bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advances in the study of apathy related to cerebral small vessel disease
Authors: Bu Shuo-han , Hu Xin-zhu , Su Zhe , Li Li-tao
Published: February 2025

Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is a complex clinical-imaging pathological syndrome caused by small vessel lesions in the brain, which is characterized by aging-related, insidious onset and slow progression. Apathy is a key component of the common neuropsychiatric symptoms among CSVD patients, severely affecting their daily lives and social functioning. Moreover, there are fewer studies on CSVD-related apathy, and greater attention should be paid to this condition in clinical practice. This article describes the latest research advances in the concept, epidemiological features, pathogenesis, assessment and diagnosis, imaging and biomarkers, and treatment of CSVD-related apathy, aiming to serve as a reference for the clinical diagnosis and prevention of CSVD-related apathy.
Delta radiomics modeling based on CTP for predicting hemorrhagic transformation after intravenous thrombolysis in acute cerebral infarction: an 8-year retrospective pilot study
Authors: Wu Xiaxia , Yang Jinfang , Ji Xianqun , Ye Yingjian , Song Ping , Song Lina , An Peng
Published: February 2025

Objective

To explore the value of delta radiomics from cerebral CT perfusion (CTP) in predicting hemorrhagic transformation after intravenous thrombolysis for acute cerebral infarction (HT-ACI).

Methods

Clinical and imaging data of 419 patients with acute cerebral infarction who underwent CTP after treatment between November 2016 and August 2024 were retrospectively collected. Based on post-thrombolysis cranial CT or MRI results, patients were divided into the HT-ACI group (114 cases) and the non-HT-ACI group (305 cases). The dataset was split into a training set and a test set in a 7:3 ratio based on time nodes. In the training set, regions of interest (ROI) within the cerebral infarction area on CTP images were delineated using 3D slicer software, and delta radiomic features were extracted. Hemodynamic parameters such as cerebral blood volume (CBV), cerebral blood flow (CBF), and time to peak (TTP) were obtained using CTP techniques. These were combined with baseline patient data (e.g., age, sex, NIHSS score, medical history) to establish various models for predicting HT-ACI through multivariable logistic regression analysis. The predictive performance of the models was compared using DeLong curves, clinical net benefit was assessed using decision curves, and model predictions were validated using the XGboost algorithm. These results were then validated in the test set, and a nomogram and calibration curve were constructed for clinical application.

Results

In the training set, significant differences were observed between the two groups in NIHSS score, pre-illness usually use of anticoagulants, age, infarction size, ADC difference, CBF, and Delta radscore (P < 0.05). The combined model [AUC 0.878, OR 0.0217, 95%CI 0.835–0.913] demonstrated superior predictive performance compared to the clinical model [AUC 0.725, OR 0.0310, 95%CI 0.670–0.775] and the imaging model [AUC 0.818, OR 0.0259, 95%CI 0.769–0.861]. This was confirmed by the XGboost algorithm, and decision curves confirmed the higher clinical net benefit of the combined model. Similar results were validated in the test set, and a novel nomogram was constructed to simplify the prediction process for HT-ACI.

Conclusion

The combined model established based on delta radiomics from CTP may provide early insights into the hemodynamic status of acutely ischemic brain tissue, holding significant clinical importance for predicting HT-ACI. This method could offer a powerful imaging reference for clinical decision-making in patients with ACI, helping to reduce the risk of HT-ACI and improve patient outcomes.
Beyond nutritional immunity: immune-stressing challenges basic paradigms of immunometabolism and immunology
Authors: LeGrand Edmund K.
Published: February 2025

Pathogens have the well-known advantage of rapid evolution due to short generation times and large populations. However, pathogens have the rarely noted disadvantage of the vulnerability to stress involved in proliferation as well as being localized. Presented here are numerous new paradigms in immunology, and especially immunometabolism, which are derived from examining how hosts capitalize on pathogen vulnerabilities to stress. Universally, proliferation requires both resources and synthesis, which are vulnerable to resource-limiting stress and damaging/noxious stress, respectively. Pathogens are particularly vulnerable to stress at the time when they are most threatening—when they are proliferating. Since immune cells actively controlling pathogens (effector cells) typically do not proliferate at infected sites, there is a “stress vulnerability gap” wherein proliferating pathogens are more vulnerable to any type of stress than are the attacking effector cells. Hosts actively stress vulnerable proliferating pathogens by restricting resources (resource-limiting stress) and generating noxious waste products (damaging/disruptive stress) in a fundamental defense here-in termed “immune-stressing.” While nutritional immunity emphasizes denying pathogens micronutrients, immune-stressing extends the concept to restricting all resources, especially glucose and oxygen, coupled with the generation of noxious metabolic products such as lactic acid, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and heat to further harm or stress the pathogens. At present much of the field of immunometabolism centers on how nutrition and metabolism regulate immune function, a central feature being the inefficient use of glucose via aerobic glycolysis (with much lactate/lactic acid production) by effector immune cells. In contrast, immune-stressing emphasizes how the immune system uses nutrition and metabolism to control infections. Immune-stressing addresses effector cell glycolysis at the infected site by noting that the high uptake of glucose linked with high output of lactic acid is an ideal double-pronged stressor targeting proliferating pathogens. Once the basic vulnerability of pathogen proliferation is recognized, numerous other paradigms of immunometabolism, and immunology as a whole, are challenged.
The role of ESRP1 in solid tumor development through the regulation of CD44 splicing and EMT processes
Authors: Wang Lili , Zhang Min , Zhao Kelei , Yuan Xiaohan , Zhao Houyu , Liu Yanting , Ji Yinghua , Lu Ping
Published: February 2025

