bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examining Emphysematous Pyelonephritis: A Case Study on Diagnosis and Outcomes
Authors: Mahnoor Mahnoor , Ali Syeda Aina , Nasir Saira , Azmat Moiz , Farooqi Hafiz Muhammad Umer
Published: December 2024

Background: Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is an infectious disease of the renal system caused by gas-producing microorganisms harboring the kidneys. Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), an endocrine disease with hyperglycemia, are particularly susceptible to the EPN as their immune system is compromised in fighting against infections. Case Description: We present a case of a 50-year-old female with a history of chronic diabetes and persistent hypertension. She presented with symptoms of pyrexia and flank pain. Following findings from ultrasound, she was advised to undergo computed tomographic (CT) scans that reveal air-filled hypodense areas at the upper and mid pole of the right kidney and in the renal pelvis of the right ureter, which confirms the class I EPN in the patient. Urine culture identifies Escherica coli as the causative agent for EPN. The patient was managed with third-generation antibiotics over two weeks, leading to full recovery without surgical intervention. Discussion: The availability of CT imaging makes early diagnosis and reduces mortality associated with EPN. Conservative medical management should be the initial treatment strategy for EPN. However, severe cases require immediate therapeutic action. In our case, the patient was treated with antibiotic therapy and recovered. Conclusions: CT scan seems to be the optimal diagnosis in patients with acute emphysematous pyelonephritis. Patients with EPN class I respond well to medical treatment with excellent outcomes.
Promoting Shared Metacognition in Online Learning: The Practices of Distributed Teaching Presence and the Relationships to Cognitive Presence
Authors: Chen Ye , Chen Lixuan
Published: December 2024

This study explores the practices of distributed teaching presence (DTP) to promote students’ shared metacognitive responsibilities in online learning. The DTP practices included providing explicit instruction on DTP techniques and guiding students to label their cognitive presence in online discussion. Data were collected through asynchronous online discussion and a questionnaire survey from 53 students enrolled in a graduate-level course at a northeastern private university in the United States. By analyzing the discussion transcripts, students’ cognitive and teaching presences were examined to reveal the influence of the interventions on students’ learning engagement. Both qualitative and quantitative analysis were conducted to analyze the 2557 messages created by 53 students. The results showed that guiding students to use DTP techniques credibly improved students’ teaching and cognitive presence. We also found that students’ teaching presence behaviors were positively associated with peers’ cognitive presence and their own higher-level learning. The implications for research and practices in designing and facilitating shared metacognitive learning experience are also discussed.
Do School Exclusions and Attainment Outcomes Disproportionately Impact Minority Ethnic Pupils? Analysis of Pupil Characteristics, Segregation, and Outcomes in England
Authors: Gorard Stephen , Siddiqui Nadia , See Beng Huat , Gao Yiyang
Published: December 2024

Large-scale administrative datasets show disproportionate figures for attainment outcomes and school exclusions for pupils in some ethnic groups in England. This surface gap in attainment and school exclusion is concerning, and we consider whether ethnicity is really the driver here. In this paper, we present the findings on KS2 and KS4 attainment and exclusion outcomes for the cohorts in 2019, which are available from the National Pupil Database in England (with around 600,000 pupils per cohort). We present the outcomes and other characteristics for each ethnic category available. The analyses then modelled the attainment and exclusion outcomes via multivariate regression, in terms of individual pupil characteristics and school-level figures including school segregation by pupil ethnicity and disability. The predictors were entered in batches from pupil background, through prior attainment, and school-level measures, to individual ethnicity. The findings show that prior attainment and special needs/disability status are the main drivers of attainment at both KS2 and KS4. Individual pupil ethnicity did not help to explain either attainment or exclusions, over and above these other factors, and this finding largely corroborates the descriptive results. However, the factors related to school-level segregation by ethnicity, free school meal eligibility (FSM), and having English as an additional language (EAL) are somewhat relevant in predicting pupils’ permanent school exclusion at KS4. These findings have implications for admission policies that can reduce school segregation and interventions that can support disadvantaged pupils’ wider learning experiences.
“You Learn So Much from Reading for Pleasure”: Exploring a Reading for Pleasure Pedagogy Impact on Pre-Service Teachers’ Literate Identities
Authors: Price Katherine , Simpson Alyson
Published: December 2024

Proficiency in literacy provides an essential foundation for citizens to participate fully and effectively in society. Research highlights a strong correlation between frequent reading and strong literacy outcomes for students and emphasises the benefits of a Reading for Pleasure (RfP) pedagogy on student reading motivation and attainment. As teachers are responsible for students’ literate development, the ability to teach literacy and the development of a literate identity thus form integral components of initial teacher education. There are studies revealing the important connection between teachers’ literate identities and their students’ reading engagement and literacy outcomes; however, less is known about the formation of pre-service teachers’ literate identities. This case study sought to investigate the impact of pre-service teacher engagement with Reading for Pleasure practices as they reflected on their literate identities. During the study, four student teachers in their final year of a Bachelor of Education (Primary) degree in an urban university in NSW, Australia, met weekly for six weeks to engage with Reading for Pleasure practices. Data were collected through participant observation notes, focus group discussions, and a questionnaire completed at the start and the end of the study. This study was informed with a consideration of complexity theory, and an analysis was made of participant’s reflections on RfP, as expressed through the intersecting systems within which initial teacher education is situated. Framed by the understanding that knowledge is socially constructed, this paper outlines how participants found benefit in Reading for Pleasure in forming their literate identities.
Entrepreneurial Intentions Among Immigrant-Origin and Native Youth: Exploring the Roles of a Sense of Belonging, Acculturation Attitudes, and Self-Esteem
Authors: Abdulhamed Rekar , Lonka Kirsti , Ranta Mette
Published: December 2024

