bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The static voltage stability analysis of photovoltaic energy storage systems based on NPU algorithm
Authors: Ye Chang , Jiang Kezheng , Wu Junjie , Sun Mingye , Ji Xiaotong , Liu Dan
Published: September 2024

Although the data-driven static voltage stability problems have been widely studied, most of the classical algorithms focus more on improving the accuracy of the system prediction, ignoring the error classification errors generated during the prediction process. Furthermore, current research ignores the utilization of data-driven voltage stability assessment of energy storage systems. Therefore, this paper proposes a static voltage stability assessment method for photovoltaic energy storage systems based on considering the error classification constraint algorithm using Neyman-Pearson umbrella algorithms. Firstly, the Spearman Correlation Coefficient is employed in the feature selection phase. Secondly, an updated voltage stability assessment (VSA) model is proposed. Compared with the existing data-driven prediction of system static voltage stability in the literature, it can realize voltage stability assessment more quickly. Furthermore, on the basis of rapid voltage stability assessment, the umbrella NP classifier can also effectively limit the first-class error and attenuate the effect of error classification by mirroring the control of the number of cycle splits and the type I classification error threshold. Finally, the simulation and experimental results show that the effectiveness and robustness of the scheme proposed in this paper in grid-connected photovoltaic energy farms.
Next-generation data center energy management: a data-driven decision-making framework
Authors: Milić Vlatko
Published: September 2024

In the era of society’s ongoing digitization and the exponential growth in data volume, alongside a growing energy demand, energy management plays an integral role in data centers (DCs) and is a key factor in the quest for decarbonization. In light of the complex nature of DCs, traditional energy management strategies are inadequate. This research introduces a data-driven decision-making framework for DCs, grounded in the OODA (Observation, Orientation, Decision, and Action) loop and based on insights from an Ericsson-operated DC in Linköping, Sweden. The developed framework enables DCs to enhance energy efficiency effectively. Rooted in the OODA loop and leveraging extensive datasets from DCs’ building management systems, this framework aids in decreasing cooling energy usage through strategic, data-driven decision-making. By adopting AI methods, specifically K-means clustering in this research, for continuous monitoring and fine-tuning (Proportional, Integral, Derivative) PID parameters, the framework aids in improving operational efficiency.
Quantifying urban climate response to large-scale forcing modified by local boundary layer effects
Authors: Hamze-Ziabari Seyed Mahmood , Jafari Mahdi , Huwald Hendrik , Lehning Michael
Published: September 2024

Over the past two decades, the joint manifestation of global warming and rapid urbanization has significantly increased the occurrence of heatwaves and the formation of urban heat islands in temperate cities. Consequently, this synergy has amplified the frequency and duration of periods with tropical nights (TNs) in these urban areas. While the occurrences of such extreme events demonstrate irregular and nonlinear annual patterns, they consistently manifest a discernible rising decadal trend in local or regional climatic data. In urban regions situated amidst hilly or mountainous landscapes, changing wind directions—often associated with uphill or downhill thermal flows—profoundly impact the spread and dispersion of heat-related pollution, creating unique natural ventilation patterns. Using the Lausanne/Pully urban area in Switzerland as examples of hilly and lakeshore temperate cities, this study explores the influence of wind patterns and natural urban ventilation on the nonlinearity of recorded climatic data within an urban environment. This study integrates a mesoscale numerical weather prediction model (COSMO-1), a microscale Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model, field observations, variational mode decomposition technique, and statistical analysis to investigate how wind speed and direction critically influence the nonlinearity of recorded long-term trends of extreme events, specifically focusing on the frequency and duration of TNs in lakeshore and hilly cities. The results strongly indicate a direct correlation between the frequency of TNs and the occurrence of specific moderate wind patterns. These wind patterns are exclusively captured by the microscale CFD model, unlike the mesoscale model, which neglects both urban morphology and complex hilly terrains. The impact of temporal and spatial variability of the wind field on long-term observations at fixed measurement stations suggests that caution should be exercised when relying on limited spatial measurement points to monitor and quantify long-term urban climate trends, particularly in cities located in complex terrains.
New insights in the flavor and chemistry of Huanglongbing tolerant citrus hybrids with/without Poncirus trifoliata in their pedigree
Authors: Jeffries Kristen A. , Fan Zhen , Sun Xiuxiu , Olmedo Gabriela M. , Zhao Wei , Mattia Matthew , Stover Ed , Baldwin Elizabeth , Manthey John A. , Breksa Andrew , Bai Jinhe , Plotto Anne
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Citrus hybrids with Poncirus trifoliata L. Raf. introgression have gained interest due to their tolerance to Huanglongbing (HLB), a devastating disease for Florida citrus agriculture. While these hybrids inherit disease tolerance from P. trifoliata, they sometimes also suffer from undesirable off-flavors.

Methods

A selection of thirteen genotypes were harvested over the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 seasons. Their juices were evaluated by a trained sensory panel and were comprehensively analyzed for their chemical makeup, including soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), volatiles, flavonoids and limonoids.

