bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trends in fatalities from road traffic injuries and associated factors of patients admitted to the emergency department of St. Luke Hospital, South West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia
Authors: Beyera Teshale Merga , Serbessa Sheleme Duga , Fetensa Getahun , Woldemichael Kifle
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Road traffic injuries are a major global public health problem. They are fatal or non-fatal injuries resulting from a road traffic accident involving at least one moving vehicle on a path or road open to public traffic. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the trends in fatalities from road traffic injuries and the associated factors of patients admitted to the emergency department of St. Luke Hospital.

Methods

An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 10 to 30, 2019. The study on the trends in road traffic injuries was conducted monthly bases from January 1 to December 31, 2018. A total of 364 road traffic–injured victim records were included. A simple random sampling technique was used for the record selection. A structured data abstraction format was used to gather the required data. Binary logistic regression and multivariate logistic regression were used to determine the association between the outcome and explanatory variables. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) at 95% confidence intervals were used to report independent variables.

Results and conclusions

The average annual fatalities from road traffic injuries was 8.34% deaths/month. The magnitude of road traffic injury fatalities was 8.79%. Of all victims who visited the hospital, 75.5% were male. The median age of the victims was 26 (51.6%), with a range from 6 to 70. The identified risk factors for road traffic injury fatalities were a lack of ambulance for transportation to the hospital after the accident (AOR = 7.093, 95% CI [1.950, 25.793], p = 0.003) and head injury (AOR = 2.515, 95% CI [1.075, 5.885], p = 0.034). Road traffic injury fatalities are an important public health problem that needs special attention. A shortage of ambulance service for transportation and injury sites related to head injury were associated factors. So it is important to establish and strengthen advanced prehospital care and an effective ambulance system for transporting victims with road traffic injuries.
Electroacupuncture stimulation improves cognitive ability and regulates metabolic disorders in Alzheimer’s disease model mice: new insights from brown adipose tissue thermogenesis
Authors: Li Ting , Tian Junjian , Wu Meng , Tian Yuanshuo , Li Zhigang
Published: January 2024

Background

Metabolic defects play a crucial role in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) development. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) has been identified as a novel potential therapeutic target for AD due to its unique role in energy metabolism. Electroacupuncture (EA) shows promise in improving cognitive ability and brain glucose metabolism in AD, but its effects on peripheral and central metabolism are unclear.

Methods

In this study, SAMP8 mice (AD model) received EA stimulation at specific acupoints. Cognitive abilities were evaluated using the Morris water maze test, while neuronal morphology and tau pathology were assessed through Nissl staining and immunofluorescence staining, respectively. Metabolic variations and BAT thermogenesis were measured using ELISA, HE staining, Western blotting, and infrared thermal imaging.

Results

Compared to SAMR1 mice, SAMP8 mice showed impaired cognitive ability, neuronal damage, disrupted thermoregulation, and metabolic disorders with low BAT activity. Both the EA and DD groups improved cognitive ability and decreased tau phosphorylation (p<0.01 or p<0.05). However, only the EA group had a significant effect on metabolic disorders and BAT thermogenesis (p<0.01 or p<0.05), while the DD group did not.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that EA not only improves the cognitive ability of SAMP8 mice, but also effectively regulates peripheral and central metabolic disorders, with this effect being significantly related to the activation of BAT thermogenesis.
Numerical simulation study on evolution law of three-dimensional fracture network in unconventional reservoirs
Authors: Chen Xiyu , Huang Yitao , Li Yongming , Shen Cheng
Published: January 2024

It has become a consensus that large-scale hydraulic fracturing is adopted to achieve the stimulation of unconventional oil and gas reservoir. The complex fracture network formed by fracturing is closely related to the effect of reservoir stimulation, which has extremely complicated evolution process. Therefore, it is necessary to study the evolution law of fracture network in large-scale hydraulic fracturing of unconventional reservoirs. In this article, the geological engineering parameters of horizontal well H in shale gas reservoir in southern Sichuan are taken as an example, a three-dimensional fracture network expansion model is established based on the boundary element method and finite volume method, and the simulation of the complex fracture network in a whole well section is carried out to analyze the evolution law of reservoir fracture network under different geological and engineering parameters. The results show that the horizontal stress field distribution has a significant effect on fracture geometric form. Hydraulic fractures in reservoirs with larger horizontal stress difference have stronger directivity, while the horizontal wellbore tends to obtain better reservoir stimulation results when it is parallel to the minimum horizontal principal stress setting. The conjugated natural fracture developed in the reservoir inhibits the hydraulic expansion fractures in both directions. Although it increases the complexity of the fractures, it is not necessarily conducive to improving the reservoir stimulation effectiveness. The lower the strength of natural fracture is, the more complex the fracture geometric form becomes, and the smaller the stimulated reservoir volume is. Correspondingly, the higher the strength of natural fracture is, the simpler the fracture geometric form becomes, and the larger the stimulated reservoir volume is. Suitable fracturing construction displacement can not only contribute to form a more complex fracture distribution, but also help to obtain a larger stimulated reservoir volume. The optimal construction displacement ranges from 10 to 14 m3/min. Low viscosity fracturing fluids are suitable for the formation of long-narrow fractures and able to connect with the remote reservoir and form complex fracture networks. Lower viscosity fluids can be used to achieve better reservoir stimulation effectiveness when sand-carrying capacity is met.
Characteristics and controlling factors of tectonic fractures within the buried hill reservoirs from the Archaean metamorphic basement: a case study in the Bozhong 19–6 condensate gas field, Bohai Bay Basin
Authors: Liu Zongbing , Cheng Qi , Liao Xinwu , Zhang Lei , Liu Wenchao , Zhang Guanjie
Published: January 2024