Entrepreneurship education is crucial in fostering and supporting entrepreneurial intentions among young people. However, many factors, such as immigrant background, are associated with whether youth aspire to an entrepreneurial career. The aim of this study was to examine whether immigrant-origin youth in Finland were more likely than natives to aspire to an entrepreneurial career, and to what extent their sense of belonging, acculturation attitudes, and self-esteem explained these aspirations (N = 2838, Mage = 15.6). Regression (OLS and L2-regularized) and moderation analyses stratified by immigrant status and gender revealed that the immigrant-origin youth were more likely to aspire to an entrepreneurial career than their native counterparts, even after adjusting for gender. Among the male immigrant-origin youth, self-esteem, a sense of belonging, and acculturation attitudes explained 25% of the variation in their entrepreneurial intentions. However, the associations of these factors with entrepreneurial intentions among the native youth were weaker, and they were not related to entrepreneurial intentions among the female immigrant-origin youth at all. Acculturation attitudes were associated with EIs among the native females, but not the males.
Influence of Cigarette Butt Extract on the Suppression of Metal Corrosion
Authors: Šućurović Verena , Vladislavić Nives , Rončević Ivana Škugor
Published: December 2024

Cigarette butts are an increasing environmental burden worldwide, and the quantities discarded each year could continue to rise. The chemical composition of cigarette butts, which comprises about 4000 different toxic chemicals, as well as their persistence in the environment and their potential negative effects pose a major threat to the environment as they regularly enter aquatic habitats and endanger water supplies and aquatic species. One effective way to reduce pollution is to recycle cigarette butts. The aim of this study is to evaluate the possibility of using extracts from cigarette butts (filter extract and extract from tobacco residues) as corrosion inhibitors for the Cu10Ni alloy in a 3.5% NaCl solution with a pH of 8 at different temperatures (12 °C, 20 °C and 25 °C). The determination of the electrochemical parameters, i.e., the corrosion behavior of the Cu10Ni alloy in a 3.5% NaCl solution and pH of 8, with and without modification of the alloy surface by cigarette butt extracts was tested using electrochemical measurements (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and linear and potentiodynamic polarization methods). The surface properties of the Cu10Ni alloy modified with cigarette butt extracts were evaluated by goniometry, SEM analysis and FTIR spectrophotometry. The modification of the surface of the Cu10Ni alloy with an extract of tobacco residue and a filter extract separated from cigarette butts, whose presence on the surface was confirmed by the surface analysis methods, increased the corrosion resistance of the alloy, indicating that these substances have an inhibitory effect. The better inhibition properties (at all temperatures: 12 °C, 20 °C and 25 °C) were exhibited by the filter extract, and the highest inhibition effect was exhibited by the filter extract at 12 °C.
Micro-Expression Recognition Algorithm Using Regions of Interest and the Weighted ArcFace Loss
Authors: Zhang Peiying , Wang Ruixin , Luo Jia , Shi Lei
Published: December 2024

Micro-expressions often reveal more genuine emotions but are challenging to recognize due to their brief duration and subtle amplitudes. To address these challenges, this paper introduces a micro-expression recognition method leveraging regions of interest (ROIs). Firstly, four specific ROIs are selected based on an analysis of the optical flow and relevant action units activated during micro-expressions. Secondly, effective feature extraction is achieved using the optical flow method. Thirdly, a block partition module is integrated into a convolutional neural network to reduce computational complexity, thereby enhancing model accuracy and generalization. The proposed model achieves notable performance, with accuracies of 93.96%, 86.15%, and 81.17% for three-class recognition on the CASME II, SAMM, and SMIC datasets, respectively. For five-class recognition, the model achieves accuracies of 81.63% on the CASME II dataset and 84.31% on the SMIC dataset. Experimental results validate the effectiveness of using ROIs in improving micro-expression recognition accuracy.
Neonatal Intraventricular Hemorrhage: Current Perspectives and Management Strategies
Authors: Chua Felicia H. Z. , Ng Lee Ping , Low Sharon Y. Y.
Published: December 2024

Neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage is a serious condition associated with significant acute and long-term morbidity and mortality. Neurosurgical intervention aims to relieve life-threatening raised intracranial pressure and prevent neurological deterioration. In recent years, advancements in disease understanding have paved the way for clinicians to re-evaluate conventional approaches in the management of affected patients. Examples include various neurosurgical techniques to actively reduce blood products with a view to avoid the consequences of complex hydrocephalus and intraparenchymal injury in the developing brain. In this entry paper, we aim to provide an overview of the current perspectives, pathophysiology and management strategies for this difficult condition.
Image Transmission and Selenium: Adriano de Paiva and Initial Steps in the XIX Century
Authors: de Castro Paulo M. S. T.
Published: December 2024