Results & discussion

Overall, along with the commercial orange cultivars ‘Valencia’ and ‘Hamlin’, the HLB-tolerant Poncirus hybrid ‘US SunDragon,’ and the mandarin hybrids Sugar Belle®, FF-5-51-2, and ‘US Superna’ had positive citrus flavor quality. Esters, some sesquiterpenes, along with flavonoids, eriocitrin and quercetin-3-(3R-glucosylrutinoside), were positively correlated with orange flavor while β-ionone and eucalyptol were highly abundant in the mandarins. The flavonoid linarin, was more abundant in Poncirus hybrids with off-flavors than in the Poncirus hybrid ‘US SunDragon’, having high orange flavor. Two mandarin hybrids, FF-5-6-36 and FTP-6-32-67, were not bitter at harvest, but the juice exhibited delayed bitterness after storage at -20°C, which was associated with significant increases of limonin, nomilin, naringenin, and prunin. Interestingly, during freezer storage, a newly identified flavonoid in citrus, tricin-C-hexoside, increased dramatically across all of the genotypes. The identification of disease-tolerant hybrids with satisfactory flavor quality at juicing as well as after storage where delayed bitterness may develop, has great significance for future breeding efforts for fresh fruit or for use in stand-alone juice/juice blends.
Zooplankton vertical stratification in the East-pacific and Indian sectors of the Southern Ocean
Authors: Liu Yunzhe , Wang Yanqing , Sun Yongming , Yang Guang , Swadling Kerrie M.
Published: September 2024

Introduction

In the Southern Ocean, the large-scale distribution of zooplankton, including their abundance and community composition from the epipelagic to the upper bathypelagic layers, remains poorly understood. This gap in knowledge limits our comprehension of their ecological and biogeochemical roles.

Methods

To better understand their community structure, depth-stratified zooplankton samples were collected from 0 to 1500 m during four summers in the East-Pacific and Indian sectors of the Southern Ocean. In addition, analysis of environmental drivers including temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and chlorophyll a concentration, as well as water masses was conducted.

Results

Our study indicates that zooplankton diversity may be similar between the two sectors, while zooplankton abundance was higher in the East-Pacific sector during different sampling months and years. Moreover, zooplankton abundance decreased with depth in both sectors. Based on cluster analysis, zooplankton communities were generally divided by either the epipelagic or the deeper layers’ communities. In both sectors, the epipelagic layer was dominated by cyclopoid copepods, such as Oithona similis and Oncaea curvata, as well as calanoid copepods including Calanoides acutus, Rhincalanus gigas, and Ctenocalanus citer, while copepods and other taxa including Chaetognatha, Amphipoda, and Ostracoda, were important contributors to the deep layer communities.

Discussion

Our analysis revealed that water masses, combined with their physical characteristics such as specific temperature and salinity ranges and depth, along with biological factors such as chlorophyll a concentration, might be the most important drivers for structuring zooplankton communities from epipelagic to upper bathypelagic layer.
Use of trimethoprim- sulfamethoxazole for treating Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in a patient with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency: a case report
Authors: Wang Linyu , Xie Xianlong , Li Zhe , Li Yan
Published: September 2024

Background

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is an opportunistic infection caused by the yeast-like fungus P. jirovecii. As recommended by some guidelines, the first-line treatment for this infection is trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), and the second-line treatment includes drugs such as dapsone, pentamidine, primaquine, Atovaquone, clindamycin, and caspofungin. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is an X-linked gene disorder in which treatment with oxidizing drugs, such as sulfonamides, dapsone, primaquine, can directly destroy hemoglobin present in red blood cells (RBCs), thereby inducing methemoglobin and hemolysis.

Case presentation

Here, we present the case of a lymphoma patient with previous G6PD deficiency who was admitted to ICU for the treatment of severe pneumonia combined with respiratory failure. PJP was detected by the next-generation sequencing of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The patient was initially treated with the antifungal drug caspofungin; however, this treatment showed poor therapeutic effect. Based on the evaluation of G6PD enzyme activity and the patient’s previous history of G6PD deficiency, we finally treated the patient with low-dose TMP-SMX combined with caspofungin and provided rigorous medical care to the patient. Following this treatment, the patient’s clinical symptoms improved, lung computed tomography showed reduced pulmonary inflammation, and the fungal β-(1,3)-D-glucan test (G test) showed decreased levels of fungal D-glucan. After 57 days, the TMP-SMX treatment was discontinued. No symptoms related to G6PD deficiency, such as hemolysis, hematuria, and anemia, occurred during the treatment course.

