bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Associations between BMI, polygenic risk score for BMI, lifestyle and the risk of upper gastrointestinal cancer
Authors: Huang Yubei , Feng Zhuowei , Ji Yuting , Duan Hongyuan , Liu Xiaomin , Zhang Yunmeng , Zhang Yu , Fan Zeyu , Liu Ya , Liu Ben , Lyu Zhangyan , Song Fangfang , Chen Kexin , Song Fengju
Published: December 2023

Objective
To investigate the risk of upper gastrointestinal (UG) cancer associated with BMI across different polygenic risk score for BMI (PRSBMI), and to investigate whether healthy lifestyles could attenuate this risk.
Methods
The joint association between BMI and PRSBMI [low risk: quintile 1–2; intermediate risk: quintile 3–4; high risk: quintile 5] on UG cancer risk were evaluated among 386,427 participants from the UK Biobank cohort, and stratified associations were further investigated according to the scores of lifestyle [favorable lifestyle: 0–1 score; intermediate lifestyle: 2–3 scores; unfavorable lifestyle: 4 scores].
Results
UG cancer significantly associated with BMI, PRSBMI, and numbers of unfavorable lifestyles in dose-response manners, and the adjusted hazard ratios [HRs(95%CI)] were 1.12(0.99–1.27) and 1.39(1.21–1.60) for intermediate and high BMI, 1.15(1.02–1.29) and 1.20(1.05–1.38) for intermediate and high PRSBMI, and 1.40(1.22–1.60) and 2.17(1.79–2.64) for intermediate and unfavorable lifestyles, respectively. Moreover, higher risk was observed for high BMI but low PRSBMI than high PRSBMI but low BMI. After stratifying by lifestyle, there was no obvious interaction and joint association of BMI and PRSBMI with UG cancer risk among participants with favorable lifestyle, while intermediate and unfavorable lifestyle further increased the risk, with HRs ranging from 1.37 to 4.95.
Conclusions
Generally, both high BMI and PRSBMI were associated with increased risk of UG cancer. Moreover, favorable lifestyle could attenuate the increased UG cancer risks associated with high BMI and/or high genetic predisposition of excess BMI. Adopting healthy lifestyles and keeping healthy weight are recommended to reduce UG cancer risk.
Evaluation of intrahospital test data as an indicator of SARS-CoV-2 incidence underreporting
Authors: Mees Juliane , Rauschenberger Vera , Pscheidl Tamara , Höhn Anna , Ebert Sina , Roth Nina , Reusch Julia , Wagenhäuser Isabell , Petri Nils , Kampmeier Stefanie , Eisenmann Michael , Krone Manuel
Published: December 2023

The incidence has been widely used to assess the epidemiological situation during the COVID-19 pandemic and guide health policy. As testing requirements changed during the pandemic, more SARS-CoV-2 infections may have remained undetected. This study aims to evaluate the use of different indicators for estimating unreported SARS-CoV-2 infections. Monthly SARS-CoV-2 incidences in the general Bavarian population were compared with three indicators: incidence in healthcare workers (HCWs), incidence of patients, and incidence in visitors. Based on this, the number of unreported SARS-CoV-2 cases in the Bavarian population was estimated. The incidence from the visitors correlated moderately with the official incidences (r = 0.63). The general population incidence and the inpatient incidence are highly correlated (r = 0.91), as are the general population incidence and the HCWs incidence (r = 0.94). Between April 2020 and June 2023, the general population incidence was on average higher than the average incidence of the three indicators, after which the relationship reversed. The reversal of the relationship between the data series of the Bavarian population and the chosen indicators in June 2022 suggests that SARS-CoV-2 infections were underreported. Inpatient screening incidence and HCWs’ incidence in settings with low-threshold test accessibility are suitable indicators of current epidemiology in the general population.
Obtaining Approximately Optimal and Diverse Solutions via Dispersion
Authors: Gao Jie , Goswami Mayank , C.S. Karthik , Tsai Meng-Tsung , Tsai Shih-Yu , YANG HAO-TSUNG
Published: December 2023

There has been a long-standing interest in computing diverse solutions to optimization problems. In 1995 J. Krarup posed the problem of finding $k$-edge disjoint Hamiltonian Circuits of minimum total weight, called the peripatetic salesman problem (PSP). Since then researchers have investigated the complexity of finding diverse solutions to spanning trees, paths, vertex covers, matchings, and more. Unlike the PSP that has a constraint on the total weight of the solutions, recent work has involved finding diverse solutions that are all optimal. However, sometimes the space of exact solutions may be too small to achieve sufficient diversity. Motivated by this, we initiate the study of obtaining sufficiently-diverse, yet approximately-optimal solutions to optimization problems. Formally, given an integer $k$, an approximation factor $c$, and an instance $I$ of an optimization problem, we aim to obtain a set of $k$ solutions to $I$ that a) are all $c$ approximately-optimal for $I$ and b) maximize the diversity of the $k$ solutions. Finding such solutions, therefore, requires a better understanding of the global landscape of the optimization function. Given a metric on the space of solutions, we first provide a general reduction to an associated budget-constrained optimization (BCO) problem, where one objective function is to optimized subject to a bound on the second objective function. We then prove that bi-approximations to the BCO can be used to give bi-approximations to the diverse approximately optimal solutions problem. As applications of our result, we present polynomial time approximation algorithms for several problems such as diverse $c$-approximate \emph{spanning trees, maximum matchings, $s-t$ shortest paths, global min-cut, and minimum weight bases of a matroid}. In addition, we demonstrate that the \emph{$c$-approximate minimum spanning trees} can be converted into a set of $c$-approximate TSP tours where the tours are empirically diverse, advancing a step towards achieving diverse $c$-approximate TSP tours. We also explore the connection to the field of multiobjective optimization and show that the class of problems to which our result applies includes those for which the associated DUALRESTRICT problem defined by Papadimitriou and Yannakakis, and recently explored by Herzel et al. can be solved in polynomial time.
CREB3L1 deficiency impairs odontoblastic differentiation and molar root dentin deposition partially through the TMEM30B
Authors: Chen Zhi , Li Yuanyuan , Lin Yuxiu , Guo Jinqiang , Huang Delan , Zuo Huanyan , Zhang Hanshu , Yuan Guohua , Liu Huan
Published: December 2023

