bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extremely low ethnic diversity amongst UK marine and environmental science graduates
Authors: Ford Alex , Shankar Amruthavarshini , Reynolds Sarah , Bachiller-Jareno Nuria
Published: October 2023

The planet is facing a triple crisis from climate change, biodiversity loss, and a pollution crisis. The UK, like any country needs to attract and train the best available talent to become thought leaders to overcome these global challenges. A number of STEM subjects in the UK face challenges with attracting ethnic minority students, but there is a particular gap in our understanding across environmental and marine science subjects. As part of a wider project on diversity in UK environmental and marine science, we have conducted an analysis of approximately 18,000 applications amongst 180 environmental and 88 marine science degrees in the UK between 2019–2021 and have found them to be the least diverse degree subjects for ethnic minority students. Asian students were less likely to be accepted compared to white students on environmental science degrees, with no differences observed for marine science degrees. A survey of 46 UK marine science course/module leaders highlights that they are aware of the problem and believe that this issue is impacting the pipeline of diversity from higher education (HE) institutions to marine/environmental science careers. In this paper, we discuss the impacts of these findings and develop a roadmap to change.
Relationship between indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity in a residential building in Central Europe
Authors: Božič Anže
Published: October 2023

Relative humidity and temperature in indoor spaces are two important environmental factors that not only determine the behaviour and well-being of residents but also influence airborne transmission of diseases in closed spaces. Since outdoor values of these two variables are often more convenient to measure, they are commonly taken as a proxy for their indoor values; however, the correlation between them is not always straightforward. We explore the relationships between indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity in a residential building apartment in a temperate climate in Central Europe. Measurements performed over the period of one year allow for a detailed comparison and analysis of correlations between both daily averages as well as daily profiles of indoor and outdoor variables. The results of this study add further evidence to the observations that day-to-day variation in indoor temperature and relative humidity are not well-represented by outdoor measurements. This work also adds to the growing body of data on indoor environmental variables and should thus prove useful in studies aiming to determine the influence of relative humidity and temperature on indoor transmission of airborne diseases as well as in studies examining the influence of these two variables on the well-being of building residents.
Unveiling Asymmetric Geometry of Broad-Line Region in Active Galactic Nuclei
Authors: Feng Hai-Cheng , Li Sha-Sha , Liu Hong-Tao , BAI Jinming , Ji Xiang , Pang Yu-Xuan , Cheng Cheng , Lu Kai-Xing , Wang Jian-Guo , Li Rui
Published: October 2023

Broad emission lines of active galactic nuclei originate from the broad-line region, consisting of dense gas clouds in orbit around an accreting supermassive black hole. Understanding the geometry and kinematics of the region is crucial for gaining insights into the physics and evolution of this population. Conventional velocity-resolved reverberation mapping cannot disentangle the degeneracy between intricate motion and geometry of this region by measuring the light travel time of central ionizing photons to clouds with different velocities. To address this challenge, new key constraints are required. Here, we report the discovery of asymmetric broad-line region using a novel technique: velocity-resolved ionization mapping. By analyzing spectroscopic monitoring data, we demonstrate that the Hydrogen line ratio can constrain the distance of emitting gas clouds, and find tight correlations between lags and flux ratios at different velocities of broad emission lines. Some line ratio profiles obviously deviate from the prediction of symmetric broad-line region. Asymmetric geometry is required, potentially represents formation imprint of broad-line region, provides clues to the evolution of active galactic nuclei, and influences the mass measurement of supermassive black hole.
Integrative multi-omics profiling reveals the molecular subtypes and circulating biomarkers for pediatric mitochondrial disease
Authors: Lyu Jianxin , Lou Xiaoting , Chen Zhehui , Zhao Qiongya , Zhou Yuwei , Zeng Xiaofei , Ma Xue , Luo Peng , Zhang Chunxia , Zhang Luyi , Xie Yaojun , Wang Ya , Dong Qiyu , Yin Xiaojie , Guo Tiannan , Fang Hezhi , Yang Yanling
Published: October 2023

Pediatric mitochondrial disease (PMD) refers the MD happened before 14 years old, which is a collection of rare, heterogenies and lethal syndromes. However, PMD still lacks molecular subtypes and a noninvasive diagnostic biomarker for precise medication and early diagnosis. By using multi-omics analyses for the discovery cohort, the molecular subtypes and robust biomarkers firstly discovered. The biomarkers further validated in an independent cohort. We found multiple energetic pathways altered in the PMD plasma (proteomics and metabolomics) and blood cells (transcriptomes), indicating the qualification of working pipelines. Some pathways were discovered without expectation may provide new insight into PMD pathogenesis. Molecular subtypes modeling revealed that PMD can be calcified into “AA-META”, “LIP-META” and “MIDDLE-META”, interestingly, the “AA-META” correlated with severe symptoms with a higher rate of neurologic and cardiac affected. Based on three machine learning algorithms, we discovered a panel of biomarkers with 13 molecules (1 gene, 2 proteins, and 10 metabolites), including classic (lactate, pyruvate) and novel biomarkers, showed more effective diagnosis rate of PMD (AUC=0.947) than reported ones. Overall, our work defined molecular subtypes of PMD and established a new panel of biomarkers for the precision diagnosis of PMD.
Preliminary study on DCE-MRI radiomics analysis for differentiation of HER2-low and HER2-zero breast cancer
Authors: Yin Liang , Zhang Yun , Qin Rong , Xiang Ling-ling , Zhang Qing , Wu Ting , Shaibu Zakari , Fang Yue , Xiao Xiu-di , Shan Xiu-hong
Published: October 2023

