bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Violent Behaviour and Emotional Intelligence in Physical Education: The Effects of an Intervention Programme
Authors: Ortiz-Franco Manuel , Zurita-Ortega Félix , Melguizo-Ibáñez Eduardo , González-Valero Gabriel , Lindell-Postigo David , Ubago-Jiménez José Luis
Published: June 2024

Violent behaviour in the secondary education stage is a serious concern that comes from low emotional control. Judo is a sport that requires self-control and high emotional competence to mitigate aggressive behaviours. This research presents the objectives of analysing the correlations of different types of aggressive behaviours before an intervention program with those after said program, as well as study the effect of emotions on aggressive behaviours before and after the intervention program through multigroup structural equation modelling. A quasi-experimental study was planned. It used a pre-test–post-test design in a population of 139 secondary school students (M = 15.76; SD = 1.066). The instruments were an ad hoc questionnaire, the Schutte Self-Report Inventory and the Violent Behaviour at School Scale. The data show that the intervention decreased the correlations between different types of violent behaviours. The results show an increase in the effect of emotional intelligence on mitigating aggressive attitudes. The promotion and use of contact sports is necessary to prevent the emergence of aggressive behaviours within a school environment.
Research of Short-Term Wind Power Generation Forecasting Based on mRMR-PSO-LSTM Algorithm
Authors: Huo Xuanmin , Su Hao , Yang Pu , Jia Cangzhen , Liu Ying , Wang Juanjuan , Zhang Hongmei , Li Juntao
Published: June 2024

A novel short-term wind power forecasting method called mRMR-PSO-LSTM was proposed to address the limitations of traditional methods in ignoring the redundancy and temporal dynamics of meteorological features. The methods employed the Minimum Redundancy Maximum Relevance (mRMR) algorithm to select relevant meteorological features while minimizing redundancy. Additionally, the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm was utilized to optimize the parameters of the Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network, thereby enhancing its forecasting accuracy. Experimental results demonstrated that the proposed mRMR-PSO-LSTM outperforms FNN, GRU, and PSO-LSTM in four key evaluation metrics.
Rhythm of Exposure in Town Centres: A Case Study of Lancaster City Centre
Authors: Otu Ekpo , Ashworth Kirsti , Tsekleves Emmanuel
Published: June 2024

This study proposes a novel air pollution exposure index (APEI) metric, drawing from traditional elements in rhythmanalysis and public-life studies to help understand how people are exposed to air pollution in their urban environment and when the risks are greatest. It expands on the notion of rhythm as a socially constructed natural phenomenon connected to urban life and spaces. Air quality monitoring data, as well as bus times and in situ traffic and pedestrian counts, from Cable Street and Dalton Square in Lancaster were applied to define the APEI, which combines an air pollution index (NO2 and PM10), a surrogate for ambient air pollution level, with a population index, a surrogate for population flow. The index values were subsequently ranked in numeric order, i.e., a higher ranking shows increased exposure risk and vice versa, to determine total exposure on an individual level. This metric proves valuable in defining air pollution exposure status and recognizing factors associated with high pollution and population levels. Similarly, by comparing APEI values, one could evaluate exposure levels in different locations and seasons to verify when the APEI has increased at a given location and the different rhythms and flows responsible for an individual’s exposure. Hence, it has potential use for urban planners and the city council’s policymakers who are involved in Lancaster Air Quality Management.
Preparation and Characterization of Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADESs): Application in the Extraction of Phenolic Compounds from Araza Pulp (Eugenia stipitata)
Authors: Sakurai Yasmin Caroline Nóvoa , Pires Ianê Valente , Ferreira Nelson Rosa , Moreira Sanclayton Geraldo Carneiro , Silva Luiza Helena Meller da , Rodrigues Antonio Manoel da Cruz
Published: June 2024

Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) of choline chloride (ChCl) and fructose, glucose, citric and malic acid with different water concentration were prepared and characterized. The pH ranged from 2.34 to 7.38. An increase in the intensity at 3300 cm−1 (FT-IR), by the interaction between the receptor and the hydrogen donor, occurred. The water content increased the intensity in the OH region without changing the vibrational mode. The same behavior occurred in Raman spectra. NADES without water showed a high density (1.234 to 1.375 g/mL) and viscosity (0.09991 to 0.46921 Pa·s). NADESs with 20% and 40% water were selected for extracting phenolic compounds from araza (Eugenia stipitata), using an ultrasonic system of bath, tip, and ethanol. Araza ethanol extract had a TPC (total phenolic compounds) of 325.19 mg GAE/g, and DPPH and ABTS of 12.00 and 291.31 µmolL−1 Trolox g−1. ChCl:citric acid (1:1) containing 40% water was the most efficient NADES in the tip ultrasound extraction: a TPC of 273.40 mg GAE/g; DPPH and ABTS of 31.55 and 204.9 µmolL−1 Trolox g−1; and an extraction yield of 84% related to ethanol. NADESs as solvents can be used directly by the food industry as a final product or ingredient, without purification, and proved to be versatile, with different properties.
Research Progress and Production Status of Edible Insects as Food in China
Authors: Xie Boxuan , Zhu Yuxuan , Chu Xiaoyi , Pokharel Sabin Saurav , Qian Lei , Chen Fajun
Published: June 2024