Sound transmission, in the form of the telephone, was invented by Alexander Graham Bell et al. in the seventies of the XIX century. Inspired by this development, Adriano de Paiva published in 1878 the idea of the transmission of images at a distance using electricity and selenium. His proposal was based upon earlier work by Jöns Jacob Berzelius, who identified the selenium element in 1817, and of Willoughby Smith, who in 1873 identified a peculiar property of this material—its conductivity dependence upon incident light. The 1878 paper of Adriano de Paiva is the first publication proposing to benefit from the properties of selenium in order to achieve electrical image transmission at a distance and, in the words of the author, enable ubiquity—the transmission of sound and image anywhere in real time. This encyclopedia entry delves into the early steps of electrical image transmission, concisely presenting the protagonists and controversies of scientific priority, and mentioning the impact of those pioneering contributions, still mentioned today, approximately one and a half centuries later.
Sequential Solid-State and Submerged Fermentation to Increase Yarrowia lipolytica Lipase Production from Palm Oil Production Chain By-Products
Authors: Souza Camila P. L. , Pereira Adejanildo da S. , Aguieiras Érika C. G. , Amaral Priscilla F. F.
Published: December 2024

This study investigates the potential of sequential solid-state and submerged fermentation (SeqF) to enhance lipase production by Yarrowia lipolytica using by-products from the palm oil production chain. Palm fiber and palm oil deodorizer distillate (PODD) were utilized as substrates in both fermentation stages. Solid-state fermentation (SSF) yielded significant lipase activity when palm fiber was used alone (1.55 U/g in 48 h), while submerged fermentation (SmF) showed improved enzymatic production with the combination of fiber and PODD (1171 U/L in 72 h). The integration of SSF and SmF in SeqF achieved superior lipase activities, reaching 4464.5 U/L, an 8.3-fold increase compared to SmF alone, in Erlenmeyer flasks. SeqF-lyophilized biocatalysts from Erlenmeyer experiments showed better hydrolytic activity (131 U/g) when the best conditions were reproduced in a 4 L bioreactor (33 U/g). The SeqF-lyophilized biocatalyst was employed in esterification reactions to synthesize mono- and diacylglycerols, achieving a 24.3% conversion rate. The study highlights SeqF as a promising and sustainable approach for valorizing agro-industrial residues, contributing to biocatalyst production and advancing circular bioeconomy initiatives.
Impact of Edible Insect Polysaccharides on Mouse Gut Microbiota: A Study on White-Spotted Flower Chafer Larva (Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis) and Silkworm Pupa (Bombyx mori)
Authors: Lee Joon-Ha , Son Hyojung , Subramaniyam Sathiyamoorthy , Lim Hyun-Jung , Park Sohyun , Choi Ra-Yeong , Kim In-Woo , Seo Minchul , Kweon Hae-Yong , Kim Yongsoon , Kim Seong-Wan , Choi Jong-Soon , Shin Younhee
Published: December 2024

The increasing global population and the environmental consequences of meat consumption have led to the exploration of alternative sources of protein. Edible insects have gained attention as a sustainable and nutritionally rich meat alternative. We investigated the effects of two commonly consumed insects, Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larva and Bombyx mori pupa, on beneficial gut microbiota growth, using whole 16s metagenome sequencing to assess diet-associated changes. Seven-week-old female C57BL/6J mice were administered the edible insects, along with fracto-oligosaccharide (FOS) as a positive control and sham (phosphate buffer saline (PBS)) as a negative control, to assess the relative abundance of insect-diet-associated gut microbes. In total, 567 genera and 470 species were observed, and among these, 15 bacterial genera were differentially abundant in all three groups. These results show that among the two insects, Bombyx mori pupa polysaccharides have a greater ability to regulate beneficial probiotics and next-generation probiotics. In particular, Lactococcus garvieae, which has promising effects on the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and animals, was significantly enriched in both Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larva and Bombyx mori pupa polysaccharides, similar to fracto-oligosaccharide. The results suggest that the consumption of these insects, particularly polysaccharides, can enhance the growth of beneficial gut microbes, potentially leading to improved overall health in healthy populations.
From the s-Process to the i-Process: A New Perspective on the Chemical Enrichment of Extrinsic Stars
Authors: Van Eck Sophie , Giribaldi Riano , Merle Thibault , Lambotte Adrian , Karinkuzhi Drisya , Goriely Stéphane , Choplin Arthur , Storm Nicholas , Gerber Jeffrey , Siess Lionel , Bergemann Maria , Jorissen Alain
Published: December 2024