Purpose
This study aims to evaluate the usefulness of radiomic features obtained by dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in distinguishing HER2-low from HER2-zero breast cancer.
Patients and methods:
We performed a retrospective analysis of 118 MRI cases, including 78 HER2-low and 40 HER2-zero patients confirmed by immunohistochemistry or fluorescence in situ hybridization. For each case in the DCE-MRI phase, a region of interest (ROI) was determined and 960 radiomics were extracted. Lasso regression was used to identify similar features with HER2-low and HER2-zero variants. The effectiveness of the model in distinguishing between HER2-low and HER2-zero was assessed using logistic regression (LR). Additionally, an integrated radiological model was developed to include Rad scores obtained from DCE-MRI and clinic-radiological semantic features and visualized as a radiomics nomogram using logistic regression model.
Results
The logistic regression model demonstrated excellent performance, attaining area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.875 and 0.845 on the training and testing sets, respectively, outperforming the clinical model on both sets (AUC = 0.691 and AUC = 0.672). Higher HER2 risk factors were associated with increased Rad-score and Time intensity curve (TIC). In both sets, the radiomics nomogram performed better than models containing only clinic-radiological semantic features or radiomics signatures, with AUC, sensitivity, and specificity values ​​of 0.892 and 79.6% and 82.8% in the training set, and 0.886, 83.3%, and 90.9% in the testing set respectively.
Conclusions
The combined radiomic nomogram based on DCE-MRI demonstrated promising potential in predicting the difference between HER2-low and HER2-zero status in breast cancer patients.
Characteristics of 200 patients with somatoform pain disorder
Authors: Barth Lena , Baumbach Linda , Hajek André , Goetzmann Lutz , Feiks Katrin , Rufer Michael , Schwegler Kyrill , Schwennen Bianca , Bernhardt Kirstin , Wutzler Uwe , Kaiser Paul , Ruettner Barbara , Siegel Adrian M.
Published: October 2023

Background
Patients with somatoform pain experience physical pain, that cannot be attributed to any underlying medical or physiological cause, and it is often thought to be related to psychological factors. Health professionals encounter difficulties identifying this specific type of chronic pain, leading to suboptimal treatment strategies. Therefore, we aimed to describe the characteristics of patients with somatoform pain, to support the identification of affected patients.
Methods
We collected and analyzed data of a multicentre cross-sectional study from 200 patients with somatoform pain admitted to psychosomatic centers in Germany between July 2013 and Juli 2014. The survey contains ten different categories, all of them referring to pain related topics. Here, we present the following five: Personal data, Body: Pain perception, Cognition: Pain processing, Pain behavior, and Physical complaints.
Results
Our results highlight that most of these patients experience persisting pain in several body parts, which lasts > 12 hours/day (50%), and is constantly changing (71%). Furthermore, patients indicate feelings of helplessness by agreeing to expressions like "the pain is controlling me" (70%). Finally, we found that pain is recognized less in a symbolic way, but predominantly seen as suffering by the patients, despite cognitively acknowledging the dependency of emotional and physical pain.
Conclusion
The study identified specific and distinctive characteristics in the emotional and behavioral responses of patients with somatoform pain, potentially distinguishing them from other patients with chronic pain and helping clinicians to identify these patients.
TIPE2 protein negatively mediates restoration of myeloid dendritic cells in patients with chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Ma Li , Kang Yanhong , Wei Junfeng , Qin Xinmeng , Wei Xun , Kang Yuehua , Kang Yi
Published: October 2023

Background
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes persistence in a subgroup of patients and impaired myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) functions have been observed in these patients, and the effect could be remedied by treatment with interferon-α (IFN-α)-based antiviral therapies. However, the biological functions of mDCs in HBV infection remains largely unexplored.
Methods
TIPE2 expression in mDCs was analyzed by qRT-PCR, western blot and flow cytometry. The release of cytokines was assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Downregulation of TIPE2 expression was constructed via siRNA.
Results
Our results showed that TIPE2 was significantly increased in mDCs isolated from chronically HBV-infected subjects compared with healthy subjects or patients achieving antiviral treatment of sustained virological responses (SVR). Interestingly, IFN-α treatment could decrease the expression of TIPE2 in mDCs from HBV patients than that untreated patients, SVR patients, or healthy subjects. Moreover, TIPE2 expression in mDCs was decreased in healthy subjects but not HBV patients after stimulating with poly I:C, while the difference could be abrogated by the treatment with IFN-α in vitro. In addition, TIPE2 expression by poly I:C activated mDCs, with or without IFN-α treatment, negatively correlated with the expression of CD86 and CCR7, and the secretion of interleukin-12 (IL-12), but positively associated with the production of IL-10. Finally, downregulation expression of TIPE2 could increase the production of IL-12 and decrease IL-10 secretion in mDCs of chronically HBV-infected individuals.
Conclusions
Our study suggested that TIPE2 was a crucial factor in negatively mediating innate immune responses during chronic viral infection.
Abdominal vascular injury caused by lumbar reoperation surgery：a case report
Authors: Yang Jia , Cui Zhong-Ning , Dong Jia-Nan , Zheng Jia-Le , Pang Li-Kai
Published: October 2023

