bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
English Channel Winter Storminess has increased to levels last seen 200 years ago
Authors: Cornes Richard , Jones Philip
Published: October 2023

Information from a variety of sources has suggested that an increased rate of storminess was experienced across the British Isles in the late eighteenth/early nineteenth century. However, it is not clear how stormy that period was relative to current conditions. Using newly recovered barometric pressure data that extend back to 1748 we show here that winter storminess across the English Channel has increased since the 1870s and has now reached a level that is comparable to that experienced during 1790-1820s. However, the nature of the storm activity was quite different in the two periods: current wind increases are restricted to the winter season and originate from a south-westerly direction whereas elevated storminess in the early period extended to the summer season and the wind direction was more variable. While a strengthened North Atlantic jet stream is implicated in both periods, in the early period it is likely that the storm track shifted slightly to a more southerly location whereas in the most recent period the increases in storminess are associated with an extension of the jet north-eastwards across the British Isles. We discuss the potential forcing mechanisms responsible for the changes in storminess across the region over this multi-century timeframe.
Simian Varicella Virus Infection and Reactivation in Rhesus Macaques Trigger Cytokine and Aβ40/42 Alterations in Serum and Cerebrospinal Fluid
Authors: Niemeyer Christy S , Traina-Dorge Vicki , Doyle-Meyers Lara , Das Arpita , Looper Jayme , Mescher Teresa , Feia Brittany , Medina Eva , Nagel Maria A. , Mahalingam Ravi , Bubak Andrew N.
Published: October 2023

Simian varicella virus (SVV) produces peripheral inflammatory responses during varicella (primary infection) and zoster (reactivation) in rhesus macaques (RM). However, it is unclear if peripheral measures are accurate proxies for central nervous system (CNS) responses. Thus, we analyzed cytokine and Aβ42/Aβ40 changes in paired serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) during the course of infection. During varicella and zoster, every RM had variable changes in serum and CSF cytokine and Aβ42/Aβ40 levels compared to pre-inoculation levels. Overall, peripheral infection appears to affect CNS cytokine and Aβ42/Aβ40 levels independent of serum responses, suggesting that peripheral disease may contribute to CNS disease.
Rift-inversion orogens are potential hotspots for natural H2 generation
Authors: Zwaan Frank , Brune Sascha , Glerum Anne , Vasey Dylan A. , Naliboff John B. , Manatschal Gianreto , Gaucher Eric C.
Published: October 2023

Naturally occurring hydrogen gas (H2) represents a potentially major source of clean energy. The most promising mechanism for large-scale natural H2 generation is serpentinization where mantle material reacts with water while passing through a temperature-dependent “serpentinization window” (T = 200-350˚C) during mantle exhumation. We study such serpentinization-related natural H2 generation during rifting and subsequent formation of rift-inversion orogens by means of numerical geodynamic models. In these models we trace how, when, and where mantle material enters the serpentinization window, as well as when active deformation along fault zones in mantle bodies may allow for water circulation and serpentinization to occur. Although serpentinization-related natural H2 generation is best known from rifted margins and spreading ridges, we find that volumes of natural H2 generated during inversion may be up to 20 times larger than during rifting, due to a colder thermal regime. Moreover, suitable reservoirs and seals are readily available in rift-inversion orogens, whereas they may not be present during serpentinization in rift settings. Our model results thus provide a first-order motivation to turn to rift- inversion orogens for natural H2 exploration, as supported by indications of natural H2 generation in the Western Alps, Pyrenees, and Caucasus.
Establishment of a constitutive model for the solid granules medium and its application in sheet metal forming
Authors: Shi Haiwei , Zhao Changcai , Shen Guoyi , Liu Zheng
Published: October 2023

The solid granules medium forming process is a new type of forming process that employs solid granules medium as the medium for force transfer. To effectively predict experimental results, establishing an appropriate simulation model for the SGMF process is paramount. However, due to the intricate contact and frictional relationships inherent within solid granules medium, the precise development of constitutive models for these materials remains a significant challenge. In this study, the mechanical properties of the solid granules medium were investigated by triaxial compression tests, and the results showed that these properties were similar to those of over-consolidated soil or dense sand. Then, based on the parameters of the triaxial compression test, four different mechanical models for the solid granules medium were constructed, including the Mohr-Coulomb model, Drucker-Prager model, Drucker-Prager Cap model and DEM-FEM model. These models are used to numerically simulate the pressure transfer performance within the solid granules medium. Comparison with experimental data shows that the Drucker-Prager Cap model can predict the pressure transfer performance of solid granules medium with greater precision. Finally, the solid granules medium is employed in conducting the deep drawing test of 08Al cylindrical parts with hemispherical bottom, and the results are compared with the finite element model. The accuracy of the Drucker-Prager Cap model in predicting the thickness distribution of formed parts is confirmed. Therefore, the model can be used as the constitutive model for solid granules medium forming in the simulation model.
A distinct and reproducible teleconnection pattern over North America during extreme El Niño events
Authors: Beniche Margot , Vialard Jérôme , Lengaigne Matthieu , Voldoire Aurore , Srini Gangiredla , Hall Nicholas M.J.
Published: October 2023

