bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Artificial intelligence for higher education: benefits and challenges for pre-service teachers
Authors: Kalniņa Daiga , Nīmante Dita , Baranova Sanita
Published: November 2024

Introduction

The study investigates the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education (HE) and its impact on pre-service teachers at the University of Latvia (UL) by exploring pre-service teachers' perceptions of the benefits and challenges of AI in both their academic learning and their future professional roles as educators, particularly regarding the promotion of inclusive education.

Methods

Data was collected via an online survey of 240 pre-service teachers across various disciplines at the UL. The survey included demographic details, AI usage patterns, and perceived benefits and challenges. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Kruskal-Wallis H tests, Spearman's correlation, and thematic analysis.

Results

Less than half of the participants used AI in their studies, with many expressing ambivalence or opposition toward AI. Benefits included language assistance and accessibility to global knowledge, while challenges involved reduced critical thinking and concerns over plagiarism. Despite recognizing AI's potential to promote inclusivity, most pre-service teachers have not applied it in practice. No significant differences in AI perceptions were found based on age, gender, or study level.

Discussion

The findings highlight a low adoption rate of AI among pre-service teachers and a gap between theoretical recognition of AI's potential and its practical application, particularly for inclusion. The study emphasizes the need for HE institutions to enhance AI literacy and readiness among future teachers.

Conclusion

AI is underutilized by pre-service teachers in both HE learning and teaching environments, which has implications for teacher preparation programs that better integrate AI literacy and inclusive practices.
The correlation between Diabetes and age-related degeneration and the static and dynamic 3D mechanical distribution of different plantar regions
Authors: Yang Xiong-gang , Hu Xing-xi , Wang Qi-yang , Peng Zhi , Luo Hao-tian , Lu Sheng
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study aimed to compare the distribution of plantar pressure and anterior-posterior (AP) or medial-lateral (ML) shear forces in healthy younger (HY) people, healthy older (HO) people, and diabetic patients, both in static standing and during gait.

Materials and methods

A total of 20 HY adults, 16 HO adults and 15 diabetic patients were included. The static mechanical distribution measurements included: static horizontal, AP slope plane, and left/right slope standing. Data collected during the gait cycle encompassed the plantar pressure-time integral (PTI), peak pressure (PP), AP/ML shear force-time integral (AP-STI/ML-STI), and AP/ML peak shear force (AP-PS/ML-PS). The plantar surface was segmented into regions including hallux (HL), 2nd~5th toes (T2-5), 1st metatarsal head (M1), 2nd~3rd metatarsal heads (M2-3), 4th~5th metatarsal heads (M4-5), lateral foot arch (LA), and heel regions.

Results

The HO group exhibited increased static pressure in M2-3 and heel regions and AP shear force in the entire plantar and M1 regions, in comparison to the HY group. The diabetes group showed increased static pressure in entire plantar, M1, M2-3 and heel regions and AP shear force in the entire plantar, T2-5, M1, M2-3 and heel regions. During gait, the HO group exhibited increased PTI in the whole plantar, T2-5, M2-3, and M4-5 regions, while the diabetes group showed increased PTI in the whole plantar, M1 and M2-3 regions. The HO group showed increased PP in the whole plantar, M1 and heel regions, while decreased in the M2-3 region. The diabetes group showed increased PP in the whole plantar, T2-5, M2-3, M4-5 and heel regions. The HO group showed increased AP-STI in the T2-5, M1, and M2-3 regions, while the diabetes group showed increased AP-STI in the whole plantar, M2-3 and heel regions.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that both static and dynamic plantar pressures and shear forces are significantly greater in diabetic patients and HO individuals compared to HY adults. The most substantial increases was occurred under the M2-3 and heel regions.
Mixotrophic protists and ecological stoichiometry: connecting homeostasis and nutrient limitation from organisms to communities
Authors: Schenone Luca , Aarons Zoe S. , García-Martínez Minerva , Happe Anika , Redoglio Andrea
Published: November 2024

In recent decades, there has been a growing recognition that mixotrophy, the ability to utilize both phototrophy and phagotrophy, is more common among plankton than previously assumed. Even though mixotrophs can become highly abundant, especially under nutrient limitation, and significantly alter nutrient cycling and food-web dynamics due to their dual nutritional modes, a comprehensive synthesis from a stoichiometric perspective is still lacking. We conducted a systematic literature review in which we identified over 130 studies that directly relate nutrient ratios to mixotrophic protists at the organism to community scale. By conceptually linking mixotrophy with the concept of ecological stoichiometry, we provide insights into (1) the role of mixotrophic metabolism and nutrient limitation in regulating cellular homeostasis, (2) mixotroph abundance and community scale responses to nutrient limitation, and (3) the specific case of harmful algal bloom forming mixotrophs. On the organism scale, the existing literature points towards a stabilizing effect of mixotrophic metabolism on elemental composition, and the use of grazing as a compensation mechanism under stoichiometric imbalances in the water and prey. At the community scale, mixotrophs were found to increase in abundance relative to strict autotrophs and heterotrophs in nutrient-limited communities, and provide beneficial food for zooplankton grazers by maintaining relatively low and stable stoichiometry. Furthermore, global-scale models and studies of harmful algal blooms reveal the increasing importance of mixotrophs under climate change – highlighting the need for continued research addressing the interactions between mixotrophs and dynamic stoichiometry to understand the impacts of mixotrophs on global nutrient cycles.
Transcriptome analysis revealed that ischemic post-conditioning suppressed the expression of inflammatory genes in lung ischemia-reperfusion injury
Authors: Lin Liangen , Sun Congcong , Ye Yuanwen , Zhu Peng , Pan Keyue , Chen Linglong
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Ischemic post-conditioning (I-post C) is a recognized therapeutic strategy for lung ischemia/reperfusion injury (LIRI). However, the specific mechanisms underlying the lung protection conferred by I-post C remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the protective mechanisms and potential molecular regulatory networks of I-post C on lung tissue.

