bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Uncharted Territory: Early Events After Adenovirus 26-Based Vaccination
Authors:   , Márquez Martínez Sonia
Published: May 2024

Vaccines play a crucial role in improving human health by reducing the incidence and mortality of vaccine-preventable diseases, such as diphtheria, smallpox, polio, measles, mumps, and rubella. Vaccines confer protection against specific pathogens by triggering an immune response in the host and they can be produced on different platforms including inactivated or weakened pathogens or toxins, viral vectors (such as adenovirus or modified vaccinia virus Ankara), subunit vaccines, and genetic vaccines (e.g., mRNA vaccines).

Adenovirus-based vaccines encode one or more disease-specific transgenes to induce immunity against the target disease. Adenoviral vectors present certain characteristics that make them excellent vaccine platforms, such as the induction of transgene-specific immunity, large packaging capacity (up to 35 kbp of transgenic sequence), and broad tropism. In the field of prophylactic vaccines, the use of adenoviral vectors is limited to non-replicating vectors. These vectors are engineered through genetic modifications of the virus to produce a non-replicating virion that can carry a transgene of interest. Adenovirus-based vaccines elicit strong immune responses against the transgene that they carry and these immune responses depend heavily on early events following vaccination.

In this dissertation, we study early events after adenovirus-based vaccination to understand their role in shaping adaptive immune responses and the development of adverse effects.
Genotoxic effects of the insect repellent n, n-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) and detection of retinoblastoma gene expression in human lymphocytes: A pilot study
Authors: Drakaki Eirini , Stavros Sofoklis , Konstantinou Foteini , Mavrogianni Despoina , Antonopoulou Maria , Drakakis Peter , Vlastos Dimitris
Published: May 2024

N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET), has been used as the active ingredient in the majority of the commercial insect repellents for decades. Its extensive usage is related to the total protection that provides against a broad spectrum of biting insects. In the last few years, residues of DEET have been detected all over the world in various aquatic environments including drinking water. Consequently, DEET has become an emerging contaminant and the evaluation of its potential effects on human genetic material -presents major scientific interest. The genotoxic and cytotoxic activity of DEET at different concentrations (i.e. 50, 100, 200 and 300 μg/ml) was evaluated by employing the Cytokinesis Block MicroNucleus (CBMN) assay in cultured human lymphocytes. DNA was extracted from all samples, and DNA methylation was performed. The expression of retinoblastoma (RB) gene was assessed by real-time RT-PCR. The obtained results showed low gene expression irrespective of DEET concentration, therefore, further studies are required to draw definite conclusions. It is worth noting that there are no previous studies correlating DEET and its influence on RB gene expression. Our findings on the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of DEET in cultured human lymphocytes suggest the potential human health risks of DEET. It is proposed that DEET should be handled with care, in order to minimize its environmental and human risk.
The burden imposed by twin pregnancies οn a high-risk pregnancy unit: A retrospective cohort study in Greece
Authors: Tsakiridis Ioannis , Kapetanios Georgios , Chatzilazarou Kyriaki , Michos Georgios , Mamopoulos Apostolos , Athanasiadis Apostolos , Dagklis Themistoklis
Published: May 2024

Introduction: Twin pregnancies are associated with several pregnancy complications often necessitating admission for close surveillance. The present study aimed to investigate the burden imposed by twin pregnancies on a high-risk pregnancy unit (HRPU) of a tertiary hospital. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted between January 2017 and December 2022 in the Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. All women with twin pregnancies admitted in the HRPU were eligible to participate. The duration of hospitalization and the outcome of the pregnancy were the main outcomes of the study. Secondary outcomes were the associations between the duration and the pregnancy outcome and several maternal and obstetrical parameters. Results: From a total of 1,351 women hospitalized in the HRPU during the study period, 154 (11.4%) women were carrying twins. The mean duration of hospitalization was 6.1 days (± 6), the main indication for admission was threatened preterm labor (TPTL) (37%) and most cases ended up in delivery (64.9%). Advancing maternal age (OR: 1.066; 95% CI: 1.010-1.126; p=0.02), early gestational age on admission (OR: 0.807; 95% CI: 0.718-0.907; p<0.001) and fetal growth restriction (FGR) (OR: 2.728; 95% CI: 1.035-7.189; p=0.042) were identified as independent risk factors for longer stay at the HRPU. With regards to pregnancy outcome, advancing gestational age on admission (OR: 1.158; 95% CI: 1.044-1.285; p=0.006) and preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) (OR: 6.239; 95% CI: 1.712-22.741; p=0.006) were identified as independent risk factors for delivery, instead of discharge. Conclusions: About one out of nine hospitalized high-risk pregnancies were twins, thus, imposing a high burden for the HRPU, while one third of them had symptoms of TPTL. Close antenatal care is required for twin pregnancies to early detect possible complications and thus, improve perinatal outcomes.
Negotiating Telework in France: Collective Bargaining Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Thoemmes Prof. Dr. Jens
Published: May 2024

