bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Turismo e inteligência
Authors: Soares Jennifer Caroline , Rosa Rute Ferreira
Published: February 2025

Considerando a importância do planejamento para o desenvolvimento de destinos turísticos, assim como o aumento do desenvolvimento de destinos turísticos inteligentes como um novo enfoque de planejamento e gestão, esta pesquisa teve como objetivo analisar as ações que vinculam o turismo e a inteligência que vem sendo propostas em dois importantes destinos turísticos da América Latina. Para isso, foi desenvolvido um estudo exploratório e descritivo com enfoque qualitativo, com base em dados secundários dos sites oficiais governamentais da Argentina e México. Os documentos encontrados foram inseridos em uma planilha e foram retirados e analisados elementos relacionados à inteligência, que posteriormente foram categorizados. Com a análise dos resultados foi possível identificar que os principais âmbitos de atuação são: inteligência de mercado para obter dados da demanda; o uso de ferramentas tecnológicas para o planejamento e gestão; sistemas de inteligência estratégica; fortalecimento do governo digital; desenvolvimento de tecnologias; fomento a cidades e territórios inteligentes; reconversão e transição energética; e captação de água e tratamento de resíduos.
Sensitivity Analysis of Factors Affecting Consequences Due to Traffic Crashes: A Bayesian Network Modelling
Authors: Sulaie Saleh Al
Published: February 2025

Road crashes have been increasing in the last decade in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The aim of this study was to investigate the role of factors affecting the consequences of traffic crashes in the KSA. A retrospective study was conducted of crash data available from the KSA national e-government open data portal. Crash data were extracted from the database including: crash details (location, time, consequence) and factors related to the involved road users (age, gender, education level, violation if related to the crash event). The modelling was performed using Bayesian Networks (BN). From 2019 to 2020, a total of 68,843 people were involved in traffic crashes in KSA. This included 58,471 cases with a crash outcome of damages and injuries and 10,372 cases with fatal outcomes. Multivariate analysis identified the highest probability of mortalities from traffic crashes (increased 15%) was related to males, low education level (illiterate), younger than 30 years of age and crashes occurring outside the city at night. These findings provide a clear direction and need to be the focus of preventive policies and action in the KSA.
Pemanfaatan Limbah Cangkang Kerang Kepah (Polymesoda Erosa ) Sebagai Katalisator Pada Proses Carburizing
Authors: Yuhardin Yuhardin , Ramli Ramli , Sugiyarto Sugiyarto
Published: February 2025

In general, the shells are widely used as handicraft materials such as wall decorations or building interior decorations and as a mixture of animal feed, therefore other utilization is needed to increase the use value of the shells. Clam shells contain calcium in the form of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) by 96.5%. The high calcium content of the shell allows the shell to be used as a source of catalyst material in the carburizing process. The catalyst affects the carburizing process because it can accelerate the formation of CO2 gas, which is needed for the carbon diffusion process on the surface of low carbon steel so that the metal hardness can increase. The powder mixing process was carried out for 3, 6, 9 hours with the variations used, namely 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% to determine the effect of the percentage of mussel shell powder catalyst and carburizing process time on the hardness value and impact strength of ST 42 steel.
Implementasi Metode YOLOv5 pada Sistem Pendeteksi Jentik Nyamuk Berbasis IoT
Authors: Karimah Savira , Tri Pangestu Rafif , Febriansyah Aan , Irwan Irwan
Published: February 2025

Indonesia is a tropical country that generally faces the risk of widespread mosquito distribution in each of its regions. With the abudance of mosquito distribution, the spread of mosquito larvae will also increase. As a result, mosquito larvae fins suitable places to breed in hard-to-reach areas. Therefore, a tool is needed to monitor these mosquito larvae when they are in water reservoir or containers that are difficult to access. The method used in this final project is You Only Look Once (YOLO). Based on the system can perform detection but is not yet working optimally. The system can detect well in places with bright light intensity or not too dark. The test result of this system show that it can detect many mosquito larvae at once. The accuracy results obtained from testing range from 51% - 89%.
Implementasi Game Edukasi Pengenalan Budaya Bangka Belitung untuk Anak SD (Studi Kasus : SDN 13 KOBA)
Authors: Sonya Sonya , Andriyanto Sidhiq , Fujiyanti Linda
Published: February 2025

Bangka Belitung is an area that has a variety of cultures. However, as time goes by, especially children at elementary school are less exposed to local culture. Due to the limited availability of instructional tools or learning media to practice the existing material, especially in the current era where the use of gadgets among children is increasing; however, these gadgets are predominantly utilized for playing non-educational games. Therefore, learning media is needed as a bridge to introduce local culture in order to increase children's knowledge and maintain the culture. The media that is suitable to overcome this problem is an Android-based educational game that introduces Bangka Belitung's culture. The method used in developing is GDLC (Game Development Life Cycle). This method has six stages, namely initiation, pre-production, production, testing (alpha), testing (beta) and release. With white box and black box testing, it's obtained that according to white box results that it is very good for use and according to black box method of user acceptance testing, test from the teachers obtained a percentage of 100% and for students 93.55% which means it is very suitable for use.
Reid on Volition and Exertion
Authors: Stuart Matthew
Published: February 2025

