bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating Seasonal Climate Forecasts from Dynamical Models over South America
Authors: Zhang Jiaying , Guan Kaiyu , Fu Rong , Peng Bin , Zhao Siyu , Zhuang Yizhou
Published: April 2023

Seasonal climate forecasts have socioeconomic value, and the quality of the forecasts is important to various societal applications. Here we evaluate seasonal forecasts of three climate variables, vapor pressure deficit (VPD), temperature, and precipitation, from operational dynamical models over the major cropland areas of South America; analyze their predictability from global and local circulation patterns, such as El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO); and attribute the source of prediction errors. We show that the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) model has the highest quality among the models evaluated. Forecasts of VPD and temperature have better agreement with observations (average Pearson correlation of 0.65 and 0.70, respectively, among all months for 1-month-lead predictions from the ECMWF) than those of precipitation (0.40). Forecasts degrade with increasing lead times, and the degradation is due to the following reasons: 1) the failure of capturing local circulation patterns and capturing the linkages between the patterns and local climate; and 2) the overestimation of ENSO’s influence on regions not affected by ENSO. For regions affected by ENSO, forecasts of the three climate variables as well as their extremes are well predicted up to 6 months ahead, providing valuable lead time for risk preparedness and management. The results provide useful information for further development of dynamical models and for those who use seasonal climate forecasts for planning and management.

Significance Statement

Seasonal climate forecasts have socioeconomic value, and the quality of the forecasts is important to their applications. This study evaluated the quality of monthly forecasts of three important climate variables that are critical to agricultural management, risk assessment, and natural hazards warning. The findings provide useful information for those who use seasonal climate forecasts for planning and management. This study also analyzed the predictability of the climate variables and the attribution of prediction errors and thus provides insights for understanding models’ varying performance and for future improvement of seasonal climate forecasts from dynamical models.
How authors evaluate the novelty of their articles: A comparative analysis of highlights in research articles
Authors: Wang Xiaoguang , Gui Heng , Liu Jiazhen
Published: April 2023

Due to the growing capacities of research articles and journals, the tasks of selecting interesting articles and quickly identifying interesting sections of articles have become primary challenges faced by researchers. Therefore, the notion of Highlights, a novel introductory section included in academic publications, has been proposed to directly emphasise the novelty and value of research articles to improve article retrieval and knowledge dissemination. In this article, we developed a classification schema featuring five categories to analyse the content and explore the features of sentences contained in the Highlights sections of articles. Subsequently, we conducted an experiment by using the fields of Library and Information Science (LIS) and Computer Science (CS) as examples to statistically analyse domain differences in the arrangement of Highlights sections. The experiment focused on both the sentence level and the article level and emphasised differences in research paradigms and principles of evaluation. In particular, we discovered that LIS is relatively ‘result-heavy’, while CS is ‘method-heavy’; furthermore, in self-evaluated contributions, LIS authors concentrated more on academic contributions and applications, while CS authors preferred to demonstrate the value of their articles by comparing their research with previous studies.
Knowledge diffusion trajectories of PageRank: A main path analysis
Authors: Yu Dejian , Yan Zhaoping
Published: April 2023

In the era of the Internet and big data, the PageRank (PR) algorithm is a constantly evolving research field. However, there is no systematic research to explore the overall development trend of the PR domain. This article evaluates 1446 articles related to the PR algorithm and provides a thorough understanding of the PR field through the main path analysis (MPA). Through two basic main paths, a number of papers that play a leading role have been identified, which outline the backbone of the PR domain. Based on the analysis of multiple main paths, four main subareas have been investigated. There are accelerating the computation of PR, comprehensive applications of PR, researches on academic impact assessment and age preference in network evolution. Finally, this article discusses the research findings and the future directions of the PR field. It is the first attempt to identify the development trend of the PR domain through MPA, thus providing an insight into the knowledge evolution of the PR field over the past two decades.
Characteristics of tree nut, peanut, and seed consumption in the eastern Mediterranean region
Authors: Parlak Zeynep , Soyer Ozge , Sahiner Umit Murat , Sekerel Bülent Enis
Published: April 2023

Background

Nuts and seeds are among the most common causes of food allergy (FA), and consumption differences across cultures and geographic regions are thought to account for the diversity of these allergies.

Methods

Caregivers of infants (age 12–24 months) with or without FA were questioned in face-to-face interviews to identify the nut and seed consumption practices in the household, during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and early childhood.

Results

Of the 171 infants (median age: 17.3 months) included in the study, 75 were healthy and 96 had FA. More than two-thirds of the infants in the whole group started to be fed with walnuts, sesame/tahini, hazelnuts, almonds, and sunflower seeds. The percentages of healthy infants who were not fed with tree nuts, seeds, and peanuts were 4%, 4%, and 49.3%, respectively, for the healthy infants, and 11.8%, 11.8%, and 67.8% for those with FA. In the FA group, sesame and peanut consumption was initiated at a younger age, and walnut, hazelnut, and almond consumption at an older age compared to the healthy infants ( p < 0.05 for each). Walnuts and sesame/tahini were the most consumed nuts at home, and peanuts and pumpkin seeds were the least consumed. Mothers reported that they increased tree nut consumption during pregnancy due to their positive effect on health and sesame/tahini consumption during breastfeeding to increase breast milk, respectively.

