bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Network-level changes in the brain underlie fear memory strength
Authors: Haubrich Josue , Nader Karim
Published: December 2023

The strength of a fear memory significantly influences whether it drives adaptive or maladaptive behavior in the future. Yet, how mild and strong fear memories differ in underlying biology is not well understood. We hypothesized that this distinction may not be exclusively the result of changes within specific brain regions, but rather the outcome of collective changes in connectivity across multiple regions within the neural network. To test this, rats were fear conditioned in protocols of varying intensities to generate mild or strong memories. Neuronal activation driven by recall was measured using c-fos immunohistochemistry in 12 brain regions implicated in fear learning and memory. The interregional coordinated brain activity was computed and graph-based functional networks were generated to compare how mild and strong fear memories differ at the systems level. Our results show that mild fear recall is supported by a well-connected brain network with small-world properties in which the amygdala is well-positioned to be modulated by other regions. In contrast, this connectivity is disrupted in strong fear memories and the amygdala is isolated from other regions. These findings indicate that the neural systems underlying mild and strong fear memories differ, with implications for understanding and treating disorders of fear dysregulation.
Avoiding false discoveries in single-cell RNA-seq by revisiting the first Alzheimer’s disease dataset
Authors: Murphy Alan E , Fancy Nurun , Skene Nathan
Published: December 2023

Mathys et al. conducted the first single-nucleus RNA-seq (snRNA-seq) study of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) (Mathys et al., 2019). With bulk RNA-seq, changes in gene expression across cell types can be lost, potentially masking the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) across different cell types. Through the use of single-cell techniques, the authors benefitted from increased resolution with the potential to uncover cell type-specific DEGs in AD for the first time. However, there were limitations in both their data processing and quality control and their differential expression analysis. Here, we correct these issues and use best-practice approaches to snRNA-seq differential expression, resulting in 549 times fewer DEGs at a false discovery rate of 0.05. Thus, this study highlights the impact of quality control and differential analysis methods on the discovery of disease-associated genes and aims to refocus the AD research field away from spuriously identified genes.
Peptidoglycan-tethered and free forms of the Braun lipoprotein are in dynamic equilibrium in Escherichia coli
Authors: Liang Yucheng , Hugonnet Jean-Emmanuel , Rusconi Filippo , Arthur Michel
Published: December 2023

Peptidoglycan (PG) is a giant macromolecule that completely surrounds bacterial cells and prevents lysis in hypo-osmotic environments. This net-like macromolecule is made of glycan strands linked to each other by two types of transpeptidases that form either 4→3 (PBPs) or 3→3 (LDTs) cross-links. Previously, we devised a heavy isotope-based PG full labeling method coupled to mass spectrometry to determine the mode of insertion of new-subunits into the expanding PG network (Atze et al., 2022). We showed that PG polymerization operates according to different modes for the formation of the septum and of the lateral cell walls, as well as for bacterial growth in the presence or absence of β-lactams in engineered strains that can exclusively rely on LDTs for PG cross-linking when drugs are present. Here, we apply our method to the resolution of the kinetics of the reactions leading to the covalent tethering of the Braun lipoprotein (Lpp) to PG and the subsequent hydrolysis of that same covalent link. We find that Lpp and disaccharide-peptide subunits are independently incorporated into the expanding lateral cell walls, whereas tethering of Lpp to septal PG is limited. LDTs did mediate intense shuffling of Lpp between PG stems leading to a dynamic equilibrium between the PG-tethered and free forms of Lpp.
Divergent downstream biosynthetic pathways are supported by L-cysteine synthases of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Khan Mehak Zahoor , Hunt Deborah M. , Singha Biplab , Kapoor Yogita , Singh Nitesh Kumar , Prasad D. V. Sai , Sriram Dharmarajan , Sowpati Divya Tej , de Carvalho Luiz Pedro S. , Nandicoori Vinay Kumar
Published: December 2023

Mycobacterium tuberculosis’s (Mtb)
autarkic lifestyle within the host involves rewiring its transcriptional networks to combat host-induced stresses. With the help of RNA-seq performed under various stress conditions, we identified that genes belonging to
Mtb
sulfur metabolism pathways are significantly upregulated during oxidative stress. Using an integrated approach of microbial genetics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, animal experiments, chemical inhibition, and rescue studies, we investigated the biological role of non-canonical L-cysteine synthases, CysM and CysK2. While transcriptome signatures of
RvΔcysM
and
RvΔcysK2
appear similar under regular growth conditions, we observed unique transcriptional signatures when subjected to oxidative stress. We followed pool size and labelling (
34
S) of key downstream metabolites, viz. mycothiol and ergothioneine, to monitor L-cysteine biosynthesis and utilization. This revealed the significant role of distinct L-cysteine biosynthetic routes on redox stress and homeostasis. CysM and CysK2 independently facilitate
Mtb
survival by alleviating host-induced redox stress, suggesting they are not fully redundant during infection. With the help of genetic mutants and chemical inhibitors, we show that CysM and CysK2 serve as unique, attractive targets for adjunct therapy to combat mycobacterial infection.
Developmental conversion of thymocyte-attracting cells into self-antigen-displaying cells in embryonic thymus medulla epithelium
Authors: Ohigashi Izumi , White Andrea J , Yang Mei-Ting , Fujimori Sayumi , Tanaka Yu , Jacques Alison , Kiyonari Hiroshi , Matsushita Yosuke , Turan Sevilay , Kelly Michael C , Anderson Graham , Takahama Yousuke
Published: December 2023