Conclusion

This is the first report mentioning the successful treatment of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia with a double-drug regimen with low-dose TMP-SMX and caspofungin in a T-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma patient with previous G6PD deficiency. Enzyme activity detection is the first step for anti-PJP treatment in patients with G6PD deficiency. Although patients with mild enzyme deficiency may not show any adverse reactions, we still recommend the regular monitoring of the levels of RBCs, hemoglobin, and hematocrit before and after the use of sulfonamides or sulfoxides and other oxidizing drugs in patients with G6PD deficiency. Among other things, early and correct diagnosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in hematological malignancies patients is very important. Relevant oncologists should be alert to the risk of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in these patients.
Pangenomic and biochemical analyses of Helcococcus ovis reveal widespread tetracycline resistance and a novel bacterial species, Helcococcus bovis
Authors: Cunha Federico , Zhai Yuting , Casaro Segundo , Jones Kristi L. , Hernandez Modesto , Bisinotto Rafael S. , Kariyawasam Subhashinie , Brown Mary B. , Phillips Ashley , Jeong Kwangcheol C. , Galvão Klibs N.
Published: September 2024

Helcococcus ovis (H. ovis) is an opportunistic bacterial pathogen of a wide range of animal hosts including domestic ruminants, swine, avians, and humans. In this study, we sequenced the genomes of 35 Helcococcus sp. clinical isolates from the uterus of dairy cows and explored their antimicrobial resistance and biochemical phenotypes in vitro. Phylogenetic and average nucleotide identity analyses classified four Helcococcus isolates within a cryptic clade representing an undescribed species, for which we propose the name Helcococcus bovis sp. nov. By establishing this new species clade, we also resolve the longstanding question of the classification of the Tongji strain responsible for a confirmed human conjunctival infection. This strain did not neatly fit into H. ovis and is instead a member of H. bovis. We applied whole genome comparative analyses to explore the pangenome, resistome, virulome, and taxonomic diversity of the remaining 31 H. ovis isolates. An overwhelming 97% of H. ovis strains (30 out of 31) harbor mobile tetracycline resistance genes and displayed significantly increased minimum inhibitory concentrations of tetracyclines in vitro. The high prevalence of mobile tetracycline resistance genes makes H. ovis a significant antimicrobial resistance gene reservoir in our food chain. Finally, the phylogenetic distribution of co-occurring high-virulence determinant genes of H. ovis across unlinked and distant loci highlights an instance of convergent gene loss in the species. In summary, this study showed that mobile genetic element-mediated tetracycline resistance is widespread in H. ovis, and that there is evidence of co-occurring virulence factors across clades suggesting convergent gene loss in the species. Finally, we introduced a novel Helcococcus species closely related to H. ovis, called H. bovis sp. nov., which has been reported to cause infection in humans.
A new brown rot disease of plum caused by Mucor xinjiangensis sp. nov. and screening of its chemical control
Authors: Song Bo , Raza Mubashar , Zhang Li-Juan , Xu Bing-Qiang , Zhang Pan , Zhu Xiao-Feng
Published: September 2024

A novel species of Mucor was identified as the causal agent of a brown rot of Prunus domestica (European plum), widely grown in the south of Xinjiang, China. This disease first appears as red spots after the onset of the fruits. With favorable environmental conditions, fruit with infected spots turn brown, sag, expand, wrinkle, and harden, resulting in fruit falling. Fungal species were isolated from infected fruits. A phylogenetic analysis based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions and the large subunit (LSU) of the nuclear ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene regions strongly supported that these isolates made a distinct evolutionary lineage in Mucor (Mucoromycetes, Mucoraceae) that represents a new taxonomic species, herein named as Mucor xinjiangensis. Microscopic characters confirmed that these strains were morphologically distinct from known Mucor species. The pathogenicity of M. xinjiangensis was confirmed by attaching an agar disk containing mycelium on fruits and re-isolation of the pathogen from symptomatic tissues. Later, fourteen fungicides were selected to determine the inhibitory effect on the pathogen. Further, results showed that difenoconazole had the best effect on the pathogen and the strongest toxicity with the smallest half maximal effective concentration (EC50) value, followed by a compound fungicide composed of difenoconazole with azoxystrobin, mancozeb, prochloraz with iprodione, pyraclostrobin with tebuconazole, and trifloxystrobin with tebuconazole and ethhylicin. Present study provides the basis for the prevention and control of the novel plum disease and its pathogen.
Study on the effect of ascorbic acid on the biosynthesis of pigment and citrinin in red yeast rice based on comparative transcriptomics
Authors: Jiang Zhilin , Duan Yunxun , Yin Qianqian , Zhang Jing , Chen Jing , Lan Jingsha , Xiao Chen , Tang Xian , Wang Xinhui , Zuo Yong
Published: September 2024

Pigment is one of the most important metabolites in red yeast rice. However, citrinin may accumulate and cause quality security issues. In the present study, the effect of ascorbic acid (EAA) on the pigment and citrinin was studied, and the metabolic mechanism was discussed using comparative transcriptomics. The introduction of EAA increased the pigment by 58.2% and decreased citrinin by 65.4%. The acid protease activity, DPPH scavenging rate, and total reducing ability also increased by 18.7, 9.0, and 26.7%, respectively. Additionally, a total of 791 differentially expressed genes were identified, and 79 metabolic pathways were annotated, among which carbon metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and fatty acid metabolism were closely related to the biosynthesis of pigment and citrinin. Ethanol dehydrogenase (M pigC), oxidoreductase (M pigE), reductase (M pigH), and monooxygenase (M pigN) may be related to the increase of pigment. ctnC and pksCT contributed to the decline of citrinin.
Metabolomic changes in tear fluid following zinc biofortification in the BiZiFED nutritional study: a feasibility study
Authors: Brown Connor N. , Shahzad Babar , Zaman Mukhtiar , Pan Xiaobei , Green Brian D. , Lowe Nicola M. , Lengyel Imre
Published: September 2024

Background

Biofortified Zinc Flour to Eliminate Deficiency in Pakistan (BiZiFED) is a nutritional research program that evaluates the impact of consuming zinc biofortified wheat flour on zinc status and associated health outcomes of vulnerable communities in northwest Pakistan. Measuring zinc status from blood samples is fraught with problems. This feasibility study evaluated whether metabolite changes in tear biofluids could be used to understand zinc status.

