bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
STEM department chairs’ perspectives on navigating teaching culture to influence instructional change: a four-frames model analysis
Authors: Couch Brian A. , Prevost Luanna B. , Stains Marilyne , Marcy Ariel E. , Whitt Blake , Hammerman James K. L. , Spiegel Amy N.
Published: July 2024

Academic departments have been highlighted as key targets to sustainably transform the learning environments of postsecondary science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses in the United States. Despite STEM department chairs playing a critical role in shaping their unit, few studies have characterized how chairs view the teaching culture within their department and how cultural features influence instructional change. This study addressed this gap by applying the four-frames model for organizational change to analyze interviews conducted with 14 STEM department chairs at one research-intensive institution in the United States. The department chairs identified several challenges to supporting and advancing teaching culture. These challenges were mostly related to the structures and symbols frames and included an institutional emphasis on research over teaching, inadequate methods to evaluate effective teaching, and weak teaching feedback mechanisms available to faculty. The chairs also described how they leverage their power to affect people and thereby influence the teaching culture. For example, they strategically position teaching as an important aspect of the departmental culture during hiring processes and elevate certain groups of faculty who have demonstrated interest and efficacy in teaching. This study contributes to the literature by providing a rich description of the teaching culture in STEM departments at a research-intensive institution from the perspective of department chairs. This unique focus on department chairs helps identify opportunities for instructional reforms that are grounded in the reality of the departmental environment and provides a framework for considering how change might occur in STEM departments at research-intensive institutions. The opportunities identified emphasize the importance for department chairs to consider and leverage all four frames to enact instructional change.
A comparative study of early childhood education and care national documents between China and Finland
Authors: Niu Shuanghong Jenny , Malinen Olli-Pekka , Ruokonen Inkeri , Melasalmi Anitta , Siklander Signe , Wang Xinghua , Zhang Heyi , Hurme Tarja-Riitta , Moilanen Jaakko H. , Li Xiaowei , Wang Lijuan
Published: July 2024

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) serves as a crucial foundation for children’s holistic growth and lifelong learning. Despite its significance, comparative analyses of leading ECEC documents across cultures remain limited. To address this gap, our study conducts a comparative analysis to identify key aspects and examine similarities and differences in national ECEC documents from China and Finland. Methodologically, we used a triangle of researchers from China and Finland. We employed qualitative content analysis to systematically identify, examine, and compare the key aspects in these two countries from the leading ECEC documents, i.e., the Chinese national ECEC guidelines and the Finnish ECEC national core curriculum. The findings reveal numerous similarities alongside notable differences. Both countries place a high value on ECEC, emphasizing principles that shape the learning environment and use diverse pedagogical methods. However, nuanced variations exist in the approaches. The Chinese documents feature more specific guidelines tailored to different age groups, accompanied by detailed pedagogical suggestions, while the Finnish national core curriculum offers general guidelines for all preschool age groups, complemented by the unique feature of individual development plans for each child. The findings have significant implications for policymakers, ECEC educators, and practitioners in international contexts. Future studies are needed to further explore the specific pedagogies in ECEC between these two nations and to analyze how the curriculum and educational guidelines are implemented in pedagogical practices.
A stacking ensemble model for predicting the occurrence of carotid atherosclerosis
Authors: Zhang Xiaoshuai , Tang Chuanping , Wang Shuohuan , Liu Wei , Yang Wangxuan , Wang Di , Wang Qinghuan , Tang Fang
Published: July 2024

Background

Carotid atherosclerosis (CAS) is a significant risk factor for cardio-cerebrovascular events. The objective of this study is to employ stacking ensemble machine learning techniques to enhance the prediction of CAS occurrence, incorporating a wide range of predictors, including endocrine-related markers.

Methods

Based on data from a routine health check-up cohort, five individual prediction models for CAS were established based on logistic regression (LR), random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) and gradient boosting decision tree (GBDT) methods. Then, a stacking ensemble algorithm was used to integrate the base models to improve the prediction ability and address overfitting problems. Finally, the SHAP value method was applied for an in-depth analysis of variable importance at both the overall and individual levels, with a focus on elucidating the impact of endocrine-related variables.

Results

A total of 441 of the 1669 subjects in the cohort were finally diagnosed with CAS. Seventeen variables were selected as predictors. The ensemble model outperformed the individual models, with AUCs of 0.893 in the testing set and 0.861 in the validation set. The ensemble model has the optimal accuracy, precision, recall and F1 score in the validation set, with considerable performance in the testing set. Carotid stenosis and age emerged as the most significant predictors, alongside notable contributions from endocrine-related factors.

