bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Projekt Säker Patientvård Under Transport (SPURT)
Authors: Prytz Erik , Lidestam Björn
Published: December 2023

Ambulanspersonal, och annan prehospital vårdpersonal, arbetar i en krävande och farlig miljö, och löper risk för både traumatiska skador (t.ex. trafikolyckor) och långsiktiga hälsoeffekter. Organisationsförändringar i den svenska sjukvården har lett till centralisering av resurser till färre och mer specialiserade, men därför också mer avlägsna, sjukhus. Det innebär ökade transportavstånd och att fler medicinska ingrepp måste utföras under transporten. Sjukvårdssystemet är särskilt beroende av vård under transport i större kriser och katastrofer. I dessa överstiger vårdbehovet per definition de tillgängliga medicinska resurserna. En del av hanteringen av sådana kriser går ut på att fördela patienter mellan sjukhus och andra vårdinrättningar på ett sådant sätt att inget enskilt sjukhus får ett ohanterligt inflöde av patienter. I sådana situationer kan det förekomma att även svårt skadade patienter får en längre transportsträcka än vad som är önskvärt, eftersom de måste fördelas till sjukhus som är mer avlägsna skadehändelsen.
Projektet SPURT kommer etablera en forskningsplattform som kan användas för att nå en fördjupad kunskap om arbetsmiljö, säkerhet och arbetskvalitet för ambulanspersonal och annan personal som utför vård under transport. Den centrala komponenten i plattformen kommer att vara en internationellt unik ambulanssimulator med rörelseplattform som inkluderar både den främre förarmiljön och den bakre vårdmiljön i en ambulans. Rörelseplattformen som kommer användas är Sim III. Sim III har ett linjärt rörelsesystem som medger rörelse i fyra frihetsgrader, och erbjuder både linjär- och lutningsrörelse. Genom att koppla samman slädens förflyttning med fordonets sidoposition, skapar simulatorns rörelsealgoritm realistiska sidorörelser. Utöver de yttre rörelsesystemen har Sim III även ett separat skakbord som rör kabinen relativt projektionsytan. Plattformen kan även vridas 90 grader så att linjärrörelsen kan utnyttjas för acceleration och inbromsning i stället för krafter i sidled. Målet med forskningsplattformen är att kunna bedriva forskning för att öka säkerheten för ambulanspersonal, särskilt med avseende på risker i trafik, etablera riktlinjer gällande vilka vårdmoment som kan utföras under färd med bibehållen säkerhet för både utförare och patient, minska den fysiska och mentala arbetsbelastningen för ambulanspersonal, samt förbättra säkerhetskultur och möjligheter till träning.
Mulching as a weed management tool in container plant production - review
Authors: Khamare Yuvraj , Marble S. Christopher
Published: December 2023

Weed management in container plant production is a serious problem and remains one of the most expensive and time-consuming aspects of the industry. Weeds cause severe reductions in crop growth due to the limited growing environment characteristic of container plant production. The container nursery industry relies heavily on a limited number of preemergence herbicide options. The use of herbicides as the primary means to manage weeds has resulted in some negative consequences such as high chemical costs, leaching, runoff, and concerns with recycling irrigation water. Additionally, nursery growers are shifting their focus toward different nonchemical weed management strategies because many ornamental plants are very sensitive to preemergence herbicides. One such method is using organic mulch to control weeds in container plant production. Mulching is the foundation of a nonchemical weed management protocol and acts as the first line of defense against weeds. Organic mulches used in container plant production include rice hulls, pine bark, wood chips, wood shavings, coconut coir, nut (peanut, pecan) shells, oyster shells, cacao bean hulls, pelletized newspaper, recycled newspaper, pine straw, and other materials; material selection often depends on the availability of the product. The objective of this manuscript is to provide a comprehensive review of existing research on the utilization of various mulch materials as a weed management tool in container plant production. Additionally, it aims to highlight any critical knowledge gaps and provide suggestions for possible future research.
Real block-circulant matrices and DCT-DST algorithm for transformer neural network
Authors: Asriani Euis , Muchtadi-Alamsyah Intan , Purwarianti Ayu
Published: December 2023

In the encoding and decoding process of transformer neural networks, a weight matrix-vector multiplication occurs in each multihead attention and feed forward sublayer. Assigning the appropriate weight matrix and algorithm can improve transformer performance, especially for machine translation tasks. In this study, we investigate the use of the real block-circulant matrices and an alternative to the commonly used fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm, namely, the discrete cosine transform–discrete sine transform (DCT-DST) algorithm, to be implemented in a transformer. We explore three transformer models that combine the use of real block-circulant matrices with different algorithms. We start from generating two orthogonal matrices, U and Q. The matrix U is spanned by the combination of the reals and imaginary parts of eigenvectors of the real block-circulant matrix, whereas Q is defined such that the matrix multiplication QU can be represented in the shape of a DCT-DST matrix. The final step is defining the Schur form of the real block-circulant matrix. We find that the matrix-vector multiplication using the DCT-DST algorithm can be defined by assigning the Kronecker product between the DCT-DST matrix and an orthogonal matrix in the same order as the dimension of the circulant matrix that spanned the real block circulant. According to the experiment's findings, the dense-real block circulant DCT-DST model with largest matrix dimension was able to reduce the number of model parameters up to 41%. The same model of 128 matrix dimension gained 26.47 of BLEU score, higher compared to the other two models on the same matrix dimensions.
Therapeutic proteins have the potential to become new weapons in the fight against antibiotic resistance
Authors: Halawa Mohamed , Akantibila Maxwell , Reid Briana E. , Carabetta Valerie J.
Published: December 2023