Based on the background of the exacerbating food shortage in the world, it is particularly important to diversify food resources in every possible direction. Among the choices available, edible insects have become an important alternative source of animal food with their high nutritional and functional (pharmacological) values, partially replacing normally consumed animal and livestock protein food sources. The utilization of edible insects has been an ancient custom since the dawn of civilization, attributed to their rich nutrition, alternate protein source, medicinal values, and presence of diverse secondary metabolites and alkaloids. This review provides an introduction to three key aspects of edible insects as food: freshness, long-term preservation, and medicinal value. It also provides details on the food source and products of edible insect species, their detailed nutritional composition and medicinal values, and their potential in producing alternative protein sources. Additionally, the review also encompasses rearing and producing technologies, resource utilization, and industrial development in China. Simultaneously, the problems and challenges faced in the artificial rearing and production development of edible insects, the production advantages over traditional livestock, and the farming evaluation and prospects of edible insects, as well as the lack of specific legislation on edible insects in China, are discussed. This review will be helpful in scientific knowledge propagation regarding edible insects for the public, guiding consumers to establish a diverse perception of sustainable agriculture and food sources in the world that has, as yet, been thwarted by food insecurity. Moreover, though edible insects could potentially serve as part of a commercial and industrial agri-enterprise that could generate a huge income, artificial rearing technology and edible insect product manufacturing and processing have not received sufficient attention from the government on a policy level, thereby leaving an open space for extensive research on edible insects as an alternate food source as well as an examination of the industrial prospects of edible insect products.
Spatiotemporal Analysis of Food Production–Demand Mismatch in China and Implications for Agricultural Structural Adjustment
Authors: Long Mengyao , Xiong Xiaoyu , Lin Huilong
Published: June 2024

Based on the food equivalent unit (FEU), this article analyzed Chinese food consumption patterns, spatial mismatch, and production potential to explore agricultural reform strategies. Assessing production–demand mismatch involved the spatial mismatch model, drawing data from statistical yearbooks. Calculations of food production potential utilized the CASA model and the Thornthwaite Memorial model, with net primary productivity (NPP) derived from remote sensing data as indicators. The results showed that livestock product consumption is on the rise, and the spatial mismatch index for herbivorous livestock products was the largest, ranging from 22.81 to 98.12 in 2019. The mismatched degree distribution of rations and food-consuming livestock products showed a trend of increasing on both sides, with the Hu Huanyong line as the center line. Production factors played a predominant role in food production-to-demand mismatch. Climatic productivity and actual productivity decreased from the southeast to northwest in space in 2019, and human activities significantly impacted productivity. When grassland agriculture is pursued as the adjustment orientation, the production potential can reach up to 4540.76 × 107 kg·FEU. Moreover, a grassland agriculture plan was devised, prioritizing its development in the developed southern regions.
The Volatile Compounds Change during Fermentation of Saccharina japonica Seedling
Authors: Gong Jingni , Wang Xiaolin , Ni Hui , Wang Yonghua
Published: June 2024

It is important to eliminate the fishy odor and improve the aroma quality of seafood. In this study, the Saccharina japonica (S. japonica) seedling, which is a new food material, was investigated for the effects of fermentation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) through sensory evaluation, GC–MS, and odor activity value (OAV) analysis. GC–MS analysis revealed the presence of 43 volatile compounds in the unfermented S. japonica seedling, with 1-octen-3-ol, hexanal, and trans-2,4-decadienal identified as the main contributors to its fishy odor. After fermentation with S. cerevisiae, 26 volatile compounds were identified in the S. japonica seedling. Notably, the major malodorous fish compounds, including 1-octen-3-ol, hexanal and trans-2,4-decadienal, were no longer present. The results indicate that fermentation with S. cerevisiae is an effective method for removing fishy malodor compounds and enhancing the volatile components with fruity, sweet, green, and floral notes in the Saccharina japonica seedling. This process facilitates the elimination of fishy malodor and enhance the fruity, sweet, green, and floral notes of S. japonica seeding and other seaweeds.
Existence of Mild Solutions to Delay Diffusion Equations with Hilfer Fractional Derivative
Authors: Jin Yuhang , He Wenchang , Wang Luyao , Mu Jia
Published: June 2024

Because of the prevalent time-delay characteristics in real-world phenomena, this paper investigates the existence of mild solutions for diffusion equations with time delays and the Hilfer fractional derivative. This derivative extends the traditional Caputo and Riemann–Liouville fractional derivatives, offering broader practical applications. Initially, we constructed Banach spaces required to handle the time-delay terms. To address the challenge of the unbounded nature of the solution operator at the initial moment, we developed an equivalent continuous operator. Subsequently, within the contexts of both compact and non-compact analytic semigroups, we explored the existence and uniqueness of mild solutions, considering various growth conditions of nonlinear terms. Finally, we presented an example to illustrate our main conclusions.
Aerogels of Polypyrrole/Tannic Acid with Nanofibrillated Cellulose for the Removal of Hexavalent Chromium Ions
Authors: Minisy Islam M. , Taboubi Oumayma , Hromádková Jiřina , Bober Patrycja
Published: June 2024

