bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ekstrak Etanolik Daun Kelor (Moringa oleifera, Lam) Menurunkan Ekspresi Caspase-3 Testis Tikus Wistar (Rattus norvegicus) Model Sindrom Metabolik Terinduksi
Authors: Zhahira Thania Nur , Budiani Dyah Ratna , Setyawan Novan Adi
Published: May 2024

Pendahuluan: Sindrom metabolik berpengaruh terhadap kesuburan pria karena dapat menyebabkan infertilitas. Infertilitas antara lain disebabkan oleh kematian berlebih sel – sel spermatogenik selama spermatogenesis. Caspase-3 memiliki peran penting sebagai eksekutor apoptosis. Kandungan ekstrak etanolik daun kelor diketahui dapat mencegah apoptosis dengan menurunkan ekspresi caspase-3. Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan tujuan mengetahui pengaruh peningkatan dosis ekstrak etanolik daun kelor terhadap tingkat ekspresi caspase-3 pada jaringan testis tikus Wistar model sindrom metabolik.
Metode: Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah eksperimental laboratorik. Tikus Wistar berjumlah 30 ekor dibagi menjadi 5 kelompok dengan jumlah yang sama. KI sebagai kelompok kontrol negatif, KII sebagai kelompok sindrom metabolik terinduksi, KIII, KIV, dan KV sebagai kelompok sindrom metabolik terinduksi yang diberi dosis ekstrak etanolik daun kelor secara berurutan sebesar 150 mg/kgBB, 250 mg/kgBB, dan 350 mg/kgBB. Ekspresi caspase-3 dihitung menggunakan metode semikuantitatif IDS. Selanjutnya, ekspresi caspase-3 dianalisis menggunakan uji One-Way ANOVA, Post Hoc Tukey HSD, dan uji regresi linier.
Hasil: KII memiliki skor ekspresi caspase-3 tertinggi yaitu 89,45 dan KV memiliki skor ekspresi caspase-3 terendah yaitu 25,93. Hasil uji One-Way ANOVA ekspresi caspase-3 pada jaringan testis tikus Wistar adalah 0.00 (p<0.05) yang artinya terdapat perbedaan signifikan ekspresi caspase-3 pada semua kelompok. Perbedaan bermakna terdapat antara KI dengan KII dan KII dengan KIII, KIV, dan KV. Hasil uji regresi linier menunjukkan pengaruh negatif antara dosis ekstrak etanolik daun kelor terhadap ekspresi caspase-3.
Kesimpulan: Pemberian dosis ekstrak etanolik daun kelor yaitu 150 mg/kgBB, 250 mg/kgBB, dan 350 mg/kgBB dapat menurunkan ekspresi caspase-3.
Analysis of Changes and Influences Using Remote Sensing and Geodetectors on How Human Activity Affects Ulansuhai Lake Basin Ecology
Authors: Vengatesan Krishnasamy , Rajesh Manoharan , Kumar Eswaran Saravana
Published: May 2024

Investigating the Ulansuhai lake in southwest Inner Mongolia, China, this study uses a holistic approach that incorporates many datasets and approaches to evaluate the ecological environmental quality of the area. The specific geographical features and climate of the research region allow for a thorough examination of ecological changes through time. The research finds significant regional and temporal changes in ecological quality, with particular advances in some locations across the study period, through advanced data preparation approaches like remote sensing and model creation. The importance of comprehensive management approaches is highlighted by the fact that important variables including temperature, precipitation, land use patterns, and elevation are significant drivers of ecological health. In addition, the study highlights how complex ecological dynamics may be when multiple factors, including population density and economic conditions, interact with one another. Although this study sheds light on the Ulansuhai lake's ecological condition, it may be even better if future studies included other metrics, including as water quality and biodiversity, to round out the evaluation. In sum, the results of the study support the need for further research in this important area and provide a framework for long-term ecological management strategies in the area.
Synergistic Co-culture of Bacillus cereus and Clostridium acetobutylicum for Enhanced Biobutanol Production Utilizing Rice Husk: A Sustainable Approach to Biofuel Production
Authors: A Anuradha , Jayabalan Sudeepan , Sengupta Swaraj , Li Si-Yu , Sampath Muthu Kumar
Published: May 2024

Biobutanol, a promising biofuel with superior properties compared to ethanol, has garnered significant attention as an alternative to traditional fossil fuels. In the present study pretreatment of rice husk with deep euectic solvent using choline chloride and urea (ChCl/U) was investigated for the production of biobutanol. DES pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis yielded 30 ± 0.54 mg/ml of reducing sugar. This study also investigates the synergistic potential of co-culturing Bacillus cereus and Clostridium acetobutylicum for enhanced biobutanol production. B. cereus, known for its robust metabolism and extracellular enzyme secretion, is paired with C. acetobutylicum, a proficient butanol producer. The coculture produced 4.7 ± 0.69 g/l of biobutanol. The co-culture strategy aims to capitalize on the complementary metabolic capabilities of the two strains, facilitating improved substrate utilization and butanol production.
Valorization of waste wool to keratin with a green solvent based on a deep eutectic mixture of choline chloride and lactic acid
Authors: Anugwom Ikenna , Rissanen Tiina , Ora Ari , Pääkkönen Iirisi
Published: May 2024

