bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PENGARUH TEKNIK ROLE PLAYING DALAM MENINGKATKAN EMPATI SISWA DI SUMBAWA BARAT
Authors: Mustakim Mustakim , Jaswandi Lalu , Sari Yanti Komala
Published: April 2024

Dalam kehidupan ini banyak peristiwa yang lepas dari pandangan kita yang sejatinya bisa memberikan banyak pelajaran bagi hidup kita. Peristiwa  yang mengharukan maupun membahagiakan tetap memiliki arti. Kemampuan kita untuk memahami dan mengalami suatu perasaan positif dan negatif akan membantu kita memahami makna kehidupan yang sebenarnya.  Kemampuan ini  sering  disebut sebagai atribut empati. Nilai empati yang rendah serta belum mampu mengelola emosi mereka, adapun kasus-kasus yang muncul seperti etika dalam berbahasa yang masih kurang sopan, sikap saling tidak menghargai, saling mengejek, suka membuat onar, dan akhirnya terjadi perkelahian. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui Pengaruh teknik role playing dalam meningkatkan empati siswa Sumbawa Barat. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah sebanyak 57 dan sampel sebanyak 10 siswa dengan metode pengumpulan data yang digunakan yaitu angket sebagai metode pokok, observasi dan dokumentasi dan wawancara sebagai metode pelengkap. Teknik analisis data yang digunakan yaitu dengan menggunakan rumus t test. Sesuai dengan analisis data yang digunakan yaitu metode statistik dengan menggunakan rumus t-tes. Berdasarkan nilai thitung sebesar dan nilai ttabel pada taraf signifikansi 5% pada db (N-1) = 10-1 = 9, lebih besar dari nilai ttable (>2.262) sehingga dapat dikatakan “signifikan” maka dapat disimpulkan bahwa ada pengaruh teknik role playing  dalam meningkatkan empati siswa di Sumbawa Barat.
STUDI LITERATUR: IMPLEMENTASI PENDIDIKAN PROFIL PELAJAR PANCASILA PADA LEMBAGA PENDIDIKAN
Authors: Rohiyatun Baiq , Garnika Eneng
Published: April 2024

Perkembangan teknologi yang semakin canggih, informasi dan komunikasi di era digital  dapat memberi banyak manfaat namun juga dapat berdampak negatif dalam kehidupan masyarakat. Dampak negatif yang terjadi dan dirasakan masyarakat di era digital khususnya dalam dunia pendidikan antara lain kurang fokus saat belajar, terbatasnya interaksi sosial positif, penurunan keterampilan tulis tangan, konten tidak sesuai dan mengandung unsur kekerasan, selain itu juga anak menjadi kesulitan mengatur waktu. Untuk meminimalisir dampak negatif dapat dilakukan upaya-upaya kongkrit dari orang tua dan penyelenggara atau pelaku pendidikan. Upaya yang dapat dilakukan salah satunya melalui impementasi pendidikan secara tepat. Pendidikan dalam pembelajaran tentunya bertujuan untuk membentuk karakter baik bagi peserta didik, sehingga mereka diharapkan dapat menjadi generasi cerdas, berkarakter dan berahklak mulia.
PELAKSANAAN LAYANAN BIMBINGAN KARIER DALAM MEMBANTU PEMILIHAN KARIER SISWA
Authors: Shobrina Shobrina
Published: April 2024

Penerapan layanan bimbingan karier untuk mendukung karier siswa merupakan suatu proses penting dalam lingkungan pendidikan. Namun, faktanya masih banyak pelajar yang masih ragu dengan pilihan kariernya. Penyelenggaraan layanan bimbingan karier sangat penting untuk membantu siswa memilih karier yang sesuai dengan potensi, minat dan tujuannya. Nasihat dari guru berperan penting dalam proses pengambilan keputusan ketika siswa memilih jalur karier. Dengan bimbingan yang tepat, siswa dapat lebih memahami pilihan karier yang tersedia bagi mereka dan membuat keputusan yang tepat mengenai masa depan mereka. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pentingnya layanan bimbingan dan konseling dalam pengambilan keputusan karier siswa. Penelitian dilakukan dengan menggunakan literature review berdasarkan jurnal dan artikel yang ada. Dari hasil analisis berdasarkan data tersebut dapat disimpulkan bahwa pemberian layanan bimbingan karier sangatlah penting dalam rangka mendukung siswa dalam memilih karier yang sesuai dengan minat bakat mereka.Kata Kunci: Layanan, bimbingan karier
Retaliation in the Modern Workplace and Federal Laws in the United States of America: Cases and Reflections About the Undermining of Employees’ Legal Rights
Authors: Roberts Tyriq J. , Mujtaba Bahaudin G.
Published: April 2024