Odontoblasts are primarily responsible for synthesizing and secreting extracellular matrix proteins, which are crucial for dentinogenesis. Our previous single-cell profile and RNAscope for odontoblast lineage revealed that cyclic adenosine monophosphate responsive element-binding protein 3 like 1 (Creb3l1) was specifically enriched in the terminal differentiated odontoblasts. In this study, deletion of Creb3l1in the Wnt1+ lineage led to insufficient root elongation and root dentin deposition. Assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with high-throughput sequencing (ATAC-seq) and RNA sequencing were performed to revealed that in CREB3L1-deficient mouse dental papilla cells (mDPCs), the genes near the closed chromatin regions were mainly associated with mesenchymal development and the downregulated genes were primarily related to biological processes including cell differentiation, protein biosynthesis and transport, all of which were evidenced by a diminished ability of odontoblastic differentiation, a significant reduction in intracellular proteins, and an even greater decline in extracellular supernatant proteins. Dentin matrix protein 1 (Dmp1) and transmembrane protein 30B (Tmem30b) were identified as direct transcriptional regulatory targets. TMEM30B was intensively expressed in the differentiated odontoblasts, and exhibited a significant decline in both CREB3L1-deficient odontoblasts in vivo and in vitro. Deletion of Tmem30b impaired the ability of odontoblastic differentiation, protein synthesis, and protein secretion in mDPCs. Moreover, overexpressing TMEM30B in CREB3L1-deficient mDPCs partially rescued the extracellular proteins secretion. Collectively, our findings suggest that CREB3L1 participates in dentinogenesis and facilitates odontoblastic differentiation by directly enhancing the transcription of Dmp1 and other differentiation-related genes and indirectly promoting protein secretion partially via TMEM30B.
Closed-Loop Recycling of Tough Epoxy Supramolecular Thermosets Constructed by Hyperbranched Topological Structure
Authors: Zhang Junheng , Jiang Can , Deng Guoyan , Luo Mi , Ye Bang-Jiao , Zhang Hongjun , Miao Menghe , Li Tingcheng , Zhang Daohong
Published: December 2023

Covalent adaptable networks are critical for the recycling and reuse of cross-linked epoxy thermosets. However, a major challenge is to develop efficient recyclable strategies while maintaining the high-performance of epoxy thermosets. Here, we synthesized vanillin-based hyperbranched epoxy resin (VanEHBP) to prepare tough epoxy supramolecular thermosets. The supramolecular structures were constructed with VanEHBP via intermolecular hydrogen bonds, intramolecular and intermolecular cavities, dual dynamic covalent bonds (imine exchange and transesterification). The epoxy thermosets exhibited excellent mechanical properties, as well as fast reprocessability, which can be reprocessed at 120°C within 30 sec and maintain about 100% of tensile strength. Importantly, the epoxy thermosets can be easily fully recycled under room temperature and the recovered materials can preserve 93.5% of mechanical properties of the original samples. This wok represents a unique strategy for developing room-temperature closed-loop recyclable epoxy thermosets with superior comprehensive performance and promising practical application prospects.
Moisture and nutrient management for sustainable dryland sunflower production
Authors: Loza Alexandra Dillchneider , Noellemeyer Elke , Funaro Daniel , Delfino Cristian Emmanuel , Cardonatto Juan Ignacio
Published: December 2023

Background and Aims
Improving agricultural water and nitrogen resource management is a crucial global challenge for enhancing water and nitrogen use efficiency in croplands. This study aimed to understand the intricate interactions among soil, climate, and crop management to simultaneously enhance water use efficiency (WUE) and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in sunflower crops in semiarid environments. Additionally, the impact of nitrogen fertilization on grain oil content determination was assessed.
Methods
Two experiments were conducted at INTA Anguil Argentina, one on loamy and sandy soil (Exp.1) and another with two planting dates during three years (Exp.2). Each experiment included six fertilization treatments. WUE was calculated as the yield-to-water consumption ratio, while NUE was determined by the yield-to-available nitrogen in soil plus fertilizer ratio.
Results
Texture and available soil nitrogen explained 83% of sunflower crop yield variability. Findings revealed that as sunflower crop yield increased due to higher nitrogen availability and favorable water conditions, water use efficiency improved, while nitrogen use efficiency remained constant even at high nitrogen rates and yields. Sunflower yields in this semi-arid environment increased by up to 54% in loam and 70% in the sand. Importantly, grain oil content was not significantly affected by increased soil nitrogen availability.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates the feasibility of maximizing both crop yield and water use efficiency by optimizing nitrogen availability in the soil, without compromising grain oil content. No negative relationships were observed between WUE and NUE, highlighting the potential for sustainable agricultural practices in semiarid environments.
Prevotella copri transplantation promotes neurorehabilitation in a mouse model of traumatic brain injury through the GUO-PI3K/Akt signaling pathway
Authors: Gu Nina , Yan Jin , Tang Wei , Zhang Zhaosi , Wang Lin , Li Zhao , Wang Yingwen , Zhu Yajun , Tang Shuang , Cheng Chongjie , Zhong Jianjun , Sun Xiaochuan , Huang Zhijian
Published: December 2023