Volition and exertion play key roles in Reid’s philosophy, but his handling of them has been disputed. Some claim that he identifies volition and exertion, others that he is inconsistent or unclear about this. Some claim that he quietly slides between using ‘exertion’ in two or three different senses. I aim to clarify Reid’s notions of volition and exertion, and to defend him against the charges of inconsistency and ambiguity. I argue that from 1780 to 1792 he consistently distinguishes volition and exertion. Throughout this period, he takes a volition to be a decision or intention to do something, and an exertion to be an attempt to do something. I maintain that ‘exertion’ is no more ambiguous for Reid than it is for any ordinary speaker of English.
Teaching Genocide in the Twenty-First Century: A Comparative-Historical Approach
Authors: Merrill Leah , Williams Liza
Published: February 2025

This paper reviews the syllabus design and pedagogical approaches used in a discussion-based classroom for how to teach the meaning of genocide in the twenty-first century. Given countervailing views and scholarly differences regarding the meaning of genocide since its entry into the lexicon and international law in the early twentieth century, this paper reflects upon the strengths of a comparative-historical method for introducing students to genocide studies. The paper's view details the curricular design of a course on genocide, which provided students with an introduction to the Holocaust, the Cambodian Genocide, the Rwandan Genocide, and Genocide in the Former Yugoslavia (Bosnia Herzegovina and Kosovo). The discussion offers both reflection on what worked well and lessons learned from teaching a topic that has been a springboard for controversy in the public sphere given the ongoing violence of Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza after the attacks of October 7th, 2023.
Interfaces entre o Feminismo Camponês e Popular e a Agroecologia
Authors: Andrioli Liria Ângela , Castilho Gracieli Cristiani Schroeder
Published: February 2025

Este texto tem como objetivo refletir sobre o Feminismo Camponês e Popular em interface com a Agroecologia, a partir das ações do Movimento de Mulheres Camponesas (MMC). A pesquisa foi conduzida por meio de uma revisão bibliográfica e se baseia em uma análise qualitativa das ações do movimento no período de 2015 a 2022, expressas em cartilhas, livros e no site do MMC. O estudo apresenta um recorte de uma Dissertação de Mestrado defendida no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Agroecologia e Desenvolvimento Rural Sustentável da Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul (UFFS), no campus de Laranjeiras do Sul/PR. O foco reside em compreender de que forma a Agroecologia está presente no Feminismo Camponês e Popular do referido movimento. Como resultados, observa-se que a interface entre o Feminismo Camponês e Popular e a Agroecologia representa uma abordagem transformadora para a promoção de justiça social e ambiental no campo. Conclui-se que as ações do MMC neste período fortaleceram a Agroecologia como uma prática social e cultural, destacando o Feminismo Camponês e Popular como essencial para a sustentabilidade ambiental e social. O movimento tem dado visibilidade ao trabalho das mulheres, reconhecendo-as como protagonistas das práticas agroecológicas.
Att utveckla samsyn för att öka tillgängligheten till vuxna och bygga trygga relationer
Authors: Pettersson Linda , Bertills Karin
Published: February 2025

Vuxna som arbetar i skolan har nog någon gång haft känslan av att inte vara tillräckliga och önskat att de kunnat vara mer tillgängliga för eleverna. Utmaningarna för att bli mer tillgängliga är många och handlar både om organisation och lärmiljö. Samsyn och ett gemensamt förhållningssätt kring rutiner, regler och bemötande av elever behövs för att skapa trygghet, förutsägbarhet och goda relationer.
Raising public awareness on anthropogenic underwater noise by means of playful activities and serious games
Authors: Diviacco Paolo , Iurcev Massimiliano
Published: February 2025

Anthropogenic underwater noise can seriously affect the marine environment and species. Although great progress has been made both from a normative and scientific point of view, public perception of this hazard is very limited. The Noixe project addresses precisely this gap and aims to raise collective awareness of this problem and the role each of us can play in reducing the impact on the environment. This paper describes what we have developed to raise knowledge and awareness of this issue through playful activities and serious games both in live situations and online. The Noixe events are divided into two sections: First, all the concepts needed to understand anthropogenic noise are explained using experiences that anyone can have in their lives. For example, it is possible to explain how noise can make a message contained in an acoustic signal unrecognizable, staging the case of a teacher explaining something to a noisy class. The second moment of a Noixe event is the serious game. Here, in a quiz-like environment, two teams compete against each other to guess a set of sounds that are initially masked by noise. The system we developed makes it possible to gradually reduce the volume of the noise and increase the volume of the sound until it becomes intelligible. The team that identifies more sounds wins. The online version of Noixe is built on a similar workflow but cannot offer all the features of the live events. In particular, it is very difficult to recreate collective experiences such as team games due to possible connectivity issues. This is why we opted for a single user mode. We have found that our approach is very effective in raising awareness on the topic of anthropogenic noise in both live and online settings. This is demonstrated by the fact that practically all Noixe participants decided to join citizen science activities on noise monitoring we later offered them. In this paper we present the technical details of the activities we have developed so that anyone can replicate and improve our work.
Ups and downs of expatriate health sciences students: towards an understanding of experiences, needs, and suggested recommendations in an Emirati university
Authors: Ahmed Fatma Refaat , Awad Ramadan Ezat , Nassir Huda M. , Mostafa Shahd Tarek , Oujan Batool Ghiath , Mohamed Basem Ali , Abumukheimar Loai A. H. , Abraham Mini Sara , Al-Yateem Nabeel , Al-tamimi Muna , Mottershead Richard , Dias Jacqueline Maria , Subu Muhammad Arsyad , AbuRuz Mohannad Eid
Published: February 2025