Employees have the right to assert their federally-protected rights against their employers when they believe a violation of those rights has occurred. However, workplace retaliation poses challenges for employers reporting illegal or discriminatory acts. This study examines federal and common law to better identify the concept of retaliation and the legal protections against it. The cases analyzed in this study are Thompson v. North American Stainless, Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company v. White, Bragg v. Munster Medical Research Foundation, Inc., and Hutchinson v. City of Oklahoma City. These cases highlight instances of retaliation against employees exercising their legal rights, showcase circumstances where employees won, and look at affirmative defenses employers can raise. The goal is to deepen understanding around retaliation and the current laws surrounding it. Recommendations and possible remedies for workplace retaliation will be discussed in the latter part of the analysis to better understand the options available to future employees and employers regarding this issue.
Expert Insights on the Complexities of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections in Infants
Authors: Moir Hannah
Published: April 2024

For this article, EMJ conducted an interview with key opinion leader Chryssoula Tzialla, paediatrician and Director of the Paediatrics and Neonatology Unit at Voghera Azienda Socio-Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST), Pavia, Italy. Tzialla specialises in the prevention and treatment of respiratory infections in children, with a particular focus on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), aiming to improve the lives of children globally. She is a member of the Italian Society of Paediatrics, the Italian Society on Neonatology, and its working group on neonatal infections. During this interview, Tzialla provided her insights into the burden of RSV disease in infants, highlighting the clinical presentations, long-term health consequences, and the importance of implementing preventive measures against RSV infection, including educational campaigns and immunisation programmes.
‘Unreal enchantment’: poetic vocatio(n) and the spoken word in Marcel Proust's À la recherche du temps perdu
Authors: Lischka Eleanor
Published: April 2024

This article argues that the quasi-magical powers of the spoken word in Marcel Proust's novel bring the work's aesthetics closer to the traditions of lyric poetry than of prose. It explores the connection between the narrator's vocation as a ‘calling’ (with poetic moments in the text ‘speaking’ to the narrator) and the resurrective potential of the voice to conjure or ‘call forth’. Emphasizing the association of spoken language with life and written language with death, it shows how Proust's understanding of the printed text is indebted to Mallarmé's conception of the interplay between textual sound and blank space on the page. In this way, it outlines how the notion of the printed voice might come to compete with what critics have seen as the primacy of the written word in Proust. This perspective offers alternative ways to conceive of both the work we are reading and the work the narrator will one day produce.
Books and book trade as trigger of the global modernity
Authors: Valeria Fuss Ulrike
Published: April 2024

El propósito de este artículo es investigar el papel del comercio transatlántico de libros en el proceso de construcción de una modernidad global (concepto definido por Arif Dirlik) a principios del siglo XVII, utilizando como ejemplo de intercambio libresco entre Europa y Perú, en concreto un envío particular de libros a Potosí de 1608. Dentro del artículo se examinan las redes del comercio internacional del mercader de libros Juan de Sarriá I, investigando si se pueden considerar dichas redes como un ejemplo de globalización moderna temprana.
Acyl pyrazole sulfonamides as new antidiabetic agents: synthesis, glucosidase inhibition studies, and molecular docking analysis
Authors: Ahmed Atteeque , Zaib Sumera , Bhat Mashooq Ahmad , Saeed Aamer , Altaf Muhammad Zain , Zahra Fatima Tuz , Shabir Ghulam , Rana Nehal , Khan Imtiaz
Published: April 2024

Diabetes mellitus is a multi-systematic chronic metabolic disorder and life-threatening disease resulting from impaired glucose homeostasis. The inhibition of glucosidase, particularly α-glucosidase, could serve as an effective methodology in treating diabetes. Attributed to the catalytic function of glucosidase, the present research focuses on the synthesis of sulfonamide-based acyl pyrazoles (5a-k) followed by their in vitro and in silico screening against α-glucosidase. The envisaged structures of prepared compounds were confirmed through NMR and FTIR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. All compounds were found to be more potent against α-glucosidase than the standard drug, acarbose (IC50 = 35.1 ± 0.14 µM), with IC50 values ranging from 1.13 to 28.27 µM. However, compound 5a displayed the highest anti-diabetic activity (IC50 = 1.13 ± 0.06 µM). Furthermore, in silico studies revealed the intermolecular interactions of most potent compounds (5a and 5b), with active site residues reflecting the importance of pyrazole and sulfonamide moieties. This interaction pattern clearly manifests various structure–activity relationships, while the docking results correspond to the IC50 values of tested compounds. Hence, recent investigation reveals the medicinal significance of sulfonamide-clubbed pyrazole derivatives as prospective therapeutic candidates for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Single nucleotide variants in the CCL2, OAS1 and DPP9 genes and their association with the severity of COVID-19 in an Ecuadorian population
Authors: Chávez-Vélez Erik , Álvarez-Nava Francisco , Torres-Vinueza Alisson , Balarezo-Díaz Thalía , Pilataxi Kathya , Acosta-López Camila , Peña Ivonne Z. , Narváez Katherin
Published: April 2024