Conclusion

The uniqueness of Turkish culinary culture is characterized by the frequent consumption of tree nuts and seeds, with further increases during pregnancy/lactation and early introduction to the diet of infants.
Immune system modulation by low-dose ionizing radiation-induced adaptive response
Authors: Hussien Soha M , Rashed Engy R
Published: April 2023

Objective:

Hormesis or low-dose ionizing radiation is known to induce various biological responses, a subcategory of which is the adaptive response, which has been reported to protect against higher radiation doses via multiple mechanisms. This study investigated the role of the cell-mediated immunological component of low-dose ionizing radiation-induced adaptive response.

Methods:

Herein, male albino rats were exposed to whole-body gamma radiation, using a Cs137 source with low-dose ionizing radiation doses of 0.25 and 0.5 Gray (Gy); 14 days later, another irradiation session at a dose level of 5 Gy was carried on. Four days post-irradiation at 5 Gy, rats were sacrificed. The low-dose ionizing radiation-induced immuno-radiological response has been assessed through the T-cell receptor (TCR) gene expression quantification. Also, the serum levels of each of interleukins-2 and -10 (IL-2, IL-10), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were quantified.

Results:

Results indicated that priming low irradiation doses resulted in significant decrements in TCR gene expression and the serum levels of IL-2, TGF-β, and 8-OHdG with an increment in IL-10 expression compared to the irradiated group, which did not receive low priming doses.

Conclusion:

The observed low-dose ionizing radiation-induced radio-adaptive response significantly protected against high irradiation dose injuries, through immune suppression, representing a promising pre-clinical protocol that would be applied to minimize radiotherapy side effects on normal but not against the tumor cells.
Automatic early detection of wildfire smoke with visible-light cameras and EfficientDet
Authors: Fernandes Armando M , Utkin Andrei B , Chaves Paulo
Published: April 2023

The ability of EfficientDet, a framework developed in 2019 for object detection, to automatically detect smoke plumes at a distance of several kilometers is demonstrated. Recent articles have raised concerns about the effectiveness of EfficientDet in fire detection applications, with over 40% of false positives reported. The proposed EfficientDet model achieved a true detection rate of 80.4% and a false-positive rate of 1.13% on a testing set. The data set used in this study, which includes 14,125 smoke and 21,203 non-smoke images, is one of the largest, or even the largest, of its kind reported in the literature for images containing smoke plumes. Our results surpass those of a previous study that used the same data set and are more reliable and realistic than those reported by others, which may seem better, but were calculated using smaller and less representative data sets.
The critical temporalities of serial migration and family social reproduction in Southeast Asia
Authors: Yeoh Brenda S.A. , Lam Theodora , Somaiah Bittiandra Chand , Acedera Kristel Anne Fernandez
Published: April 2023

The prevailing neoliberal labour migration regime in Asia is underpinned by principles of enforced transience: the overwhelming majority of migrants – particularly those seeking low-skilled, low-waged work – are admitted into host nation-states on the basis of short-term, time-bound contracts, with little or no possibility of family reunification or permanent settlement at the destination. As families go transnational, ‘family times’ become inextricably intertwined with the ‘times of migration’ ( Cwerner, 2001 ). In this context, for many migrant-sending families in Southeast Asian source countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines, parental migration as a strategy for migrating out of poverty or for socio-economic advancement requires the left-behind family to resiliently absorb the uncertainties of parental leaving and returning. Based on research on Indonesian and Filipino rural households (studied from 2008 through 2017) including paired life-story interviews with parental/non-parental adult carers and children, the article investigates the crucial links between the time construct of seriality in migration on the one hand, and the temporal structure of family based social reproduction on the other. It first focuses on how serial migration produces, and is produced by, spiraling needs and expanding aspirations, hence creating its own momentum for continuity. The paper then explores how competing temporal logics create difficult choices for migrants, leading to the recalibration of priorities within constrained resources. By drawing attention to the co-existence of and contradictions between multiple temporalities in the lives of migrants and their families, a critical temporalities framework yields new insights in understanding the social reproduction of families in a migratory context.
Teaching Health Literacy and Digital Literacy Together at University Level: The FLOURISH Module
Authors: Smeaton Alan F.
Published: April 2023