Aim

To describe the lived experiences of expatriate students enrolled in an academic institution in the UAE and explore suggested improvement strategies to address their challenges.

Background

Exploring the experiences of expatriate students is crucial for three main reasons. First, expatriate students play a key role in the UAE’s sustainable socio-economic development and diversification. Second, cultural differences among expatriate students raise personal, social, and academic challenges, including pedagogical issues concerning teaching and learning styles and effectiveness. Third, given the global importance of internationalization, expatriates’ experiences should be considered an issue of customer satisfaction.

Method

A descriptive, qualitative, narrative study using indirect Colaizzi content analysis of 23 expatriate students’ reflections on their experiences and suggested recommendations.

Results

The consistent themes cited by participants concerning their experiences centered on dormitory-study life balance, socialization and support networks, and navigating financial challenges. They identified areas for improvement in terms of professional, social, peer, and self-support.

Conclusion

Developing an effective support system is essential to ensure a smooth expatriate student experience. The study findings propose suggestions and recommendations that may help in future planning, including maximizing professional support, providing peer tutoring, boosting academic advising and consultation, encouraging student socialization, and guiding self-development as necessary.
Auricular bioelectronic devices for health, medicine, and human-computer interfaces
Authors: Tyler William J.
Published: February 2025

Recent advances in manufacturing of flexible and conformable microelectronics have opened opportunities for health monitoring and disease treatment. Other material engineering advances, such as the development of conductive, skin-like hydrogels, liquid metals, electric textiles, and piezoelectric films provide safe and comfortable means of interfacing with the human body. Together, these advances have enabled the design and engineering of bioelectronic devices with integrated multimodal sensing and stimulation capabilities to be worn nearly anywhere on the body. Of particular interest here, the external ear (auricle) offers a unique opportunity to design scalable bioelectronic devices with a high degree of usability and familiarity given the broad use of headphones. This review article discusses recent design and engineering advances in the development of auricular bioelectronic devices capable of physiological and biochemical sensing, cognitive monitoring, targeted neuromodulation, and control for human-computer interactions. Stemming from this scalable foundation, there will be increased growth and competition in research and engineering to advance auricular bioelectronics. This activity will lead to increased adoption of these smart headphone-style devices by patients and consumers for tracking health, treating medical conditions, and enhancing human-computer interactions.
Genetic characterization of a rare case of pheochromocytoma in a pulmonary transplant patient
Authors: Parisien-La Salle Stéfanie , Perreault Florence , Corbeil Gilles , Morisset Julie , Poirier Charles , Beauregard Catherine , Räkel Agnès , Labrecque Marjorie , Tétreault Martine , Cohade Christian , Ferraro Pasquale , Bourdeau Isabelle
Published: February 2025

Background

Pheochromocytomas (PCCs) and paragangliomas (PGLs) (PPGLs) are rare tumours arising from the chromaffin cells. There is evidence suggesting a link between hypoxemia and PPGLs. Chronic hypoxia can lead to gain of function somatic variants in the EPAS1 gene that encodes for hypoxia-inducible factor 2-alpha (HIF-2α), involved in PPGL tumorigenesis.

Objective

To describe a rare case of PCC in a pulmonary transplant patient and characterize the tumour’s genetic background.

Clinical Case

A 47 year-old man underwent a lung transplant for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease associated with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. He required home oxygen therapy for 3 years prior to transplant. Nineteen years after transplant, a CT-scan revealed a 5.8 cm x 3.9 cm heterogeneous right adrenal mass (HU of 7). Initial assessments indicated elevated 24-hour urinary catecholamines. Consequently, the patient underwent laparoscopic right adrenalectomy, confirming the PCC diagnosis.

Genetic studies

1) Germline PPGL multigene panel: After consent, the patient underwent a panel of 14 susceptibility genes for PPGLs that revealed no pathogenic variants. 2) Somatic genetic analysis for EPAS1 gene found no variants. However, tumoral RNA sequencing unveiled activation of the HIF pathway.