Separating stars enriched in the s- and r-processes of nucleosynthesis is usually achieved by analyzing the element ratios of s-process elements (like Ba or La) to r-process elements (like Eu). The situation becomes more complex when analyzing CEMP-rs stars, which are carbon-enriched metal-poor objects enriched in a mixture of s- and r-elements. These objects, possibly resulting from the i-process of nucleosynthesis, are notoriously difficult to classify based on elemental ratios. Recent theoretical studies have outlined, however, that the s-, i-, and r-processes produce distinct isotopic mixtures. Here, we propose to analyze a sample of stars known to be enriched in s, r, or r + s elements and to determine the odd-to-even isotopic ratio measured on atomic lines of barium, in order to validate or disprove their assignation.
Injectable and In Situ Phospholipid-Based Phase Separation Gel for Sustained Delivery of Altrenogest
Authors: Li Dongbo , Abbas Awn , Li Nanxin , Li Chao , Ai Xiaoyang , Chen Lian , Dai Dongmei , Shu Gang , Lin Juchun , Zhang Wei , Peng Guangneng , Li Haohuan , Xu Funeng , Fu Hualin
Published: December 2024

Altrenogest is a key regulatory hormone for intensive and batch management of reserve sows in breeding farms. As a synthetic hormone, altrenogest could make ovaries stay at the initial stage of follicles and inhibit estrus and ovulation in animals. However, the currently used oral altrenogest solution needs to be administered continuously every day for more than two weeks in clinical practice. In this study we developed a phospholipid-based injectable gel carrying altrenogest to decrease the number of administrations, sustain release of the drug, and enhance therapeutic efficacy for clinical use. The altrenogest gel had a viscosity of 100 cP before phase transition and over 1,000,000 cP after phase transition. In vitro, altrenogest can be continuously released from gel for over two weeks. The pharmacokinetic results showed that the AUC (0–∞) of the altrenogest gel was almost double that of the altrenogest solution. The MRT (0–∞) was 40.92 ± 7.21 h and the t1/2 of the altrenogest gel was 80.03 ± 20.79 h. The altrenogest gel demonstrated excellent fluidity, ease of injectability, high drug-loading capacity, and appropriate sustained-release characteristics both in vitro and in vivo, making it a potential drug delivery system for swine production.
The Clinical Application of Gel-Based Composite Scaffolds in Rotator Cuff Repair
Authors: Tharakan Shebin , Hadjiargyrou Michael , Ilyas Azhar
Published: December 2024

Rotator cuff tears are a common injury that can be treated with or without surgical intervention. Gel-based scaffolds have gained significant attention in the field of tissue engineering, particularly for applications like rotator cuff repair. Scaffolds can be biological, synthetic, or a mixture of both materials. Collagen, a primary constituent of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in musculoskeletal tissues, is one of the most widely used materials for gel-based scaffolds in rotator cuff repair, but other ECM-based and synthetic-based composite scaffolds have also been utilized. These composite scaffolds can be engineered to mimic the biomechanical and biological properties of natural tissues, supporting the healing process and promoting regeneration. Various clinical studies examined the effectiveness of these composite scaffolds with collagen, ECM and synthetic polymers and provided outstanding results with remarkable improvements in range of motion (ROM), strength, and pain. This review explores the material composition, manufacturing process and material properties of gel-based composite scaffolds as well as their clinical outcomes for the treatment of rotator cuff injuries.
Trigonometric Polynomial Points in the Plane of a Triangle
Authors: Kimberling Clark , Moses Peter J. C.
Published: December 2024

It is well known that the four ancient Greek triangle centers and others have homogeneous barycentric coordinates that are polynomials in the sidelengths a,b, and c of a triangle ABC. For example, the circumcenter is represented by the polynomial a(b2+c2−a2). It is not so well known that triangle centers have barycentric coordinates, such as tanA : tan B : tan C, that are also representable by polynomials, in this case, by p(a, b, c) : p(b, c, a) : p(c, a, b), where p(a, b, c)=a(a2+b2−c2)(a2+c2−b2). This paper presents and discusses the polynomial representations of triangle centers that have barycentric coordinates of the form f(a, b, c) : f(b, c, a) : f(c, a, b), where f depends on one or more of the functions in the set {cos, sin, tan, sec, csc, cot}. The topics discussed include infinite trigonometric orthopoints, the n-Euler line, and symbolic substitution.
Unraveling the Causal Relationship Between Non-Communicable Diseases, Obesity, and Health Expenditure: Insights from the Toda–Yamamoto Approach
Authors: Yılmaz Salim , Boz Canser , Eren Furkan Alp , Günal Ahmet Murat
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: Understanding the relationship between non-communicable diseases (NCDs), obesity, and health expenditure is crucial for developing effective public health policies, particularly in light of the rising global burden of NCDs and obesity. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the causal relationships between NCDs, obesity, and health expenditure in Turkiye. Methods: Data were collected from the World Health Organization and Our World in Data. Time series econometric analysis was performed using the Toda–Yamamoto causality approach. A model was designed to regularly capture causal relationships to ensure robust and consistent findings. Results: The analysis revealed four significant results. First, a causal relationship was observed between obesity and the prevalence of NCDs, indicating that higher obesity rates lead to an increase in NCDs within the population. Second, obesity had a direct impact on health expenditures, as rising obesity levels drove up healthcare costs. Third, the burden of NCDs contributed to increased health expenditure. Finally, the combined effect of obesity and NCDs on health expenditure was statistically significant at the 0.05 level. Conclusions: These results highlight the need for policymakers to develop more effective strategies to address both obesity and NCDs. Recommended policies include the implementation of public health programs aimed at preventing obesity, strengthening early diagnosis and treatment methods, and increasing awareness campaigns focused on NCDs. These measures would be crucial steps in improving public health and controlling healthcare expenditures.
What Is Truly Informed Consent in Medical Practice and What Has the Perception of Risk Got to Do with It?
Authors: Calderwood Catherine Jane , Braut Geir Sverre , Wiig Siri
Published: December 2024