According to the World Health Organization’s statistics, cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, following cardiovascular diseases. Despite significant progress in the field of cancer treatment in recent years, cancer remains one of the main factors shortening human life expectancy. The field of cancer research is increasingly focusing on the role of tumor-related oncogenes and heterogeneous proteins in the development of cancer. Studies indicate that there is a close connection between solid tumors and epithelial splicing regulatory protein 1 (ESRP1). ESRP1 is a key intracellular molecule that plays a crucial role in cell growth and differentiation. As an emerging biomarker, ESRP1 has a decisive impact on the formation and development of solid tumors by regulating the alternative splicing of CD44 and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. Research shows that abnormal expression of ESRP1 is closely related to the formation and development of various solid tumors, including breast cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer, and others, and is closely associated with the invasiveness, metastasis, and poor prognosis of tumors. Therefore, given ESRP1’s critical role in cancer development, it is gradually becoming a potential biomarker and therapeutic target. This review primarily discusses the molecular mechanisms of ESRP1 in regulating cancer metastasis, particularly its regulatory effects on CD44 splicing and the EMT process. These research findings provide new targets for cancer treatment, aiming to bring more precise diagnosis and more effective treatment strategies to patients.
Case report: Low-dose radiation reverses pembrolizumab resistance in melanoma
Authors: Fong Ka Hey Agnes , Ho Isaac , So Tsz Him
Published: February 2025

Immunotherapy has been the mainstay of the initial systemic treatment for metastatic melanoma regardless of the tumor’s genetic mutation status (Atkins et al., 2022). It is known to offer long-term overall and treatment-free survival benefits, also with generally tolerable side effect profiles. However, upon disease progression on first- and second-line immunotherapy, further systemic treatment options are limited especially for cases without actionable molecular alterations. With emerging evidence suggesting that radiotherapy can enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy via various mechanisms, together with its potential abscopal effect, the possibility of overcoming immunotherapy resistance with radiotherapy is theoretically sound. We report a case of metastatic melanoma which demonstrated a reversal of immunotherapy resistance after the addition of low-dose radiotherapy to progressive tumor. Complete metabolic remission is achieved with durable response observed.
The vicious spiral in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Authors: Opdal Siri Hauge , Stray-Pedersen Arne , Eidahl Johanna Marie Lundesgaard , Vege Åshild , Ferrante Linda , Rognum Torleiv Ole
Published: February 2025

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden and unexpected death of an otherwise healthy infant less than 1 year of age where the cause of death remains unexplained after a thorough post-mortem investigation and evaluation of the circumstances. Epidemiological, clinical, biochemical, immunological and pathological evidence indicates that three factors must coincide for SIDS to occur: a vulnerable developmental stage of the immune system and central nervous system in the infant, predisposing factors, and external trigger events. This model is referred to as the fatal triangle or triple risk hypothesis. The concept of a vicious spiral in SIDS, starting with the fatal triangle and ending in death, is proposed as a model to understand the death mechanism. The vicious spiral is initiated by a mucosal infection and immune activation in the upper respiratory and digestive tracts, increased production of cytokines, and an overstimulation of the immature and rapidly developing immune system. A second trigger is the prone sleeping position, which may lead to rebreathing and hypercapnia, in addition to intensify the immune stimulation. In susceptible infants, this induces an aberrant cytokine production that affects sleep regulation, induces hyperthermia, and disrupts arousal mechanisms. In turn, this initiates downregulation of respiration and hypoxemia, which is worsened by nicotine. Inefficient autoresuscitation results in severe hypoxia and accumulation of hypoxic markers which, if not prevented by a normally functioning serotonergic network, contribute to a self-amplifying vicious spiral that eventually leads to coma and death. The purpose of this review is to summarize the research that underpins the concept of the vicious spiral.
Alleviation of DSS-induced colitis by Meconopsis polysaccharides correlated with reduced PI3K/AKT signaling and gut microbiome diversity
Authors: Dai Jun , Wang Weidong , He Fangfang , Wang Yujuan , Zou Denglang
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a recurrent gastrointestinal disorder that significantly impacts patients’ quality of life globally. This study focuses on the polysaccharides (MP) extracted from Meconopsis integrifolia, to investigate its role in alleviating DSS (dextran sulfate sodium)-induced colitis in mice.