Methods

Zinc deficiency is particularly prevalent amongst the female population in Pakistan. Therefore, a crossover trial was developed in which 25 women of reproductive age received standard, wheat flour, and another 25 received zinc-biofortified wheat flour for 8 weeks. At the end of this period, the nutritional intervention was switched between the groups for another 8 weeks. Tear biofluid was collected using Schirmer strips at baseline and after 8 and 16 weeks. Metabolomic analysis was conducted using the MxP® Quant 500 kit on the tear biofluid from a subset of the study participants.

Results

Two metabolites had a significantly negative correlation with plasma zinc concentration: tiglylcarnitine and valine. Compared to baseline metabolite concentrations, acetylcarnitine, glutamine, two lysophosphatidylcholines (lysoPC a C16:0 and lysoPC a C18:1), and four sphingomyelins (SM (OH) C16:1, SM C16:0, SM C16:1, and SM C24:0) were all significantly decreased post-zinc intervention, whilst a ceramide (Cer(d18:1/18:0) was significantly increased.

Conclusion

These results highlight the potential of using tear biofluids as an alternative source for metabolomic biomarkers, both for the assessment of the zinc status of individuals enrolled in nutritional studies and for indicating physiological changes that arise from nutritional supplementation.
Reinforcement learning as a robotics-inspired framework for insect navigation: from spatial representations to neural implementation
Authors: Lochner Stephan , Honerkamp Daniel , Valada Abhinav , Straw Andrew D.
Published: September 2024

Bees are among the master navigators of the insect world. Despite impressive advances in robot navigation research, the performance of these insects is still unrivaled by any artificial system in terms of training efficiency and generalization capabilities, particularly considering the limited computational capacity. On the other hand, computational principles underlying these extraordinary feats are still only partially understood. The theoretical framework of reinforcement learning (RL) provides an ideal focal point to bring the two fields together for mutual benefit. In particular, we analyze and compare representations of space in robot and insect navigation models through the lens of RL, as the efficiency of insect navigation is likely rooted in an efficient and robust internal representation, linking retinotopic (egocentric) visual input with the geometry of the environment. While RL has long been at the core of robot navigation research, current computational theories of insect navigation are not commonly formulated within this framework, but largely as an associative learning process implemented in the insect brain, especially in the mushroom body (MB). Here we propose specific hypothetical components of the MB circuit that would enable the implementation of a certain class of relatively simple RL algorithms, capable of integrating distinct components of a navigation task, reminiscent of hierarchical RL models used in robot navigation. We discuss how current models of insect and robot navigation are exploring representations beyond classical, complete map-like representations, with spatial information being embedded in the respective latent representations to varying degrees.
Neuroprotective effects of ellorarxine in neuronal models of degeneration
Authors: Kouchmeshky Azita , Whiting Andrew , McCaffery Peter
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Retinoic acid (RA) was first recognised to be important for the central nervous system (CNS) in its developmental regulatory role and, given this action, it has been proposed in the adult CNS to regulate plasticity and promote regeneration. These types of roles have included support of neurogenesis, induction of neurite outgrowth, and protection from neuronal death. These functions are predominantly mediated by the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) transcription factor, and hence agonists for the RARs have been tested in a variety of models of neurodegeneration. This present study employs several in vitro models less explored for the action of RAR agonists to reverse neurodegeneration.

Methods

A series of assays are used in which neuronal cells are placed under the types of stress that have been linked to neurodegeneration, in particular amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and the neuroprotective influence of a new potent agonist for RAR, ellorarxine, is tested out. In these assays, neuronal cells were subjected to excitotoxic stress induced by glutamate, proteostasis disruption caused by epoxomicin, and oxidative stress leading to stress granule formation triggered by sodium arsenite.

Results

Ellorarxine effectively reversed neuronal death in excitotoxic and proteostasis disruption assays and mitigated stress granule formation induced by sodium arsenite. This study also highlights for the first time the novel observation of RAR modulation of stress granules, although it is unknown whether this change in stress granules will be neuroprotective or potentially regenerative. Furthermore, the distribution of RAR agonists following intraperitoneal injection was assessed in mice, revealing preferential accumulation in the central nervous system, particularly in the spinal cord, compared to the liver. Gene expression studies in the spinal cord demonstrated that ellorarxine induces transcriptional changes at a low dose (0.01 mg/kg).