El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) teleconnections are an important predictability source for extratropical seasonal climate forecasts. Previous studies suggest that the ENSO teleconnection pattern depends on the ENSO phase (El Niño vs. La Niña) and/or Sea Surface Temperature (SST) pattern (central Pacific vs. eastern Pacific El Niño events). Observations and ensemble simulations with the CNRM-CM6.1 atmospheric general circulation model indicate that only extreme El Niño events (e.g. 1982-83, 1997-98, 2015-16) display a statistically significant eastward shift relative to the well-known Pacific-North American (PNA) teleconnection pattern that occurs during any type of moderate El Niño or during La Niña. This specific teleconnection pattern emerges when equatorial SST anomalies are both eastward-shifted and sufficiently large to exceed the deep atmospheric convection threshold over most of the eastern Pacific, resulting in a basin-wide reorganization of tropospheric heat sources. It yields > 0.5 std wet conditions over California (74\% likelihood) as well as > 0.5 std warm anomalies over Canada and the Northern United States (71\% likelihood), with more consistency across events and ensemble members than for any other El Niño or La Niña type. These findings hold important implications for the seasonal forecasting of El Niño’s impacts on the North American climate.
Good syndrome combined with myelodysplastic syndrome and multiple microbial pulmonary infections: A case report and literature review
Authors: Ye Yucai , Wang Juan , Bao Bahu , Chen Guorong , Hu Aoyan , Sun Jingzi , Liu Weiying
Published: October 2023

Introduction
Good syndrome (GS) is a rare acquired immunodeficiency disease characterized by thymoma and hypogammaglobulinemia that predisposes to the risk of recurrent infections with multiple pathogens.
Case representation
We describe the case of a 37-year-old male with GS who had a history of thymoma resection combined with myelodysplastic syndrome and was hospitalized multiple times for infections. The patient was admitted to our hospital with reoccurring fever, empirical antimicrobial therapy was ineffective, and Streptococcus pneumoniae, cytomegalovirus, cytomegalovirus, fine cyclic virus, Candida albicans, and Pneumocystis japonicus infections were identified by high-throughput sequencing technology (NGS) testing of alveolar lavage fluid, and the patient's symptoms resolved and immunity was improved with targeted anti-infective therapy.
Conclusion
When patients with thymoma have recurrent abnormal infections, immunologic testing should be performed to clarify whether GS is present, and anti-infective therapy should be aggressively administered.
Developing Generic Templates to Shape the Future for Conducting Integrated Research Platform Trials
Authors: Mesenbrink Peter , Gidh-Jain Madhavi , Parke Tom , Koenig Franz , Spiertz Cecile
Published: October 2023

Background:Interventional clinical studies conducted in the regulated drug research environment are designed using International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) regulatory guidance documents: ICH E6 (R2) Good clinical practice - Scientific guideline, first published in 2002 and last updated in 2016. This document provides an international ethical and scientific quality standard for designing and conducting trials that involve the participation of human subjects. Recently, there has been heightened awareness of the importance of integrated research platform trials (IRPs) designed to evaluate multiple therapies simultaneously. The use of a single master protocol as a key source document to fulfil trial conduct obligations has resulted in a re-examination of the templates used to fulfill the dynamic regulatory and modern drug development environment challenges.Methods:Regulatory medical writing, biostatistical, and other members of EU Patient-cEntric clinicAl tRial pLatforms (EU-PEARL) developed the suite of templates for IRPs over a 3.5-year period. Stakeholders contributing expertise included academic hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, non-governmental organizations, patient representative groups, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).Results:The suite of templates for IRPs based on TransCelerate’s Common Protocol Template (CPT) and statistical analysis plan (SAP) should help authors navigate relevant guidelines as they create study design content relevant for today’s IRP studies. It offers practical suggestions for adaptive platform designs which offer flexible features such as dropping treatments for futility or adding new treatments to be tested during a trial. The EU-PEARL suite of templates for IRPs comprises a Preface, followed by the actual resource. The Preface clarifies intended use and underlying principles that inform resource utility. The Preface lists references contributing to development of the resource. The resource includes TransCelerate CPT guidance text, and EU-PEARL-derived guidance text, distinguished from one another using shading. Rationale comments are used throughout for clarification purposes. In addition, a user-friendly, functional, and informative Platform Trials Best Practices tool to support the setup, design, planning, implementation and conduct of complex and innovative trials to support multi-sourced/multi-company platform trials is also provided. Together, the EU-PEARL suite of templates and the Platform Trials Best Practices tool constitute the Reference user manual.Conclusions:This publication is intended to enhance the use, understanding and dissemination of the EU-PEARL suite of templates for designing IRPs. The Reference user manual and the associated website (http://www.eu-pearl) should facilitate the designing of IRP trials.
Temporal structure of avian dawn chorus along an urbanization gradient
Authors: Godet Laurent , Prampart Abel , Lostanlen Vincent , Nabucet Jean , Aumond Pierre
Published: October 2023