The preparation of conducting polymer aerogels is an effective strategy to produce innovative materials with enhanced physicochemical properties. Herein, polypyrrole (PPy) aerogels were oxidatively prepared in the presence of tannic acid (TA) with different concentrations (2.5, 5, and 10% mole ratio to pyrrole monomer) under freezing conditions. Nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) was added during the PPy/TA synthesis to enhance mechanical stability. The effect of TA concentration on the aerogels’ morphology, conductivity, thermal stability, and adsorption capacity was investigated. The conductivity of 9.6 ± 1.7 S cm−1 was achieved for PPy/TA prepared with 2.5% TA, which decreased to 0.07 ± 0.01 S cm−1 when 10% TA was used. PPy/TA aerogels have shown high efficacy in removing Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solutions. Adsorption experiments revealed that all the aerogels follow pseudo-second-order kinetics. PPy/TA prepared with NFC has a maximum adsorption capacity of 549.5 mg g−1.
Worldwide Research Trends and Networks on Flood Early Warning Systems
Authors: Calvo-Solano Oscar , Quesada-Román Adolfo
Published: June 2024

This review paper examined the global landscape of research on continental flood early warning systems (EWS), shedding light on key trends, geographic disparities, and research priorities. Continental floods stand as one of the most pervasive and devastating disasters worldwide, necessitating proactive measures to mitigate their impact. Drawing upon a comprehensive analysis of the scholarly literature indexed in the Web of Science repository, this study unveiled significant patterns in EWS research. While the emphasis on flooding is evident, a considerable portion of research focuses on precipitation as a variable and modeling approaches. Furthermore, the influence of climate change emerges as a prominent theme, though distinguishing between climate change and variability remains a crucial area for exploration. Geographically, Europe, particularly England and Italy, dominates research efforts in flood related EWS. Conversely, the limited representation of Central America and other regions such as Asia and Oceania, underscores the need for greater attention to regions facing significant flood risks. Importantly, the concept of total link strength emerges as a valuable metric, highlighting collaborative networks established by European countries and the United States. Based on these findings, recommendations are proposed to enhance the inclusivity and effectiveness of flood related EWS research, including a broader consideration of socio-economic factors, fostering collaboration among researchers from diverse regions, and prioritizing initiatives to strengthen research capacities in vulnerable areas. Ultimately, this study provides valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners seeking to advance flood risk management strategies on a global scale.
Knowledge and Practice of Foot Care among Patients with Diabetes Attending Diabetes Center, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Aljaouni Mona Eihab , Alharbi Adel Mouad , Al-Nozha Omar M.
Published: June 2024

Background: Diabetic foot is a serious and often debilitating diabetes complication that poses a significant risk of morbidity and even mortality. However, ensuring good knowledge and good practice of appropriate foot care for patients with diabetes has been frequently neglected in diabetes management. Objectives: This study aimed to assess foot care knowledge and practice in patients with diabetes. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on 400 patients with diabetes at Madinah Diabetes Center, Madinah City, Saudi Arabia, in 2023. Sociodemographic, knowledge score, practice of foot care, and diabetes-related data were collected using a valid interview structured questionnaire. The prevalence of good knowledge and practice level was calculated and compared using the studied patients’ characteristics using appropriate statistical tests. Results: The prevalence of good knowledge of foot care and its practice was 35% and 27%, respectively. The knowledge level showed statistically significant differences among patients based on their age and diabetes type and duration. Patients who were >50 years (70.1%), had type 2 diabetes (89.5%), and with diabetes duration >10 years (65%) showed significantly better knowledge. Female patients (65.7%) had a higher good practice level compared with male patients (34.3%) (p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study highlights the insufficient knowledge and inadequate foot care practice among patients with diabetes in the studied population. Educational interventions and targeted strategies are necessary to improve knowledge about the importance of foot care and promote better foot care practices among patients with diabetes.
Preliminary Insights on Barriers to and Facilitators of Healthy Eating for Rural Residents Emerging from Extreme Poverty: A Qualitative Study in Dafang, China
Authors: Zhao Jian , Wang Ye , Wu Jing , Luo Qianqian , Zhang Bingxia , Zhang Min
Published: June 2024

The purpose of this study was to examine the dietary views and practices and to identify associated barriers to and facilitators of healthy eating of rural residents emerging from poverty in the context of rapid socio-economic development. A qualitative design with semi-structured interviews was utilized to collect detailed insights into the dietary behaviors of 22 rural residents from 10 villages in Fengshan town, Dafang county, Guizhou province, China. Thematic analysis was applied to interpret the interview data, guided by the socio-ecological model. Four themes were identified: traditional eating patterns, factors influencing food choice, limited knowledge of healthy diet, and lack of nutritional guidance. Barriers to healthy eating included traditional but unhealthy foods, limited nutritional knowledge, inadequate understanding of nutritional requirements, overwhelming nutritional information, and limited professional guidance. Facilitators encompassed healthy traditional eating patterns, household composition, home gardening, preference for traditional bean and soy products, improved food supply and availability owing to poverty alleviation efforts, and being open to receiving professional dietary guidance. As a preliminary investigation into the dietary views and practices of this population, the study highlights a significant gap in the nutritional knowledge and guidance available to rural residents in China, emphasizing the need for comprehensive strategies that address the complex socio-ecological factors influencing dietary behaviors.
Navigating Cultural Challenges in Transplant Surgery: Insights from Turkish Surgeons
Authors: Karataş Hicran , Balas Şener
Published: June 2024