Thymus medulla epithelium establishes immune self-tolerance and comprises diverse cellular subsets. Functionally relevant medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) include a self-antigen-displaying subset that exhibits genome-wide promiscuous gene expression promoted by the nuclear protein Aire and that resembles a mosaic of extrathymic cells including mucosal tuft cells. An additional mTEC subset produces the chemokine CCL21, thereby attracting positively selected thymocytes from the cortex to the medulla. Both self-antigen-displaying and thymocyte-attracting mTEC subsets are essential for self-tolerance. Here, we identify a developmental pathway by which mTECs gain their diversity in functionally distinct subsets. We show that CCL21-expressing mTECs arise early during thymus ontogeny in mice. Fate-mapping analysis reveals that self-antigen-displaying mTECs, including Aire-expressing mTECs and thymic tuft cells, are derived from CCL21-expressing cells. The differentiation capability of CCL21-expressing embryonic mTECs is verified in reaggregate thymus experiments. These results indicate that CCL21-expressing embryonic mTECs carry a developmental potential to give rise to self-antigen-displaying mTECs, revealing that the sequential conversion of thymocyte-attracting subset into self-antigen-displaying subset serves to assemble functional diversity in the thymus medulla epithelium.
Developmental conversion of thymocyte-attracting cells into self-antigen-displaying cells in embryonic thymus medulla epithelium
Authors: Ohigashi Izumi , White Andrea J. , Yang Mei-Ting , Fujimori Sayumi , Tanaka Yu , Jacques Alison , Kiyonari Hiroshi , Matsushita Yosuke , Turan Sevilay , Kelly Michael C. , Anderson Graham , Takahama Yousuke
Published: December 2023

Thymus medulla epithelium establishes immune self-tolerance and comprises diverse cellular subsets. Functionally relevant medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) include a self-antigen-displaying subset that exhibits genome-wide promiscuous gene expression promoted by the nuclear protein Aire and that resembles a mosaic of extrathymic cells including mucosal tuft cells. An additional mTEC subset produces the chemokine CCL21, thereby attracting positively selected thymocytes from the cortex to the medulla. Both self-antigen-displaying and thymocyte-attracting mTEC subsets are essential for self-tolerance. Here we identify a developmental pathway by which mTECs gain their diversity in functionally distinct subsets. We show that CCL21-expressing mTECs arise early during thymus ontogeny. Fate-mapping analysis reveals that self-antigen-displaying mTECs, including Aire-expressing mTECs and thymic tuft cells, are derived from CCL21-expressing cells. The differentiation capability of CCL21-expressing embryonic mTECs is verified in reaggregate thymus experiments. These results indicate that CCL21-expressing embryonic mTECs carry a developmental potential to give rise to self-antigen-displaying mTECs, revealing that the sequential conversion of thymocyte-attracting subset into self-antigen-displaying subset serves to assemble functional diversity in the thymus medulla epithelium.
Increased game frequency period crossing Ramadan intermittent fasting decreases fat mass, sleep duration, and recovery in male professional basketball players
Authors: Brini Seifeddine , Paolo Ardigò Luca , Manuel Clemente Filipe , Raya-González Javier , Kurtz Jennifer A. , Casazza Gretchen A. , Castagna Carlo , Bouassida Anissa , Nobari Hadi
Published: December 2023

Background

Increased basketball game frequency may affect athlete performances, especially during Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF). The objective of the present investigation was to assess the impacts of increased game frequency periods crossing the RIF on body composition, sleep habits, indices of well-being, recovery state, and dietary intake in professional male basketball players.

Methods

Twenty-eight professional basketball players participated in this study and were divided into increased-games-frequency (INCR) or normal-games-frequency (NORM) groups. INCR trained four times and completed two games per week, whereas NORM completed only one game per week. During the first and fourth weeks of RIF, the following variables were assessed: internal load (weekly session rating of perceived exertion (s-RPE), heartrate (HR)), dietary intake, body composition, sleep quality (PSQI survey), well-being indices questionnaire (sleep, fatigue, stress, delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS)), and recovery state with the Total Quality Recovery (TQR) questionnaire.

Results

The internal load significantly increased after 4 weeks of RIF in INCR compared to NORM (p < 0.001). Significant decrease of TQR, sleep duration, and a significant increase of DOMS only for INCR (26.93%, p < 0.001, ES = 0.48, small; 33.83%, p < 0.001, ES = 0.40, small; 161.17%, p < 0.001, ES = 0.32, small; respectively). Significant group × time interaction was observed for body mass (p = 0.006, ES = 0.46, small) and body fat percentage (p = 0.025, ES = 0.33, small), with INCR having a greater decrease in all these values.