COVID-19 has a broad clinical spectrum, ranging from asymptomatic-mild form to severe phenotype. The severity of COVID-19 is a complex trait influenced by various genetic and environmental factors. Ethnic differences have been observed in relation to COVID-19 severity during the pandemic. It is currently unknown whether genetic variations may contribute to the increased risk of severity observed in Latin-American individuals The aim of this study is to investigate the potential correlation between gene variants at CCL2, OAS1, and DPP9 genes and the severity of COVID-19 in a population from Quito, Ecuador. This observational case-control study was conducted at the Carrera de Biologia from the Universidad Central del Ecuador and the Hospital Quito Sur of the Instituto Ecuatoriano de Seguridad Social (Quito-SUR-IESS), Quito, Ecuador. Genotyping for gene variants at rs1024611 (A>G), rs10774671 (A>G), and rs10406145 (G>C) of CCL2, OAS1, and DPP9 genes was performed on 100 COVID-19 patients (43 with severe form and 57 asymptomatic-mild) using RFLP-PCR. The genotype distribution of all SNVs throughout the entire sample of 100 individuals showed Hardy Weinberg equilibrium (P=0.53, 0.35, and 0.4 for CCL2, OAS1, and DPP9, respectively). The HWE test did not find any statistically significant difference in genotype distribution between the study and control groups for any of the three SNVs. The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that individuals with the GG of the CCL2 rs1024611 gene variant had an increased association with the severe COVID-19 phenotype in a recessive model (P = 0.0003, OR = 6.43, 95% CI 2.19-18.89) and for the OAS1 rs10774671 gene variant, the log-additive model showed a significant association with the severe phenotype of COVID-19 (P=0.0084, OR=3.85, 95% CI 1.33-11.12). Analysis of haplotype frequencies revealed that the coexistence of GAG at CCL2, OAS1, and DPP9 variants, respectively, in the same individual increased the presence of the severe COVID-19 phenotype (OR=2.273, 95% CI: 1.271-4.068, P=0.005305). The findings of the current study suggests that the ethnic background affects the allele and genotype frequencies of genes associated with the severity of COVID-19. The experience with COVID-19 has provided an opportunity to identify an ethnicity-based approach to recognize genetically high-risk individuals in different populations for emerging diseases.
Love matters: embracing love as the heart of higher education
Authors: Imad Mays
Published: April 2024

This reflective essay explores the role of love in higher education through the lens of personal experiences, including confronting situations of tragedy and hopelessness as an educator. Drawing on the philosophies of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and James Baldwin, as well as insights from colleagues and students, I argue that love is not simply an emotional state but a transformative force capable of effecting meaningful, sustainable change. Love can serve as a vital element in pedagogical settings, providing a framework for justice, equity, and communal wellbeing. I offer several practical recommendations for educators to intentionally cultivate a culture of love in their interactions with students and colleagues. These range from self-care and setting boundaries to integrating love into course design and community building. The essay suggests that embracing love as an active force can provide a renewed sense of purpose, particularly in times of collective trauma and uncertainty. Further, it highlights that love can be the necessary counterforce to the challenges affecting both educators and students, ultimately serving as the cornerstone for transformative education. By fostering love in academic settings, we enable both individual and communal healing, enriching the overall educational experience. In the wake of global crises like pandemics, genocides, climate disaster, and political divisiveness, the essay asserts that love remains the enduring force that can empower us to build a more just and resilient community in higher education.
Effects of teaching internships on preservice teachers’ noticing in secondary mathematics education
Authors: Bastian Anton , König Johannes , Weyers Jonas , Siller Hans-Stefan , Kaiser Gabriele
Published: April 2024

In this study, we examined the effects of teaching internships and related opportunities to learn, such as conducting lessons or reflecting on teaching practice, on the three facets of teacher noticing, perception, interpretation, and decision-making. Cross-lagged effects of these facets were examined to include reciprocal influences of the facets on each other and to facilitate insights into the development of teacher noticing and how its three facets can predict this development. In detail, this study addressed the research questions of whether and to what extent teacher noticing changes over the course of a teaching internship and how teaching internship process variables influence changes in teacher noticing skills. Based on a sample of 175 preservice teachers from six German universities, we studied professional noticing using a video-based pre- and posttest approach. The results indicated a significant improvement in all three facets of teacher noticing over the course of the internship with small effect sizes, and interpretation was a key facet in this development, having an autoregressive impact as well as influencing the development of perception and decision-making. Only some opportunities to learn within the teacher internship showed a significant impact on teacher noticing skills. For instance, connecting theory and practice and reflecting on practice seemed to foster teacher noticing skills, while the sole process of teaching had no effects on interpretation or decision-making, and even had a negative effect on perception. Overall, the study demonstrated the potential of teaching internships for the development of preservice teachers’ noticing skills and highlighted areas for improvement.
Lessons learned: the use of an augmented reality application in organic chemistry laboratories
Authors: Ward Lyniesha Wright , Spencer Dan , Chauhan Daivik , Oliver-Hoyo Maria
Published: April 2024