To achieve expertise, transplant surgeons in Turkiye undergo rigorous training, including medical school, residency, compulsory service, and extensive training in transplant surgery. Despite their high academic and clinical knowledge level, success in transplant surgery heavily depends on cultural competency. Through semi-structured interviews with 21 transplant surgeons specializing in kidney and liver transplants in Ankara, this study reveals how health illiteracy, culture, and folklore create significant barriers. Surgeons navigate these challenges while enduring harsh working conditions. This research highlights the critical role of cultural competency in transplant surgery, emphasizing the necessity for surgeons to understand and address the diverse cultural needs of their patients. Key findings indicate that surgeons must balance medical expertise with cultural sensitivity to deliver effective care. This study identifies four main cultural barriers: spiritual trust, family politics, health illiteracy, and subcultural incompetency. Effective transplant surgery requires a combination of theoretical proficiency and cultural awareness to meet a patient’s needs and improve surgical outcomes.
Exogenous Calcium Alleviates the Photosynthetic Inhibition and Oxidative Damage of the Tea Plant under Cold Stress
Authors: Chen Siwen , Wang Long , Kang Rui , Liu Chunhui , Xing Liyuan , Wu Shaobo , Wang Zhihui , Wu Chunlai , Zhou Qiongqiong , Zhao Renliang
Published: June 2024

Calcium (Ca2+), a second messenger, plays a crucial role in plant growth and development as well as in responding to biotic and abiotic stresses. In this work, we explored the role of exogenous calcium in alleviating cold stress and examined the relationship between calcium chloride (CaCl2) and calcium channel blockers, lanthanum chloride (LaCl3), in tea plants under cold stress at the physiological and transcriptional levels. Exogenous Ca2+ partially offsets the negative impacts of cold stress which increased the tolerance of tea plants by significantly raising the photochemical efficiency of PSII, protective enzyme activities, and the ABA content, which reduced the relative electrical conductivity (REC) level and the malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration. At the transcriptome level, exogenous Ca2+ significantly enhanced the expression of key genes involved in cold response pathways. Nevertheless, LaCl3 treatment not only significantly inhibited the activities of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT), but also increased cold damage. This study aims to provide essential insight into the role of exogenous Ca2+ in tea plants responding to cold stress, and to better understand the molecular mechanisms that facilitate Ca-mediated cold tolerance.
The Molecular Link between Obesity and the Endometrial Environment: A Starting Point for Female Infertility
Authors: Gonnella Francesca , Konstantinidou Fani , Donato Marisa , Gatta Daniela Maria Pia , Peserico Alessia , Barboni Barbara , Stuppia Liborio , Nothnick Warren B. , Gatta Valentina
Published: June 2024

Female infertility constitutes a growing health problem in developing countries and could be associated with several possible causes including reproductive disorders, congenital malformations, infections and hormonal dysfunction. Nonetheless, a series of additional factors can also negatively impact female fertility and are represented by chronic exposure to environmental pollutants, stress, unhealthy lifestyle choices such as cigarette smoking and, among others, obesity. Excess weight is associated with several chronic diseases, and growing evidence demonstrates that it can compromise reproductive physiology due to its influence on endometrial gene expression and receptivity. Thus, the current review of the literature mainly focused on how obesity can impair uterine receptivity, mostly from a molecular point of view throughout the window of implantation (WOI) period at an endometrial level. It was also highlighted that an obesity-related increase in adipose tissue may lead to a modulation in the expression of multiple pathways, which could cause a hostile endometrial environment with a consequent negative impact on the uterine receptivity and the establishment of pregnancy. Thanks to the use of the endometrial receptivity assay (ERA), a specific microarray that studies the expression of a series of genes, it is now possible to evaluate the endometrial status of patients with infertility problems in a more detailed manner. Moreover, female fertility and endometrial receptivity could be affected by endometriosis, a chronic benign gynecological disease, whose cause-and-effect relationship to obesity is still uncertain. Therefore, further investigations would be required to better elucidate these mechanisms that govern embryo implantation and could be potentially useful for the generation of new strategies to overcome implantation failure and improve the pregnancy rates in obese women.
Genome-Wide Analysis of the SRPP/REF Gene Family in Taraxacum kok-saghyz Provides Insights into Its Expression Patterns in Response to Ethylene and Methyl Jasmonate Treatments
Authors: He Huan , Wang Jiayin , Meng Zhuang , Dijkwel Paul P. , Du Pingping , Shi Shandang , Dong Yuxuan , Li Hongbin , Xie Quanliang
Published: June 2024