Conclusion

We describe a rare case of PCC in a pulmonary transplant recipient, with genetic analyses showing no germline pathogenic variants and no somatic variants in the EPAS1 gene. RNA sequencing highlighted HIF pathway activation and angiogenic implications. Further research is necessary to elucidate the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying PCCs in this specific case and determine its link with hypoxemia in the context of pulmonary disease.
Association between magnesium depletion score and prevalence of hyperuricemia in American adults: a study based on NHANES 2007-2018
Authors: Xiao Yongchun , Mou Yong , Wu Ping , Wang Ke , Chen Tianjun , Chen Zhiwan , Lin Hongsheng , Yang Hua , Ji Zhisheng
Published: February 2025

Background

The Magnesium Depletion Score (MDS) is a novel indicator that integrates multiple factors to assess systemic magnesium depletion. However, its association with hyperuricemia (HUA) prevalence remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the relationship between MDS and the prevalence of HUA.

Methods

A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from the 2007-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The MDS was derived by integrating multiple risk factors associated with magnesium depletion: the use of diuretics and proton pump inhibitors (PPI), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and alcohol consumption exceeding recommended thresholds. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models assessed the association between MDS and HUA. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses, including the exclusion of gout patients, further evaluated this association.

Results

Among 18,761 participants, higher MDS were associated with an increased prevalence of HUA. Multivariable logistic regression confirmed a significant positive association between MDS and HUA (OR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.62-1.84). Restricted cubic splines (RCS) further characterized the non-linear relationship between MDS and HUA prevalence. Subgroup analysis indicated a positive association between MDS and HUA, with significant interactions observed for sex and body mass index. Sensitivity and additional analyses reinforced the robustness of these findings.

Conclusion

Among U.S. adults, higher MDS were significantly associated with an increased prevalence of HUA, suggesting that interventions targeting magnesium deficiency could be beneficial in reducing HUA prevalence within this population. However, prospective studies are needed to further confirm these findings.
The relationship between anxiety and cardiometabolic risk factors in adolescents with obesity: propensity scores
Authors: Villasis-Keever Miguel Angel , Zurita-Cruz Jessie Nallely , Pichardo-Estrada Areli Zulema , Mazón-Aguirre Wendy Alejandra
Published: February 2025

Background

It has been described that there is a relationship between metabolic health and anxiety.

Objective

To determine the relationship between anxiety and metabolic syndrome, as well as cardiometabolic risk factors, in adolescents with obesity.

Methods

We conducted a comparative cross-sectional study of adolescents with obesity between January 2019 and December 2022. In each patient, we recorded somatometric measurements, lipid profiles, and serum insulin levels. Anxiety was measured using the Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale. Participants were divided into those with and without anxiety. Patients with anxiety were matched to patients without anxiety using propensity scores based on z-score body mass index (zBMI). Mann–Whitney U tests and χ2 tests were used.

Results

Of the 564 adolescents, 32.6% (n = 184) suffered from anxiety. In the overall study population, no differences in biochemical and cardiometabolic parameters were observed between the adolescents with and without anxiety prior to adjusting the groups based on zBMI. After matching using their zBMI, we found that the adolescents with anxiety had higher serum uric acid levels (5.9 mg/dl vs. 5.4 mg/dl, p = 0.041), an increased incidence of metabolic syndrome (39.1% vs. 15.9%, p = 0.002), hyperglycemia (21.7% vs. 8.6%, p = 0.020), and lower HDLc (67.3% vs. 34.7%, p < 0.001), than those without anxiety. Girls with anxiety had a higher proportion of cardiometabolic risk factors compared to those without anxiety.

Conclusions

Adolescents with obesity and anxiety had higher cardiometabolic risk factors than those without anxiety.
UTE MRI technical developments and applications in osteoporosis: a review
Authors: Shin Soo Hyun , Chae Hee Dong , Suprana Arya , Jerban Saeed , Chang Eric Y. , Shi Lingyan , Sah Robert L. , Pettus Jeremy H. , Woods Gina N. , Du Jiang
Published: February 2025

Osteoporosis (OP) is a metabolic bone disease that affects more than 10 million people in the USA and leads to over two million fractures every year. The disease results in serious long-term disability and death in a large number of patients. Bone mineral density (BMD) measurement is the current standard in assessing fracture risk; however, the majority of fractures cannot be explained by BMD alone. Bone is a composite material of mineral, organic matrix, and water. While bone mineral provides stiffness and strength, collagen provides ductility and the ability to absorb energy before fracturing, and water provides viscoelasticity and poroelasticity. These bone components are arranged in a complex hierarchical structure. Both material composition and physical structure contribute to the unique strength of bone. The contribution of mineral to bone’s mechanical properties has dominated scientific thinking for decades, partly because collagen and water are inaccessible using X-ray based techniques. Accurate evaluation of bone requires information about its components (mineral, collagen, water) and structure (cortical porosity, trabecular microstructure), which are all important in maintaining the mechanical integrity of bone. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is routinely used to diagnose soft tissue diseases, but bone is “invisible” with clinical MRI due to its short transverse relaxation time. This review article discusses using ultrashort echo time (UTE) sequences to evaluate bone composition and structure. Both morphological and quantitative UTE MRI techniques are introduced. Their applications in osteoporosis are also briefly discussed. These UTE-MRI advancements hold great potential for improving the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis and other metabolic bone diseases by providing a more comprehensive assessment of bone quantity and quality.
An anoikis-related signature predicts prognosis and immunotherapy response in gastrointestinal cancers
Authors: Liu Ruyi , Liu Yuchen , Huang Weicheng , Chen Pengxiang , Cheng Yufeng
Published: February 2025

Background

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers have high incidence rates and mortality rates. Anoikis is a special type of cell apoptosis, and anoikis resistance has been reported to be associated with tumor malignancy. We aimed to explore the roles of anoikis-related genes (ARGs) in the GI cancer prognosis.