Methods

The study commenced with a comprehensive chemical characterization of Meconopsis polysaccharides. Subsequently, the colitis-alleviating activity of MP was validated through in vivo experiments.

Results

The results revealed that MP is primarily composed of ten monosaccharides, exhibits good thermal stability, and has a relatively uniform molecular weight distribution. In vivo experiments demonstrated that MP significantly mitigated DSS-induced weight loss, increased DAI, colon shortening, and tissue damage in mice. Furthermore, MP reduced the levels of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 in serum. Mechanistically, MP exerted its anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Additionally, MP promoted gut microbiota diversity and regulated SCFA concentrations, contributing to an improved intestinal microenvironment and alleviation of colitis symptoms.

Discussion

Our findings highlight the superior effectiveness of Meconopsis polysaccharides in alleviating DSS-induced colitis and open new avenues for targeted therapeutic strategies in the treatment of IBD.
MicroRNAs in atrial fibrillation – have we discovered the Holy Grail or opened a Pandora’s box?
Authors: Balan Alkora Ioana , Scridon Alina
Published: February 2025

Atrial fibrillation (AF) causes a heavy socio-economic burden on healthcare systems around the globe. Identification of new preventive, diagnostic, and treatment methods is imperative. In recent years, special attention has been paid to microRNAs (miRNAs) as potential regulators of AF pathogenesis. Through post-transcriptional regulation of genes, miRNAs have been shown to play crucial roles in AF-related structural and electrical atrial remodeling. Altered expression of different miRNAs has been related to proarrhythmic changes in the duration of action potentials and atrial fibrosis. In clinical studies, miRNA changes have been associated with AF, whereas in experimental studies miRNA manipulation has emerged as a potential therapeutic approach. It would appear that, with the advent of miRNAs, we may have found the Holy Grail, and that efficient and personalized AF therapy may be one step away. Yet, the clinical relevance of miRNA evaluation and manipulation remains questionable. Studies have identified numerous miRNAs associated with AF, but none of them have shown sufficient specificity for AF. MicroRNAs are not gene-specific but regulate the expression of a myriad of genes. Cardiac and non-cardiac off-target effects may thus occur following miRNA manipulation. A Pandora’s box might thus have opened with the advent of these sophisticated molecules. In this paper, we provide a critical analysis of the clinical and experimental, epidemiological and mechanistic data linking miRNAs to AF, we discuss the most promising miRNA therapeutic approaches, we emphasize a number of questions that remain to be answered, and we identify hotspots for future research.
Functional characterization in Chimonobambusa utilis reveals the role of bHLH gene family in bamboo sheath color variation
Authors: Tong Long , Zeng Qingping , Guo Yuan , Li Yanjie , Li Hongyan , Chen Lijie , Liu Xia
Published: February 2025

Introduction

The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) proteins are a large family of transcription factors that are essential to physiology, metabolism, and development. However, the available information is limited about the bHLH gene family in Chimonobambusa utilis, which is widely cultivated in China because of its high-quality and economic value. C. utilis cultivars exhibit five natural color variations in their shoot sheaths, but the molecular mechanism behind this color diversity remains unclear.

Methods

De novo assembly was employed to obtain gene sequences. To identify pathways related to color formation, GO enrichment analysis was performed on the 44,255 functionally annotated unigenes.

Results

The transcriptomic analysis of C. utilis yielded a total of 195,977 transcripts and 75,137 unigenes after removing redundancy. The enrichment results revealed that four pathways were most strongly associated with color formation. Phylogenetic, conserved motif, and protein–protein interaction analyses, along with qRT–PCR validation, confirmed CubHLH17's role in red sheath color.

Discussion

This research not only deepens insights into the functional roles of CubHLH genes but also lays the foundation for genetic improvement of bamboo species. We suggest that these findings will contribute to both scientific research and commercial bamboo cultivation through gene editing technology in the future.
Effect of a mindfulness program on stress, anxiety, depression, sleep quality, social support, and life satisfaction: a quasi-experimental study in college students
Authors: Alvarado-García Paul Alan Arkin , Soto-Vásquez Marilú Roxana , Infantes Gomez Francisco Mercedes , Guzman Rodriguez Natalia Mavila , Castro-Paniagua William Gil
Published: February 2025

Introduction

The university experience often brings various personal and academic challenges that can negatively impact students’ mental health. This research aimed to evaluate the effect of a mindfulness program on stress, anxiety, depression, sleep quality, social support, and life satisfaction among university students.

Methods

A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 128 participants, divided into experimental and waiting list control groups. The experimental group participated in a mindfulness meditation program consisting of 12 weekly sessions. Pre-test and post-test measurements were performed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (MOS-SS), and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) to assess the variables.

