bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combination of tauroursodeoxycholic acid, co-enzyme Q10 and creatine demonstrates additive neuroprotective effects in in-vitro models of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Shtilbans Alexander , Reintsch Wolfgang E. , Piscopo Valerio E. C. , Krahn Andrea I. , Durcan Thomas M.
Published: December 2024

This study aimed to evaluate different combinations of three dietary supplements for potential additive or synergistic effects in an in vitro Parkinson’s Disease model. The complex and diverse processes leading to neurodegeneration in each patient with a neurodegenerative disorder cannot be effectively addressed by a single medication. Instead, various combinations of potentially neuroprotective agents targeting different disease mechanisms simultaneously may show improved additive or synergistic efficacy in slowing the disease progression and allowing the agents to be utilized at lower doses to minimize side effects. We evaluated four possible combinations of the three selected supplements: tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA), co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10), and creatine, chosen for their effects on different targets that had previously shown neuroprotective effects in preclinical models. We evaluated the following combinations: (1) TUDCA+CoQ10, (2) TUDCA+Creatine, (3) CoQ10 + Creatine, and (4) TUDCA+CoQ10 + Creatine. We used induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived human dopaminergic neurons from a patient with Parkinson’s disease and healthy control, as well as microglial cells, to evaluate for an additive or synergistic effect of these combinations on neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. We used neurofilament heavy chain, tubulin filament, and proinflammatory cytokines as metrics. We have identified a triple combination of these supplements that showed an additive protective effect across all these endpoints. Indeed, the agents in that combination could address the majority of the known pathways leading to neurodegeneration, such as accumulation of misfolded α-synuclein, mitochondrial dysfunction, reactive oxygen species, and neuroinflammation. We demonstrated that the combination of TUDCA, CoQ10, and creatine exerts an additive effect in in vitro models of a neurodegenerative disease, surpassing the efficacy of each compound individually. This combination shows strong potential as a candidate for further preclinical confirmatory studies and clinical trials as a neuroprotective treatment for patients with, or at risk for, Parkinson’s disease.
Perioperative enriched environment attenuates postoperative cognitive dysfunction by upregulating microglia TREM2 via PI3K/Akt pathway in mouse model of ischemic stroke
Authors: Yao Yuchen , Hu Liru , Li Danni , Wang Yuhao , Pan Jian , Fan Dan
Published: December 2024

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a prevalent complication that significantly affects the quality of life. Notably, patients who have experienced ischemic stroke are at an increased risk of developing POCD. Exploring the underlying mechanisms of POCD is crucial for its management. Numerous studies have established neuroinflammation as an independent risk factor in POCD pathogenesis, with TREM2 emerging as a key neuroprotective factor that modulates neuroinflammatory responses through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of TREM2 on POCD in a mouse model of ischemic stroke, with a focus on the mechanisms involving TREM2 and the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Our findings indicated that mice with ischemic stroke exhibited severe cognitive impairment after surgical trauma. However, we observed that an enriched environment (EE) could ameliorate this cognitive impairment by upregulating microglia TREM2 expression in the hippocampus and suppressing neuroinflammation. Additionally, the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was activated in the hippocampal tissue of the mice housed in EE. Importantly, the beneficial neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of EE were abolished when TREM2 was knocked down, underscoring the essential role of TREM2 in mediating the effects of EE on neuroinflammation and cognitive function after ischemic stroke and surgical trauma. In general, our study has confirmed a potential molecular mechanism that led to the occurrence of POCD in individuals with ischemic stroke and provided new strategies to treat POCD.
Exploring the relationship between total serum calcium and melanoma development: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Zhou Qiaochu , Wang Wei , Wang Jinhui , Li Changchang , Ji Jianle
Published: December 2024

Background

Melanoma is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The continuous exploration and reporting of risk factors of melanoma is important for standardizing and reducing the incidence of the disease. Calcium signaling is a promising therapeutic target for melanoma; however, the relationship between total serum calcium levels and melanoma development remains unclear.

Methods

In this study, we included patients with melanoma from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database from 2003 to 2006 and from 2009 to 2016. The baseline clinical characteristics of the participants were analyzed using the chi-square and rank-sum tests. Subsequently, a fitted model was constructed to evaluate the relationship between total serum calcium levels and melanoma development. The performance of total serum calcium levels and covariates in predicting the risk of melanoma was assessed based on ROC curves. Finally, LASSO regression analysis was performed using the “glmnet” R package to identify clinical characteristics associated with melanoma.

Results

A total of 13,432 participants were included in this study. Age, race, household poverty-to-income ratio, response of the skin to sunlight after a certain period of non-exposure, wearing long-sleeved shirts, frequency of sunscreen use, and arthritis were significantly correlated with the development of melanoma. The p-values of total serum calcium levels in three fitted models were < 0.05, and the OR values were < 1. According to the ROC curves, the AUC values of models 2 and 3 were 0.728 and 0.766, respectively, indicating that the combination of total serum calcium levels and covariates showed better performance in predicting the occurrence of melanoma. Furthermore, LASSO regression analysis revealed seven clinical characteristics significantly associated with melanoma.