Purpose
We report a case of pedicle screw injury to the abdominal inferior vena cava （IVC）during lumbar reoperation.
Methods
A 67-year-old man was hospitalized again for low back pain and numbness in his lower limbs. The imaging results of the patient's re-hospitalization showed that the L4/5 intervertebral space was not fused, and the L5 bilateral pedicle screw was broken. When we removed the fractured pedicle screw on the left side, the screw was accidentally pushed to the abdomen. Fortunately, the patient 's blood pressure did not show a progressive decrease.
Results
We decisively made open exploration of the left approach to him, and successfully removed the pedicle screw. At the same time, we made bone graft and internal fixation of the L4/5 intervertebral space, and the patients had satisfactory recovery during and after the operation.
Conclusion
Abdominal vascular injury is a rare but fatal complication of posterior lumbar surgery. Lumbar revision surgery is complex, and surgeons must consider it carefully before surgery. Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion（OLIF）surgery can meet both lumbar revision and abdominal vascular exploration
Analysis of the application value of speckle-tracking imaging technology to assess fetal cardiac function in the early second trimester
Authors: Luo Ling , Liu Hanmin , Chen Jiao , Dai Xiaohui , Liu Dan , Wu Ting , Zhu Qi
Published: October 2023

Objective
We explored the usefulness of speckle-tracking imaging (STI) to assess cardiac function in fetal congenital heart disease in the early second trimester.
Method
A total of 151 pregnant women with a singleton pregnancy who underwent early fetal echocardiography in our hospital were randomly selected. There were 39 fetuses with congenital heart disease and no significant cardiac configuration change was visualized in the four-chamber view in all cases (case group) and 112 healthy fetuses (control group). STI was performed in both groups to measure fetal left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) endocardial-myocardial global longitudinal strain (GLSendo), time to peak longitudinal strain (TTPS), fractional area change (FAC), and LV ejection fraction (LVEF). Parameters were compared between the two groups, and correlation analyses were performed.
Results
LVEF, LV FAC, and RV FAC did not significantly differ between groups. The LV GLSendo and RV GLSendo were significantly lower in the case group (P < 0.05). The LV TTPS and RV TTPS were negatively correlated with fetal heart rate in each group. After heart rate correction, the TTPS was significantly longer in the case group.
Conclusion
STI may be more sensitive than conventional imaging for detection of fetal myocardial deformation and function in the early second trimester.
Clinical and radiographic outcome of tension band suture fixation for displaced olecranon fractures
Authors: Vesterby Liv , Ohrt-Nissen Søren , Ban Ilija , Thomsen Morten Grove , Tengberg Peter Toft
Published: October 2023

Background:
Tension band wire fixation (TBW) is a well-described method for treating displaced olecranon fractures. Further surgery is often needed due to wound breakdown or prominent hardware.
An all-suture technique has recently been described as an alternative to TBW but radiographic and clinical outcome are not well established. The aim of this single-center retrospective cohort study was to evaluate outcome after treatment with all-suture technique for simple displaced olecranon fractures.
Methods
A retrospective review of olecranon fractures in patients (>18 years) treated for displaced olecranon fractures with tension band suture fixation (TBSF) between February and August 2019 was performed in our facility. Primary outcome was revision surgery, which was assessed four years after surgery. Clinical and radiographical follow-up was performed at two weeks, six weeks, three months and six months to assess union rate, fracture displacement, range of motion (ROM), Quick-DASH and Oxford Elbow Score.
Results
A total of 24 patients were included. Median age was 64 years [IQR:39-73], 9 patients were male and median ASA score was 2 [IQR:1-2]. 15 fractures were Mayo type 2A and 9 type 2B with minor comminution. At four-year follow-up, three patients had died. None of the remaining 21 patients had undergone revision surgery. At six months, the median Quick-DASH and Oxford Elbow Score were 2.3 [IQR:0-4.5] and 47 [IQR:46-48], respectively. Median elbow extension and flexion deficits were 0° [IQR:0-2.25] and 0° [IQR:0-0], respectively. Radiographic union was achieved in all patients. In two cases radiographic loss of reduction and malunion was observed but both patients were asymptomatic and had no functional deficits. One patient refractured the elbow due to a second trauma and was reoperated.
Conclusions
TBSF is a promising technique for Mayo type 2A and 2B fractures with minor comminution. There were no revision surgeries within the first four years. We found good functional outcomes and a high union rate.
Dynamic testing based versus restrictive based fluid administration following early fluid resuscitation in septic shock patients, a pilot study
Authors: Abdelbaky Shaimaa , Ahmed Walid , Toema Khaled , Elamir Nashwa
Published: October 2023