Immersive technologies such as augmented reality (AR) have the potential to enable students to remediate invalid assumptions about molecular structure through visualizing site-specific, non-observable chemical processes. In this study, we explore how this technology-embedded instruction impacted student perceptions and experiences in a collaborative face-to-face and independent remote organic chemistry laboratory, the latter of which occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. While we acknowledge the emotional toll of the pandemic, it afforded a unique opportunity to compare the differences in implementation when covering the same material. We used a novel AR mobile application, H NMR MoleculAR, and a complementary worksheet to support students’ understanding of proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy. We gathered data using a mixed-methods pre-post survey about students’ perceptions and experiences in the remote and in-person environments. There were differences in student user experience and perceptions of NMR knowledge, with face-to-face students showing more positive rankings. Although lower than those in face-to-face environments, perceptions of the remote environment remained neutral or positive for all measures. There were no differences in the reported number of challenges faced, but there were unique challenges in the remote learning environment. Our findings illuminate the complexity of factors that must be considered when implementing novel technologies into instruction in face-to-face and remote environments. We conclude by describing concrete lessons learned and considerations for researchers and instructors leveraging augmented reality.
Patterns and drivers of tree species diversity in a coniferous forest of northwest China
Authors: Wang Wendong , Zhao Jingjing , Zhang Baojiang , Deng Gang , Maimaiti Alimu , Guo Zhongjun
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Understanding the pattern of species diversity and underlying ecological determinants driving a forest ecosystem is fundamental to conservation biology and forest management. Boreal forests play an irreplaceable role in providing ecosystem services and maintaining the carbon cycle globally, yet research attention remains disproportionately limited and lacking throughout time.

Methods

Based on field measurement data from a large (25 ha) fully-mapped coniferous forest plot, the present study quantified patterns of species diversity and their determinants in Kanas of Xinjiang, northwest China. We applied linear regression analysis to test the effects of biotic and soil factors on alpha-diversity and local contribution of beta diversity (LCBD), and then we adopted path analysis to test the determinants that affected the species diversity index.

Results and discussion

Our results revealed that alpha-diversity indices did not vary greatly across different subplots, and richness value (between 2 and 6) was low in Kanas. Noteworthy is the discerned negative association between the average diameter at breast height (DBH) and species richness, suggesting that areas with smaller DBH values tend to harbor greater species richness. For beta-diversity, a higher value was observed in the substory layer (0.221) compared to both the canopy layer (0.161) and the understory layer (0.158). We also found that the species abundance distance matrix of biological and soil environmental factors were significantly correlated with species geographic distance matrices. More importantly, our results showed that average DBH and soil pH would affect the alpha diversity indices, and average DBH, soil Ph, average height and soil total Phosphorous would affect the beta diversity indices. Soil pH also indirectly affected the LCBDunder, LCBDsub, and LCBDcan (p ≤ 0.001), upon mediation of alpha diversity indices. Overall, our results provide crucial revelations about species diversity patterns in boreal forests, and insights that can support the protection of forest biodiversity in China.
Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by human adenovirus type 7 L4 100-kilodalton protein
Authors: Duan Yali , Zhu Yun , Zhang Linlin , Wang Wei , Zhang Meng , Tian Jiao , Li Qi , Ai Junhong , Wang Ran , Xie Zhengde
Published: April 2024

Human adenovirus type 7 (HAdV-7) is a significant viral pathogen that causes respiratory infections in children. Currently, there are no specific antiviral drugs or vaccines for children targeting HAdV-7, and the mechanisms of its pathogenesis remain unclear. The NLRP3 inflammasome-driven inflammatory cascade plays a crucial role in the host’s antiviral immunity. Our previous study demonstrated that HAdV-7 infection activates the NLRP3 inflammasome. Building upon this finding, our current study has identified the L4 100 kDa protein encoded by HAdV-7 as the primary viral component responsible for NLRP3 inflammasome activation. By utilizing techniques such as co-immunoprecipitation, we have confirmed that the 100 kDa protein interacts with the NLRP3 protein and facilitates the assembly of the NLRP3 inflammasome by binding specifically to the NACHT and LRR domains of NLRP3. These insights offer a deeper understanding of HAdV-7 pathogenesis and contribute to the development of novel antiviral therapies.
Predicting mitophagy-related genes and unveiling liver endothelial cell heterogeneity in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury
Authors: Pan Bochen , Ma Xuan , Zhou Shihuan , Cheng Xiaoling , Fang Jianwei , Yi Qiuyun , Li Yuke , Li Song , Yang Jiawei
Published: April 2024

Background

Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury (HIRI) is a major complication in liver transplants and surgeries, significantly affecting postoperative outcomes. The role of mitophagy, essential for removing dysfunctional mitochondria and maintaining cellular balance, remains unclear in HIRI.

Methods

To unravel the role of mitophagy-related genes (MRGs) in HIRI, we assembled a comprehensive dataset comprising 44 HIRI samples alongside 44 normal control samples from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database for this analysis. Using Random Forests and Support Vector Machines - Recursive Feature Elimination (SVM-RFE), we pinpointed eight pivotal genes and developed a logistic regression model based on these findings. Further, we employed consensus cluster analysis for classifying HIRI patients according to their MRG expression profiles and conducted weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to identify clusters of genes that exhibit high correlation within different modules. Additionally, we conducted single-cell RNA sequencing data analysis to explore insights into the behavior of MRGs within the HIRI.