Waste wool, a by-product of sheep husbandry, is primarily composed of keratin, which has potential use in cosmetic products, biotechnology and medical applications. Traditional chemical methods for keratin extraction face limitations due to health and environmental concerns, and thus, green alternatives such as deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have been developed. The aim of the present study was to determine whether a natural DES composed of choline chloride and lactic acid can be used to extract keratin from sheep wool. The dissolution and keratin yield were investigated under different reaction times, temperatures, and wool-to-DES ratios. Fractions of water-soluble keratin and water-insoluble keratin aggregates were obtained by dialysis, centrifugation, and drying. The results showed that both the dissolution of wool and the yield of recovered keratin increased as the reaction time and temperature increased from 1 to 8 h and from 80 to 110◦C, respectively.With the longest reaction time of 8 hours and the highest temperature of 110◦C, the yield of water-soluble keratin increased to 23 %. Characterizations revealed that DES detached first the cuticular scales from the surface of wool fibres and subsequently degraded wool cortex layer. The extracted water-soluble keratin retained the characteristic amide structure of wool, but the secondary structure of keratin was converted to cross-β sheet form. Moreover, it had a narrow size distribution and a molecular weight of 10 kDa. The results of this study indicate that the proposed DES can be used as a green solvent for recovering keratin from sheep wool.
The surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in wastewater using wastewater- based epidemiology approaches
Authors: Ntshanka Nokhanyo Mbewana , Msagati Titus Alfred makudali , Pierneef Rian , VanderWalt Marti , Mooa Thoriso , Nkosi Phiwinhlanhla , Matodzi Unarine , Mutshembele Awelani
Published: May 2024

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become one of the top ten global public health threat. Many countries have recognized the societal and economic burden of AMR. The AMR has reduced the effectiveness of antimicrobial therapies and this results to high mortality, morbidity, and health care expenditure. Like all the other developing countries, South Africa (SA) falls under the same ambiguous management system of antimicrobials. A lot of research has been focused on the global public health threat “AMR”, however, studies on AMR in wastewater are limited. This paper highlights the imperatives of surveying the AMR pathogens in wastewater since wastewater are consecrated as hotspots for the dissemination and propagation of AMR genes. The RNA was extracted from the untreated wastewater samples that were collected from the Tshwane district in Gauteng province, SA. The metagenomic analysis was proposed for the analysis and profiling of the AMR genes present in the wastewater. A total of 39 AMR Gene Families and 39 AMR Drug Classes were detected across 17 samples. The metagenomic approach that is discussed in this paper demonstrate the importance of wastewater surveillance as it can be used as an early detecting system for communicable diseases as well as for monitoring wastewater.
Comparative RNAseq analysis for the study of motoneuron diseases in multi-omics approaches
Authors: Chen Sitong , Ulmer Ulrike , Synofzik Matthis , Schule Rebecca , Zuchner Stephan , Danzi Matt C.
Published: May 2024

Nearly half of patients with suspected monogenic Mendelian diseases still remain undiagnosed. The integration of genome sequencing and RNA sequencing can reveal the functional significance of rare changes. This is especially true for deep intronic non-coding variation that contributes to mis-splicing but is difficult to discern when analyzing whole genome data alone. However, this combined approach is challenged when studying motoneuron and other neurological diseases as obtaining affected tissue samples from living patients is typically not feasible. Here we explore the utility of typically available sources of material for RNAseq studies that can empower genome analysis. We found that fibroblasts cultured in vitro express 76.8%, 73.6%, and 81.2% of genes known to cause the monogenic diseases CMT, ataxia, and HSP, respectively. This outperformed other peripheral tissues such as whole blood and lymphocytes, thereby making fibroblasts a valuable tissue for studying motoneuron diseases. Only induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cortical neurons showed a higher number of expressed known disease genes; however, derived cortical neurons require significant resources and time. Finally, we analyzed RNA-seq data from fibroblasts of two HSP patients carrying a deep intronic splice disrupting variant in POLR3A, to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of several alternative splicing detection tools for diagnostic purposes. Our results highlight the potential of fibroblast RNA-seq data for diagnosing and studying HSP and other motoneuron and neurological diseases using peripheral tissue.
The Relationship between Perceived Social Support, Psychological Capital, Job Burnout, and Work Engagement in Nurses Working On The Front Line Of The Fight Against The Coronavirus
Authors: Rahgoi Abolfazl , Fallahi-Khoshknab Masoud , Vahedi Mohsen , Jannati Yadollah , amiri fatemeh
Published: May 2024

Background
Due to the coronavirus epidemic, nurses on the front line of caring for infected patients are always faced with many job stressors, and one of the most inevitable consequences is job burnout, which can cause challenges for work engagement. This study used structural equation modeling to determine the effects of psychological capital and perceived social support on job burnout and work.
Methods
This study was a cross-sectional descriptive-analytical type. 306 nurses on the frontline of the fight against the coronavirus in the public hospitals of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences were selected by multi-stage random stratification. The data collection process lasted from September 19 to November 19, 2021. To collect data from Zimet et al. perceived social support questionnaire, Lutans psychological capital questionnaire, Utrecht work engagement scale, and Maslach burnout inventory. PLS3 and SPSS25 software were used to analyze the data. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Social welfare and Rehabilitation under the number IR.USWR.REC.1400.105.
Results
More than half of the people were women, married, under 40 years old, with a bachelor's degree, with over 10 years of work experience, and over one year of experience in corona departments. The fit indices of the research model were favorable (GOF > 0.529) and the research model fit was confirmed. Also, based on the path coefficient there was a significant negative relationship between perceived social support with job burnout (β=-0/115) and psychological capital with job burnout (β=-0/503) and a significant positive relationship between perceived social support with work engagement (β = 0/132) and between psychological capital with work engagement (β = 0/607) (P˂0.05).
Conclusions
Considering the inevitable effect of perceived social support and psychological capital on reducing job burnout and increasing work engagement; our findings can be used To develop the occupational health of employees and then to develop the quality of health care services by health managers and policymakers. Also, interventions based on social support and psychological capital can be identified and studied as a new area for effective psychological interventions among nurses.
Clinical significance of serum helicobacter pylori antibody cytotoxin-associated gene A levels in patients with unstable angina
Authors: Jia Haizhen , Fan Huajun , Zhao Jinhe , Peng Jun , Pan Yunhong , Peng Hongyan
Published: May 2024

