bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Learning a cross-scale cross-view decoupled denoising network by mining Omni-channel information
Authors: Qian Song , Xue Yan , Chang Youbao
Published: February 2025

Stereo vision systems are increasingly utilized in various applications, however, the presence of noise significantly hampers the quality of the captured images. Traditional denoising methods often fail to address the complex noise patterns in such scenarios, which can adversely affect feature encoding and subsequent processing tasks. This paper introduces a novel stereo denoising approach that leverages cross-view information to enhance the robustness of noise reduction. A Cross-Channel and Spatial Context Information Mining Module is employed to encode long-range spatial dependencies and to bolster inter-channel feature interaction. This module utilizes large convolutional kernels, channel attention mechanisms, and a simple gating structure to enhance feature representation. Our approach relies on an encoder-decoder architecture, which facilitates cross-view and cross-scale feature interactions. The network is trained with a composite loss function that includes both spatial and perceptual domain constraints, ensuring a comprehensive optimization of the denoising process. Extensive experiments conducted on our proposed NoisyST dataset demonstrate the superior performance of our method in terms of noise removal and detail preservation. Notably, the method outperforms existing State-Of-The-Art techniques, as evidenced by its effectiveness in various evaluation metrics.
Quantum coherence and the bell inequality violation: a numerical experiment with the cavity QEDs
Authors: He Suirong , Li Yufen , Liang J. Q. , Wei L. F.
Published: February 2025

Bell inequality violation has been widely tested by using the bipartite entangled pure states and properly encoding the local observables in various experimental platforms, and the detector-, local-, and random loopholes have already been closed. A natural question is, how to deliver the Bell inequality violation by properly encoding the local observables? Here, we show that the Bell inequality violation is directly related to the coherence degree, which is controllable by encoding the different local observables into the entangled state. With the usual space-like correlation detections, we show that the coherence degree can be measured and thus the Bell nonlocality can be tested. The feasibility of the proposal is demonstrated by a numerical experiment typically with the cavity quantum electrodynamic system, in which the coherence degrees of the locally encoded bipartite entangled state can be conveniently measured by the spectral detection of the driven cavity. The present work might provide a feasible approach to verify the Gisin theorem, i.e., Bell inequality can be violated for any bipartite entangled pure state, once the local observables are properly encoded into the entangled state for keeping the desirable coherence.
Feather corticosterone levels in the southern lapwing revealed no association with the degree of urbanization
Authors: Quirici Verónica , Kilgour Denyelle , Cuevas Elfego , Fletcher Susan , Sarmiento Carlos , González-Lagos César , Romero L. Michael
Published: February 2025

The urbanization process modifies the environment in which wildlife lives. On the one hand, it modifies the biotic and abiotic elements and introduces new stress factors like light pollution, noise pollution, and chemical pollution. These modifications to natural elements and the introduction of new ones could induce stress in organisms and lead to the release of glucocorticoids. One taxonomic group that lives in cities and is highly sensitive to changes in habitat and human population density is birds. Most of the studies about stress and urbanization have measured glucocorticoids (GCs) circulating in the blood, which offer only a “snapshot” of an animal’s current state, and it is affected by the capture procedure. An alternative is to measure GCs in samples that are not altered by the capture procedure, like feathers. In this study we compared levels of corticosterone in feather (CortFeather) of the southern lapwing (Vanellus chilensis) in four locations in the Metropolitan Region (RM) of Santiago de Chile. To accurately measure urbanization, we employed four distinct land cover typologies to illustrate the variations in structural characteristics. A 500-m buffer zone was created around each of the four collection sites where feathers were gathered, creating an “Urbanization score”. We observed a statistically significant variation in the median CortFeather values across the four studied localities. Contrary to our expectation, the observed differences in CortFeather concentrations were identified not among the highly urbanized populations but rather between two populations characterized by lower urbanization scores. In the same line, we observed the absence of correlation between the “Urbanization score” and CortFeather levels. Our findings indicate that factors beyond those captured in the satellite images may contribute to the elevated levels of this hormone in a low urbanized wetland in the Santiago Metropolitan region of Chile. For instance, the prevalence of feral dogs in the vicinity, including within the wetland, could be a significant contributing factor.
Analysis of causal pathogens of mulberry bacterial blight in samples collected from eight provinces of China using culturomics and metagenomic sequencing methods
Authors: Huang Xinpeng , Yuan Ting , Huang Yuxin , Qazi Izhar Hyder , Liu Jiping
Published: February 2025