Taraxacum kok-saghyz (TKS) is a model plant and a potential rubber-producing crop for the study of natural rubber (NR) biosynthesis. The precise analysis of the NR biosynthesis mechanism is an important theoretical basis for improving rubber yield. The small rubber particle protein (SRPP) and rubber elongation factor (REF) are located in the membrane of rubber particles and play crucial roles in rubber biosynthesis. However, the specific functions of the SRPP/REF gene family in the rubber biosynthesis mechanism have not been fully resolved. In this study, we performed a genome-wide identification of the 10 TkSRPP and 2 TkREF genes’ family members of Russian dandelion and a comprehensive investigation on the evolution of the ethylene/methyl jasmonate-induced expression of the SRPP/REF gene family in TKS. Based on phylogenetic analysis, 12 TkSRPP/REFs proteins were divided into five subclades. Our study revealed one functional domain and 10 motifs in these proteins. The SRPP/REF protein sequences all contain typical REF structural domains and belong to the same superfamily. Members of this family are most closely related to the orthologous species T. mongolicum and share the same distribution pattern of SRPP/REF genes in T. mongolicum and L. sativa, both of which belong to the family Asteraceae. Collinearity analysis showed that segmental duplication events played a key role in the expansion of the TkSRPP/REFs gene family. The expression levels of most TkSRPP/REF members were significantly increased in different tissues of T. kok-saghyz after induction with ethylene and methyl jasmonate. These results will provide a theoretical basis for the selection of candidate genes for the molecular breeding of T. kok-saghyz and the precise resolution of the mechanism of natural rubber production.
G Protein-Coupled Receptor–Ligand Pose and Functional Class Prediction
Authors: Szwabowski Gregory L. , Griffing Makenzie , Mugabe Elijah J. , O’Malley Daniel , Baker Lindsey N. , Baker Daniel L. , Parrill Abby L.
Published: June 2024

G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) transmembrane protein family members play essential roles in physiology. Numerous pharmaceuticals target GPCRs, and many drug discovery programs utilize virtual screening (VS) against GPCR targets. Improvements in the accuracy of predicting new molecules that bind to and either activate or inhibit GPCR function would accelerate such drug discovery programs. This work addresses two significant research questions. First, do ligand interaction fingerprints provide a substantial advantage over automated methods of binding site selection for classical docking? Second, can the functional status of prospective screening candidates be predicted from ligand interaction fingerprints using a random forest classifier? Ligand interaction fingerprints were found to offer modest advantages in sampling accurate poses, but no substantial advantage in the final set of top-ranked poses after scoring, and, thus, were not used in the generation of the ligand–receptor complexes used to train and test the random forest classifier. A binary classifier which treated agonists, antagonists, and inverse agonists as active and all other ligands as inactive proved highly effective in ligand function prediction in an external test set of GPR31 and TAAR2 candidate ligands with a hit rate of 82.6% actual actives within the set of predicted actives.
Serum Oligomeric α-Synuclein and p-tau181 in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Cristiani Costanza Maria , Scaramuzzino Luana , Quattrone Andrea , Parrotta Elvira Immacolata , Cuda Giovanni , Quattrone Aldo
Published: June 2024

Clinical differentiation of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) from Parkinson’s disease (PD) is challenging due to overlapping phenotypes and the late onset of specific atypical signs. Therefore, easily assessable diagnostic biomarkers are highly needed. Since PD is a synucleopathy while PSP is a tauopathy, here, we investigated the clinical usefulness of serum oligomeric-α-synuclein (o-α-synuclein) and 181Thr-phosphorylated tau (p-tau181), which are considered as the most important pathological protein forms in distinguishing between these two parkinsonisms. We assessed serum o-α-synuclein and p-tau181 by ELISA and SIMOA, respectively, in 27 PSP patients, 43 PD patients, and 39 healthy controls (HC). Moreover, we evaluated the correlation between serum biomarkers and biological and clinical features of these subjects. We did not find any difference in serum concentrations of p-tau181 and o-α-synuclein nor in the o-α-synuclein/p-tau181 ratio between groups. However, we observed that serum p-tau181 positively correlated with age in HC and PD, while serum o-α-synuclein correlated positively with disease severity in PD and negatively with age in PSP. Finally, the o-α-synuclein/p-tau181 ratio showed a negative correlation with age in PD.
GCPII Inhibition Promotes Remyelination after Peripheral Nerve Injury in Aged Mice
Authors: Su Yu , Huang Meixiang , Thomas Ajit G. , Maragakis John , Huizar Kaitlyn D. J. , Zheng Yuxin , Wu Ying , Farah Mohamed H. , Slusher Barbara S.
Published: June 2024

Peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) represent a significant clinical challenge, particularly in elderly populations where axonal remyelination and regeneration are impaired. Developing therapies to enhance these processes is crucial for improving PNI repair outcomes. Glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) is a neuropeptidase that plays a pivotal role in modulating glutamate signaling through its enzymatic cleavage of the abundant neuropeptide N-acetyl aspartyl glutamate (NAAG) to liberate glutamate. Within the PNS, GCPII is expressed in Schwann cells and activated macrophages, and its expression is amplified with aging. In this study, we explored the therapeutic potential of inhibiting GCPII activity following PNI. We report significant GCPII protein and activity upregulation following PNI, which was normalized by the potent and selective GCPII inhibitor 2-(phosphonomethyl)-pentanedioic acid (2-PMPA). In vitro, 2-PMPA robustly enhanced myelination in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) explants. In vivo, using a sciatic nerve crush injury model in aged mice, 2-PMPA accelerated remyelination, as evidenced by increased myelin sheath thickness and higher numbers of remyelinated axons. These findings suggest that GCPII inhibition may be a promising therapeutic strategy to enhance remyelination and potentially improve functional recovery after PNI, which is especially relevant in elderly PNI patients where this process is compromised.
The Thioredoxin Fold Protein (TFP2) from Extreme Acidophilic Leptospirillum sp. CF-1 Is a Chaperedoxin-like Protein That Prevents the Aggregation of Proteins under Oxidative Stress
Authors: Muñoz-Villagrán Claudia , Acevedo-Arbunic Javiera , Härtig Elisabeth , Sievers Susanne , Zühlke Daniela , Issotta Francisco , Mascayano Carolina , Jahn Dieter , Jahn Martina , Levicán Gloria
Published: June 2024

Extreme acidophilic bacteria like Leptospirillum sp. require an efficient enzyme system to counteract strong oxygen stress conditions in their natural habitat. The genome of Leptospirillum sp. CF-1 encodes the thioredoxin-fold protein TFP2, which exhibits a high structural similarity to the thioredoxin domain of E. coli CnoX. CnoX from Escherichia coli is a chaperedoxin that protects protein substrates from oxidative stress conditions using its holdase function and a subsequent transfer to foldase chaperones for refolding. Recombinantly produced and purified Leptospirillum sp. TFP2 possesses both thioredoxin and chaperone holdase activities in vitro. It can be reduced by thioredoxin reductase (TrxR). The tfp2 gene co-locates with genes for the chaperone foldase GroES/EL on the chromosome. The “tfp2 cluster” (ctpA-groES-groEL-hyp-tfp2-recN) was found between 1.9 and 8.8-fold transcriptionally up-regulated in response to 1 mM hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Leptospirillum sp. tfp2 heterologously expressed in E. coli wild type and cnoX mutant strains lead to an increased tolerance of these E. coli strains to H2O2 and significantly reduced intracellular protein aggregates. Finally, a proteomic analysis of protein aggregates produced in E. coli upon exposition to oxidative stress with 4 mM H2O2, showed that Leptospirillum sp. tfp2 expression caused a significant decrease in the aggregation of 124 proteins belonging to fifteen different metabolic categories. These included several known substrates of DnaK and GroEL/ES. These findings demonstrate that Leptospirillum sp. TFP2 is a chaperedoxin-like protein, acting as a key player in the control of cellular proteostasis under highly oxidative conditions that prevail in extreme acidic environments.
A Case of CDKL5 Deficiency Due to an X Chromosome Pericentric Inversion: Delineation of Structural Rearrangements as an Overlooked Recurrent Pathological Mechanism
Authors: Lombardo Antonietta , Sinibaldi Lorenzo , Genovese Silvia , Catino Giorgia , Mei Valerio , Pompili Daniele , Sallicandro Ester , Falasca Roberto , Liambo Maria Teresa , Faggiano Maria Vittoria , Roberti Maria Cristina , Di Donato Maddalena , Vitelli Anna , Russo Serena , Giannini Rosalinda , Micalizzi Alessia , Pietrafusa Nicola , Digilio Maria Cristina , Novelli Antonio , Fusco Lucia , Alesi Viola
Published: June 2024

CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) is an X-linked dominant epileptic encephalopathy, characterized by early-onset and drug-resistant seizures, psychomotor delay, and slight facial features. Genomic variants inactivating CDKL5 or impairing its protein product kinase activity have been reported, making next-generation sequencing (NGS) and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) the standard diagnostic tests. We report a suspicious case of CDD in a female child who tested negative upon NGS and CMA and harbored an X chromosome de novo pericentric inversion. The use of recently developed genomic techniques (optical genome mapping and whole-genome sequencing) allowed us to finely characterize the breakpoints, with one of them interrupting CDKL5 at intron 1. This is the fifth case of CDD reported in the scientific literature harboring a structural rearrangement on the X chromosome, providing evidence for the hypothesis that this type of anomaly can represent a recurrent pathogenic mechanism, whose frequency is likely underestimated, with it being overlooked by standard techniques. The identification of the molecular etiology of the disorder is extremely important in evaluating the pathological outcome and to better investigate the mechanisms associated with drug resistance, paving the way for the development of specific therapies. Karyotype and genomic techniques should be considered in all cases presenting with CDD without molecular confirmation.
Synthesis of 3,4-Disubstituted Maleimide Derivatives via Phosphine-Catalyzed Isomerization of α-Succinimide-Substituted Allenoates Cascade γ′-Addition with Aryl Imines
Authors: Gao Zhenzhen , Zhou Xiaoming , Nie Baoshen , Lu Hanchong , Chen Xiaotong , Wu Jiahui , Wang Xuekun , Li Lei
Published: June 2024