Methods

We extracted RNA sequencing and clinical data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibu databases for patients with esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, colon cancer and rectal cancer and identified ARGs from GeneCards and Harmonizome. Anoikis-related patterns were identified via unsupervised clustering analysis. We constructed a prognostic signature (Anoscore) based on prognostic ARGs through univariate, LASSO, and multivariate Cox regression analyses. The model was validated and evaluated using Kaplan–Meier analysis, receiver operating characteristic curves, univariate Cox regression analysis, multivariate Cox regression analysis, column charts, and calibration curves. We also performed a single-cell sequencing analysis of candidate genes via TISCH2. A correlation analysis between the Anoscore, the tumor microenvironment and drug sensitivity was conducted in GI cancers. The expression and function of some candidate genes were validated in vitro.

Results

In terms of prognostic ARGs, two anoikis-related patterns, ARG clusters A and B, were identified. ARG cluster B had a worse prognosis than did ARG cluster A. Subsequently, the Anoscore was developed as an independent prognostic factor. It demonstrated the robust predictive capability for the prognosis of patients with GI cancers. Notably, patients with high Anoscores exhibited poor outcomes. In addition, we established a nomogram (Ano-nomogram) based on the Anoscore and clinicopathological factors of patients to predict the 3-year and 5-year survival probabilities. Moreover, patients with high Anoscores had higher levels of immune cell infiltration and higher immune checkpoint expression. The drug sensitivity analysis revealed that patients with high or low Anoscores were sensitive to different chemotherapies and targeted drugs. S100A11 and TLR3, representative candidate genes, exhibited different expression patterns and biological functions.

Conclusion

This study highlighted the significant potential of the Anoscore in predicting prognosis and guiding the selection of personalized therapeutic regimens for patients with GI cancers.
KLF4: a multifunctional nexus connecting tumor progression and immune regulation
Authors: Ju Yunjie , Xiao Wen , Mathis Bryan James , Shi Ying
Published: February 2025

Krüppel-like factors (KLFs) regulate various biological processes such as cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and differentiation as gene transcription factors. Signaling pathways which mediated by KLF4 and KLF4 have a sophisticated role in tumors due to multiple factors, including the types or stage of tumors. KLF4 plays a promoter role in tumorigenesis and development, or tumor suppressor as a context-dependent anti- and pro-inflammatory factor. KLF4 over-expression increases CD8+T cell differentiation and enhances the antitumor immunity. This review aims to provide information about the relationship of KLF4 in immunity with tumors and to guide the future study.
The AMD-associated genetic polymorphism CFH Y402H confers vulnerability to Hydroquinone-induced stress in iPSC-RPE cells
Authors: Armento Angela , Sonntag Inga , Almansa-Garcia Ana-Cristina , Sen Merve , Bolz Sylvia , Arango-Gonzalez Blanca , Kilger Ellen , Sharma Ruchi , Bharti Kapil , Fernandez-Godino Rosario , de la Cerda Berta , Clark Simon J. , Ueffing Marius
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a degenerative disease of the macula, is caused by an interplay of diverse risk factors (genetic predisposition, age and lifestyle habits). One of the main genetic risks includes the Y402H polymorphism in complement Factor H (FH), an inhibitor of complement system activation. There has been, and continues to be, much discussion around the functional consequences of this Y402H polymorphism, whether the soluble FH protein confers its risk association, or if the cells expressing the protein themselves are affected by the genetic alteration. In our study, we examined the cell characteristics of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, which play a major role in retinal homeostasis and stability and which are synonymously linked to AMD.

Methods

Here, we employ RPE cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) generated from donors, carrying either homozygous 402Y (low risk) or 402H (high risk) variants of the CFH gene. RPE cells were treated with Hydroquinone (HQ), a component of cigarette smoke, to induce oxidative damage.

Results

Intriguingly, RPE cells carrying high genetic risk proved more vulnerable to oxidative insult when exposed to HQ, as demonstrated by increased cytotoxicity and caspase activation, compared to the low-risk RPE cells. The exposure of RPE cells to RPE conditioned medium, normal human serum (NHS) and inactivated NHS (iNHS) had minimal impact on cell cytotoxicity and caspase activation, nor did the presence of purified soluble FH rescue the observed effects. Considering the known connection of oxidative stress to proteotoxic stress and degrading processes, we investigated the unfolded protein response (UPR) and autophagy. When exposed to HQ, RPE cells showed an increase in autophagy markers; however, iPSC-RPE cells carrying high genetic risk showed an overall reduced autophagic flux.