Results

The experimental group showed statistically significant differences between the study phases and the groups after the intervention for all the variables examined (p < 0.05). The effect sizes calculated using the HC3 model were stress (η2 = 0.376), anxiety (η2 = 0.538), depression (η2 = 0.091), sleep quality (η2 = 0.306), social support (η2 = 0.704), and life satisfaction (η2 = 0.510). The mindfulness program was shown to be effective in reducing levels of stress, anxiety, and depression while also improving sleep quality, social support, and life satisfaction in college students.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that mindfulness meditation may be valuable for enhancing psychological well-being in educational settings.
A novel framework to predict ADHD symptoms using irritability in adolescents and young adults with and without ADHD
Authors: Komijani Saeedeh , Ghosal Dipak , Singh Manpreet K. , Schweitzer Julie B. , Mukherjee Prerona
Published: February 2025

Background

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in children and adolescents characterized by persistent patterns of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattentiveness. ADHD persists for many into adulthood. While irritability is not a diagnostic symptom of ADHD, temper outbursts and irritable moods are common in individuals with ADHD. However, research on the association between irritability and ADHD symptoms in adolescents and young adults remains limited.

Method

Prior research has used linear regression models to examine longitudinal relations between ADHD and irritability symptoms. This method may be impacted by the potential presence of highly colinear variables. We utilized a hierarchical clustering technique to mitigate these collinearity issues and implemented a non-parametric machine learning (ML) model to predict the significance of symptom relations over time. Our data included adolescents (N=148, 54% ADHD) and young adults (N=124, 42% ADHD) diagnosed with ADHD and neurotypical (NT) individuals, evaluated in a longitudinal study.

Results

Results from the linear regression analysis indicate a significant association between irritability at time-point 1 (T1) and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms at time-point 2 (T2) in adolescent females (β=0.26, p-value < 0.001), and inattentiveness at T1 with irritability at T2 in young adult females (β=0.49, p-value < 0.05). Using a non-parametric-based approach, employing the Random Forest (RF) method, we found that among both adolescents and young adults, irritability in adolescent females significantly contributes to predicting impulsive symptoms in subsequent years, achieving a performance rate of 86%.

Conclusion

Our results corroborate and extend prior findings, allowing for an in-depth examination of longitudinal relations between irritability and ADHD symptoms, namely hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattentiveness, and the unique association between irritability and ADHD symptoms in females.
Exploring the impact of growth mindset on psychological symptoms in students from ethnic regions of China: how meaning in life makes a difference
Authors: Fang Zuozhi , Fu Zhongfang
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Drawing on implicit belief theory, this study examines the relationship between growth mindset and psychological symptoms in adolescents from ethnic minority regions in China, with a focus on the mediating role of meaning in life. Understanding this mechanism can provide insights into protective factors that support adolescent mental health.

Methods

Study 1 employed a cross-sectional mediation model with 1,184 middle school students from Yunnan and Guangxi, using the Growth Mindset Scale, Meaning in Life Questionnaire, and Brief Symptom Inventory. Study 2 adopted a longitudinal mediation model, tracking 618 students over eight months. Multiple regression and structural equation modeling were used to assess direct and indirect effects, controlling for socioeconomic status and age.

Results

Growth mindset was positively associated with meaning in life and negatively associated with psychological symptoms, including depression, anxiety, interpersonal sensitivity, and hostility. Longitudinal findings confirmed that growth mindset at T1 predicted lower psychological symptoms at T2, with meaning in life serving as a partial mediator. The mediation effects accounted for 21.55% to 43.33% of the total effect across different symptoms, indicating a cumulative impact over time.

Discussion

These findings highlight the protective role of growth mindset and the importance of meaning in life in adolescent mental health. The consistency of the mediation effect across cross-sectional and longitudinal models suggests that interventions promoting growth mindset and meaning-building strategies could have sustained mental health benefits. These insights have practical implications for school-based programs aimed at fostering resilience and psychological well-being in adolescents.
Development and validation of the multi-dimensional health resilience scale for community-dwelling adults
Authors: Ge Lixia , Yip Wan Fen , Li Ruijie , Chua Eric Siang Seng , Ho Moon-Ho R. , Ho Andy Hau Yan , Chua Evon Yiwen , Cheng Dolly , Leong Ian Yi Onn , Chieh Pann Pei , Tan Woan Shin
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Resilience measures generally are not health specific, nor do they account for the multiple dimensions required for individuals to overcome health challenges. To bridge this gap, we developed and validated a multi-dimensional Health Resilience Scale (HRS) for community-dwelling adults in Singapore.

Methods

We followed standard procedures to develop health resilience construct, identify dimensions, and generate potential items. Expert review and cognitive interviews were conducted to assess content validity and item clarity. The refined 35-item HRS was administered to 650 eligible community-dwelling adults in a cross-sectional survey, along with validation measures, to assess construct validity (including factorial, concurrent, convergent, and divergent validity) and internal consistency reliability.