Humans are continually challenged to find new strategies to fight bacterial diseases due to the global health threat of antibiotic resistance. Conventional antibiotics, once hailed as miracle treatments, are progressively losing their effectiveness as drug-resistant bacteria continue to emerge, including multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains. An attractive approach to solving the antibiotic resistance problem is the investigation of other methods, such as therapeutic proteins. Here, we begin with a discussion of antimicrobial resistance and common strategies that bacteria employ to become resistant. Next, we discuss the potential use of antimicrobial peptides and monoclonal antibodies, two types of therapeutic proteins, as possible antimicrobial therapeutics. We discuss their structure, mechanism of action, and highlight examples of possible candidate molecules for clinical use. Finally, we discuss the remaining challenges and explore potential solutions for the implementation of therapeutic proteins into practical clinical use.
Are we ready to face the next wave of RSV surge after the COVID-19 Omicron pandemic in China?
Authors: Jiang Wujun , Chen Sainan , Lv Meng , Zhang Zhen , Wang Zhihui , Shao Xuejun , Hua Shenghao , Hao Chuangli , Wang Yuqing
Published: December 2023

Background

China had its first wave of COVID-19 in 2020 and second wave of COVID-19 Omicron in 2022. The number of RSV cases decreased sharply in 2020 and 2022. Investigation of the resurge of RSV infections after the first wave of COVID-19 will guide us to take preventive actions before the resurge of RSV infections after the second wave of COVID-19 Omicron.

Methods

We analysed epidemiological and clinical data of 59934 patients with lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) from a prospective long-term cohort surveillance programme in Suzhou, China, collected from February 2016 to January 2022. The annual incidence of RSV infection in children aged<16 years in 2020 and 2021 was compared with the pre-pandemic years 2016 to 2019. We also compared the clinical characteristics, and RSV-related ICU admissions between pre-pandemic years and 2021.

Results

Among children with LRTI, the positive rate of RSV increased by 70.7% in 2021 compared to the average level in the pre-pandemic years. The RSV resurge in 2021 was most prominently in children aged 2-4 years (a significant rise compared with the expected value 149.1%; 95%CI, 67.7% to 378%, P<.01). The percentage of RSV-related ICU admissions decreased in 2021 (3.2% vs 6.7%, P<0.01). The death rate of RSV infections in 2021 was 0.2%, while that in pre-pandemic years was only 0.02%. RSV-associated death in immunocompetent children (complicated by necrotizing encephalitis) was firstly occurred in 2021.

Conclusions

Our findings raise concerns for RSV control in Southeast China after the COVID-19 pandemic especially for children aged 2-4 years. Although ICU admissions were significantly reduced in this resurgence, we could not ignore the increase of RSV-associated death.
Excessive daytime sleepiness is associated with impaired antibody response to influenza vaccination in older male adults
Authors: Quach Huy Quang , Warner Nathaniel D. , Ovsyannikova Inna G. , Covassin Naima , Poland Gregory A. , Somers Virend K. , Kennedy Richard B.
Published: December 2023

Background

The reduced effectiveness of standard-dose influenza vaccines in persons ≥65 years of age led to the preferential recommendation to use high-dose (HDFlu) or MF59-adjuvanted (MF59Flu) vaccines for this age group. Sleep is an important modulator of immune responses to vaccines and poor sleep health is common in older adults. However, potential effects of poor sleep health on immune responses to influenza vaccination in older adults remain largely unknown.

Methods

We conducted a cohort study of 210 healthy participants age ≥65 years, who received either seasonal high-dose (HDFlu) or MF59-adjuvanted (MF59Flu) influenza vaccine. We assessed sleep characteristics in this cohort by standardized questionnaires and measured the antibody titer against influenza A/H3N2 virus in serum of study participants by hemagglutination inhibition assay on the day of immunization and 28 days thereafter. We then assessed the association between sleep characteristics and antibody titers.

Results

Our results demonstrated that male, but not female, study participants with excessive daytime sleepiness had an impaired influenza A/H3N2-specific antibody response at Day 28 post-vaccination. No other associations were found between antibody titer and other sleep characteristics, including sleep quality and obstructive sleep apnea.

Conclusion

Our results provide an additional and easily measured variable explaining poor vaccine effectiveness in older adults. Our results support that gaining sufficient sleep is a simple non-vaccine interventional approach to improve influenza immune responses in older adults. Our findings extend the literature on the negative influence of excessive daytime sleepiness on immune responses to influenza vaccination in older male adults.
Gut microbiota composition is associated with disease severity and host immune responses in COVID-19
Authors: Fan Ruyue , Liu Shuai , Sun Na , Yang Ying , Deng Xia , Hu Bin , Sun Changhua , Wen Chengli , Li Hui , Cheng Dong , Huang Chuanjun , Hou Peibin , Zhang Tianliang
Published: December 2023

Background

Human gut microbiota play a crucial role in the immune response of the host to respiratory viral infection. However, evidence regarding the association between the gut microbiome, host immune responses, and disease severity in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains insufficient.