Conclusion

The ensemble model shows enhanced accuracy and generalizability in predicting CAS risk, underscoring its utility in identifying individuals at high risk. This approach integrates a comprehensive analysis of predictors, including endocrine markers, affirming the critical role of endocrine dysfunctions in CAS development. It represents a promising tool in identifying high-risk individuals for the prevention of CAS and cardio-cerebrovascular diseases.
Integration analysis of pituitary proteome and transcriptome reveals fertility–related biomarkers in FecB mutant Small Tail Han sheep
Authors: Wang Xiangyu , Guo Xiaofei , He Xiaoyun , Di Ran , Zhang Xiaosheng , Zhang Jinlong , Chu Mingxing
Published: July 2024

The Booroola fecundity mutation (FecB) in Small Tail Han sheep has been shown to enhance ovulation rates and litter sizes by affecting the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis. Despite the pituitary’s role in reproductive regulation, its involvement in FecB-induced ovulation remains understudied. Our study aimed to fill this gap by analyzing pituitary tissues from FecB homozygous (BB) and wild-type (WW) ewes during luteal and follicular phases using tandem mass tag–based protein quantification and the DIABLO framework for proteomic and transcriptomic data integration. Significant differences in 277 proteins were observed across estrus periods, with network analysis highlighting the voltage-dependent calcium channel L-type alpha-1C as a key convergence point in oxytocin signaling and GnRH secretion pathways. The DIABLO method revealed a strong correlation (0.98) between proteomic and transcriptomic datasets, indicating a coordinated response in FecB ewes. Notably, higher expression levels of Follicle Stimulating Hormone Subunit Beta (FSHB) and Luteinizing Hormone Subunit Beta (LHB) were found in BB ewes during the follicular phase, potentially due to elevated E2 concentrations. Furthermore, our analysis identified genes related to the Gamma–aminobutyric acid type A receptor family (GABRA2, GABRG1, GABRB1) in the pituitary, with GABRB1 showing higher expression in BB ewes. This suggests a role for GABA in modulating GnRH and gonadotropin feedback loops, potentially contributing to the FecB mutation’s effect on ovulation. This study provides novel insights into the pituitary’s role in fertility among FecB sheep, identifying GABA as a potential regulatory factor within the HPG axis. The findings also open avenues for discovering new biomarkers in pituitary endocrinology for sheep breeding purposes.
Mitochondrial dysfunction in diabetic nephropathy: insights and therapeutic avenues from traditional Chinese medicine
Authors: Zhao Dan-mai , Zhong Rui , Wang Xiao-tian , Yan Zhong-hong
Published: July 2024

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus. The progressive damage to glomeruli, tubules, and interstitium in the kidneys can lead to the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Most of the energy we need comes from mitochondria. Mitochondria are best known as the sites for production of respiratory ATP and are essential for eukaryotic life. The pathogenesis of DN involves a variety of factors, such as altered haemodynamics, oxidative stress, and inflammation, and studies from animal models suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction plays an important role in the development of DN. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a history of more than 2,500 years and has rich experience and remarkable efficacy in the treatment of DN. Recent studies have found that TCM may have great potential in regulating mitochondrial dysfunction in the treatment of DN. This review will elucidate the main causes of mitochondrial dysfunction and the relationship with DN, and explore in depth the potential mechanisms of TCM to protect the kidney by improving mitochondrial dysfunction. Current pharmacological treatments for patients with DN do not prevent the inevitable progression to ESRD. With the rich variety of Chinese herbs, TCM is expected to be the most promising candidate for the treatment of DN as we continue to learn more about the mechanisms of DN and incorporate the current advances in extraction techniques.
Fast dynamic prediction of consequences of heavy gas leakage accidents based on machine learning
Authors: Fan Chenqing , Gong Haixing , Zhang Yan , Ma Weichun , Yu Qi
Published: July 2024

The field of emergency risk management in chemical parks has been characterized by a lack of fast, precise and dynamic prediction methods. The application of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models, which offer the potential for dynamic and precise prediction, has been hindered by high computational costs. Therefore, taking liquid benzene as a case study, this paper combined machine learning (ML) algorithms with a CFD-based precise prediction model, to develop an ML model for fast dynamic prediction of heavy gas leakage consequences in chemical parks. Employing the CFD data as the input, the prediction models were developed using ML algorithms, refined with Bayesian optimization for parameter tuning. This study utilized PHOENICS software to establish a dynamic prediction model for the diffusion of liquid benzene leakage, validated by Burro nine experiment data. Comparative analyses of models based on five ML algorithms were conducted to evaluate the reliability of their predictions using both CFD standard and noisy data. The results indicated that temperature had the most significant effect on the consequences of the leakage accidents among four key factors (wind speed, temperature, leakage aperture and atmospheric stability), followed by wind speed. These factors served as input variables for ML model training. Among the models evaluated, the eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) model showed superior performance, irrespective of the presence of noise in the data. An XGBoost-based fast prediction model was ultimately developed for predicting the consequences of liquid benzene leakage. A case analysis was conducted to validate the feasibility of the model prediction. The relative errors between the predicted and actual values of the model for acute exposure guideline level-1 (AEGL-1), AEGL-2, and AEGL-3 distances were 2.70%, 2.58%, and 0.23%, respectively. Furthermore, the XGBoost model completed the prediction in only 0.218 s, a stark contrast to the hours necessitated by the CFD model, thus offering substantial computational time savings while maintaining high accuracy levels. This paper introduces an ML model for fast dynamic prediction of heavy gas leakage, enabling chemical parks to make more timely and accurate decisions in emergency risk management.
Correlation of woodfuel production participation among rural households in the drylands of Ethiopia
Authors: Girma Gonche , Shimeles Abebaw , Abate Tensaye , Berhanu Deginet , Alemayehu Asabeneh , Belachew Azmera
Published: July 2024