Methods

Transcriptome analysis was performed on rat lung tissues obtained from Sham, ischemia-reperfusion (IR), and I-post C groups using RNA-seq to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Subsequently, gene ontology (GO) analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis, and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were conducted to elucidate significantly enriched pathways in the IR and I-post C groups. Additionally, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis was carried out to examine associations among the DEGs. Pathological changes in lung tissues were assessed using hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining. The expression levels of CXCL1 and CXCL6 in the IR and I-post C groups were evaluated through immunofluorescence and Western blotting.

Results

Our results showed that I-post C significantly attenuated both pulmonary edema and inflammatory cell infiltration. Transcriptome analysis identified 38 DEGs in the I-post C group compared to the IR group, comprising 21 upregulated and 17 downregulated genes. Among these, seven inflammation-related DEGs exhibited co-expression patterns with the Sham and IR groups, with notable downregulation of Cxcl1 and Cxcl6. GO analysis primarily linked these DEGs to neutrophil activation, chemotaxis, cytokine activity, and CCR chemokine receptor binding. KEGG analysis revealed enriched pathways, including the IL-17, TNF, and NF-κB signaling pathways. GSEA indicated downregulation of neutrophil chemotaxis and the IL-17 signaling pathway, correlating with reduced expression of Cxcl1 and Cxcl6. Validation of Cxcl1 and Cxcl6 mRNA expression via immunofluorescence and Western blotting supported the RNA-seq findings. Furthermore, a PPI network was constructed to elucidate interactions among the 29 DEGs.

Conclusions

Through RNA-Seq analysis, we concluded that I-post C may reduce inflammation and suppress the IL-17 signaling pathway, thereby protecting against lung damage caused by LIRI, potentially involving neutrophil extracellular traps.
asmbPLS: biomarker identification and patient survival prediction with multi-omics data
Authors: Zhang Runzhi , Datta Susmita
Published: November 2024

Introduction

With the advancement of high-throughput studies, an increasing wealth of high-dimensional multi-omics data is being collected from the same patient cohort. However, leveraging this multi-omics data to predict survival outcomes poses a significant challenge due to its complex structure.

Methods

In this article, we present a novel approach, the Adaptive Sparse Multi-Block Partial Least Squares (asmbPLS) Regression model, which introduces a dynamic assignment of penalty factors to distinct blocks within various PLS components, facilitating effective feature selection and prediction.

Results

We compared the proposed method with several state-of-the-art algorithms encompassing prediction performance, feature selection and computation efficiency. We conducted comprehensive evaluations using both simulated data with various scenarios and a real dataset from the melanoma patients to validate the effectiveness and efficiency of the asmbPLS method. Additionally, we applied the lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) dataset from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to further assess the feature selection capability of asmbPLS.

Discussion

The inherent nature of asmbPLS imparts it with higher sensitivity in feature selection compared to other methods. Furthermore, an R package called asmbPLS implementing this method is made publicly available.
Higher density of CD4+ T cell infiltration predicts severe renal lesions and renal function decline in patients with diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Han Qianqian , Xu Huan , Li Lin , Lei Song , Li Ziyao , Zhao Lijun , Liu Fang
Published: November 2024

Background

More evidence have shown that the combination of immune and inflammatory mechanism was critical in diabetic nephropathy (DN). However, the relationship between CD4+ T cells and the development of DN is still unclear. Therefore, this study will focus on this issue from the perspective of clinicopathology.

Methods

From September 2019 to December 2022, a total of 112 adult patients with DN were enrolled in the study. According to the density of CD4+ T cell infiltration based on immunostaining, the patients were divided into high-CD4 group (56 patients) and low-CD4 group (56 patients). Another 25 diabetic patients with minimal change disease (non-diabetic nephropathy, NDN) was reviewed as control group in clinical and molecular analysis. The clinical parameters, morphological features, and molecular characteristics were compared. The predictive value of CD4+ T cells for DN prognosis was also investigated.