Discussion

These findings underscore the therapeutic potential of RAR agonists, such as ellorarxine, for ALS and potentially other neurodegenerative diseases.
Different types and numbers metabolic abnormalities and risk of gallbladder stone disease in adults
Authors: Yang Tingting , Zhong Jianqin , Zhang Renhua , Xiao Fei , Wang Yuan , Tao Huimin , Hong Feng
Published: September 2024

Background

Metabolic abnormalities in the body increase the risk of gallbladder stones and their complications, which brings a great economic and social burden. The relationship between different types and amounts of metabolic abnormalities and gallstone risk in different sexes is poorly documented and controversial.

Methods

Based on the baseline survey data of the Chinese Multi-Ethnic Cohort (CMEC) study, 4,075 Chinese adults aged 30–79 years with complete abdominal ultrasound results and metabolic index data. Logistic regression model was used to evaluate the correlation between five metabolic abnormalities and gallstones, and to explore the gender difference.

Results

The detection rate of gallbladder stones was found to be 7.0%, with a higher rate in women (8.6%) than in men (4.1%). Logistic results showed adjustment odds ratio (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of dysglycemia + hypertension + central obesity in 3 metabolic combinations was 4.459 (1.653, 12.029). The four metabolic combinations, dysglycemia + dyslipidemia + hypertension + central obesity, dysglycemia + dyslipidemia + hypertension + abnormal blood uric acid and dysglycemia + dyslipidemia + central obesity + abnormal blood uric acid adjusted OR and 95%CI were 3.342 (1.459, 7.659), 5.439 (1.555, 19.018) and 2.971 (1.187, 7.435), respectively. Gender-stratified analysis found that “any three or more metabolic abnormalities and their components were associated with gallstone risk, more significantly in women.

Conclusion

Different types and amounts of five metabolic abnormalities were associated with the risk of gallstone development, and the differences were more significant in women than men.
A machine learning model based on CHAT-23 for early screening of autism in Chinese children
Authors: Lu Hengyang , Zhang Heng , Zhong Yi , Meng Xiang-Yu , Zhang Meng-Fei , Qiu Ting
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that significantly impacts the mental, emotional, and social development of children. Early screening for ASD typically involves the use of a series of questionnaires. With answers to these questionnaires, healthcare professionals can identify whether a child is at risk for developing ASD and refer them for further evaluation and diagnosis. CHAT-23 is an effective and widely used screening test in China for the early screening of ASD, which contains 23 different kinds of questions.

Methods

We have collected clinical data from Wuxi, China. All the questions of CHAT-23 are regarded as different kinds of features for building machine learning models. We introduce machine learning methods into ASD screening, using the Max-Relevance and Min-Redundancy (mRMR) feature selection method to analyze the most important questions among all 23 from the collected CHAT-23 questionnaires. Seven mainstream supervised machine learning models were built and experiments were conducted.

Results

Among the seven supervised machine learning models evaluated, the best-performing model achieved a sensitivity of 0.909 and a specificity of 0.922 when the number of features was reduced to 9. This demonstrates the model's ability to accurately identify children for ASD with high precision, even with a more concise set of features.

Discussion

Our study focuses on the health of Chinese children, introducing machine learning methods to provide more accurate and effective early screening tests for autism. This approach not only enhances the early detection of ASD but also helps in refining the CHAT-23 questionnaire by identifying the most relevant questions for the diagnosis process.
Food protein-induced enteropathy: a revision for the clinician
Authors: Barni Simona , Mori Francesca , Pecoraro Luca , Saretta Francesca , Giovannini Mattia , Arasi Stefania , Liotti Lucia , Mastrorilli Carla , Klain Angela , Gelsomino Mariannita , Castagnoli Riccardo , Miraglia del Giudice Michele , Novembre Elio
Published: September 2024

Food protein-induced enteropathy (FPE) belongs to non-IgE gastrointestinal mediated food allergies. FPE is a syndrome characterized by diarrhea, weight loss and failure to thrive in young infants. Cow milk is the culprit food that most frequently causes FPE. The prevalence of FPE has not been fully estimated, but it is relatively rare. The diagnosis is based on the clinical manifestations and histological findings through colonoscopy. Laboratory tests are somewhat helpful in the diagnosis, although there are no disease-specific findings. Allergy testing for food specific IgE is not routinely recommended. The cornerstone of the management of FPE is the removal of culprit food from the diet. FPE is usually a transient condition that resolves in most cases by 1–2 years of life. This review addresses the latest findings on FPE, including a practical guide to assist pediatricians treating children with FPE.
A single exposure to brivaracetam or perampanel does not cause cell death in neonatal rats
Authors: Witherspoon Eric , Zuczek Nicholas , Williams Gabrielle , Bernstein Briana , Ghosh Anjik , Culjat Marko , Kaushal Suhasini , Forcelli Patrick A.
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Exposure to a range of anti-seizure medications (ASMs) during early brain development adversely impacts neurodevelopmental outcomes in both animal models and in clinical studies. Many ASMs, including phenobarbital, phenytoin, valproate (VPA), and benzodiazepines, are associated with acute neurotoxicity (cell death), impaired synaptic development, and long-term behavioral changes following gestational or neonatal exposure in animals. This is mirrored in clinical studies which show lasting neurodevelopmental deficits following early-life or gestational exposure to these drugs. Brivaracetam (BRV) and perampanel (PER) are two newer generation anti-seizure medications and are of interest based on their mechanisms of action (SV2A modulator, AMPA antagonist, respectively), as other drugs with these mechanisms of action do not trigger acute neurotoxicity. Both BRV and PER show anti-seizure efficacy in developing animals, but potential neurotoxicity of these drugs is unexplored.