Woodfuel production and consumption have been a concern for multiple stakeholders involved in household energy use, deforestation, and climate change. While research into the underlying decision-making process is growing, it remains insufficient. Such a study offers opportunities to develop policies that enable diversification of household energy consumption and livelihood options away from woodfuel use. Policymakers often lack an understanding of factors correlated with households' participation in woodfuel production. Therefore, this study examined the correlation between household participation in woodfuel production and factors that influence households' participation in woodfuel production in dryland areas of Ethiopia. Data were collected from 1,114 purposively selected woodfuel-producing and non-producing households through household surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. The sample included 775 participant households and 339 non-participant households. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a binary logistic regression model. The results revealed that drought and related shocks are the main factors that forced households to participate in woodfuel production. The model results indicated that age, education, landholding, livestock holding, production asset value, ownership of improved cook stoves, number of years lived in the area, distance from the forest, access to forest extension, and institutional membership are statistically significant factors that negatively influence household participation in woodfuel production. On the other hand, household expenditure and drought occurrence positively and significantly influence the participation of households in woodfuel production. The findings of the study suggest that sustainable management and utilization of dryland forest resources require considering socioeconomic, demographic, institutional, and environmental factors correlated with households' decisions to participate in woodfuel production. This can be achieved through sound institutional setups and policy frameworks in the sector.
Deciphering the genomic insights into the coexistence of congenital scoliosis and congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract
Authors: Wang Haojun , Wen Wen , Yao Mingxi , Yang Tongwang , Chen Dongshan , Wang Wei
Published: July 2024

Background

Congenital scoliosis and congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract are distinct genetic disorders with differing clinical manifestations. Clinically, their coexistence is not rare, but the etiologies of these complex diseases remain largely unknown, especially their shared genetic basis.

Methods

We sequenced the genomes of 40 individuals diagnosed with both CS and CAKUT, alongside 2,764 controls from a Chinese Han population cohort. Our analyses encompassed gene-based and pathway-based weighted rare variant association tests, complemented by copy number variant association analyses, aiming to unravel the shared genomic etiology underlying these congenital conditions.

Results

Gene-based analysis identified PTPN11 as a pivotal gene influencing both skeletal and urinary system development (P = 1.95E-21), participating in metabolic pathways, especially the MAPK/ERK pathway known to regulate skeletal and urinary system development. Pathway-based enrichment showed a significant signal in the MAPK/ERK pathway (P = 3E-04), reinforcing the potential role of PTPN11 and MAPK/ERK pathway in both conditions. Additionally, CNV analysis pinpointed IGFLR1 haploinsufficiency as a potential influential factor in the combined CS-CAKUT phenotypic spectrum.

Conclusion

This study enriches our understanding of the intricate genomic interplay underlying congenital scoliosis and kidney and urinary tract anomalies, emphasizing the shared genetic foundations between these two disorders.
Ferritin Heavy-like subunit is involved in the innate immune defense of the red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii
Authors: Zhang Si-Pei , Zhang Jie , Wang Qing-Hao , Ye Yang , Zhang Dai-Zhen , Liu Qiu-Ning , Tang Bo-Ping , Dai Li-Shang
Published: July 2024

Iron-binding proteins, known as ferritins, play pivotal roles in immunological response, detoxification, and iron storage. Despite their significance to organisms, little is known about how they affect the immunological system of the red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). In our previous research, one ferritin subunit was completely discovered as an H-like subunit (PcFeH) from P. clarkii. The full-length cDNA of PcFerH is 1779 bp, including a 5’-UTR (untranslated region, UTR) of 89 bp, 3’-UTR (untranslated region, UTR) of 1180 bp and an ORF (open reading frame, ORF) of 510 bp encoding a polypeptide of 169 amino acids that contains a signal peptide and a Ferritin domain. The deduced PcFerH protein sequence has highly identity with other crayfish. PcFerH protein’s estimated tertiary structure is quite comparable to animal structure. The PcFerH is close to Cherax quadricarinatus, according to phylogenetic analysis. All the organs examined showed widespread expression of PcFerH mRNA, with the ovary exhibiting the highest levels of expression. Additionally, in crayfish muscles, intestines, and gills, the mRNA transcript of PcFerH was noticeably up-regulated, after LPS and Poly I:C challenge. The expression of downstream genes in the immunological signaling system was suppressed when the PcFerH gene was knocked down. All of these findings suggested that PcFerH played a vital role in regulating the expression of downstream effectors in the immunological signaling pathway of crayfish.
HIGD1B, as a novel prognostic biomarker, is involved in regulating the tumor microenvironment and immune cell infiltration; its overexpression leads to poor prognosis in gastric cancer patients
Authors: Wang Shibo , Zhang Siyi , Li Xiaoxuan , Li Xiangxue , Zhao Shufen , Guo Jing , Wang Shasha , Wang Rui , Zhang Mengqi , Qiu Wensheng
Published: July 2024