Results

DN patients in the high-CD4 group suffered from higher proteinuria and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) level than those in the low-CD4 group and NDN patients. Renal biopsy in the high-CD4 group presented with more severe glomerular lesions, higher density of interstitial inflammation, and more severe tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis than in the low-CD4 group. Multivariate logistic analysis indicated that the density of CD4+ T cell infiltration could independently predict the severity of tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis. In addition, more severe mitochondrial damage of renal tubular epithelial cells and a more obvious expression of Bcl6, IL-6, STAT3, and TGFβ1 were observed in DN patients of the high-CD4 group, indicating the possible mechanism of CD4+ T cells involving the progression of DN. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that a higher intensity of interstitial CD4+ T cell deposition remained as an independent predictor of the double endpoint with doubling of baseline serum creatinine or end-stage renal disease.

Conclusion

The high density of CD4+ T cell infiltration was associated with renal function decline and severity of renal lesions and predicted poor renal survival for DN patients.
Harnessing antibody-mediated recognition of the intracellular proteome with T cell receptor-like specificity
Authors: Haus-Cohen Maya , Reiter Yoram
Published: November 2024

The clinical success of cancer immunotherapy has driven ongoing efforts to identify novel targets that can effectively guide potent effector functions to eliminate malignant cells. Traditionally, immunotherapies have focused on surface antigens; however, these represent only a small fraction of the cancer proteome, limiting their therapeutic potential. In contrast, the majority of proteins within the human proteome are intracellular, yet they are represented on the cell surface as short peptides presented by MHC class I molecules. These peptide-MHC complexes offer a vast and largely untapped resource for cancer immunotherapy targets. The intracellular proteome, including neo-antigens, presents an exciting opportunity for the development of novel cell-based and soluble immunotherapies. Targeting these intracellular-derived peptide-MHC molecules on malignant cell surfaces can be achieved using specific T-cell receptors (TCRs) or TCR-mimicking antibodies, known as TCR-like (TCRL) antibodies. Current therapeutic strategies under investigation include adoptive cell transfer of TCR-engineered or TCRL-T cells and CAR-T cells that target peptide-MHC complexes, as well as soluble TCR- and TCRL-based agents like bispecific T cell engagers. Recent clinical developments in targeting the intracellular proteome using TCRL- and TCR-based molecules have shown promising results, with two therapies recently receiving FDA approval for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic uveal melanoma and synovial sarcoma. This review focuses on the processes for selecting and isolating TCR- and TCRL-based targeting moieties, with an emphasis on pre-clinical and clinical studies that explore the potential of peptide-MHC targeting agents in cancer immunotherapy.
The monitoring of B lymphocytes in non-lymphoma patients following rituximab treatment
Authors: Dong Linjie , Yan Lin , Li Yi , Li Mei , Feng Weihua , Li Xiaoqiong , Yue Jiaxi , Zhang Erdi , Luo Yao , Bai Yangjuan
Published: November 2024

RTX was initially used for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma treatment and has been used in the clinical treatment of various autoimmune diseases as well as in antirejection and immune induction therapy for kidney transplant recipients. Following RTX treatment, the time for B cell regeneration varies among patients, but there is no unified recommendation for the frequency of B cell monitoring. This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of periodic monitoring of peripheral blood B lymphocytes in individualized immunotherapy following rituximab (RTX) treatment in patients with different diseases. This study included 488 patients with different diseases divided in four groups who were hospitalized and followed up from April 2017 to March 2024 (including 77, 161, 120, and 130 cases of neuromyelitis optica, pemphigus, membranous nephropathy, and kidney transplant recipients, respectively). Dynamic changes in percentage and absolute count of peripheral blood B lymphocytes before and after RTX treatment were investigated in the four groups, as well as the number of B cell subsets in 32 patients with optic neuromyelitis after RTX treatment. Although most patients showed high expression of B cells after 24 weeks, less than 6.8% of patients still began to experience B cell regeneration within 4 weeks. Thus, regular B cell monitoring following RTX treatment is helpful to better track the remission and recurrence of the disease and provide effective laboratory support for the selection and implementation of individualized immunotherapy.
Cache Valley virus isolation from a horse in Veracruz State, Mexico
Authors: Ortega-Soriano Gamaliel , Plante Jessica A. , Fabela-Becerril Veronica A. , Gonzalez-Perez Ana L. , Solis-Hernandez Mario , Rafael Grace , Widen Steven G. , Plante Kenneth S. , Weaver Scott C. , Estrada-Franco Jose Guillermo
Published: November 2024

Cache Valley virus (CVV) was isolated from a clinically presenting horse in the Mexican Gulf region. CVV is linked to neuroinvasive disease in humans and fetal demise and defects in sheep. This is the first association between CVV and disease in horses. Implications for public and veterinary health are discussed.
Vitamin D deficiency and duration of COVID-19 symptoms in UK healthcare workers
Authors: Chadda Karan R. , Roberts Sophie A. , Lugg Sebastian T. , Faniyi Aduragbemi A. , Faustini Sian E. , Webster Craig , Duffy Joanne E. , Hewison Martin , Shields Adrian , Richter Alex G. , Parekh Dhruv , Scott Aaron , Thickett David R.
Published: November 2024

Objectives

Vitamin D has a role in the innate immunity against pathogens and is also involved in mechanisms for reducing inflammation. VD deficiency (VDD) may increase COVID-19 infection susceptibility, however research is limited on the association between VDD and COVID-19 symptom prevalence and duration. The study aimed to determine whether VDD is a risk factor for the presence and extended duration of COVID-19 symptoms.