Objective: We investigated the clinical significance of serum Helicobacter pylori cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) antibody levels in 768 patients with unstable angina (UA).
Methods: Serum CagA levels were measured using ELISA. Demographic data, serum biomarkers, and SYNTAX scores were collected. Patients were followed up for one year for major adverse cardiac events (MACE).
Results: CagA-positive UA patients had higher total cholesterol and hsCRP levels, and SYNTAX scores. CagA levels correlated positively with TC, hsCRP, and SYNTAX scores. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed shorter MACE-free survival in CagA-positive UA patients. CagA levels predicted MACE occurrence within one year, along with SYNTAX scores. Conclusion: Serum H. pylori CagA antibody positivity is associated with worse prognosis in UA patients. CagA levels correlate with lipid metabolism and inflammatory markers.
Regio- and diastereoselective synthesis of thioxothiazolidin- indolin-2-ones, oxoindolin-carbamodithioate hybrids, and their base-catalyzed conversion into dispirocyclopentanebisoxindoles
Authors: Aghamiri Bagher , Moghaddam F. Matloubi , Badpa Sara , Kavoosi Leila
Published: May 2024

In this publication, we reported a regio-, diastereoselective, and kinetically controlled reaction for synthesizing thioxothiazolidin-indolin-2-ones, oxoindolin-carbamodithioate hybrids, and their base-catalyzed conversion into dispirocyclopentanebisoxindoles. Obtaining only the kinetic thioxothiazolidin-indolin-2-one products together with their straightforward conversion to dispirocyclopentanebisoxindoles, excellent regio- and diastereoselectivity, easy reaction workup, and one-pot synthetic operation are considerable advantages of this work.
Divergent consequences of Extracellular tau on the mitochondrial function of astrocytes and neurons
Authors: Zufferey Valentin , Parietti Enea , Barve Aatmika , Espourteille Jeanne , Varisco Yvan , Fabbri Kerstin , Capotosti Francesca , Preitner Nicolas , Richetin Kevin
Published: May 2024

Background Tauopathies encompass a spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders which are marked by the pathological aggregation of tau protein into paired helical filaments (PHF-tau), neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and Glial-fibrillary tangles (GFTs). These aggregates impair cellular, mitochondrial, and synaptic functions. The emergence of extracellular tau (ePHF-tau), featuring a myriad of isoforms and phosphorylation states, presents a challenge in comprehending its nuanced effects on neural cells, particularly concerning synaptic and mitochondrial integrity.Methods We studied the impact of ePHF-tau (2N4R) on different states and ages of primary cultures of rat neuroglia. Using confocal microscopy and proteomic analysis of synaptosomes, we studied the impact of ePHF-tau on neurite and synapse number. We monitored mitochondrial responses in neurons and astrocytes over 72 hours using advanced fluorescence microscopy for dynamic, high-throughput analysis.Results Treatment with ePHF-tau has a strong effect on the neurites of immature neurons, but its toxicity is negligible when the neurons are more mature. At the mature stage of their development, we observed a substantial increase in the density of the PSD-95/vGlut1 zone in neurite, suggesting altered synaptic connectivity and ePHF-tau excitotoxicity. Proteomics revealed significant changes in mitochondrial protein in synaptosomes following exposure to ePHF-tau. In the neuronal compartment, real-time imaging revealed rapid and persistent mitochondrial dysfunction, increased ATP production, and reduced mitochondrial turnover. In contrast, we observed increased mitochondrial turnover and filamentation after treatment in the astrocyte processes, indicating cell-specific adaptive responses to ePHF-tau.Conclusions This study sheds light on the intricate effects of extracellular tau aggregates on neuronal and astrocytic mitochondrial populations, highlighting how tau pathology can lead to mitochondrial disturbances and synaptic alterations. By delineating the differential responses of neurons and astrocytes to ePHF-tau, our findings pave the way for developing targeted therapeutic interventions to mitigate the detrimental impacts of tau aggregates in neurodegenerative diseases.
Finite element analysis of a new alveolar bone splitting technique in the mandibular posterior region
Authors: Tian Ye , Shi Xiaolu , Zhai Shaobo , Liu Yang , Yang Zheng , Wu Yuchuan , Chu Shunli
Published: May 2024