This article explores the negotiation of telework practices within French companies, drawing on seven case studies and 60 interviews conducted across various sectors in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Teleworking has garnered significant support, yet preferences among employees are diverse, leading to an evident shift towards hybrid work models that merge remote and on-site work. This preference indicates a departure from the clear-cut choice between in-person and remote work. Collective bargaining significantly influences the development of telework policies, which remain fluid due to the iterative lockdowns. The temporary nature of these policies results in frequent revisions, causing instability in long-term planning. Each company’s strategy is customized, reflecting its unique circumstances, such as previous telework practices, operational constraints, social dynamics, and company size. With the receding pandemic, there’s a noticeable trend towards limited telework, reflecting a consensus between management and unions to address remote work challenges. This situation highlights the intricate balance between individual worker preferences, union representation, and management objectives, with all parties engaged in reshaping workplace norms.
A Conceptual Swarm Intelligence Framework for Deriving a Global Healthcare Machine Learning Model
Authors: Davalos Dr. Sergio
Published: May 2024

The analysis of healthcare data is increasingly challenging due to the exponential growth in data volume and the diversity of data formats available. This is compounded by the necessity for patient confidentiality and security. Traditional healthcare systems, often localized, face significant barriers to the goal of achieving efficient information use that limits the use of advanced machine learning. We examine methodologies for deriving a global machine learning (ML) model. We examine the role of federated learning (FL) and swarm learning (SL) in enhancing privacy, security, and interoperability in healthcare data and model management for the development of scalable, collaborative model training. Utilizing cloud computing and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies as the ecosystem for machine learning can result in comprehensively addressing current limitations in healthcare informatics. We present an architecture for the development of a global model that incorporates the FL and SL incorporating a Swarm Intelligence communication layer.
Cultural Perception of Pain and Methods Used in Coping with Pain During Menstruation İn Turkey
Authors: Işık Meryem Türkan , Can Özdemir Rana
Published: May 2024

Menstruation is a natural process, and pain, an unpleasant symptom, negatively affects quality of life. The aim of this study is to determine women's cultural perception of pain during menstruation, traditional and complementary medicinal practices used to cope with the pain, and pain beliefs.
This study has a cross-sectional design. The sample of the study consisted of 892 women For data collection a questionnaire created by the researchers after literature review and the Pain Beliefs Questionnaire were used. 71.9% of the participants used traditional methods to reduce menstrual pain. Factors that affected the pain beliefs score were education level, health insurance status, longest region of residence, frequency of pain during menstruation, using painkillers, using traditional methods and factors causing pain (p
ANALISIS KESEHATAN KPRI PERUM PERHUTANI KPH MADIUN BERDASARKAN PERDEP KEMENTERIAN KUKM RI NOMOR 06/PER/DEP.6/IV/2016
Authors: Amir Vaisal , Widi Nugroho Sasmito , Dwi Christanti Yana , Kristanti Dwi Wahyu
Published: May 2024

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk melihat tingkat kesehatan koperasi pegawai republik Indonesia perum perhutani KPH Madiun. Data yang diperoleh dalam penelitian ini adalah data primer dan sekunder. Data primer dalam penelitian ini berasal dari wawancara yang dilakukan oleh peneliti, sedangkan data sekunder diperoleh dari dokumen-dokumen yang terkait dengan objek penelitian. Adapun hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa secara keseluruhan tingkat kesehatan KPRI Perum Perhutani KPH Madiun tahun 2018 – 2020 berada dalam kategori cukup sehat.
Penerapan Metode Collaborative Filtering untuk Rekomendasi Tempat Kos di Sekitar Kampus UM Pontianak
Authors: Agustian Agustian , Alkadri Syarifah Putri Agustini , Istikoma Istikoma
Published: May 2024