Mulberry bacterial blight (MBB) is a complex and one of the devastating diseases of mulberry that causes serious reduction in the yield and quality of mulberry. In recent years, the transformation of sericulture industry, mulberry production system, and increasing seedling trade have resulted in the spread of MBB to different parts of China, posing a major economic threat to the farmers and industry. This study investigated the occurrence of MBB in eight provinces of China during years 2023 and 2024. The MBB disease samples were collected and the composition of the MBB pathogenic microbiome was analyzed by combining culturomics and metagenomic sequencing methods. A total of 498 bacterial strains were isolated and identified through culturomics, and then 109 suspected pathogen strains were preliminarily screened based on metagenomic sequencing data. Finally, 10 pathogens including, Pseudomonas syringae, P. fulva, P. fluorescens, Pantoea ananatis, Pectobacterium parvum, P. carotovorum, Flavobacterium fluviale, Citrobacter portucalensis, Klebsiella grimontii, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, were identified through Koch’s postulates. Based on the distribution pattern of pathogens and the changes in the microbiome community of mulberry following infection with P. syringae, we infer that P. syringae, and P. fulva are important pathogens of MBB. In addition, based on the analysis of meteorological data, different bacteria showed adaptability to different environments, leading to differences in the pathogens of MBB under different climate conditions and latitudes. The data presented herein provides a foundation for understanding the occurrence, spatial distribution and pathogenic mechanism of MBB and its major pathogens.
Nitric oxide-mediated thermomemory: a new perspective on plant heat stress resilience
Authors: Naaz Sheeba , Pande Anjali , Laxmi Ashverya
Published: February 2025

In the intricate world of plant responses to environmental stress, the concept of thermomemory has emerged as a fascinating and complex phenomenon. Plants, as sessile organisms, continually face the challenge of adapting to fluctuating climates, and the ability to “remember” prior heat stress encounters, a phenomenon known as thermomemory is a testament to their remarkable adaptability. Nitric oxide (NO), a versatile signaling molecule in plant physiology, has been implicated in a myriad of cellular processes crucial for stress adaptation. From its involvement in stomatal regulation to its influence on gene expression and antioxidant defense mechanisms, NO emerges as a central orchestrator in the plant’s response to elevated temperatures. Exploration of NO-mediated pathways provides insights into how plants not only cope with immediate heat stress but also retain a memory of these encounters. Unraveling the molecular intricacies of NO’s involvement in thermomemory enhances our understanding of the sophisticated strategies employed by plants to navigate a changing climate, offering potential avenues for innovative approaches to enhancing crop resilience and sustainable agriculture.
Salinity survival: molecular mechanisms and adaptive strategies in plants
Authors: Zhang Huankai , Yu Caiyu , Zhang Qian , Qiu Zihan , Zhang Xiansheng , Hou Yifeng , Zang Jie
Published: February 2025

Soil salinity is a significant environmental challenge that threatens plant growth and development, adversely affecting global food crop production. This underscores the critical need to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying plant salt tolerance, which has profound implications for agricultural advancement. Recent progress in plant salt tolerance has greatly improved our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of plant responses to salt stress and precision design breeding as an effective strategy for developing new salt-tolerant crop varieties. This review focuses on the model plant species Arabidopsis thaliana and important crops, namely, wheat (Triticum aestivum), maize (Zea mays), and rice (Oryza sativa). It summarizes current knowledge on plant salt tolerance, emphasizing key aspects such as the perception and response to salt stress, Na+ transport, Na+ compartmentalization and clearance, changes in reactive oxygen species induced by salt stress, and regulation of plant stem cell development under salt stress conditions. The review might provide new and valuable information for understanding the molecular mechanisms of plant response and adaptation to salt stress.
Genome-wide identification and evolution-profiling analysis of tps gene family in Camphora longepaniculata and screening of key TPS genes
Authors: Liu Xin , Shuai Yongkang , Zhao Xin , Zhang Minghu , Yan Yue , Zhao Jia , Feng Ruizhang , Wei Qin
Published: February 2025

Camphora longepaniculata is an important economic crop renowned for its rich volatile terpene compounds. Terpene synthases (TPS) are key enzymes in the biosynthesis of these compounds, playing significant roles in plant growth, development, and secondary metabolism. In this study, a total of 86 TPS genes were identified in Camphora longepaniculata, which were classified into five groups based on their evolutionary relationships. Analysis of cis-regulatory elements revealed associations between TPS genes and processes related to plant growth, development, and environmental stress responses. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis indicated that these TPS genes are predominantly linked to various enzymatic activities. Furthermore, analysis of duplication events revealed that tandem duplications (TD) and whole genome duplications (WGD) are major driving forces in the evolution of the TPS gene family. Notably, 18 TPS genes were found to be upregulated in high essential oil content varieties of Camphora longepaniculata. RT-qPCR validation further confirmed that TPS26, TPS28, and TPS47 exhibit upregulated expression during leaf development, highlighting their potential involvement in terpene biosynthesis during this crucial developmental stage. These findings lay a solid foundation for further exploration of the functions of TPS genes in Camphora longepaniculata.
Current status and future perspectives of the diagnostic of plant bacterial pathogens
Authors: Wang Xu , Liang Shuiying , Gan Qinhua , Cai Bo , Liu Caixia
Published: February 2025