Conclusion

This study revealed a relationship between total serum calcium levels and melanoma development. Total serum calcium levels combined with phenotypic and clinical characteristics were found to be more effective in predicting the occurrence of melanoma. Therefore, the relationship between total serum calcium levels and melanoma development warrants further investigation in prospective cohort studies.
Dietary diversity and associated factors among children aged 6–23 months attending a public health hospital in Awi zone, Ethiopia, 2023
Authors: Mulatu Sileshi , Ejigu Lemessa Jira , Dinku Habtamu , Tadesse Fikir , Gedif Azeb , Salah Fekiahmed , Workie Hailemariam Mekonnen
Published: December 2024

Background

Inadequate dietary diversity among children aged 6–23 months remains a public problem in Ethiopia. Adequate dietary diversity is crucial for children to meet their nutritional demands and promote healthy growth and development in infancy and young childhood.

Objective

The study aimed to assess dietary diversity and associated factors among children aged 6–23 months in Awi Zone, Ethiopia, 2023.

Methods

The study was conducted among children aged 6–23 months in Awi Zone, Amhara, Ethiopia, from August to September 2023. A community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted. A simple random sampling approach followed by face-to-face interview data collection techniques was used. To ascertain minimum dietary diversity, a 24 h food recall method comprising eight food item questionnaires was used. A statistical association was found between dependent and independent variables using the adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals and a p-value of ≤0.05.

Result

This study found that only 192 (47.6%) children aged 6–23-month old had adequate dietary diversity. In this study, variables such as maternal education [AOR 2.36, 95% CI (1.297, 3.957)], birth interval [AOR 2.85, 95% CI (1.45, 4.25)], and food insecurity [AOR = 2.23, 95% CI (1.626, 3.1)] were strongly significant variables for the minimum dietary diversity of the child.

Conclusion and recommendations

The proportion of the minimum dietary diversity was relatively low. Mother’s educational status, low birth intervals, and food insecurity were significant predictors of minimum dietary diversity. The stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health, regional health offices, and agricultural sectors, prioritize enhancing child nutrition through targeted food-based approaches. Developing and implementing comprehensive intervention programs to improve children’s minimum dietary diversity (MDD) should be a central focus. Professionals should strengthen nutrition education to promote optimal MDD practices.
Sesamin alleviates lipid accumulation induced by elaidic acid in L02 cells through TFEB regulated autophagy
Authors: Liang Xueli , Zhang Tianliang , Cheng Xinyi , Yuan Hang , Yang Ning , Yi Yanlei , Li Xiaozhou , Zhang Fengxiang , Sun Jinyue , Li Zhenfeng , Wang Xia
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common chronic disease seriously threatening human health, with limited treatment means, however. Sesamin, a common lignan in sesame seed oil, exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. Our previous studies have shown an ameliorative effect of sesamin on lipid accumulation in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HePG2) induced by oleic acid, with its protective effects unclear in the case of 9-trans-C18:1 elaidic acid (9-trans-C18,1).

Methods

L02 cells, an important tool in scientific researches due to its high proliferation ability, preserved hepatocyte function, and specificity in response to exogenous factors, were incubated with 9-trans-C18:1 to establish an in vitro model of NAFLD in our study. The lipid accumulation in cells and the morphology of mitochondria and autolysosomes were observed by Oil Red O staining and transmission electron microscopy. The effects of sesamin on oxidative stress, apoptosis, mitochondrial function, autophagy as well as related protein levels in L02 cells were also investigated in the presence of 9-trans-C18:1.

Results

The results showed that sesamin significantly accelerated the autophagy flux of L02 cells induced by 9-trans-C18:1 as well as elevated protein levels of transcription factor EB (TFEB) and its downstream target lysosome-associated membrane protein 1(LAMP1), along with up-regulated levels of TFEB and LAMP1 in the nucleus indicated by Immunofluorescence. In addition, PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 and Parkin mediated mitophagy was activated by sesamin. The direct inhibitor Eltrombopag and indirect inhibitor MHY1485 of TFEB reversed the protective effect of sesamin, suggesting the involvement of autophagy in the lipid-lowering process of sesamin.

Discussion

This work suggests that sesamin regulates autophagy through TFEB to alleviate lipid accumulation in L02 cells induced by 9-trans-C18:1, providing a potential target for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD.
Case report: Bone marrow metastasis and bone marrow necrosis occurring 11 years after ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast
Authors: Zhang Shuting , Du Zhonghai , Wu Jun , Zhang Xiaoli , Dong Wei
Published: December 2024