Discussion

Our findings suggest that the degree of cellular susceptibility to oxidative stress is not conferred by soluble FH protein and other complement sources, but intercellularly because of the corresponding genetic risk predisposition. Our data support the hypothesis that RPE cells carrying high genetic risk are less resilient to oxidative stress.
The geometry evolution of Early Paleozoic carbonate platform in the southwestern Tarim Basin, China: evidence from sequence stratigraphic analysis and seismic forward modeling
Authors: Li Jie , Cao Zicheng , Geng Feng , Yang Suju , Sha Xuguang , Lan Mingjie , Wang Shenghou , Lu Yongchao , Lu Yangbo , Tang Daqing , Zhang Zhao , Hao Fang
Published: February 2025

Deciphering the evolution of spatial geometry of carbonate platforms in deeply buried successions is still a challenge due to the low resolution of seismic data and the constraints of drilling wells. In this study, by combining a seismic forward model, we systematically delineated the external morphology and internal architecture of seismic reflection and established a depositional model of a carbonate platform. The Lower Paleozoic strata display the high-amplitude reflection in the Lower-Middle Cambrian interval and the low-amplitude reflection in the Upper Cambrian-Middle Ordovician interval. The high-amplitude reflection interval thins or wedges out towards the center of the present Southwest Depression section, and thickens to the north and south. Inside of the high-amplitude interval, the seismic reflection terminated at the top reflector. Seismic forward modeling was performed to examine the validity of possible hypothetical models in the studied area. The modeling results show that the simulated stratigraphic patterns are comparable to a ramp or depression geometry which is well fit to the characteristics of actual seismic reflections. Such a ramp or depression geometry is built upon the changes in sea level and climate during the Cambrian period. This study emphasizes the potential of the integration of sequence stratigraphic analyses and seismic forward modeling as a seismic workflow for retrieving the stratigraphic architecture and platform geometry.
Endocrine and metabolic comorbidities in juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Park Su Jin , Ahn Moon Bae , Jeong Dae Chul
Published: February 2025

Background and aims

Juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting individuals under 18, causing multi-system impairment. Patients with JSLE exhibit more severe disease when compared to patients with adult-onset SLE. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of endocrine and metabolic comorbidities in patients with JSLE, and analyze the factors associated with each comorbidity.

Methods

Anthropometric, clinical, laboratory data, and the details of glucocorticoids and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs use were collected.

Results

A total of 57 patients with JSLE (48 girls and 9 boys) were included in this study. Endocrine and metabolic comorbidities were observed in 64.9% of the patients. The most prevalent comorbidities were dyslipidemia (40.4%), being overweight or obese (26.3%), subclinical hypothyroidism (24.6%), autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) (21.1%), and low bone mass (20.9%). The risk of dyslipidemia and AITD increased in patients who were overweight or obese. The risk of being overweight or obese was associated with skin involvement at diagnosis and rheumatoid factor positivity. Younger age at diagnosis and longer duration of glucocorticoid exposure increased the risk of low bone mass. The overall prevalence of endocrine and metabolic comorbidities was associated with short stature at diagnosis, being overweight or obese at follow-up, skin involvement at diagnosis, and rheumatoid factor positivity.

Conclusion

Patients with JSLE have higher burdens of endocrine and metabolic comorbidities and should be routinely monitored. Prevention of obesity may be helpful in lowering the risk of comorbidities.
Clinical study, network pharmacology, and molecular docking of Kunxian capsule in treating idiopathic membranous nephropathy
Authors: Lv Jia , Gao Xinyu , Liu Lihua , He Libing , Tian Geng , Lu Xuehong
Published: February 2025

Objective

A new Tripterygium wilfordii preparation called Kunxian capsule (KX) has been approved in China. However, it is still unknown whether KX is safe and effective for idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) and its therapeutic mechanism of action is unclear.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of 39 patients with IMN who received KX to investigate its efficacy and side effects of KX in treating IMN. We also used network pharmacology and molecular docking methods to explore the potential mechanism of action of KX in IMN.

Results

In patients with IMN receiving KX treatment, 24 h urine protein was markedly decreased, whereas serum albumin levels increased. The overall clinical response rate was 79.49% after 6 months of treatment, and there were no significant adverse events. Quercetin, luteolin and kaempferol were the main bioactive ingredients of KX in treating IMN. AKT1, IL6, and TNF were core targets. The main potential mechanism of KX in treating IMN were pathways involved in cancer, the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, lipid and atherosclerosis. Molecular docking results showed that the binding force between the active ingredient and core target was relatively stable.

Conclusion

KX is a safe and effective treatment option for IMN and can effectively improve serum albumin and 24 h urine protein levels in patients with IMN. This study preliminarily reveals the possible mechanism of KX in the treatment of IMN and provides a theoretical basis for future clinical research.
Impact of underweight status on mortality in sepsis patients: a meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Jiaan , Zhang Fan , Liang Li , Pan Xuming , Zhang Jiancheng , Jin Guangjun
Published: February 2025

Objective

The evidence regarding the impact of underweight status on clinical outcomes in patients with sepsis are still scarce and controversial. We aimed at conducting a meta-analysis to evaluate the potential associations between underweight and the mortality rate among sepsis patients.