Conclusion

Increased game frequency period crossing RIF decreases fat mass, sleep duration, and recovery in professional basketball players, which may consequently affect performance and health.
The mortality of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and non-cirrhotic chronic liver disease: a retrospective multi-center study
Authors: Wu Pei-Jui , Feng I-Che , Lai Chih-Cheng , Ho Chung-Han , Kan Wei-Chih , Sheu Ming-Jen , Kuo Hsing-Tao
Published: December 2023

Background

Patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) have a higher risk of mortality when infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Although the fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index, aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), and albumin-bilirubin grade (ALBI) score can predict mortality in CLD, their correlation with the clinical outcomes of CLD patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between the liver severity and the mortality in hospitalized patients with non-cirrhotic CLD and COVID-19.

Methods

This retrospective study analyzed 231 patients with non-cirrhotic CLD and COVID-19. Clinical characteristics, laboratory data, including liver status indices, and clinical outcomes were assessed to determine the correlation between liver status indices and the mortality among patients with non-cirrhotic CLD and COVID-19.

Results

Non-survivors had higher levels of prothrombin time-international normalized ratio (PT-INR), alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and lower albumin levels. Multivariable analysis showed that ALBI grade 3 (odds ratio (OR): 22.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.70–305.38], p = 0.018), FIB-4 index ≥ 3.25 (OR: 10.62, 95% CI [1.12–100.31], p = 0.039), PT-INR (OR: 19.81, 95% CI [1.31–299.49], p = 0.031), hs-CRP (OR: 1.02, 95% CI [1.01–1.02], p = 0.001), albumin level (OR: 0.08, 95% CI [0.02–0.39], p = 0.002), and use of vasopressors (OR: 4.98, 95% CI [1.27–19.46], p = 0.021) were associated with the mortality.

Conclusion

The ALBI grade 3 and FIB-4 index ≥ 3.25, higher PT-INR, hsCRP levels and lower albumin levels could be associated with mortality in non-cirrhotic CLD patients with COVID-19. Clinicians could assess the ALBI grade, FIB-4 index, PT-INR, hs-CRP, and albumin levels of patients with non-cirrhotic CLD upon admission.
Identification of novel biomarkers in obstructive sleep apnea via integrated bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation
Authors: Zhang Kai , Wang Caizhen , Wu Yunxiao , Xu Zhifei
Published: December 2023

Background

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a complex and multi-gene inherited disease caused by both genetic and environmental factors. However, due to the high cost of diagnosis and complex operation, its clinical application is limited. This study aims to explore potential target genes associated with OSA and establish a corresponding diagnostic model.

Methods

This study used microarray datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to OSA and perform functional annotation and pathway analysis. The study employed multi-scale embedded gene co-expression network analysis (MEGENA) combined with least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis to select hub genes and construct a diagnostic model for OSA. In addition, the study conducted correlation analysis between hub genes and OSA-related genes, immunoinfiltration, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), miRNA network analysis, and identified potential transcription factors (TFs) and targeted drugs for hub genes. Finally, the study used chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) mouse model to simulate OSA hypoxic conditions and verify the expression of hub genes in CIH mice.

Results

In this study, a total of 401 upregulated genes and 275 downregulated genes were identified, and enrichment analysis revealed that these differentially expressed genes may be associated with pathways such as vasculature development, cellular response to cytokine stimulus, and negative regulation of cell population proliferation. Through MEGENA combined with LASSO regression, seven OSA hub genes were identified, including C12orf54, FOS, GPR1, OR9A4, MYO5B, RAB39B, and KLHL4. The diagnostic model constructed based on these genes showed strong stability. The expression levels of hub genes were significantly correlated with the expression levels of OSA-related genes and mainly acted on pathways such as the JAK/STAT signaling pathway and the cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway. Drug-target predictions for hub genes were made using the Connectivity Map (CMap) database and the Drug-Gene Interaction database (Dgidb), which identified targeted therapeutic drugs for the hub genes. In vivo experiments showed that the hub genes were all decreasing in the OSA mouse model.

Conclusions

This study identified novel biomarkers for OSA and established a reliable diagnostic model. The transcriptional changes identified may help to reveal the pathogenesis, mechanisms, and sequelae of OSA.
Un acercamiento a las disparidades urbano-rural en acceso al agua potable y saneamiento en Chile
Authors:   , Bravo Berríos Josefa Lilian
Published: December 2023