Many universities have wellness programs to promote overall health and well-being. Using students’ own personal data as part of improving their own wellness would seem to be a natural fit given that most university students are already data and information literate. In this work, we aim to show how the interplay between health literacy and data literacy can be used and taught together. The method we use is the development and delivery of the FLOURISH module, an accredited, online-only but extra-curricular course that delivers practical tips in the areas that impact students’ everyday wellness including sleep, nutrition, work habits, procrastination, relationships with others, physical activity, positive psychology, critical thinking, and more. For most of these topics, students gather personal data related to the topic and submit an analysis of their data for assessment thus demonstrating how students can use their personal data for their benefit. More than 350 students have taken the module and an analysis of the use of online resources, as well as feedback on the module experience, are presented. The contributions of this article are to further endorse the need for health literacy and digital literacy for students, and we demonstrate that these can be taught together making each literacy more appealing to the digital natives of Generation Z who make up the majority of students. The implications for public health research and practice are that two student literacies, health and digital, are not independent and for our students, they should be taught together.
The influence of raciolinguistic expectations on phoneme categorization in Spanish–English bilinguals
Authors: Dibbern Jennifer , D’Onofrio Annette
Published: April 2023

Aims and objectives:

This study examines how social information is utilized in processes of bilingual speech perception. Specifically, we investigate whether racialized expectations of native language background trigger language-specific processing strategies in early or simultaneous Spanish–English bilinguals.

Methodology:

We coupled a visually-primed phoneme categorization task with a social evaluation questionnaire to test whether Spanish–English bilingual adults living in the United States ( n = 30) drew on racialized ideologies about what speakers of certain languages look like during speech perception. We predicted that, if participants drew on these ideologies during the phoneme categorization task, they would cue an expectation of what language was being spoken and, consequently, a shift in the identification boundary.

Data and analysis:

Mixed logistic regression was used to investigate the effects of photograph (the visual prime) and voice on how participants categorized the continua while paired, two-tailed t-tests were used to compare how participants socially evaluated the two speakers.

Findings:

Raciolinguistic evaluations appeared to influence bilingual speech perception, significantly affecting how the continua were categorized, but they did not work the same way for every voice.

Originality:

Prior work has posited that interactional context influences bilingual language control (e.g., Grosjean, 2001); the ideological nature of this context has, however, been understudied. This paper offers insight into how ideologies related to race may shape language perception and use in bilinguals.

Implications:

The findings provide evidence for the role of social information in bilingual speech perception, suggest that multiple cues (acoustic and social) integrate to determine the interactional context, and indicate that the influence of raciolinguistic ideologies is neither straightforward nor homogeneous but rather contingent on complex aspects of the perceived speaker.
Transform of parameter and teeth surface modification for non-standard planetary spur gear train with X-gears
Authors: Zhang Xijin , Fang Zongde , Yin Xunmin , Jia Haitao , Ma Yaoguo , Xu Yingqiang , Zhao Huan
Published: April 2023

In view of the lack of ready formulae for modification calculation of non-standard planetary spur gear trains, the paper is focused on new modification methods of non-standard planetary spur gear trains with X-gears. Firstly, a novelty transform method from the parameters on the pitch circle to the parameters on the reference circle for a non-standard planetary spur gear train with X-gears is proposed in order to study the modification method. Secondly, a scheme of teeth surface modification for non-standard planetary spur gear train with X-gears is put forward. Thirdly, the calculation method of loaded transmission error and flash temperature on the tooth surface under mixed elastohydrodynamic lubrication for external meshing spur gear pairs is proposed using tooth contact analysis as well as loaded tooth contact analysis. Then, a new modification optimization method for non-standard planetary spur gear train with X-gears is proposed, and formulae of the maximal modification length along the tooth height are derived. Finally, the effectiveness of the modification optimization method is confirmed by an example, and the transform formulae of the optimized modification parameters for sun gear are derived.
A multilevel analysis of real estate valuation using distributional and quantile regression
Authors: Razen Alexander , Brunauer Wolfgang , Klein Nadja , Kneib Thomas , Lang Stefan , Umlauf Nikolaus
Published: April 2023

Real estate valuation is typically based on hedonic regression models where the expected price of a property is explained in dependence of its attributes. However, investors in the housing market are equally interested in the distribution of real estate market values (including price variation), that is, determining the impact of attributes of a property on the entire conditional distribution. We therefore consider Bayesian structured additive distributional and quantile regression models for real estate valuation. In the first approach, each parameter of a potentially complex parametric response distribution is related to a structured additive predictor. In contrast, the second approach proceeds differently and models arbitrary quantiles of the response distribution directly and nonparametrically. Both models presented are based on a multilevel version of structured additive regression thereby utilizing the typical hierarchical structure of real estate data. We demonstrate the proposed methodology within a detailed case study based on more than 3 000 owner-occupied single family homes in Austria, discuss interpretation of the resulting effect estimates, and compare models based on their predictive ability.
Improved extremity tissue oxygenation with short-term exposure to textiles embedded with far infrared light emitting thermoactive particles in patients with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Athonvarangkul Diana , Wang Kaicheng , Deng Yanhong , Inzucchi Silvio E , Mayerson Adam
Published: April 2023

Use of far infrared (FIR) energy may improve peripheral circulation. This study aimed to determine whether FIR delivered through textiles improves peripheral microcirculation as measured by transcutaneous oximetry (TcPO2) in individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM).