Background
Efforts have been targeting early reversal of a hemodynamically unstable patient in septic shock. The classic rationale for fluid resuscitation in septic shock is to restore intravascular volume deficit with resultant augmentation of cardiac output. Latest surviving sepsis campaign guidelines recommended an initial fluid bolus with subsequent fluid administration, guided by dynamic testing.
AIM OF WORK
We aimed to test if restrictive fluid protocol was comparable to dynamic-based testing for fluid responsiveness protocol.
METHODS
This was a prospective cohort study, recruiting septic shock patients, conducted in Critical Care Department, Cairo University. All patients were initially resuscitated. Patients were randomized (1:1 ratio) to restrictive group (fluid administration with predetermined rate of 1 ml/kg/hour), and dynamic-based testing group (fluid administration according to dynamic measures, following passive leg raising method). Positive response was considered when cardiac output increased by 10%.
Results
Our study recruited 80 patients (39 males) with age of 57.3±18.8 years old. It was noted that clinical severity scores were higher in the restrictive group, with no significant difference in 3 hours lactate. Fluid strategy did not affect mortality. Logistic regression showed no significant difference regarding adjusted mortality, between those who showed acceptable fluid response according to dynamic testing and those who received a restrictive protocol (Hazard’s risk 0.913, P 0.903, CI 95% 0.212 – 3.935). Fluid strategy did not affect need for dialysis, nor mechanical ventilation, nor length of ICU stay.
CONCLUSION
Restrictive fluid strategy, following initial fluid resuscitation was comparable to dynamic testing-based strategy, in terms of mortality, need for ventilation, need for dialysis and ICU length of stay
Alleviation effects of dexmedetomidine on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury through fatty acid metabolism pathway via Elovl6
Authors: Yuan Haozheng , Guo Jingying , Wang Congxia , Zhang Chunyan
Published: October 2023

Dexmedetomidine (Dex) is widely used in the sedation in intensive care units and as an anesthetic adjunct. We applied in vivo rat model as well as in vitro cardiomyocyte models (H9c2 cells and neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, NRCMs) to evaluate the effects of Dex against myocardial I/R injury. Next, transcriptomic sequencing was performed to determine the global change of gene expression and identified genes related to fatty acid metabolism were significantly regulated by Dex. Furthermore, shRNAs targeting Elovl6 were transfected into H9c2 cells and NRCMs to knockdown Elovl6. By comparing the effects of Dex on both wild type and Elovl6-knockdown cell under oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) challenge, the protection efficiency of Dex was lower supported by the dataset including the cytotoxicity endpoints (cell viability and LDH release) and apoptosis as well as key gene expressions. These results indicate that Dex exhibited the protective function against myocardial I/R injury via fatty acid metabolism pathways and Elovl6 plays the key role in the process, which was further confirmed using palmitate exposure in both cells. Overall, this study systematically evaluates the protective effects of Dex on the myocardial I/R injury and provide better understanding of the role of fatty acid metabolism in the function of Dex.
Study on the degradation mechanism of cathode in electrochemical water descaling
Authors: Lin Wei , Gao Ze yu , wang wei , Wang Cheng gang , Xiang Jin , Xu Jian min , Yu Jiu yang
Published: October 2023

This article studies the degradation mechanism of cathode descaling efficiency in the electrochemical water descaling process. The prolonged reaction causes many calcium carbonate crystals to adhere to the surface of the electrode plate. It results in significant degradation of the descaling efficiency and eventually approaches 0. This paper focuses on the interactive effects of multiple factors on the degradation of electrochemical water softening descaling efficiency. The results show that when the DC voltage exceeds 20V, the degradation process of descaling efficiency of the electrode plate is prolonged and self-cleaning occurs. The hardness removal amount is increased by 20%. Supported by the LSI and RSI indices, voltage current density and mesh size directly affect the degradation of descaling efficiency. The main reason for the increase of unit energy consumption is the thicker scale, which leads to the decrease of scale removal efficiency between cathode and anode.Combined energy consumption per unit and degradation of descaling efficiency, using a mesh size of 1 mm×3 mm, can reduce the unit energy consumption by 18.75%, effectively prolonging the degradation of descaling efficiency.
Electrochemical noise analysis of corrosion sensitivity of Pb- free solders in 5 wt.% citric acid solution
Authors: Li Liang , Ma Rongyao , Wang Xaojing , Cai ShanShan , Qiao Yanxin , Cao Fengting , Zhang Jiaheng , Chen Cai
Published: October 2023

The corrosion behavior of pure Sn, Sn2Ag, Sn42In and Sn58Bi alloys in 5 wt.% citric acid solutions has been investigated using electrochemical noise analysis combined with potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests and etching morphology observation. The results indicated that Sn58Bi has the lowest corrosion rate, followed by Sn2Ag, Sn42In, and Sn. The corrosion evolution of the four alloys mainly consists of two stages as follow: for pure Sn, the first stage is local corrosion (corrosion pits growth) stage and the second stage is uniform corrosion with preferential dissolution of some grains on the sample surface. In contrast, for dual phase alloys, Sn2Ag, Sn42In, and Sn58Bi alloys, all preferentially underwent selective phase corrosion in the first stage, followed by the growth of uniform corrosion and selective phase corrosion in the second stage. The corrosion incubation rates for the four Sn-based alloys: Sn42In > Sn > Sn2Ag > Sn58Bi for both uniform corrosion and local corrosion. While the probability of corrosion growth in sequence was: Sn > Sn58Bi > Sn42In > Sn2Ag (uniform corrosion), Sn58Bi > Sn > Sn42In > Sn2Ag (local corrosion). In this work, the corrosion behaviors were consistent with the observed corrosion morphology, which provided guidance for understanding the interaction between solder alloys surfaces and acid in flux and further selecting organic acid activators compatible with new solder alloys.
Systematic druggable genome-wide Mendelian randomization identifies novel therapeutic targets or repurposing opportunities for rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Cai Yongsong , Wang Xinyi , Yuan Qiling , Xu Peng
Published: October 2023

Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune inflammatory disease. Currently, a complete cure for RA is still unavailable. Mendelian randomization (MR) has emerged as a valuable tool for identifying potential therapeutic targets or drug repurposing opportunities for certain diseases. Therefore, our aim was to identify novel effective targets or drug repurposing opportunities for RA and analyze their mechanisms and potential side effects.
Methods A MR integrating the identified druggable genes was used to evaluate the causal effects of druggable gene cis-expression quantitative trait loci (cis-eQTLs) on RA, while additional RA cohort was employed for validation. Colocalization analysis was performed to determine the probability of shared causal variants between the identified targets and RA. The protein-protein interaction network analysis was conducted to explore associations between the identified druggable genes and current RA drug targets. The MR and colocalization analyses were used to assess the potential side effects of the identified targets in RA treatment.
Results Nine druggable genes (TYK2, PTPN22, ATP2A1, APOM, RXRB, NOTCH4, HLA-DRA, CCR6, and CTLA4) showed significant MR results in both the training cohort (p<1.99E-05) and validation cohort (p<0.0025). Colocalization analysis indicated that cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA4) and RA (PP.H4.abf=0.98), as well as C-C motif chemokine receptor 6 (CCR6) and RA (PP.H4.abf=0.99), shared the same causal variant. Hence, these two genes were identified as the final therapeutic targets. Furthermore, CTLA4 and CCR6 interacted with the current RA drug targets. Subsequent MR analysis revealed that genetically proxied activation of CTLA4 and inhibition of CCR6 might decrease the risk of hypothyroidism but increase the risk of malignant skin neoplasm. Additionally, genetically proxied activation of CTLA4 may also reduce the risk of type 1 diabetes.
Conclusions This study supports the idea that targeting the activation of CTLA4 and the inhibition of CCR6 may reduce the risk of RA with fewer side effects, and highlights the potential of CTLA4 and CCR6 as promising druggable targets for RA treatment.
Antioxidant Activity of Flavonoid Compounds in Lime (Citrus aurantifolia) via Density Functional Theory
Authors: Ahmad Faozan , Kartono Agus , Sukmawati Sisqina Ummi , Sumaryada Tony , Handayasari Faridah , Hardhienata Hendradi
Published: October 2023

The advance of molecular quantum biophysics has opened the path towards a deeper understanding of the microscopic mechanism behind free radicals activity that are responsible for cell damages and oxidative stress. In this work, we perform an \textit{ab-initio} analysis on the antioxidant activity of three flavonoid compounds e.g. hesperetin, quercetin, and naringenin in lime (\textit{Citrus aurantifolia}). We study the antioxidant capabilities of these compounds to understand the quantum mechanical mechanism in combating free radicals in the framework of Density-Functional Theory (DFT) using B3LYP exchange-correlation and def2/SVP basis sets. We found via vibrational frequency calculations, that the antioxidant behaviors of these molecules predominantly arise from hydrogen atom transfer, single electron transfer followed by proton transfer, and sequential proton loss electron transfer mechanisms. Our calculations also show that quercetin showcased superior antioxidant activity compared to hesperetin and naringenin based on their bond dissociation energy, ionization potential + proton dissociation enthalpy, and proton affinity + electron transfer enthalpy values at the C9-OH group, with values of 295.29 kJ/mol, 81.88 kJ/mol, and 81.88 kJ/mol for quercetin respectively. An in-depth look into the antioxidant properties, using global reactivity parameters also affirmed quercetin's preeminence in antioxidant characteristics over hesperetin and naringenin, excelling in nearly all considered parameters, though hesperetin's chemical potential stood out at -3.51 eV.
Regional reef fish assemblage maps provide baseline biogeography for tropicalization monitoring.
Authors: Walker Brian K , Becker Dana Fisco , Williams Gareth J , Kilfoyle Audie K , Smith Steven G.
Published: October 2023