Esta investigación aborda la desigualdad en el acceso al agua potable y saneamiento en Chile, evaluando la disparidad, tanto en términos económicos, como geográficos. Los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS) se comprometen a "no dejar a nadie atrás", pero los indicadores de cobertura han demostrado no capturar adecuadamente estas desigualdades. Utilizando el Índice de Concentración, se analizó el acceso a la red pública formal de alcantarillado y el acceso mejorado. Los resultados revelan desigualdades a nivel nacional, con un Índice de Concentración (IC) alrededor de -0,41, y a nivel urbano, con -0,32. En entornos rurales, las diferencias entre la carencia de acceso a la red pública de alcantarillados y el acceso mejorado son significativas, siendo en promedio de -0,05 y -0,24 respectivamente. Esta diferencia se debe a la baja cobertura de la red pública formal, donde pozos y fosas sépticas desempeñan un papel crucial en el abastecimiento de agua potable y saneamiento para la población rural. Aunque Chile muestra buenos índices de cobertura general, la investigación destaca la existencia de desigualdades que dejan a algunas personas rezagadas. Este estudio contribuye a la literatura sobre el uso de medidas de desigualdad en el contexto de los ODS, evidenciando cómo los indicadores de cobertura pueden invisibilizar las disparidades reales.
Aplicación de Análisis Armónico Para la Estimación de los Autovalores del Laplaciano
Authors:   , Cádiz Carvajal Rodrigo Esteban
Published: December 2023

En este trabajo se comienzan analizando dominios elípticos Ω para observar cómo se comportan dos conjeturas abiertas relacionando la distancia al origen de la variedad nula N(Ω) y el segundo autovalor del laplaciano de Dirichlet asociado a Ω. En este sentido, se encuentran expresiones analíticas para la variedad nula y para la distancia al origen k(Ω). A partir de lo anterior, se estudia cómo la excentricidad de las elipses influye en las conjeturas, en particular, cuando se consideran excentricidades cercanas a uno, donde se tienen resultados para grandes deformaciones de un disco. Como parte de este análisis, y para determinar los autovalores del laplaciano de Dirichlet, se estudia brevemente las propiedades del operador de Mathieu y su conexión con la ecuación de Schrödinger con potencial V(x)=4x^2, pero se da énfasis al análisis de la ecuación de Mathieu y la ecuación de Hill, donde se investigan las propiedades de las ecuaciones diferenciales periódicas. En esta misma línea, se cuenta con un estudio de las condiciones de borde del problema, y se implementa un programa en Python para determinar numéricamente los autovalores. En consecuencia, se obtiene información numérica que representa evidencia numérica fuerte que respalda la segunda conjetura. Para continuar, se estudia una extensión del estudio de las conjeturas a espacios de curvatura constante distinta de cero, donde destacan la n-esfera S^n, y el espacio hiperbólico H^n. Se encuentra que la compacidad de S^n no permite encontrar la variedad nula, y para esto es necesario estudiar el espacio H^n. En el estudio de H^n, se cuenta con una descripción de dos modelos de trabajo, para hacer énfasis en el modelo de la esfera de Poincaré, especializando para el caso n=3. En este espacio, se trabaja con una bola geodésica, donde se determina la variedad nula y el segundo autovalor de Laplace--Beltrami mediante el método de Shooting, para encontrar que se pierde la intuición acerca de cómo luce la segunda conjetura en este espacio, pudiendo escribirla de una forma modificada. Finalmente, se estudian perturbaciones de una esfera unitaria en R^3, donde se analizan tres casos de forma perturbativa, y se concluye que es necesario contar con un método de análisis alternativo para obtener información.
Using Reading to Learn in teaching anecdote sharing in conversation within an EFL context
Authors:   , Alarcón Aguirre Dennisse Solange Yire
Published: December 2023

This action research aims to develop students' conversational skills for sharing anecdotes. The study took place in a 9th grade classroom at a private school in Chile. Although the English langauge teaching at the school generally aims to develop students’ langauge skills with the use of communicative approaches, the lack of explicit classroom applications of these approaches has caused problems regarding the instruction of knowledge about language, the teaching of spoken interaction, and the role of the teacher in the classroom, which have hindered students’ language development. To provide students with more effective support, this study aims to provide a teaching pedagogy that equips students with the necessary language resources to share anecdotes. The study is conducted using a mixed-methods action research informed by a genrebased pedagogy (GBP), specifically known as the Reading to learn (R2L), drawing on the understanding of language from a Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) perspective. The R2L pedagogy is adapted in this study to guide students through the most relevant language resources needed when sharing anecdotes in oral conversations. The pedagogy provides the teacher with systematic and structured pedagogic activities for teaching the language patterns present in anecdotes, gradually fostering students’ autonomy and independence in the language production. The impact of this action research is assessed by examining students' performances while sharing anecdotes before and after the intervention, through pre and post tests focusing on their storytelling and their ability to engage in conversation. The results of the study demonstrate that using R2L has a positive impact on developing students’ conversational skills for sharing anecdotes, support students to develop a wide range of linguistic resources related to story telling and having converstions. The study contributes to EFL teaching by makig explicit connection between Communicative Competence and SFL language description, offering a new perspective for language development. It also provides a practical methodology for teaching speaking skills, indicating its potential for wider application.
Evaluation of Dental and Periodontal Health Status in Leprosy Patients during Three Different Stages of Drug Regimen: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Choudhari Madhumita , Bajaj Pavan
Published: December 2023