Background: Finite element analysis was used to predict the risk of bone plate fracture and the expected bone augmentation effect of a new alveolar bone splitting technique in the mandibular posterior region for different alveolar crest widths, different alveolar bone densities, different root incision widths, and different insertion depths of bone expansion instrumentation.
Methods: The jaw models of the mandibular posterior region were constructed by computer-aided software and surgical incisions and bone expansion instruments were prepared on the models, after which the alveolar bone splitting procedure was simulated by finite element analysis software, and the equivalent stress-strain distribution characteristics of the jaw models of each group, as well as the maximal force and the maximal displacement of the bone plate when it was fractured, were recorded.
Results: The distribution of equivalent stress and strain was mainly concentrated in the cancellous bone area at the root incision and the lower 1/3 of the buccal cortical bone plate, and there was no significant difference in the stress-strain distribution characteristics of the jaw models of each group. The wider of the alveolar crest, the higher the force required to fracture the bone plate, but the smaller the maximum displacement; the plastic deformation capacity of type IV bone jaws was more excellent; the wider the width of the root incision, the shallower the depth of instrument insertion, and the larger the maximum displacement.
Conclusion: Finite element analysis can effectively simulate the surgical criticality index of the new alveolar bone splitting procedure. Alveolar crest width, alveolar bone density, root incision width, and instrument insertion depth had a clear correlation with the maximum displacement of the bone plate at fracture. The alveolar crest width and alveolar bone density also had a significant effect on the maximum force required to fracture the bone plate.
Utilizing In-Situ Bone Flap for Skull Base Reconstruction in Endoscopic Surgery of Invasive Pituitary Adenoma: A Novel Approach
Authors: Liu Jinlai , Chen Kaile , Yu Kuo , Liu Zhiyuan , Dai Kexiang , Xu Ke , Chao Honglu , Lu Ailin , Wang Duqian , Zhao Peng
Published: May 2024

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of in-situ bone flap (ISBF) repositioning technique in skull base reconstruction for invasive pituitary adenoma (IPA) via endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA).
Method: In a retrospective study spanning the years 2018 to 2023, we investigated the efficacy of in-situ bone flap (ISBF) repositioning technique in patients with invasive pituitary adenoma (IPA) who underwent endoscopic endonasal surgery (EEA). Among the 115 patients included in the study, 65 were assigned to the group, while the remaining 55 were categorized into the non-ISBF group. Comprehensive data on patients’ basic characteristics, surgical situation, and clinical outcomes were meticulously collected and analyzed.
Results: In our study, we observed postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage in 1 out of 65 patients in the ISBF group, while 8 out of 50 patients in the non-ISBF group experienced this complication, indicating a significant difference (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The ISBF repositioning technique emerges as an effective and feasible method for skull base reconstruction in patients who have underwent EEA surgery for IPA. Notably, this technique significantly reduces the incidence of postoperative CSF leakage.
Woven Coronary Artery with acquired etiology: the natural history documented by serial angiography and optical coherence tomography
Authors: Li Jiannan , Wang Xiaoli , Liu Chen , Zhou Peng , Zhao Hanjun
Published: May 2024

Woven coronary artery (WCA) is a rare anomaly and its etiology remains speculative. Both congenital and acquired factors are considered to be concerned with the pathogenesis. In a 35-year-old man, the tissue characteristics of WCA were evaluated by optical coherence tomography. Serial coronary angiography indicated that acquired factor is the cause, and thrombus recanalization is the most likely pathological mechanism.
Clinico-pathological predictors of radiologic complete response to first-line anti-HER2 therapy in metastatic breast cancer: insights from real-world data of a nationwide cohort
Authors: Cucciniello Linda , Blondeaux Eva , Bighin Claudia , Gasparro Simona , Russo Stefania , Dri Arianna , Pugliese Palma , Fontana Andrea , Cortesi Enrico , Ferzi Antonella , Riccardi Ferdinando , Sini Valentina , Boni Luca , Fabi Alessandra , Montemurro Filippo , De Laurentiis Michelino , Arpino Grazia , Mastro Lucia Del , Gerratana Lorenzo , Puglisi Fabio
Published: May 2024

Background: Up to 6-8% of patients with HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) experience a radiologic complete response (rCR) to a first line of therapy, but these results mostly derive from dated and/or limited cohorts. Currently, there is limited data regarding which variables could predictive of a rCR to anti-HER2 therapies.
Methods: Patients were selected from the database of the GIM14 study (NCT02284581) and classified according to the best radiologic response obtained to the first line anti-HER2 therapy and upon time-to-treatment-discontinuation (TTD). rCR was defined as complete response (CR) with a TTD > 3 months. The association across variables was tested through logistic regression and their prognostic impact in terms of overall survival (OS) was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test.
Results: Of the 3,423 patients included in the GIM14 study, 814 had HER2 positive MBC and data about best radiological response were available for 545 patients. Eighty patients (14.7%) experienced a rCR to first line anti-HER2 therapy with a TTD > 3 months. At multivariable analysis, HER2 Immunohistochemistry score 3+ (OR 2.03, p-value=0.01), presence of non visceral metastases (OR 1.51, p-value=0.01) and 1 metastatic site (OR 2.49, p-value= 0.01) were significantly associated with higher odds of obtaining a CR.
Furthermore, amongst the 80 patients achieving a rCR, 56 (73%) experienced a durable and sustained CR with a TTD > 18 months. At multivariable analysis, only type of anti-HER2 therapy (OR 0.13 p-value<0.01 for trastuzumab-based therapy and OR 0.08, p-value=0.04 for other anti-HER2 therapy) was associated with a higher probability of achieving a CR with a TTD > 18 months.
A median OS of 10.22 years was observed for patients that had achieved a CR to a first line anti-HER2 therapy and a TTD > 3 months. For patients with a CR and TTD > 18 months, a median OS of 12.73 years was observed.
Conclusions: This study characterized a real-world cohort of HER2 positive MBC patients experiencing radiologic complete response to a first line treatment. Higher odds of achieving a complete response to a first-line anti-HER2 therapy with a TTD > 3 months were observed for HER2 Immunohistochemistry score 3+, presence of visceral metastases and presence of a single metastatic site. Additionally, a sustained complete response with a TTD > 18 months, was described in a subset of patients that had been exposed to a trastuzumab-based therapy.
Female flowers with short ovaries in 'Lemon' cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) plants and their progeny carrying the mm gene (CS-ACS2 gene with c.97G > T mutation): a novel trimonoecious phenotype
Authors: Yamasaki Seiji , Matsumoto Taimei , Tomota Yuina , Watanabe Nanami , Tanaka Tatsuya
Published: May 2024