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a noninvasive breast cancer, rarely metastasises to distant locations. When the initial lesion is stable, bone marrow metastasis (BMM) and bone marrow necrosis (BMN) are even less common. Here, we report the case of a 47-year-old female patient who underwent localized surgery and radiotherapy for right-sided DCIS. The patient also had a mutation in the breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1, OMIM: 113705) and tested positive for the progesterone and estrogen receptors. After 11 years of disease-free survival, the patient developed severe thrombocytopenia, anemia, fever, malaise, generalized multifocal pain, and irregular vaginal bleeding. A nodule was later found in the right axilla, and a postoperative biopsy revealed tumor cells from the breast. After three bone marrow biopsies, Positron Emission Tomography, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose, positron emission tomography, computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) scans, and other examinations, she was finally diagnosed with breast cancer BMM and BMN (stable primary lesion without bone metastasis). Despite symptomatic supportive treatment, the patient ultimately died rapidly as her condition deteriorated. In this case, we explored the possible mechanisms of BMM in this patient with DCIS by reviewing the literature related to this case and discussing the heterogeneous clinical presentation and pathologic phenotype. The diagnostic and therapeutic course of this case was extremely challenging. This suggests to clinicians that regular checkups and monitoring are necessary, even if the rate of distant metastasis from DCIS is low.
Detection of aberrant locomotor activity in a mouse model of lung cancer via home cage monitoring
Authors: Tomanelli Michele , Guffanti Federica , Vargiu Giulia , Micotti Edoardo , Rigamonti Mara , Tumiatti Francesca , Caiola Elisa , Marabese Mirko , Broggini Massimo
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Lung cancer is the first cause of cancer death in the world, due to a delayed diagnosis and the absence of efficacy therapies. KRAS mutation occurs in 25% of all lung cancers and the concomitant mutations in LKB1 determine aggressive subtypes of these tumors. The improvement of therapeutical options for KRASG12C mutations has increased the possibility of treating these tumors, but resistance to these therapies has emerged. Preclinical animal models permit the study of tumors and the development of new therapies. The DVC system was used to measure circadian activity changes indicative of lung cancer progression in KRAS and KRAS-LKB1 transgenic mouse models.

Material and methods

KRAS and KRAS-LKB1 conditional transgenic animal models were bred and genotyped. The tumors were inducted using adeno-CRE-recombinase system. The mice were housed in a Digital Ventilated Cage (DVC®) rack measuring the locomotor activity continuously for 24/7. The progression of the tumors was monitored with MRI. The DVC system evaluated a reduction in animal locomotion during the tumor progression.

Results

KRAS and KRAS-LKB1 mutations were induced, and the tumor formation and progression were monitored over time. As expected, the onset of the tumors in the two different breeds occurred at different times. DVC system registered the locomotion activity of the mice during the light and dark phases, reporting a strong reduction, mainly, in the dark phase. In KRAS-LKB1 models, the locomotion reduction appeared more pronounced than in KRAS models.

Discussions

Transgenic animal models represent a fundamental tool to study the biology of cancers and the development of new therapies. The tumors induced in these models harbor the same genotypical and phenotypical characteristics as their human counterparts. DVC methods permit a home cage monitoring system useful for tracking animal behavior continuously 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. DVC system could determine disease progression by monitoring a single animal activity in a cage and also using group-housed animals. For these reasons, the DVC system could play a crucial role in identifying diseases at early stages and in testing new therapeutic approaches with a higher likelihood of efficacy.
Bibliometric study on the utilization of sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Meng Wenjun , Luo Yihang , Zhao Lu , Zhang Yaoyu , Liu Jiyan , Li Shadan , Du Yang , Li Hongshuai
Published: December 2024

Background

Although the number of studies on sorafenib for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing during the past two decades, no detailed scientometric examination of its knowledge framework has been undertaken. Therefore, we performed a bibliometric analysis on this topic.

Methods

VOSviewer and CiteSpace were utilized to analyze the articles regarding sorafenib for HCC from 2005 to 2024, which were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database.

Results

There were 7,667 articles related to sorafenib in HCC were retrieved from the WoSCC database, and they covered 99 countries/regions, 5,640 institutions, and 30,450 authors. The most published literature of countries and institutions were China and Sun Yat-sen University, respectively. Cancers is the journal with the most papers published in this field, and the journal with the most co-citations is N Engl J Med. Among authors, Masatoshi Kudo has published the most research papers, and the most co-citations go to JM Llovet. The keywords “survival”, “apoptosis”, “efficacy”, “transarterial chemoembolization”, “lenvatinib”, etc. represent the current hotspots in this field.

Conclusions

We identified current hotspots and trends by bibliometric analysis in sorafenib-HCC field, which might provide valuable guidance for future researches. Further explorations are supposed to conduct the continued study of HCC apoptosis, large-scaled clinical trials with international cooperations, and comprehensive treatments including multiple systemic or locoregional approaches in patients with HCC.
An overview of proactive monitoring and management of respiratory issues in ataxia-telangiectasia in a specialist and shared care pediatric clinic
Authors: Bhatt Jayesh Mahendra , Bush Andrew
Published: December 2024

Ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) is an ultrarare autosomal recessive disorder and occurs in all racial and ethnic backgrounds. Clinically, children and young people with A-T are affected by sinopulmonary infections, neurological deterioration with concomitant bulbar dysfunction, increased sensitivity to ionizing radiation, immunodeficiency, a decline in lung function, chronic liver disease, endocrine abnormalities, cutaneous and deep-organ granulomatosis, and early death. Pulmonary complications become more frequent in the second decade of life and are a leading cause of death in individuals with A-T. Oropharyngeal dysphagia is common, progressive, and a risk factor for frequent respiratory infections. Immunodeficiency is non-progressive in most patients with A-T. If severe infections occur, one should be aware of other possible causes, such as aspiration. We provide an overview of current best practice recommendations, which are based on combinations of extrapolation from other diseases and expert opinion. These include proactive surveillance, monitoring, and early management to improve lung health in this devastating multisystem disease.
β-blockers and metabolic modulation: unraveling the complex interplay with glucose metabolism, inflammation and oxidative stress
Authors: Drygała Szymon , Radzikowski Michał , Maciejczyk Mateusz
Published: December 2024

The growing burden of metabolic disorders manifested by hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease presents a significant global health challenge by contributing to cardiovascular diseases and high mortality rates. Β-blockers are among the most widely used drugs in the treatment of hypertension and acute cardiovascular events. In addition to blocking the receptor sites for catecholamines, third-generation β-blockers with associated vasodilating properties, such as carvedilol and nebivolol, provide a broad spectrum of metabolic effects, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and a favorable impact on glucose and lipid metabolism. This review aims to report the impact of β-blockers on metabolic modulation based on available literature data. We present an overview of β-blockers and their pleiotropic properties, discuss mechanisms by which these drugs affect cellular metabolism and outline the future perspectives. The influence of β-blockers on glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, inflammation and oxidative stress is complex and varies depending on the specific β-blocker used, patient population and underlying health conditions. Recent evidence particularly highlights the potential role of vasodilatory and nitric oxide-mediated properties of nebivolol and carvedilol in improving glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, and lipid metabolism and mitigating oxidative stress and inflammation. It suggests that these drugs may be potential therapeutic options for patients with metabolic disorders, extending beyond their primary role in cardiovascular management.
Iohexol-based assessment of intestinal permeability in broilers challenged with Eimeria maxima, Clostridium perfringens or both
Authors: Calik Ali , Niraula Abhisek , Dong Bingqi , Blue Candice E. C. , Fenster Davis A. , Dalloul Rami A.
Published: December 2024

Impaired intestinal integrity in broilers reduces performance and health, highlighting the importance of accurately measuring intestinal permeability (IP) to maintain gut health. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of iohexol as an IP marker in broilers challenged with Eimeria maxima, Clostridium perfringens, or both during both peak challenge (day [d] 21) and recovery (d 28) periods. One-day-old male Ross 708 birds (n = 56) were distributed into 4 treatment groups: NC (no-challenge control); EM (challenged with 5,000 E. maxima sporulated oocysts/bird on d 15); CP (challenged with 1.0 × 108 CFUs/bird of C. perfringens on d 19 and d 20); and EM + CP (challenged by co-infection of E. maxima and C. perfringens as described). On d 21 and d 28, each bird received an iohexol dose of 64.7 mg/kg body weight via oral gavage. One hour later, blood samples were collected from 14 birds (12 in EM) per group on d 21 and from 7 birds (6 in EM) on d 28. For lesion scoring and ileum collection, 7 birds per group (6 birds in EM) were sampled on each d 21 and d 28. Birds in the EM and EM + CP groups had lower body weight gain (BWG) compared to the NC and CP groups on d 19–21 (P ≤ 0.05). These birds also exhibited significantly greater lesion scores and markedly higher serum iohexol levels on d 21 (P ≤ 0.05). However, no significant differences in serum iohexol levels were observed among treatment groups following recovery on d 28. Moreover, significant differentials were observed in the mRNA abundance of key tight junction proteins (CLDN1, CLDN2, and ZO3), pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IFNγ, and IL-22), and gut health markers (GLP2, OLFM4, and MUC2) in the EM and EM + CP groups compared to the NC and CP groups on d 21. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that iohexol is an effective marker for assessing IP in broilers under different enteric challenge conditions.
Genomic loci associated with grain protein and mineral nutrients concentrations in Eragrostis tef under contrasting water regimes
Authors: Alemu Muluken Demelie , Ben-Zeev Shiran , Barak Vered , Tutus Yusuf , Cakmak Ismail , Saranga Yehoshua
Published: December 2024