Background: The gut microbiota plays a critical role in regulating brain function through the microbiome-gut-brain axis (MGBA). Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota is associated with neurological impairment in TBI patients. Our previous study found that TBI results in a decrease in the abundance of Prevotella copri (P. copri). Manipulation of the gut microbiota is a promising intervention strategy, but less is known about the potential role of P. copritransplantation in TBI.
Methods: In this study, a controlled cortical impact (CCI) model was used to induce traumatic brain injury (TBI) in adult male C57BL/6 mice. Subsequently, P. copri was transplanted by intragastric gavage for 7 consecutive days. To investigate the effect of the GUO-PI3K/Akt pathway in P. copritransplantation therapy, guanosine (GUO) was administered 2 h after TBI for 7 consecutive days, and PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) was administered 30 min before TBI. Various techniques were used to assess the effects of these interventions, including quantitative PCR, neurological behavior tests, metabolite analysis, ELISA, Western blot analysis, immunofluorescence, Evans blue assays, transmission electron microscopy, FITC-dextran permeability assay, gastrointestinal transit assessment, and 16S rDNA sequencing.
Results: P. copriabundance was significantly reduced after traumatic brain injury (TBI). P. copri transplantation alleviated motor and cognitive deficits tested by the NSS, Morris water maze, and open field test. P. copri transplantation attenuated oxidative stress and blood-brain barrier damage and reduced neuronal apoptosis after TBI. In addition, P. copri transplantation resulted in the reshaping of the intestinal flora, improved gastrointestinal motility, and increased intestinal wall permeability. Metabolomics and ELISA analysis revealed a significant increase in GUO levels in feces, serum and injured brain after P. copri transplantation. Furthermore, the expression of p-PI3K and p-Akt was found to be increased after P. copritransplantation and GUO treatment. Notably, LY294002 treatment attenuated the observed improvements.
Conclusions: We demonstrate for the first time that P. copri transplantation can improve GI functions and alter gut microbiota dysbiosis after TBI. Additionally, P. copri transplantation can ameliorate neurological deficits, possibly via the GUO-PI3K/Akt signaling pathway after TBI.
Large Scale Topic Extraction from Incident Reports by Natural Language Processing
Authors: Rice Rebecca , Blundell James Edward , Mughal Aamer , Goh Jialuen , Amiruddin Nabeel
Published: December 2023

Background:
Events reported to the Datix database involve a wide range of contexts and processes. Common themes and underlying systemic factors contributing to multiple events are typically identified by individuals responsible for reviewing each such event. This is prone to missing genuine underlying factors. We present the use of a machine learning approach and algorithm called Top2Vec to capture the linguistic meanings and semantics within numeric sequences called word or document embeddings. These document embeddings can be aggregated into clusters representing particular themes, which we represent as wordclouds.
Method:
2112 Datix reports from Critical Care in Dudley Group Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust were imported into a Python 3.9.12 Pandas dataframe. Incident descriptions were processed through the Top2Vec algorithm. Each document was represented by a 300 long numeric vector. Regions of local density and clusters of documents were identified within Top2Vec by Hierarchical Density-Based Spatial Clustering (HDBSC). The centres of these clusters are represented by a group of words with potentially common meanings, revealing the underlying topic.
Results:
The wordcloud representations of the following topics were subjectively equated to: Pressure sores, patient aggressive behaviour, Drug prescription and administration, Isolation for loose stool, Nurse staffing capacity, Single sex breach, Safeguarding and vulnerable patients, Missed enoxaparin, Bed capacity, Blood product collection, Patient facial pressure sores, Blood product wastage.
Conclusion:
The common words within the wordclouds suggests that Top2Vec is capturing words sharing meanings within the embeddings. We propose that this is an efficient method to analyse large datasets of text and reveal deep themes contributing to many single events.
Approximating the Nuclear Binding Energy Using Analytic Continued Fractions
Authors: Moscato Pablo , Grebogi Rafael
Published: December 2023

Understanding nuclear behavior is fundamental in nuclear physics. This paper introduces a data-driven approach, Continued Fraction Regression (cf-r), to analyze Nuclear Binding Energy (B(A,Z)). Using a tailored loss function and analytic continued fractions, our method accurately approximates stable and experimentally confirmed unstable nuclides. We identify the best model for nuclides with A ≥ 200, achieving precise predictions with residuals smaller than 0.15 MeV. Our model's extrapolation capabilities are demonstrated as it converges with upper and lower bounds at the nuclear mass limit, reinforcing its accuracy and robustness. This data-driven approach offers valuable insights into nuclear physics and provides an illustration on the use of analytical continued fraction regression for a wide range of other possible applications.
Beyond Innovation: Assessing the Risk Terrain of Industry 5.0 Technologies
Authors: Gupta Parul , Jain Arvind Kumar , Gupta Rajesh
Published: December 2023