Background

HIGD1B (HIG1 Hypoxia Inducible Domain Family Member 1B) is a protein-coding gene linked to the occurrence and progression of various illnesses. However, its precise function in gastric cancer (GC) remains unclear.

Methods

The expression of HIGD1B is determined through the TCGA and GEO databases and verified using experiments. The association between HIGD1B and GC patients’ prognosis was analyzed via the Kaplan-Meier (K-M) curve. Subsequently, the researchers utilized ROC curves to assess the diagnostic capacity of HIGD1B and employed COX analysis to investigate risk factors for GC. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were then subjected to functional enrichment analysis, and a nomogram was generated to forecast the survival outcome and probability of GC patients. Additionally, we evaluated the interaction between HIGD1B and the immune cell infiltration and predicted the susceptibility of GC patients to therapy.

Results

HIGD1B is markedly elevated in GC tissue and cell lines, and patients with high HIGD1B expression have a poorer outcome. In addition, HIGD1B is related to distinct grades, stages, and T stages. The survival ROC curves of HIGD1B and nomogram for five years were 0.741 and 0.735, suggesting appropriate levels of diagnostic efficacy. According to Cox regression analysis, HIGD1B represents a separate risk factor for the prognosis of gastric cancer (p<0.01). GSEA analysis demonstrated that the HIGD1B is closely related to cancer formation and advanced pathways. Moreover, patients with high HIGD1B expression exhibited a higher level of Tumor-infiltration immune cells (TIICs) and were more likely to experience immune escape and drug resistance after chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

Conclusion

This study explored the potential mechanisms and diagnostic and prognostic utility of HIGD1B in GC, as well as identified HIGD1B as a valuable biomarker and possible therapeutic target for GC.
Deep mutational scanning reveals transmembrane features governing surface expression of the B cell antigen receptor
Authors: Ramesh Samyuktha , Go Margareta , Call Matthew E. , Call Melissa J.
Published: July 2024

B cells surveil the body for foreign matter using their surface-expressed B cell antigen receptor (BCR), a tetrameric complex comprising a membrane-tethered antibody (mIg) that binds antigens and a signaling dimer (CD79AB) that conveys this interaction to the B cell. Recent cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of IgM and IgG isotype BCRs provide the first complete views of their architecture, revealing that the largest interaction surfaces between the mIg and CD79AB are in their transmembrane domains (TMDs). These structures support decades of biochemical work interrogating the requirements for assembly of a functional BCR and provide the basis for explaining the effects of mutations. Here we report a focused saturating mutagenesis to comprehensively characterize the nature of the interactions in the mIg TMD that are required for BCR surface expression. We examined the effects of 600 single-amino-acid changes simultaneously in a pooled competition assay and quantified their effects by next-generation sequencing. Our deep mutational scanning results reflect a feature-rich TMD sequence, with some positions completely intolerant to mutation and others requiring specific biochemical properties such as charge, polarity or hydrophobicity, emphasizing the high value of saturating mutagenesis over, for example, alanine scanning. The data agree closely with published mutagenesis and the cryo-EM structures, while also highlighting several positions and surfaces that have not previously been characterized or have effects that are difficult to rationalize purely based on structure. This unbiased and complete mutagenesis dataset serves as a reference and framework for informed hypothesis testing, design of therapeutics to regulate BCR surface expression and to annotate patient mutations.
Is Broca's area critical for speech and language? Evidence from lesion-symptom mapping in chronic aphasia
Authors: Herron Timothy J. , Schendel Krista , Curran Brian C. , Lwi Sandy J. , Spinelli Maria G. , Ludy Carl , Dronkers Nina F. , Baldo Juliana V.
Published: July 2024

Introduction

The specific role that Broca's area plays in speech and language has been hotly debated in the literature. Some research has pointed to a specific role in particular aspects of speech production, while other findings have suggested additional roles in aspects of language comprehension. In the current study, we had the opportunity to take a broad approach by analyzing lesion and behavioral data from a large cohort of left hemisphere stroke patients. In this brief report, our objective was to identify which speech-language measures show a significant association with Broca's area, specifically pars opercularis and pars triangularis.