Disentangling the relative influence of different anthropogenic pressures, landscape composition and biotic conditions on birdsong from species to community levels is challenging. On the basis of a field survey conducted on a breeding bird community in France, we measured the influence of such factors on the timing of birdsongs along an urbanization gradient. First, we found that species can be sorted according to different time song indices, and early singing species are also those with the largest eye sizes. For a given species, birds sing earlier and during shorter period in areas densely built, submitted to high levels of artificial lights, traffic noise, and in areas hosting the lowest conspecific abundances. At the community level, urbanization, and especially highly built and lit areas, leads to a community reassembly promoting late singing species and species singing for short periods. Finally, artificial lights and traffic noise promote a higher species temporal turnover and a lower temporal nestedness of the dawn chorus at the community level: different species tend to sing in a succession rather than in a polyphony. Our results suggest that the full bird chorus, gathering almost all the species singing together in the same time has thus disappeared in the most urbanized areas.
Serial Pattern Learning: Pigeons Prefer an Improving Schedule Over an Initially Easier Fixed Ratio Schedule
Authors: Ifraimov Miri , Peng Daniel N. , Zentall Thomas R.
Published: October 2023

Serial pattern learning describes behavior in which a subject anticipates not only the time and effort needed for the next reinforcer but also the pattern of time and effort to reinforcers after the first. Chandel et al. (2021) found that pigeons left a progressive schedule (in which each reinforcer was successively harder to obtain) earlier than would have been optimal. They argued that the pigeons anticipated the harder to obtain reinforcers beyond the next one. In the present experiments, pigeons were trained on a progressive schedule for which each reinforcer was successively easier to obtain but the initial choice was between a fixed ratio schedule (FR23) for which a reinforcer was easier to obtain than the first reinforcer on the improving progressive schedule (32 pecks). Delayed discounting suggests that the pigeons would prefer the FR23 because more immediate reinforcers should be preferred, whereas serial pattern learning suggests that the progressive schedule might be preferred because easier to obtain reinforcers would follow the initially harder 32 pecks. In Experiment 1, a preference (nonsignificant) for the progressive schedule was found. In Experiment 2, when the two alternatives were equated for the number of reinforcers that could be obtained on each trial, a significant preference for the improving progressive schedule was found. The results of both experiments were consistent with the serial pattern learning hypothesis. In both experiments the pigeons the pigeons did not choose the more immediate reinforcer associated with fixed ratio alternative. Rather they showed a preference for the improving progressive schedule for which later reinforcers would be easier to obtain.
Arabicization via loan translation: a corpus-based analysis of neologisms translated from English into Arabic in the field of information technology
Authors: Al-Athwary Anwar A. H. , Ali Husam K.
Published: October 2023

This article aims to use a corpus-based analysis to examine loan translation (LT) as an Arabicization technique in Written Standard Arabic (WSA) in the field of information technology (IT), and to investigate the factors that impact the formation of LTs. The data were collected from four distinct types of corpora: four Arabic online newspapers, the Microsoft Language Portal, two user manuals, and the Arabic Corpus of King Abdul-Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST). Four LT strategies were identified: morphosyntactic pattern alteration, literal translation, loan blending, and metaphorical extension. Literal translation occurred in three degrees of calquing: full LTs, partial LTs, and non-LTs. Metaphors based on similarity in function play an important role in facilitating the understanding and acceptance of IT terms in WSA. The study also found that paradigmatic variation prevails in LTs, with synonymous variations being more common than nonsynonymous ones, and a total absence of syntagmatic variation. The KACST analysis showed that these variants differ a lot in terms of frequency of occurrence. The creation and variation of LTs are influenced by linguistic factors such as lexical need, semantic transparency, and lexical borrowing, as well as extralinguistic factors such as nationalism and the lack of coordination among Arabic language academies. The study concludes with some implications for overcoming the absence of coordination between these academies and for improving the quality of IT-related LTs between English and WSA.
The effect of educational intervention according to Mindfulness on the psychological well-being of female heads of households
Authors: Mahmoodi Fataneh , Zarnaghash Maryam , Shegefti Nadere Sohrabi , Barzegar Majid
Published: October 2023

Objective
Low level of psychological well-being is one of the most common problems of female heads of households, and various educational programs have been conducted to improve the psychological well-being of this group, the present study was conducted to develop the effect of educational intervention according to Mindfulness on the psychological well-being of female heads of households.
Methods
The method of this research was semi-experimental with a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population of the research included all female heads of households in Shiraz city who had a file in the Shiraz city welfare office and at the same time their children were studying in schools covered by the 2nd district education office of Shiraz city in 2022–2023. Among the female heads of households in the statistical community, 30 women were selected as available and then randomly divided into two groups of 15 including experimental group (training based on mindfulness) and a control group. The research tool included psychological well-being questionnaire (Ryff, 1989). The experimental group was subjected to training based on mindfulness-based therapy (Baer et al., 2006) during 8 90-minute sessions, But the members of the control group did not receive any intervention.
Result
After intervention, there was a significant difference between the components of individual independence, personal development, purposefulness in life, self-acceptance, positive relationship with others, and psychological well-being after the educational intervention between the experimental and control groups (P < 0.05), but no significant difference in Environmental Mastery after the educational intervention between the experimental and control groups (P = 0.602).
Conclusion
According to the results, it seems that psychologists can use the method of training based on mindfulness therapy in order to increase the psychological well-being of women heads of households.
Integrative mRNA and miRNA expression profiles from developing zebrafish head highlight nervous system-preference genes and regulatory networks
Authors: Zhang Shuqiang , Yang Jian , Xu Jie , Li Jing , Xu Lian , Jin Nana , Li Xiaoyu
Published: October 2023