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to systematically identify, assess, and critically analyse these risks within the context of Industry 5.0 technologies. The advent of Industry 5.0 ushers in a new era of industrial operation, promising significant productivity gains but also bringing potential risks and vulnerabilities (Sharma & Joshi, 2020).
Methodology - the methodology encompasses a comprehensive survey for Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), which is widely recognised as an effective technique for risk assessment in complex systems (Bowles, 2003). The survey was administered to a diverse cohort of industrial experts, drawing a comprehensive perspective on potential risks associated with the integration of Industry 5.0 technologies.
Findings - The findings of the study include a comprehensive list of risks involved with industry 5.0. the risks have been prioritised on the basis of the calculated RPN.
Implications – results of the study can help to devise informed, effective, and sustainable risk management strategies for Industry 5.0 technologies.
Originality - This paper provides an original contribution by using FMEA in the context of Industry 5.0, combining both the robustness of this analysis method and the domain-specific expertise of survey respondents. In doing so, the research offers a granular understanding of risks in areas such as cybersecurity, advanced automation, Internet of Things, and human-machine interfaces.
Lysosome Passivation Triggered by Ag Nanoparticles Enhances Subcellular-Targeted Drug Therapy
Authors: Wang Xueqian , Zhao Shulin , Fang Guiqian , Wang Ran , Lyu Xinxing , Shao Xintian , Ling Peixue , meng caicai , Mu Yanling , Chen Qixin , Chen Jia
Published: December 2023

Background: Frequently, subcellular-targeted drugs tend to accumulate in lysosomes after cellular absorption, a process termed the lysosomal trap. This accumulation often interferes with the drug's ability to bind to its target, resulting in decreased efficiency. Existing methods for addressing lysosome-induced drug resistance mainly involve improving the structures of small molecules or enveloping drugs in nanomaterials. Nonetheless, these approaches can lead to changes in the drug structure or potentially trigger unexpected reactions within organisms.
Results: To address these issues, we introduced a strategy that involves inactivating the lysosome with the use of Ag nanoparticles. In this method, the Ag nanoparticles gradually accumulate inside lysosomes, leading to permeation of the lysosomal membrane and subsequent lysosomal inactivation. Importantly, coincubating nanoparticles with various subcellular-targeted drugs was found to significantly increase the efficiency of these treatments.
Conclusion: Our strategy illustrates the potential of using lysosomal inactivation to enhance drug efficacy, providing a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer.
Electrostatically controlled spin polarization in Graphene-CrSBr magnetic proximity heterostructures
Authors: Yang Boxuan , Bhujel Bibek , Chica Daniel , Telford Evan , Roy Xavier , Cosset-Chéneau Maxen , Wees Bart van
Published: December 2023

The magnetic proximity effect can induce a spin dependent exchange shift in the band structure of graphene. This produces a magnetization and a spin polarization of the electron/hole carriers in this material, paving the way for its use as an active component in spintronics devices. The electrostatic control of this spin polarization in graphene has however never been demonstrated so far. We show that interfacing graphene with the van der Waals antiferromagnet CrSBr results in an unconventional manifestation of the quantum Hall effect, which can be attributed to the presence of counterflowing spin-polarized edge channels originating from the spin-dependent exchange shift in graphene. We extract an exchange shift ranging from 27 to 32 meV, and show that it also produces an electrostatically tunable spin polarization of the electron/hole carriers in graphene ranging from -50% to +69% in the absence of a magnetic field. This proof of principle provides a starting point for the use of graphene as an electrostatically tunable source of spin current and could allow this system to generate a large magnetoresistance in gate tunable spin valve devices.
How bumblebees manage conflicting information seen on arrival and departure from flowers
Authors: Guiraud Marie-Genevieve , Maboudi Hadi , Woodgate Joseph L. , Bates Olivia , Rodriguez Oscar Ramos , Gallo Vince , Barron Andrew B.
Published: December 2023

Bees are flexible and adaptive learners, capable of learning stimuli seen on arrival and at departure from flowers where they have fed. This gives bees the potential to learn all information associated with a feeding event, but it also presents the challenge of managing information that is irrelevant, inconsistent, or conflicting. Here, we examined how presenting bumblebees with conflicting information before and after feeding influenced their learning rate and what they learned. Bees were trained to feeder stations mounted in front of a computer monitor. Visual stimuli were displayed behind each feeder station on the monitor. Positively reinforced stimuli (CS+) marked feeders offering sucrose solution. Negatively reinforced stimuli (CS-) marked feeders offering quinine solution. While alighted at the feeder station the stimuli were not visible to the bee. The “constant stimulus” training group saw the same stimulus throughout. For the “switched stimulus” training group, the CS+ changed to the CS- during feeding. Learning was slower in the “switched stimulus” training group compared to the constant stimulus” group, but the training groups did not differ in their learning performance or the extent to which they generalised their learning. The information conflict in the “switched stimulus” group did not interfere with what had been learned. Differences between the “switched” and “constant stimulus” groups were greater for bees trained on a horizontal CS+ than a vertical CS+ suggesting bees differ in their processing of vertically and horizontally oriented stimuli. We discuss how bumblebees might resolve this type of information conflict so effectively, drawing on the known neurobiology of their visual learning system.
Mechanical Properties and Constitutive Model of Artificially Frozen Sandy Soils Under Different Intermediate Principal Stresses
Authors: Huang Kun , Ma Qinyong , Cai Guojun , Ma Dongdong , Li Zhaolin , Zhang Hongpeng , Huang Kai
Published: December 2023