Methods

Lesion site and neuropsychological data from 173 chronic left hemisphere stroke patients were analyzed in the current study. Univariate lesion-symptom mapping (LSM) with rigorous correction was used to identify brain regions associated with individual test performance on a large battery of speech and language tasks. Multivariate LSM analyses were conducted in subsequent runs to confirm findings.

Results

The LSM results identified many predictable left hemisphere gray and white matter regions significantly associated with the speech-language data, but Broca's area was not implicated in performance on any speech or language measure. Regions adjacent to Broca's area, however, in left central opercular, precentral, and insular cortices were associated with speech production and motor speech performance.

Discussion

The current study failed to identify a single speech or language measure in our comprehensive test battery that was dependent on Broca's area. This finding could not be attributed to a lack of power, as Broca's area had among the highest power values and substantial lesion coverage. Interrogation of data at the individual patient level revealed the likely source of this null finding: Patients with lesions involving Broca's area varied widely in their speech-language performance, with profiles ranging from non-aphasic to Broca's to global aphasia. Given previous studies in acute stroke patients and healthy participants implicating Broca's area in speech-language, the current findings suggest that Broca's area plays a more supplementary than critical role and can be compensated by surrounding brain regions in chronic stroke.
Geophysical and geochemical investigations of underwater sulphurous seeps from Western Black Sea (Mangalia area, Romania), in support of habitat conservation
Authors: Popa Adrian , Stanciu Irina Marilena , Drăguşin Virgil , Teacă Adrian , Balan Sorin Vasile , Popa Mihai Emilian , Ion Gabriel , Ispas Bogdan-Adrian
Published: July 2024

Mangalia area harbors in the western Black Sea a distinctive marine environment thriving under specific hydrochemical conditions, largely influenced by a significant number of sulphurous springs occurring in shallow marine waters. These springs led to the designation of the area as part of the Natura 2000 Marine Protected Area (MPA) network at European level (Underwater Sulphurous Springs from Mangalia - ROSAC0094), as unique hydro-geomorphological features in the region. In 2021 and 2023, two research cruises led by GeoEcoMar investigated underwater sulphurous springs primarily located offshore of Mangalia (Constanţa County, Romania). The study area, located between 17-29 meters water depth and 1.8-3 km offshore, encompasses two marine protected areas: the Underwater Sulphurous Springs from Mangalia (ROSAC0094) and Cape Aurora (ROSCI0281). The research combined geophysical and geochemical techniques and sediment sampling. Considering the susceptibility of these natural systems to human activities such as fishing and dredging, as well as the impact of ecological and climate changes, this paper offers significant insights contributing to the development of effective conservation and management strategies for these environments. The surveys were conducted for benthic habitats mapping, with the objective of improving our understanding of these ecosystems’ distribution, composition and dynamics. As these sulphurous waters are rich in methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, our results also contribute to the inventory of greenhouse gas sources. The results presented in this paper provide valuable new insights into this specific environment, contributing to the understanding of its complex functioning and evolution.
Eliciting expert opinion on GIS use for surveillance and disease response in the aquatic animal health domain
Authors: Riuzzi Giorgia , Sbettega Federica , Tavornpanich Saraya , Posen Paulette , Contiero Barbara , Mazzucato Matteo , Segato Severino , Ferrè Nicola
Published: July 2024

Since the 1980s, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) have been integrated into animal farming technologies for purposes such as enhancing production performances and veterinary epidemiology. In aquaculture, however, there seems to be limited application of GIS, and its potential is widely overlooked, especially for aquatic animal health management. This study describes the results of a world expert opinion elicitation on the current implementation of GIS for surveillance and disease response in the aquatic animal health domain. An online survey was submitted in autumn 2023, including both closed and open questions. With a response rate of 41.2% (21 out of 51), the answer analysis highlighted that, especially when knowledge and practical skills in geomatics, information technology and remote sensing are required, a group of advanced GIS technologies is underutilized (web-based solutions, SDI, citizen science). An artificial intelligence-based inductive text analysis was performed confirming a limited exploitation of GIS mainly due to management (financial support, training, collaboration) and methodology (data suitability, modelling analyses and integration) constraints. Furthermore, despite acknowledging the importance of planning in GIS project development, most experts did not follow any written or unwritten procedures that, according to their answers, should in fact encompass sustainable principles (integration of GIS solutions into other applications or processes), and reuse of resources (guidelines and best practices, data, methods, layouts). Shared guidelines for developing GIS projects, identifying available data sources, and long-term-maintenance planning of GIS and related geospatial data, should be pursued for using GIS technologies more effectively in the aquatic animal health domain.
The clinical utility of handgrip strength as a malnutrition screening tool in hospitalized older adults: a cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alamri Sultan H. , Simbawa Mayar M.
Published: July 2024

Background

Malnutrition is prevalent among hospitalized older patients. Early identification is therefore essential to implementing appropriate therapeutic interventions. This study aimed to explore the correlation between handgrip strength (HGS) and nutritional status in hospitalized older adults.