Results

We identified eight key genes (FUNDC1, VDAC1, MFN2, PINK1, CSNK2A2, ULK1, UBC, MAP1LC3B) with distinct expressions between HIRI and controls, confirmed by PCR validation. Our diagnostic model, based on these genes, accurately predicted HIRI outcomes. Analysis revealed a strong positive correlation of these genes with monocytic lineage and a negative correlation with B and T cells. HIRI patients were divided into three subclusters based on MRG profiles, with WGCNA uncovering highly correlated gene modules. Single-cell analysis identified two types of endothelial cells with different MRG scores, indicating their varied roles in HIRI.

Conclusions

Our study highlights the critical role of MRGs in HIRI and the heterogeneity of endothelial cells. We identified the macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and cGAS-STING (GAS) pathways as regulators of mitophagy’s impact on HIRI. These findings advance our understanding of mitophagy in HIRI and set the stage for future research and therapeutic developments.
Current status of high-risk HPV infection and correlation with multiple infections in cervical lesions in Western Guangzhou
Authors: Li Jianqi , Lai He , Qin Honglei , Zhou Dongmei , Zhao Yang , Sheng Xiujie
Published: April 2024

Objective

This study aims to investigate the current status of multiple HPV infection and its association with cervical lesions in the western region of Guangzhou.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of clinical data from cervical cancer screening patients was conducted. The patients were grouped based on HPV genotypes and cervical pathology results to explore the prevalence of high-risk HPV infection and its relationship with cervical lesions in the western region of Guangzhou. The study also analyzed the relationship between high-risk HPV infection and cervical lesions among different age groups.

Results

A total of 13,060 patients were included in the study, with an overall infection rate of 18.46% (2,411/13,060). Among them, the infection rate of HPV genotype 16 was 14.14% (341/2,411), HPV genotype 18 was 5.23% (126/2,411), and other 12 high-risk HPV genotypes accounted for 71.96% (1,735/2,411). When comparing the incidence of HSIL+ (high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion or worse) among different HPV genotypes, the results showed that the HPV 16 infection group (47.50%) had a higher incidence than the HPV 18 infection group (25.40%) and the other 12 high-risk HPV genotypes group (15.97%; P < 0.05). In the multiple infection groups, the pathogenicity rates were 63.64% (7/11) for the 16+18 HPV infection group, 42.97% (55/128) for the 16+other 12 high-risk HPV genotypes infection group, 26.79% (15/56) for the 18+other 12 high-risk HPV genotypes infection group, and 57.14% (8/14) for the 16+18+other 12 high-risk HPV genotypes infection group. These rates were significantly different compared to the single infection group (P <0.01). Although there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of cervical cancer between the HPV 16 infection group and the HPV 18 infection group, both groups had a higher incidence compared to the group with other 12 high-risk HPV genotypes infection (P < 0.05). Further analysis suggests that the severity of cervical lesions is not associated with the number of high-risk HPV infections, i.e., the severity of cervical lesions is unrelated to multiple HPV infections but is instead related to the pathogenicity of the HPV genotypes. The infection rate and multiple HPV infection rate of women under 35 years old were higher than those of women aged 35 and above (20% vs. 17.1%; 2% vs. 1.3%; P < 0.05). Moreover, the pathogenicity rate of HSIL+ among high-risk HPV infection increased with age.

Conclusions

In the western region of Guangzhou, the overall infection rate of high-risk HPV is 18.46%. The severity of cervical lesions is unrelated to multiple HPV infections. The fundamental reason is the distinct pathogenicity of different HPV genotypes. The HSIL+ pathogenicity rates, from high to low, are in sequence for HPV 16, HPV 18, and the other 12 HPV types.
MSDeepAMR: antimicrobial resistance prediction based on deep neural networks and transfer learning
Authors: López-Cortés Xaviera A. , Manríquez-Troncoso José M. , Hernández-García Ruber , Peralta Daniel
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health problem that requires early and effective treatments to prevent the indiscriminate use of antimicrobial drugs and the outcome of infections. Mass Spectrometry (MS), and more particularly MALDI-TOF, have been widely adopted by routine clinical microbiology laboratories to identify bacterial species and detect AMR. The analysis of AMR with deep learning is still recent, and most models depend on filters and preprocessing techniques manually applied on spectra.

Methods

This study propose a deep neural network, MSDeepAMR, to learn from raw mass spectra to predict AMR. MSDeepAMR model was implemented for Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus under different antibiotic resistance profiles. Additionally, a transfer learning test was performed to study the benefits of adapting the previously trained models to external data.

Results

MSDeepAMR models showed a good classification performance to detect antibiotic resistance. The AUROC of the model was above 0.83 in most cases studied, improving the results of previous investigations by over 10%. The adapted models improved the AUROC by up to 20% when compared to a model trained only with external data.