Results

Exploratory factor analysis revealed five factors with 22 items, each factor containing 3 to 5 items. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the five-factor structure with good model fit. The five factors identified in the analysis were conceptualised as the following dimensions of the HRS: “Health mindset,” “Perceived health access,” “Social resourcefulness,” “Relational support,” and “Adaptive adjustment.” The dimensions of “Health mindset,” “Perceived health access,” and “Adaptive adjustment” exhibited moderate and positive correlations with psychological resilience (concurrent validity) as well as hope and self-efficacy (convergent validity). All dimensions had weak or no correlation with maladaptive coping, depression, and anxiety measures (divergent validity). Individuals with better health status scored higher, while those with recent health adversity scored lower on the HRS, confirming divergent validity. Internal consistency reliability was confirmed with Cronbach’s alpha exceeding 0.80 for the total scale and ranging from 0.73 to 0.88 for individual dimensions.

Conclusion

The 22-item multi-dimensional HRS demonstrated good reliability and validity, making it an effective tool for assessing health resilience and guiding initiatives aimed to enhance well-being among community members.
Trends in prevalence and disability-adjusted life years for refractive disorders in China and globally from 1990 to 2021: an analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021
Authors: Lai Fangfang , Xia Hongfang , Wang Liang
Published: February 2025

Objectives

This study aimed to describe the temporal trends in the prevalence and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of refractive disorders (RD) in China and globally from 1990 to 2021 and provide predictions in China for the next decade.

Methods

Utilizing open data from the Global Burden of Disease database (2021), this study conducted a comprehensive comparative analysis of the RD burden in China and globally, including changes in prevalence and DALYs. Joinpoint regression was employed to calculate the annual percentage change, the average annual percentage change, and its corresponding 95% confidence interval to reflect segmented trends in RD burden. The APC model was used to assess the net effects of age, period, and cohort. The ARIMA model was applied to predict future trends.

Results

The temporal trend of the health burden of RD in China aligned with the global trend, though the magnitude of change was greater, and the gap between the two had been narrowing recently. In China, the age-standardized DALYs rate for the total population (per 100,000 population) decreased from 74 in 1990 to 66 in 2021 and was projected to fall to 29.43 by 2031. The age-standardized prevalence rate for the total population (per 100,000 population) was expected to decrease to 411.23 by 2031, down from 1568 in 1990 to 1468 in 2021. However, the number of cases and the crude rates of prevalence and DALYs exhibited upward trends. In terms of age-specific rates, older adults exhibited higher prevalence and DALYs rates than younger adults. Regarding gender stratification, females had higher prevalence and DALYs rates than males.

Conclusion

The age-standardized rates of prevalence and DALYs for RD have decreased in recent years and may continue to decline over the next decade. However, the crude rates of prevalence and DALYs are on the rise. The health burden of RD remains substantial, with females and the older population bearing a higher burden than males and younger populations.
Extreme Temperatures, Hospital Utilization and Public Health Insurance Spending
Authors: Kim Yusun , Miao Qing , Zhu Ling
Published: February 2025

Objectives

This study examines the impact of extreme temperatures on hospital utilization and public health insurance program spending in a country with no universal health coverage.

Methods

Using nationwide U.S. county-level panel data and a fixed effects model, we estimate the impact of annual variations in the number of hot and cold days on hospital utilization and medical reimbursements for low-income and elderly beneficiaries of public health insurance.

Results

Our results show that extreme heat and mild cold increase medical reimbursements to low-income beneficiaries, while extreme cold increases benefit transfer to the elderly. We find that extreme temperatures have particularly stronger positive effect on hospital admission and inpatient care utilization among old and poor patients. The fiscal impact of extreme temperatures is greater in areas with more generous income eligibility criteria for public health insurance.

Conclusion

The study advances our understanding of how extreme temperatures affect healthcare utilization of low-income and elderly populations and the roles public health insurance plays in supporting them from increasing weather risks. Our findings suggest that climate change can augment the financial burden on governments.
Rural-Urban Disparity in Premature Cancer Mortality in Young People Aged 15–44 Years in China, 2004–2021
Authors: Chen Chunrong , Xing Xing , Li Shaojie , Qu Bo , Liu Chunyu , Zhu He
Published: February 2025

Objective

This study aims to examine and compare premature cancer mortality in young people aged 15–44 years old between rural and urban areas to inform early-onset cancer prevention.

Methods

The data were obtained from the China Death Surveillance Datasets from 2004 to 2021. The study sample consisted of cancer deaths of young people aged 15–44 years old. Age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) were calculated, and joinpoint regressions were used to examine trends in ASMRs.

Results

There were overall decreasing trends in ASMRs for all cancers in both rural and urban young people in China from 2004 to 2021. However, the decrease was relatively slower in rural areas, where ASMRs for pancreatic and ovarian cancers showed increasing trends. The five leading types of cancer deaths consistently remained liver, lung, leukemia, stomach, and other cancers in both rural and urban areas after 2013.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that there were rural-urban disparities in cancer mortality in young people, which showed a different pattern compared to other age groups. More efforts are needed to develop effective early-onset cancer prevention strategies, with particular emphasis on liver cancer and rural areas.
Enhancing Non-Invasive Blood Glucose Prediction from Photoplethysmography Signals via Heart Rate Variability-Based Features Selection Using Metaheuristic Algorithms
Authors: Alghlayini Saifeddin , Al-Betar Mohammed Azmi , Atef Mohamed
Published: February 2025