Making decisions about risk, describing and appropriately explaining risk in medical practice is complex for patients and professionals. In this paper, we investigate how the concept of consent is practiced differently in the UK and Norway and discuss pros and cons of the chosen approaches from a patient safety culture perspective. We argue that consent is a fundamental part of the safety culture and influence on health system functioning and patient and staff safety. Examples from the UK and Norway are used and discussed in terms of how risk perception influences consent processes and practices.
An Ontology-Based Approach for Understanding Appendicectomy Processes and Associated Resources
Authors: Pathiraja Rathnayaka Hitige Nadeesha , Song Ting , Craig Steven J. , Davis Kimberley J. , Hao Xubing , Cui Licong , Yu Ping
Published: December 2024

Background: Traditional methods for analysing surgical processes often fall short in capturing the intricate interconnectedness between clinical procedures, their execution sequences, and associated resources such as hospital infrastructure, staff, and protocols. Aim: This study addresses this gap by developing an ontology for appendicectomy, a computational model that comprehensively represents appendicectomy processes and their resource dependencies to support informed decision making and optimise appendicectomy healthcare delivery. Methods: The ontology was developed using the NeON methodology, drawing knowledge from existing ontologies, scholarly literature, and de-identified patient data from local hospitals. Results: The resulting ontology comprises 108 classes, including 11 top-level classes and 96 subclasses organised across five hierarchical levels. The 11 top-level classes include “clinical procedure”, “appendicectomy-related organisational protocols”, “disease”, “start time”, “end time”, “duration”, “appendicectomy outcomes”, “hospital infrastructure”, “hospital staff”, “patient”, and “patient demographics”. Additionally, the ontology includes 77 object and data properties to define relationships and attributes. The ontology offers a semantic, computable framework for encoding appendicectomy-specific clinical procedures and their associated resources. Conclusion: By systematically representing this knowledge, this study establishes a foundation for enhancing clinical decision making, improving data integration, and ultimately advancing patient care. Future research can leverage this ontology to optimise healthcare workflows and outcomes in appendicectomy management.
Documentation of Vertical Connectors Between Successive Drums in Ancient Columns-Literature and In-Situ Investigation
Authors: Palieraki Vasiliki , Tavouktsi Eleni , Karakike Eleni , Arvanitis Constantinos
Published: December 2024

The current paper is dedicated to the documentation of the characteristics of vertical connectors (gomfoi) in ancient columns and to the observed pathology. The gathering of the relative information aims to provide the data necessary for decisions related to an experimental program, investigating the behaviour of columns provided with connectors between successive drums. The investigation has been carried out in monuments where the use of connectors is already known, as well as in monuments for which there is insufficient information. Monuments for which it is assumed that there are no connectors have also been studied to confirm the hypothesis. Literature review, in situ observation, and the application of non-destructive investigation methods (geo-radar) have led to the documentation of the use and location of connectors in the monuments under study.
Development of Genomic SSR Markers for Assessing Genetic Diversity in Korean Native Fallopia multiflora
Authors: Sebastin Raveendar , Kim Ki Hyun , Shin Hye Ran , Jeong Jin-Tae , Yu Ju-Kyung , So Yoon-Sup , Chung Jong-Wook
Published: December 2024

Fallopia multiflora, a perennial herb in the Polygonaceae family belonging to the genus Fallopia Adanson, is traditionally used as a Chinese herbal medicine. However, there is still confusion about the botanical origin of the species and the phylogenetic relationship between the cultivars and the wild relatives. To develop an efficient identification method, a molecular analysis was performed using SSR markers. The genetic diversity of the F. multiflora genetic resources has been assessed by using 10 locally collected accessions, including varieties and landraces. We screened 100 pairs of SSR primers and selected 71 successfully amplified SSR markers, in which one SSR was found to be a monomorphic marker. The results indicated that the number of alleles (NA) ranged from 2 to 10, with an average of 4.1 alleles. The major allele frequency (MAF) spanned from 0.20 to 0.90, the observed heterozygosity (HO) ranged from 0 to 0.80, and the polymorphic information content (PIC) varied between 0.16 and 0.86. Clustering analysis using an unweighted pair group mean algorithm (UPGMA) with all 70 SSR markers revealed three clusters among the F. multiflora accessions. Furthermore, seven minimum marker set combinations were identified and proved useful for variety identification. Therefore, these SSR markers could be valuable for various applications, including cultivar identification and assessing the purity of F. multiflora populations. Three genetic groups of F. multiflora should be considered as independent units for conservation and germplasm management of the species.
Flowering Characteristics and Expression Patterns of Key Genes in Response to Photoperiod in Different Chrysanthemum Varieties
Authors: Zhang Qiuling , Li Xueru , Cai Shuyu , Li Junzhuo , Wang Jiaying , Li Yanfei , Dai Silan
Published: December 2024