The Bozhong 19–6 Condensate gas field is the first giant gas field discovered in the Bohai Bay Basin in recent years. The gas field reservoir has diverse reservoir space and strong heterogeneity.In this paper, we systematically summarize tectonic fractures development patterns and explore the main factors controlling fractures development and clarify the influence of fractures on reservoir quality through core and microscopic thin section observations, physical property data, imaging logging data. The results show that the major types of tectonic fractures in study area are shear fractures, followed by tensile fractures. Study area mainly developed high-angle fractures and completely filled fractures, fractures are commonly filled with carbonate and clay cement. Four groups of tectonic fractures were found in the study area, which corresponds to the four fracture formation period. Tectonic movement controls the fractures development in study area, the multi-stage tectonic movement had caused a complex fractures network system. The faults control the development of associated fractures formation in the fractures zone, different faults control the fractures formation and orientations in the vicinity. Rock type and minrals content is the basis of forming different fractures, such as the high felsic content is the basis of developed fractures in metamorphic rocks, and rock layer thickness, reservoir porosity and permeability are important factors of the fractures development heterogeneity longitudinally.
Research and application of ‘three zones’ range within overlying strata in goaf of steep coal seam
Authors: Yang Shouguo , Xu Ning , Liu Haoxin , Zhang Xiaofei , Mei Shuxin
Published: January 2024

The determination of the ‘three zones’ range within the overlying strata in goaf of paramount importance for effective gas extraction in the goaf and the prevention and control of gas levels exceeding limits in both the working face and the upper corner. Due to the influence of their dip angles, the existing formula used to calculate the breaking boundary angle of the overlying strata in the goaf of horizontal coal seams is no longer suitable for steep coal seams. In response to this issue, the movement law of the overlying strata during the mining of steep coal seams was analyzed and a formula for calculating the breaking boundary angle of the overlying strata in the goaf of steep coal seams was derived. The theoretical calculation formula was applied to the 3,103 fully mechanized mining face of a certain mine in southwest China, and compared and analyzed the results with numerical simulation and on-site measurement using microseismic monitoring technology. The research findings demonstrate that the formula effectively quantifies the ‘three zones’ range within the overlying strata in the goaf of steep coal seams. The ‘three zones’ range in steep coal seams is primarily influenced by factors such as the length of the filling area in the lower part of the goaf, changes in roof lithology, coal seam dip angle, length of the working face, and overburden load. The longer the length of the filling area, the larger the upper breaking boundary angle and the smaller the lower breaking boundary angle of the fracture zone. Based on the research results of three methods, the height of the caving zone in the 3,103 fully mechanized mining face is from 6.93 m to 7.7 m, the height of the fracture zone is from 28.91 m to 34.2 m, the lower breaking boundary angle of the fracture zone is from 40° to 44.5°, and the upper breaking boundary angle of the fracture zone is from 57.7° to 62°. The research results offer robust technical support and theoretical guidance for the determination of the ‘three zones’ range within the overlying strata during the future mining of steep coal seams.
Forest roads act as habitat corridors for Populus tremuloides in the boreal forest of eastern Canada
Authors: Marchais Mathilde , Arseneault Dominique , Bergeron Yves
Published: January 2024

Edge habitats resulting from the construction and maintenance of forest roads favour pioneer, shade-intolerant and disturbance-adapted plant species. The effect of roads on the spread of non-native species has been frequently studied, but few studies have focused upon their effects on native tree species. We studied the effect of forest roads on the expansion dynamics of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloidesMichx.) in a boreal forest landscape of eastern Canada. We determined whether roads act as a habitat and dispersal corridor for trembling aspen, and whether populations that established along roads act as a starting point for aspen expansion into adjacent stands. We evaluated the effect of forest roads on the distribution of trembling aspen by surveying the vegetation along 694 km of roads. In 19 stands, we compared the density and age of individuals in 100 m transects established parallel and perpendicular to roads, to determine the role of roads. Trembling aspen is abundant along the forest road network. Forest roads act sometimes as habitat corridors for trembling aspen, but their effects on its density extend only over a short distance (10 m) on each side of the roads. The forest roads did not act as a starting point for the expansion of trembling aspen into adjacent stands. Forest roads are particularly favourable habitats for trembling aspen. Although roads did not act as a starting point for aspen dispersal away from roads, these habitats would be vulnerable to invasion following a disturbance that would reduce the thickness of the organic layer.
Navigating the genetic landscape of breast cancer in South Africa amidst a developing healthcare system
Authors: Oosthuizen Jaco , Van der Merwe Nerina C. , Kotze Maritha J.
Published: January 2024