Diabetes requires effective monitoring of the blood glucose level (BGL), traditionally achieved through invasive methods. This study addresses the non-invasive estimation of BGL by utilizing heart rate variability (HRV) features extracted from photoplethysmography (PPG) signals. A systematic feature selection methodology was developed employing advanced metaheuristic algorithms, specifically the Improved Dragonfly Algorithm (IDA), Binary Grey Wolf Optimizer (bGWO), Binary Harris Hawks Optimizer (BHHO), and Genetic Algorithm (GA). These algorithms were integrated with machine learning (ML) models, including Random Forest (RF), Extra Trees Regressor (ETR), and Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM), to enhance predictive accuracy and optimize feature selection. The IDA-LightGBM combination exhibited superior performance, achieving a mean absolute error (MAE) of 13.17 mg/dL, a root mean square error (RMSE) of 15.36 mg/dL, and 94.74% of predictions falling within the clinically acceptable Clarke error grid (CEG) zone A, with none in dangerous zones. This research underscores the efficiency of utilizing HRV and PPG for non-invasive glucose monitoring, demonstrating the effectiveness of integrating metaheuristic and ML approaches for enhanced diabetes monitoring.
Preamble-Based Signal-to-Noise Ratio Estimation for Adaptive Modulation in Space–Time Block Coding-Assisted Multiple-Input Multiple-Output Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing System
Authors: Manzoor Shahid , Othman Noor Shamsiah , Muhieldeen Mohammed W.
Published: February 2025

This paper presents algorithms to estimate the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in the time domain and frequency domain that employ a modified Constant Amplitude Zero Autocorrelation (CAZAC) synchronization preamble, denoted as CAZAC-TD and CAZAC-FD SNR estimators, respectively. These SNR estimators are invoked in a space–time block coding (STBC)-assisted multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system. These SNR estimators are compared to the benchmark frequency domain preamble-based SNR estimator referred to as the Milan-FD SNR estimator when used in a non-adaptive 2×2 STBC-assisted MIMO-OFDM system. The performance of the CAZAC-TD and CAZAC-FD SNR estimators is further investigated in the non-adaptive 4×4 STBC-assisted MIMO-OFDM system, which shows improved bit error rate (BER) and normalized mean square error (NMSE) performance. It is evident that the non-adaptive 2×2 and 4×4 STBC-assisted MIMO-OFDM systems that invoke the CAZAC-TD SNR estimator exhibit superior performance and approach closer to the normalized Cramer–Rao bound (NCRB). Subsequently, the CAZAC-TD SNR estimator is invoked in an adaptive modulation scheme for a 2×2 STBC-assisted MIMO-OFDM system employing M-PSK, denoted as the AM-CAZAC-TD-MIMO system. The AM-CAZAC-TD-MIMO system outperformed the non-adaptive STBC-assisted MIMO-OFDM system using 8-PSK by about 2 dB at BER = 10−4. Moreover, the AM-CAZAC-TD-MIMO system demonstrated an SNR gain of about 4 dB when compared with an adaptive single-input single-output (SISO)-OFDM system with M-PSK. Therefore, it was shown that the spatial diversity of the MIMO-OFDM system is key for the AM-CAZAC-TD-MIMO system’s improved performance.
Quality Comparison of Dynamic Auditory Virtual-Reality Simulation Approaches of Approaching Vehicles Regarding Perceptual Behavior and Psychoacoustic Values
Authors: Krautwurm Jonas , Oberfeld-Twistel Daniel , Huisman Thirsa , Maravich Maria Mareen , Altinsoy Ercan
Published: February 2025

Traffic safety experiments are often conducted in virtual environments in order to avoid dangerous situations and conduct the experiments more cost-efficiently. This means that attention must be paid to the fidelity of the traffic scenario reproduction, because the pedestrians’ judgments have to be close to reality. To understand behavior in relation to the prevailing audio rendering systems better, a listening test was conducted which focused on perceptual differences between simulation and playback methods. Six vehicle driving-by-scenes were presented using two different simulation methods and three different playback methods, and binaural recordings from the test track acquired during the recordings of the vehicle sound sources for the simulation were additionally incorporated. Each vehicle driving-by-scene was characterized by different vehicle types and different speeds. Participants rated six attributes of the perceptual dimensions: “timbral balance”, “naturalness”, “room-related”, “source localization”, “loudness” and “speed perception”. While the ratings showed a high degree of similarity among the ratings of the sound attributes in the different reproduction systems, there were minor differences in the speed and loudness estimations and the different perceptions of brightness stood out. A comparison of the loudness ratings in the scenes featuring electric and combustion-engine vehicles highlights the issue of reduced detection abilities with regard to the former.
Real-Time Simulation-Based Control of an Electro-Hydraulic Flexible Manipulator
Authors: Hagen Daniel , Hansen Katrine Als , Holmen Jonas , Hansen Michael Rygaard
Published: February 2025