Rekomendasi tempat kos merupakan salah satu kebutuhan bagi pelajar, namun menemukan kos yang sesuai dengan kebutuhan dan preferensi siswa bukanlah hal yang mudah. Hal ini disebabkan oleh banyaknya faktor yang perlu dipertimbangkan seperti lokasi, harga, fasilitas dan reputasi. Oleh karena itu, penelitian ini dilakukan untuk membangun sistem rekomendasi tempat kos menggunakan metode Collaborative Filtering yang dapat membantu mahasiswa menemukan kos yang sesuai dengan kebutuhan dan preferensi mereka. Data yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah data penilaian kos-kosan dari pengguna, data tersebut dianalisis menggunakan metode Collaborative Filtering untuk menghasilkan model rekomendasi. Hasil Evaluasi menunjukkan bahwa sistem rekomendasi yang dibangun memiliki tingkat akurasi yang cukup baik. Berdasarkan nilai Mean Absolute Error (MAE) dengan akurasi 29.68%, sistem ini dapat memprediksi penilaian kos-kosan dengan kesalahan rata-rata yang sangat rendah. Selain itu, hasil pengujian User Acceptance Testing (UAT) dengan persentase respon positif 83.2% menunjukkan bahwa sistem rekomendasi ini diterima dengan baik oleh pengguna. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian ini, dapat disimpulkan bahwa metode Collaborative Filtering efektif dalam membangun sistem rekomendasi tempat kos yang akurat dan berguna bagi pengguna.
Perancangan Model Manajemen (Tata Kelola) Data Menggunakan Domain APO14 COBIT 2019
Authors: Prasetya Rendra , Alva Hendi Muhammad  , Asro Nasiri
Published: May 2024

Manajemen data memainkan peran krusial dalam operasional organisasi, pentingnya manajemen (tata kelola) data yang tepat untuk mendukung operasional dan pengambilan keputusan yang cermat. COBIT 2019, terutama melalui domain APO14, memberikan kerangka kerja penting bagi organisasi dalam mengoptimalkan manajemen data mereka. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis penerapan COBIT 2019 dalam meningkatkan tata kelola di organisasi, dengan fokus pada Fakultas Syariah di IAIN Ponorogo sebagai studi kasus. Manajemen data yang baik tidak hanya mempengaruhi operasional internal organisasi tetapi juga dampaknya pada keputusan strategis, inovasi, dan daya saing di pasar. Pentingnya tata kelola data yang tepat tercermin dalam praktik seperti perencanaan, pengorganisasian, penyimpanan, dan pemanfaatan data secara cermat. Namun, masih ada tantangan dalam mengintegrasikan secara holistik di berbagai unit dalam organisasi, seperti yang terjadi di Fakultas Syariah IAIN Ponorogo. Dengan pencapaian nilai capability level tata kelola data sebesar 3,14 menurut domain APO14 COBIT 2019, Fakultas Syariah telah mencapai tingkat memadai dalam pengelolaan data. Meski demikian, terdapat kebutuhan untuk meningkatkan aspek-aspek tertentu dalam subdomain seperti APO14.02, APO14.03, APO14.04, APO14.06, APO14.07, APO14.08, APO14.09, dan APO14.10.  Penelitian ini berkontribusi pada pemahaman dan pengembangan COBIT 2019, khususnya domain APO14 dalam konteks manajemen data, dan memberikan pandangan yang jelas serta rekomendasi praktis dalam meningkatkan tata kelola data organisasi.
Klasifikasi Tingkat Kepuasan di Maskapai Penerbangan: Studi Komparasi Algoritma K-NN dan Adaboost
Authors: Maysa Ade , Alkadri Syarifah Putri Agustini , Istikoma Istikoma
Published: May 2024

Dalam persaingan bisnis yang ketat, kepuasan pelanggan menjadi kunci utama dalam meningkatkan kinerja perusahaan, terutama di industri penerbangan. Faktor-faktor seperti bagasi tertinggal di bandara keberangkatan, air conditioning (AC) pesawat yang tidak berfungsi selama penerbangan, dan keterlambatan penerbangan hingga 2 jam berpotensi besar mempengaruhi kepuasan penumpang. Untuk meningkatkan efisiensi layanan, perusahaan harus melakukan survei guna memahami faktor-faktor yang memengaruhi kepuasan pelanggan dan mencapai keunggulan kompetitif. Dalam mengukur kualitas layanan, indikator kepuasan penumpang menjadi penting sebagai pandangan bisnis. Dengan menggunakan teknik data mining, khususnya model klasifikasi dalam menganalisis data kepuasan pelanggan, perusahaan dapat menemukan komponen utama yang berkontribusi terhadap kepuasan atau ketidakpuasan pelanggan, seperti kualitas makanan, ketepatan waktu penerbangan, dan layanan di dalam pesawat. Penelitian ini mengkomparasi algoritma K-Nearest Neighbors (K-NN) dan Adaptive Boosting (Adaboost) yang bertujuan untuk mengetahui algoritma mana yang memiliki performa yang baik, untuk mengukur performa dari kedua algoritma maka akan digunakan teknik confusion matrix. Hasil akurasi algoritma K-NN sebesar 86%, dengan nilai precision 85% dan recall 78%. Sementara itu, algoritma Adaboost berhasil mencapai akurasi 90%, dengan nilai precision 90% dan recall 84%. Dengan akurasi, precision, dan recall yang lebih tinggi, Adaboost menjadi pilihan terbaik, dengan mencatat score true positive (TP) 3.199 dan true negative (TN) 5.550.
Gut microbiota influence acute pancreatitis through inflammatory proteins: a Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Huang Peiyao , Liu Qiang , Zhang Tianlong , Yang Jianfeng
Published: May 2024