Breast cancer is a significant global health issue as it represents the leading cause of death in women worldwide. In 2021, the World Health Organization established the Global Breast Cancer Initiative framework with the aim to reduce the breast cancer mortality rate by the year 2040. In countries with developing healthcare systems, such as South Africa, the implementation of first-world technologies has been slow. We provide an overview of the strides taken to improve the cost-effectiveness of genetic service delivery for breast cancer patients in South Africa - from advances in the technology utilized for BRCA founder genotyping to variant screening in moderate-to high-penetrance genes. We furthermore reflect on research undertaken to improve accessibility by means of population-directed point-of-care genetic testing that is ideal for use in a primary healthcare setting. We also report on a pilot study utilizing exome sequencing at the intersection between research and service delivery. Finally, we discuss and conclude on the controversies, research gaps, and future prospects based on the most recent developments in first-world countries that are implementable in developing countries to improve early detection of breast cancer and overall disease management.
Case report: Checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis with positive anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibodies in a patient with lung cancer
Authors: Pan Siqi , Xie Huaiya , Wang Luo , Wang Yuanzhuo , Zou Menglian , Xu Yan , Tian Xinlun , Fan Junping , Wang Jinglan
Published: January 2024

With the widespread use of immune checkpoint inhibitors to treat various cancers, pulmonary toxicity has become a topic of increasing concern. Anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (anti-MDA5) antibodies are strongly associated with rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD) in patients with clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis. However, anti-MDA5 antibody expression has not been reported in patients with immune-related adverse events. We present the case of a 74-year-old man with lung adenocarcinoma who developed RP-ILD after treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Further investigation revealed multiple autoantibodies, including anti-MDA5 antibodies. He initially responded to systemic glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants, and tocilizumab but eventually died from worsening pneumomediastinum. This case is the first one to suggest that checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis can present as RP-ILD with positive anti-MDA5 antibodies, which may be predictive of a poor prognosis.
The dermal deposits in the finger of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles I of Spain and V of Germany
Authors: Fernandez-Flores Angel , Fonseca Eduardo
Published: January 2024

Charles I of Spain and V of Germany was one of the most prominent figures in Christendom. The vast empire ruled by the monarch extended across multiple continents. However, the final years of his life were overshadowed by depression and incapacitating joint degeneration, leading him to retire to the Monastery of Yuste in Cáceres, Spain. It was there that he contracted malaria, a disease that ultimately claimed his life. In this article, we evaluate the studies conducted on one of his mummified fingers to confirm the presence of malaria and investigate the cause of his joint degeneration, which was attributed to intense deposits of uric acid.
Metabolic changes before and after weaning in Dezhou donkey foals in relation to gut microbiota
Authors: Yang Qiwen , Liu Haibing , Jafari Halima , Liu Bing , Wang Zhaofei , Su Jiangtian , Wang Fuwen , Yang Ge , Sun Minhao , Cheng Jie , Dong Boying , Li Min , Gen Mingjian , Yu Jie
Published: January 2024

Weaning is undoubtedly one of the most crucial stages in the growth and development of all mammalian animals, including donkey foals. Weaning is a dynamic and coordinated process of the body, which is closely associated with the health, nutrition, and metabolism of the host. Many studies have shown that the intestinal microbiota and serum metabolites of mammals exhibit different changes during lactation, weaning, and postweaning. However, the alterations in serum metabolites in donkey foals before and postweaning and the correlation between serum metabolites and intestinal microbiota are largely unknown. This study is based on the fecal 16S rRNA and serum metabolomes of Dezhou donkey foals. In total, 10 samples (fecal and serum) were collected during the following three stages: before weaning (F.M.1), during weaning (F.M.3), and postweaning (F.M.6). To study the alterations in intestinal microflora, serum metabolites, and their correlation before and postweaning. We found that with the growth and weaning progress of donkey foals, the intestinal microbiota of donkey foals underwent obvious changes, and the diversity of fecal bacteria increased (Chao1 and Shannon indexes). The main intestinal microbial flora of donkey foals include Bacteroides and Firmicutes. We found many microbiota that are associated with immunity and digestion in the postweaning group, such as Verrucomicrobiales, Clostridia, Oscillospiraceae, Akkermansia, and Rikenellaceae, which can be considered microbial markers for the transition from liquid milk to solid pellet feed. Clostridia and Oscillospiraceae can produce organic acids, including butyric acid and acetic acid, which are crucial for regulating the intestinal microecological balance of donkeys. Furthermore, the metabolome showed that the serum metabolites enriched before and postweaning were mainly related to arachidonic acid metabolism and riboflavin metabolism. Riboflavin was associated with the development of the small intestine and affected the absorption of the small intestine. We also found that the changes in the gut microbiome of the foals were significantly correlated with changes in serum metabolites, including lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC; 12,0) and positively correlated with Lachnoclostridium and Roseburia. To summarize, this study provides theoretical data for the changes in the intestinal microbiome and serum metabolism during the entire weaning period of donkey foals.
ProkBERT family: genomic language models for microbiome applications
Authors: Ligeti Balázs , Szepesi-Nagy István , Bodnár Babett , Ligeti-Nagy Noémi , Juhász János
Published: January 2024