3,4-disubstituted maleimides find wide applications in various pharmacologically active compounds. This study presents a highly effective approach for synthesizing derivatives of 3,4-disubstituted maleimides through the direct isomerization of α-succinimide-substituted allenoates, followed by a cascade γ′-addition and aryl imines using PR3 as a catalyst. The resulting series of 3,4-disubstituted maleimides exhibited excellent stereoselectivities, achieving yields of up to 86%. To our knowledge, the phosphine-mediated γ′-addition reaction of allenoates is seldom reported.
Correction: Díaz del Moral et al. Cardiomyocyte-Specific Wt1 Is Involved in Cardiac Metabolism and Response to Damage. J. Cardiovasc. Dev. Dis. 2023, 10, 211
Authors: Díaz del Moral Sandra , Benaouicha Maha , Villa del Campo Cristina , Torres Miguel , Wagner Nicole , Wagner Kay-Dietrich , Muñoz-Chápuli Ramón , Carmona Rita
Published: June 2024

In the published publication [...]
A Study on Data Selection for Object Detection in Various Lighting Conditions for Autonomous Vehicles
Authors: Lin Hao , Parsi Ashkan , Mullins Darragh , Horgan Jonathan , Ward Enda , Eising Ciaran , Denny Patrick , Deegan Brian , Glavin Martin , Jones Edward
Published: June 2024

In recent years, significant advances have been made in the development of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and other technology for autonomous vehicles. Automated object detection is a crucial component of autonomous driving; however, there are still known issues that affect its performance. For automotive applications, object detection algorithms are required to perform at a high standard in all lighting conditions; however, a major problem for object detection is poor performance in low-light conditions due to objects being less visible. This study considers the impact of training data composition on object detection performance in low-light conditions. In particular, this study evaluates the effect of different combinations of images of outdoor scenes, from different times of day, on the performance of deep neural networks, and considers the different challenges encountered during the training of a neural network. Through experiments with a widely used public database, as well as a number of commonly used object detection architectures, we show that more robust performance can be obtained with an appropriate balance of classes and illumination levels in the training data. The results also highlight the potential of adding images obtained in dusk and dawn conditions for improving object detection performance in day and night.
The Role of Medical Societies and the Relevance of Clinical Perspective in the Evolving EU HTA Process: Insights Generated at the 2023 Fall Convention and Survey of the European Access Academy
Authors: Julian Elaine , Solà-Morales Oriol , Garcia Maria João , Brinkhuis Francine , Pavlovic Mira , Martín-Saborido Carlos , Doeswijk Robin , Giuliani Rosa , Willemsen Anne , Goettsch Wim , Wörmann Bernhard , Dafni Urania , Bucher Heiner C. , Pérez-Valderrama Begoña , Bernardini Renato , Gianfrate Fabrizio , Uyl-de Groot Carin A. , Ruof Jörg
Published: June 2024

Background: This work aimed to determine the role and action points for the involvement of medical societies in the European Health Technology Assessment (EU HTA) Methods: An online pre-convention survey was developed addressing four areas related to the EU HTA: (i) medical societies’ role; (ii) role of clinical guidelines; (iii) interface with the European Society for Medical Oncology Magnitude of Clinical Benefit Scale (ESMO-MCBS); and (iv) approaching ‘best-available evidence’ (BAE). A descriptive analysis of questionnaire outcomes was conducted to inform the European Access Academy (EAA) Fall Convention 2023. Within the working groups (WGs), action points were identified and prioritised. Results: A total of 57 experts from 15 countries responded to the survey. The WGs were attended by (i) 11, (ii) 10, (iii) 12, and (iv) 12 experts, respectively, representing a variety of national backgrounds and stakeholder profiles. The most relevant action points identified were as follows: (i) incorporation of clinical context into population, intervention, comparator, outcomes (PICO) schemes, (ii) timely provision of up-to-date therapeutic guidelines, (iii) ensuring the inclusion of MCBS insights into the EU HTA process, and (iv) considering randomized controlled trials (RCTs) as the gold standard and leveraging regulatory insights if development programs only include single-arm trials. Conclusions: The involvement of medical societies is a critical success factor for the EU HTA. The identified key action points foster the involvement of patient associations and medical societies.
Breakthrough Underwater Physical Environment Limitations on Optical Information Representations: An Overview and Suggestions
Authors: Li Shuangquan , Zhang Zhichen , Zhang Qixian , Yao Haiyang , Li Xudong , Mi Jianjun , Wang Haiyan
Published: June 2024

Underwater optics have seen a notable surge of interest in recent years, emerging as a critical medium for conveying information crucial to underwater resource exploration, autonomous underwater vehicle navigation, etc. The intricate dynamics of underwater optical transmission, influenced by factors such as the absorption by the water and scattering by multiple particles, present considerable challenges. One of the most critical issues is that the optical information representation methods fail to take into account the impact of the underwater physical environment. We conducted a comprehensive review and analysis of recent advancements in underwater optical transmission laws and models. We summarized and analyzed relevant research on the effects of underwater particles and turbulence on light and analyzed the polarization effects in various environments. Then, the roles of various types of underwater optical propagation models were analyzed. Although optical models in complex environments are still mostly based on Monte Carlo methods, many underwater optical propagation mechanisms have been revealed and can promote the impacts of optical information expression. We delved into the cutting-edge research findings across three key domains: the enhancement of underwater optical image quality, the 3D reconstruction from monocular images, and the underwater wireless optical communication, examining the pivotal role played by light transmission laws and models in these areas. Drawing upon our extensive experience in underwater optics, including underwater optical sensor development and experiments, we identified and underscored future directions in this field. We advocate for the necessity of further advancements in the comprehension of underwater optical laws and physical models, emphasizing the importance of their expanded application in underwater optical information representations. Deeper exploration into these areas is not only warranted but essential for pushing the boundaries of current underwater optical technologies and unlocking new potential for their application in underwater optical sensor developments, underwater exploration, environmental monitoring, and beyond.
Arctic-Type Seismoacoustic Waveguide: Theoretical Foundations and Experimental Results
Authors: Sobisevich Alexey , Presnov Dmitriy , Shurup Andrey
Published: June 2024