Background/Aim

We employed Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to investigate the causal relationship between the gut microbiota, acute pancreatitis, and potential inflammatory proteins.

Methods

The data for gut microbiota, acute pancreatitis, and inflammatory proteins are sourced from public databases. We conducted a bidirectional MR analysis to explore the causal relationship between gut microbiota and acute pancreatitis, and employed a two-step MR analysis to identify potential mediating inflammatory proteins. IVW is the primary analysis method, heterogeneity, pleiotropy, and sensitivity analyses were also conducted simultaneously.

Results

We identified five bacterial genera associated with the risk of acute pancreatitis, namely genus.Coprococcus3, genus.Eubacterium fissicatena group, genus.Erysipelotrichaceae UCG-003, genus.Fusicatenibacter, and genus.Ruminiclostridium6. Additionally, we have discovered three inflammatory proteins that are also associated with the occurrence of acute pancreatitis, namely interleukin-15 receptor subunit alpha (IL-15RA), monocyte chemoattractant protein-4 (CCL13), and tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 9 (TNFRSF9). Following a two-step MR analysis, we ultimately identified IL-15RA as a potential intermediate factor, with a mediated effect of 0.018 (95% CI: 0.005 - 0.032).

Conclusion

Our results support the idea that genus.Coprococcus3 promotes the occurrence of acute pancreatitis through IL-15RA. Furthermore, there is a potential causal relationship between the gut microbiota, inflammatory proteins, and acute pancreatitis. These findings provide new insights for subsequent acute pancreatitis prevention.
Youth netizens as global citizens: digital citizenship and global competence among undergraduate students
Authors: Cleofas Jerome Visperas , Labayo Czarina C.
Published: May 2024

The digitalization of everyday life among young people exposed them to knowledge and cultures from societies outside their own. Digital citizenship, characterized by online respect and civic engagement, can facilitate students’ positive interactions within the global community and enhance their global competencies, including self-awareness, intercultural communication, and global knowledge. However, empirical studies linking digital citizenship and global competence are limited. Drawing from an online survey sample of 698 Filipino undergraduate students, this cross-sectional study examines the relationship between digital citizenship and global competence. Findings indicate that online civic engagement and being a working student positively predict all domains of global competence. Online respect positively correlated with intercultural communication. Certain demographic and education-related variables were significant predictors of at least one domain of global competence (p < 0.05). The findings underscore the importance of educational institutions fostering online social participation to cultivate globally competent students.
Can machine learning models predict soil moisture evaporation rates? An investigation via novel feature selection techniques and model comparisons
Authors: Priyanka Priyanka , Kumar Praveen , Panda Sucheta , Thakur Tejinder , Uday K. V. , Dutt Varun
Published: May 2024

Extreme weather events and global climate change have exacerbated the problem of evaporation rates. Thus, accurately predicting soil moisture evaporation rates affecting soil cracking becomes crucial. However, less is known about how novel feature engineering techniques and machine-learning predictions may account for estimating the soil moisture evaporation rate. This research focuses on predicting the evaporation rate of soil using machine learning (ML) models. The dataset comprised twenty-one ground-based parameters, including temperature, humidity, and soil-related features, used as features to predict evaporation potential. To tackle the high number of features and potential uncorrelated features, a novel guided backpropagation-based feature selection technique was developed to rank the most relevant features. The top-10 features, highly correlated with evaporation rate, were selected for ML model input, alongside the top-5 and all features. Several ML models, including multiple regression (MR), K-nearest neighbor (KNN), multilayer perceptron (MLP), sequential minimal optimization regression (SMOreg), random forest (RF), and a novel K-Nearest Oracles (KNORA) ensemble, were constructed for the purpose of forecasting the evaporation rate. The average error of these models was assessed using the root mean squared error (RMSE). Experimental results showed that the KNORA ensemble model performed the best, achieving a 7.54 mg/h RMSE in testing with the top-10 features. MLP was followed closely by a 25.1 mg/h RMSE in the same testing. An empirical model using all features showed a higher RMSE of 1319.1 mg/h, indicating the superiority of the ML models for accurate evaporation rate predictions. We highlight the implications of our results for climate-induced soil cracking in the real world.
Impacts of anthropogenic climate change on meteorological drought in China
Authors: Dai Ran , Huang Jinlong , Chen Ziyan , Zhou Jian , Havea Peni Hausia
Published: May 2024