Triaxial compression tests were conducted on frozen sandy soils under a constant minimum principal stress (σ3 = 1.6 MPa) and various intermediate principal stresses (σ2 = 1.6, 3.4, 5.2, 7.0, 8.8, 9.8 MPa). The purpose of the research was to investigate the influence of intermediate principal stress (σ2) on the characteristic stress levels and the deformation characteristics. The test results obtained demonstrated that the crack damage stress and failure stress initially increase and then decrease with an increase in the σ2. However, the crack initiation stress exhibits an initial increase up to a specific value, after which it stabilizes. The difference in deformation between the σ2 and σ3 directions increased with increasing σ2. From the perspective of crack propagation, the influence mechanism of σ2 on the strength is discussed. The deformation difference was revealed using the stress superposition principle and Poisson’s effect. Finally, the constitutive model based on the Weibull distribution and Drucker-Prager strength criterion can accurately represent the stress-strain relationships of frozen sandy soils under various σ2 conditions.
Study on the interaction of vertically structured double cavitation bubbles induced by pulsed laser
Authors: Ding Qingmiao , Shan Yunlong , Cui Yanyu , Li Xiaoman , Lv Junda
Published: December 2023

Currently, the majority of research on double cavitation bubbles focuses on horizontally arranged structures, while investigations into the pulsation of vertically aligned double bubbles remain limited. This paper aims to conduct high-speed photography research on the interaction of vertically structured double cavitation bubbles induced by pulsed laser. The pulsed laser induced cavitation method is used to induce the formation of vertically arranged double cavitation bubbles, and high-speed photography techniques are employed to investigate their pulsation characteristics.The double cavitation bubbles studied are divided into three forms according to the initial size ratio S*. The results indicate that,for vertically arranged double cavitation bubbles, similar-sized bubbles (1 ≤ S* < 1.15) exhibit mutual attraction and fusion, with a tendency for fusion preceding separation. Bubbles of different sizes (1.15 ≤ S* < 3) repel during the expansion process and attract during the shrinkage process.The pulsation of small bubbles with extremely different sizes (S* ≥ 3) is strongly influenced by repulsion, while the pulsation of large bubbles is essentially unaffected.
The role of amino acid metabolism in salt tolerance mechanism of Medicago sativa and Medicago truncatula
Authors: Shen Sicong , Pan Ling , Li Junhao , Wang Jing , Liu Huhu , Yin Juncheng , Lu Yiwen , Wang Xiaoshan
Published: December 2023

Backgroud: Soil salinization is a major issue of global concern today. Under salt stress, the growth and development of plants are slowed down and the yield is reduced, so it is particularly important to understand the salt resistance mechanism of plants. Meanwhile, amino acid metabolism has been shown by many studies to effectively alleviate most abiotic stresses including salt stress.
Results: In this study, transcriptomics and proteomics were used to study the salt resistance mechanism of Medicago sativa and Medicago truncatula and the role of amino acid metabolism under salt stress. The results showed that the growth and development of the two alfalfa species were significantly inhibited under 50 mM NaCl stress, after KEGG enrichment analysis, it was found that most DEGs / DEPs were involved in amino acid metabolism. GSEA analysis showed that the two amino acid metanolism of Valine, leucine and isoleucine degradation and Tyrosine metabolism played important roles in the process of salt resistance. At the same time, leucine (Leu), isoleucine (Ile) and tyrosine (Tyr) were quantitatively determined. The results showed that under salt stress, the contents of the three amino acid increased significantly, and it was found that leucine had an important effect on the salt resistance of Medicago sativa while tyrosine effected more on the salt resistance of Medicago truncatula.
Conclusion: This experiment revealed that the role of amino acid metabolism in Medicago sativa and Medicago truncatula under salt stress, meanwhile some amino acids can significantly improve the damage of plants to salt stress, which provides some help and theoretical basis for the growth and development of alfalfa spp. plants in saline-alkali land and the increase of yield in the future.
Knowledge and Beliefs about COVID-19 among migrant women: A qualitative study.
Authors: García-Pazo Patricia , Guillén-Solà Mireia , Mascaró Ana , Azizi Soufane Oulkadi-El , García-Avelló Macarena , Bauzà-Amengual Maria de Lluc
Published: December 2023

COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the Spanish population, as well as on Social Determinants of Health among which sex, sex/being a woman and being a migrant stand out. The goal of this study was to describe the beliefs and knowledge that migrant women from a racialised neighbourhood had about COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic. To do this, a qualitative study was carried out in a particular neighbourhood in Mallorca. The analysis used a hybrid-focus with a coding tree that was open to other emerging categories, segmented as per the variables of having contracted COVID-19 or not having contracted the virus. 20 adult migrant women were interviewed and 7 categories emerged from their discourses: (1) regarding knowledge of the virus; (2) sources of information; (3) incorrect beliefs about the virus and use of home remedies; (4) economic difficulties when complying with prevention measures; (5) general and specific knowledge about diagnostic testing; (6) regarding difficulties on isolating themselves; and (7) vaccination acceptance. We found differences in favour of women with an academic background. These women were more empowered, being more critical of the information they were given and able to look for resources in the community, Making sex inequalities more visible—both existing and emerging— will help to generate effective public policies that promote equality in healthcare and social spheres
YKL-40 level and telomere length as potential biomarkers of insomnia disorder—A Case-Control Study
Authors: Li Jing , Liu PeiPei , Wang Yan , Ren ChongYang , Zhang Mei
Published: December 2023