Chrysanthemum × morifolium Ramat. is a globally renowned ornamental flower. It includes numerous varieties, most of which are typical short-day (SD) plants, and the flowering characteristics of different chrysanthemum varieties in response to the photoperiod vary greatly. In this study, seven representative chrysanthemum varieties were selected for a comparative analysis of flowering traits under long-day conditions (16 h/8 h day/night) and short-day conditions (12 h/12 h day/night). It was found that three varieties (‘A44’, ‘C60’, and ‘183’) belonged to obligatory short-day varieties and four varieties (‘A20’, ‘C1’, ‘C27’, and ‘C31’) belonged to facultative short-day varieties. The short-day conditions not only induced earlier flowering but also improved flowering quality in the facultative SD varieties. Different chrysanthemum varieties required different light conditions to complete the vegetative stage and reach the floral competent state. Seven chrysanthemum varieties, ‘A44’, ‘C60’, ‘183’, ‘A20’, ‘C1’, ‘C27’, and ‘C31’, reached a floral competent state in the L20, L20, L22, L22, L18, L20, and L24 periods, respectively, and were most sensitive to SD induction at this time. The expression patterns of key floral genes in the photoperiod pathway were analyzed and it was found that CmCRY1, CmCRY2, CmGI1, CmGI2, and CmCO were mainly expressed in leaves. Then, comparing the expression levels of these genes under LD and SD conditions, the expression of CmGI1, CmGI2, CmCO, and CmFTL were not significantly induced in the obligatory SD varieties, while the expression of them in the facultative SD varieties were induced by SD conditions. This may be the reason why the facultative varieties could respond to SD conditions more quickly to complete the floral transition. In addition, SD induction under different photoperiodic conditions and growth states resulted in differences in the phenotype of flowering. This result provides guidance for the artificial regulation of chrysanthemum flowering and improvement of ornamental quality, as well as clues for analyzing the flowering mechanism of chrysanthemums under different photoperiod conditions.
Digital-Tier Strategy Improves Newborn Screening for Glutaric Aciduria Type 1
Authors: Zaunseder Elaine , Teinert Julian , Boy Nikolas , Garbade Sven F. , Haupt Saskia , Feyh Patrik , Hoffmann Georg F. , Kölker Stefan , Mütze Ulrike , Heuveline Vincent
Published: December 2024

Glutaric aciduria type 1 (GA1) is a rare inherited metabolic disease increasingly included in newborn screening (NBS) programs worldwide. Because of the broad biochemical spectrum of individuals with GA1 and the lack of reliable second-tier strategies, NBS for GA1 is still confronted with a high rate of false positives. In this study, we aim to increase the specificity of NBS for GA1 and, hence, to reduce the rate of false positives through machine learning methods. Therefore, we studied NBS profiles from 1,025,953 newborns screened between 2014 and 2023 at the Heidelberg NBS Laboratory, Germany. We identified a significant sex difference, resulting in twice as many false-positives male than female newborns. Moreover, the proposed digital-tier strategy based on logistic regression analysis, ridge regression, and support vector machine reduced the false-positive rate by over 90% compared to regular NBS while identifying all confirmed individuals with GA1 correctly. An in-depth analysis of the profiles revealed that in particular false-positive results with high associated follow-up costs could be reduced significantly. In conclusion, understanding the origin of false-positive NBS and implementing a digital-tier strategy to enhance the specificity of GA1 testing may significantly reduce the burden on newborns and their families from false-positive NBS results.
Prevalence and Risk Factors for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in 7704 Individuals: An Analysis from the Greek Registry for the Prevalence of Familial Hypercholesterolemia (GRegistry-FH)
Authors: Kolovou Genovefa , Makrygiannis Stamatis , Marvaki Christina , Pavlatou Niki , Anagnostopoulou Katerina , Giannakopoulou Vasiliki , Goumas Georgios , Kalogeropoulos Petros , Kolovou Vana , Limberi Sotiria , Perrea Despina , Tzenalis Anastasios , Emre Zeimpek , Jahaj Edison , Kasiara Zoi , Giannakoulis Ilias , Tsolakoglou Ioannis , Kadda Olga , Tsaloukidis Nikolaos , Koulaxidou Rafailia , Marvaki Aikaterini , Foussas Stefanos , Melidonis Andreas , Hoursalas Giannis , Vlachopoulos Charalambos , Katsiki Niki , Milionis Haralampos , Liberopoulos Evaggelos , Bilianou Helen
Published: December 2024