Climate change, overfishing, and pollution have driven changes in the composition of many extant reef fish assemblages. As global temperatures rise, historically temperate locales are becoming inhabited by vagrant tropical species as their ranges expand poleward in a process known as tropicalization. Severe reef fish biomass declines are predicted by 2100 under high ocean warming scenarios. This redistribution of species has serious consequences for economic development, livelihoods, food security, human health and culture. Determining the tropicalization of Western Atlantic reef fish is challenging because ranges are expansive, their distributions temporally shift with the movement of isotherms, and many dynamic density-dependent factors affect occurrence and density. Since fish assemblages are known to vary with depth, habitat type, topography, and regionality and local benthic habitat map classifications include these descriptors in their scheme, we used benthic habitat maps to spatially represent the zoogeography of regional reef fish assemblages. The outcomes illustrate that the southeast Florida coast is a pivotal location in the transition between tropical and temperate marine fauna for North America driven by geology and Florida Current upwelling dynamics. The southern assemblages had a higher occurrence and density of tropical species, whereas the northern assemblages had a higher occurrence and density of temperate species. Delineating the spatial distribution of reef fish assemblages facilitates monitoring and detection of future poleward tropicalization, as will be evident in temporal changes in percent occurrence, assemblage relative abundance, and the homogenization of assemblage regions. These delineations contextualize restoration expectations and success by providing a spatial reference to focus conservation actions based on expectations from natural environmental variability, especially in transitional areas between ecoregions.
The association between 22 psychological cognitive factors and temporomandibular joint disorders:a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Wang Yuheng , Li Changlei , Liu Fayu , Sun Fujing
Published: October 2023

Background
Although existing research suggests a broad association between psychological cognitive factors and TMD, the specific impact of psychiatric factors on TMD remains unknown, as does the causal relationship between them.
Methods
Utilizing summary statistics obtained from genome-wide association studies predominantly conducted on individuals of European ancestry, we employed a two-sample MR approach to estimate the causal and reverse causal effects of 22 psychological cognitive factors on TMD. Subsequently, for statistically significant findings, we performed multivariable MR analysis and bidirectional MR analysis after categorization to ascertain independent associations and explore potential reverse causation.
Results
We found that intelligence(OR: 0.731, 95%CI: 0.557–0.960), education(OR: 0.487, 95%CI: 0.368–0.644) and cognition(OR: 0.760, 95%CI: 0.586–0.986) were protective causal factors for TMD, with education(OR: 0.501, 95%CI: 0.307–0.818) having the independent association. And we found that major depression(OR: 2.116, 95%CI: 1.542–2.904), anxious feelings(OR: 6.014, 95%CI: 1.692–21.373), nervous feelings(OR: 14.019, 95%CI: 2.499–78.64), depressed feelings(OR: 20.905, 95%CI: 1.695–263.5), sensitivity(OR: 5.965, 95%CI: 1.471–24.19) and neuroticism (OR: 1.258, 95%CI: 1.101–1.438) were the factors that constituted harmful causal effects on TMD, with major depression(OR: 1.964, 95%CI: 1.320–2.920) having the independent relationship. These results were all robust to sensitivity analyses. We found no evidence on causal effects between other phychological cognitive factors and TMD, in either direction.
Conclusions
Our study demonstrated that intelligence, education, and cognition exert a protective influence on TMD, with education exhibiting an independent effect. Furthermore, we elucidated that major depression, anxious feelings, nervous feelings, depressed feelings, sensitivity, and neuroticism pose as risk factors for TMD development, with major depression being an independent predictor. These findings provide valuable insights into the causal relationship between 22 psychological cognitive factors and TMD.
The Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index(SII) and coronary artery lesions in Kawasaki Disease
Authors: Huang Tiantuo , Peng Qi , Zhang Yiyue , Zhu Zaifu , Fan Xiaochen
Published: October 2023

Coronary artery lesions(CALs) are the most common complications of Kawasaki disease(KD) and play a crucial role in determining the prognosis of the disease. Consequently, the early identification of children with KD who are at risk of developing coronary artery damage is vitally important. We sought to investigate the relationship between the Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII) and CALs in patients with KD and to assess its predictive value. We carried out a retrospective review and analysis of medical records for KD patients treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University between January 2017 and January 2023. We utilized single-variable tests, binary logistic regression analysis, ROC curve analysis, restricted cubic spline tests, and curve fitting to evaluate the association between SII and CALs. In our study, 364 patients were included, with 63 (17.3%) presenting with CALs at the time of admission. The binary logistic regression analysis indicated that SII was a significant risk factor for CALs at admission, evident in both unadjusted and models adjusted for confounders. The ROC curve analysis revealed an AUC (Area Under the Curve) value of .789 (95%CI .723- .855, P < .001) for SII's predictive ability regarding CALs at admission. A consistent positive linear relationship between SII and the risk of CALs at admission was observed in both the raw and adjusted models. Our research findings suggest that SII serves as a risk factor for CALs and can be used as an auxiliary laboratory biomarker for predicting CALs.
L-Theanine inhibits cancer stem cell-mediated chemoresistance in lung cancer by regulating STAT3/NOTCH1-BMAL1 signaling
Authors: Jin Wenjing , Su Ling , You Hong , Dong Zhouyu , Liu Min , Zhou Chao
Published: October 2023