This paper presents the modeling and control of a flexible single-boom crane manipulator using a high-fidelity real-time simulation model. The model incorporates both electro-hydraulic actuation and flexible-body dynamics, with the flexible boom represented via the lumped parameter method. A systematic tuning and validation procedure ensures that the model accurately replicates the physical system’s dynamics, achieving an eigenfrequency accuracy of approximately 97% and a piston-position deviation within 1.2% of the overall stroke length in final tests. The real-time simulation model is utilized in both open-loop and closed-loop control schemes to investigate whether simulated data can reduce dependency on sensor feedback compared to a benchmark controller. While the simulation-based controller alone does not match the fully sensor-based closed-loop accuracy, the simulation-based feedforward improves performance by 83% compared to the standard model-based velocity feedforward. Additionally, integrating the real-time simulation with sensor feedback enhances the benchmark controller’s performance by approximately 16%. These findings highlight the potential of combining real-time, nonlinear simulation with conventional sensor feedback to enhance the control of electro-hydraulic flexible manipulators.
Load-Current-Compensation-Based Robust DC-Link Voltage Control for Flywheel Energy Storage Systems
Authors: Hu Hongjin , Liang Wentao , Cao Guang-Zhong , Wei Jingbo , Liu Kun
Published: February 2025

DC-link voltage control needs to be achieved for flywheel energy storage systems (FESSs) during discharge. However, load disturbances and model nonlinearity affect the voltage control performance. Therefore, this paper proposes a load-current-compensation-based robust DC-link voltage control method for FESSs. In the proposed method, the model is linearized via load current feedforward compensation and dq-axis current-to-DC-current conversion. The uncertainty of the linear model is analyzed and an H∞ robust control method is applied to overcome the uncertainty. Furthermore, experiments involving the proposed method are conducted on a 1.2 kWh magnetic suspended FESS prototype. Compared with the general proportional integral control method, the proposed method can increase the voltage response speed by 37.1% and reduce the voltage fluctuations by 29.5%. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified experimentally.
IntelliGrid AI: A Blockchain and Deep-Learning Framework for Optimized Home Energy Management with V2H and H2V Integration
Authors: Binyamin Sami , Slama Sami Ben
Published: February 2025

The integration of renewable energy sources and electric vehicles has become a focal point for industries and academia due to its profound economic, environmental, and technological implications. These developments require the development of a robust intelligent home energy management system (IHEMS) to optimize energy utilization, enhance transaction security, and ensure grid stability. For this reason, this paper develops an IntelliGrid AI, an advanced system that integrates blockchain technology, deep learning (DL), and dual-energy transmission capabilities—vehicle to home (V2H) and home to vehicle (H2V). The proposed approach can dynamically optimize household energy flows, deploying real-time data and adaptive algorithms to balance energy demand and supply. Blockchain technology ensures the security and integrity of energy transactions while facilitating decentralized peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading. The core of IntelliGrid AI is an advanced Q-learning algorithm that intelligently allocates energy resources. V2H enables electric vehicles to power households during peak periods, reducing the strain on the grid. Conversely, H2V technology facilitates the efficient charging of electric cars during peak hours, contributing to grid stability and efficient energy utilization. Case studies conducted in Tunisia validate the system’s performance, showing a 20% reduction in energy costs and significant improvements in transaction efficiency. These results highlight the practical benefits of integrating V2H and H2V technologies into innovative energy management frameworks.
Pioneering Advances in Veterinary Medicine: From Diagnosis to Treatment
Authors: Queiroga Felisbina Luisa
Published: February 2025

Continuous advancements in veterinary medicine have significantly improved the health and longevity of companion animals while also contributing to wildlife conservation efforts [...]
Effects of Extrusion on the Available Energy and Nutrient Digestibility of Wheat and Its Application in Weaned Piglets
Authors: Zhang Ge , He Xing , Sun Zhiqiang , Wang Tenghao , Liu Ling , Zhao Jinbiao , Zhang Zeyu
Published: February 2025

Experiments were designed to investigate the effect of extrusion on the available energy and nutrient digestibility of wheat, and to further evaluate the effects of incorporating extruded wheat into the diet on growth performance, diarrhea rates, health status, and fecal microbiota of weaned piglets. In Exp. 1, twelve crossbred barrows, with an initial body weight (BW) of 12.0 ± 0.73 kg, were randomly assigned to two treatment groups (wheat and extruded wheat) to determine the digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME). Additionally, nine crossbred barrows (initial BW, 13.73 ± 0.59 kg) fitted with ileal cannulas, were arranged in a 9 × 2 Youden square design, including three diets (N-free diet, wheat, and extruded wheat), aiming to measure the standard ileal digestibility of amino acids (AAs). In Exp. 2, 96 pigs (initial BW, 8.58 ± 0.52 kg) were randomly divided into two treatments (CON and 35% extruded wheat) based on BW, with each treatment having six pens, each pen containing four boars and four sows. The results indicated that extrusion significantly increased the DE and ME of wheat and the standard ileal digestibility of most AAs (p < 0.05). Incorporating 35% extruded wheat did not affect the growth performance, diarrhea rates, nutrient digestibility, or health status of the weaned piglets (p > 0.05). However, it tended to enhance the α-diversity of fecal microbiota (p = 0.07) and increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria (p < 0.05). In conclusion, extrusion increased the feeding value of wheat, and the inclusion of 35% extruded wheat in the diet increased the relative abundance of beneficial microbes in feces.
The Impact of Carboxytherapy in Monotherapy and in Combination with Lactobionic or Ferulic Acid and Ascorbic Acid on the Hydration and Viscoelasticity of the Skin Around the Eyes
Authors: Kołodziejczak Anna , Rybak Aleksandra , Rotsztejn Helena
Published: February 2025