The intention of this study was to profile the cohort from the Greek Registry for the prevalence of Familial Hypercholesterolemia (GRegistry-FH) by estimating the prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD), myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, dyslipidemia, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), pre-DM, smoking, abnormal thyroid function (ATF), and lipid values. The GRegistry-FH is a prospective study involving door-to-door interviews conducted by trained interviewers. Overall, 7704 individuals aged ≥18 years, randomly selected from all the regions of Greece, participated. The prevalence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) was 13.9% (CAD 6%, MI 3.2%, stroke 4.7%). Treated hypercholesterolemia was present in 20.1%, arterial hypertension in 24%, and DM in 11.3% individuals (25.5% had pre-DM). The prevalence of smoking was 37.9% (29% current) and the prevalence of ATF was 13.1% (hypothyroidism 11.3%). A family history of ASCVD was reported by 60.5% (CAD 32.2%, stroke 28.3%). The mean (SD) lipid values in mg/dL were as follows: total cholesterol of 201.8 (41.5), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol of 126.3 (30.1), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol of 51.9 (12.5), and triglycerides of 135.9 (64.7). The GRegistry-FH highlights the significant prevalence of ASCVD and its risk factors among Greek adults, indicating a pressing need for early detection and management strategies to mitigate ASCVD burden. This nationwide registry serves as a crucial tool for guiding public health policies and personalized preventive measures (NCT03140605).
Exploring the Hearing Improvement and Parental Stress in Children with Hearing Loss Using Hearing Aids or Cochlear Implants
Authors: Portelli Daniele , Lombardo Clara , Loteta Sabrina , Galletti Cosimo , Azielli Carmela , Ciodaro Francesco , Mento Carmela , Aguennouz M’Hammed , Rosa Gabriella Di , Alibrandi Angela , Alberti Giuseppe
Published: December 2024

Objectives: This study aims to describe the stress levels experienced by parents of children with hearing loss who use conventional hearing aids or cochlear implants, and to assess the correlation between parental stress and the auditory skills acquired by the children. Methods: The study was conducted at the Policlinic “Gaetano Martino” in Messina, evaluating data from 42 pairs of parents of children using hearing aids or cochlear implants. Parents completed the LittlEARS Auditory Questionnaire (LEAQ) and the Parental Stress Scale (PSS) 18 months after the initial device (hearing aid or cochlear implant) had been activated. Additionally, information was collected regarding the presence of peripartum issues (including preterm birth) or associated conditions, congenital hearing loss, the total number of children in the family, and the number of children with hearing loss in the family. Results: Significant differences were found in the months to effective stimulation (p = 0.026), the age of the children at the time of the survey (p = 0.024) and the PSS score (p = 0.029). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression revealed significant correlations between LEAQ scores and both the months to effective stimulation and the age of the children at the time of the survey; univariate and multivariate linear regression revealed significant correlations between PSS scores and the type of device, months to effective stimulation, age of the children at the time of the survey, peripartum issues, and the number of children. A Spearman correlation showed a positive relationship between LEAQ and age of the children at the time of the survey, and a negative correlation between the PSS scores and the age of the children at the time of the survey. Conclusions: Parents of children with cochlear implants reported higher stress levels than those with children using hearing aids, although auditory performance was comparable between groups. Improved auditory performance was associated with reduced parental stress. The PSS and LEAQ are effective tools used in clinical practice for assessing parental stress and tracking auditory recovery, respectively.
Use of Deproteinized Bovine Bone in Association with Calcium Sulphate for Alveolar Socket Preservation
Authors: Signoriello Annarita , Zangani Alessandro , Faccioni Paolo , Messina Elena , Pardo Alessia , Corrocher Giovanni , Albanese Massimo , Lombardo Giorgio
Published: December 2024

Background: The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the histomorphometry of post-extractive sites previously grafted with deproteinized bovine bone, with or without the association of a calcium sulphate preparation. Methods: The retrospective evaluation comprehended patients previously selected and treated for the extraction of one or more mono-radicular teeth, followed by an implant-prosthetic rehabilitation. Post-extractive sites had been randomly assigned to test or control group, respectively, if deproteinized bovine bone was used in association with a calcium sulphate preparation or alone. In both cases, a collagen membrane was employed to cover the grafted area. After four months, a biopsy of regenerated bone was taken from all grafted sites and then processed for histomorphometric analysis. Results: Of 24 samples analyzed 4 months after extraction, vital bone was present in 62.5% of cases for the test group and in 31.25% for the control group. Acellular bone was respectively found in 5% of cases for the test group and in 32.91% for the control group. Both these differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05) between groups. Conclusions: Calcium sulphate in association with deproteinized bovine bone seems to promote proper vital bone formation, with less acellular bone compared to deproteinized bovine bone used alone. Socket preservation procedures with the use of specific osteoconductive materials improve the maintenance of width and height of remaining bone. Findings of the present study offer clinicians a predictable protocol for preserving vital bone in early healing of post-extraction sites, slowing down the resorption process at the same time.
Efficacy and Safety of a Mixture of Microencapsulated Sodium Butyrate, Probiotics, and Short Chain Fructooligosaccharides in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome—A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
Authors: Gąsiorowska Anita , Romanowski Marek , Walecka-Kapica Ewa , Kaczka Aleksandra , Chojnacki Cezary , Padysz Milena , Siedlecka Marta , Banasik Julia , Sobolewska-Włodarczyk Aleksandra , Wiśniewska-Jarosińska Maria , Bierła Joanna B. , Otaru Nize , Cukrowska Bożena , Steinert Robert E.
Published: December 2024