Introduction: The prevalence of oral lesions in leprosy patients and the risk of developing them with the disease are considerably high. Multidrug Therapy (MDT) can effectively treat leprosy, but its effectiveness is heavily dependent on early detection, when chronic disability might be avoided. Poor oral hygiene combined with weakened immunity increases the risk of developing oral lesions in leprosy patients and impacts their overall health. Aim: To evaluate the oral, dental and periodontal findings in patients during three different stages of drug regimen. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 known leprosy patients from four leprosy facilities in the Vidarbha area, Maharashtra, India. Comprehensive oral examination was performed from July 2022 to September 2022, including the Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth (DMFT) index, assessment of Non-Carious Cervical Lesions (NCCLs), Plaque Index (PI), Papillary bleeding Index (PBI) and complete periodontal examination by measuring Probing Pocket Depth (PPD) and Clinical Attachment Loss (CAL). Descriptive statistics were done utilising SPSS version 23. The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test was used to check the mean difference between the three groups. The statistical significance established was p<0.05. Results: The evaluation revealed the prevalence of decayed teeth as 103 out of 150 (68%), that of a missing tooth was 93 out of 150 (62%). NCCLs were found in 80 out of 150 with the prevalence of abrasion as seen in 51 (63.7%) patients and 38 patients (47.5%) for abfraction, and 18 out of 80 patients (22.5%) for erosion. Comparing the PI and PBI between the groups, significantly higher scores were observed in patients who had not undergone treatment (p-value <0.01). CAL was found to be statistically significant with higher scores in patients who had completed their treatment (p-value <0.001). Conclusion: The findings of the present study indicate that the NCCLS and the DMFT scores were higher in the untreated group. However, there was increased attachment loss in treated patients, which can be supplemented to the drug therapy prescribed for leprosy
Unilateral Carotid Body Tumour: A Case Report
Authors: Sagar Shakti , Gadkari Pravin Ramchandra , Shukla Samarth , Vagha Sunita , Hiwale Kishor
Published: December 2023

The carotid body, which is located bilaterally on the medial side of the carotid bifurcation, is the largest group of paraganglia in the head and neck. Chemoreceptor cells in the carotid bulb give rise to uncommon tumours known as Carotid Body Tumours (CBTs). The authors describe a case of a CBT in a 40-year-old woman who had a painful, pulsatile, lateral neck enlargement on the right side that had been developing over time. Due to the numerous difficulties and problems brought on by their high vascularity and close proximity to cranial nerves in the neck near the carotid bifurcation, they pose a surgical challenge. Based on the patient's medical history, the results of clinical and radiological examinations, and the successful surgical removal of the tumour, the diagnosis was suspected. The results of histological analysis supported the diagnosis of a CBT.
Chemically Treated Chicken Feather Meal for Fish Feed
Authors: Anggraeni Fitri , Haetami Kiki , Andriani Yuli , Bachtiar Eri
Published: December 2023

The increasing demand and consumption of chicken meat from year to year makes the waste produced also increase, especially chicken feathers. One of the physical waste utilization of chicken feathers is handicrafts that use chicken feathers such as dream catchers. The utilization of chicken feather waste as a feed ingredient is still relatively rare because chicken feathers have crude protein which includes structural protein called keratin. Therefore, it is necessary to process it first so that the keratin in the chicken feather can be degraded properly. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the chemical processing of chicken feathers and its application as one of the raw materials that make up fish feed. Based on the results of the review of published articles, chicken feathers contain protein and amino acids that are quite good as fish feed. Chemical processing of chicken feathers is considered more effective and economical because it does not damage the protein in chicken feathers and produces more natural chicken feather flour and can reduce damaged amino acids. The quality of chicken feathers is influenced by chemicals, concentration and length of processing time. Various fish species such as tilapia, catfish and catfish show good growth and survival when fed feed containing chicken feather meal. In other words, chicken feather meal has the potential to be used as an alternative raw material in making fish feed.
Electrochemically Generated Aluminum-Species for Remediation of Waste Water Containing 2, 4-Dichlorophenol
Authors: Simol Hasina Akhter , Jahan Rumana Akther
Published: December 2023

An effective treatment process for 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) in wastewater is highly essential, since it may cause great threat to our environment. In such context, a low-cost potential and environment-friendly technique has been demonstrated for the removal of a toxic compound 2,4-DCP from aqueous media. The electrochemically generated aluminum sorbent was used to remove 2,4-DCP from waste water by in-situ electrocoagulation and by adsorption. The experimental findings were analyzed based on the percent removal of 2,4-DCP with time. DCP-containing wastewater was electrocoagulated in a two-electrode monopolar electrocoagulation cell with aluminum as the sacrificial anode and 0.05 M NaCl as the internal electrolyte, with the electrolyte concentration kept constant throughout the experiment. Starting concentration and pH were found to have a significant impact on the electrocoagulation process for removing 2,4-DCP from wastewater.
Economics of Cabbage Production Under Different Levels of Integrated Nutrient Management in Varanasi Region of Uttar Pradesh, India
Authors: Singh Abhilash , Verma Narendra Pratap , Singh Ankit , Sharma Shivani , Singh Manjeet Kumar
Published: December 2023