Objective To explore the correlation between YKL-40 level, telomere length and different insomnia subtypes of insomnia disorder.Methods One hundred and forty-five patients with insomnia disorder were enrolled and divided into 4 group according to the insomniac subtypes: difficulty initiating sleep (DIS), early morning awakening (EMA), difficulty maintaining sleep (DMS) and mixed symptoms(MS).At the same time, eighty healthy controls were collected. Peripheral leukocyte genomic DNA was extracted, the relative telomere length was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction method, and the level of YKL-40 was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Logistic regression model was used to analyze the correlation between different insomnia subtypes and YKL-40 as well as telomere length.Results Individuals within the lowest tertile of telomere showed a higher risk for difficulty initiating sleep [odds ratio 2.13, 95%CI 1.22–3.63; P = 0.004], meanwhile had a higher presence of mixed symptoms(odds ratio 1.49, 95% CI 1.30–2.81; P = 0.006).Individuals within the highest tertile of YKL-40 showed a higher risk for early morning awakening [odds ratio2.98, 95% CI 1.54–5.33; P = 0.003], meanwhile had a higher presence of mixed symptoms(odds ratio 1.47, 95% CI 1.22–2.79; P = 0.007).Conclusion The telomere length in patients with difficulty initiating sleep and mixed symptoms was significantly shortened;The level of YKL-40 in patients with early morning awakening and mixed symptoms was significantly increased.Our data provided the first evidence that YKL-40 and leukocyte telomere is independently associated with mixed symptoms.
Single-cell and bulk RNA-sequencing analysis reveals heterogeneity of PDPN in predicting prognosis and immunotherapy response of glioma
Authors: Lei Jun , Liu Song , Zuo Mingrong , Yuan Yunbo , Chen Siliang , Li Wenhao , He Yuze , Liu Yanhui
Published: December 2023

Podoplanin (PDPN) is involved in various biological processes of tumors. We sought to investigate the heterogeneity of PDPN expression and the effect of PDPN on the immunological characteristics of gliomas. The signal-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data was obtained from the GSE131928 dataset to investigate the heterogeneity of PDPN expression in GBMs. Bulk RNA-seq data of gliomas were obtained from the TCGA, CGGA325, CGGA693, and West China Hospital respectively. CIBERSORTx was used to identify infiltration of immune cells and TIDE was conducted to analyze the immunological function and immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) response. PDPN expression was positively associated with the malignancy and served as a predictor for worse overall survival of gliomas. Independent of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) status, PDPN expression was associated with the increased infiltration of immunosuppressive immune cells. scRNA-seq data identified 7 core cell types in glioblastomas (GBMs) and revealed that MES-like GBM cells expressed the highest level of PDPN. AC-like and OPC-like GBM cells had a relatively higher expression of PDPN. Compared to relatively higher PDPN expression in monocytes and macrophages, normal oligodendrocytes and exhausted CD8 + T cells had the lowest level of PDPN. GBM cell clusters with different PDPN levels exhibited distinct functional pathways, such as tumor glycolysis, proliferation, and immune pathways. PDPN-upregulated gliomas were significantly associated with increased T lymphocyte dysfunction and exclusion and were more sensitive to ICI compared to PDPN-downregulated gliomas. Our results indicated that PDPN was heterogeneously expressed in GBMs and may facilitate guiding immunotherapy.
Anti-PD-1 antibody therapy combined with thymosin alpha-1 improves the postoperative prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Zhu Rong-Hua , Xie Zhen-Hui , Yuan Tong , Zhang Peng-Bo , Lv Xing , Wang Jin-Lin , Huang Zhe , Liu Jun-Jie , Zhang Er-Lei , Huang Zhi-Yong
Published: December 2023

Background Anti-PD-1 immunotherapy has revolutionized unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment. The efficacy of postoperative adjuvant therapy (PAT) using anti-PD-1 in treating HCC is currently the subject of extensive research. This study explored the efficacy and safety of anti-PD-1 antibodies combined with thymosin alpha-1 (Tα1) for patients with HCC and high-risk recurrent factors (HRRFs) post-hepatectomy. Methods Data from 273 patients with HCC and HRRFs who underwent hepatectomy at Tongji Hospital (January 2019 to July 2022) were prospectively collected. Patients were nonrandomly divided into Tα1 + anti-PD-1 antibodies (65, 23.8%), anti-PD-1 antibodies (84, 30.8%), and control (no adjuvant therapy, 124, 45.4%) groups based on finances and willingness. After propensity score matching (PSM), recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared. Cox regression analysis identified the RFS- and OS-related prognostic factors, followed by subgroup analysis. Results After PSM, 65 patients were matched. The anti-PD-1 antibodies + Tα1 group exhibited longer RFS than the anti-PD-1 antibodies (P = 0.014) and control (P < 0.0001) groups. The anti-PD-1 antibodies group had longer RFS than the control group (P < 0.0001). The anti-PD-1 antibodies + Tα1 (P = 0.00049) and anti-PD-1 antibodies groups (P = 0.0041) demonstrated longer OS than the control group. The 1- and 2-year RFS rates in the Tα1 + anti-PD-1 antibodies, anti-PD-1 antibodies, and control groups were 98.4%, 86.2%, and 49.2% (P < 0.001), and 80.2%, 65.8%, and 24.6% (P < 0.001), respectively. The corresponding 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS rates were 100.0%, 100.0%, and 84.6% (P < 0.001), 98.0%, 91.4%, and 69.0% (P < 0.001), and 91.3%, 86.8%, and 57.4% (P < 0.001), respectively. Multivariable analyses suggested that the Tα1 + anti-PD-1 antibodies treatment improved the RFS and OS more than the non-anti-PD-1 antibodies + Tα1 treatment (hazard ratio (HR): 0.174, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.089–0.340, P < 0.001 and HR: 0.240, 95% CI: 0.084–0.683, P = 0.008, respectively). Subgroup analysis demonstrated significant RFS and OS benefits for patients with HCC and vascular invasion treated with Tα1 + anti-PD-1 antibodies. Grade 1 and 2 toxicities included rash/pruritus (21.5%), diarrhea (18.5%), and reactive cutaneous capillary endothelial proliferation (RCCEP)(15.4%). Grade 3 toxicities included RCCEP (1.5%), diarrhea (1.5%), rash/pruritus (0.8%), edema (0.8%), hepatitis (0.8%), nausea/vomiting (0.8%), and hypothyroidism (0.8%). No grade 4/5 toxicities or severe adverse events were detected. Conclusions Combining anti-PD-1 antibodies with Tα1 as adjuvant therapy is safe, improving postoperative prognosis in patients with HCC and HRRFs after hepatectomy, proving more effective than anti-PD-1 antibodies alone.
Early Outcomes of MR-guided SBRT for Patients with Recurrent Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Poiset Spencer J. , Shah Sophia , Cappelli Louis , Anné Pramila , Mooney Karen , Werner-Wasik Maria , Laufer Talya S. , Posey James A. , Lin Daniel , Mallick Atrayee Basu , Lavu Harish , Bashir Babar , Yeo Charles J. , Mueller Adam C.
Published: December 2023