Methods

To better comprehend the interactions between the host and gut microbiota in COVID-19, we conducted 16S rRNA sequencing and characterized the gut microbiome compositions in stool samples from 40 COVID-19 patients and 33 non-pneumonia controls. We assessed several hematological parameters to determine the immune status.

Results

We found that the gut microbial composition was significantly changed in COVID-19 patients, which was characterized by increased opportunistic pathogens and decreased commensal bacteria. The frequency of prevalent opportunistic pathogens Enterococcus and Lactobacillus increased, especially in severe patients; yet the abundance of butyrate-producing bacteria, Faecalibacterium, Roseburia, and Anaerostipes, decreased significantly, and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii might help discriminate severe patients from moderate patients and non-pneumonia people. Furthermore, we then obtained a correlation map between the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 and severity-related gut microbiota. We observed a notable correlation between the abundance of Enterococcus faecium and abnormal neutrophil or lymphocyte percentage in all COVID-19 patients. Faecalibacterium was positively correlated with lymphocyte counts, while negatively correlated with neutrophil percentage.

Conclusion

These results suggested that the gut microbiome could have a potential function in regulating host immune responses and impacting the severity or consequences of diseases.
Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals common and unique gene expression profiles in primary CD4+ T cells latently infected with HIV under different conditions
Authors: Zhang Xinlian , Qazi Andrew A. , Deshmukh Savitha , Lobato Ventura Roni , Mukim Amey , Beliakova-Bethell Nadejda
Published: December 2023

Background

The latent HIV reservoir represents the major barrier to a cure. One curative strategy is targeting diseased cells for elimination based on biomarkers that uniquely define these cells. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has enabled the identification of gene expression profiles associated with disease at the single-cell level. Because HIV provirus in many cells during latency is not entirely silent, it became possible to determine gene expression patterns in a subset of cells latently infected with HIV.

Objective

The primary objective of this study was the identification of the gene expression profiles of single latently infected CD4+ T cells using scRNA-seq. Different conditions of latency establishment were considered. The identified profiles were then explored to prioritize the identified genes for future experimental validation.

Methods

To facilitate gene prioritization, three approaches were used. First, we characterized and compared the gene expression profiles of HIV latency established in different environments: in cells that encountered an activation stimulus and then returned to quiescence, and in resting cells that were infected directly via cell-to-cell viral transmission from autologous activated, productively infected cells. Second, we characterized and compared the gene expression profiles of HIV latency established with viruses of different tropisms, using an isogenic pair of CXCR4- and CCR5-tropic viruses. Lastly, we used proviral expression patterns in cells from people with HIV to more accurately define the latently infected cells in vitro.

Results

Our analyses demonstrated that a subset of genes is expressed differentially between latently infected and uninfected cells consistently under most conditions tested, including cells from people with HIV. Our second important observation was the presence of latency signatures, associated with variable conditions when latency was established, including cellular exposure and responsiveness to a T cell receptor stimulus and the tropism of the infecting virus.

Conclusion

Common signatures, specifically genes that encode proteins localized to the cell surface, should be prioritized for further testing at the protein level as biomarkers for the ability to enrich or target latently infected cells. Cell- and tropism-dependent biomarkers may need to be considered in developing targeting strategies to ensure that all the different reservoir subsets are eliminated.
Gut microbiome: decision-makers in the microenvironment of colorectal cancer
Authors: Han Jingrun , Zhang Biao , Zhang Yongnian , Yin Tianyi , Cui Yuying , Liu Jinming , Yang Yanfei , Song Huiyi , Shang Dong
Published: December 2023

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignancy of the gastrointestinal tract, accounting for the second most common cause of gastrointestinal tumors. As one of the intestinal barriers, gut bacteria form biofilm, participate in intestinal work, and form the living environment of intestinal cells. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) of the gut bacteria in a large number of CRC patients has been established, enabling specific microbial signatures to be associated with colorectal adenomato-carcinoma. Gut bacteria are involved in both benign precursor lesions (polyps), in situ growth and metastasis of CRC. Therefore, the term tumorigenic bacteria was proposed in 2018, such as Escherichia coli, Fusobacterium nucleatum, enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis, etc. Meanwhile, bacteria toxins (such as cytolethal distending toxin (CDT), Colibactin (Clb), B. fragilis toxin) affect the tumor microenvironment and promote cancer occurrence and tumor immune escape. It is important to note that there are differences in the bacteria of different types of CRC. In this paper, the role of tumorigenic bacteria in the polyp-cancer transformation and the effects of their secreted toxins on the tumor microenvironment will be discussed, thereby further exploring new ideas for the prevention and treatment of CRC.
Modern management of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm
Authors: Scali Salvatore T. , Stone David H.
Published: December 2023

Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAA) remain one of the most clinically challenging and technically complex emergencies in contemporary vascular surgery practice. Over the past 30 years, a variety of changes surrounding the treatment of rAAA have evolved including improvements in diagnosis, development of coordinated referral networks to transfer patients more efficiently to higher volume centers, deliberate de-escalation of pre-hospital resuscitation, modification of patient and procedure selection, implementation of clinical pathways, as well as enhanced awareness of certain high-impact postoperative complications. Despite these advances, current postoperative outcomes remain sobering since morbidity and mortality rates ranging from 25%-50% persist among modern published series. Some of the most impactful variation in rAAA management has been fostered by the rapid proliferation of endovascular repair (EVAR) along with service alignment at selected centers to improve timely revascularization. Indeed, clinical care pathways and emergency response networks are now increasingly utilized which has led to improved outcomes contemporaneously. Moreover, evolution in pre- and post-operative physiologic resuscitation has also contributed to observed improvements in rAAA outcomes. Due to different developments in care provision over time, the purpose of this review is to describe the modern management of rAAA, while providing historical perspectives on patient, procedure and systems-based practice elements that have evolved care delivery paradigms in this complex group of patients.
New medical schools in Sub-Saharan Africa –a cross-sectional survey of educational structures, operations, and policies
Authors: Shah Krish , Rose Elizabeth S. , Rees Andrew , Falayi Seun , Eichbaum Quentin
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Africa does not have enough doctors despite having the highest continental burden of disease. Encouragingly, many new medical schools are opening and have begun to graduate doctors. However, the educational structures, operations, and policies of these schools remain poorly understood. This study aimed to better understand these dimensions of new medical schools on the continent.

Methodology

We developed and implemented an online survey covering topics that included admissions policies, curricular design, assessment, accreditation, faculty development, research capacity, postgraduate training, and COVID-19-specific challenges. The survey was sent to 130 schools of which 52 represented individually identifiable email addresses (the remainder being schools’ websites or generic addresses).

Results

Responses represented 10 countries (response rate ~ 56%). Curricula were mostly lecture-based (n = 18, 75%). Electronic platforms and information technologies were used by over 75% (n = 18) of schools. More than half have not implemented postgraduate training programs (n = 13, 57%). Most schools had a formal accreditation process (n = 16, 70%), but the source of accreditation varied. The biggest challenge facing schools was financial (n = 20, 87%) followed by faculty/staff recruitment, training, and retention (each n = 15, 65%).

Conclusion

New medical schools in Sub-Saharan Africa are a gateway to the next generation of medical doctors in a region where medical professionals are desperately needed. This survey of new schools is an important step in better understanding their status and needs, especially with the onset of the pandemic.
The influence of career decision-making self-efficacy on employability of higher vocational students: mediated by emotional intelligence
Authors: Zhou Daleng , Peng Zeyi , Zhou Hongling
Published: December 2023

This study explored the relationship between career decision-making self-efficacy, employability, and emotional intelligence among senior vocational students in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau Bay Area. A questionnaire was surveyed to 1,078 senior vocational students, the results showed that: career decision-making self-efficacy of senior vocational students had a significant positive effect on employability; emotional intelligence of senior vocational students had a significant positive effect on employability; career decision-making self-efficacy of senior vocational students had a significant positive effect on emotional intelligence; Emotional intelligence of senior vocational students mediates the relationship between career decision-making self-efficacy and employability.
Science education in the Anthropocene: the aesthetics of climate change education in an epoch of uncertainty
Authors: Ferguson Joseph Paul , White Peta J.
Published: December 2023

We have a responsibility as science educators to work with young people to enact education that enables collective rebalancing of relationships between humans and more-than-humans that are disturbed by human-induced climate change. However, to date, climate change education has not been prioritized in school science at a policy, curricula, classroom and community level, due to an aesthetic which does not sufficiently value climate science or recognize the social impacts of science as part of the discipline. We argue in this conceptual research paper from a pragmatist perspective that an aesthetic shift is required to include science as part of climate change education as a transdisciplinary endeavor that focuses on addressing socio-ecological challenges through student agency and community action. We explore the synergy between science education aesthetics and climate change aesthetics as we advocate for a transformative aesthetics of climate change education. We do so through a process of reflection on and conceptualization of our stories of climate change education in Australia. We propose that such an aesthetic (how we ought to value) should not be considered in isolation but rather that it forms the basis for the ethics (how we ought to conduct ourselves) and logic (how we ought to think) of young people being with us in a community of inquiry in the Anthropocene. We argue that we (teachers and students) ought to conduct ourselves in loving ways toward human and more-than-human kin that necessitates that we think as a community of inquiry to address the challenges of the Anthropocene. In doing so we suggest that we can realize a radical pragmatist meliorism for climate change education that is underpinned by the three normative sciences, the most foundational of which is aesthetics.
Preclinical immune efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 beta B.1.351 variant by MVA-based vaccine candidates
Authors: Pérez Patricia , Albericio Guillermo , Astorgano David , Flores Sara , Sánchez-Corzo Cristina , Sánchez-Cordón Pedro J. , Luczkowiak Joanna , Delgado Rafael , Casasnovas José M. , Esteban Mariano , García-Arriaza Juan
Published: December 2023