The excess use of chemical fertilizers is hazardous for soil and environmental health. To reduce the level of chemical fertilizers the field experiment was conducted during Rabi season of 2016-17 at horticulture research farm, Department of Horticulture, U. P. College, Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh). The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design (RBD) with nine treatments. These treatments were replicated thrice. The treatments included various levels of NPK, FYM, vermicompost, Phosphorus Solubilizing Mycorrhiza. Economic analysis of different treatments of cabbage production in Varanasi region (Uttar Pradesh) revealed variation in net capital investment. The results show that among different integrated nutrient management (INM) levels, half dose of NPK ha-1 + Vermicompost @ 2.5 tons ha-1 + Azospirillum @ 5kg ha-1 + Phosphorus Solubilizing Mycorrhiza @ 5 kg ha-1 has highest net return followed by half dose of NPK ha-1 + FYM @ 15 tons ha-1 + Phosphorus Solubilizing Mycorrhiza @ 5 kg ha-1 + Azospirillum @ 5 kg ha-1. Lowest net return was observed with half dose treatment of NPK ha-1 + FYM @ 15 t ha-1. Cabbage crop nutrition by supplying recommended dose of NPK ha-1 (150 kg: 125 kg: 100 kg) recorded highest cost-benefit ratio (3.11) while, half dose of NPK ha-1 + FYM @ 15 t ha-1 gives lowest cost-benefit ratio (2.05) among the all INM levels.
Panicle Architecture in Enhancing Grain Yield in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Sowmya B.  , Badri Jyothi , Eswari K. B.  , Raghuveer Rao P.
Published: December 2023

The architecture of the rice panicle is a crucial focus in breeding for both high yield and quality. It stands as a significant agronomic trait that influences the number of grains per panicle, playing a direct role in contributing to the overall yield of rice grains. Unravelling the genetic basis of panicle architecture is crucial for improving the grain yield in rice. In this study, the panicle architecture traits were meticulously dissected into five distinct components viz., number of primary rachis, number of secondary rachis, grain number on primary rachis, grain number on secondary rachis and total grain number. These components were systematically phenotyped in F2 and F3 population derived from a cross between DRR Dhan 48 and Maudamani. ‘DRR Dhan 48’ is a biofortified elite fine grain medium slender grain type cultivar with high zinc (22 ppm in polished rice) and low glycemic index (51.1). It has resistance to bacterial blight with the incorporation of xa5, xa13 and Xa21 in the background of Improved Samba Mahsuri. ‘Maudamani’ is a high yielding cultivar with high grain number and short bold grain type. Analysis of variance, histograms and boxplots revealed highly significant variation for the studied traits. Grain number in F2 population ranged from 29 to 333 grain with a mean of 162.72 whereas in F3, its varied from 49 to 368 with a mean of 184.17. Correlation analysis revealed significant correlation among the studied traits. The continuous variation observed in the population for panicle traits indicates that genetic control is governed by multiple minor loci. The presence of superior transgressive segregants highlights a complementary gene action influencing panicle architecture traits. The present investigation on panicle architecture offers scope for improving rice varieties and creating new germplasm resources and provides valuable information for further unravelling the genetic basis determining rice panicle architecture.
Effect of Trap Cropping of Brassica juncea (Linn.) on the Management of Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.) on B. oleracea var. capitata (Linn.)
Authors: Sekhar T. V. S. Chandra
Published: December 2023

During the rabi of 2022-23, Indian mustard cv. Laha 101 was used as a trap crop to manage the mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.) on cabbage cv. K-1. The results showed that trap cropping ratios significantly lowered aphid densities compared to the sole crop (cabbage). The lowest density of aphids (4.60 aphid/plant) was recorded in cabbage under the trap cropping ratio of 3:2. On the other hand, the peak infestation (19.05 aphid/plant) occurred on the mustard of the same trap cropping ratio (3:2) when compared with other trap cropping ratios on 7th SMW (February 11th). Even though the sole crop (cabbage) had the highest aphid density (28.13 aphid/plant), it yielded 49.23 t/ha and had a benefit cost ratio of 2.07 due to two sprays of insecticide (Malathion 50 EC), which was not done in the trap cropping ratios. Thus, the trap cropping ratio of 3:2 (2.31) had the best cost benefit ratio followed by the trap cropping ratio of 1:1 (2.19), which recorded produce of 42.61 t/ha and 41.29 t/ha respectively. Overall, the use of Indian mustard cv. Laha 101 has been shown to be effective as a trap crop in managing mustard aphid on cabbage cv. K-1 during the rabi season. By using the correct trap cropping ratio, farmers can maximize their produce while minimizing the use of insecticides, which can be beneficial both economically and environmentally.
Constraints Analysis in Procurement and Processing of Sesame in Northern Telangana Zone, Telangana, India
Authors: Mary N. , Sowjanya B. , Sunandini G. P. , Supriya K.
Published: December 2023