Background

In the evolving landscape of microbiology and microbiome analysis, the integration of machine learning is crucial for understanding complex microbial interactions, and predicting and recognizing novel functionalities within extensive datasets. However, the effectiveness of these methods in microbiology faces challenges due to the complex and heterogeneous nature of microbial data, further complicated by low signal-to-noise ratios, context-dependency, and a significant shortage of appropriately labeled datasets. This study introduces the ProkBERT model family, a collection of large language models, designed for genomic tasks. It provides a generalizable sequence representation for nucleotide sequences, learned from unlabeled genome data. This approach helps overcome the above-mentioned limitations in the field, thereby improving our understanding of microbial ecosystems and their impact on health and disease.

Methods

ProkBERT models are based on transfer learning and self-supervised methodologies, enabling them to use the abundant yet complex microbial data effectively. The introduction of the novel Local Context-Aware (LCA) tokenization technique marks a significant advancement, allowing ProkBERT to overcome the contextual limitations of traditional transformer models. This methodology not only retains rich local context but also demonstrates remarkable adaptability across various bioinformatics tasks.

Results

In practical applications such as promoter prediction and phage identification, the ProkBERT models show superior performance. For promoter prediction tasks, the top-performing model achieved a Matthews Correlation Coefficient (MCC) of 0.74 for E. coli and 0.62 in mixed-species contexts. In phage identification, ProkBERT models consistently outperformed established tools like VirSorter2 and DeepVirFinder, achieving an MCC of 0.85. These results underscore the models' exceptional accuracy and generalizability in both supervised and unsupervised tasks.

Conclusions

The ProkBERT model family is a compact yet powerful tool in the field of microbiology and bioinformatics. Its capacity for rapid, accurate analyses and its adaptability across a spectrum of tasks marks a significant advancement in machine learning applications in microbiology. The models are available on GitHub (https://github.com/nbrg-ppcu/prokbert) and HuggingFace (https://huggingface.co/nerualbioinfo) providing an accessible tool for the community.
Mechanical thrombectomy using the retrograde semi-retrieval technique for patients with underlying intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis
Authors: Wang Wei , Xu Yongbo , Zhang Bohao , Liu Shuling , Ma Zhenjian , Wang Sifei , Zhang Pinyuan , Wei Ming
Published: January 2024

Background

The retrograde semi-retrieval technique (RESET) has been described as a modified technique for endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) whose safety and efficacy for intracranial atherosclerosis stenosis (ICAS) patients remain uncertain. This article presents our single-center experience, comparing RESET vs. non-RESET in ICAS patients.

Materials and methods

We analyzed 327 consecutive ICAS patients who underwent EVT at Tianjin Huanhu Hospital from January 2018 and December 2022. Patients were categorized into two groups: RESET and non-RESET. The primary outcome was the first-pass effect (FPE). Secondary outcomes included successful reperfusion, functional independence at 90 days, mortality, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH).

Results

RESET was significantly associated with FPE [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–3.87, p = 0.040]. RESET was not significantly associated with successful reperfusion (aOR 1.5, CI 0.55–4.06, p = 0.425), an mRS of 0–2 at 90 days (aOR 1.36, CI 0.83–2.21, p = 0.223), sICH (aOR 0.39, CI 0.12–1.23, p = 0.108), and mortality (aOR 0.49, CI 0.16–1.44, p = 0.193). After propensity score matching, the results were consistent with the primary analysis.

Conclusion

Compared to non-RESET, patients treated with RESET showed increased FPE incidence and significantly decreased puncture-to-reperfusion time. RESET was proven to be safe and effective in enhancing reperfusion for LVO patients receiving EVT with underlying ICAS.
Iron homeostasis and post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus: a review
Authors: Pan Shelei , Hale Andrew T. , Lemieux Mackenzie E. , Raval Dhvanii K. , Garton Thomas P. , Sadler Brooke , Mahaney Kelly B. , Strahle Jennifer M.
Published: January 2024