Climate change is becoming a global challenge, threating agriculture’s capacity to meet the food and nutritional requirements of the growing population. Underutilized crops present an opportunity to address climate change and nutritional deficiencies. Tef is a stress-resilient cereal crop, producing gluten-free grain of high nutritional quality. However, knowledge is lacking on tef’s diversity of grain nutritional properties, their interaction with environmental conditions (e.g., water availability) and the underlying genomic loci. We assessed the effect of water availability on tef grain nutrient concentrations and identify the associated genomic loci. A collection of 223 tef genotypes, a subset of tef diversity panel 300 (TDP-300), were grown in the field under well-watered and water-limited conditions in 2021, and phenotyped for 11 traits including: grain protein and mineral concentrations and seed color. A genome-wide association study was conducted using 28,837 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and phenotypic data to identify marker–trait associations (MTAs). Tef grain nutrient concentrations exhibited wide genetic diversity with a significant influence of environment. Protein and most micronutrients were more concentrated under water-limited conditions, whereas most macronutrients were higher in the well-watered environment. A total of 59 SNPs were associated with one or more of the studied traits, resulting in 65 MTAs detected under both water treatments, and providing insights into the genetic basis of grain nutrients. Five SNPs reflected multiple associations, with four detecting the same trait under both treatments (multiple-environment effect), and one associated with both Zn and K (pleiotropic effect). In addition, two pairs of closely linked SNPs reflected multiple-environment effects. While multiple-environment associations provide greater support for the integrity of these MTAs, the pleiotropic locus hints at a common mechanism controlling two mineral ions. The identified MTAs shed new light on the genomic architecture of tef’s nutritional properties and provide the basis to enhance tef grain nutritional quality alongside drought resilience.
Identification of genetic loci and candidate genes regulating photosynthesis and leaf morphology through genome-wide association study in Brassica napus L.
Authors: Li Keqi , Guo Na , Zhang Miao , Du Yuanyuan , Xu Jiali , Li Shimeng , Wang Jinxiong , Wang Rongrong , Liu Xiang , Qin Mengfan , Xu Yu , Zhu Yunlin , Song Jia , Xu Aixia , Huang Zhen
Published: December 2024

Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is a major agricultural crop with diverse applications, particularly in the production of seed oil for both culinary use and biodiesel. However, its photosynthetic efficiency, a pivotal determinant of yield, remains relatively low compared with other C3 plants such as rice and soybean, highlighting the necessity of identifying the genetic loci and genes regulating photosynthesis in rapeseed. In this study, we investigated 5 photosynthesis traits and 5 leaf morphology traits in a natural population of rapeseed, and conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify significantly associated loci and genes. The results showed that the gas-exchange parameters of the dark reactions in photosynthesis exhibited a significant positive correlation with the chlorophyll content, whereas they showed a weaker negative correlation with the leaf area. By GWAS, a total of 538 quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) were identified as significantly associated with traits related to both leaf morphology and photosynthesis. These QTNs were classified into 84 QTL clusters, of which, 21 clusters exhibited remarkable stability across different traits and environmental conditions. In addition, a total of 3,129 potential candidate genes were identified to be significantly associated with the above-mentioned 10 traits, most of which were shared by certain traits, further indicating the reliability of the findings. By integrating GWAS data with GO enrichment analysis and gene expression analysis, we further identified 8 key candidate genes that are associated with the regulation of photosynthesis, chlorophyll content, leaf area, and leaf petiole angle. Taken together, this study identified key genetic loci and candidate genes with the potential to improve photosynthetic efficiency in rapeseed. These findings provide a theoretical framework for breeding new rapeseed varieties with enhanced photosynthetic capabilities.
GLNet: global-local feature network for wheat leaf disease image classification
Authors: Li Shangze , Liu Shen , Ji Mingyu , Cao Yuhao , Yun Bai
Published: December 2024

Addressing the issues with insufficient multi-scale feature perception and incomplete understanding of global information in traditional convolutional neural networks for image classification of wheat leaf disease, this paper proposes a global local feature network, i.e. GLNet, which adopts a unique global-local convolutional neural network architecture, realizes the comprehensive capturing of multi-scale features in an image by processing the global feature block and local feature block in parallel and integrating the information of both of them with the help of a feature fusion block. By processing global and local feature blocks in parallel and integrating the information of both effectively with the help of feature fusion blocks, the model realizes the comprehensive capture of multi-scale features in images. This innovative design significantly enhances the model ability to understand the features of wheat leaf disease images, and thus demonstrates excellent performance and accuracy in the task of classifying wheat leaf disease images in real-world scenarios. The successful application of GLNet provides new ideas and effective tools for solving complex image classification problems.
Integrated metabolomics and proteomics analysis reveals the accumulation mechanism of bioactive components in Polygonatum odoratum
Authors: Liang Shuang , Zhao Yang , Luo Zhaohui , Liu Junchen , Jiang Xicen , Yang Bingxian , Zhang Lin , Fu Hongwei , Zhong Zhuoheng
Published: December 2024

Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce is rich in bioactive components with high medicinal value. To maximize the clinical benefits, it is of great significance to efficiently extract key bioactive components from appropriate growth stages in which they are most abundant. In this study, we analyzed the changes of metabolite accumulation and protein expression in P. odoratum rhizomes at different growth stages using targeted metabolomics combined with proteomics, and identified a total of 1,237 differentially abundant metabolites (DAMs). Flavonoids accumulated most in winter, and the biosynthesis pathways associated with flavonoids, isoflavonoids, flavones and flavonols exhibited significant differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). Among them, PGT, FLS, CYP75B1, HIDH, IF7MAT, and UFT73C6 were positively correlated with flavonoid accumulation. Steroid saponins accumulated most in spring, and the biosynthetic pathways of steroid and brassinosteroid biosynthesis exhibited DEPs. Among them, FDFT1, TM7SF2, DHCR7, CAS1, and 3BETAHSDD were positively correlated with steroidal saponin accumulation. In summary, these results revealed the accumulation of secondary metabolites P. odoratum in different growth stages, which can provide an effective reference for the extraction of specific bioactive components and the study of their regulatory mechanisms.
BO-CNN-BiLSTM deep learning model integrating multisource remote sensing data for improving winter wheat yield estimation
Authors: Zhang Lei , Li Changchun , Wu Xifang , Xiang Hengmao , Jiao Yinghua , Chai Huabin
Published: December 2024

Introduction

In the context of climate variability, rapid and accurate estimation of winter wheat yield is essential for agricultural policymaking and food security. With advancements in remote sensing technology and deep learning, methods utilizing remotely sensed data are increasingly being employed for large-scale crop growth monitoring and yield estimation.

Methods

Solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) is a new remote sensing metric that is closely linked to crop photosynthesis and has been applied to crop growth and drought monitoring. However, its effectiveness for yield estimation under various data fusion conditions has not been thoroughly explored. This study developed a deep learning model named BO-CNN-BiLSTM (BCBL), combining the feature extraction capabilities of a convolutional neural network (1DCNN) with the time-series memory advantages of a bidirectional long short-term memory network (BiLSTM). The Bayesian Optimization (BOM) method was employed to determine the optimal hyperparameters for model parameter optimization. Traditional remote sensing variables (TS), such as the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) and Leaf Area Index (LAI), were fused with the SIF and climate data to estimate the winter wheat yields in Henan Province, exploring the SIF’s estimation capabilities using various datasets.

Results and Discussion

The results demonstrated that the BCBL model, integrating TS, climate, and SIF data, outperformed other models (e.g., LSTM, Transformer, RF, and XGBoost) in the estimation accuracy, with R²=0.81, RMSE=616.99 kg/ha, and MRE=7.14%. Stepwise sensitivity analysis revealed that the BCBL model reliably identified the critical stage of winter wheat yield formation (early March to early May) and achieved high yield estimation accuracy approximately 25 d before harvest. Furthermore, the BCBL model exhibited strong stability and generalization across different climatic conditions.

Conclusion

Thus, the BCBL model combined with SIF data can offer reliable winter wheat yield estimates, hold significant potential for application, and provide valuable insights for agricultural policymaking and field management.
Efficacy and mechanism of cyprosulfamide in alleviating the phytotoxicity of clomazone residue on maize seedling
Authors: Sun Lanlan , Zhang Chen , Xu Hongle , Su Wangcang , Xue Fei , Leng Qiuli , Niu Yujia , Lu Chuantao , Wu Renhai
Published: December 2024

Introduction

The residues of clomazone (Clo) can lead to phytotoxic symptoms such as foliar bleaching, reduced plant height, and decreased maize yields. Herbicide safener represent one of the most economically efficient strategies for mitigating herbicide-induced damage.

Methods

In this study, various seed treatments were implemented, including the immersion of maize seeds in water (CK), immersion in Cyprosulfamide (CSA), soil supplemented with clomazone (ClO) and CSA+ClO, evaluated physiological indicators, chlorophyll content, and qRT-PCR analyses of the maize plants were evaluated under the different treatments.

Results and discussion

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of CSA on mitigating residual damage caused by Clo on maize and elucidate its mechanism. Compared to the CK, treatment with Clo resulted in significant inhibition of maize plant height, fresh weight, chlorophyll content, and carotenoid levels by 19.0%, 29.9%, 92.5%, and 86.3% respectively. On the other hand, under CSA+Clo treatment, milder inhibition was observed with reductions of only 9.4% in plant height and 7.2% in fresh weight, as well as decreases of 35.7% and 21.8% respectively in chlorophyll and carotenoid contents. The findings revealed that the application of CSA effectively mitigated the inhibitory effects of Clo residues on maize plant height, fresh weight, carotenoids and chlorophyll content. Additionally, the combination of CSA and Clo reduced MDA levels by 13.4%, increased SOD activity by 9.7% and GST activity by 26.7%, while elevating GSSG content by 31.3% compared to Clo alone, ultimately mitigating oxidative damage in maize plants. qRT-PCR analysis showed that the expression of five P450 genes (CYP72A5, CYP81A4, CYP81Q32, CYP81A9, CYP81A36), nine GST genes (GST30, GST31, GSTIV, GSTVI, GST21, GST7, GST37, GST25, IN2-1), and two UGT genes (UGT76C2, UGT83A1) significantly high increased by 6.74-, 10.27-, 4.98-, 10.56-, 25.67-, 16.70-, 46.92-,7.53-, 5.10-, 238.82-, 143.50-, 4.58-, 31.51-, 39.3-, 4.20-, 10.47-fold after CSA+Clo treatment compared to that in the Clo treatment. The pre-treatment of CSA led to the upregulation of five P450 genes, nine GST genes, and two UGT genes, which may be associated with the metabolism of Clo in maize. Overall, this study suggests that CSA could be effectively mitigates Clo residual damage by up-regulating detoxification-related genes, enhancing chlorophyll content and activities of antioxidant enzymes.
Uncertain choices with asymmetric information: how clear evidence and ambiguity interact?
Authors: Tehrani-Safa Amir Hossein , Sarabi-Jamab Atiye , Vahabie Abdol-Hossein , Araabi Babak Nadjar
Published: December 2024