Methods

Data was analyzed from NHS healthcare workers who isolated due to COVID-19 symptoms as a part of the COVID-19 convalescent immunity study between 12th to 22nd May 2020. Participants self-reported the presence and duration of viral symptoms. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and vitamin D (25(OH)D3) serum levels were measured on day of recruitment. VDD was defined as 25(OH)D3 levels of < 30 nmol/l.

Results

Of the 392 participants, 15.6% (n = 61) had VDD. VDD participants had more symptoms overall (p = 0.0030), including body aches (p = 0.0453), and extended duration of body aches (p = 0.0075) and fatigue (p = 0.0127). Binary logistic regression found that both VDD (OR 3.069, 95% CI 1.538–6.124; p = 0.001) and age (OR 1.026, 95% CI 1.003–1.049; p = 0.025) were independently associated with extended durations of body aches. VDD (OR 2.089, 95% CI 1.087–4.011; p = 0.027), age (OR 1.036, 95% CI 1.016–1.057; p < 0.001) and seroconversion (OR 1.917, 95% CI 1.203–3.056; p = 0.006), were independently associated with extended durations of fatigue.

Conclusion

VDD is a significant independent risk factor for extended durations of body aches and fatigue in healthcare workers who isolated for COVID-19 viral symptoms. Vitamin D supplementation may reduce symptom duration and is thus an area for future research.
Potential of gut microbiota metabolites in treating COPD: network pharmacology and Mendelian randomization approaches
Authors: Cao Zhenghua , Zhao Shengkun , Wu Tong , Sun Feng , Hu Shaodan , Shi Li
Published: November 2024

Objective

The gut microbiota and its metabolites exert a significant influence on COPD, yet the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. We aim to holistically evaluate the role and mechanisms of the gut microbiota and its metabolites in COPD through network pharmacology and Mendelian randomization approaches.

Methods

Employing network pharmacology, we identified the gut microbiota and its metabolites’ impact on COPD-related targets, elucidating the complex network mechanisms involving the gut microbiota, its metabolites, targets, and signaling pathways in relation to COPD. Further, promising gut microbiota metabolites and microbiota were pinpointed, with their causal relationships inferred through Mendelian randomization.

Results

A complex biological network was constructed, comprising 39 gut microbiota, 20 signaling pathways, 19 targets, and 23 metabolites associated with COPD. Phenylacetylglutamine emerged as a potentially promising metabolite for COPD treatment, with Mendelian randomization analysis revealing a causal relationship with COPD.

Conclusion

This study illuminates the intricate associations between the gut microbiota, its metabolites, and COPD. Phenylacetylglutamine may represent a novel avenue for COPD treatment. These findings could aid in identifying individuals at high risk for COPD, offering insights into early prevention and treatment strategies.
MinD proteins regulate CetZ1 localization in Haloferax volcanii
Authors: Brown Hannah J. , Duggin Iain G.
Published: November 2024

CetZ proteins are archaea-specific homologs of the cytoskeletal proteins FtsZ and tubulin. In the pleomorphic archaeon Haloferax volcanii, CetZ1 contributes to the development of rod shape and motility, and has been implicated in the proper assembly and positioning of the archaellum and chemotaxis motility proteins. CetZ1 shows complex subcellular localization, including irregular midcell structures and filaments along the long axis of developing rods and patches at the cell poles of the motile rod cell type. The polar localizations of archaellum and chemotaxis proteins are also influenced by MinD4, the only previously characterized archaeal member of the MinD family of ATPases, which are better known for their roles in the positioning of the division ring in bacteria. Using minD mutant strains and CetZ1 subcellular localization studies, we show here that a second minD homolog, minD2, has a strong influence on motility and the localization of CetZ1. Knockout of the minD2 gene altered the distribution of a fluorescent CetZ1-mTq2 fusion protein in a broad midcell zone and along the edges of rod cells, and inhibited the localization of CetZ1-mTq2 at the cell poles. MinD4 had a similar but weaker influence on motility and CetZ1-mTq2 localization. The minD2/4 mutant strains formed rod cell shapes like the wildtype at an early log stage of growth. Our results are consistent with distinct roles for CetZ1 in rod shape formation and at the poles of mature rods, that are positioned through the action of the MinD proteins and contribute to the development of swimming motility in multiple ways. They represent the first report of MinD proteins controlling the positioning of tubulin superfamily proteins in archaea.
Undifferentiated endometrial carcinoma diagnosed during perimenopausal hormone therapy: a case report and literature review
Authors: Wang Ying , Zheng Yu-Tong , Zhang Ling , Cao Xue-Quan , Lin Zhu , Liu Hong-Yu , Hu Qiong-Ying
Published: November 2024

Uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma, one of the three most frequent cancers of the female reproductive system, primarily affects women who are perimenopausal or postmenopausal. Moreover, it is an epithelial cancer that develops in the endometrium, which is classified as either estrogen-dependent (type I) or non-estrogen-dependent (type II). Non-estrogen-dependent endometrial cancers include plasma cell carcinoma and undifferentiated/dedifferentiated endometrial carcinoma. Undifferentiated endometrial carcinoma is a rare but aggressive endometrial epithelial cancer that lacks any histologic differentiation and is classified as a high-grade endometrial cancer. This case presents that a patient had uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma during perimenopausal hormone therapy, and the patient was treated with sequential estrogen–progestin treatment for 3 years. During that period, she did not undergo a follow-up examination for the last 2 years due to the pandemic. Undifferentiated endometrial carcinoma is a special type of endometrial cancer that is not hormone-dependent, and whether the occurrence of this case is related to perimenopausal hormone therapy needs to be verified by more evidence-based clinical cases and further studies.
Quality of life and its predictors among breast cancer patients treated with surgery—a retrospective minimum 3-year follow-up study
Authors: Tang Wen-Zhen , Lu Yao-Qiong , Zhu Sheng-Rui , Teng Yan-Juan , Wei Tian-Fu , Chen Guo-Lian , Jia Kui
Published: November 2024

Aim

Quality of life (QoL) has been identified as an important indicator of positive outcomes among breast cancer (BC) survivors. However, the status and predictors of QoL in China remain unclear. This retrospective follow-up study aimed to examine the QoL levels among BC patients following surgery and to assess the influence of sociodemographic, clinical, and psychological factors on QoL.

Methods

An institution-based retrospective follow-up study was conducted among 714 BC patients who received surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University between January 2016 and December 2019. Our primary outcome measure was QoL, assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QoL Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30). Anxiety and depression were evaluated by the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), respectively. Data on the patient demographics and clinical were derived from medical records. Results are presented as means (SD), medians [Q1, Q3], or percentage (%). We used R 4.2.2 software to identify factors associated with QoL after BC surgery. AMOS 28.0 was used to construct a structural equation model (SEM) to predict QoL outcomes.

Results

The overall QoL score was 43.30 ± 4.77 (mean ± SD). Predictive factors were: surgery type, radiotherapy, anxiety, and depression (p<0.05). The results of the SEM indicated that anxiety and depression had a direct negative effect on QoL (effect value was -0.46, -0.84, respectively, p<0.05), radiotherapy had a direct positive effect on QoL (effect value was 0.71, p<0.05). The type of surgery (mastectomy) impacted QoL both directly and indirectly through its association with depression, with direct and indirect effect values of -0.96 and -0.66, respectively (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The QoL of BC patients after surgery is generally moderate to low. Medical staff should prioritize early identification and rehabilitation management for patients experiencing anxiety, depression, radiotherapy, and mastectomy to enhance their QoL. Our findings provide a strong foundation for developing nursing intervention plans and assessment guidelines for practitioners caring for BC patients.
Application value of strain elastography in testicular injury assessment after torsion
Authors: Zhou Jiehong , Peng Chihan , Zhu Xiaoxia , Yao Wenqing , Luo Yan , Yang Lulu
Published: November 2024

Aim

To evaluate the capability of strain elastography (SE) in assessing the degree of testicular injury after torsion.

Material and methods

In total, 50 rabbits were divided into four groups according to different degrees of testicular torsion (TT) at 0°, 180°, 360°, and 720°. For each animal, according to the tissue stiffness distribution, an SE score and strain ratio (SR) were obtained. With the histopathological results as the reference, the correlation coefficients of the apoptotic index and SE score or SR were calculated, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were created to assess the capability of SE in assessing the degree of testicular injury.

Results

A significant positive correlation was found between the apoptotic index and SE score, as well as the SR, with corresponding correlation coefficients of 0.70 (<0.001) and 0.68 (P = 0.001), respectively. The areas under the ROC curves (AUCs) of the SE score and SR for identifying ischemia/hypoxia injury were found to be 0.81 (95% CI, 0.71–0.93) and 0.73 (95% CI, 0.60–0.86), respectively. For identifying irreversible damage, the AUCs were 0.69 (95% CI, 0.56–0.83) and 0.71 (95% CI, 0.59–0.84) for the SE score and SR, respectively.

Conclusions

SE scores exhibited good diagnostic capability for detecting ischemia/hypoxia injury after TT. In early identification of severe injury/necrosis following TT, SE demonstrated some value but was not ideal.
Anti-neuropathic effects of astaxanthin in a rat model of chronic constriction injury: passing through opioid/benzodiazepine receptors and relevance to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects
Authors: Hashemi Boshra , Fakhri Sajad , Kiani Amir , Abbaszadeh Fatemeh , Miraghaee Shahram , Mohammadi Mohammad , Echeverría Javier
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Neuropathic pain is a debilitating neurological disorder and is on the rise. Since no effective treatment has been so far approved to combat the complex pathological mechanisms behind neuropathic pain, finding new therapeutic candidates is of great importance. Astaxanthin (AST) is a carotenoid with strong antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities.