Analysis of the sex expression in 10 ‘Lemon’ (mmff) cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus L.), known to be andromonoecious, revealed that 3 plants produced female flowers with short ovaries, resembling bisexual flowers, after producing male and bisexual flowers. To investigate the heredity pattern governing these aberrant female flowers with short ovaries, F1 hybrid plants (MmFf) were generated through a cross between ‘Dokanari-sennari’ (MMFF) and ‘Lemon’ (mmff), and individuals 4 (mmff) and 45 (mmFF) were meticulously selected from a pool of 45 F2 segregants. Analysis of the sex expression in both 10 F5 plants (mmff) derived from the F2 individual 4 (mmff) and 10 F4 plants (mmFF) derived from the F2 individual 45 (mmFF) revealed that 8–9 plants produced female flowers with short ovaries after producing male and bisexual flowers. Notably, no female flowers with short ovaries were produced in the plants carrying the M gene, such as ‘Dokanari-sennari’ (MMFF), 8 F1 hybrid plants (MmFf), and the 29 F2 segregants (M-F-, M-ff). Thus, female flowers with short ovaries may be produced in some ‘Lemon’ (mmff) cucumber plants and their progeny, particularly those carrying the mm gene (CS-ACS2 gene with c.97G > T mutation), after the production of male and bisexual flowers. However, no clear genetic rules governing the occurrence of these female flowers with short ovaries were observed. This is the first report on trimonoecious cucumber plants displaying male flowers, bisexual flowers with short ovaries, and female flowers with short ovaries, all on the same plant, under the influence of the mm gene (CS-ACS2 gene with c.97G > T mutation).
Alloferon regulates the growth and movement of Trichomonas vaginalis by altering hydrogenosomes
Authors: Jo Hyejung , Shin Seulgi , Agura Tomoyo , Ahn Hyovin , Jeong Seoyoun , Kim Yejin , Kang Jae Seung
Published: May 2024

Background Trichomoniasis infected with Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis), can cause mild symptoms like itching and burning but can also lead to more serious adverse outcomes. While typically treated with metronidazole, this medication can face resistance from T. vaginalis and some individuals may experience side effects. Hence, the research on effective therapeutic methods is essential to improve traditional therapy for trichomoniasis.Method To investigate the potential of alloferon as a therapeutic agent for parasitic infection, we measured the activity of hydrogenosomes in T. vaginalis using flow cytometric analysis and observed the morphology of hydrogenosomes through a transmission electron microscopy. In addition, the cell cycle of T. vaginalis was assessed using cell cycle analysis. To the synergetic effect of alloferon and metronidazole, the movement of T. vaginalis was observed through a microscopy and video recording.Result T. vaginalis treated with alloferon reduced the activity of its energy-producing organelles, hydrogenosomes and changed structure of hydrogenosome. In addition, alloferon induced cell cycle arrest in the S phase of T. vaginalis, thereby leading to decreased proliferation. While metronidazole alone at its minimum lethal concentration was ineffective, combining it with alloferon, significantly suppressed motility and proliferation in T. vaginalis.Conclusion Alloferon induces decreased growth and movement of T. vaginalis by altering the morphology and size of hydrogenosomes. Our findings suggest that alloferon could be a synergistic agent in combination therapy with metronidazole for trichomoniasis.
A study on the sustainable development of competitive sports training efficiency in China
Authors: Gao Guocheng , Xu Mingyue , Zhao Rongxin , Liu Jingxuan , Xia Rui , Zhu Wenchun , Zhao Lunan
Published: May 2024