Diagnostic of plant bacterial pathogens underwent a leapfrog development from culture-based strategies to culture-free detection. Conventional diagnostics, such antibody- and PCR-based methods, are sensitive to identify pre-enriched pathogens in naturally infected crops at the late stage. However, they suffer from shortcomings relating to rapidity, signal strength, and a significant reduction in sensitivity in real plant extract. Progress has been made to address these challenges through development of labelled and non-labelled optical spectroscopy. Specifically, the micro-Raman spectroscopy enables fast, label-free, and non-invasive discrimination of viable but non-culturable pathogens at a single-cell level. A comprehensive spectroscopic database is always a prerequisite for identification, yet these spectroscopy-based methods are insufficient to detect previously unknown plant pathogens. The advance of single-cell sequencing and synthetic biology is beginning to address these crucial problems and is being used in related practical applications. Success will continue to be found at the interfaces between disciplines.
Unveiling the power of social influence: how functional, emotional, and social values drive Pilates participation through an extended TPB model
Authors: Kim Sukkyu , Jeong Yunduk , Jung Youngsu
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This study investigates how functional, emotional, and social values shape Pilates participants’ attitudes and behavioral intentions within an Extended Theory of Planned Behavior (ETPB) framework.

Method

A survey was conducted with 288 Pilates participants, and structural equation modeling was employed to analyze the relationships among perceived value, attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intention.

Results

The findings indicate that functional and social values positively influence attitudes, whereas emotional value has no significant effect. Moreover, subjective norms exert the strongest influence on behavioral intention, highlighting the importance of social factors in Pilates participation.

Discussion/conclusion

This study underscores the role of perceived value in shaping attitudes and confirms the dominant impact of subjective norms on behavioral intention. The findings offer theoretical contributions by refining the ETPB model and provide practical insights for enhancing engagement in Pilates programs.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by applying an ETPB model to the context of Pilates, incorporating perceived value as an additional factor. It challenges the traditional emphasis on attitude as the primary predictor of behavioral intention by highlighting the dominant role of subjective norms. These insights offer a more nuanced understanding of the factors driving Pilates participation and provide practical implications for developing strategies to enhance engagement and retention in Pilates programs.
The impact of inequality on social value orientation: an eye-tracking study
Authors: Wang Qian-Hui , Wei Zi-Han , Chen Wan-Ning , Na Yu , Gou Hui-Ming , Liu Hong-Zhi
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Researchers have developed the social value orientation (SVO) framework to describe prosocial tendencies. However, existing tools for measuring SVO lack sufficient attention to the effect of option inequality, driven by the inequality-aversion motive. In this research, we conducted an eye-tracking experiment to compare the traditional SVO measure with the inequality-controlled condition, investigating how it influences estimated SVO values and underlying process mechanisms.

Methods

A within-subjects eye-tracking experiment was conducted with 65 university students recruited from a university’s human subjects pool. Participants received 20 yuan (RMB; approximately US $2.9) in cash for their participation.

Results

SVOs were lower in the inequality-controlled condition than in the traditional SVO measure. Information processing, including complexity, depth, and direction, differed when fairness was controlled. The predictive effect of relative time advantage was also enhanced under controlled inequality conditions. In addition, the predictive effect of relative time advantage was stronger when controlling for option inequality, suggesting that controlling for option inequality enhances bottom-up information processing.

Discussion

These findings suggest that traditional SVO measures may overestimate prosocial tendencies due to a lack of inequality control. The study highlights the role of fairness evaluation in SVO assessments and provides insights into the cognitive mechanisms underlying prosocial decision-making, offering guidance for future SVO measurements.
Exploring the interplay of mental health knowledge, stigma, and social distance among clinical nurses: a study in Liaoning, China
Authors: Wang Weiwei , Xia Junhong , Chen Wei , Ye Junhua , Xie Kun , Zhang Zhuona , Binti Mohamad Siti Mardhiana , Shuid Ahmad Naqib
Published: February 2025

Background

Stigma related to mental health conditions has a negative impact on both the nursing staff and their patients. Most of the current research on stigma explores the impact of single factors on stigma and does not explore the relationship between knowledge, social distance and stigma among clinical nurses.

Methods

A convenience sampling method was used to conduct a questionnaire survey among 628 nurses from five hospitals in Liaoning Province in March 2021 and June 2021 using a combination of online and offline methods. To study the negative attitudes toward patients with mental illness among clinical nurses and to analyze the relationship between mental ill health stigma, social distancing, and mental health knowledge among nurses. The questionnaire includes Sociodemographic data, Scale for Assessing the Stigma of Mental Illness in Nursing (score range: 20~100, the higher the score, the less stigma attached to mental ill health), Mental Illness Social Distance Scale (score range: 6~30, the higher the score, the greater the social distance) and Mental Health and Mental Health Knowledge Questionnaire (score range: 0~25, the higher the score, the higher the knowledge level).