Cancer stem cells play crucial roles in the development of cancer chemoresistance. L-Theanine, a nonproteinogenic amino acid derived from green tea, is gaining more and more attentions in reversing cancer drug resistance. However, its roles in development of lung cancer chemoresistance is still unknown. To investigate the effects of L-Theanine on chemoresistance and explore its underlying mechanism in lung cancer, we performed a panel of experiments in vitro combined with RNA-seq analysis and demonstrated L-Theanine improved the chemoresistance to cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum; DDP) and inhibited stemness of DDP-resistant lung cancer cells but not non-resistant lung cancer cells and STAT3/NOTCH1 signaling was a potential dominant process involved in L-Theanine improving chemoresistance in DDP-resistant lung cancer. Mechanistically, L-Theanine impedes DDP-resistant lung cancer cells migration and activation via regulating the expression of STAT3/NOTCH1/BMAL1 signaling-induced stemness markers, reducing the migration and proliferation of DDP-resistant lung cancer cells as well as inhibiting drug resistance-related genes expression in DDP-resistant lung cancer cells. In addition, combination of L-Theanine and Stat3 blockade improved synergistically the chemoresistance in DDP-resistant lung cancer. In summary, L-Theanine improved chemoresistance in chemoresistant lung cancer through regulating STAT3/NOTCH1/BMAL1 signaling, reducing stemness and finally inhibiting the migration of DDP-resistant lung cancer cells. The finding might provide the research evidence for therapeutic options of reversing chemoresistance in lung cancer.
Virtual reality as an aged care technology – opportunities and limitations from a qualitative study
Authors: Felber Nadine Andrea , Mihailov Emilian , Wangmo Tenzin
Published: October 2023

The metaverse, a virtual, three-dimensional and interactive world that is accessible through virtual reality (VR) technology, is gaining interest in healthcare and medical research. VR, as its precursor, already offers opportunity for healthcare itself, due to its capabilities to overcome distances, create safe, customized environments and allow immersive, powerful experiences. Older adults, who often suffer from reduced mobility, could thus greatly benefit from VR. This qualitative study explores the perceptions of older adults and their caregivers, formal and informal, on VR and its potential use in aged care. The study reveals that all stakeholder groups foresee potential of VR as an entertaining and therapeutic technology, but that they also worry about VRs’ impact on loneliness, the cognitive capabilities needed to use it, as well as its safety for older adults. Our study identifies clear opportunities for VR technology in aged care and points to important prejudices that need to be dismantled before VR will be widely adopted as a technology in aged care.
Experienced Meditators Show Enhanced Interaction between Brain and Heart Functioning
Authors: Wang Michael Yufeng , Corcoran Andrew W , McQueen Brittany , Freedman Gabrielle , Humble Gregory , Fitzgibbon Bernadette Mary , Fitzgerald Paul B , Bailey Neil W
Published: October 2023

Objectives
Regulation of the heart by the brain is a vital function of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), and healthy ANS function has been linked to a wide range of well-being measures. Although there is evidence of mindfulness-meditation related changes to brain functioning and heart functioning independently, few studies have examined the interaction between the brain and heart in experienced meditators.
Methods
This study compared measures of the brain-heart relationship between 37 experienced meditators and 35 non-meditators (healthy controls) using three different analysis methods: 1) the heartbeat evoked potential (HEP; thought to reflect neural sensitivity to interoceptive feedback); 2) the relationship between fronto-midline theta neural oscillations (fm-theta) and the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) in electrocardiogram activity (an estimate of vagally-mediated heart rate variability); and 3) the correlation between heart rate wavelet entropy and electroencephalographic wavelet entropy – a measure of signal complexity.
Results
The HEP analysis indicated that meditators showed a more central-posterior distribution of neural activity time-locked to the heartbeat (p < .001, partial η² = .06) than controls. A significant positive relationship was also found between fm-theta and RMSSD in meditators (F(2,34) = 4.18, p = .02, R2 = .2) but not controls. No significant relationship was found between EEG entropy and ECG entropy in either group.
Conclusions
The altered distribution of evoked neural activity, and the correlation between brain and heart biomarkers of vagal activity suggests greater neural regulation and perhaps greater sensitivity to interoceptive signals in experienced meditators.
Impact of gene-by-trauma interaction in MDD-related multimorbidity clusters
Authors: Bonk Sarah , Eszlari Nora , Kirchner Kevin , Gezsi Andras , Garvert Linda , Koukkanen Mikko , Cano Isaac , Grabe Hans J. , Antal Peter , Juhasz Gabriella , Auwera Sandra Van der
Published: October 2023

Background:
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is considerably heterogeneous in terms of comorbidities, which may hamper the disentanglement of its biological mechanism. In a previous study, we classified the lifetime trajectories of MDD-related multimorbidities into seven distinct clusters, each characterized by unique genetic and environmental risk-factor profiles. The current objective was to investigate genome-wide gene-by-environment (G×E) interactions with childhood trauma burden, within the context of these clusters.
Methods:
We analyzed 76,856 participants and 3,875,386 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the UK Biobank database. Childhood trauma burden was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Screener (CTS). For each cluster, Plink 2.0 was used to calculate SNP×CTS interaction effects on the participants’ cluster membership probabilities. We especially focused on the effects of 31 candidate genes and associated SNPs selected from previous G×E studies for childhood maltreatment’s association with depression.
Results:
At SNP-level, only the high-multimorbidity Cluster 6 revealed a genome-wide significant SNP rs145772219. At gene-level, LDLRAD4 was genome-wide significant for the low-multimorbidity Cluster 1 and C6orf89and TAAR2 for the high-multimorbidity Cluster 7. Regarding candidate SNPs for G×E interactions, individual SNP results could be replicated for specific clusters. The candidate genes DRD2 (Cluster 1), and DBH and MTHFR (both Cluster 5), and TPH1(Cluster 6) survived multiple testing correction.
Limitations:
CTS is a short retrospective self-reported measurement. Clusters could be influenced by genetics of individual disorders.
Conclusions:
The first G×E GWAS for MDD-related multimorbidity trajectories successfully replicated findings from previous G×E studies related to depression, and revealed risk clusters for the contribution of childhood trauma.
Revitalizing Worn-Out Overdenture Attachments in One-Piece Implant Cases using Silicone Matrix System: A Case Report
Authors: Dr Anamika Abraham  , Dr. Angleena Y Daniel  , Dr. Achsah Ann Thomas
Published: October 2023