Methods

A single-center, prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, crossover study of 32 subjects with either type 1 or type 2 DM. An active FIR wrap followed by a placebo wrap (or vice versa) was applied to the arm, calf, ankle, and forefoot for 60 min each with continuous TcPO2 measurements. The treatment effect of the active versus placebo wrap was estimated using a linear mixed effect model adjusted for period, sequence, baseline value, and anatomic site.

Results

The active FIR wrap increased mean TcPO2 at the arm (2.6 ± 0.8 mmHg, p = .002), calf (1.5 ± 0.7 mmHg, p = .03), and ankle (1.7 ± 0.8 mmHg, p = .04) and composite of all sites (1.4 ± 0.5 mmHg, p = .002) after 60 min. The estimated treatment effect was significant for the active FIR wrap at the calf (1.5 ± 0.7 mmHg, p = .045) and in composite of all sites (1.2 ± 0.5 mmHg, p = .013).

Conclusion

Short-term exposure to FIR textiles improves peripheral tissue oxygenation in patients with diabetes.
Bioinformatics analysis of the genes associated with co-occurrence of heart failure and lung cancer
Authors: Wang Xiaoying , Song Rui , Li Xin , He Kai , Ma Linlin , Li Yanfei
Published: April 2023

Deaths of non-cardiac causes in patients with heart failure (HF) are on the rise, including lung cancer (LC). However, the common mechanisms behind the two diseases need to be further explored. This study aimed to improve understanding on the co-occurrence of LC and HF. In this study, gene expression profiles of HF (GSE57338) and LC (GSE151101) were comprehensively analyzed using the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Functional annotation, protein–protein interaction network, hub gene identification, and co-expression analysis were proceeded when the co-differentially expressed genes in HF and LC were identified. Among 44 common differentially expressed genes, 17 hub genes were identified to be associated with the co-occurrence of LC and HF; the hub genes were verified in 2 other data sets. Nine genes, including ALOX5, FPR1, ADAMTS15, ALOX5AP, ANPEP, SULF1, C1orf162, VSIG4, and LYVE1 were selected after screening. Functional analysis was performed with particular emphasis on extracellular matrix organization and regulation of leukocyte activation. Our findings suggest that disorders of the immune system could cause the co-occurrence of HF and LC. They also suggest that abnormal activation of extracellular matrix organization, inflammatory response, and other immune signaling pathways are essential in disorders of the immune system. The validated genes provide new perspectives on the common underlying pathophysiology of HF and LC, and may aid further investigation in this field.
To the Center of Nowhere: Deep Mapping Digital Games’ Paratextual Geographies
Authors: Saklofske Jon
Published: April 2023

Games are possibility spaces and the experiential circumstances generated by the execution of digital game code are paratextual thresholds of transition and transaction. If games are paratexts, game design is a form of modeling; game-playing is a form of transactional mapping; and the critical engagement with games is best approached via a modified version of “deep mapping,” a digital humanities process indebted to textual studies approaches. This paper will explore the paratextual idea of deep mapping in relation to Hello Games’ constantly evolving No Man's Sky, and The C64, a full-sized reissue of Commodore 64 hardware by Retro Games Ltd. Overall, the use of deep mapping to comprehend the paratextual thresholds of games validates the importance of textual studies approaches, acknowledging the complex relationship between physicality and virtuality while also reconfirming that games require methodologies that move beyond reading paradigms and the exclusive framework of textuality.
Local Diagnostic Reference Levels for Common Adult Computed Tomography Procedures in Addis Ababa
Authors: Teferi Dellie Seife , Fisehaw Tesfaw Ambaye , Jebessa Kumsa Marema , Turi Tolawak Birhanu
Published: April 2023

Background

Computed Tomography has become the major source of population exposure in diagnostic x-rays. This concerned issue will be resolved by stetting Local Diagnostic Reference Levels.

Objectives

The main objective of this study is to assess dose indicators for the establishment of Local Diagnostic Reference Levels.

Materials and methods

A prospective cross-sectional study design was conducted on 8 public and private hospitals performing CT examinations. A total of 725 adult patients who underwent abdominopelvic, chest, and head CT examinations were evaluated from October 2021 to March 2022. Patients’ demography, exposure parameters, and dose descriptors were collected. The minimum, maximum, mean, median, and third quartile values were analyzed using SPSS software version 26. Finally, the third quartile values of collected data were compared with national and international values.

Results

The third quartile values obtained from median of volumetric computed tomography dose index (mGy) and dose length product (mGy.cm) which are considered as local DRLs for head, chest, and abdominopelvic CT examination, respectively, were 53 mGy, 14 mGy and 13 mGy; 1307 mGy.cm, 575 mGy.cm, and 932 mGy.cm.