Iron physiology is regulated by a complex interplay of extracellular transport systems, coordinated transcriptional responses, and iron efflux mechanisms. Dysregulation of iron metabolism can result in defects in myelination, neurotransmitter synthesis, and neuronal maturation. In neonates, germinal matrix-intraventricular hemorrhage (GMH-IVH) causes iron overload as a result of blood breakdown in the ventricles and brain parenchyma which can lead to post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH). However, the precise mechanisms by which GMH-IVH results in PHH remain elusive. Understanding the molecular determinants of iron homeostasis in the developing brain may lead to improved therapies. This manuscript reviews the various roles iron has in brain development, characterizes our understanding of iron transport in the developing brain, and describes potential mechanisms by which iron overload may cause PHH and brain injury. We also review novel preclinical treatments for IVH that specifically target iron. Understanding iron handling within the brain and central nervous system may provide a basis for preventative, targeted treatments for iron-mediated pathogenesis of GMH-IVH and PHH.
High indirect bilirubin levels as an independent predictor of postoperative myasthenic crisis: a single-center, retrospective study
Authors: Sun Chao , Ruan Zhe , Zhang Yu , Guo Rongjing , Li Huanhuan , Wang Tantan , Gao Ting , Tang Yonglan , Song Na , Hao Sijia , Huang Xiaoxi , Li Shuang , Ning Fan , Su Yue , Lu Qiang , Wang Qingqing , Cao Xiangqi , Li Zhuyi , Chang Ting
Published: January 2024

Background

Thymectomy is an efficient and standard treatment strategy for patients with myasthenia gravis (MG), postoperative myasthenic crisis (POMC) is the major complication related to thymectomy and has a strongly life-threatening effect. As a biomarker, whether the bilirubin level is a risk factor for MG progression remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between the preoperative bilirubin level and postoperative myasthenic crisis (POMC).

Methods

We analyzed 375 patients with MG who underwent thymectomy at Tangdu Hospital between January 2012 and September 2021. The primary outcome measurement was POMC. The association between POMC and bilirubin level was analyzed by restricted cubic spline (RCS). Indirect bilirubin (IBIL) was divided into two subgroups based on the normal upper limit of IBIL, 14 μmol/L.

Results

Compared with non–POMC group, IBIL levels were significantly higher in patients with POMC. Elevated IBIL levels were closely associated with an increased risk of POMC (p for trend = 0.002). There was a dose-response curve relationship between IBIL levels and POMC incidence (p for non–linearity = 0.93). However, DBIL levels showed a U-shaped association with POMC incidence. High IBIL level (≥14 μmol/L) was an independent predictive factor for POMC [odds ratio = 3.47, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.56–7.8, p = 0.002]. The addition of high IBIL levels improved the prediction model performance (net reclassification index = 0.186, 95% CI: 0.039–0.334; integrated discrimination improvement = 0.0345, 95% CI: 0.005–0.065).

Conclusion

High preoperative IBIL levels, especially those exceeding the normal upper limit, could independently predict the incidence of POMC.
Effect of non-invasive transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on cerebral motor excitability—Study protocol for a randomized, sham controlled trial
Authors: Herr Thorsten , Kleger Paula , Strauss Sebastian , Szeska Christoph , Khalil Nura , Badran Bashar W. , Weymar Mathias , Grothe Matthias
Published: January 2024

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is becoming increasingly established in the treatment of various neurological and psychiatric diseases. However, only a few studies have focused on the overall influence of taVNS on cortical excitability in general. The planned study will investigate the effect of taVNS on the excitability of the motor cortex in young healthy subjects. The aim of the study is to gain better understand of the physiological mechanism of taVNS to contribute to new fields of application of taVNS in new areas such as the treatment of stroke or multiple sclerosis. This protocol describes a single-center, prospective, double blind, sham-controlled trial that evaluates the effect of taVNS on motor cortex excitability with a planned sample size of 30 participants. The effect of taVNS is investigated by neuronavigation and electromyography (EMG) coupled transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) applied before and after taVNS stimulation. The following parameters are assessed: resting motor threshold (RMT), active motor threshold (AMT), recruitment curve (RC), short intracortical inhibition (SICI), intracortical facilitation (ICF). All parameters will be assessed for taVNS on the basis of perception threshold and tolerance threshold. All investigations performed in the study were reviewed and approved by the local ethics committee of the University Medical Center Greifswald (study reference number: BB048/22).

Clinical trial registration

www.drks.de, number: DRKS00029937.
Current advances in biomaterials for inner ear cell regeneration
Authors: Lu Junze , Wang Man , Meng Yu , An Weibin , Wang Xue , Sun Gaoying , Wang Haibo , Liu Wenwen
Published: January 2024