Discussion

This study demonstrate the potential of the MSDeepAMR model to predict antibiotic resistance and their use on external MS data. This allow the extrapolation of the MSDeepAMR model to de used in different laboratories that need to study AMR and do not have the capacity for an extensive sample collection.
Indirect influence of soil enzymes and their stoichiometry on soil organic carbon response to warming and nitrogen deposition in the Tibetan Plateau alpine meadow
Authors: Xuemei Xiang , Kejia De , Weishan Lin , Tingxu Feng , Fei Li , Xijie Wei
Published: April 2024

Despite extensive research on the impact of warming and nitrogen deposition on soil organic carbon components, the response mechanisms of microbial community composition and enzyme activity to soil organic carbon remain poorly understood. This study investigated the effects of warming and nitrogen deposition on soil organic carbon components in the Tibetan Plateau alpine meadow and elucidated the regulatory mechanisms of microbial characteristics, including soil microbial community, enzyme activity, and stoichiometry, on organic carbon components. Results indicated that both warming and nitrogen deposition significantly increased soil organic carbon, readily oxidizable carbon, dissolved organic carbon, and microbial biomass carbon. The interaction between warming and nitrogen deposition influenced soil carbon components, with soil organic carbon, readily oxidizable carbon, and dissolved organic carbon reaching maximum values in the W0N32 treatment, while microbial biomass carbon peaked in the W3N32 treatment. Warming and nitrogen deposition also significantly increased soil Cellobiohydrolase, β-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase, leucine aminopeptidase, and alkaline phosphatase. Warming decreased the soil enzyme C: N ratio and C:P ratio but increased the soil enzyme N:P ratio, while nitrogen deposition had the opposite effect. The bacterial Chao1 index and Shannon index increased significantly under warming conditions, particularly in the N32 treatment, whereas there were no significant changes in the fungal Chao1 index and Shannon index with warming and nitrogen addition. Structural equation modeling revealed that soil organic carbon components were directly influenced by the negative impact of warming and the positive impact of nitrogen deposition. Furthermore, warming and nitrogen deposition altered soil bacterial community composition, specifically Gemmatimonadota and Nitrospirota, resulting in a positive impact on soil enzyme activity, particularly soil alkaline phosphatase and β-xylosidase, and enzyme stoichiometry, including N:P and C:P ratios. In summary, changes in soil organic carbon components under warming and nitrogen deposition in the alpine meadows of the Tibetan Plateau primarily depend on the composition of soil bacterial communities, soil enzyme activity, and stoichiometric characteristics.
Causal relationship between circulating insulin-like growth factor-1 and Parkinson’s disease: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Xu Jiahao , Fan Peidong , Yang Jiacheng , Yin Mingjuan , Wu Jun , Chen Chao , Ni Jindong
Published: April 2024

Background

Linear associations between circulating insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels and Parkinson’s disease (PD) have been evidenced in observational studies. Yet, the causal relationship between IGF-1 levels and PD remains obscure. We conducted Mendelian randomization to examine the correlation between genetically predicted IGF-1 levels and PD.

Methods

By reviewing genome-wide association studies (GWAS) that are publicly accessible, we uncovered SNPs linked to both serum concentrations of IGF-1 and PD. A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was carried out to evaluate the individual effect of IGF-1 on PD.

Results

In a primary causal effects model in MR analysis, employing the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method, IGF-1 levels exhibited a notable association with the risk of PD (OR, 1.020, 95% CI, 1.003–1.038, p = 0.0215). Multiple evaluations revealed that horizontal pleiotropy was improbable to distort the main results (MR-Egger: P PD intercept =0.719), and no bias was detected by leave-one-out analysis.

Conclusion

This study unearthed evidence indicating that heightened IGF-1 levels might be causally correlated with an increased risk of PD.
Retinoic acid modulation of granule cell activity and spatial discrimination in the adult hippocampus
Authors: Yeo Yun-Gwon , Park Jeongrak , Kim Yoonsub , Rah Jong-Cheol , Shin Chang-Hoon , Oh Seo-Jin , Jang Jin-Hyeok , Lee Yaebin , Yoon Jong Hyuk , Oh Yong-Seok
Published: April 2024

Retinoic acid (RA), derived from vitamin A (retinol), plays a crucial role in modulating neuroplasticity within the adult brain. Perturbations in RA signaling have been associated with memory impairments, underscoring the necessity to elucidate RA’s influence on neuronal activity, particularly within the hippocampus. In this study, we investigated the cell type and sub-regional distribution of RA-responsive granule cells (GCs) in the mouse hippocampus and delineated their properties. We discovered that RA-responsive GCs tend to exhibit a muted response to environmental novelty, typically remaining inactive. Interestingly, chronic dietary depletion of RA leads to an abnormal increase in GC activation evoked by a novel environment, an effect that is replicated by the localized application of an RA receptor beta (RARβ) antagonist. Furthermore, our study shows that prolonged RA deficiency impairs spatial discrimination—a cognitive function reliant on the hippocampus—with such impairments being reversible with RA replenishment. In summary, our findings significantly contribute to a better understanding of RA’s role in regulating adult hippocampal neuroplasticity and cognitive functions.
Immunolabeling-compatible PEGASOS tissue clearing for high-resolution whole mouse brain imaging
Authors: Gao Pan , Rivera Matthew , Lin Xiaoxiao , Holmes Todd C. , Zhao Hu , Xu Xiangmin
Published: April 2024