Purpose

The present research aimed to evaluate the ameliorative effects of AST on a rat model of neuropathic pain.

Methods

To induce neuropathic pain, a chronic constriction injury (CCI) model was employed. Accordingly, Wistar rats were divided into nine groups of six including sham, negative control group (CCI), positive control group gabapentin (100 mg/kg), AST (5, 10 mg/kg), flumazenil (0.5 mg/kg), naloxone (0.1 mg/kg), AST (10 mg/kg) + flumazenil (0.5 mg/kg), and AST (10 mg/kg) + naloxone (0.1 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14. To check the experimental signs of neuropathic pain and motor dysfunction, hot plate, acetone drop, and open field tests were used at the same time points. Additionally, biochemical assay and zymography were done on days 7 and 14 to assess the changes in catalase, glutathione and nitrite, as well as matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9). Besides, histological evaluations were performed for tissue damages on days 7 and 14.

Results and discussion

Results indicated that intraperitoneal injection of AST improved allodynia, hyperalgesia, and locomotor activity after CCI. AST also increased catalase and glutathione while suppressing nitrite, MMP-2, and MMP-9 activity through opioid/benzodiazepine receptors.

Conclusion

The results highlighted AST as a promising candidate against neuropathic pain with beneficial effects on motor function by suppressing inflammatory mediators, and augmenting antioxidant factors, passing through opioid/benzodiazepine receptors.
Is inertial training more effective than traditional resistance training in young healthy males?
Authors: Naczk Alicja , Kisiel-Sajewicz Katarzyna , Gajewska Ewa , Gramza Piotr , Jędzrzejczak Tomasz , Naczk Mariusz
Published: November 2024

Objectives

Inertial training, also called flywheel training is more and more popular among sportsmen. The available data concerning the effectiveness of inertial training compared to conventional resistance strength training are contradictory. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of inertial training (IT) vs. traditional gravity-dependent resistance training (TRT) on elbow flexor and knee extensor strength.

Methods

Twenty-six young, recreationally active males were randomized into IT group (n = 13) or TRT group (n = 13). Both groups performed strength training three times a week for 6 weeks. Before and after training, the maximum force of the trained muscles was evaluated under training conditions (one repetition maximum under gravity-dependent conditions and maximal force under inertial conditions) and isometric conditions. Countermovement jump, squat jump, pull-up test, and limb circumference were also evaluated.

Results

Elbow flexor muscle strength and arm circumference increased significantly in both IT and TRT over the course of training. There were no significant differences in relative muscle strength increases between groups. Knee extensor muscle strength also improved significantly in IT, regardless of the tested conditions, while TRT showed significant changes in one repetition maximum and isometric force but no significant changes in force obtained under inertial conditions. Thigh circumference increased in IT (P ≤ 0.05) but was unchanged in TRT. Jumping abilities improved significantly in both groups, without any differences between groups.

Conclusion

We cannot confirm the superiority of inertial training over traditional resistance training definitively. Nevertheless, inertial training had a slight advantage over traditional resistance training when knee extensor muscle training was considered.
High-throughput phenotyping using hyperspectral indicators supports the genetic dissection of yield in durum wheat grown under heat and drought stress
Authors: Mérida-García Rosa , Gálvez Sergio , Solís Ignacio , Martínez-Moreno Fernando , Camino Carlos , Soriano Jose Miguel , Sansaloni Carolina , Ammar Karim , Bentley Alison R. , Gonzalez-Dugo Victoria , Zarco-Tejada Pablo J. , Hernandez Pilar
Published: November 2024

High-throughput phenotyping (HTP) provides new opportunities for efficiently dissecting the genetic basis of drought-adaptive traits, which is essential in current wheat breeding programs. The combined use of HTP and genome-wide association (GWAS) approaches has been useful in the assessment of complex traits such as yield, under field stress conditions including heat and drought. The aim of this study was to identify molecular markers associated with yield (YLD) in elite durum wheat that could be explained using hyperspectral indices (HSIs) under drought field conditions in Mediterranean environments in Southern Spain. The HSIs were obtained from hyperspectral imagery collected during the pre-anthesis and anthesis crop stages using an airborne platform. A panel of 536 durum wheat lines were genotyped by sequencing (GBS, DArTseq) to determine population structure, revealing a lack of genetic structure in the breeding germplasm. The material was phenotyped for YLD and 19 HSIs for six growing seasons under drought field conditions at two locations in Andalusia, in southern Spain. GWAS analysis identified 740 significant marker-trait associations (MTAs) across all the durum wheat chromosomes, several of which were common for YLD and the HSIs, and can potentially be integrated into breeding programs. Candidate gene (CG) analysis uncovered genes related to important plant processes such as photosynthesis, regulatory biological processes, and plant abiotic stress tolerance. These results are novel in that they combine high-resolution hyperspectral imaging at the field scale with GWAS analysis in wheat. They also support the use of HSIs as useful tools for identifying chromosomal regions related to the heat and drought stress response in wheat, and pave the way for the integration of field HTP in wheat breeding programs.
The relative effects of climatic drivers and phenotypic integration on phenotypic plasticity of a globally invasive plant
Authors: Chen Xincong , Wang Jiayu , Liu Wenwen , Zhang Yihui
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Understanding the constraints of phenotypic plasticity can provide insights into the factors that limit or influence the capacity of an organism to respond to changing environments. However, the relative effects of external and internal factors on phenotypic plasticity remain largely unexplored. Phenotypic integration, the pattern of correlations among traits, is recognized as an important internal constraint to plasticity. Phenotypic plasticity is critical in facilitating the acclimation of invasive species to the diverse environments within their introduced ranges. Consequently, these species serve as ideal models for investigating phenotypic plasticity and its underlying determinants.