Results

The nurses’ mental ill health stigma score was 58.96 ± 9.38 points, the mean scores of psychiatric and general nurses were 58.86 ± 9.33 and 59.41 ± 9.58 points, respectively. Willingness to become a psychiatric nurse is a factor influencing the stigma of mental illness. The stigma of mental ill health, social distance and mental health knowledge of nurses are positively correlated (P<0.01). The mediation analysis demonstrated that mental health stigma significantly mediated the relationship between mental health knowledge and social distance (a= 0.599, P<0.001; b= -0.194, P<0.001). After accounting for stigma, the direct effect of mental health knowledge on social distance was no longer significant (c’=-0.007, P=0.078), highlighting the central role of stigma in this relationship.

Conclusions

Nurses mental ill health stigma is moderate and is the main mediating effect between mental health knowledge and social distancing. The pivotal role of mental health knowledge in shaping nurses’ attitudes and behaviors pertaining to social distancing in the context of mental illness. By combating stigma and enhancing mental health literacy among healthcare practitioners, we can foster environments that promote inclusive and compassionate care practices, thereby ameliorating patient outcomes and redressing disparities in mental health treatment.
Living infodemics across borders: experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic among migrants from India living in Norway
Authors: Kour Prabhjot , Adari Sai Harish , Kumar Bernadette , Diaz Esperanza
Published: February 2025

During the COVID-19 pandemic, migrants living in Norway navigated a complex “infodemic”, which encompassed diverse health information sources from health authorities and media from both local and their home country. This study aimed to explore the experiences of Indian migrants in Norway related to their encounters with varied, and sometimes inaccurate and conflicting information between India and Norway amidst COVID-19 pandemic. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 12 Indian migrants and data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The analysis yielded five main themes: (1) Transnational sources of information, (2) Drivers for trusting information, (3) Transnational healthcare-seeking behavior, (4) Influences underlying decision-making, and (5) Emotional impact of conflicting information. Our findings highlight the complexities of information consumption and its effects on the cognitive-emotional processes of migrants, discussing the role of factors such as familiarity, emotional ties, and trust. Further, the study identified the need for culturally sensitive health communication interventions, the establishment of trust with migrant communities through accurate information dissemination, and the requirement of strategies to support the emotional well-being of migrants in situations when health information varies quickly and differ geographically. The implications of this research extend to the development of effective public health strategies for migrant communities during global health crises.
Determining what matters: data resources for examining maternal health equity
Authors: Colf Leremy A. , Shreffler Karina M.
Published: February 2025

Maternal morbidity and mortality (MMM) rates in the U.S. are high and increasing, and are disproportionately experienced by understudied, underrepresented, and underreported (U3) populations, especially Black, Indigenous, and/or rural women. Decreasing MMM among U3 women would substantially improve maternal health equity and health outcomes, yet current data limitations inhibit our ability to fully understand the reasons underlying the disparities or regional nuances. This article calls for leveraging diverse, publicly available data such as deidentified health system utilization data; geocoded locations of hospitals providing multiple levels of maternal care services; and social determinants and demographic data into a series of linked datasets to enable county-level investigations of maternal health equity, healthcare utilization, and health outcomes.
Level of non-adherence and associated factors among children on antiretroviral therapy in public hospitals of South Wollo Zone, Northeast Ethiopia
Authors: Wondifraw Endalk Birrie , Belege Getaneh Fekadeselassie , Amare Muluken , Mihret Setegn , Biset Gebeyaw , Desu Tefera Birhanu , Zeleke Mulusew , Ahmed Fuad , Chanie Ermias Sisay
Published: February 2025

Background

Poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) occurs when an individual with Human Immune deficiency Virus does not follow the prescribed treatment regimen correctly. This includes missing doses, not taking medication as scheduled, taking medication inconsistently or irregularly, and failing to adhere to specific instructions. The lack of adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among children is a noteworthy issue that necessitates attention. The study aims to determine the level of non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and its associated factors in children receiving ART in public hospitals in the South Wollo Zone.

Methods

A multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted among children receiving antiretroviral therapy at South Wollo Zone public hospitals. A single population proportion formula was used to determine the required sample size. A computer-generated simple random sampling method was employed to select the participants. The tools used to assess adherence for all participants were viral load monitoring, Self-reporting, Pill counts, and Pharmacy refill records. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews, and reviewing patients’ documents using a structured checklist. The data were entered into Epi Data version 4.1 and analyzed using STATA 17. Binary logistic regression was employed to evaluate the relationship between the factors and the outcome variable. Variables were considered significant if the p-value was less than 0.05.

Result

Of 291 participants, 286 were involved in the study, making the response rate 98.3%. The mean age of the participants was 7.8 years old (±3.64 SD), and half of the 146 children (51%) were male. The overall proportion of ART non-adherence was 24.1% (95% CI: 19.2–29.0%). Positive TB status (Adjusted odd ratio (AOR) = 4.10, 95% CI: 1.90–8.88), diagnostic status not disclosed (AOR = 2.69, 95% CI: 1.43–5.00), and poor caregiver knowledge (AOR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.04–4.56) were significantly associated with poor adherence.