The constant appearance of new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern (VoCs) has jeopardized the protective capacity of approved vaccines against coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). For this reason, the generation of new vaccine candidates adapted to the emerging VoCs is of special importance. Here, we developed an optimized COVID-19 vaccine candidate using the modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) vector to express a full-length prefusion-stabilized SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein, containing 3 proline (3P) substitutions in the S protein derived from the beta (B.1.351) variant, termed MVA-S(3Pbeta). Preclinical evaluation of MVA-S(3Pbeta) in head-to-head comparison to the previously generated MVA-S(3P) vaccine candidate, expressing a full-length prefusion-stabilized Wuhan S protein (with also 3P substitutions), demonstrated that two intramuscular doses of both vaccine candidates fully protected transgenic K18-hACE2 mice from a lethal challenge with SARS-CoV-2 beta variant, reducing mRNA and infectious viral loads in the lungs and in bronchoalveolar lavages, decreasing lung histopathological lesions and levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the lungs. Vaccination also elicited high titers of anti-S Th1-biased IgGs and neutralizing antibodies against ancestral SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan strain and VoCs alpha, beta, gamma, delta, and omicron. In addition, similar systemic and local SARS-CoV-2 S-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell immune responses were elicited by both vaccine candidates after a single intranasal immunization in C57BL/6 mice. These preclinical data support clinical evaluation of MVA-S(3Pbeta) and MVA-S(3P), to explore whether they can diversify and potentially increase recognition and protection of SARS-CoV-2 VoCs.
Restoration performance of Thalassia hemprichii and Enhalus acoroides at Gaolong bay and Xincun lagoon, Hainan Island, China
Authors: Shen Jie , Yin Lei , Zhang Jian , Jia Shuwen , Wang Yi , Wang Daoru , Cai Zefu , Chen Shiquan
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Seagrasses play a key role in biodiversity maintenance, sediment stabilization, and carbon reduction. Due to the significant decline of seagrass populations worldwide, many projects to restore seagrass by transplantation have been undertaken in recent decades. However, effective restoration technologies required to rapidly restore seagrass on Hainan Island are yet to be developed.

Methods

In this study, an experiment was carried out to investigate methods for alleviating continuous degradation of seagrass beds on Hainan Island. Seagrass were transplanted by “single-plant-fixed-distance transplantation” method, survival rate, shoot formation rate, coverage and shoot density of transplanting plants were monitored for 23 months.

Results

Over 67% of T. hemprichii and 90% of E. acoroides were still alive, shoot density were over 11 shoots/m2 and 15 shoots/m2 respectively after almost two years, E. acoroides was more likely to survive than T. hemprichii both in Gaolong Bay and Xincun lagoon. Because of the damage to below-ground tissues, the survival rate, shoot formation rate, coverage and shoot density decreased during the first one year after transplantation, then increased gradually.

Discussion

We considered transplantation established successfully of T. hemprichii and E. acoroides in the new site was about 12 months. In addition, T. hemprichii was suitable for transplanted in Xincun lagoon, and E. acoroides was suitable for transplanted in Gaolong bay. The results demonstrated that the growth of transplanted seagrass was greatly affected by suspend solids and DIN. The results of this study may provide data support and scientific basis for seagrass transplantation in South China.
Metabolic improvements of novel microbial fermentation on black tea by Eurotium cristatum
Authors: Wang Xiu-ping , Shan Rui-yang , Li Zhao-long , Kong Xiang-rui , Hou Ruo-ting , Wu Hui-ni , Chen Chang-song
Published: December 2023

Due to its traditional fermentation, there are obvious limits on the quality improvements in black tea. However, microbial fermentation can provide an abundance of metabolites and improve the flavor of tea. The “golden flower” fungi are widely used in the microbial fermentation of tea and has unique uses in healthcare. To further explore the improvements in black tea quality achieved via microbial fermentation, we used widely targeted metabolomics and metagenomics analyses to investigate the changes in and effects of metabolites and other microorganisms during the interaction between the “golden flower” fungi and black tea. Five key flavor metabolites were detected, the levels of catechin, epigallocatechin gallate, (−)-epicatechin gallate were decreased by different degrees after the inoculation of the “golden flower” fungus, whereas the levels of caffeine and (+)-gallocatechin increased. Botryosphaeriaceae, Botryosphaeriales, Dothideomycetes, Aspergillaceae, Trichocomaceae, and Lecanoromycetes play a positive role in the black tea fermentation process after inoculation with the “golden flower” fungi. D-Ribose can prevent hypoxia-induced apoptosis in cardiac cells, and it shows a strong correlation with Botryosphaeriaceae and Botryosphaeriales. The interaction between microorganisms and metabolites is manifested in tryptophan metabolism, starch and sucrose metabolism, and amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism. In conclusion, the changes in metabolites observed during the fermentation of black tea by “golden flower” fungi are beneficial to human health. This conclusion extends the knowledge of the interaction between the “golden flower” fungi and black tea, and it provides important information for improving the quality of black tea.
Ciliary phenotyping in renal epithelial cells in a cranioectodermal dysplasia patient with WDR35 variants
Authors: Walczak-Sztulpa Joanna , Wawrocka Anna , Kuszel Łukasz , Pietras Paulina , Leśniczak-Staszak Marta , Andrusiewicz Mirosław , Krawczyński Maciej R. , Latos-Bieleńska Anna , Pawlak Marta , Grenda Ryszard , Materna-Kiryluk Anna , Oud Machteld M. , Szaflarski Witold
Published: December 2023