Carboxytherapy is a promising treatment modality with multidirectional effects on the skin; yet, its impact on hydration and viscoelasticity in the delicate periorbital area requires further exploration. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of carboxytherapy as monotherapy and in combination with selected acids on the hydration and viscoelasticity of the skin around the eyes. Thirty-nine participants underwent five weekly treatments, with carboxytherapy applied to the right eye area and carboxytherapy combined with acids (ferulic acid 14% with L-ascorbic acid 12% or lactobionic acid 20%) administered to the left eye area. Skin hydration and viscoelasticity were measured using Corneometer and Cutometer probes, respectively. Statistically significant improvements (p < 0.0001) in viscoelasticity were observed in both treated areas. The combination of carboxytherapy with lactobionic acid led to a modest but statistically insignificant increase in skin hydration. These findings indicate that carboxytherapy, particularly in combination with tested acids, is effective for improving skin viscoelasticity. While its effect on hydration is more pronounced in dry skin, the therapy significantly enhances skin elasticity, supporting its use as a preventative and corrective treatment for age-related changes, including progressive loss of skin density and firmness.
Assessing the Economic Performance and Environmental Impact of Farming Systems Based on Different Organic Conservation Practices in Processing Tomato Cultivation
Authors: Gagliardi Lorenzo , Luglio Sofia Matilde , Fontanelli Marco , Raffaelli Michele , Frasconi Christian , Fatchurrahman Danial , Peruzzi Andrea
Published: February 2025

Conservation Agriculture practices in Organic Farming can enhance the sustainability of these farming systems. However, these practices have economic and environmental implications for farmers, which must be considered. In the present study, eight technical itineraries were compared in tomato cultivation. These differed in how reduced and no-tillage practices were used to manage four soil cover types and to control weeds. The itinerary’s gross salable production (GSP), gross income (GI), and CO2 emissions were evaluated. In the second growing season, the no-tillage itinerary values of both GSP and GI were lower than those based on reduced tillage (34,681.03 and 71,891.58 EUR ha−1, respectively). The use of cover crops tendentially resulted in an increase in GSP in both growing seasons compared to cultivation on bare soil (8190.00 and 41,959.89 EUR ha−1 in 2020 and 2021, respectively), particularly with clover monoculture and a clover–rye mix in 2020 (25,326.60 and 25,818.97 EUR ha−1, respectively) and with clover monoculture in 2021 (69,310.18 EUR ha−1). A similar trend was also observed for GI. Cover crop adoption was related to a higher CO2 emissions (642.73 and 234.84 kg ha−1 in 2020 and 353.23 and 213.30 kg ha−1 in 2021, for itineraries based on reduced-tillage and no-tillage, respectively). Further studies could focus on the economic and environmental evaluation of these systems in the same pedoclimatic conditions but over the long term, quantifying the various environmental benefits of cover crops.
Validation of Cable-Driven Experimental Setup to Assess Movements Made with Elbow Joint Assistance
Authors: Alapati Sreejan , Seth Deep , Nakka Sanjeevi , Aoustin Yannick
Published: February 2025

This article investigates a cable-driven experimental setup to simulate elbow joint assistance in the sagittal plane provided by an exosuit. Cable-driven exosuits, particularly fabric-based designs, significantly enhance rehabilitation by enabling targeted joint exercises and promoting functional recovery. To achieve an optimal design, these devices require an analysis of the cable tension, reaction forces, and moments and their dependency on the anchor position. This study presents a cable-driven experimental setup with two rigid bars and variable anchor positions, designed to mimic the human forearm, upper arm, and elbow joint, to evaluate the performance of a potential cable-driven exosuit. Based on the experimental setup, a static model was developed to validate the measured cable tension and estimate the reaction force at the joint and the moments at the anchor positions. Furthermore, based on the observations, an optimization problem was defined to identify optimal anchor positions to improve the exosuit’s design. The optimal position on the forearm and upper arm is studied between 15% and 50% distance from the elbow joint. Our findings suggest that prioritizing user comfort requires both anchor points to be as far away from the elbow joint as possible, i.e., 50% distance, whereas, for optimal exosuit performance, the forearm anchor position can be adjusted based on the joint angle while keeping the upper arm anchor position at the farthest point. The findings in the current work can be used to decide the anchor point position for designing an elbow exosuit.