Conclusion

According to the current study, the level of non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy remains high compared to the targets set by the United Nations Joint Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) Project 95-95-95. TB co-infection, undisclosed diagnostic status, and poor caregiver knowledge were found to be significantly associated with non-adherence. Before and throughout ART, healthcare providers should provide intense and ongoing counseling to children and their caregivers.
Association between dietary patterns and sarcopenia among community-dwelling older adults in five provinces of China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Pu Rongchang , Jia Shanshan , Zhang Xiaona , Man Qingqing , Yu Dongmei , Cai Shuya , Song Pengkun , Zhang Jian
Published: February 2025

Background

Sarcopenia is prevalent in older adults and not only severely affects their health, but also brings a greater economic burden on the patient’s family as well as society. High-quality diet is one of influencing factors of sarcopenia, particularly important for muscle mass and function. This study aims to examine the dietary patterns of community-dwelling older adults in a typical region of China and explore the relationship between these dietary patterns and sarcopenia.

Methods

We used data of the Nutrition and Health Follow-up Study of the Chinese Population in 2021. Food frequency questionnaires were used to obtain food items intake frequency during the last year. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM), muscle strength and physical performance were assessed according to the Asian Sarcopenia Working Group (AWGS2019) criteria. Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify dietary patterns. Logistic regression models were used to examine the association between dietary patterns and sarcopenia.

Results

A total of 1,967 participants over the age of 65 were included in the study, and the prevalence of sarcopenia was 17.0%. According to the factor loadings of all of the 18 food groups, three dietary patterns were identified. These dietary patterns include the diversified dietary pattern, which is mainly characterized by the intake of soybeans, fungi and algae, animal meat, fruits, and legumes; the traditional dietary pattern, which is mainly defined by the consumption of rice, pork, poultry, vegetables, and aquatic products; and the wheat-based dietary pattern, which is mainly characterized by the intake of wheat, tubers, and other cereals. The diversified dietary pattern (OR = 0.54, p < 0.05) and the traditional dietary pattern (OR = 0.51, p < 0.05) were linked to a lower risk of developing sarcopenia, whereas the wheat-based dietary pattern (OR = 3.54, p < 0.05) was associated with a higher risk of sarcopenia. All three dietary patterns exhibited significantly correlated with muscle mass, grip strength, and physical performance (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Dietary patterns are associated with sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults in China. Adopting a healthy and sensible balanced diet and avoiding a single dietary preference may reduce the risk of sarcopenia in older adults.
SE(3) group convolutional neural networks and a study on group convolutions and equivariance for DWI segmentation
Authors: Liu Renfei , Lauze François , Bekkers Erik J. , Darkner Sune , Erleben Kenny
Published: February 2025

We present an SE(3) Group Convolutional Neural Network along with a series of networks with different group actions for segmentation of Diffusion Weighted Imaging data. These networks gradually incorporate group actions that are natural for this type of data, in the form of convolutions that provide equivariant transformations of the data. This knowledge provides a potentially important inductive bias and may alleviate the need for data augmentation strategies. We study the effects of these actions on the performances of the networks by training and validating them using the diffusion data from the Human Connectome project. Unlike previous works that use Fourier-based convolutions, we implement direct convolutions, which are more lightweight. We show how incorporating more actions - using the SE(3) group actions - generally improves the performances of our segmentation while limiting the number of parameters that must be learned.
Deceased donor uterus transplantation: religious perceptions
Authors: Pittman Jana , Gerstl Brigitte , Cavazzoni Elena , Rogers Natasha Mireille , Lotz Mianna , Deans Rebecca
Published: February 2025

Background

Uterus transplant now offers an alternative deceased donation treatment option for women with uterine infertility. Limited research exists on religious opinions that may impact the addition of the uterus to current multi-organ deceased donor programs

Objective

To explore the acceptability of uterus transplantation and deceased uterus donation across different religious groups.

Design

A cross-sectional survey of 2,497 participants was conducted between October 2022 and January 2023 in NSW Australia. Australia is a culturally and religiously diverse nation with over 60% of people identifying with a religion, including Christianity (43%), Islam (3.2%), Buddhism (2.7%), Hinduism (2.4%). This survey captured awareness and attitudes towards deceased uterus donation. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses were used to explore factors influencing organ donation and next-of-kin perceptions.

Results

A total of 2,497 respondents completed the survey. Christians had greater awareness of organ donation but were less likely to be registered donors, or consent to uterus donation. Those of Hindu faith were less likely to be registered organ donors. Next-of-kin from the Islamic faith were reluctant to consent to organ donation if the donor's pre-death wishes were unknown, and less likely to consent to uterus donation. Participants identifying as Buddhist had a higher awareness of uterus transplantation.