Sesame is one of the most commonly consumed foods either in fresh as raw seeds or processed. Sesame seeds contain 50-60 per cent oil. The study was aimed to document the constraints in procurement and processing of sesame in the study region. Three districts Jagtial, Nirmal and Nizamabad were selected from Northern Telangana Zone where sesame production was highest. Random sampling method was used to select the sesame processors. A total of 30 sesame oil units were selected from three districts for collecting data. The collected data has been analysed through Garette Ranking Technique. The major constraints faced by the processors at different stages of processing of sesame in the study region were high cost of machinery, insufficient funds from the financial institutions, lack of quality raw material, high cost for machinery repairs and maintenance, lack of efficient market for the final product and lack of awareness about the product.
Drug Repurposing for COVID-19: Current Status of Potential Therapeutics
Authors: Avirineni Pravalika , Dundigalla Sudheer K. , Padi Satyanarayana S. V.
Published: December 2023

The maneuver clinical investigation of an effective drug for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still ongoing and the milieu of a successful investigational drug with proven efficacy is still obscure. Drug repurposing is a method to identify new therapeutic uses for existing drugs, which include approved, delayed, withdrawn, and investigational drugs and drug candidates. Indeed, the cost of the standard drug discovery and development process amounts to more than a billion dollars, and the investigations are expected to last 10–15 years. Notably, repurposing existing approved drugs is a potential, effective, and profitable approach as it significantly reduces the cost and time of developing a new drug. Owing to the established safety, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic profiles of potential drug candidates, drug repurposing may allow scientists to skip or shorten some critical steps of the traditional drug discovery and development process. Prospectively, advanced approaches could be harnessed to conduct proof-of-concept trials that would accelerate the clinical evaluation of repurposed drugs. Drawing lessons from repurposing efforts for COVID-19 therapeutics, the present review briefly summarizes the current status of various potential drugs that have been clinically evaluated for repurposing platforms as well as that could maximize safety, efficacy, and possible therapeutic benefits, both alone or in combination, and clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19.
Antiviral Activity of Approved Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and Prospects for Drug Repurposing: A review
Authors: Abdallah Ejlal A. , Abdulaziz Leena , Elhadi Esraa , Alnoor Fadlalbaseer A. , Yousef Bashir A.
Published: December 2023

Drug discovery and development are lengthy and expensive processes that face serious challenges. A new compound must not only produce the desired response with minimal side effects but must also demonstrate better activity than existing drugs. Thus, modification of existing drugs is easier than discovery of new drugs. Furthermore, the rate of development of new antiviral agents has declined significantly in recent decades, and pathogenic viruses have become more serious and have developed resistance against antiviral drugs. Hence, owing to multidrug resistance, severe side effects, and the emergence of new virus types, there is an urgent need for the development of new alternative or synergistic antiviral drugs with minimal side effects. Anti-inflammatory drugs represent a group of drugs with broad clinical applications and remain one of the most widely used medications worldwide. They can relieve the most common symptoms of viral infections (pain and fever). Thus, many researchers have screened for antiviral activities among the marketed anti-inflammatory drugs against different types of viral infections, based on the observed antiviral activity in different preclinical and clinical studies. This mini-review article summarizes preclinical studies (in silico, in vitro, and in vivo) that evaluated the antiviral activity of approved anti-inflammatory drugs.
Experiences after the diagnosis of chronic renal failure from the perspective of patients / Vivências após o diagnóstico da insuficiência renal crônica sob a ótica dos pacientes
Authors: Nascimento Brenda Maria Tavares do , Vieira Alcivan Nunes , Costa Kalídia Felipe de Lima , Dantas Luana Adrielle Leal , Lopes Mariana Mayara Medeiros , Rego Nicole Liv Ullman Freitas
Published: December 2023

Objetivo: analisar as vivências do diagnóstico de Doença Renal Crônica sob a ótica dos pacientes. Método: estudo qualitativo realizado por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas realizadas junto aos pacientes atendidos em um serviço de hemodiálise; os dados foram submetidos à análise de Conteúdo de Bardin. Resultados: as vivências foram organizadas nas seguintes categorias significativas: Sentimentos vivenciados no momento do diagnóstico; Impactos do diagnóstico; Negação da doença; O paradoxo da gratidão e Enfrentamento da doença. Considerações finais: a vivência do diagnóstico da Doença Renal Crônica adquire uma perspectiva singular para cada paciente subsidiada por aspectos de ordem subjetiva, pelo suporte assistencial e familiar ao qual ele tem acesso.
Chest Tightness With QR and ST-Segment Elevation in Lead V1
Authors: Li Jing-Xiu , Qiu Xin , Gao Min
Published: December 2023

This case report describes a patient in their 50s with a 2-month history of worsening chest tightness and dyspnea after COVID-19 infection.
Development and External Validation of Models to Predict Need for Nursing Home Level of Care in Community-Dwelling Older Adults With Dementia
Authors: Deardorff W. James , Jeon Sun Y. , Barnes Deborah E. , Boscardin W. John , Langa Kenneth M. , Covinsky Kenneth E. , Mitchell Susan L. , Lee Sei J. , Smith Alexander K.
Published: December 2023

Importance

Most older adults living with dementia ultimately need nursing home level of care (NHLOC).