Background: Cranioectodermal dysplasia (CED) is a skeletal autosomal recessive ciliopathy. The characteristic clinical features of CED are facial dysmorphisms, short limbs, narrow thorax, brachydactyly, ectodermal abnormalities, and renal insufficiency. Thus far, variants in six genes are known to be associated with this disorder: WDR35, IFT122, IFT140, IFT144, IFT52, and IFT43.

Objective: The goal of this study was to perform cilium phenotyping in human urine-derived renal epithelial cells (hURECs) from a CED patient diagnosed with second-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) and three unrelated and unaffected pediatric controls.

Methods: Genetic analysis by WDR35 screening was performed in the affected individual. Cilium frequency and morphology, including cilium length, height, and width, were evaluated by immunofluorescence (IF) experiments in hURECs using two markers visualizing the ciliary axoneme (Acet-Tub and ARL13B) and the base of the cilium (PCNT). The IF results were analyzed using a confocal microscope and IMARIS software.

Results:WDR35 analysis revealed the presence of a known nonsense p. (Leu641*) variant and a novel missense variant p. (Ala1027Thr). Moreover, comparative genomic hybridization analysis showed that the patient carries a microdeletion on chromosome 7q31.1. Ciliary phenotyping performed on hURECs showed morphological differences in the patient’s cilia as compared to the three controls. The cilia of the CED patient were significantly wider and longer.

Conclusion: The obtained results suggest that CED-related second-stage CKD might be associated with cilia abnormalities, as identified in renal epithelial cells from a CED patient harboring variants in WDR35. This study points out the added value of hURECs in functional testing for ciliopathies.
Neither too much nor too little: mitochondrial calcium concentration as a balance between physiological and pathological conditions
Authors: D’Angelo Donato , Vecellio Reane Denis , Raffaello Anna
Published: December 2023

Ca2+ ions serve as pleiotropic second messengers in the cell, regulating several cellular processes. Mitochondria play a fundamental role in Ca2+ homeostasis since mitochondrial Ca2+ (mitCa2+) is a key regulator of oxidative metabolism and cell death. MitCa2+ uptake is mediated by the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter complex (MCUc) localized in the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM). MitCa2+ uptake stimulates the activity of three key enzymes of the Krebs cycle, thereby modulating ATP production and promoting oxidative metabolism. As Paracelsus stated, “Dosis sola facit venenum,”in pathological conditions, mitCa2+ overload triggers the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), enabling the release of apoptotic factors and ultimately leading to cell death. Excessive mitCa2+ accumulation is also associated with a pathological increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this article, we review the precise regulation and the effectors of mitCa2+ in physiopathological processes.
Atrophy of hippocampal subfields relates to memory decline during the pathological progression of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Xiao Yaqiong , Hu Yubin , Huang Kaiyu ,   the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: December 2023

Background

It has been well documented that atrophy of hippocampus and hippocampal subfields is closely linked to cognitive decline in normal aging and patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, evidence is still sparce regarding the atrophy of hippocampus and hippocampal subfields in normal aging adults who later developed MCI or AD.

Objective

To examine whether atrophy of hippocampus and hippocampal subfields has occurred in normal aging before a diagnosis of MCI or AD.

Methods

We analyzed structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data of cognitively normal (CN, n = 144), MCI (n = 90), and AD (n = 145) participants obtained from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. The CN participants were categorized into early dementia converters (CN-C) and non-converters (CN-NC) based on their scores of clinical dementia rating after an average of 36.2 months (range: 6–105 months). We extracted the whole hippocampus and hippocampal subfields for each participant using FreeSurfer, and analyzed the differences in volumes of hippocampus and hippocampal subfields between groups. We then examined the associations between volume of hippocampal subfields and delayed recall scores in each group separately.

Results

Hippocampus and most of the hippocampal subfields demonstrated significant atrophy during the progression of AD. The CN-C and CN-NC groups differed in the left hippocampus–amygdala transition area (HATA). Furthermore, the volume of presubiculum was significantly correlated with delayed recall scores in the CN-NC and AD groups, but not in the CN-C and MCI groups.

Conclusion

Hippocampal subfield atrophy (i.e., left HATA) had occurred in cognitively normal elderly individuals before clinical symptoms were recognized. Significant associations of presubiculum with delayed recall scores in the CN-NC and AD groups highlight the essential role of the hippocampal subfields in both early dementia detection and AD progression.
Skin epidermal keratinocyte p53 induces food uptake upon UV exposure
Authors: Parikh Shivang , Parikh Roma , Harari Marco , Weller Aron , Bikovski Lior , Levy Carmit
Published: December 2023

Introduction

The first cells affected by UVB exposure are epidermal keratinocytes, and p53, the genome guardian, is activated in these cells when skin is exposed to UVB. UVB exposure induces appetite, but it remains unclear whether p53 in epidermal keratinocytes plays a role in this appetite stimulation.