Conclusion

The results of this study showed that practices of CT imaging in both public and private hospitals in Addis Ababa were comparable to other national and international values.
Racemose Neurocysticercosis: A Rare Cause of Rapidly Progressive Dementia—A Case Report
Authors: Mitarnun Witoon
Published: April 2023

This report describes the case of a 68-year-old woman with episodic memory impairment for 6 months. Brain magnetic resonance imaging detected multiple extra-axial variable-sized cystic lesions in the left medial temporal lobe, suprasellar cistern, and perimesencephalic cistern. The serum and cerebrospinal fluid tested positive for Taenia solium, confirming racemose neurocysticercosis. Albendazole and praziquantel were administered for 6 months and prednisolone for 1 month. After 3 months, her symptoms resolved. Despite its rarity, racemose neurocysticercosis should be considered in patients with rapidly progressive dementia and cystic brain lesions.
New data, new results? How data sources and vintages affect the replicability of research
Authors: Goes Iasmin
Published: April 2023

Macroeconomic variables like unemployment, inflation, trade, or GDP are not set in stone: they are preliminary estimates that are constantly revised by statistical agencies. These data revisions, or data vintages, often provide conflicting information about the size of a country’s economy or its level of development, reducing our confidence in established findings. Would researchers come to different conclusions if they used different vintages? To answer this question, I survey all articles published in a top political science journal between 2005 and 2020. I replicate three prominent articles and find that the use of different vintages can lead to different statistical results, calling into question the robustness of otherwise rigorous empirical research. These findings have two practical implications. First, researchers should always be transparent about their data sources and vintages. Second, researchers should be more modest about the precision and accuracy of their point estimates, since these estimates can mask large measurement errors.
How Can Ignorance Be Useful to Teachers?
Authors: Giray Louie
Published: April 2023

Highlights

Teachers can use ignorance to improve their role and facilitate the learning process. Strategic ignorance can be used to strengthen impartiality and avoid spreading oneself thinly. Feigned ignorance can be used to reinforce independent learning skills and avoid high dependence on simple questions. Teachers’ admission to ignorance can be used to promote humility, curiosity, and psychologically safe environments.
Burnout Related to Electronic Health Record Use in Primary Care
Authors: Budd Jeffrey
Published: April 2023

Physician burnout has been increasing in the United States, especially in primary care, and the use of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) is a prominent contributor. This review article summarizes findings from a PubMed literature search that shows the significant contributors to EHR-related burnout may be documentation and clerical burdens, complex usability, electronic messaging and inbox, cognitive load, and time demands. Documentation requirements have escalated and have inherently changed from paper-based records. Many clerical tasks have also shifted to become additional physician responsibilities. When considering factors of efficiency, effectiveness, and user satisfaction, EHRs overall have an inferior usability score when compared to other technologies. The volume and organization of data along with alerts and complex interfaces require a substantial cognitive load and result in cognitive fatigue. Patient interactions and work-life balances are negatively affected by the time requirements of EHR tasks during and after clinic hours. Patient portals and EHR messaging have created a separate source of patient care outside of face-to-face visits that is often unaccounted productivity and not reimbursable.
Numerical Simulation Investigation on Parameter Optimization of Deep-Sea Mining Vehicles
Authors: Wu Hongyun , Liu Wei , Jiang Min , Li Changfeng , Li Jiangming , Chen Bingzheng , Wang Chunlai , Chen Yuheng
Published: April 2023

The four-track walking mining vehicle can better cope with the complex terrain of cobalt-rich crusts on the seabed. To explore the influence of different parameters on the obstacle-crossing ability of mining vehicles, this paper took a certain type of mine vehicle as an example and establish a mechanical model of the mine vehicle. Through this model, the vehicle’s traction coefficient variation could be analyzed during the obstacle-crossing process. It also reflected the relationship between the obstacle-crossing ability and the required traction coefficient. Many parameters were used for this analysis including the radius of the guide wheel radius, ground clearance of the driving wheel, the dip angle of the approaching angular and the position of centroid. The result showed that the ability to cross the obstacles requires adhesion coefficient as support. When the ratio between obstacle height and ground clearance of the guide wheel was greater than 0.7, the required adhesion coefficient increased sharply. The ability to cross obstacles will decrease, if the radius of the guide wheel increases, the height of the driving wheel increases or the dip angle of the approaching angular increases. It was most beneficial to cross the obstacle when the ratio of the distance between the center of mass and the front driving wheel to the wheelbase is between 0.45‒0.48. The results of this paper could provide reference for structural parameter design and performance research for mining vehicles.
KIAA1429-mediated m6A modification of CHST11 promotes progression of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma by regulating Hippo–YAP pathway
Authors: Chen Xiaomin , Lu Tiange , Cai Yiqing , Han Yang , Ding Mengfei , Chu Yurou , Zhou Xiangxiang , Wang Xin
Published: April 2023

Background

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) has been shown to participate in various essential biological processes by regulating the level of target genes. However, the function of m6A modification mediated by KIAA1429 [alias virus-like m6A methyltransferase-associated protein (VIRMA)] during the progression of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) remains undefined.