Materials and methods

This observational cross-sectional study was conducted at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, where a consecutive cohort of older adult inpatients was enrolled for participation. Shortly after admission, HGS and nutritional status were assessed using a dynamometer and the most recent version of the Mini-Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF) test, respectively. Key anthropometric and biochemical indicators were also collected.

Results

A total of 135 consecutive patients were evaluated. Among participants with low HGS, 18 (16.22%) were malnourished, 43 (38.74%) were at risk of malnutrition, and 50 (45.05%) had normal nutrition status. The participants with low HGS had low hemoglobin, low lymphocyte levels, high creatinine levels, high BUN levels, high CRP levels, high HbA1c levels, and high vitamin B12 levels. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that age, hemoglobin, and HbA1C were independently associated with low HGS. Based on the cut-off values for the HGS by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People-2 (EWGSOP2), low HGS showed high sensitivity to detect “malnourished and at risk of malnutrition” as well as “malnourished alone;” however, the specificity was low to exclude “malnourished and at risk of malnutrition” as well as “malnutrition alone.”

Conclusion

Age over 75 years, low hemoglobin, and elevated HbA1C levels were independent risk factors for low HGS. While HGS was sensitive in detecting malnutrition or risk, its specificity was low. Therefore, HGS may not be adequate as a standalone tool to assess nutritional status in hospitalized older adults. Replication of this study using locally reliable and validated HGS cut-off values is warranted to confirm these findings.
Development of bacteria-based bioorganic phosphate fertilizer enriched with rock phosphate for sustainable wheat production
Authors: Aslam Zoya , Yahya Mahreen , Hussain Hafiz Shahid , Tabbasum Saira , Jalaluddin Sabahet , Khaliq Shazia , Yasmin Sumera
Published: July 2024

Phosphorous (P) is a limiting macronutrient for crop growth. Its deficiency prevents plant development leading to an extensive use of phosphatic fertilizers globally. Bio-organic phosphate (BOP) fertilizer provides a sustainable approach to optimize nutrient availability, enhance crop yield, and mitigate the negative impacts of chemical fertilizers on the environment. Therefore, the present study integrates the application of heat-tolerant phosphate-solubilizing bacteria, rock phosphate, and organic materials for the development of BOP. For this purpose, potential heat-tolerant phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) were isolated from major wheat-growing areas of southern Punjab. Five isolates were the efficient phosphate solubilizers based on in vitro phosphate-solubilizing activity (291–454 μg ml−1 and 278–421 μg ml−1) with a concomitant decrease in pH (up to 4.5) at 45°C and 50°C, respectively. These PSB were used for the development of potential consortia that are compatible and showed high P solubilization. In planta evaluation of these PSB consortia in a pot experiment under net house conditions showed that consortium-2 had a favorable impact on growth parameter with enhanced grain yield (9.63 g plant−1) and soil available P (10 μg g−1) as compared with 80% uninoculated control. The microcosm study was conducted to evaluate PSB consortium-2 integrated with carrier material (plant material and filter mud) and rock phosphate as BOP increased total phosphorous (14%) as compared with uninoculated controls. Plant-based BOP showed higher viable count (3.5 × 108\u00B0CFU) as compared with filter mud-based BOP. Furthermore, the effect of BOP on wheat growth parameters revealed that BOP showed a promising influence on grain yield (4.5 g plant−1) and soil available P (10.7 μg g−1) as compared with uninoculated 80 and 100% controls. Principle component analysis (PCA) further validates a positive correlation between BOP with grain weight and plant height and soil available P as compared with both 80 and 100% controls. For the first time, this study reports the combined application of bio-organic phosphate fertilizer and heat-tolerant PSB, which offers an eco-friendly option to harvest better wheat yield with low fertilizer input.
Potential probiotic and functional properties of Brettanomyces strains isolated from kombucha tea
Authors: Areal-Hermida Lara , Coelho Pedro , Pichardo-Gallardo Ángeles , Prudêncio Cristina , Sieiro Carmen
Published: July 2024