Results

Here we found that food intake was increased following chronic daily UVB exposure in a manner that depends on p53 expression in epidermal keratinocytes. p53 conditional knockout in epidermal keratinocytes reduced food intake in mice upon UVB exposure.

Methods

To investigate the effects of p53 activation following UVB exposure, mice behavior was assessed using the staircase, open-field, elevated-plus maze, and conditioned-place preference tests. In addition to effects on appetite, loss of p53 resulted in anxiety-related behaviors with no effect on activity level.

Discussion

Since skin p53 induces production of β-endorphin, our data suggest that UVB-mediated activation of p53 results in an increase in β-endorphin levels which in turn influences appetite. Our study positions UVB as a central environmental factor in systemic behavior and has implications for the treatment of eating and anxiety-related disorders.
msemalign: a pipeline for serial section multibeam scanning electron microscopy volume alignment
Authors: Watkins Paul V. , Jelli Eric , Briggman Kevin L.
Published: December 2023

Serial section multibeam scanning electron microscopy (ssmSEM) is currently among the fastest technologies available for acquiring 3D anatomical data spanning relatively large neural tissue volumes, on the order of 1 mm3 or larger, at a resolution sufficient to resolve the fine detail of neuronal morphologies and synapses. These petabyte-scale volumes can be analyzed to create connectomes, datasets that contain detailed anatomical information including synaptic connectivity, neuronal morphologies and distributions of cellular organelles. The mSEM acquisition process creates hundreds of millions of individual image tiles for a single cubic-millimeter-sized dataset and these tiles must be aligned to create 3D volumes. Here we introduce msemalign, an alignment pipeline that strives for scalability and design simplicity. The pipeline can align petabyte-scale datasets such that they contain smooth transitions as the dataset is navigated in all directions, but critically that does so in a fashion that minimizes the overall magnitude of section distortions relative to the originally acquired micrographs.
Widely targeted metabolomics analysis reveals the formation of nonvolatile flavor qualities during oolong tea manufacturing: a case study of Jinguanyin
Authors: Hu Qingcai , Zheng Yucheng , Yang Yun , Ni Zi-Xin , Chen Bin , Wu Zongjie , Huang Huiqing , Wu Qingyang , Zhou Zi-wei , Gao Shuilian , Lai Zhongxiong , Lin Hongzheng , Sun Yun
Published: December 2023

Background

The manufacturing processes of oolong tea significantly impact its nonvolatile components, leading to the emergence of distinct flavor attributes. Understanding the dynamic changes in nonvolatile components during the manufacturing stages of the Jinguanyin (JGY) cultivar is crucial for unraveling the potential mechanism behind flavor formation.

Methods

Comprehensive metabolomics and sensomics analyses were conducted to investigate the dynamic changes in nonvolatile components throughout various phases of oolong tea processing, focusing on the JGY cultivar.

Results

A total of 1,005 nonvolatile metabolites were detected, with 562 recognized as significant differential metabolites during various phases of oolong tea processing. Notably, the third turning-over, third setting, and high-temperature treatments exhibited the most significant effects on the nonvolatile metabolites of oolong tea. JGY finished tea demonstrated a characteristic flavor profile, marked by mellowness, sweetness in aftertaste, and a significant Yin rhyme. This flavor profile was collectively promoted by the accumulation of amino acids and organic acids, the decrease in flavonols (3-O-glycosides) and sugar substances, the alteration of phenolic acids, and the stabilization of caffeine.

Conclusion

This study contribute to the understanding of the formation of oolong tea flavor qualities. The dynamic changes observed in various types of nonvolatile compounds during oolong tea processing shed light on the intricate interplay of metabolites and their influence on the final flavor characteristics.
The interlink between chrono-nutrition and stunting: current insights and future perspectives
Authors: Taslim Nurpudji Astuti , Farradisya Salsabila , Gunawan William Ben , Alfatihah Aulia , Barus Ria Irmelin Br , Ratri Liesty Kurnia , Arnamalia Astri , Barazani Hero , Samtiya Mrinal , Mayulu Nelly , Kim Bonglee , Hardinsyah Hardinsyah , Surya Ervan , Nurkolis Fahrul
Published: December 2023

Stunting is the one factor that is responsible for the irretrievable damage to children’s mental and physical health. Stunting imitates chronic undernutrition throughout the most extreme critical stages of growth and development of a child in their early life, and due to that stunted child does not completely develop and are too short for their age. Stunting is mainly linked with brain underdevelopment, along with lifelong damaging consequences, comprising weakened mental and learning capacity, deprived performance in school during childhood, and enhanced risks of nutrition linked to chronic long-lasting ailments, such as diabetes, hypertension, diabesity, and obesity in the future. In this review, the authors mainly summarize the latest studies related to chronic nutrition and how it is related to stunting. Optimal nutrition, particularly during pregnancy and the first 24 months of a child’s life, is crucial in preventing stunting. Circadian rhythms play a significant role in maternal and fetal health, affecting outcomes such as premature birth and stunting. Maintaining a balanced diet, avoiding late-night carbohydrate-heavy meals during pregnancy, and promoting breastfeeding align with the body’s biological clock, which can benefit newborns in various ways. Providing dedicated spaces for breastfeeding in public places is important to support infant health.
The renal damage and mechanisms relevant to antitumoral drugs
Authors: Tang Jiyu , Yang Nan , Pan Shujun , Ren Peiyao , Chen Maosheng , Jin Juan , He Qiang , Zeng Yuqun
Published: December 2023