Methods

A comprehensive electronic search was performed in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science databases. Odds ratios (ORs) or mean differences and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using RevMan 5.3.

Results

A total of 58,348 patients (normal weight group: 49,084 patients; underweight group: 9,264 patients) from 23 studies were included in this meta-analysis. The results indicated that the in-hospital mortality (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.21, 1.35; heterogeneity: I2 = 21%, P = 0.21), 28-day mortality (OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.26, 1.88; heterogeneity: I2 = 74%, P < 0.0001) and 1-year mortality (OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.58, 2.00; heterogeneity: I2 = 41%, P = 0.17) of underweight patients were significantly higher than those of normal weight patients. However, there was no significant difference in length of hospital stay or intensive care unit length of stay between underweight patients and normal-weight patients.

Conclusion

Underweight is associated with increased mortality in patients with sepsis. Physicians should pay more attention to the management of underweight sepsis patients.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=631417, identifier CRD42025631417.
Blood-based biomarkers in mild behavioral impairment: an updated overview
Authors: Angelopoulou Efthalia , Androni Xenia , Villa Chiara , Hatzimanolis Alexandros , Scarmeas Nikolaos , Papageorgiou Sokratis
Published: February 2025

Identifying individuals at-risk for dementia is one of the critical objectives of current research efforts, highlighting the need for simple, cost-effective, and minimally invasive biomarkers. Mild behavioral impairment (MBI), characterized by the emergence of persistent neuropsychiatric manifestations in older adults, has attracted increasing attention as a potential early indicator of cognitive decline and dementia. A growing number of studies have recently begun to explore the relationship between MBI and several blood-based biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology, neurodegeneration, as well as systemic metabolic and inflammatory dysregulation. In this context, MBI has been associated with lower plasma Aβ42/Αβ40 ratio, higher plasma phosphorylated tau at threonine 181 (p-tau181), increased neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels, as well as disturbances in metabolic markers, including homocysteine, insulin and ferritin, suggesting a multifaceted neurobiological basis for this syndrome. These findings offer insights into the underlying pathophysiology of MBI, and connection between neuropsychiatric symptoms and progression of AD. In this narrative review, we aim to summarize and critically discuss the emerging literature evidence linking MBI to blood-based biomarkers, hoping to shed more light on MBI’s pathophysiology, its connection to AD-related neurobiology, as well as its potential practical utility for predicting cognitive impairment, guiding early interventions and managing the risk for dementia.
A comparative study of EEG microstate dynamics during happy and sad music videos
Authors: Gupta Ashish , Srivastava Chandan Kumar , Bhushan Braj , Behera Laxmidhar
Published: February 2025

EEG microstates offer a unique window into the dynamics of emotional experiences. This study delved into the emotional responses of happiness and sadness triggered by music videos, employing microstate analysis and eLoreta source-level investigation in the alpha band. The results of the microstate analysis showed that regardless of gender, participants during happy music video significantly upregulated class D microstate and downregulated class C microstate, leading to a significantly enhanced global explained variance (GEV), coverage, occurrence, duration, and global field power (GFP) for class D. Conversely, sad music video had the opposite effect. The eLoreta study revealed that during the happy state, there was enhanced CSD in the central parietal regions across both genders and diminished functional connectivity in the precuneus for female participants compared to the sad state. Class D and class C microstates are linked to attention and mind-wandering, respectively. The findings suggest that (1) increased class D and CSD activity could explain heightened attentiveness observed during happy music, and (2) increased class C activity and functional connectivity could explain enhanced mind wandering observed during sad music. Additionally, female participants exhibited significantly higher mean occurrence than males, and the sad state showed significantly higher mean occurrence than the happy state.
Decoding the brain-machine interaction for upper limb assistive technologies: advances and challenges
Authors: Ghosh Sutirtha , Yadav Rohit Kumar , Soni Sunaina , Giri Shivangi , Muthukrishnan Suriya Prakash , Kumar Lalan , Bhasin Shubhendu , Roy Sitikantha
Published: February 2025

Understanding how the brain encodes upper limb movements is crucial for developing control mechanisms in assistive technologies. Advances in assistive technologies, particularly Brain-machine Interfaces (BMIs), highlight the importance of decoding motor intentions and kinematics for effective control. EEG-based BMI systems show promise due to their non-invasive nature and potential for inducing neural plasticity, enhancing motor rehabilitation outcomes. While EEG-based BMIs show potential for decoding motor intention and kinematics, studies indicate inconsistent correlations with actual or planned movements, posing challenges for achieving precise and reliable prosthesis control. Further, the variability in predictive EEG patterns across individuals necessitates personalized tuning to improve BMI efficiency. Integrating multiple physiological signals could enhance BMI precision and reliability, paving the way for more effective motor rehabilitation strategies. Studies have shown that brain activity adapts to gravitational and inertial constraints during movement, highlighting the critical role of neural adaptation to biomechanical changes in creating control systems for assistive devices. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of recent progress in deciphering neural activity patterns associated with both physiological and assisted upper limb movements, highlighting avenues for future exploration in neurorehabilitation and brain-machine interface development.
Cross-sectional association between plasma aldosterone concentration and cognitive performance by mini-mental state examination in community dwellers
Authors: Nusufujiang Aketilieke , Heizhati Mulalibieke , Li Nanfang , Yao Ling , Yang Wenbo , Wang Hui , Li Mei , Gan Lin , Maitituersun Adalaiti , Liu Miaomiao , Nuermaimaiti Qiaolifanayi , Cai Li , Aierken Xiayire , Li Xiufang , Luo Qin , Hong Jing
Published: February 2025