Methods

Here, we collected seeds of a global salt marsh invader Spartina alterniflora from seven invasive populations covering the entire latitudinal range in China. These populations were cultivated in two common gardens located at the southern and northern range margins, respectively. We quantified plasticity and variation therein for plant height, shoot density, first flowering day and inflorescence biomass (on a per capita basis). These traits have direct or indirect effects on invasiveness. We examined the relationships between traits plasticity with climatic conditions at site of origin (external factor) and phenotypic integration (internal factor).

Results

We found that plasticity differed according to the trait being measured, and was higher for a trait affecting fitness. Phenotypic variance increased with latitude and temperature at the site of origin was the primary factor affecting phenotypic variation. These results indicated that external abiotic factors directly affected the selection on phenotypic plasticity of S. alterniflora.

Discussion

Our study provides a unique viewpoint on assessing the importance of identifying influential factors and mechanisms underlying phenotypic plasticity. Understanding these factors and mechanisms is a critical indicator for invasive and other cosmopolitan species’ responses, establishment, persistence, and distribution under climate change.
Borders of belonging: how Chinese nationalism constructs exclusion in the age of populism
Authors: Leung Chun Kai , Ko Jeremy , Cheung Anthony , Pun Boris Lok-fai , Ming Wai-Kit
Published: November 2024

This paper investigates how state-led and popular nationalism in China construct borders as tools of exclusion, reinforcing national identity amidst global populist movements. Using the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a case study, the analysis examines Global Times articles and corresponding user-generated content to reveal how geopolitical, ideological, and emotional borders are created and maintained through nationalist discourse. State-led nationalism emphasizes cooperation and diplomacy, framing borders to position China as a global leader promoting shared prosperity. In contrast, popular nationalism—expressed through user-generated comments—manifests in a confrontational, exclusionary discourse that delineates China from external adversaries, particularly Western powers. Through a mixed-methods approach—combining word frequency, sentiment, and emotional categorization using the NRC Emotion Lexicon—this study uncovers key differences between the two forms of nationalism. State narratives construct inclusive borders that foster international engagement, aligning with China’s diplomatic ambitions. Meanwhile, popular nationalism reflects heightened emotional intensity, especially through expressions of fear, anger, and opposition, creating rigid borders that emphasize ideological conflict and national pride. The research contributes to the literature on populism and border studies by demonstrating how Chinese nationalism functions as both a state strategy and a grassroots expression, delineating “the people” from “the other.” It highlights the critical role of media—both state-controlled outlets and user-generated platforms—in constructing and reinforcing these boundaries. As populism continues to shape political discourse globally, the study offers valuable insights into how nationalism in non-Western contexts mirrors broader populist strategies of identity formation through the construction of symbolic and emotional borders.
The associations between child behavioral problems, parents’ emotional regulation difficulties, and parental burnout among Israeli parents of children with autism during wartime
Authors: Shnitzer-Meirovich Shlomit , Aviad Shani , Bechar-katz Inbal , Araten-Bergman Tal , Shenaar-Golan Vered , Gur Ayelet
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) face heightened challenges during crises like war, leading to parental burnout (PB). Wartime demands may exacerbate the children’s behavioral difficulties, which associated with PB. Successful emotional regulation (ER) is considered a protective factor for PB. This study aimed to explore the associations between the child behavioral problems, parent’s ER difficulties and PB among parents of children ASD during wartime.

Methods

92 parents completed demographic, Parental Burnout, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation, and Child Aberrant Behavior questionnaires. In addition, 18 parents of children with ASD aged 6–21 were semi-interviewed.

Results

During wartime, child behavioral problems and parents’ ER difficulties were positively correlated with PB, contributing beyond background characteristics and other changes following the war. Parent ER difficulties serve as a mediation variable and did not function as a moderation variable between child behavioral problems and PB.