With the orientation of promoting a new type of competitive sports economic form that is more unified in terms of fairness and efficiency and improving the efficiency of optimal resource allocation in the context of digital economy, we evaluate the input-output efficiency of competitive sports in China and promote the sustainable development of competitive sports. Data envelopment analysis was used to empirically analyze the five input indicators of human, financial, and material inputs to Chinese competitive sports and the medal point indicators of the outputs of international sports events and China’s highest level competitions held during the five-year period. Results verify: 1) China’s provincial competitive sports training efficiency showed a development trend of eastern > central > western regions, with a national comprehensive efficiency of 0.645, and 10 provinces (municipalities and districts) reaching DEA effectiveness. 2) The standard deviation of the national efficiency is only 0.277, and there are large differences in the input-output efficiency of competitive sports in various provinces, with obvious regional imbalances. 3) The national mean of pure technical efficiency (PTE) of competitive sports inputs is much smaller than the mean of scale efficiency (SE), and 48.3% of provinces show the trend of increasing returns to scale. The study concludes that there is an “non-equilibrium” in the input-output benefits of competitive sports in China. At this stage, China should pay attention to the efficiency of resource allocation in competitive sports, conduct heterogeneous analysis for the phenomenon of benefit imbalance, and reduce the inter-regional differences in the benefits of competitive sports training.
Optimizing Word Embeddings for Patient Portal Message Datasets with a Small Number of Samples
Authors: Song Qingyuan , Ni Congning , Warner Jeremy L. , Chen Qingxia , Song Lijun , Rosenbloom S. Trent , Malin Bradley A. , Yin Zhijun
Published: May 2024

Background Patient portal messages often relate to specific clinical phenomena (e.g., patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer) and, as a result, have received increasing attention in biomedical research. These messages require natural language processing and, while word embedding models, such as word2vec, have the potential to extract meaningful signals from text, they are not readily applicable to patient portal messages. This is because embedding models typically require millions of training samples to sufficiently represent semantics, while the volume of patient portal messages associated with a particular clinical phenomenon is often relatively small.
Objective We introduce a novel adaptation of the word2vec model, PK-word2vec, for small-scale messages.
Methods PK-word2vec incorporates the most similar terms for medical words (including problems, treatments, and tests) and non-medical words from two pre-trained embedding models as prior knowledge to improve the training process. We applied PK-word2vec on patient portal messages in the Vanderbilt University Medical Center electric health record system sent by patients diagnosed with breast cancer from December 2004 to November 2017. We evaluated the model through a set of 1000 tasks, each of which compared the relevance of a given word to a group of the five most similar words generated by PK-word2vec and a group of the five most similar words generated by the standard word2vec model. We recruited 200 Amazon Mechanical Turk (AMT) workers and 7 medical students to perform the tasks.
Results The dataset was composed of 1,389 patient records and included 137,554 messages with 10,683 unique words. Prior knowledge was available for 7,981 non-medical and 1,116 medical words. In over 90% of the tasks, both reviewers indicated PK-word2vec generated more similar words than standard word2vec (p=0.01).The difference in the evaluation by AMT workers versus medical students was negligible for all comparisons of tasks’ choices between the two groups of reviewers (p =0.774 under a paired t-test).
Conclusions. PK-word2vec can effectively learn word representations from a small message corpus, marking a significant advancement in processing patient portal messages.
Effects of Oxytocin Receptor Agonism on Acquisition and Expression of Pair Bonding in Male Prairie Voles
Authors: Ryabinin Andrey , Johnson Michael , Zweig Jonathan , Zhang Yangmiao , Nunez Louis , Ryabinina Olga , Hibert Marcel
Published: May 2024

There is much interest in targeting the activity in the oxytocin system to regulate social bonding. However, studies with exogenous administration of oxytocin face the caveats of its low stability, poor brain permeability and insufficient receptor specificity. The use of a small-molecule oxytocin receptor-specific agonist could overcome these caveats. Prior to testing the potential effects of a brain-penetrant oxytocin receptor agonist in clinical settings, it is important to assess how such an agonist would affect social bonds in animal models. The facultatively monogamous prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster), capable of forming long-term social attachments between adult individuals, are an ideal rodent model for such testing. Therefore, in a series of experiments we investigated the effects of the recently developed oxytocin receptor-specific agonist LIT-001 on the acquisition and expression of partner preference, a well-established model of pair bonding, in prairie voles. LIT-001 (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal), as expected, facilitated the acquisition of partner preference when administered prior to a 4-hour cohabitation. In contrast, while animals injected with vehicle after the 4-hour cohabitation exhibited significant partner preference, animals that were injected with LIT-001 did not show such partner preference. This result suggests that OXTR activation during expression of pair bonding can inhibit partner preference. The difference in effects of LIT-001 on acquisition versus expression was not due to basal differences in partner preference between the experiments, as LIT-001 had no significant effects on expression of partner preference if administered following a shorter (2 hour-long) cohabitation. Instead, this difference agrees with the hypothesis that the activation of oxytocin receptors acts as a signal of presence of a social partner. Our results indicate that the effects of pharmacological activation of oxytocin receptors crucially depend on the phase of social attachments.
Comparative Efficacy of PETD and PEID in the Management of L5/S1 Calcified Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Focus on Residual Calcification and Mid-Term Outcomes
Authors: Jiang Yu-qing , Jiang Wei , Xu Meng-lei , Shen Yi-fei , Xu Nan-wei , Han Long
Published: May 2024