Background

Aldosterone is the effector hormone in the renin angiotensin aldosterone system and existing data suggest aldosterone affect cognitive function. However, the relationship between plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) and cognitive performance remains unexplored in community dwellers. Therefore, we aimed to explore whether PAC is associated with cognitive performance in this population.

Methods

We cross-sectionally enrolled adults using multistage random sampling from Emin, China in 2019. Participants underwent questionnaires and data collection. Cognitive status was assessed using mini-mental state examination (MMSE) questionnaire. Multi-variable linear and logistic regression were used to explore the association between log PAC and log MMSE score, and between tertiled PAC (the higher PAC as the exposure) and low cognitive performance, respectively, in total, apparently healthy and diseased participants. Subgroup analyses also were performed by age, gender, BMI, living region, ethnicity and education attainment status.

Results

27,707 subjects were included, of whom, 12,862 were apparently healthy and 14,845 had disease. Log-PAC was positively associated with log-MMSE score in the multivariable linear regression in the total (B = 0.01, 95%CI: 0–0.01, p < 0.001), apparently healthy (B = 0.01, 95%CI: 0–0.01, p = 0.007) participants, and the diseased without taking medicine (B = 0.01, 95%CI: 0.01–0.02, p = 0.004) participants. In logistic regression, the highest third tertile of PAC group showed significantly lower odds for the presence of low cognitive performance in total (OR = 0.83, 95%CI: 0.73–0.93, p = 0.002) and diseased without taking medicine participants (OR = 0.70, 95%CI: 0.57–0.86, p < 0.001). Various sub-group analysis showed largely consistent results with the main analysis.

Conclusion

There was a positive correlation between plasma aldosterone and cognitive functions in community dwellers, whereas further studies are need when considering the cross-sectional nature of the current study.
Malícia honey (Mimosa quadrivalvis L.) produced by the jandaíra bee (Melipona subnitida D.) shows antioxidant activity via phenolic compound action in obese rats
Authors: Bezerra Maria Luiza Rolim , Gouveia-Nhanca Mirela , da Veiga Dutra Maria Letícia , Batista Kamila Sabino , de Araújo Alana Natalícia Vasconcelos , dos Santos Lima Marcos , Ribeiro Mateus Duarte , Silva Alexandre Sergio , Alves Adriano Francisco , Pimentel Tatiana Colombo , Magnani Marciane , de Souza Aquino Jailane
Published: February 2025

Background and aims

Obesity is a disease associated with increased oxidative stress in humans and animals, and consumption of antioxidant compounds such as polyphenols can minimise it. These compounds are abundant in malícia (Mimosa quadrivalvis L.) honey produced by stingless bees. This study aimed to evaluate whether administration of Mimosa quadrivalvis L. honey to obese rats could reduce oxidative stress in vital organs through phenolic compound action.

Methods

Wistar rats (228 ± 14.69 g) were randomly divided into two groups: a healthy group (HG, n = 20) fed a control diet and an obese group (OG, n = 20) fed a cafeteria diet for the initial 8 weeks. After this period, these groups were again randomised into four subgroups: healthy (HG, n = 10), obese (OG, n = 10), healthy with malícia honey administration (1,000 mg/kg; HGH, n = 10), and obese with malícia honey administration (1,000 mg/kg; OGH, n = 10) for the final 8 weeks fed the previously mentioned diets. The rats were euthanised at the end of the experiment to collect brain, gut, kidney, and liver tissues to evaluate parameters related to oxidative stress and phenolic profile.

Results

The administration of malícia honey reduced energy intake and weight gain in the OGH in comparison to the OG. Total antioxidant capacity increased in the brain, liver, and gut in both groups treated with honey compared to respective controls. Lipid peroxidation decreased in the brain, gut, and kidney of the OGH. Both treated groups showed elevated phenolic compound deposition, including catechin, procyanidins, and flavonoids, across all organs. Specifically, the brain in the OGH showed greater procyanidin B2 and gallic acid deposition; the liver showed increased procyanidin B1 and B2, epicatechin, and myricetin concentrations; the gut showed higher procyanidin B2 and kaempferol 3-glucoside concentrations; and the kidneys had increased catechin, procyanidin B1 and B2, and gallic acid deposition compared to the OG.

Conclusion

Histologically, the OGH displayed reduced neuronal damage and prevention of hepatic steatosis induced by the cafeteria diet. Malícia honey effectively reduced oxidative stress via modulation of phenolic compounds in the brain, gut, kidney, and liver of cafeteria diet-induced obese rats.