Discussion

This study emphasizes the increased vulnerability of parents of children with ASD during wartime, highlighting the need for a deeper understanding of how these circumstances affect parental risk and resources. Effective interventions should target emotional regulation and address child behavioral issues, necessitating prioritized support for affected families despite wartime challenges.
From spatial perception to referential meaning: convergent image schemas in the music of and texts about Beethoven’s piano sonatas
Authors: Antović Mihailo , Jovanović Vladimir Ž. , Popović Mladen
Published: November 2024

This paper approaches the connection between musical constructs and visuo-haptic experience through the lens of the cognitive-linguistic notion of the “image schema.” The proposal is that the subconscious inference of spatial and haptic schematic constructs in music, such as vertical movement, will motivate their equally common occurrence in the language about that music, irrespective of the fact that this language never describes the musical structure in a one-to-one fashion. We have looked for five schemas in the scores for the first ten piano sonatas by Ludwig van Beethoven and three famous analytical and pedagogical texts about them: force, indicating changes in musical dynamics and referential invocation of power-related terms in the books; path, identifying vertical movement in the music and suggestions of upward- or downward motion in the texts; link, suggesting the presence or absence of musical slurs and references to attachment or detachment in the language; balance, indicating the loss and regain of consonance in the harmony and invocation of lost and recovered stability in the verbal semantics; and containment, allocating the nonharmonic tones that “belong” to their resolving notes in the scores and referring to physical or metaphorical enclosed areas in the texts. Results of the corpus analysis suggest the following conclusions: musical schemas outnumber linguistic ones sevenfold; moderate schema strengths are typical of both language and music; predominant valences are shared by language and music in three schemas out of five; hierarchies of five schemas by strength differ, though the strongest schemas are mostly shared. Yet the central finding is that the correlations between each schema pair for music and language, by scalarity and valence, are total. This implies that (1) schemas operate as semantic building blocks irrespective of the external “symbolical form” in which they are realized and (2) scalarized image schema complexes perceived in one cognitive mode may motivate the emergence of a corresponding number of the same complexes in another.
An updated and expanded characterization of the biological sciences academic job market
Authors: Flynn Brooklynn , Kozik Ariangela J. , Cheng You , Hagan Ada K. , Ng Jennifer , Smith Christopher T. , Haage Amanda , Jadavji Nafisa M.
Published: November 2024

Introduction

In the biological sciences, many areas of uncertainty exist regarding the factors that contribute to success within the faculty job market. Earlier work from our group reported that beyond certain thresholds, academic and career metrics like the number of publications, fellowships or career transition awards, and years of experience did not separate applicants who received job offers from those who did not. Questions still exist regarding how academic and professional achievements influence job offers and if candidate demographics differentially influence outcomes.

Methods

To continue addressing these gaps, we initiated surveys collecting data from faculty applicants in the biological sciences field for three hiring cycles in North America (Fall 2019 to the end of May 2022), a total of 449 respondents were included in our analysis.

Results and discussion

These responses highlight the interplay between various scholarly metrics, extensive demographic information, and hiring outcomes, and for the first time, allowed us to look at persons historically excluded due to ethnicity or race (PEER) status in the context of the faculty job market. Between 2019 and 2022, we found that the number of applications submitted, position seniority, and identifying as a women or transgender were positively correlated with a faculty job offer. Applicant age, residence, first generation status, and number of postdocs, however, were negatively correlated with receiving a faculty job offer. Our data are consistent with other surveys that also highlight the influence of achievements and other factors in hiring processes. Providing baseline comparative data for job seekers can support their informed decision-making in the market and is a first step toward demystifying the faculty job market.
Handle shape influences system usability in telemanipulation
Authors: Zoller Esther I. , von Ballmoos Sibylle , Gerig Nicolas , Cattin Philippe C. , Rauter Georg
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Ergonomic issues are widespread among surgeons performing teleoperated robotic surgery. As the ergonomics of a teleoperation system depends on the controller handle, it needs to be designed wisely. While the importance of the controller handle in robot-assisted telemanipulation has been highlighted previously, most existing work on the usability of a human-robot system for surgery was of qualitative nature or did not focus on surgery-specific tasks.

Methods

We investigated the influence of nine different grasp-type telemanipulator handles on the usability of a lambda.6 haptic input device for a virtual six degrees of freedom peg-in-hole task. User performance with different handles was assessed through four usability metrics: i) task completion time, ii) dimensionless jerk, iii) collision forces, and iv) perceived workload. We compared these usability results with those of a prior study examining only the functional rotational workspace of the same human-robot system.

Results

The linear mixed-effect model (LMM) analysis showed that all four usability metrics were dependent on the telemanipulator handle. Moreover, the LMM analysis showed an additional contribution of the hole accessibility to the usability of the human-robot system.

Discussion

In case contact forces between the follower end-effector and its surroundings are not critical, the fixed-hook-grasp handle showed the best results out of the nine tested handles. In case low contact forces are crucial, the tripod-grasp handle was most suitable. It can thus be deduced that different grasp-type telemanipulator handles affect system usability for a surgery-related, teleoperated six degrees of freedom placement task. Also, maximizing the functional rotational workspace can positively affect system usability.