Kombucha, a beverage traditionally obtained through the fermentation of tea, is believed to have beneficial health properties. Therefore, characterizing the microorganisms responsible for this fermentation is essential to demonstrate its potential health benefits and to identify candidates for new probiotics. In this study, four probiotic yeast strains isolated from kombucha tea were identified, by the PCR-RFLP analysis of the ribosomal ITS region and the sequence of the D1/D2 domain of the 26S rDNA, as Brettanomyces bruxellensis (UVI55 and UVI56) and B. anomalus (UVI57 and UVI58). Properties relevant to probiotics were also studied in these strains. All of them showed excellent survival in simulated gastric (99%–100%) and duodenal (95%–100%) juices. The ability to self-aggregate (38%–100%), adhesion to xylene (15%–50%) and, above all, adhesion to Caco-2 cells (4%–21%), revealed its potential capacity to adhere to the intestinal epithelium. In addition, the tested strains showed excellent antioxidant capacity (82%–94%), antimicrobial activity against different pathogens (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica, Listeria monocytogenes, and Bacillus cereus), as well as remarkable cytotoxic activity against colon, melanoma and ovarian tumor cell lines. Finally, using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model, strain UVI56 exhibited ability to both extend the lifespan of the nematode and protect it against infection by S. enterica. These results support the probiotic and functional properties of the analyzed strains. In conclusion, the study revealed that kombucha tea could be a source of potential probiotics that contribute to its health-promoting properties and that the characterized Brettanomyces strains could be exploited directly as probiotics or for the development of new functional foods.
Classification of anatomy and treatment approaches for aneurysms originating from the proximal of the A1 segment of the anterior cerebral artery in clinical settings
Authors: Liu Xiao-meng , Song Xiao-lei , Tang Kai , Zhang Chao , Liu Xiao-song , Zhao Lei , Wang Xiao-liang , Du Hai-long , Hu Yu-hua , Wu Jian-liang
Published: July 2024

Objective

To explore the spatial relationship between A1 segment proximal anterior cerebral artery aneurysms and their main trunks, classify them anatomically and develop targeted treatment strategies.

Methods

This single-center retrospective analysis involved 39 patients diagnosed with aneurysms originating from the proximal of A1 segment of the anterior cerebral artery (2014–2023). Classify the patient’s aneurysm into 5 types based on the location of the neck involving the carrier artery and the spatial relationship and projection direction of the aneurysm body with the carrier artery, and outcomes from treatment methods were compared.

Results

Among 39 aneurysms, 18 cases underwent endovascular intervention treatment, including 6 cases of stent assisted embolization, 1 case of flow-diverter embolization, 5 cases of balloon assisted embolization, and 6 cases of simple coiling. At discharged, the mRS score of all endovascularly treated patients was 0, and the GOS score was 5 at 6 months after discharge. At discharge, the mRS score of microsurgical clipping treated patients was 0 for 15 cases, 3 for 1 case, 4 for 1 case and 5 for 2 cases. Six months after discharge, the GOS score was 5 for 16 cases, 4 for 2 cases, 3 for 2 cases, and 1 for 1 case. GOS outcomes at 6 months were better for endovascularly treated patients (p = 0.047).

Conclusion

Results showed better outcomes for the endovascular treatment group compared to microsurgical clipping at 6 months after surgery. The anatomical classification of aneurysms in this region may be of help to develop effective treatment strategies.
Theoretical proposal for restoration of hand motor function based on plasticity of motor-cortical interhemispheric interaction and its developmental rule
Authors: Nakano Hideki , Tang Yandi , Morita Tomoyo , Naito Eiichi
Published: July 2024

After stroke, the poorer recovery of motor function of upper extremities compared to other body parts is a longstanding problem. Based on our recent functional MRI evidence on healthy volunteers, this perspective paper proposes systematic hand motor rehabilitation utilizing the plasticity of interhemispheric interaction between motor cortices and following its developmental rule. We first discuss the effectiveness of proprioceptive intervention on the paralyzed (immobile) hand synchronized with voluntary movement of the intact hand to induce muscle activity in the paretic hand. In healthy participants, we show that this bilateral proprioceptive-motor coupling intervention activates the bilateral motor cortices (= bilaterally active mode), facilitates interhemispheric motor-cortical functional connectivity, and augments muscle activity of the passively-moved hand. Next, we propose training both hands to perform different movements, which would be effective for stroke patients who becomes able to manage to move the paretic hand. This bilaterally different movement training may guide the motor cortices into left–right independent mode to improve interhemispheric inhibition and hand dexterity, because we have shown in healthy older adults that this training reactivates motor-cortical interhemispheric inhibition (= left–right independent mode) declined with age, and can improve hand dexterity. Transition of both motor cortices from the bilaterally active mode to the left–right independent mode is a developmental rule of hand motor function and a common feature of motor function recovery after stroke. Hence, incorporating the brain’s inherent capacity for spontaneous recovery and adhering to developmental principles may be crucial considerations in designing effective rehabilitation strategies.
Trends of burning mouth syndrome: a bibliometric study
Authors: Lin Xuanyu , Jin Ruihui , Huang Wanyu , Ye Yicai , Jin Jing , Zhu Wenzong
Published: July 2024

Objectives

This study utilizes bibliometric analysis to map the current research landscape and forecast emerging trends within the domain of Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS).

Materials and methods

A comprehensive review of literature related to BMS was conducted, drawing from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) from 2008 to 2023. The analysis included both publication types “Article” and “Review Article.” Advanced quantitative techniques and visual analytics tools, including CiteSpace, VOSviewer, Tableau, and the Map Equation online platform were utilized to analyze the academic publications within this domain.