Methods

The expression and clinical significance of KIAA1429 were verified by our clinical data. CRISPR/Cas9 mediated KIAA1429 deletion, and CRISPR/dCas9-VP64 for activating endogenous KIAA1429 was used to evaluate its biological function. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-seq), RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays, luciferase activity assay, RNA stability experiments, and co-immunoprecipitation were performed to investigate the regulatory mechanism of KIAA1429 in DLBCL. Tumor xenograft models were established for in vivo experiments.

Results

Dysregulated expression of m6A regulators was observed, and a novel predictive model based on m6A score was established in DLBCL. Additionally, elevated KIAA1429 expression was associated with poor prognosis of patients with DLBCL. Knockout of KIAA1429 repressed DLBCL cell proliferation, facilitated cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase, induced apoptosis in vitro, and inhibited tumor growth in vivo. Furthermore, carbohydrate sulfotransferase 11 (CHST11) was identified as a downstream target of KIAA1429, which mediated m6A modification of CHST11 mRNA and then recruited YTHDF2 for reducing CHST11 stability and expression. Inhibition of CHST11 diminished MOB1B expression, resulting in inactivation of Hippo–YAP signaling, reprogramming the expression of Hippo target genes.

Conclusions

Our results revealed a new mechanism by which the Hippo–YAP pathway in DLBCL is inactivated by KIAA1429/YTHDF2-coupled epitranscriptional repression of CHST11, highlighting the potential of KIAA1429 as a novel predictive biomarker and therapeutic target for DLBCL progression.
Seminal plasma biomarkers for predicting successful sperm retrieval in patients with nonobstructive azoospermia: a narrative review of human studies
Authors: Li Junjun , Yang Fang , Dong Liang , Chang Degui , Yu Xujun
Published: April 2023

Background

Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is considered to be the most severe form of male infertility. Before the emergence of surgical testicular sperm extraction and assisted reproductive technology, NOA patients could hardly become biological fathers of their children. However, failure of the surgery could cause physical and psychological harm to patients such as testicular damage, pain, hopeless of fertility and additional cost. Therefore, predicting the successful sperm retrieval (SSR) is so important for NOA patients to make their choice whether to do the surgery or not. Because seminal plasma is secreted by the testes and accessory gonads, it can reflect the spermatogenic environment, making it a preferential choice for SSR valuation. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the available evidence and provide the reader with a broad overview of biomarkers in seminal plasma for SSR prediction.

Results

A total of 15,390 studies were searched from PUBMED, EMBASE, CENTRAL and Web of Science, but only 6615 studies were evaluated after duplications were removed. The abstracts of 6513 articles were excluded because they were irrelevant to the topic. The full texts of 102 articles were obtained, with 21 of them being included in this review. The included studies range in quality from medium to high. In the included articles, surgical sperm extraction methods included conventional testicular sperm extraction (TESE) and microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE). Currently, the biomarkers in seminal plasma used to predict SSR are primarily RNAs, metabolites, AMH, inhibin B, leptin, survivin, clusterin, LGALS3BP, ESX1, TEX101, TNP1, DAZ, PRM1 and PRM2.

Conclusion

The evidence does not conclusively indicate that AMH and INHB in seminal plasma are valuable to predict the SSR. It is worth noting that RNAs, metabolites and other biomarkers in seminal plasma have shown great potential in predicting SSR. However, existing evidence is insufficient to provide clinicians with adequate decision support, and more prospective, large sample size, and multicenter trials are urgently needed.
Genome-wide analysis of UDP-glycosyltransferases family and identification of UGT genes involved in abiotic stress and flavonol biosynthesis in Nicotiana tabacum
Authors: Yang Qing , Zhang Yinchao , Qu Xiaoling , Wu Fengyan , Li Xiuchun , Ren Min , Tong Ying , Wu Xiuming , Yang Aiguo , Chen Yong , Chen Shuai
Published: April 2023

Background

Uridine disphosphate (UDP) glycosyltransferases (UGTs) act upon a huge variety of highly diverse and complex substrates, such as phytohormones and specialized metabolites, to regulate plant growth, development, disease resistance, and environmental interactions. However, a comprehensive investigation of UGT genes in tobacco has not been conducted.