Zebrafish is an emerging animal model for studying molecular mechanism underlying neurodevelopmental disorder due to its advantage characters. miRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that play a key role in brain development. Understanding of dynamic transcriptional and post-transcriptional molecules and their regulation during the head development is important for preventing the neurodevelopmental disorder. In this study, we performed the high-throughput sequencing of mRNAs and miRNAs in developing zebrafish head from pharyngula to early larval stages and carried out bioinformatic analysis including differential expression and functional enrichment as well as joint analysis of miRNAs and mRNAs, and also compared with other related public sequencing datasets to aid our interpretation. A large number of differential expression genes with a large fold-change were detected during the head development. Further clustering and functional enrichment analyses indicated that genes in late stage were most related with synaptic signaling. Overlap test analysis showed a significant enrichment of brain-preference and synapse-associated gene-set in the head transcriptome compared with the whole embryo transcriptome. We also constructed miRNA-mRNAs network for those brain-preference genes and focused on those densely connected network components. Altogether, the present study provides developmental profiles of head-enriched mRNAs and miRNAs at three critical windows for nervous system development, which may contribute to the study of neurodevelopmental disorder.
Pancreatic Cancer Patients’ Readiness for Hospital Discharge following the Management of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery in China: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Kehan Chen , Xu Yin
Published: October 2023

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the status of readiness for hospital discharge of pancreatic cancer patients and analysis the possible influencing factors.
Methods: A total of 127 pancreatic cancer patients were surveyed from a large public hospital in China from September 2021 to February 2022.The demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were surveyed by a self-designed questionnaire. Three internationally accepted mature scales were used to measure the scores of readiness for hospital discharge (RHD), quality of discharge teaching (QDT) and general self-efficacy (GSE).
Results: The total score of RHD was 144.52±40.59, which was at a moderate level. whether discharge to rehabilitation institution or not, whether carry tube or not had difference between groups. And the total score of RHD was positively associated with the score of QDT (r = 0.62, P<0.001), GSE (r = 0.58, P<0.001). Then multivariate regression analysis found that three factors associated with RHD: QDT, GSE, and carrying tube.
Conclusion: Pancreatic cancer patients’ readiness for hospital discharge was dissatisfactory, and we need to optimize health education, improve their self-efficacy, pay more attention to the patients discharge with tubes.
Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the risk of stroke in Chilean population: a case-control study
Authors: Caro Patricia , Hoffmeister Lorena , Lavados Pablo
Published: October 2023

Introduction: Different dietary interventions have been implemented to reduce stroke incidence; one is the Mediterranean diet. Ñuble is the region of Chile with the highest stroke incidence rates in the country. The aim was to estimate the association between adherence to the MED diet and stroke incidence in adult patients living in the Ñuble region.
Methods: A case-control hospital-based study was conducted. The cases (n=89) were patients with first ischemic stroke, and controls (n=178) were admitted to the same hospital during the same month the cases were recruited. We selected two controls for one case and paired them for sex and age (+ 5 years). We used the food frequency questionnaire and the MEDAS questionnaire validated and used in the PREDIMED study to assess adherence to a Mediterranean diet pattern. A descriptive analysis of the variables was performed using absolute frequencies and proportions and a conditional logistic regression to determine the association between variables.
Results: 71% of the sample was ≥65 years old and 64% were male. Cases smoked (11.2%), consumed at least one drink per month (41.6%), and had a diagnosis of hypertension (76.4%) more frequently than controls. In the model adjusted for all variables, it is observed that those who are in quartile 2 of adherence (6-7 points) are 42% less likely to have a cerebral infarction compared to those who have a lower score (p<0.005).
Conclusions: Our findings suggest that moderate adherence to a Mediterranean diet, defined by the PREDIMED score and adjustment for other variables, reduces stroke incidence.
Serological investigation and isolation of pathogenic strains of Salmonella abortus equi in 971 horses from different regions of Xinjiang
Authors: Zhanhai Mai , Han Fu , Ronghao Miao , Chong Lu , Xiaosong Zhang , Ziwen Yuan , Peng Ji , Yongli Hua , Chen Wang , Yuhui Ma , Haifeng Deng , Wei Yanming
Published: October 2023