This study is a retrospective cohort analysis of data collected from one clinical site between 2020 and 2022. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of two percutaneous endoscopic discectomy procedures in treating calcified lumbar discs at the L5/S1 level: percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal decompression (PETD) and percutaneous endoscopic interlaminar discectomy (PEID). Out of 117 patients who were initially enrolled, 114 completed the research. Of them, 56 had single-level chronic lumbar disc herniation and underwent PETD, whereas 58 received PEID. This breakdown was due to attrition. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scores (JOA), and the Short Form 12-Item Health Survey (SF-12) were utilized for demographic assessments, calcification morphology, residual calcified area(CRA), complications, and function analysis analysis in the present study in addition to other instruments. At the1,3, and 12-month follow-up assessments, the PETD and PEID groups did not differ in terms of clinical outcomes. A larger CRA in the PETD group did not affect the treatment efficacy linear regression to a statistically significant degree. This suggests that the two approaches to treating chronic lumbosacral disc herniation are complementary rather than competing.
An international field study for the reliability and validity of the EORTC Communication Questionnaire EORTC QLQ-COMU26
Authors: Arraras Juan Ignacio , Giesinger Johannes , Shamieh Omar , Bahar Iqbal , Koller Michael , Bredart Anne , Costantini Anna , Greimel Eva , Sztankay Monika , Wintner Lisa M. , de Sousa Marina Carreiro , Ishiki Hiroto , Kontogianni Meropi , Wolan Maja , Kikawa Yuichiro , Lanceley Anne , Gioulbasanis Ioannis , Harle Amelie , Zarandona Uxue , Kulis Dagmara , Kuljanic Karin
Published: May 2024

Background
The EORTC Quality of Life Group has developed a questionnaire to evaluate cancer patients’ perception of their communication with healthcare professionals (HCPs): the EORTC QLQ-COMU26. In this study we test the validity and reliability of this novel measure in an international and culturally diverse sample of cancer patients.
Methods
Cancer patients completed the following EORTC questionnaires at two time points (before and during treatment): the QLQ-COMU26 (including a debriefing questionnaire), the QLQ-C30, and specific IN-PATSAT32 scales. These data were used to assess: the cross-cultural applicability, acceptability, scale structure, reliability, convergent/divergent validity, known-groups validity, and responsiveness to change of the QLQ-COMU26.
Results
Data were collected from 498 patients with various cancer diagnoses in 10 European countries, Japan, Jordan and India (overall 5 cultural regions). At most, only 3% patients identified an item as confusing and 0.6% as upsetting, indicating that the questionnaire was well understood and accepted. Confirmatory factor analysis and multi-trait scaling confirmed the hypothesised QLQ-COMU26 scale structure comprising six multi-item scales and four single items (RMSEA = 0.025). Reliability was good for all scales (internal consistency > 0.70; test–retest reliability > 0.85). Convergent validity was supported by correlations of ≥ 0.50 with related scales of the IN-PATSAT32 and correlations < 0.30 with unrelated QLQ-C30 scales. Known-groups validity was shown according to sex, age, education, levels of anxiety and depression, satisfaction with communication, disease stage and treatment intention, professional evaluated, and having a companion during the visit. The QLQ-COMU26 captured changes over time in groups that were defined based on changes in the item of satisfaction with communication.
Conclusion
The EORTC QLQ-COMU26 is a reliable and valid measure of patients’ perceptions of their communication with HCPs. The EORTC QLQ-COMU26 can be used in daily clinical practice and research and in various cancer patient groups from different cultures. This questionnaire can help to improve communication between patients and healthcare professionals.
Assessment of Endocrine Function in HIV-Infected Adolescent Girls at a Tertiary Centre in Zimbabwe. A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Guzha Bothwell Takaingofa , Mateveke Bismark , Mubata Hamish , Chapupu Tapiwa , Chipato Tsungai , Chirenje Zvavahera Mike , Dondo Vongai , Chirehwa Maxwell , Tshikosi Rendani
Published: May 2024

Background: Proper planning of reproductive health needs for HIV-infected adolescents requires a clear understanding of the effects of HIV infection on adolescents’ pubertal development.
Objective: To assess the effects of HIV infection on endocrine function in perinatally infected HIV adolescents.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of adolescent girls with perinatally acquired HIV aged 10-19 years, with reasonable immunological control who were attending an HIV clinic at a tertiary hospital in Zimbabwe. Consecutive sampling was used to select study participants, and adolescents who did not consent and those who were pregnant or acutely ill were excluded from the study. The data were collected using a standardised data collection tool. Pubertal milestones were assessed using age of menarche, thelarche, pubarche and Tanner stage for breast and pubic hair development. Growth was assessed using World Health Organisation growth charts. The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis was assessed by measuring the following serum hormones: follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH) and estradiol. Ovarian reserve was assessed in adolescents above 18 years of age by serum anti-mullein hormone (AMH) levels. Data were analysed in STATA version 13.0, and the results are presented as mean (SD) or median(quartiles) and proportions, as appropriate.
Results: One hundred and one (101) HIV-infected adolescents were recruited for the study. Menarche, therlarche and pubarche were delayed in 15.9%, 28.6% and 46.8% of the adolescents, respectively. A total of 59.4% had moderate to severe stunting, and 53.5% were either overweight or obese. Serum AMH was reduced in 13.8% of the adolescents.
Conclusion: HIV infection in adolescents is associated with stunted growth and delayed sexual maturation. There is a need for a larger study to examine ovarian aging in HIV-infected adolescents.
Trial registration: This protocol was approved by the Medical Research Council of Zimbabwe (MRCZ) (reference number MRCZ/A/1730).
Multi-optimization for thermal deformation of gravitational wave telescope based on CFRP characteristics
Authors: Li Bohong , Yan Yong , Luo Jian , Fang Sijun , Zhang Rui , Hai Hongwen , Cao Yehao
Published: May 2024