Results

In this study, we carried out a genome-wide analysis of family-1 UDP glycosyltransferases in Nicotiana tabacum. We predicted 276 NtUGT genes, which were classified into 18 major phylogenetic subgroups. The NtUGT genes were invariably distributed among all the 24 chromosomes with structural diversity in exon/intron structure, conserved motifs, and cis-acting elements of promoters. Three groups of proteins which involved in flavonoid biosynthesis, plant growth and development, transportation and modification were identified that interact with NtUGT proteins using the PPI analysis. Expression analysis of NtUGT genes in cold stress, drought stress and different flower color using both online RNA-Seq data and the realtime PCR analysis, suggested the distinct role of NtUGT genes in resistance of cold, drought and in flavonoid biosynthesis. The enzymatic activities of seven NtUGT proteins that potentially involved in flavonoid glycosylation were analyzed, and found that all seven exhibited activity on myricetin; six (NtUGT108, NtUGT123, NtUGT141, NtUGT155, NtUGT179, and NtUGT195) showed activity on cyanidin; and three (NtUGT108, NtUGT195, and NtUGT217) were active on the flavonol aglycones kaempferol and quercetin, which catalyzing the substrates (myricetin, cyanidin or flavonol) to form new products. We further investigated the enzymatic products and enzymatic properties of NtUGT108, NtUGT195, and NtUGT217, suggested their diverse enzymatic activity toward flavonol, and NtUGT217 showed the highest catalyzed efficient toward quercetin. Overexpression of NtUGT217 significantly increase the content levels of the quercetin-3-O-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside and kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside in transgenic tobacco leaves.

Conclusion

We identified 276 UGT genes in Nicotiana tabacum. Our study uncovered valuable information about the phylogenetic structure, distribution, genomic characters, expression patterns and enzymatic activity of NtUGT genes in tobacco. We further identified three NtUGT genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis, and overexpressed NtUGT217 to validate its function in catalyze quercetin. The results provide key candidate NtUGT genes for future breeding of cold and drought resistance and for potential metabolic engineering of flavonoid compounds.
RWP-RK Domain 3 (OsRKD3) induces somatic embryogenesis in black rice
Authors: Purwestri Yekti Asih , Lee Yang-Seok , Meehan Cathal , Mose Windi , Susanto Febri Adi , Wijayanti Putri , Fauzia Anisa Nazera , Nuringtyas Tri Rini , Hussain Nosheen , Putra Hadi Lanang , Gutierrez-Marcos Jose
Published: April 2023

Background

Plants have the unique capability to form embryos from both gametes and somatic cells, with the latter process known as somatic embryogenesis. Somatic embryogenesis (SE) can be induced by exposing plant tissues to exogenous growth regulators or by the ectopic activation of embryogenic transcription factors. Recent studies have revealed that a discrete group ofRWP-RKDOMAIN-CONTAINING PROTEIN (RKD) transcription factors act as key regulators of germ cell differentiation and embryo development in land plants. The ectopic overexpression of reproductiveRKDsis associated with increased cellular proliferation and the formation of somatic embryo-like structures that bypass the need for exogenous growth regulators. However, the precise molecular mechanisms implicated in the induction of somatic embryogenesis by RKD transcription factors remains unknown.

Results

In silico analyses have identified a rice RWP-RK transcription factor, named Oryza sativa RKD3 (OsRKD3), which is closely related to Arabidopsis thaliana RKD4 (AtRKD4) and Marchantia polymorpha RKD (MpRKD) proteins. Our study demonstrates that the ectopic overexpression of OsRKD3, which is expressed preferentially in reproductive tissues, can trigger the formation of somatic embryos in an Indonesian black rice landrace (Cempo Ireng) that is normally resistant to somatic embryogenesis. By analyzing the transcriptome of induced tissue, we identified 5,991 genes that exhibit differential expression in response to OsRKD3 induction. Among these genes, 50% were up-regulated while the other half were down-regulated. Notably, approximately 37.5% of the up-regulated genes contained a sequence motif in their promoter region, which was also observed in RKD targets from Arabidopsis. Furthermore, OsRKD3 was shown to mediate the transcriptional activation of a discrete gene network, which includes several transcription factors such as APETALA 2-like (AP2-like)/ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR (ERF), MYB and CONSTANS-like (COL), and chromatin remodeling factors associated with hormone signal transduction, stress responses and post-embryonic pathways.

Conclusions

Our data show thatOsRKD3modulates an extensive gene network and its activation is associated with the initiation of a somatic embryonic program that facilitates genetic transformation in black rice. These findings hold substantial promise for improving crop productivity and advancing agricultural practices in black rice.
Uptake of, barriers and enablers to the utilization of postnatal care services in Thyolo, Malawi
Authors: Nyondo-Mipando Alinane Linda , Chirwa Marumbo , Kumitawa Andrew , Salimu Sangwani , Chinkonde Jacqueline , Chimuna Tiyese Jean , Dohlsten Martin , Chikwapulo Bongani , Senbete Mesfin , Gohar Fatima , Hailegebriel Tedbabe D. , Jackson Debra
Published: April 2023

Background

Postnatal care (PNC) ensures early assessments for danger signs during the postpartum period and is to be provided within 24 h of birth, 48–72 h, 7–14 days, and six weeks after birth. This study assessed the uptake of and the barriers and facilitators to receiving PNC care among mothers and babies.