The results of theoretical analysis and practical implementation of seismoacoustic methods developed for monitoring ice-covered regions in the Arctic are presented and discussed. Special attention is paid to passive seismoacoustic tomography as a unique method of studying the deep structure of the lithosphere and hydrosphere without the use of powerful sources. One of the distinctive features of the considered approach is the use of receivers located on the ice surface to recover characteristics of Arctic-type seismoacoustic waveguide “lithosphere-hydrosphere-ice cover”. In passive monitoring, special attention is paid to reducing the noise signal accumulation time required to obtain seismoacoustic wave propagation times, as well as expanding the analyzed frequency bandwidth. The presented results can be used to develop technologies for seasonal and long-term monitoring of the currently observed variability of large areas of the Arctic region due to climatic changes.
El Niño–Southern Oscillation Diversity: Effect on Upwelling Center Intensity and Its Biological Response
Authors: Gutiérrez-Cárdenas Gabriel Santiago , Morales-Acuña Enrique , Tenorio-Fernández Leonardo , Gómez-Gutiérrez Jaime , Cervantes-Duarte Rafael , Aguíñiga-García Sergio
Published: June 2024

The influence of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on productivity at upwelling systems has been extensively studied. However, in recent decades, ENSO diversity has been documented; there are more frequent events with anomalies in the central Pacific (CP) causing ecological impacts that are different from the canonical events centered in the eastern Pacific (EP). We hypothesize that ENSO effects on upwelling intensity and its biological response are highly dependent on ENSO diversity. Wavelet coherence was computed for monthly standardized anomalies of Ekman transport and sea surface Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentration from eight upwelling centers located along the west coast of the Baja California peninsula (1993–2022). Ekman transport (ET) showed a non-linear association with ENSO at interannual periodicities between 1.2 and 7 years, as well as semiannual scale variability. Coherence between ENSO and ET showed a reduction in upwelling intensity during CP ENSO events and an increased upwelling intensity after EP El Niño events with regional differences. Our results reveal an influence of northern Pacific circulation that subsequently influences ENSO events during its development and its peak. We detected an influence of SST and wind anomalies on the ENSO–Ekman transport connection associated with the northern Pacific Meridional Mode pattern. The CP shows an important role in sea surface Chl-a concentration anomalies (1998–2022). We highlight the conceptual relevance of distinguishing ENSO diversity, with influential ecological effects associated with CP ENSO events.
Molecular Identification and Pathogenicity of Fusarium Species Associated with Wood Canker, Root and Basal Rot in Turkish Grapevine Nurseries
Authors: Akgül Davut Soner , Önder Serkan , Savaş Nurdan Güngör , Yıldız Murat , Bülbül İzzet , Özarslandan Mümine
Published: June 2024

Fusarium species are agriculturally important fungi with a broad host range and can be found as endophytic, pathogenic, or opportunistic parasites in many crop plants. This study aimed to identify Fusarium species in bare-rooted, dormant plants in Turkish grapevine nurseries using molecular identification methods and assess their pathogenicity. Asymptomatic dormant plants were sampled from grapevine nurseries (43) in different regions of the country, and fungi were isolated from plant roots and internal basal tissues. The Fusarium strains were identified by performing gene sequencing (TEF1-α, RPB2) and phylogenetic analyses. Pathogenicity tests were carried out by inoculating mycelial agar pieces of strains onto the stem or conidial suspensions into the rhizosphere of vines (1103 Paulsen rootstock). Laboratory tests revealed that Fusarium species were highly prevalent in Turkish grapevine nurseries (41 out of 43). Gene sequencing and phylogenetic analyses unraveled that 12 Fusarium species (F. annulatum, F. brachygibbosum, F. clavum, F. curvatum, F. falciforme, F. fredkrugeri, F. glycines, F. nanum, F. nematophilum, F. nirenbergiae, F. solani, and Fusarium spp.) existed in the ready-to-sale plants. Some of these species (F. annulatum, F. curvatum and F. nirenbergiae) consistently caused wood necrosis of seedling stems, rotting of the basal zone and roots, and reduced root biomass. Although the other nine species also caused some root rot and root reduction, their virulence was not as severe as the pathogenic ones, and they were considered opportunistic parasites or endophytic species. This study suggests that Fusarium species might play an important role in root-basal rot, wood canker symptoms, and young vine decline in Turkish grapevine nurseries and that these species need to be considered for healthy seedling production.