Conclusion

Organ donor awareness and consent rates varied across religious groups, including for uterus donation. Differences may stem from varying beliefs about bodily integrity, and reproductive rights, which may influence attitudes toward uterus donation. Tailored culturally and linguistically sensitive educational campaigns should address the unique aspects of uterus donation.
Redefining disease in the age of blood-based biomarkers
Authors: Reddy Naveen K.
Published: February 2025

This article explores the sociological and ethical implications of redefining disease in the era of advanced diagnostic technologies, with a focus on blood-based biomarkers. Drawing from Foucault's concept of medicalization and Illich's critique of disease mongering, it highlights how diagnostic expansions, driven by corporate and institutional influences, are reshaping the boundaries of health and disease. Advances such as blood assays for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, liquid biopsies in oncology, and biomarkers for depression and diabetes, while promising, raise concerns about premature diagnoses and overtreatment. The influence of pharmaceutical and insurance industries on diagnostic criteria, as seen in the ICD updates, underscores the need to address conflicts of interest and regulatory gaps. Case studies on Alzheimer's and Parkinson's reveal how these changes could benefit stakeholders at the expense of patient welfare. The article calls for ethical oversight, stricter regulation, and research into the population-level efficacy of diagnostic and treatment protocols.
Relationship between ruminative dispositions and perceived sports performance in young elite athletes in Hong Kong: the role of problem-oriented coping strategies
Authors: Chen Dong-Tai , Nien Jui-Ti , Geng Xiaoling , Yu Jeffrey , Singhnoy Chatkamon , Chang Yu-Kai
Published: February 2025

There is a nuanced relationship between rumination and sports performance, which may depend on individuals being predisposed to specific facets of rumination. Additionally, ruminative dispositions are intertwined with coping strategies, with both playing crucial roles in sports performance. This study aimed to investigate the relationships among ruminative dispositions, coping strategies, and sports performance in athletes, considering the perspective of multi-dimensional rumination. This study also examined whether coping strategies are associated with the relationship between ruminative dispositions and perceived sports performance. Parallel mediation analysis was conducted on 111 young elite athletes from the Hong Kong national team to examine the relationships between ruminative dispositions, coping strategies, and sports performance. The results revealed that emotion-focused ruminative disposition (ERD) and meaning-searching ruminative disposition (MRD) were negatively associated with perceived sports performance, with problem-oriented coping (POC) playing a partial role. In contrast, instrumental ruminative disposition (IRD) was positively associated with perceived sports performance, fully via POC. These findings suggest that athletes with higher levels of ERD and MRD tend to use POC less frequently, which was associated with poor perceived sports performance. Conversely, athletes with higher levels of IRD tend to employ POC more frequently, which was positively associated with perceived sports performance. The proposed model provides the theoretical framework for multi-dimensional rumination in sports psychology and outlines the potential impact of coping strategies on athletic performance. Importantly, this research underscores that the outcome of rumination is contingent upon its focus.
Enhancing land nutrient through rhizobia biofertilization: modeling the joint effects of rhizobium inoculants and improved soybean varieties on soybean productivity in North Central, Nigeria
Authors: Kolapo Adetomiwa , Ojo Temitope O. , Khumalo Nolwazi Z. , Elhindi Khalid M. , Kassem Hazem S. , Filusi Olajide Julius
Published: February 2025

Improving bacterial nitrogen fixation in grain legumes is central to the sustainable intensification of agriculture using rhizobia biofertilization. However, few studies have evaluated their joint impact on productivity using improved soybean varieties. Using household-level data from North Central Nigeria, this study explored the joint effects of the adoption of improved soybean varieties and the use of rhizobium inoculants on soybean yield and farm income. As both observed and unobserved factors may affect farmers’ decisions to adopt improved soybean varieties, a recursive bivariate probit (RBP) model is used to address the selection bias issue associated with the adoption of improved soybean varieties. Furthermore, a selectivity-corrected ordinary least square (OLS) model is applied to estimate the joint effects of the adoption of improved soybean varieties and usage of rhizobium inoculants on soybean yield and farm income. The results of the RBP model reveal a negative selection bias due to unobserved factors. After controlling for this selection bias, the results show that the adoption of improved soybean varieties increases the probability of using rhizobium inoculant by 25.2% as a complementary technological package. Soybean yield and farm income are positively and statistically significantly impacted by the adoption of improved soybean varieties (ISV). In the same vein, the adoption of rhizobium inoculants shows a positive and statistically significant effect on the yield and income from soybean production. This implies that farmers’ use of rhizobium inoculants helps them increase their farm yield while also improving their income. To provide more robust insights into this study, a robustness check, using unconditional quantile regression at different quantiles, was estimated. The findings demonstrate the heterogeneous effects of rhizobium inoculants and the adoption of improved soybean varieties adoption on soybean yield and farm income. Our finding generally confirms the significant role of the adoption of improved soybean varieties in facilitating farmers’ use of rhizobium inoculants as a complementary package.
Generating regenerative agriculture
Authors: Garbisu Carlos , Unamunzaga Olatz , Alkorta Itziar
Published: February 2025