Real-world decisions often involve partial ambiguity, where the complete picture of potential risks is unclear. In such situations, individuals must make choices by balancing the value of available information against the uncertainty of unknown risks. Our study investigates this challenge by examining how people navigate the trade-off between the favorability of limited evidence and the degree of ambiguity when making decisions under partial ambiguity. Participants (n = 77) engaged in a task where the level of ambiguity (small, medium, and large) and the favorability of the evidence (asymmetrically positive, neutral, and asymmetrically negative) were manipulated in a 3 × 3 design. We measured their attitude of ambiguity in each condition. The key finding reveals a bias in how participants perceived the unknown. They reacted to the unknown differently depending on the initial clues, filling in the missing information in a way that contradicted the evidence. When faced with positive evidence, participants were less tolerant of ambiguity than negative evidence. This means people were more careful when they received good news but less cautious when they received bad news. This bias was particularly pronounced when the ambiguity was low.
The impact of small food workshops management regulations on aflatoxin B1 in home-made peanut oil and the liver function of high-consumption area residents: an interrupted time series study in Guangzhou, China
Authors: Lei Jiangbo , Li Yan , Wang Yanyan , Zhou Jinchang , Wu Yuzhe , Zhang Yuhua , Liu Lan , Ou Yijun , Huang Lili , Wu Sixuan , Guo Xuanya , Liu Lieyan , Peng Rongfei , Bai Zhijun , Zhang Weiwei
Published: December 2024

Background

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a potent carcinogen produced by Aspergillus species, is a prevalent contaminant in oil crops, with prolonged exposure associated with liver damage. Home-made peanut oil (HMPO) produced by small workshops in Guangzhou is heavily contaminated with AFB1. Despite the enactment of the Small Food Workshops Management Regulations (SFWMR), no quantitative assessment has been conducted regarding its impact on food contamination and public health. The study aims to assess the impact of SFWMR on AFB1 contamination in HMPO and liver function in the population.

Method

AFB1 contamination in HMPO were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography and liver function data were obtained from the health center located in a high-HMPO-consumption area in Guangzhou. Interrupted time series and mediation analyses were employed to assess the relationship between the implementation of SFWMR, AFB1 concentrations in HMPO, and liver function among residents.

Result

The AFB1 concentrations in HMPO were 1.29 (0.12, 6.58) μg/kg. The average daily intake of AFB1 through HMPO for Guangzhou residents from 2010 to 2022 ranged from 0.25 to 1.68 ng/kg bw/d, and the Margin of Exposure ranged from 238 to 1,600. The implementation of SFWMR was associated with a significant reduction in AFB1 concentrations in HMPO, showing an immediate decrease of 2.865 μg/kg (P = 0.006) and a sustained annual reduction of 2.593 μg/kg (P = 0.034). Among residents in the high-HMPO-consumption area, the implementation of SFWMR was significantly associated with a reduction in the prevalence of liver function abnormality (PR = 0.650, 95% CI: 0.469–0.902). Subgroup analysis revealed that this reduction was significantly associated with the implementation of SFWMR in the female (PR = 0.484, 95% CI: 0.310–0.755) and in individuals aged ≥ 60 years (PR = 0.586, 95% CI: 0.395–0.868). Mediation analysis demonstrated that AFB1 concentrations in HMPO fully mediated the relationship between the implementation of SFWMR and the liver function abnormality (PR = 0.981, 95% CI: 0.969–0.993).

Conclusion

In Guangzhou, the public health issue arising from AFB1 intake through HMPO warrants attention. The implementation of SFWMR had a positive impact on the improvement of AFB1 contamination in HMPO and the liver function. Continued efforts are necessary to strengthen the enforcement of the regulations. The exposure risks to AFB1 among high-HMPO-consumption groups also demand greater focus.
Global, regional, and national burden of myocarditis in children aged 0–14 years, 1990–2021: analysis for the global burden of disease study 2021
Authors: Zhang Yi-Dong , Chen Nuo , Wang Qiao-Yu , Li Hao , Zhang Song-Yue , Xia Tian-He , He Yue-E. , Rong Xing , Wu Ting-Ting , Wu Rong-Zhou
Published: December 2024

Objective

There are limited epidemiological data on myocarditis in children aged 0–14 years. This study aims to investigate the trends in incidence, mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and corresponding estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) of myocarditis in children aged 0–14 years from 1990 to 2021.