Novel brain clearing methods revolutionize imaging by increasing visualization throughout the brain at high resolution. However, combining the standard tool of immunostaining targets of interest with clearing methods has lagged behind. We integrate whole-mount immunostaining with PEGASOS tissue clearing, referred to as iPEGASOS (immunostaining-compatible PEGASOS), to address the challenge of signal quenching during clearing processes. iPEGASOS effectively enhances molecular-genetically targeted fluorescent signals that are otherwise compromised during conventional clearing procedures. Additionally, we demonstrate the utility of iPEGASOS for visualizing neurochemical markers or viral labels to augment visualization that transgenic mouse lines cannot provide. Our study encompasses three distinct applications, each showcasing the versatility and efficacy of this approach. We employ whole-mount immunostaining to enhance molecular signals in transgenic reporter mouse lines to visualize the whole-brain spatial distribution of specific cellular populations. We also significantly improve the visualization of neural circuit connections by enhancing signals from viral tracers injected into the brain. Last, we show immunostaining without genetic markers to selectively label beta-amyloid deposits in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease, facilitating the comprehensive whole-brain study of pathological features.
Research trend of MRI application for lumbar disc degeneration with low back pain: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Saeed Azzam , Shao Haoyue , Hezam Kamal , Liu Chaoxu , Zhang Qiya , Tang Xiangyu
Published: April 2024

Background

Low Back Pain (LBP) is a pervasive and complex musculoskeletal condition affecting over 80% of the global population. Lumbar Disc Degeneration (LDD) significantly contributes to LBP, and MRI is crucial for its diagnosis and understanding. This study aimes to provide a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of MRI research on LDD with LBP, shedding light on research patterns, collaborations, and potential knowledge gaps.

Methods

A comprehensive online search was conducted in the Scopus database to retrieve published literature on LDD with LBP. Bibliometric analysis was conducted to assess publication patterns, co-authorship networks, keyword co-occurrence, and co-citation analysis within the MRI applications for LDD research domain. Bibliometric analysis tools such as VOSviewer and the R package “bibliometrix” were utilized for quantitative assessments.

Results

A total of 1,619 publications related to MRI and LDD were analyzed. The analysis indicated a consistent annual growth rate of 4.62% in publications related to MRI and lumbar disc degeneration, reflecting a steady increase in research output over the past two decades. The USA, China, and Japan emerged as leading contributors. “SPINE“, “European Spine Journal“, and “Spine Journal” were the most productive journals in this domain. Key research themes identified included lumbar spine, low back pain, and magnetic resonance imaging. Network visualization shows that low back pain and magnetic resonance imaging were the most widely used keywords.

Conclusion

The comprehensive bibliometric analysis of MRI applications for Lumbar Disc Degeneration offers insights into prevailing research patterns, highlights key contributors and journals, and identifies significant research themes. This study provides a foundation for future research efforts and clinical practices in the field, ultimately contributing to the advancement of patient care for individuals suffering from LDD and associated Low Back Pain.
Antiseizure medication and SUDEP – a need for unifying methodology in research
Authors: Aurlien Dag Bruheim , Taubøll Erik
Published: April 2024

The risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) increases with the frequency of generalized tonic–clonic seizures. Carbamazepine (CBZ) and lamotrigine (LTG) have been suggested to increase the risk. However, the prevailing viewpoint is that the choice of antiseizure medication (ASM) does not influence the occurrence. We have explored the approach to addressing this question in relevant studies to evaluate the validity of the conclusions reached. A systematic search was performed in PubMed to identify all controlled studies on SUDEP risk in individuals on CBZ or LTG. Studies were categorized according to whether idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) or females were considered separately, and whether data were adjusted for seizure frequency. Eight studies on CBZ and six studies on LTG were identified. For CBZ, one study showed a significantly increased risk of SUDEP without adjustment for seizure frequency. Another study found significantly increased risk after statistical adjustment for seizure frequency and one study found increased risk with high blood levels. Five other studies found no increase in risk. For LTG, one study showed a significantly increased risk in patients with IGE as opposed to focal epilepsy, and another study showed a significantly increased risk in females. None of the subsequent studies on LTG and none of the studies on CBZ considered females with IGE separately. Taken together the available studies suggest that LTG, and possibly CBZ, may increase occurrence of SUDEP when used in females with IGE. Additional studies with sub-group analysis of females with IGE are needed.
A longitudinal study of the brain structure network changes in HIV patients with ANI: combined VBM with SCN
Authors: Xu Fan , Ma Juming , Wang Wei , Li Hongjun
Published: April 2024

Background

Despite the widespread adoption of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in managing HIV, the virus’s impact on the brain structure of patients remains significant. This study aims to longitudinally explore the persistent effects of HIV on brain structure, focusing on changes in gray matter volume (GMV) and structural covariance network (SCN) among patients at the Asymptomatic Neurocognitive Impairment (ANI) stage.

Methods

This research involved 45 HIV patients diagnosed with ANI and 45 demographically matched healthy controls (HCs). The participants were observed over a 1.5-year period. Differences in GMV between groups were analyzed using voxel-based morphometry (VBM), while the graph theory model facilitated the establishment of topological metrics for assessing network indices. These differences were evaluated using two-sample t-tests and paired-sample t-tests, applying the network-based statistics method. Additionally, the study examined correlations between GMV and cognitive performance, as well as clinical variables.