Background Local treatment options for locally recurrent pancreatic adenocarcinoma (LR-PAC) are limited, with median survival time (MST) of 9–13 months (mos) following recurrence. MRI-guided stereotactic body radiation therapy (MRgSBRT) provides the ability to dose escalate while sparing normal tissue. Here we report on the early outcomes of MRgSBRT for LR-PAC.Methods Patients with prior resection of pancreatic adenocarcinoma with local recurrence treated with MRgSBRT at a single tertiary referral center from 5-2021 to 2-2023 were identified from our prospective database. MRgSBRT was delivered to 40–50 Gy in 4–5 fractions with target and OAR delineation per institutional standards. Endpoints included local control per RECIST v1.1, distant failure, overall survival (OS), and acute and chronic toxicities per Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, v5.Results Fifteen patients with LR-PAC were identified with median follow-up of 10.6 mos (2.8–26.5 mos) from MRgSBRT. There were 8 females and 7 males, with a median age of 69 years (50–83). One patient underwent neoadjuvant radiation for 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions followed by resection, and one underwent adjuvant radiation for 45 Gy in 25 fractions prior to recurrence. MRgSBRT was delivered a median of 18.8 mos (3.5–52.8 mos) following resection. OS following recurrence at 6 and 12 mos were 87% and 51%, respectively, with a median survival time of 14.1 mos (3.2–27.4 mos). Three patients experienced local failure at 5.9, 7.8, and 16.6 months from MgSBRT with local control of 92.3% and 83.9% at 6 and 12 months. 10 patients experienced distant failure at a median of 2.9 mos (0.3–6.7 mos). Grade 1–2 acute GI toxicity was noted in 47% of patients, and chronic GI toxicity in 31% of patients. No Grade > 3 toxicities were noted.Conclusions This is the first report on toxicity and outcomes of MRgSBRT for LR-PAC in the literature. MRgSBRT is a safe, feasible treatment modality with the potential for improved local control in this vulnerable population. Future research is necessary to better identify which patients yield the most benefit from MRgSBRT, which should continue to be used with systemic therapy as tolerated.Trial Registration: Jefferson IRB#20976, approved 2/17/21
Fluorescent carbon dots from cumin seeds: preparation, characterization and in vitro biocompatibility test for cell imaging application
Authors: Abadi Banafshe , Askarian Fatemeh , Mohammadi Neda , Behnam Behzad
Published: December 2023

Carbon dots (CDs) are a new type of nanomaterial with great potential in bioimaging, biosensing, and drug delivery. In this study, novel CDs were prepared from cumin seeds (Cuminum cyminum L) by pyrolysis. The pyrolysis method and several extraction steps were optimized to fabricate CDs from cumin seeds. The size, structure, chemical composition, and photoluminescence properties of the CDs were characterized using a size analyzer, TEM, SEM, EDX, UV-Vis, fluorescence spectroscopy, and FTIR. The influences of the CDs on cell viability were investigated in A549, 3T3, and MCF-7 cell lines via MTT assay. The cancer cell imaging potential of the CDs was assessed using fluorescence microscopy. The results showed that the CDs with a mean diameter of 13.42 nm could be obtained through the pyrolysis of cumin seeds. The obtained CDs exhibited strong and unique fluorescence properties once they were excited at different wavelengths, particularly at 350 nm. The CDs were highly stable over time, and their fluorescence properties remained unchanged after three months. Apart from the physicochemical properties of the CD, cell viability assays showed that these CDs were non-toxic to A549, MCF-7, and 3T3 cells, over 90% of the cells were viable after 24 h, even at the highest concentration (1000 µg/ml). The CDs successfully penetrated the MCF-7 cells as revealed by fluorescent images. Taken together, the fluorescent CDs derived from cumin seeds indicated excellent and stable fluorescence properties. In addition, these CDs were highly biocompatible and could be a potential option for theragnostic applications.
Adaptive Diffraction Image Registration for 4D-STEM to optimize ACOM Pattern Matching
Authors: Folastre Nicolas , Cao Junhao , Oney Gozde , Park Sunkyu , Jamali Arash , Masquelier Christian , Croguennec Laurence , Veron Muriel , Rauch Edgar F. , Demortière Arnaud
Published: December 2023