Background: Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar abortus equi (S. abortus equi) is one of the main pathogens that causes abortion in pregnant horses and donkeys, which was highly infectious and greatly restricts the healthy development of the horse industry.
Objectives: In order to investigate the prevalence and biological characteristics of S. abortus equi in different regions and breeds of horses in Xinjiang.
Methods:This study conducted ELISA detection of S. abortus equi antibodies on serum samples of 971 horses collected from three large-scale horse farms and five free-range horse farms in Yili Prefecture and Bayingol Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture of Xinjiang from 2020 to 2023. On this basis, bacterial isolation, culture, identification, and drug sensitivity tests were conducted on 42 samples of aborted foal tissues and 23 mare vaginal swabs.
Results: The results showed that the positive rate of S. abortus equi antibody was as high as 20.91% in 971 horse serum samples. Among them, the positive rate in the Ili region (29.09%) was significantly higher than that in the Bayingole region (11.24%), and the positive rate in mares (22.45%) was higher than that in stallions (14.05%). In terms of horse breeds, the positive rates of self-propagating thoroughbred horses, half-bred horses, Ili horses and Yanqi horses were 43.22%, 28.81%, 14.72% and 11.24% respectively. In addition, S. abortus equi was more susceptible to juvenile and elderly horses, with positive rates of 70.00% and 41.86%, respectively, both of which were significantly higher than young (10.97%) and adult (19.79%) horses. Further, 9 strains of S. abortus equi were obtained through bacterial isolation, culture and identification, which were resistant to five antibiotics (Clarithromycin, Clindamycin, penicillin, Sulfamethoxazole and Rifampicin), and sensitive to 13 antimicrobial agents (Amoxicillin, Ciprofloxacin and Gentamicin, et al.).
Conclusion: There was a high infection rate of S. abortus equi in Ili Prefecture and self-propagating thoroughbred horses, and juvenile or old mares were more susceptible, which will provide scientific basis for the prevention of S. abortus equiinfection in different regions and breeds of horses in Xinjiang.
Does Fiscal Spending Affect TFP? Evidence from Chinese Provinces
Authors: HE YING , Li Zhan , Xu Zitong
Published: October 2023

This paper utilizes the Bartik instrument to examine the impact of provincial government spending on TFP growth in China. Our analysis reveals a noteworthy relationship: a 1% increase in provincial government spending variable over 2-year horizon would on average lead to a 0.85% increase in TFP growth during 2001–2009 and a 0.25% decrease during 2010–2018. This disparity can be attributed to the varying effects of fiscal spending on above-scale industrial enterprises, which are influenced by change in access to production factors and market power.
JEL codes: H7, E6, O4, L1
Population pharmacokinetics of lenalidomide in Chinese patients with influence of genetic polymorphisms of ABCB1
Authors: Liang Xiaoxiao , Shi Haiyan , Bi Kehong , Feng Saran , Chen Shixian , Zhao Wei , Huang Xin
Published: October 2023

Objective
Affected by differences in the pharmacokinetics (PK) of lenalidomide, the toxicity of lenalidomide varies among different patients, with severe toxicity leading to dose reduction or discontinuation. The differences in the PK of lenalidomide may be related to factors such as patients’ physiological characteristics, pathological characteristics and gene polymorphisms et al., which may also affect its toxicity. The aim of this study is to establish a population pharmacokinetic (PPK) model of lenalidomide and explore factors associated with the adverse events (AEs) of lenalidomide from a PK perspective.
Methods
Blood samples were collected by opportunistic blood collection. Drug concentrations were determined by using HPLC/MS and genotype was tested by the first-generation DNA sequencing technology. NONMEM software and SPSS 26.0 software were used respectively to establish PPK model of lenalidomide and explore the correlation between PK parameters and the incidence of severe AEs of lenalidomide.
Results
A one-compartment model with first-order absorption and elimination agreed well with the observed data. The significant covariate affecting lenalidomide apparent volume of distribution (V/F) were the gene polymorphism of ABCB1 3435 C＞T and diet. The V/F value in patients suffering from severe AEs was significantly higher than that in others ( median = 67.04 L vs 37.17 L, P = 0.033). According to the covariates screened, the incidence of severe AEs was higher in patients with genotype CT or TT at ABCB1 3435 C > T locus than that in patients with genotype CC (P = 0.039). Additionally, V/F value was the highest in patients carrying genotype TT with postprandial medication, in whom the incidence of severe AEs was higher than others (P = 0.037).
Conclusion
The covariates screened were the genotype of ABCB1 3435 C > T locus and diet, which may be related to the incidence of severe AEs. Patients with gene mutations of CT or TT at ABCB1 3435 C > T locus may be more susceptible to severe AEs, and monitoring of adverse reactions should be particularly strengthened in patients who carried genotype TT with postprandial medication.
CAD mutation-associated developmental and epileptic encephalopathy-50 with dramatic response to uridine therapy: A case report and a review of the literature
Authors: Duan Lifen , Ye Lei , Yin Runxiu , Sun Ying , Yu Wei , Zhang Yi , Zhong Haiyan , Bao Xinhua , Tian Xin
Published: October 2023