Results

Compared with HCs, HIV patients demonstrated reduced GMV in the right middle temporal gyrus and left middle frontal gyrus (FWE, p < 0.05), along with decreased betweenness centrality (BC) in the left anterior cingulate and paracingulate cortex. Conversely, an increase in the clustering coefficient (Cp) was observed (FDR, p < 0.05). During the follow-up period, a decline in GMV in the right fusiform gyrus (FWE, p < 0.05) and a reduction in node efficiency (Ne) in the triangular part of the inferior frontal gyrus were noted compared with baseline measurements (FDR, p < 0.05). The SCN of HIV patients exhibited small-world properties across most sparsity levels (Sigma >1), and area under the curve (AUC) analysis revealed no significant statistical differences between groups.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that despite the administration of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), HIV continues to exert slow and sustained damage on brain structures. However, when compared to HCs, the small-world properties of the patients’ SCNs did not significantly differ, and the clustering coefficient, indicative of the overall information-processing capacity of the brain network, was slightly elevated in HIV patients. This elevation may relate to compensatory effects of brain area functions, the impact of cART, functional reorganization, or inflammatory responses.
Advances in research and application of artificial intelligence and radiomic predictive models based on intracranial aneurysm images
Authors: Wen Zhongjian , Wang Yiren , Zhong Yuxin , Hu Yiheng , Yang Cheng , Peng Yan , Zhan Xiang , Zhou Ping , Zeng Zhen
Published: April 2024

Intracranial aneurysm is a high-risk disease, with imaging playing a crucial role in their diagnosis and treatment. The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence in imaging technology holds promise for the development of AI-based radiomics predictive models. These models could potentially enable the automatic detection and diagnosis of intracranial aneurysms, assess their status, and predict outcomes, thereby assisting in the creation of personalized treatment plans. In addition, these techniques could improve diagnostic efficiency for physicians and patient prognoses. This article aims to review the progress of artificial intelligence radiomics in the study of intracranial aneurysms, addressing the challenges faced and future prospects, in hopes of introducing new ideas for the precise diagnosis and treatment of intracranial aneurysms.
Multiple reports on the causal relationship between various chronic pain and gut microbiota: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Cai Yuxin , Wen Shuyang , Hu Jinjing , Wang Ziyi , Huang Guozhi , Zeng Qing , Zou Jihua
Published: April 2024

Background

Previous evidence suggests a link between gut microbiota and chronic pain, but the causal relationship is not yet fully understood.

Methods

We categorized gut microbiota based on phylum, class, order, family, and genus levels and gathered pain-related information from the UKB and FinnGen GWAS project. Then, we conducted MR analysis to explore the potential causal relationship between gut microbiota and chronic pain at 12 specific locations.

Results

We have discovered a direct connection between genetic susceptibility in the gut microbiota (gut metabolites) and pain experienced at 12 specific locations. Notably, Serotonin (5-HT) and Glycine were found to be associated with a higher risk of pain in the extremities. On the other hand, certain microbial families and orders were found to have a protective effect against migraines. Specifically, the family Bifidobacteriaceae (IVW, FDR p = 0.013) was associated with a lower risk of migraines. Furthermore, the genus Oxalobacter (IVW, FDR p = 0.044) was found to be linked to an increased risk of low back pain. Importantly, these associations remained significant even after applying the Benjamini-Hochberg correction test. Our analysis did not find any heterogeneity in the data (p > 0.05), as confirmed by the Cochrane’s Q-test. Additionally, both the MR-Egger and MR-PRESSO tests indicated no significant evidence of horizontal pleiotropy (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Our MR analysis demonstrated a causal relationship between the gut microbiota and pain, highlighting its potential significance in advancing our understanding of the underlying mechanisms and clinical implications of microbiota-mediated pain.
Role of nutraceutical against exposure to pesticide residues: power of bioactive compounds
Authors: Sajad Mabil , Shabir Shabnam , Singh Sandeep Kumar , Bhardwaj Rima , Alsanie Walaa F. , Alamri Abdulhakeem S. , Alhomrani Majid , Alsharif Abdulaziz , Vamanu Emanuel , Singh Mahendra P.
Published: April 2024

Pesticides play a crucial role in modern agriculture, aiding in the protection of crops from pests and diseases. However, their indiscriminate use has raised concerns about their potential adverse effects on human health and the environment. Pesticide residues in food and water supplies are a serious health hazards to the general public since long-term exposure can cause cancer, endocrine disruption, and neurotoxicity, among other health problems. In response to these concerns, researchers and health professionals have been exploring alternative approaches to mitigate the toxic effects of pesticide residues. Bioactive substances called nutraceuticals that come from whole foods including fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices have drawn interest because of their ability to mitigate the negative effects of pesticide residues. These substances, which include minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and polyphenols, have a variety of biological actions that may assist in the body’s detoxification and healing of harm from pesticide exposure. In this context, this review aims to explore the potential of nutraceutical interventions as a promising strategy to mitigate the toxic effects of pesticide residues.