The technique known as 4D-STEM has recently emerged as a powerful tool for the local characterization of crystalline structures in materials, such as cathode materials for Li-ion batteries or perovskite materials for photovoltaics. However, the use of new detectors optimized for electron diffraction patterns and other advanced techniques requires constant adaptation of methodologies to address the challenges associated with crystalline materials. In this study, we present a novel image-processing method to improve pattern matching in the determination of crystalline orientations and phases. Our approach uses sub-pixel adaptative image processing to register and reconstruct electron diffraction signals in large 4D-STEM datasets. By using adaptive prominence and linear filters such as mean and Gaussian blur, we can improve the quality of the diffraction pattern registration. The resulting data compression rate of 10 3 is well-suited for the era of big data and provides a significant enhancement in the performance of the entire ACOM data processing method. Our approach is evaluated using dedicated metrics, which demonstrate a high improvement in phase recognition. Several features are extracted from the registered data to map properties such as the spot count, and various virtual dark fields, which are used to enhance the handling of the results maps. Our results demonstrate that this data preparation method not only enhances the quality of the resulting image but also boosts the confidence level in the analysis of the outcomes related to determining crystal orientation and phase. Additionally, it mitigates the impact of user bias that may occur during the application of the method through the manipulation of parameters.
Computing Isogenies of Power-Smooth Degrees Between PPAVs
Authors: Riquelme Edgardo , Pizarro-Madariaga Amalia , Chi-Domínguez Jesús-Javier
Published: December 2023

The wave of attacks by Castryck and Decru (Eurocrypt, 2023), Maino, Martindale, Panny, Pope and Wesolowski (Eurocrypt, 2023) and Robert (Eurocrypt, 2023), highlight the destructive facet of calculating power-smooth degree isogenies between higher-dimensional abelian varieties in isogeny-based cryptography. Despite those recent attacks, there is still interest in using isogenies but for building protocols on top of higher-dimensional abelian varieties. Examples of such protocols are Public-Key Encryption, Key Encapsulation Mechanism, Verifiable Delay Function, Verifiable RandomFunction, and Digital Signatures. This work abstracts and proposes an extension of the strategy technique by Jao, De Feo and Plˆut(Journal of Mathematical Cryptology, 2014) to give an efficient generic algorithm for computing isogenies between higher-dimensional abelian varieties with kernels being maximal isotropic of power-smooth degree. To illustrate the impact of using such strategy technique, we draft our experiments on the computation of isogenies over two-dimensional abelian varieties determined by a maximal isotropic subgroup of torsion with a power of two or three. Our experiments illustrate a speed-up of 1.25x faster than the state-of-the-art (about 20% of savings)
Effect of Coal Pick Excavation on Tunnel Stability Constituent Rock Parameters
Authors: Nata Refky Adi , Ren Gaofeng , Tanjung Ardhymanto Am , Fadhilah Fadhilah , Syahmer Verra
Published: December 2023

Underground mining is a mining method in which all mining activities or activities are carried out below the surface of the earth. The purpose of this study is to analyze the quality of rock mass in the tunnel, in terms of the physical, mechanical, and dynamic properties of the rock, as well as observe the influence of coal pick hammer vibration on the stability of the tunnel. and determine supporting recommendations in tunnel 9. The Pundit Test for coal sample with R2 = 0.9023 is obtained. The correlation P-wave with index strength got R2 = 0.8977. For correlation between P-wave and Schmidt Hammer Rebound Number got R2 = 0.9699. Tunnel support recommendation for the AICJ-09 Tunnel with “Q” value of 1.8 and 1.6, it belongs to the poor rock class. Microtremor measurement got the highest vibration value occurred at station 11, where 2 high vibration values ​​were found, namely 0.159 m/s2 and 0.261 m/s2. This happens because the vibration of the coal pick increases because it is influenced by coal transportation activities and there are also additional vibrations originating from the compressor machine working around station 11. Vibration causes a decrease in the value of the tunnel safety factor. The analysis's findings showed that the safety factor's value had decreased. However, the safety factor is still considered safe against tunnels. Where the standard tunnel safety factor of 1 is said to be a stable tunnel.
The Expansion of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Under Climatic Change and Challenges to Global Food Security
Authors: Ragab Sanad H. , Tyshenko Michael G.
Published: December 2023

Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E.Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) commonly known as the fall armyworm (FAW), is a serious maize and sorghum pest endemic to North and South America. Recently, the insect has invaded most of Africa, China and the Tropics where it is now considered a serious threat to small farm holder productivity and to local food security. The work presented details an assessment of the global invasion risk of S. frugiperda using 19 bioclimatic variables, altitude and land cover. We calculate Gain, Unsuitable, Stable and Loss of habitat for S. frugiperda comparing four future scenarios against the current baseline scenario. The results show that under various habitat suitability scenarios S. frugiperda will continue to be invasive and endemic. It emphasizes the ongoing need for adaptive and integrated pest management in recently invaded regions as a way to manage this insect, minimize annual crop loss and to maintain global food security into the future.