Methods

To address this gap, we treated postnatal day (P)7 Sprague-Dawley rats with BRV (20, 40, 80 mg/kg) and PER (0.1, 0.9, 2.7 mg/kg), and assessed the induction of cell death across a range of vulnerable brain regions 24 h after exposure. Cell death was assessed using pathogreen staining.

Results

In each of the regions examined (dorsal striatum, nucleus accumbens, motor cortex, cingulate cortex, lateral thalamus, septum, hippocampus), VPA, which served as a positive control, significantly increased cell death as measured by the numer of pathogreen positive cells. By contrast, neither BRV nor PER increased the number of pathogreen positive cells in any region examined.

Discussion

Our results suggest that BRV and PER may have a positive safety profile–at least with respect to acute induction of cell death - and therefore may offer a safer option for the treatment of early life seizures.
Mechanisms of action of Sappan lignum for prostate cancer treatment: network pharmacology, molecular docking and experimental validation
Authors: Li Wenna , Jiang Honglin , Zhang Weina , Sun Qiuyue , Zhang Qiaoli , Xu Jingnan , Huang Jinchang , Wan Yuxiang
Published: September 2024

Background

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common non-cutaneous malignancy in men globally. Sappan lignum, which exists in the heartwood of Caesalpinia sappan L., has antitumor effects; however, its exact mechanism of action remains unclear. This study elucidated the underlying mechanisms of Sappan lignum in PCa through network pharmacology approaches and molecular docking techniques. Moreover, the therapeutic effects of Sappan lignum on PCa were verified through in vitro experiments.

Methods

The constituent ingredients of Sappan lignum were retrieved from the HERB database. Active plant-derived compounds of Sappan lignum were screened based on gastrointestinal absorption and gastric drug properties. Disease targets for PCa were screened using unpaired and paired case datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus. Intersection targets were used for gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. Core targets were identified through topological analysis parameters and their clinical relevance was validated through The Cancer Genome Atlas database. The affinity between the phytochemicals of Sappan lignum and core proteins was verified using the molecular docking technique. Validation experiments confirmed the significant potential of Sappan lignum in treating PCa.

Results

Twenty-one plant-derived compounds of Sappan lignum and 821 differentially expressed genes associated with PCa were collected. Among 32 intersection targets, 8 were screened according to topological parameters. KEGG analysis indicated that the antitumor effects of Sappan lignum on PCa were primarily associated with the p53 pathway. The molecular docking technique demonstrated a strong affinity between 3-deoxysappanchalcone (3-DSC) and core proteins, particularly cyclin B1 (CCNB1). CCNB1 expression correlated with clinicopathological features in patients with PCa. Experimental results revealed that 3-DSC exhibited anti-proliferative, anti-migratory, and pro-apoptotic effects on 22RV1 and DU145 cells while also causing G2/M phase cell cycle arrest, potentially through modulating the p53/p21/CDC2/CCNB1 pathway.

Conclusion

This research highlights the promising therapeutic potential of Sappan lignum in treating PCa, with a particular focus on targeting the p53 pathway.
Ethnobotanical survey and scientific validation of liver-healing plants in northeastern Morocco
Authors: Bencheikh Noureddine , Elbouzidi Amine , Baraich Abdellah , Bouhrim Mohamed , Azeroual Abdelhamid , Addi Mohamed , Mothana Ramzi A. , Al-Yousef Hanan M. , Eto Bruno , Elachouri Mostafa
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Liver diseases represent a significant global health challenge, with primary causes including excessive alcohol consumption, infections, chemotherapy, and autoimmune disorders. Medicinal plants, due to their natural bioactive compounds, hold promise for developing effective treatments and preventive measures against liver ailments. This study aimed to document the use of herbal remedies in northeastern Morocco for liver diseases and correlate these uses with scientific evidence through a bibliometric analysis.

Methods

An ethnobotanical survey was conducted in remote communities of northeastern Morocco from October 2020 to January 2022. A total of 189 informants were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires to gather information on local medicinal plants used for liver ailments. The data were analyzed using four ethnobotanical quantitative indices: use value (UV), familial use value (FUV), informant consensus factor (ICF), and fidelity level (FL). Additionally, a bibliometric analysis was performed to evaluate the scientific support for the ethnopharmacological uses documented.

Results

The survey identified 45 plant species from 26 different families used in the treatment of liver diseases. The most frequently utilized species were Cuminum cyminum L. (UV = 0.1065), Allium sativum L. (UV = 0.1015), Salvia officinalis L. (UV = 0.0761), Asparagus officinalis L. (UV = 0.0558), and Ziziphus lotus (L.) Lam. (UV = 0.0457). The Apiaceae family showed the highest familial use value (FUV = 0.1066), followed by Alliaceae (FUV = 0.1015). Liver congestion had the highest informant consensus factor (ICF = 0.83), followed by hepatic colic (ICF = 0.80). Bibliometric analysis revealed that 61% of the plants identified had documented pharmacological effects related to liver health.