Objective: Biotics are increasingly being used in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of a mixture of microencapsulated sodium butyrate, probiotics (Lactocaseibacillus rhamnosus DSM 26357, Lactobacillus acidophilus DSM 32418, Bifidobacterium longum DSM 32946, Bifidobacterium bifidum DSM 32403, and Bifidobacterium lactis DSM 32269), and short-chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOSs) in IBS patients. Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 120 adult participants with IBS. The primary outcome of the 12-week intervention was the improvement in IBS symptoms and quality of life (QOL), assessed with the use of IBS-Adequate Relief (IBS-AR), IBS-Global Improvement Scale (IBS-GIS), IBS-Symptom Severity Score (IBS-SSS), and IBS-QOL. Secondary outcomes were the number and type of stools (assessed via the Bristol Stool Form scale), patient-recorded symptoms, anthropometric parameters, and levels of selected inflammatory cytokines. Results: As early as at 4 weeks, there was a higher percentage of patients in the biotic group reporting adequate relief of symptoms (based on IBS-AR) than in the placebo group (64.7% vs. 42.0%, respectively, p = 0.023). At 12 weeks, fewer patients in the biotic group reported a ‘worsening of symptoms’ (based on IBS-GIS) than in the placebo group (5.9% vs. 16.0% respectively, p = 0.015). There were no significant differences between groups in IBS-QOL or IBS-SSS or any of the secondary outcome measures except the patient-recorded ‘urgency to defecate’ (p = 0.015) at week 12, which was significantly lower in the biotic group. The intervention was safe and well tolerated. Conclusions: A biotic mixture consisting of microencapsulated butyrate, probiotics, and small amounts of scFOSs is safe and effective in improving gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with IBS.
A Case of Application of Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing Technology and Extended Reality Surgical Assistance to Marginal Mandibulectomy
Authors: Nakada Takahiro , Koyachi Masahide , Sugahara Keisuke , Nishiyama Akihiro , Kawakami Mana , Nakajima Shintaro , Tachizawa Kotaro , Odaka Kento , Matsunaga Satoru , Sugimoto Maki , Katakura Akira
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: Mandibular gingival squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common oral cancer after tongue cancer. As these carcinomas often invade the mandible early, accurately defining the resection extent is important. This report highlights the use of preoperative virtual surgery data, computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology, surgical guidance, and extended reality (XR) support in achieving highly accurate marginal mandibulectomy without recurrence or metastasis. Methods: CT imaging data obtained a month before surgery were imported into Materialize Mimics and Materialize Magics (Materialize, Leuven, Belgium, Ver22.0) CAD/CAM software and used to design an osteotomy guide. An STL file was generated, and the guide was fabricated using a 3D printer (Objet 260 Connex; Stratasys Ltd., Eden Prairie, MN, USA) prior to the operation. An XR application, installed on a HoloLens (Microsoft, WA, USA) head-mounted display, projected a hologram onto the surgical field. Results: The rapid intraoperative diagnostic tests were negative, and histopathology confirmed SCC without vascular or perineural invasion. No complications, including occlusal or feeding problems and sensory abnormalities, were observed. Postoperative imaging 3 years later showed no recurrence. Conclusions: Combining CAD/CAM and XR techniques for mandibulectomy may improve surgical accuracy and safety in oral and maxillofacial surgeries, whereas in-house 3D printing aids in managing tumor progression.
Hypertensive Response to Exercise in Normotensive Men and Women with Abdominal Obesity: Association with Subclinical Adverse Cardiac Remodeling
Authors: Paquin Amélie , Mathieu Marie-Anne , Prémont Chloé , Gigleux Iris , Neyron Anne-Sophie , Lê-Brassard Maggie , Martin Mickaël , Auclair Audrey , Pettigrew Myriam , Ross Robert , Couture Patrick , Després Jean-Pierre , Poirier Paul , Lamarche Benoît , Piché Marie-Eve
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: Hypertensive response to exercise (HRE) is an established risk factor for cardiovascular events. HRE is prevalent among people with excess adiposity. Both obesity and HRE have been individually associated with adverse cardiac remodeling. We hypothesized that HRE would be associated with adverse measures of cardiac structure and function in a subgroup of individuals with abdominal obesity. Methods: In a subgroup of 158 participants with elevated waist circumference (women: ≥80 cm, men: ≥94 cm) and resting blood pressure (BP) < 140/90 mm Hg, we evaluated maximal exercise BP and peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) during cardiorespiratory exercise testing. HRE was defined as maximal exercise BP ≥ 90th percentile per sex and age. Cardiac structure and function on echocardiography were compared between HRE and no HRE (NHRE) groups for each sex. Multivariate linear regression was used to evaluate associations between maximal systolic BP (SBP) and echocardiographic variables, adjusting for age, body mass index, resting SBP, and VO2peak. Results: Participants (75% women) were aged 53 ± 11 years old. Women with HRE had higher resting SBP and subclinical cardiac remodeling abnormalities (increased left ventricular [LV] wall thickness, relative wall thickness, and mass) than NHRE women (p < 0.05). Men with HRE had higher relative wall thickness than NHRE men (p = 0.042). There was no difference in cardiac function between HRE groups (p > 0.05). After adjustment, maximal SBP remained associated with adverse cardiac remodeling parameters for each sex (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Among individuals with abdominal obesity and resting BP < 140/90 mm Hg, HRE was associated with adverse cardiac remodeling. HRE represents a potential screening tool and preventive target to detect those at higher risk of preclinical cardiac changes.