Despite its being still a somewhat vague concept, regenerative agriculture has progressively been gaining momentum and popularity in recent years. While discussing the meaning of the term regenerative agriculture, we propose to link regenerative agriculture with the safe and just Earth system boundaries framework, as the basis for the generation of a paradigm that could robustly ground an appealing regenerative narrative that could nourish the vocation of a new generation of farmers and agronomists. The evaluation of the safe and just Earth system boundaries accounts for Earth system resilience and human well-being in an integrated framework, which is precisely what sustainable agriculture is all about. Our proposal connects the small (the farm) with the colossal (the Earth) in an attempt to confront one of the main sources of criticism for agriculture, i.e., its global environmental impact. The idea is to define the performance of regenerative agriculture in terms of its positive influence on the eight safe and just Earth system boundaries through its sustainable contribution to a highly-productive, environmentally-sound, nature- and biodiversity-respectful, socially-responsible, and ethically-committed agriculture. Finally, we propose a definition of regenerative agriculture that incorporates the abovementioned proposal.
Changes in quality of life of early-stage lung cancer patients undergoing sublobar resection: a systematic review
Authors: Magouliotis Dimitrios E. , Cioffi Ugo , Minervini Fabrizio , Lampridis Savvas , Guttadauro Angelo , Scarci Marco
Published: February 2025

Objective

This systematic review aimed to evaluate the impact of sublobar resection (SLR) on the quality of life (QoL) of patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Specifically, it compared outcomes between sublobar resection, lobectomy, and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT).

Methods

A literature search was conducted across PubMed and Scopus, identifying studies published from 2010 to 2024 that reported QOL outcomes in early-stage NSCLC patients treated with lobectomy, SLR, or SBRT. Inclusion criteria were studies with more than 10 patients, written in English, and using validated QoL metrics. Data on demographics, interventions, QoL tools, and findings were extracted, and study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the ROBINS-I tool.

Results

Five studies involving 1,149 patients from six countries met the inclusion criteria. QoL outcomes consistently favored SLR over lobectomy in domains such as physical and respiratory function, with SLR patients experiencing faster recovery and fewer complications. Minimally invasive techniques, such as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), further enhanced these outcomes. SBRT demonstrated stable QOL post-treatment but lacked the long-term physical recovery benefits observed with SLR. Commonly employed QoL tools included the EORTC QLQ-C30, Leicester Cough Questionnaire, and NSCLC-PQOL, each capturing distinct dimensions of patient QoL status.

Conclusion

Sublobar resection provides significant QoL benefits for selected early-stage NSCLC patients compared to lobectomy, particularly in respiratory health and recovery endpoints. These findings highlight the value of personalized surgical approaches and the need for further research on optimizing QoL in NSCLC management.
Cross-kingdom regulation of gene expression in giant pandas via plant-derived miRNA
Authors: Tan Helin , Wang Chengdong , Li Feng , Peng Yue , Sima Jiacheng , Li Ying , Deng Linhua , Wu Kai , Xu Zhongxian , Zhang Zejun
Published: February 2025

Giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) belong to the order Carnivora, but they mainly feed on bamboo, and their unique dietary adaptability has always been the focus of research. Recent research indicates that plant-derived microRNAs (miRNAs) can be delivered to animal organisms via exosomes and exert cross-kingdom regulatory effects on gene expression. To explore the role of plant-derived miRNAs in the dietary adaptation of giant pandas, we collected peripheral blood samples from three groups of pandas: juvenile females, adult females, and adult males—and extracted exosomes from the blood for small RNA sequencing. Additionally, three types of bamboo (shoots, stems, and leaves) consumed by the pandas were sampled for miRNA sequencing. Through comparative analysis, we identified 57 bamboo-derived miRNAs in the extracellular exosomes of giant panda peripheral blood. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) functional enrichment analyses of the target genes for these miRNAs revealed their involvement in various pathways, including taste and olfactory signal transduction, digestion and absorption, and hormonal signal transduction. Furthermore, we found that plant-derived miRNAs can modulate dopamine metabolism in giant pandas, thereby influencing their food preferences. This study shows that plant-derived miRNAs can enter the bloodstream of giant pandas and exert cross-kingdom regulatory effects, potentially playing a vital role in their dietary adaptation process.
Potential of Three Plant Extracts in Suppressing Potato Dry Rot Caused by Fusarium incarnatum Under Normal and Cold Storage
Authors: El-Nagar Asmaa , Mazrou Yasser S. A. , Elzaawely Abdelnaser A. , Makhlouf Abeer H. , Hassan Mohamed , El-Zahaby Hassan M. , Xuan Tran Dang
Published: February 2025

The potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the most widely consumed vegetable crops worldwide. During storage, potato tubers are vulnerable to various phytopathogenic fungi. Dry rot, caused by Fusarium incarnatum, is a common and serious disease that affects potato tubers, leading to partial or complete decay during storage. The current study assessed the effectiveness of three ethanolic extracts including cinnamon bark (CIB), clove buds (CLB), and avocado seeds (AVS) in controlling potato dry rot under both normal and cold storage conditions. In vitro bioassay demonstrated that all tested extracts exhibited a dose-dependent fungistatic effect against F. incarnatum, with inhibition percentages of 83.33% for CIB, 72.22% for CLB, and 67.77% for AVS at the highest tested concentration. Moreover, dipping potato tubers in the tested extracts markedly reduced the severity of dry rot disease under both normal and cold storage conditions. Additionally, treated tubers showed increased activities of defense-related enzymes, including catalase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase. Furthermore, there were higher levels of total soluble phenolics and flavonoids, along with an increase in lignin content and a reduction in the weight loss of stored potato tubers compared to the control group. Moreover, the extracts mitigated infection stress and lowered malondialdehyde levels in the treated potato tubers. These extracts show potential as environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical fungicides for managing potato dry rot caused by F. incarnatum under normal and cold storage.
Modeling the Effects of Extreme Temperatures on the Infection Rate of Botrytis cinerea Using Historical Climate Data (1951–2023) of Central Chile
Authors: Campillay-Llanos William , Ortega-Farías Samuel , González-Colville Patricio , Díaz Gonzalo A. , López-Flores Marlon M. , López-Olivari Rafael
Published: February 2025

Extreme maximum temperatures in summer present a significant risk to agroindustry as crops and their ecological interactions have critical thermal limits that can affect their performance and microorganisms-related. Gray mold disease caused by Botrytis cinerea is the most critical disease affecting crops worldwide. In this sense, the impact of temperature on agricultural productivity is well documented in the Northern Hemisphere; the risk of extreme temperatures on the infection rate of B. cinerea in Central Chile is limited. This study analyzes historical climate data from January and February between 1951 and 2023 for the cities of Santiago, Talca, Chillán, and Los Ángeles. The aim was to examine trends in extreme maximum temperatures (EMTs) and develop a simple model to estimate the infection rate of B. cinerea. Linear trend analyses were conducted, as was analysis of the probability of occurrence. Additionally, five-year averages were calculated, and a generic model was presented to assess the effects of warming on the infection rate. The analysis shows positive growth in extreme maximum temperatures in January and February, with projections for 2024, 2025, and 2026 at 70%, 80%, and 80%, respectively. February showed the most significant thermal increase among all stations, with Chillán and Los Ángeles recording higher increases than Santiago and Talca. Projections suggest temperatures near 40–41 °C. The five-year averages for Chillán and Los Ángeles exceeded 37 °C in the 2016–2020 period, the highest values during the analyzed time frame. Trends for 2021–2026 indicate upper limits above 38 °C. These trends, combined with dry summers, could increase the severity of infections and modify the optimal thermal conditions for the pathogen. The results suggest that thermal changes could reduce the infection risk by B. cinerea on fruit crops in Central Chile, and a theoretical approach is proposed to develop predictive tools to facilitate risk assessment in a warming environment.
Fitness Burden for the Stepwise Acquisition of First- and Second-Line Antimicrobial Reduced-Susceptibility in High-Risk ESKAPE MRSA Superbugs
Authors: Chines Eleonora , Vertillo Aluisio Gaia , Santagati Maria , Mezzatesta Maria Lina , Cafiso Viviana
Published: February 2025

Background: The fitness costs (FCs) of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are crucial issues in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) onset, spread, and, consequently, public health. In Staphylococcus aureus, AMR can induce significant FCs due to slow growth, low competitiveness, and virulence. Here, we investigated the genomics and FCs emerging for progressively acquiring daptomycin (DAP) and glycopeptide (GLY) reduced susceptibility in MRSA. Methods: Genomics was carried out using Illumina-MiSeq Whole-genome sequencing and bioinformatics. The biological FCs of isogenic MRSA strain pairs progressively acquiring DAP and GLY-reduced susceptibility, under DAP/GLY mono or combined therapy, were performed by in-vitro independent and competitive mixed growth, phenotypic in-vitro virulence analysis, and in-vivo G. mellonella larvae killing. Results: Genomics evidenced four different extremely resistant high-risk clones, i.e., ST-5 N315 HA-MRSA, ST-398 LA-MRSA, ST-22 USA-100 HA-EMRSA-15, and ST-1 MW2 CA-MRSA. In-vitro fitness assays revealed slow growth, lower competitiveness, and reduced virulence, predominantly in Galleria mellonella killing ability, in DAP-S hGISA, DAP-R GSSA, DAP-R hGISA, and DAP-R GISA strains. Conclusions: The occurrence of glycopeptide and daptomycin reduced susceptibility conferred increasing FCs, paid as a gradual reduction in virulence, competitiveness, and slow growth performance.