Methods

A concurrent mixed-method study employing a retrospective register review and a qualitative descriptive study was conducted in Thyolo from July to December 2020. Postnatal registers of 2019 were reviewed to estimate the proportion of mothers and newborns that received PNC respectively. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) among postnatal mothers, men, health care workers, and elderly women and in-depth interviews with midwives, and key health care workers were conducted to explore the barriers and enablers to PNC. Observations of the services that mothers and babies received within 24 h of birth, at 48–72 h, 7–14 days, and six weeks after birth were conducted. Descriptive statistics were tabulated for the quantitative data using Stata while the qualitative data were managed using NVivo and analysed following a thematic approach.

Results

The uptake of PNC services was at 90.5%, 30.2%, and 6.1% among women and 96.5%, 78.8%, and 13.7% among babies within 48 h of birth, 3 to 7 and 8 to 42 days respectively. The barriers to PNC services included the absence of a baby or mother, limited understanding of PNC services, lack of male involvement, and economic challenges. Cultural and religious beliefs, advice from community members, community activities, distance, lack of resources, and poor attitude of health care workers also impeded the utilisation of PNC services. The enablers included the mother’s level of education, awareness of the services, economic resources, community-based health support, adequacy and attitude of health workers, seeking treatment for other conditions, and other clinic activities.

Conclusion

Optimisation of uptake and utilization of PNC services for mothers and neonates will require the involvement of all stakeholders. The success of PNC services lies in the communities, health services, and mothers understanding the relevance, time points, and services that need to be delivered to create demand for the services. There is a need to assess the contextual factors for a better response in improving the uptake of PNC services and in turn inform the development of strategies for optimizing the uptake of PNC services.
Fasting plasma glucose and fetal ultrasound predict the occurrence of neonatal macrosomia in gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Zhang Yuting , Chen Linying , Zhang Lijing , Wu Yudan , Li Li
Published: April 2023

Objective

The cause of fetal overgrowth during pregnancy is still unclear. This study aimed to analyze and predict the risk of macrosomia in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods

This study was a retrospective study collected from October 2020 to October 2021. A total of 6072 pregnant women with a routine 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) during 24–28 gestational weeks were screened. Nearly equal numbers of pregnant women with gestational diabetes and with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) were included in the study. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were performed to determine the index and inflection point for predicting macrosomia occurrence.

Results

The data of perinatal outcomes of 322 GDM and 353 NGT who had given birth to single live babies at term were analyzed. We found that significant cut-off values for the prediction of macrosomia are 5.13mmol/L in fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 12.25kg in gestational weight gain (GWG), 3,605g in ultrasound fetal weight gain (FWG) and 124mm in amniotic fluid index (AFI).The area under the ROC curve of this predictive model combined all variables reached 0.953 (95% CI: 0.914 ~ 0.993) with a sensitivity of 95.0% and a specificity of 85.4%.

Conclusions

FPG is positively associated with newborn birth weight. An early intervention to prevent macrosomia may be possible by combining maternal GWG, FPG, FWG, and AFI in gestational diabetes.
Association between frequency of breakfast intake before and during pregnancy and infant birth weight: the Tohoku Medical Megabank Project Birth and Three-Generation Cohort Study
Authors: Aizawa Misato , Murakami Keiko , Takahashi Ippei , Onuma Tomomi , Noda Aoi , Ueno Fumihiko , Matsuzaki Fumiko , Ishikuro Mami , Obara Taku , Hamada Hirotaka , Iwama Noriyuki , Saito Masatoshi , Sugawara Junichi , Yaegashi Nobuo , Kuriyama Shinichi
Published: April 2023

Background

Low birth weight is associated with an increased risk of developing chronic diseases in adulthood, with a particularly high incidence in Japan among developed countries. Maternal undernutrition is a risk factor for low birth weight, but the association between the timing of food intake and infant birth weight has not been investigated. This study aimed to examine the association between breakfast intake frequency among Japanese pregnant women and infant birth weight.

Methods

Of all pregnant women who participated in the Tohoku Medical Megabank Project Three Generation Cohort Study, 16,820 who answered the required questions were included in the analysis. The frequency of breakfast intake from pre- to early pregnancy and from early to mid-pregnancy was classified into four groups: every day and 5–6, 3–4, and 0–2 times/week. Multivariate linear regression models were constructed to examine the association between breakfast intake frequency among pregnant women and infant birth weight.

Results

The percentage of pregnant women who consumed breakfast daily was 74% in the pre- to early pregnancy period and 79% in the early to mid-pregnancy period. The average infant birth weight was 3,071 g. Compared to women who had breakfast daily from pre- to early pregnancy, those who had breakfast 0–2 times/week had lower infant birth weight (β = -38.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -56.5, -20.0). Similarly, compared to women who had breakfast daily from early to mid-pregnancy, those who had breakfast 0–2 times/week had lower infant birth weight (β = -41.5, 95% CI: -63.3, -19.6).

Conclusions

Less frequent breakfast intake before and mid-pregnancy was associated with lower infant birth weight.