Gravitational wave telescope place extremely high demands on structural thermal deformation, making material selection a critical issue. Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) is an ideal choice for the support structure of telescope due to its low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and designable properties. However, current research on the optimization of the CTE of CFRP is scarce, and conventional methods struggle to find layups that meet the requirements. In this paper, an unconventional layup optimization method is proposed to solve this problem. Initially defining the characteristics of the telescope structure and using different layup material for the main and side support rods to minimize thermal deformation. Subsequently, the NSGA-II algorithm is used to optimize the layups which are divided into conventional and unconventional layups. Specimens are then produced from these results and tested to assess the impact of processing errors on practical applications. The results demonstrate that the optimized CFRP meet the CTE requirements and, when applied to the structure, significantly reduces the thermal deformation in the eccentric direction compared to conventional designs. Additionally, a numerical analysis evaluates the effect of ply orientation errors on the performance of unconventional layups, discussing the method's limitations within these contexts.
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus oral infection affects midge reproduction and is vertically transmitted to offspring in the biting midge, Culicoides sonorensis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)
Authors: Erram Dinesh , McGregor Bethany , Acevedo Carolina , Alto Barry , Burkett-Cadena Nathan
Published: May 2024

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV: Reoviridae: Orbivirus) is a Culicoides-borne pathogen that affects a variety of ruminants, causing significant economic losses and/or ecological impacts in animal agriculture/wildlife populations worldwide. In this study, we examined the effect of EHDV serotype-2 oral infection on the survival and reproduction of Culicoides sonorensis Wirth and Jones (a confirmed vector of EHDV in North America), and the potential vertical transmission of EHDV-2 (from infected female to its offspring) in this midge species. Culicoides sonorensis females were fed on defibrinated bovine blood with EHDV-2 (5.5 log10 PFU/ml) or without EHDV-2 (control). Adult survival/longevity, oviposition rates, number of eggs deposited, egg hatch rates (fertility), larval survival, larval stage duration, eclosion rates, and sex-ratios of the progeny were recorded and compared between the two groups. In addition, the progeny (eggs and F1 generation adults) of the EHDV-2 infected females were processed for viral detection through RT-qPCR and plaque assays. Survival/longevity of the blood-fed adults, oviposition rates, number of eggs deposited, larval stage duration, eclosion rates, and sex-ratios were not significantly different between the two groups. However, egg hatch rates were significantly lower in the EHDV-2 infected group (35.8 ± 5.2%) than the uninfected group (74.5 ± 6.8%), but larval survival rates were higher in the EHDV-2 infected group (59.8 ± 4.9%) compared to the control group (34.1 ± 6.5%). EHDV-2 was detected in the eggs (3.4%, 1/29 females tested, Cq value 22.1) and F1 adult progeny (1.7%, 1/58 adults tested, Cq value 23.5) of the orally exposed females through RT-qPCR as well as plaque assays. Our findings suggest that EHDV-2 infection has no major impact on C. sonorensis survival/longevity or oviposition but has a significant negative effect on midge fecundity/fertility. Our study also provides evidence for the vertical transmission of EHDV-2 from an infected adult female to its offspring in C. sonorensis. However, salivary transmission of EHDV-2 from the vertically infected progeny and its significance in the epidemiology of hemorrhagic disease are currently unknown and remain to be examined in further studies. Overall, these findings collectively indicate that Orbivirus infection can negatively affect vector reproduction and that vertical transmission is a probable mechanism of overwintering of EHDV in North America.
Analysis of the effect of HIV-1 subtype-specific Tat polymorphisms on Tat-TAR interaction
Authors: Zhamalbekova Alnara , Abidi Syed Hani
Published: May 2024

Introduction: HIV Tat is responsible for HIV replication activation and interacts with the TAR RNA element for its function. Genetic polymorphisms in the Tat sequence can affect the interaction between Tat and TAR. Previous studies, focusing on HIV subtypes B and C, found that substitutions such as C31S, R57S, and Q63E can alter the binding conformations of Tat and TAR. However, it is not known if polymorphisms in other HIV subtypes can also affect Tat-TAR interactions. This study, therefore, aims to identify subtype-specific polymorphisms in TAR and their effect on Tat-TAR interactions.
Methods: HIV Tat sequences from subtypes A, A1, A2, A3, A4, A6, A7, A8, B, C, D, CRF01_AE, and CRF02_AG was retrieved from the HIV Los Alamos Database. The sequences were aligned and used to generate consensus sequences, subsequently to identify subtype-specific Tat polymorphisms. The sequences were used to generate 3D models of Tat, which were used in molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulations analyses (performed using HDOCK and Desmond tools, respectively) to identify the effect of subtype-specific polymorphisms on binding affinity and interaction with TAR element.
Results: Our results show that subtypes A7, A2, and D showed higher affinity to TAR (with a docking score range of -171.36 to -231.79 and free energy binding range of -111.66 to -123.94 kJ/mol). The subtype-specific polymorphisms that may have increased affinity were Lysine 29 (K29) and Proline 36 (P36). On the contrary, subtype A3 had the weakest binding affinity to TAR with a docking score of -177.78 and free energy of binding value of -54.15 kJ/mol. This lowered affinity may be attributed to subtype-specific polymorphisms such as Alanine 29 (29A) and Proline 59 (59P).
Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that subtype-specific polymorphisms can affect Tat-TAR interactions allowing certain subtypes to interact much more strongly with TAR as compared to others. This finding may have implications in the subtype-specific disease pathogenesis mediated by the Tat protein.