The case report discusses the use of a silicone matrix system for salvaging worn-out overdenture attachments in one-piece implant cases. It highlights the effectiveness of this technique and presents a detailed case study.  One-piece or single-piece implant systems, where the intraosseous and abutment portions with the stud attachments consist of one unit, do not allow changing the worn-out abutment individually if required, thus ruling out any further use of implant and abutment once the attachment component faces extensive irreversible wearing. The ‘Retention. Sil’ – an additional curing elastomeric material in salvaging worn-out attachments of one-piece implants, emphasizes the revitalization process and effective use as an attachment for implant-retained overdenture, thereby extending the clinical use of one-piece implants and avoiding extensive invasive procedures in geriatric patients.
Tooth and Nail Syndrome- A rare case report
Authors: Bhardwaj Sameeksha
Published: October 2023

Abstract: A uncommon autosomal dominant condition called Witkop's syndrome is marked by irregularities in the teeth and nails. It is an ectodermal dysplasia variation, which is thought to affect 1 in 100,000 live births. As a result, it is extremely difficult to identify in the general population due to its low prevalence and lack of distinguishing characteristics. The case study's objectives are to add to the body of existing knowledge by providing a useful approach to discovering the uncommon.
Unusually Large Radicular Cyst of Mandible: A Rare Case Report
Authors: GARG DR KAMAL
Published: October 2023

A radicular or periapical cyst or periradicular cyst is the most common odontogenic cyst mostly seen in mandible. It is mostly symptomless and are found accidently during periapical radiographs involving non-vital pulp which heals spontaneously after endodontic treatment of the aberrant tooth or after extraction. However, recommended treatment is complete enucleation of the cyst to remove all the epithelial remnants. In this article, we report a case of a 18year old female patient with large periapical cyst along with deep bite and attrition.
Free Buccal Fat Pad Graft in Post Cancer Surgery Trismus with the Help of Colorado Microdissection Needle: A Case Report.
Authors: Shaikh Tauseef , Hange Venkatesh , Kankariya Hasti , Srivastava Shrey , Badal Sheeraz
Published: October 2023

A numerous complication arises after surgery and / or radiotherapy / chemotherapy performed for the management of oral and maxillofacial malignant tumour which is apparently a world-wide health threat. Trismus / fibrotic scarring is among the most widespread complications after onco-surgery and / or radiotherapy & surgical management is reserved in cases of severely restricted mouth opening. excision of the fibrotic bands with Colorado micro dissection needle is advantageous in fibrotic scarring as it causes reduced tissue necrosis & intraoperative blood loss; it also provides acceptable cosmesis without compromising wound healing. In cases of anatomical limitations free buccal fat graft (FBFG) can successfully act as alternative pedicled buccal fat pad graft for closure of post‐excision defects.
Application of Appropriate Technology for the Development of Feed Sources of Fe and Zinc as Mitigation of Reducing Stunting Prevalence in Kulon Progo
Authors: Suwignyo Bambang , Haq Miftahush Shirothul , Widiyanto Slamet , Helmyati Siti
Published: October 2023

Stunting is one of the priority health and nutrition problems in Indonesia. In the 2020-2024 National Medium Term Development Plan (RPJMN), the government targets the stunting rate to be 14%. The stunting rate in Indonesia using UN standards is still above 20 percent (BKKBN sources say 24.4 %). The handling of stunting cannot only target the stunting toddler group. Involving one life cycle from young women, pregnant women, and toddlers becomes a critical window in specific interventions to prevent and treat stunting. Therefore, awareness for fulfilling nutrition is an awareness that needs to be grown on a family basis. In farming families, it can be started by developing food sources and/or animal feeds with high Fe and Zn content, one of which is Tropical Alfalfa or Kacang Ratu BW as a functional feed/food source towards eradicating stunting. Program activity was the dissemination of this tropical alfalfa throughout Indonesia and one of its demonstration plots in the Mekar Farmers Group of Nglinggo, Samigaluh, through an appropriate technology scheme. The method used is learning by doing. In parallel, education on stunting was carried out. On the other hand, the community prepares feed ingredients that can be implemented in livestock to produce food/food rich in Fe and Zn. The results of the pre-test and post-test showed an increase in understanding of stunting, where before the program, 40% understood what stunting was, while the post-test results showed figures of 87-100%. Before the program, 0% knew tropical alfalfa. After the program, 93% not only knew but also planted. Massively developing feed ingredients sourced from Fe and Zn and implementing them in every family will become a solid nutritional foundation for a family-based stunting reduction mitigation pattern.