Objective

To develop models to predict need for NHLOC among older adults with probable dementia using self-report and proxy reports to aid patients and family with planning and care management.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This prognostic study included data from 1998 to 2016 from the Health and Retirement Study (development cohort) and from 2011 to 2019 from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (validation cohort). Participants were community-dwelling adults 65 years and older with probable dementia. Data analysis was conducted between January 2022 and October 2023.

Exposures

Candidate predictors included demographics, behavioral/health factors, functional measures, and chronic conditions.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was need for NHLOC defined as (1) 3 or more activities of daily living (ADL) dependencies, (2) 2 or more ADL dependencies and presence of wandering/need for supervision, or (3) needing help with eating. A Weibull survival model incorporating interval censoring and competing risk of death was used. Imputation-stable variable selection was used to develop 2 models: one using proxy responses and another using self-responses. Model performance was assessed by discrimination (integrated area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [iAUC]) and calibration (calibration plots).

Results

Of 3327 participants with probable dementia in the Health and Retirement Study, the mean (SD) age was 82.4 (7.4) years and 2301 (survey-weighted 70%) were female. At the end of follow-up, 2107 participants (63.3%) were classified as needing NHLOC. Predictors for both final models included age, baseline ADL and instrumental ADL dependencies, and driving status. The proxy model added body mass index and falls history. The self-respondent model added female sex, incontinence, and date recall. Optimism-corrected iAUC after bootstrap internal validation was 0.72 (95% CI, 0.70-0.75) in the proxy model and 0.64 (95% CI, 0.62-0.66) in the self-respondent model. On external validation in the National Health and Aging Trends Study (n = 1712), iAUC in the proxy and self-respondent models was 0.66 (95% CI, 0.61-0.70) and 0.64 (95% CI, 0.62-0.67), respectively. There was excellent calibration across the range of predicted risk.

Conclusions and Relevance

This prognostic study showed that relatively simple models using self-report or proxy responses can predict need for NHLOC in community-dwelling older adults with probable dementia with moderate discrimination and excellent calibration. These estimates may help guide discussions with patients and families in future care planning.
Longitudinal Sleep Patterns and Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults
Authors: Keil Samantha A. , Schindler Abigail G. , Wang Marie X. , Piantino Juan , Silbert Lisa C. , Elliott Jonathan E. , Werhane Madeleine L. , Thomas Ronald G. , Willis Sherry , Lim Miranda M. , Iliff Jeffrey J.
Published: December 2023

Importance

Sleep disturbances and clinical sleep disorders are associated with all-cause dementia and neurodegenerative conditions, but it remains unclear how longitudinal changes in sleep impact the incidence of cognitive impairment.

Objective

To evaluate the association of longitudinal sleep patterns with age-related changes in cognitive function in healthy older adults.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study is a retrospective longitudinal analyses of the Seattle Longitudinal Study (SLS), which evaluated self-reported sleep duration (1993-2012) and cognitive performance (1997-2020) in older adults. Participants within the SLS were enrolled as part of a community-based cohort from the Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound and Health Maintenance Organization of Washington between 1956 and 2020. Data analysis was performed from September 2020 to May 2023.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The main outcome for this study was cognitive impairment, as defined by subthreshold performance on both the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale. Sleep duration was defined by self-report of median nightly sleep duration over the last week and was assessed longitudinally over multiple time points. Median sleep duration, sleep phenotype (short sleep, median ≤7 hours; medium sleep, median = 7 hour; long sleep, median ≥7 hours), change in sleep duration (slope), and variability in sleep duration (SD of median sleep duration, or sleep variability) were evaluated.

Results

Of the participants enrolled in SLS, only 1104 participants who were administered both the Health Behavior Questionnaire and the neuropsychologic battery were included for analysis in this study. A total of 826 individuals (mean [SD] age, 76.3 [11.8] years; 468 women [56.7%]; 217 apolipoprotein E ε4 allele carriers [26.3%]) had complete demographic information and were included in the study. Analysis using a Cox proportional hazard regression model (concordance, 0.76) showed that status as a short sleeper (hazard ratio, 3.67; 95% CI, 1.59-8.50) and higher sleep variability (hazard ratio, 3.06; 95% CI, 1.14-5.49) were significantly associated with the incidence of cognitive impairment.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this community-based longitudinal study of the association between sleep patterns and cognitive performance, the short sleep phenotype was significantly associated with impaired cognitive performance. Furthermore, high sleep variability in longitudinal sleep duration was significantly associated with the incidence of cognitive impairment, highlighting the possibility that instability in sleep duration over long periods of time may impact cognitive decline in older adults.