Background: Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy-50 (DEE-50) is a rare clinical condition believed to be caused by a mutation in the CAD gene and is associated with a bleak prognosis. CAD-related diseases have a wide range of clinical manifestations and other symptoms that may be easily overlooked. Like other rare diseases, the clinical manifestations and therapeutic effects of DEE-50 necessitate further investigation.
Case Presentation: A 1-year-old male patient presented with developmental delay, seizures, and anaemia at 3 months of age. He further developed refractory status epilepticus (SE), rapid deterioration of cognitive and motor function, and even became comatose at 5 months of age. Whole-exome sequencing of trios (WES-trios) revealed a compound heterozygous variant in the CAD gene, with one locus inherited from the father (c.1252C>T: p.Q418* nonsense mutation) and one from the mother (c.6628G>A: p.G2210S, missense mutation). After uridine treatment, his cognitive faculties dramatically improved and he remained seizure-free. We reviewed 42 reported cases of CAD variants, 90% of which had onset before 3 years of age, with a mean age of onset of approximately 1.6±1.8 years, and the age at diagnosis was 6 years. The mortality rate was approximately 9.5%, with all reported deaths occurring in patients who received no uridine treatment. This clinical entity can be effectively treated with uridine.
Conclusions: We present a case of CAD-associated DEE-50, touch upon the details of clinical manifestations and expand the spectrum of CAD mutations. At 5 months of age, he experienced refractory status epilepticus, rapid cognitive and motor function deterioration, and ultimately fell into a comatose state. Early uridine treatment is recommended if a CAD defect is suspected or genetically diagnosed.
Remotely Sensed Top-Down Derived Daily BC Over Rapidly Changing Western China shows Significant Decreases in Mass Due to Policy Action, Coupled with Inconsistent Changes in Number, Size, and Mixing Properties
Authors: Liu Zhewen , Cohen Jason Blake , Wang Shuo , Wang Xinying , Tiwari Pravash , Qin Kai
Published: October 2023

Rapid economic and energy growth in Asia has led to change in the loadings of black carbon (BC) the last two decades. This work uses remotely sensed column aerosol absorption (AAOD) to quantify BC loading day-by-day and grid-to-grid. An unbiased set of observations of remotely sensed NOx and variance maximization uniquely quantify the spatial and temporal boundaries of urban, suburban, and rural sources, including those most rapidly increasing energy source regions. An inversely applied probabilistic MIE algorithm constrains the size, mixing state, and number of BC using four spectral observations. Significant differences in the particle size and mixing state are identified and attributed including: a drop around 2012 when China’s national air pollution policies were adopted, a drop ahead of the 2008 Olympics, and flattening from 2015 onward. A case of simultaneous reduction in BC mass and increase in BC number demonstrate PM2.5 controls may not fully control BC.
Epidural analgesia use during labour in maternity hospitals across China: A prospective case-control questinnaire survey
Authors: Zheng Dequan , Tao Qiang , Shen Ying , Li Yanfei , Yan Ping , An Xiaohu , Xu Tao
Published: October 2023

Background
Specialised maternity hospitals respond to over 90% of labour analgesia requests in their localities within China. We administered a questionnaire survey to determine the predictors of labour analgesia use in two of these hospitals, with the aim of further enhancing epidural analgesia utilisation during labour.
Methods
This prospective case-control multi-centre questionnaire survey included a total of 640 postpartum women with 374 women who received epidural analgesia and 266 women who did not receive epidural analgesia. The questionnaire contained 20 questions and was distributed through WeChat from July 2022 to September 2022. The responses to the questionnaires were uploaded to the cloud storage space, and only the statistician had access to the original data. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to screen variables related to the receipt of epidural labour analgesia. Binary logistic regression was used to identify predictors related to the administration of epidural labour analgesia from a set of selected variables.
Results
Binary logistic regression results of the survey data showed that multi-parity (odds ratio [OR] 2.805, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.792 to 4.393, P < 0.001), late arrival of anaesthesiologist (OR 2.728, 95% CI 1.180–6.306, P = 0.019), and rapid progress in first stage of labour (OR 11.709, 95% CI 7.449–18.404, P < 0.001) prevented women from receiving epidural labour analgesia, while women’s preference (OR 0.035, 95% CI 0.013–0.097, P < 0.001) and family agreement to epidural analgesia prior to labour (OR 0.091, 95% CI 0.016–0.551, P = 0.006) promoted its use.
Conclusions
To address the factors that may hinder or promote the use of epidural labour analgesia in maternal specialised hospitals, pregnant women should be screened for the risk of rapid progression in the first stage of labour and be provided latent-phase labour analgesia. Moreover, in cases where anaesthesiologists are unavailable or when women have contraindications to epidural analgesia, inhalation nitrous oxide analgesia and intravenous remifentanil analgesia should be considered as alternative options. It is recommended that hospitals provide professional, comprehensive, and free antenatal education on labour analgesia to pregnant women and their families to further promote the use of epidural analgesia.
Trial registration:
http://www.chictr.org.cn ChiCTR2200055621; January 15, 2022.
Mycotoxigenic Fusarium species and zearalenone concentration in commercial maize kernels in northern Ghana
Authors: Opoku Nelson , Hudu Abdul Rashid , Addy Francis
Published: October 2023