Methods

We utilized the 2021 Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) analytical tools to examine the incidence, mortality, and DALYs of myocarditis in children aged 0–14 years, considering factors such as age, sex, region, sociodemographic index (SDI), and data from 204 countries or regions.

Results

In 2021, a total of 155.45/1000 people cases of myocarditis were reported globally in children. The cases of myocarditis in children increased from 143.80/1000 people (95% uncertainty interval [UI], 93.13–214.67) in 1990 to 155.45/1000 people (95% UI, 100.31–232.31) in 2021, increasing by 8.1% (95% UI, 6.04–9.73%). Over 30 years, the global incidence rate decreased from 8.27 (95% UI, 5.35–12.34) to 7.73 (95% UI, 4.99–11.55) per 100,000 population. The myocarditis-associated mortality rate decreased from 0.36 (95% UI, 0.25–0.51) to 0.13 (95% UI, 0.10–0.16) per 100,000 population. In 2021, the highest incidence of myocarditis in children occurred in High SDI regions. Regionally, High-income Asia Pacific had the greatest increase in incidence (EAPC, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.22–0.28). Japan had the highest incidence rate of myocarditis in children, while Haiti reported the highest myocarditis-associated mortality rate and DALYs rate. Globally, environmental/occupational risk, nonoptimal temperature, high temperature, and low temperature were key risk factors for myocarditis-associated mortality in children.

Conclusion

Between 1990 and 2021, myocarditis in children saw declining mortality and DALYs but rising incidence, especially in males. Children under 1 year face higher mortality and DALY rates despite lower incidence, stressing early diagnosis. High SDI regions report higher incidence but lower mortality, while low SDI areas need standardized treatment. Japan had the highest 2021 incidence, and China had the most deaths. Underscoring the urgency for enhanced medical resources, comprehensive research into the disease’s etiology, and improved prevention strategies.
Leveraging new methodologies for public health crisis management
Authors: Khalil Hanan , Marcucci Joanne , Liu Chaojie
Published: December 2024

Evidence-based medicine is critical in public health emergencies, offering a framework for decision-making and adaptive healthcare responses. By relying on up-to-date and reliable evidence, EBM enables healthcare systems to respond quickly to evolving crises and ensures efficient resource allocation. This perspective presents the importance of evidence-based medicine in public health emergencies, emphasizing the need for rapid decision-making and preparedness. It identifies challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, including barriers to evidence synthesis, and explores innovative solutions, including methodological pluralism and systems thinking. The findings highlight that evidence-based medicine improves health care systems’ responsiveness to public health crises, supports the efficient resource allocation, and reinforces the need for flexible strategies that adapt to rapidly evolving information. In particular, the practical implications underscore that, in crisis settings, EBM must expand beyond strict evidence hierarchies to include timely, reasonable, and sometimes intuitive expert judgments, ensuring robust and adaptable responses. In conclusion, while EBM enhances healthcare adaptability and decision-making in emergencies, future responses will benefit from incorporating more diverse and flexible approaches to ensure more resilient and effective public health strategies.
The association of workforce configurations with length of stay and charges in hospitalized patients with congestive heart failure
Authors: Williams Tremaine B. , Crump Alisha , Parker Pearman , Garza Maryam Y. , Seker Emel , Swindle Taren Massey , Robins Taiquitha , Price Adrian , Sexton Kevin Wayne
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Clinicians are the conduits of high-quality care delivery. Clinicians have driven advancements in pharmacotherapeutics, devices, and related interventions and improved morbidity and mortality in patients with congestive heart failure over the past decade. Yet, the management of congestive heart failure has become extraordinarily complex and has fueled recommendations from the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology to optimize the composition of the care team to reduce the health, economic, and the health system burden of high lengths of stay and hospital charges. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify the extent to which specific care team configurations were associated with high length of stay and high-charge hospitalizations of patients with congestive heart failure.

Methods

This study performed a retrospective analysis of data extracted from the electronic health records of 3,099 patients and their hospitalizations from the Arkansas Clinical Data Repository. The data was analyzed using binomial logistic regression in which adjusted odds ratios reflected the association of specific care team configurations (i.e., combination of care roles) with length of stay and hospital charges.

Results

Team configurations that included a nurse practitioner, registered nurse, care manager, and social worker were generally above the median length of stay and median charges when compared to team configurations that did not collectively include all of these roles. Patients with larger configurations (i.e., four or more different care roles) had higher length of stays and charges than smaller configurations (i.e., two to three different care roles). The results also validated the Van Walraven Elixhauser Comorbidity Score by finding that its quartiles were associated with length of stay and charges, an indicator of care demand based on patient morbidity.

Conclusions

Cardiologists, alone, cannot shoulder the burden of improving patient outcomes. Care team configuration data within electronic health record systems of hospitals could be an effective method of isolating and tracking high-risk patients. Registered nurses may be particularly effective in advancing real-time risk stratification by applying the Van Walraven Elixhauser Comorbidity Score at the point of care, improving the ability of health systems to match care demand with workforce availability.