Results

Our analysis incorporated 497 articles on BMS. The data exhibit a progressive increase in the annual volume of publications from 2008 to 2023. In terms of geographic and institutional contributions, the United States of America (with 80 publications) and Nihon University (with 26 publications) emerged as leading entities in BMS research, while the Netherlands and England were identified as central to international collaboration efforts. Prominent researchers in this field include Adamo Daniela (18 publications) and Sun Andy (16 publications). Furthermore, the most cited works were authored by Jääskeläinen SK. An examination of the journals in which these articles were published showed a dominance of dental journals, highlighting significant interest and research efforts in BMS within the dental research community.

Conclusion

The steady growth in BMS research signifies the formation of a robust core of researchers and demonstrates the maturation of the field. Despite this progress, the findings highlight a notable deficiency in cross-institutional and cross-regional collaborative efforts. Keyword cluster analysis has revealed “management” as a persistently relevant theme, with “pain modulation” emerging as the current focal interest. Additionally, “blood profile,” “pernicious anemia,” and “folate” have been identified as prospective areas of growing interest, suggesting important directions for future investigations.

Clinical relevance

This bibliometric analysis reveals the research landscape of BMS, aiming to highlight potential collaborative opportunities and define future research directions. These insights are invaluable for guiding subsequent investigations and carving new paths in the exploration of BMS.
Auto-Spikformer: Spikformer architecture search
Authors: Che Kaiwei , Zhou Zhaokun , Niu Jun , Ma Zhengyu , Fang Wei , Chen Yanqi , Shen Shuaijie , Yuan Li , Tian Yonghong
Published: July 2024

Introduction

The integration of self-attention mechanisms into Spiking Neural Networks (SNNs) has garnered considerable interest in the realm of advanced deep learning, primarily due to their biological properties. Recent advancements in SNN architecture, such as Spikformer, have demonstrated promising outcomes. However, we observe that Spikformer may exhibit excessive energy consumption, potentially attributable to redundant channels and blocks.

Methods

To mitigate this issue, we propose a one-shot Spiking Transformer Architecture Search method, namely Auto-Spikformer. Auto-Spikformer extends the search space to include both transformer architecture and SNN inner parameters. We train and search the supernet based on weight entanglement, evolutionary search, and the proposed Discrete Spiking Parameters Search (DSPS) methods. Benefiting from these methods, the performance of subnets with weights inherited from the supernet without even retraining is comparable to the original Spikformer. Moreover, we propose a new fitness function aiming to find a Pareto optimal combination balancing energy consumption and accuracy.

Results and discussion

Our experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of Auto-Spikformer, which outperforms the original Spikformer and most CNN or ViT models with even fewer parameters and lower energy consumption.
Relationship between serum iron, zinc, calcium, and HIF-1a—comparative analysis of 2 regions and 4 ethnic groups in China
Authors: Guo Yan , Lu Zhong-Sheng , Zhang Xue-Cheng , Zhang Qiang , Liu Xiao , Chen Jie , Zhang Meng-Lan
Published: July 2024

Background

Altitude illness has serious effects on individuals who are not adequately acclimatized to high-altitude areas and may even lead to death. However, the individualized mechanisms of onset and preventive measures are not fully elucidated at present, especially the relationship between altitude illness and elements, which requires further in-depth research.

Methods

Fresh serum samples were collected from individuals who underwent health examinations at the two hospitals in Xining and Sanya between November 2021 and December 2021. The blood zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and calcium (Ca) concentrations, as well as hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) concentrations, were measured. This study conducted effective sample size estimation, repeated experiments, and used GraphPad Prism 9.0 and IBM SPSS version 19.0 software for comparative analysis of differences in the expression of elements and HIF-1α among different ethnic groups, altitudes, and concentration groups. Linear regression and multiple linear regression were employed to explore the relationships among elements and their correlation with HIF-1α.

Results

This study included a total of 400 participants. The results from the repeated measurements indicated that the consistency of the laboratory test results was satisfactory. In terms of altitude differences, except for Fe (p = 0.767), which did not show significant variance between low and high altitude regions, Zn, Ca, and HIF-1α elements all exhibited notable differences between these areas (p < 0.0001, p = 0.004, and p < 0.0001). When grouping by the concentrations of elements and HIF-1α, the results revealed significant variations in the distribution of zinc among different levels of iron and HIF-1α (p < 0.05). The outcomes of the linear regression analysis demonstrated that calcium and zinc, iron and HIF-1α, calcium and HIF-1α, and zinc and HIF-1α displayed substantial overall explanatory power across different subgroups (p < 0.05). Finally, the results of the multiple linear regression analysis indicated that within the high-altitude population, the Li ethnic group in Sanya, and the Han ethnic group in Sanya, the multiple linear regression model with HIF-1αas the dependent variable and elements as the independent variables exhibited noteworthy overall explanatory power (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The levels of typical elements and HIF-1α in the blood differ among various altitudes and ethnic groups, and these distinctions may be linked to the occurrence and progression of high-altitude illness.