Discussion

The study demonstrates that traditional knowledge in northeastern Morocco encompasses a rich diversity of medicinal plants used to treat liver diseases. The high ICF values indicate a strong consensus among informants on the efficacy of these remedies. The correlation between ethnopharmacological use and scientific validation for a significant portion of these plants suggests their potential as reliable therapeutic agents for liver conditions. However, further scientific investigations are necessary to confirm their efficacy and safety in clinical settings. This research contributes valuable information for future studies on the therapeutic potential of these plants.

Conclusion

This ethnobotanical survey provides a comprehensive database of medicinal plants used in northeastern Morocco for liver diseases. The findings highlight the potential of these plants in developing novel treatments for hepatic conditions, although further research is essential to substantiate their therapeutic claims.
Individualized dosing parameters for tacrolimus in the presence of voriconazole: a real-world PopPK study
Authors: Zhao Yi-Chang , Sun Zhi-Hua , Li Jia-Kai , Liu Huai-Yuan , Zhang Bi-Kui , Xie Xu-Biao , Fang Chun-Hua , Sandaradura Indy , Peng Feng-Hua , Yan Miao
Published: September 2024

Objectives

Significant increase in tacrolimus exposure was observed during co-administration with voriconazole, and no population pharmacokinetic model exists for tacrolimus in renal transplant recipients receiving voriconazole. To achieve target tacrolimus concentrations, an optimal dosage regimen is required. This study aims to develop individualized dosing parameters through population pharmacokinetic analysis and simulate tacrolimus concentrations under different dosage regimens.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of renal transplant recipients who were hospitalized at the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University between January 2016 and March 2021. Subsequently, pharmacokinetic analysis and Monte Carlo simulation were employed for further analysis.

Results

Nineteen eligible patients receiving tacrolimus and voriconazole co-therapy were included in the study. We collected 167 blood samples and developed a one-compartment model with first-order absorption and elimination to describe the pharmacokinetic properties of tacrolimus. The final typical values for tacrolimus elimination rate constant (Ka), apparent volume of distribution (V/F), and apparent oral clearance (CL/F) were 8.39 h−1, 2690 L, and 42.87 L/h, respectively. Key covariates in the final model included voriconazole concentration and serum creatinine. Patients with higher voriconazole concentration had lower tacrolimus CL/F and V/F. In addition, higher serum creatinine levels were associated with lower tacrolimus CL/F.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that clinicians can predict tacrolimus concentration and estimate optimal tacrolimus dosage based on voriconazole concentration and serum creatinine. The effect of voriconazole concentration on tacrolimus concentration was more significant than serum creatinine. These findings may inform clinical decision-making in the management of tacrolimus and voriconazole therapy in solid organ transplant recipients.
Multi-robot collision avoidance method in sweet potato fields
Authors: Xu Kang , Xing Jiejie , Sun Wenbin , Xu Peng , Yang Ranbing
Published: September 2024

Currently, precise spraying of sweet potatoes is mainly accomplished through semi-mechanized or single spraying robots, which results in low operating efficiency. Moreover, it is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and the pests and diseases cannot be eliminated in time. Based on multi robot navigation technology, multiple robots can work simultaneously, improving work efficiency. One of the main challenges faced by multi robot navigation technology is to develop a safe and robust collision avoidance strategy, so that each robot can safely and efficiently navigate from its starting position to the expected target. In this article, we propose a low-cost multi-robot collision avoidance method to solve the problem that multiple robots are prone to collision when working in field at the same time. This method has achieved good results in simulation. In particular, our collision avoidance method predicts the possibility of collision based on the robot’s position and environmental information, and changes the robot’s path in advance, instead of waiting for the robot to make a collision avoidance decision when it is closer. Finally, we demonstrate that a multi-robot collision avoidance approach provides an excellent solution for safe and effective autonomous navigation of a single robot working in complex sweet potato fields. Our collision avoidance method allows the robot to move forward effectively in the field without getting stuck. More importantly, this method does not require expensive hardware and computing power, nor does it require tedious parameter tuning.
Enhancing the cultivation of Salicornia fruticosa with agroindustrial compost leachates in a cascade cropping system: evaluating the impact of melatonin application
Authors: Giménez Almudena , Gallegos-Cedillo Victor M. , Benaissa Rachida Rania , Egea-Gilabert Catalina , Signore Angelo , Ochoa Jesús , Gruda Nazim S. , Arnao Marino B. , Fernández Juan A.
Published: September 2024