Inner ear cell regeneration from stem/progenitor cells provides potential therapeutic strategies for the restoration of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), however, the efficiency of regeneration is low and the functions of differentiated cells are not yet mature. Biomaterials have been used in inner ear cell regeneration to construct a more physiologically relevant 3D culture system which mimics the stem cell microenvironment and facilitates cellular interactions. Currently, these biomaterials include hydrogel, conductive materials, magneto-responsive materials, photo-responsive materials, etc. We analyzed the characteristics and described the advantages and limitations of these materials. Furthermore, we reviewed the mechanisms by which biomaterials with different physicochemical properties act on the inner ear cell regeneration and depicted the current status of the material selection based on their characteristics to achieve the reconstruction of the auditory circuits. The application of biomaterials in inner ear cell regeneration offers promising opportunities for the reconstruction of the auditory circuits and the restoration of hearing, yet biomaterials should be strategically explored and combined according to the obstacles to be solved in the inner ear cell regeneration research.
ΔFosB is part of a homeostatic mechanism that protects the epileptic brain from further deterioration
Authors: Clasadonte Jerome , Deprez Tania , Stephens Gabriel S. , Mairet-Coello Georges , Cortin Pierre-Yves , Boutier Maxime , Frey Aurore , Chin Jeannie , Rajman Marek
Published: January 2024

Activity induced transcription factor ΔFosB plays a key role in different CNS disorders including epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, and addiction. Recent findings suggest that ΔFosB drives cognitive deficits in epilepsy and together with the emergence of small molecule inhibitors of ΔFosB activity makes it an interesting therapeutic target. However, whether ΔFosB contributes to pathophysiology or provides protection in drug-resistant epilepsy is still unclear. In this study, ΔFosB was specifically downregulated by delivering AAV-shRNA into the hippocampus of chronically epileptic mice using the drug-resistant pilocarpine model of mesial temporal epilepsy (mTLE). Immunohistochemistry analyses showed that prolonged downregulation of ΔFosB led to exacerbation of neuroinflammatory markers of astrogliosis and microgliosis, loss of mossy fibers, and hippocampal granule cell dispersion. Furthermore, prolonged inhibition of ΔFosB using a ΔJunD construct to block ΔFosB signaling in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease, that exhibits spontaneous recurrent seizures, led to similar findings, with increased neuroinflammation and decreased NPY expression in mossy fibers. Together, these data suggest that seizure-induced ΔFosB, regardless of seizure-etiology, is part of a homeostatic mechanism that protects the epileptic brain from further deterioration.
Dietary fiber pectin: challenges and potential anti-inflammatory benefits for preterms and newborns
Authors: Donadio Janaina L. S. , Fabi João Paulo , Sztein Marcelo B. , Salerno-Gonçalves Rosângela
Published: January 2024

Pectins, a class of dietary fibers abundant in vegetables and fruits, have drawn considerable interest due to their potential anti-inflammatory properties. Numerous studies have indicated that incorporating pectins into infant formula could be a safe strategy for alleviating infant regurgitation and diarrhea. Moreover, pectins have been shown to modulate cytokine production, macrophage activity, and NF-kB expression, all contributing to their anti-inflammatory effects. Despite this promising evidence, the exact mechanisms through which pectins exert these functions and how their structural characteristics influence these processes remain largely unexplored. This knowledge is particularly significant in the context of gut inflammation in developing preterm babies, a critical aspect of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and in children and adults dealing with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Our mini review aims to provide an up-to-date compilation of relevant research on the effects of pectin on gut immune responses, specifically focusing on preterms and newborns. By shedding light on the underlying mechanisms and implications of pectin-mediated anti-inflammatory properties, this review seeks to advance our knowledge in this area and pave the way for future research and potential therapeutic interventions.
Association between dietary inflammatory index and mental disorders using multilevel modeling with GLIMMIX
Authors: Beiranvand Reza , Mansournia Mohammad Ali , Vahid Farhad , Nejatisafa Ali-Akbar , Nedjat Saharnaz
Published: January 2024

Introduction

The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) is a composite nutritional index that has gained significant attention in the past decade due to its association with physical and mental well-being. To accurately assess the precise effects of DII on health outcomes, the effects of nutrients and foods need to be adjusted. This study aimed to investigate the association between DII and mental disorders (depression, anxiety, and stress) using multilevel modeling to minimize the bias of the previous methods.

Methods

This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted using data from the initial phase of the Tehran University of Medical Sciences Employees’ Cohort Study (TEC). Nutritional information was obtained through a dish-based semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (DFQ), while psychological data were collected using the depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS-42). The acquired data were analyzed using multilevel modeling in three levels (foods, nutrients, and DII, respectively) through GLIMMIX in the SAS software.

Results

A total of 3,501 individuals participated in this study. The results of the multilevel model demonstrated a significant statistical association between DII and mental disorders after adjusting for baseline characteristics, nutrients and foods. For each unit increase in DII, the mean scores for stress, anxiety, and depression increased by 3.55, 4.26, and 3.02, respectively (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Based on the multilevel model’s findings, it is recommended to minimize the use of pro-inflammatory nutrients and foods to increase the mental health. Multilevel data analysis has also been recommended in nutritional studies involving nested data to obtain more accurate and plausible estimates.
Nature-based mindfulness programs using virtual reality to reduce pediatric perioperative anxiety: a narrative review
Authors: Benchimol-Elkaim Brandon , Khoury Bassam , Tsimicalis Argerie
Published: January 2024