Over the past few decades, significant progress has been made in the development of drugs to combat cancer. It is unfortunate that these drugs can also lead to various kidney injuries and imbalances in electrolyte levels. Nephrotoxicity caused by chemotherapy drugs can impact different parts of the kidneys, including the glomeruli, renal tubules, interstitium, or renal microvessels. Despite the existing knowledge, our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the renal damage caused by antitumoral drugs remains incomplete. In this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the specific types of kidney injury and the mechanisms responsible for the drug-mediated renal damage, and briefly discuss possible prevention and treatment measures. Sensitive blood and urine biomarkers can provide clinicians with more information about kidney injury detection and reference value for subsequent treatment options. In addition, we emphasize that both oncologists and nephrologists have a responsibility to remain vigilant against the potential nephrotoxicity of the drugs. It’s crucial for experts in both fields to collaborate in early detection, monitoring and prevention of kidney damage.
Meta-analysis of efficacy and safety of bevacizumab in the treatment of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia epistaxis
Authors: Chen Huimin , Zhang Zhiping , Chen Xiaojuan , Wang Chaoyu , Chen Mingdi , Liao Huizhao , Zhu Jinru , Zheng Zhenzhen , Chen Riken
Published: December 2023

Objective: A meta-analysis is conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of bevacizumab in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) epistaxis.

Method: Two researchers search PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science databases from their inception until September 3th, 2023. The literature is read and screened, and valid data extracted, collated and analyzed. Its quality is then assessed using the Cochrane risk assessment scale. This study uses Endnote 9.3 software for literature management and RevMan 5.3.1 software for evaluation.

Results: A total of 7 documents met the requirements, including a total of 359 patients, and the literature quality evaluation was grade B. The Meta-analysis results showed that:Bevacizumab reduces the Epistaxis Severity Score (ESS) in patients with HHT epistaxis compared with the control [WMD = −0.22,95%CI (−0.38, −0.05), p = 0.01]. However, there is no significant effect on duration of epistaxis [WMD = −15.59, 95%CI (−70.41,39.23), p = 0.58] and number of epistaxes [WMD = −1.27,95%CI (−10.23,7.70), p = 0.78] in patients with HHT epistaxis. In terms of adverse effects, there is no significant difference between the bevacizumab group and control group [OR = 1.36, 95% CI (0.54, 3.44), p = 0.52].

Conclusion: Bevacizumab is superior to the control group in the treatment of HHT epistaxis, and adverse reactions are not further increased in the bevacizumab group than in the control group, suggesting that bevacizumab has clinical value in the treatment of HHT epistaxis.
Maternal prenatal paracetamol ingestion and scholastic attainments of the offspring
Authors: Golding Jean , Tunstall Holly , Gregory Steven , lies-Gaven Yasmin
Published: December 2023

Background: Fetal exposure to paracetamol (acetaminophen) has been shown to be associated with asthma and other atopic disorders, as well as behavioural problems including hyperactivity, in childhood. However, there is little information on scholastic abilities among children exposed to paracetamol in pregnancy.

Objectives: To determine whether there are any differences in scholastic abilities among the offspring of women who ingested paracetamol during pregnancy compared with non-exposed children.

Methods: Mothers enrolled in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) had recorded the frequency with which they had taken the medication over two time periods during pregnancy: i) the first 18 weeks and ii) 18–32 weeks. The offspring have been followed up ever since. For this study we use as outcomes: a) 14 tests of ability at reading and 2 of spelling using the study’s tests and the national education system test results; b) 6 of mathematical abilities including tests of arithmetic and mathematical reasoning, and c) 1 of scientific understanding. Multiple regression was used, adjusting for 15 different exposures including reasons for taking the medication as well as demographic features.

Results: Almost all unadjusted and adjusted mean differences were negative (i.e., those exposed to maternal intake of paracetamol did less well), but negative associations for exposures between 18 and 32 weeks of gestation were much more evident than for exposures earlier in pregnancy. Of the later exposures, after adjustment, 12 of the 23 scholastic tests were associated with prenatal exposure to paracetamol at p < 0.05. These negative effects were found in the girls (12 tests at p < 0.05) but not boys (0 tests at p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Evidence from this longitudinal study suggests that maternal exposure to paracetamol is associated with disadvantages to the offspring in scholastic abilities such as mathematics and reading at secondary school ages. This raises the question as to whether there are longer-lasting effects on educational attainment from age 15 years onwards, including at university level. Clearly these results should be tested in other settings, but meanwhile they add to a growing accumulation of known adverse effects of exposure to paracetamol in pregnancy.