The fungal genus Fusarium contains many toxigenic pathogens of maize with associated yield losses, reduction of grain quality, and accumulation of mycotoxins in harvested grains. To determine zearalenone (ZEN) concentration and identify the various Fusarium species in commercial maize grains, a survey of 75 maize samples, collected from 11 market centres in the five regions in northern Ghana was identified based on morphological characteristics, sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region, and polymerase chain reaction using species-specific primers. ZEN levels were determined using HPLC. ZEN contamination was recorded in 33.3% of the maize samples, with concentrations ranging from 0.61 ng/g to 3.05 ng/g. F. verticillioides was the most prevalent species in the studied samples: 42.2% from the Upper East Region, 28.1% from the North East Region, 18.8% from the Upper West Region, 9.4% from the Savannah Region, and 1.6% for the Northern Region. Other fungal species found were F. equiseti and F. solani. A higher number of the Fusarium isolates were found in white maize (609 isolates from 27 samples) compared to yellow maize (225 isolates from 23 samples).
Land use influence on chacma baboon (Papio ursinus) diet in South Africa using stable isotopes
Authors: Overton Elizabeth Kennedy , Bernard Alice , Renaud Pierre-Cyril , Hall Grant , Guerbois Chloé , Fritz Hervé , Prugnolle Franck , Rougeron Virginie
Published: October 2023

Anthropization processes affect wildlife feeding behaviours due to changes in resource availability related to land use and land cover change. To better understand the ecological responses of wildlife towards anthropogenic change, it is essential to evaluate whether human land use, characterized by high human-modified food availability, has an impact on wild animal feeding ecology. The chacma baboon (Papio ursinus) is interesting to study potential diet changes as it is largely present along a gradient of anthropized areas in Southern Africa. In this study, fecal samples from chacma baboon troops were collected in different land use habitats (peri-urban, agricultural and natural forest habitat) in the Garden Route, South Africa, and their isotopic ratios of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) measured. Results showed significant differences between δ15N ratios according to land use, indicating significant higher protein intake in areas with human influence in comparison to natural forest habitats. Furthermore, the large majority of the collected samples were contained within the bracket that reflect the C3 ecosystem of the Garden Route region, with the exception of some samples showing higher δ13C ratios associated with the consumption of anthropogenic foods (containing sugar, corn and wheat). The potential protein increase, as well as sources of C4 plants present in the diets in anthropized areas suggests a visible dietary shift for this species between natural and transformed landscapes. In the future, it will be essential to determine whether and how the consumption of human-modified food could affect the health and associated fitness of chacma baboons.
Cerebrating and engagement: the key to reduce fresh produce waste within homes
Authors: Jansson-Boyd Cathrine , Mul Cari-lène , Raeva-Beri Daniela
Published: October 2023

A real-world study was conducted with the aim to reduce people’s fresh fruit and vegetables waste within their homes. For six weeks participants measured their fresh produce waste. Half the participants were impelled to complete food waste logs whilst the other half was a control group. This was followed by a six-month monitoring period to establish if changes would last. Fresh produce waste decreased with over a quarter of what the participants had wasted at the beginning of the six weeks, for all groups. Additionally, an attitude questionnaire distributed at the onset and at the end of the study showed a shift in pro-reduction of food waste. As this indicated that thinking about food waste prompts engagement, we tested this idea using a different sample group. A questionnaire measuring attitudes and cognition confirmed the importance of thinking and provided further insight into the findings from the first study.
An integrated meta-omics approach reveals the different response mechanisms of two anammox bacteria towards fluoroquinolone antibiotics
Authors: Qiao Xuejiao , Yu Ke , Ding Lingyun , Fang Fang , Fu Chenkun , Wei Ruqian , Chen Yizhen , Zheng Sihan , Wang Xisong , Yan Yan , Xu Nan , Tao Huchun , Zhang Lijuan
Published: October 2023

Background: The emerging fluoroquinolone antibiotics (FQs) are highly influential in nitrogen removal from livestock wastewater. However, beyond the capability of nitrogen removal, little is known about the molecular mechanism (e.g., shift of core metabolism and energy allocation) of anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria(AnAOB) under continuous FQ stress.
Results: This study investigated the effectsof ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and their mixture at concentrations detected in livestock wastewater on an anammox community in membrane bioreactors.It was found 20 μg/L FQs promoted nitrogen removal efficiency and community stability. Integrated meta-omics analysis revealed varied gene expression patterns between the two dominant AnAOB, Candidatus Brocadia sapporoensis (B AnAOB) and Candidatus Kuenenia stuttgartiensis (K AnAOB). The nitrogen metabolic processes were bolstered in B AnAOB, while those involved in anammox pathway of K AnAOB were inhibited. This difference was tentatively attributed to the up-regulation of reactive oxygen species scavenger genes (ccp and dxf) and FQ resistance gene (qnrB72) in B AnAOB. Importantly, most enhanced core biosynthesis/metabolism and close cross-feeding of B AnAOB with accompanying bacteria were also likely to contribute to higher levels of biomass yield and metabolism activity under FQ stress.
Conclusions: This finding suggests that B AnAOB has the advantage of higher nitrogen metabolism capacity over K AnAOB in livestock wastewater containing FQs, which is helpful for efficient and stable nitrogen removal by anammox community.
Hypoxia-Induced Skeletal Muscle Atrophy and Evaluating the Efficacy of Resistance Training: Insights from microRNA Expression Profiling and Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Mei Tao , Hu Yang , Zhang Ying , Li Yanchun
Published: October 2023