Over 75% of pediatric surgery patients experience preoperative anxiety, which can lead to complicated recoveries. Current interventions are less effective for children over 12 years old. New interventions, like mindfulness-based ones (MBIs), are needed to address this issue. MBIs work well for reducing mental health symptoms in youth, but they can be challenging for beginners. Virtual reality (VR) nature settings can help bridge this gap, providing an engaging 3-D practice environment that minimizes distractions and enhances presence. However, no study has investigated the combined effects of mindfulness training in natural VR settings for pediatric surgery patients, creating a significant gap for a novel intervention. This paper aims to fill that gap by presenting a narrative review exploring the potential of a nature-based mindfulness program using VR to reduce pediatric preoperative anxiety. It begins by addressing the risks of anxiety in children undergoing surgery, emphasizing its impact on physical recovery, and supporting the use of VR for anxiety reduction in hospitals. The review then delves into VR's role in nature and mindfulness, discussing theoretical concepts, clinical applications, and effectiveness. It also examines how the combination of mindfulness, nature, and VR can create an effective intervention, supported by relevant literature. Finally, it synthesizes the existing literature's limitations, findings, gaps, and contradictions, concluding with research and clinical implications.
Effect of oral silymarin on liver function in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the maintenance phase: a double-blind randomized clinical trial
Authors: Eghbali Aziz , Sadeghian Mahnaz , Ghasemi Ali , Afzal Roghayeh Rahimi , Eghbali Aygin , Ghaffari Kazem
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Liver dysfunction is one of the most common disorders in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). In recent studies, silymarin has been observed to have hepatic protective effects. Therefore, in this study, the effect of oral silymarin on the hepatic functions of patients with ALL was investigated.

Methods: In the present double-blind clinical trial study, 121 patients with ALL over 5 years of age were divided into two groups after obtaining informed consent. The subjects were randomly divided into a silymarin-treatment group and a placebo group. In the silymarin-treatment group, patients received 70 mg oral capsules of silymarin twice daily or syrup of silymarin three times a day (each 5 ml of syrup contains 50 mg of silymarin). Patients were examined once a month for 9 months to receive capsules and measure the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), bilirubin, albumin, and cholesterol.

Results: Comparison of changes before and after treatment in the two groups showed that receiving oral silymarin resulted in a slight significant decrease in the levels of ALT, AST, GGT, and bilirubin (p < 0.05), but had no effect on ALP, albumin, and cholesterol (p > 0.05).

Discussion: The results of the present study showed that in pediatric patients with ALL, silymarin intake improves liver function. The very strong antioxidant effect of silymarin may explain its protective effect on the liver.

Clinical Trial Registration: IRCT20150119020715N10.
Effect of Astragalus membranaceus on left ventricular remodeling in HFrEF: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Han Xu , Yu Ting , Chen Xi , Du Zhiyan , Yu Man , Xiong Jiang
Published: January 2024

Background: Left ventricular remodeling (LVR) is a key factor leading to the onset and progression of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Improving LVR can delay the progression of HFrEF and improve quality of life.

Objective: To evaluate the improvement effect of Astragalus membranaceus (A. membranaceus) on LVR in patients with HFrEF.

Method: We retrieved randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of A. membranaceus in treating HFrEF from eight Chinese and English databases, up until 31 October 2023. To assess the quality of the literature, we utilized the bias risk tool from the Cochrane Handbook. For meta-analysis, we employed Review Manager 5.4.1 software. Additionally, we performed sensitivity analysis and publication bias assessment using Stata 17.0 software.

Result: Totally 1,565 patients were included in 19 RCTs. Compared to conventional treatment (CT), the combination therapy of A. membranaceus with CT demonstrated significant improvements in LVR, specifically increasing left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF, MD = 5.82, 95% CI: 4.61 to 7.03, p < 0.00001), decreasing left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD, MD = −4.05, 95% CI: −6.09 to −2.01, p = 0.0001), and left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD, MD = −12.24, 95% CI: −15.24 to −9.24, p < 0.00001). The combination therapy of A. membranaceus with CT also improved clinical efficacy (RR = 4.81, 95% CI: 3.31 to 7.00, p < 0.00001), reduced brain natriuretic peptide (BNP, MD = −113.57, 95% CI: −146.91 to −81.22, p < 0.00001) level, and increased 6-min walking distance (6-MWD, MD = 67.62, 95% CI: 41.63 to 93.60, p < 0.00001). In addition, the combination therapy of A. membranaceus with CT mitigated inflammatory responses by reducing tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α, MD = −16.83, 95% CI: −22.96 to −10.71, p < 0.00001), interleukin-6 (IL-6, MD = −29.19, 95% CI: −36.08 to −22.30, p < 0.00001), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP, MD = −0.98, 95% CI: −1.43 to −0.52, p < 0.0001). Notably, the combination therapy of A. membranaceus with CT did not increase the incidence of adverse reactions (RR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.25 to 2.96, p = 0.81).

Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that the combination therapy of A. membranaceus with CT has more advantages than CT alone in improving LVR and clinical efficacy in HFrEF patients, without increasing the incidence of adverse reactions. However, due to the limited quality of included studies, more high-quality investigations are required to provide reliable evidence for clinical use.

Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=397571, Identifier: CRD42023397571.
The metabolic pathway regulation in kidney injury and repair
Authors: Tang Wenbin , Wei Qingqing
Published: January 2024

Kidney injury and repair are accompanied by significant disruptions in metabolic pathways, leading to renal cell dysfunction and further contributing to the progression of renal pathology. This review outlines the complex involvement of various energy production pathways in glucose, lipid, amino acid, and ketone body metabolism within the kidney. We provide a comprehensive summary of the aberrant regulation of these metabolic pathways in kidney injury and repair. After acute kidney injury (AKI), there is notable mitochondrial damage and oxygen/nutrient deprivation, leading to reduced activity in glycolysis and mitochondrial bioenergetics. Additionally, disruptions occur in the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), amino acid metabolism, and the supply of ketone bodies. The subsequent kidney repair phase is characterized by a metabolic shift toward glycolysis, along with decreased fatty acid β-oxidation and continued disturbances in amino acid metabolism. Furthermore, the impact of metabolism dysfunction on renal cell injury, regeneration, and the development of renal fibrosis is analyzed. Finally, we discuss the potential therapeutic strategies by targeting renal metabolic regulation to ameliorate kidney injury and fibrosis and promote kidney repair.
Image-based classification of wheat spikes by glume pubescence using convolutional neural networks
Authors: Artemenko Nikita V. , Genaev Mikhail A. , Epifanov Rostislav UI. , Komyshev Evgeny G. , Kruchinina Yulia V. , Koval Vasiliy S. , Goncharov Nikolay P. , Afonnikov Dmitry A.
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Pubescence is an important phenotypic trait observed in both vegetative and generative plant organs. Pubescent plants demonstrate increased resistance to various environmental stresses such as drought, low temperatures, and pests. It serves as a significant morphological marker and aids in selecting stress-resistant cultivars, particularly in wheat. In wheat, pubescence is visible on leaves, leaf sheath, glumes and nodes. Regarding glumes, the presence of pubescence plays a pivotal role in its classification. It supplements other spike characteristics, aiding in distinguishing between different varieties within the wheat species. The determination of pubescence typically involves visual analysis by an expert. However, methods without the use of binocular loupe tend to be subjective, while employing additional equipment is labor-intensive. This paper proposes an integrated approach to determine glume pubescence presence in spike images captured under laboratory conditions using a digital camera and convolutional neural networks.

Methods

Initially, image segmentation is conducted to extract the contour of the spike body, followed by cropping of the spike images to an equal size. These images are then classified based on glume pubescence (pubescent/glabrous) using various convolutional neural network architectures (Resnet-18, EfficientNet-B0, and EfficientNet-B1). The networks were trained and tested on a dataset comprising 9,719 spike images.

Results

For segmentation, the U-Net model with EfficientNet-B1 encoder was chosen, achieving the segmentation accuracy IoU = 0.947 for the spike body and 0.777 for awns. The classification model for glume pubescence with the highest performance utilized the EfficientNet-B1 architecture. On the test sample, the model exhibited prediction accuracy parameters of F1 = 0.85 and AUC = 0.96, while on the holdout sample it showed F1 = 0.84 and AUC = 0.89. Additionally, the study investigated the relationship between image scale, artificial distortions, and model prediction performance, revealing that higher magnification and smaller distortions yielded a more accurate prediction of glume pubescence.
Semantic processing of verbal narratives compared to semantic processing of visual narratives: an ERP study of school-aged children
Authors: Lindfors Hanna , Hansson Kristina , Pakulak Eric , Cohn Neil , Andersson Annika
Published: January 2024

There is a misconception that pictures are easy to comprehend, which is problematic in pedagogical practices that include pictures. For example, if a child has difficulties with verbal narration to picture sequences, it may be interpreted as specific to spoken language even though the child may have additional difficulties with comprehension of visual narratives in the form of picture sequences. The purpose of the present study was therefore to increase our understanding of semantic processing in the pictorial domain in relation to semantic processing in the verbal domain, focusing on 9–13 years-old children with typical language development. To this end, we measured electrical brain responses (event related potentials, ERPs) in 17 children to (i) pictures (panels) that were predicted versus unpredicted in sequences of panels that conveyed visual narratives and (ii) words that were predicted versus unpredicted in sentences that conveyed verbal narratives. Results demonstrated similarities as there were no significant difference in the magnitude of the N400 effect across domains. The only difference between domains was the predicted difference in distribution, that is, a more posterior N400 effect in the verbal domain than in the pictorial domain. The study contributes to an increased understanding of the complexity of processing of visual narratives and its shared features with processing of verbal narratives, which should be considered in pedagogical practices.