Cascade cropping systems (CCS) utilize leachate from a primary crop to grow secondary crops and enhance the efficient use of water and fertilizers in areas with scarce water resources. A preliminary study investigated the effect of melatonin in a cascade cropping system to potentially improve plant tolerance to abiotic stresses. This study aimed to cultivate Salicornia fruticosa in this cropping system to reduce nutrient discharge and assess the impact of exogenous melatonin on Salicornia growth and quality. The CCS included a primary crop of Salicornia grown in an agro-industrial compost or peat. Leachates from these media were used to cultivate the same plant once again in a floating system under four treatments: compost leachate (T1), peat leachate (T2), 100% nutrient solution (NS) (T3), 50% NS (T4) strength. Four concentrations of exogenous melatonin were applied in foliar spray: 0, 100, 200, and 400 µM. Melatonin application increased yield, with the highest values observed when plants were grown in T1. Water use efficiency was also maximized in T1 and with both 200 and 400 µM melatonin applications. The highest nitrogen use efficiency was achieved in plants grown in peat leachate. The lipid membrane damage was assessed revealing that plants grown in compost leachate exhibited the lowest MDA values regardless of melatonin concentrations. The accumulation of some antinutritional compounds (nitrate, oxalate, and sodium) were the highest in those plants grown in compost leachate. Overall, shoots grown in peat leachate exhibited the best phytochemical profile (total phenol content, total flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity), with peak values in plants treated with 200 µM melatonin. These findings suggest that S. fruticosa can be effectively cultivated using leachate from a previous crop in a floating system and that exogenous melatonin application enhances the yield and nutritional quality of Salicornia shoots.
Systemic delivery of engineered compact AsCas12f by a positive-strand RNA virus vector enables highly efficient targeted mutagenesis in plants
Authors: Ishibashi Kazuhiro , Sukegawa Satoru , Endo Masaki , Hara Naho , Nureki Osamu , Saika Hiroaki , Toki Seiichi
Published: September 2024

Because virus vectors can spread systemically autonomously, they are powerful vehicles with which to deliver genome-editing tools into plant cells. Indeed, a vector based on a positive-strand RNA virus, potato virus X (PVX), harboring SpCas9 and its single guide RNA (sgRNA), achieved targeted mutagenesis in inoculated leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana. However, the large size of the SpCas9 gene makes it unstable in the PVX vector, hampering the introduction of mutations in systemic leaves. Smaller Cas variants are promising tools for virus vector–mediated genome editing; however, they exhibit far lower nuclease activity than SpCas9. Recently, AsCas12f, one of the smallest known Cas proteins so far (one-third the size of SpCas9), was engineered to improve genome-editing activity dramatically. Here, we first confirmed that engineered AsCas12f variants including I123Y/D195K/D208R/V232A exhibited enhanced genome-editing frequencies in rice. Then, a PVX vector harboring this AsCas12f variant was inoculated into N. benthamiana leaves by agroinfiltration. Remarkably, and unlike with PVX-SpCas9, highly efficient genome editing was achieved, not only in PVX-AsCas12f-inoculated leaves but also in leaves above the inoculated leaf (fourth to sixth upper leaves). Moreover, genome-edited shoots regenerated from systemic leaves were obtained at a rate of >60%, enabling foreign DNA–free genome editing. Taken together, our results demonstrate that AsCas12f is small enough to be maintained in the PVX vector during systemic infection in N. benthamiana and that engineered AsCas12f offers advantages over SpCas9 for plant genome editing using virus vectors.
Applying neural network algorithms to ascertain reported experiences of violence in routine mental healthcare records and distributions of reports by diagnosis
Authors: Mason Ava J. C. , Bhavsar Vishal , Botelle Riley , Chandran David , Li Lifang , Mascio Aurelie , Sanyal Jyoti , Kadra-Scalzo Gioulaina , Roberts Angus , Williams Marcus , Stewart Robert
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Experiences of violence are important risk factors for worse outcome in people with mental health conditions; however, they are not routinely collected be mental health services, so their ascertainment depends on extraction from text fields with natural language processing (NLP) algorithms.

Methods

Applying previously developed neural network algorithms to routine mental healthcare records, we sought to describe the distribution of recorded violence victimisation by demographic and diagnostic characteristics. We ascertained recorded violence victimisation from the records of 60,021 patients receiving care from a large south London NHS mental healthcare provider during 2019. Descriptive and regression analyses were conducted to investigate variation by age, sex, ethnic group, and diagnostic category (ICD-10 F chapter sub-headings plus post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a specific condition).

Results

Patients with a mood disorder (adjusted odds ratio 1.63, 1.55-1.72), personality disorder (4.03, 3.65-4.45), schizophrenia spectrum disorder (1.84, 1.74-1.95) or PTSD (2.36, 2.08-2.69) had a significantly increased likelihood of victimisation compared to those with other mental health diagnoses. Additionally, patients from minority ethnic groups (1.10 (1.02-1.20) for Black, 1.40 (1.31-1.49) for Asian compared to White groups) had significantly higher likelihood of recorded violence victimisation. Males were significantly less likely to have reported recorded violence victimisation (0.44, 0.42-0.45) than females.

Discussion

We thus demonstrate the successful deployment of machine learning based NLP algorithms to ascertain important entities for outcome prediction in mental healthcare. The observed distributions highlight which sex, ethnicity and diagnostic groups had more records of violence victimisation. Further development of these algorithms could usefully capture broader experiences, such as differentiating more efficiently between witnessed, perpetrated and experienced violence and broader violence experiences like emotional abuse.