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) may play a crucial regulatory role in the process of muscle atrophy induced by high-altitude hypoxia and its amelioration through resistance training. However, research in this aspect is still lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to employ miRNA microarray analysis to investigate the expression profile of miRNAs in skeletal muscle from an animal model of hypoxia-induced muscle atrophy and resistance training aimed at mitigating muscle atrophy. The study utilized a simulated hypoxic environment (oxygen concentration at 11.2%) to induce muscle atrophy and established a rat model of resistance training using ladder climbing, with a total intervention period of 4 weeks. The miRNA expression profile revealed 9 differentially expressed miRNAs influenced by hypoxia (e.g., miR-341, miR-32-5p, miR-465-5p) and 14 differentially expressed miRNAs influenced by resistance training under hypoxic conditions (e.g., miR-338-5p, miR-203a-3p, miR-92b-3p) (∣Fold Change∣≥1.5, p༜0.05). The differentially expressed miRNAs were found to target genes involved in muscle protein synthesis and degradation (such as Utrn, mdm2, eIF4E), biological processes (such as negative regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter, regulation of transcription, DNA-dependent), and signaling pathways (such as Wnt signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, mTOR signaling pathway). This study provides a foundation for understanding and further exploring the molecular mechanisms underlying hypoxia-induced muscle atrophy and the mitigation of atrophy through resistance training.
Prevotella promotes proliferation and migration in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by activating NF-κB signaling pathway
Authors: fanyue Sun , Wang Baoyong , Yang Yuxin , Shi Xinpeng , Zhang Chao , Wang Yunshuai , Liu Haichao , Zhang Yu , Yang Tian , Liu XiaoDong , Luo Xiaoyong
Published: October 2023

Purpose Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a highly fatal malignant tumor of the digestive tract. Although the relationship between the bacterial genus Prevotella and ESCC has attracted attention recently, its specific role and molecular mechanisms remain unclear.
Methods In this study, we employed 16S rDNA sequencing technology to analyze the differences in Prevotella in 25 cases of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and adjacent tissues (3 cm from the lesion). Subsequently, we co-cultured Prevotella with ESCC cells Eca109 and TE- 1, and through CCK8 assays, colony formation assays, and scratch assays, we investigated the influence of Prevotella on the proliferation and migration abilities of ESCC cells. Utilizing qT-PCR and protein immunoblot assays to examine the expression of proteins related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and NF-κB.
Results The relative abundance of Prevotella was markedly elevated in ESCC tissues as compared to adjacent non-tumor tissues. Upon infection, we observed a significant enhancement in the proliferation and migration capacities of ESCC cells. Besides, the stimulation by Prevotella led to a significant upregulation in the expression of essential EMT-associated proteins, including N-cadherin, Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9), and Vimentin, in ESCC cells, with a concurrent downregulation of E-cadherin. Quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis further indicated that the mRNA levels of NF-κB and c-Myc and the protein expression of Bcl-xl and NF-κB were significant upregulation in ESCC cells by stimulating with Prevotella.
Conclusion Our research unveiled the pivotal role of Prevotella in the genesis and advancement of ESCC, proposing its influence on ESCC proliferation, migration, and EMT process via the NF-κB pathway, Our results offered a novel avenue for delving into the microbial mechanisms underpinning esophageal cancer.
Cost-Duration Variance Prediction (CDVP) System Using Explainable Bayesian Optimized Ensemble Machine Learning
Authors: elmousalami haytham
Published: October 2023

This research introduces an integrated system for a novel management concept called automated cost-duration variance prediction (CDVP) system which allows to the project managers to look ahead at project budget, duration, and its variances at the project completion. To obtain the optimal results of each algorithm, the proposed system conducted Bayesian optimization for each developed algorithm. As a result, Extremely Randomized Trees (ET) was the optimal model for duration prediction at 2.53% and 0.961 for Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) and adjusted determination coefficient (R*2), respectively. AdaBoost Regressor (ABR) was the best model for duration variance prediction with 8.970 MAPE, and 0.949 R*2. On the other hand, the optimal model for project cost was a Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LGBM) with 2.98% and 0.931 for MAPE and R*2, respectively. Extremely Randomized Tree (ET) was the best model for cost variance prediction with 4.151 MAPE, and 0.962 R*2. SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) technique was employed to provide explanations for the key drivers that used as inputs for both cost and duration predictions.