/autism” subreddit to identify recurring themes and sentiments.

Results

The qualitative analysis uncovered key themes, including symptoms, diagnostic challenges, caregiver experiences, treatment options, and stigma, reflecting the diverse concerns within the ASD community. The quantitative sentiment analysis revealed a predominance of positive sentiment across discussions, although significant instances of neutral and negative sentiments were also present, indicating varied experiences and perspectives among community members. Among the machine learning models used for sentiment classification, the Bi-directional Long Short-Term Memory (Bi-LSTM) model achieved the highest performance, demonstrating a validation accuracy of 95.74%.

Conclusions

The findings highlight the need for improved digital platforms and community resources to address the specific health information needs of the ASD community, particularly in enhancing access to reliable information and fostering supportive environments. These insights can guide future interventions and policies aimed at improving the well-being of autistic persons and their caregivers.
Targeting the circadian modulation: novel therapeutic approaches in the management of ASD
Authors: Zhang Yuxing , Chen Yinan , Li Wu , Tang Liya , Li Jiangshan , Feng Xiang
Published: October 2024

Circadian dysfunction is prevalent in neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A plethora of empirical studies demonstrate a strong correlation between ASD and circadian disruption, suggesting that modulation of circadian rhythms and the clocks could yield satisfactory advancements. Research indicates that circadian dysfunction associated with abnormal neurodevelopmental phenotypes in ASD individuals, potentially contribute to synapse plasticity disruption. Therefore, targeting circadian rhythms may emerge as a key therapeutic approach. In this study, we did a brief review of the mammalian circadian clock, and the correlation between the circadian mechanism and the pathology of ASD at multiple levels. In addition, we highlight that circadian is the target or modulator to participate in the therapeutic approaches in the management of ASD, such as phototherapy, melatonin, modulating circadian components, natural compounds, and chronotherapies. A deep understanding of the circadian clock’s regulatory role in the neurodevelopmental phenotypes in ASD may inspire novel strategies for improving ASD treatment.
Problematic behaviors at mealtimes and the nutritional status of Brazilian children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Soares Rita de Cassia Santos , Cândido Flávia Galvão , Filgueiras Mariana De Santis , Rosa Carla de Oliveira Barbora , Novaes Juliana Farias de , Araujo Raquel Maria Amaral
Published: October 2024

Objective

The aim of this study was to explore problematic behaviors and their association with the food consumption and nutritional status of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study which enrolled 90 Brazilian children (aged 2–10 years) with ASD. A sociodemographic questionnaire, the ASD Eating Behavior Assessment Scale, and the 24-h recall were used. Age, height, total body weight, and Body Mass Index (BMI) were accessed to estimate nutritional status (BMI/Age). Consumption of fruits, vegetables, total calories, macro and micronutrients (calcium, iron, zinc, omega 3 and omega 6), and Body Mass Index (BMI) were assessed. The regression models were adjusted for covariates (prevalence ratio – PR, α =  0.05).

Results

All studied children presented problematic behaviors at mealtimes, with a predominance of food selectivity (57.8%), followed by changes in mealtime skills (34.4%), changes in masticatory motor skills (25.6%), oppositional eating behaviors (20.4%), and rigid eating behaviors (20.0%). Food selectivity was associated with excess body weight (PR: 1.94; 95% CI: 1.08–3.51) and absence of vegetable consumption (PR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.46–0.81). Rigid eating behaviors was associated with low consumption of fiber (PR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.15–1.75) and zinc (PR: 2.15; 95% CI: 1.33–3.45), and with excessive caloric (PR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.02–1.29) and lower calcium intake (PR: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.29–0.91).

Conclusion

Selectivity and rigidity behaviors have different relationships with food consumption and are associated with a higher prevalence of inadequacies, which may lead to nutritional risks for children. Further studies may investigate the influence of problematic behaviors and excess body weight in ASD.
How do policies promote the sustainable development of older-adult care industry? A configuration analysis based on policy tools
Authors: Zhang Xiangwei , Lu Zhengnan , Zhu Dongdan , Zhang Yuting
Published: October 2024

Background

Under the background of population aging in China, the demand for older-adult care services and products is growing, and the older-adult care industry has great development prospects. A sound older-adult care policy system, that is, an effective policy tool mix, plays an important role in improving the sustainable development of older-adult care industry.

Materials and methods

Based on older-adult care policy documents from 31 Chinese provinces, this research extracts older-adult care policy tools via text mining. Then extracted policy tools are taken as conditional variables, and the development of older-adult care industry, which is manifested by the number of older-adult care companies across 31 regions is taken as the result variable. Through applying qualitative comparative analysis, the combined effect of different policy tools on the development of older-adult care industry is obtained.

Results and discussions

Results show that a single policy tool cannot constitute the necessary condition to facilitate the older-adult care industry. Hence, policy tools should be applied in combination. Five sustainable policy tool mixes which can promote the development of older-adult care industry are summarized, namely supporting policy-driven mode, fiscal and tax support mode led by supply-oriented policy tools, double-team mode driven by fiscal and tax support and the consumer market, multi-subject joint force mode, and technology compensation mode. The overall findings of this study imply that exploring the policy tool combinations is of vital importance to the sustainable development of older-adult care industry.
Perspective: leveraging review protocols to advance implementation science in support of older adults’ health equity
Authors: Bacsu Juanita-Dawne , Pottle Avery , Fehr Florriann , Funk Megan , Smith Matthew Lee
Published: October 2024

Globally, there has been an increasing call for dissemination and implementation science to improve the health equity of older adults. However, improving the health equity of older adults requires methods that allow for an in-depth understanding of the existing research. While the value of review articles is widely recognized, the value of publishing review protocols is an emerging paradigm with great potential to advance implementation science and aging research. In this article, we propose that prior to review articles, review protocols are necessary as they provide a clear and comprehensive search strategy, which greatly enhances the quality and rigor of reviews. More specifically, we argue that review protocols are indispensable because they support: (1) a clearly defined and comprehensive search methodology; (2) reviewer feedback to mitigate potential issues; and (3) registration to reduce risk of research replication. Additionally, we propose three strategies to accelerate review protocols in implementation science to support older adults’ health equity.
Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Literacy and Hesitancy of Elderly Czechs: An Analysis Using the 5C Model of Psychological Antecedents
Authors: Riad Abanoub , Truksová Veronika , Koščík Michal
Published: October 2024

Objectives

Seasonal influenza vaccination rates among the elderly in the Czech Republic are alarmingly low, making it one of the least vaccinated countries in Europe. This study explored the role of vaccine literacy and insurance coverage on vaccination status.

Methods

An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in Summer 2023 using a self-administered questionnaire covering vaccine literacy (functional, interactive, and critical skills), negative perceptions towards influenza vaccination, and the 5C model (confidence, complacency, constraints, calculation, and collective responsibility). Individuals aged 55 and older were included in the study. Mediation analyses assessed the indirect effects of insurance coverage on vaccination status.

Results

Significant differences were noted in vaccination rates based on insurance coverage, chronic diseases, regular medication use, and previous COVID-19 and pneumococcal vaccinations. Vaccine literacy, especially interactive and critical skills, was higher among vaccinated individuals. Confidence and collective responsibility were significant promoters, while complacency and constraints were barriers to vaccination. Mediation analyses indicated that negative perceptions, confidence, and collective responsibility significantly mediated the relationship between insurance coverage and vaccination status.

Conclusion

Enhancing vaccine literacy and addressing psychological antecedents are crucial for improving influenza vaccination rates among the elderly. Policy measures should include improving vaccine literacy, building public confidence, and addressing negative perceptions.