Drought, being one of the most devastating natural disasters, has a far-reaching impact. In the context of global warming, it becomes crucial to quantitatively and scientifically assess the effects of anthropogenic climate change on meteorological drought in China. This assessment not only enhances our understanding of anthropogenic climate change but also aids in formulating more effective strategies for managing the risks associated with meteorological drought. This study employs the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) to compute drought events by utilizing both observational data and counterfactual climate data (i.e., detrended observations). Subsequently, it analyzes the impact of anthropogenic climate change on the characteristics of drought, including frequency, intensity, duration, and affected area, in China as well as nine major river basins from 1960 to 2019. The outcomes of the analysis reveal that based on observational data, there is a discernible upward trend in the frequency, intensity, duration, and affected area of meteorological droughts in China. Notably, the regions experiencing an increase in frequency, intensity, and duration are primarily situated in the northeastern part of the Northwestern Rivers basin, the central and western parts of the Yellow River basin, the central and northern parts of the Yangtze River basin, the western part of the Southeastern River basins, and the eastern part of the Pearl River basin. Conversely, when considering a counterfactual climate scenario, the frequency and intensity of meteorological droughts in China demonstrate an upward trend, while the duration and affected area exhibit a downward trend. The impact of anthropogenic climate change on China has been evident in the increased frequency, intensity, duration, and affected area of droughts. Specifically, regions located in the northeastern parts of Northwest River basins, the southern part of the Songliao River basin, the northern part of the Haihe River basin, the central-northern part of the Yangtze River basin, the eastern part of the Pearl River basin, and the western part of the Southwest River basins have experienced amplified levels of drought. Anthropogenic climate change is highlighted as the primary factor influencing the observed drought characteristics changes in China, with contribution rates of 84.67%, 75.25%, 190.32%, and 133.99% for changes in the increased drought frequency, intensity, duration, and affected area, respectively. These changes have significant implications for water resource management and agricultural practices in the affected regions.
Iodine nutritional status and its associations with thyroid function of pregnant women and neonatal TSH
Authors: Fan Lijun , Bu Ye , Chen Shiqi , Wang Sihan , Zhang Wei , He Yan , Sun Dianjun
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Iodine serves as a crucial precursor for the synthesis of thyroid hormones and plays an import role in both pregnant women and their offspring. The relationships between iodine nutritional status and maternal thyroid function and neonatal outcomes remain inconclusive in areas with adequate iodine nutrition. This study aims to investigate their correlations.

Methods

Blood, morning urine and 24-hour urine were collected from the pregnant women to measure thyroid functions, serum iodine concentration (SIC), morning urine iodine concentration (UIC) and 24-hour urine iodine excretion (24-hour UIE). Indicators of their offspring’s neonatal indexes were recorded.

Results

A total of 559 pregnant women were enrolled in this study. The iodine indicators including Tg, 24-hour UIE and morning UIC were significantly different among the euthyroid pregnant women and those with different thyroid disorders. The levels of FT3, FT4, and SIC exhibited a gradual decline and the concentration of TSH exhibited a gradual increase trend throughout the progression of pregnancy in euthyroid pregnant women. There were no significant differences in neonatal outcomes and neonatal TSH values among euthyroid pregnant women and thyroid disorders pregnant women. SIC had a significant impact on maternal FT4 levels throughout all three trimesters, with varying degrees of importance observed in each trimester. TSH level emerged as the primary determinant of FT4 during the first trimester, while SIC exerted a predominant influence on FT4 levels in the second and third trimesters. The prevalence of thyroid disorders in pregnant women was the lowest when the SIC of pregnant women was probable in the range of 60~70 μg/L, 24-hours UIE was in the range of 250~450 μg, and Tg was in the range of 9~21 μg/L. Maternal TSH exhibited a notable influence on neonatal TSH levels, particularly at the 50th and 75th quantiles. Among the iodine nutritional indicators, SIC and morning UIC demonstrated higher AUC values for abnormal FT4 and TSH, respectively.

Discussion

The iodine nutrition status of pregnant women exerts an impact on their thyroid function and prevalence of thyroid disorders, and neonatal TSH was affected by maternal TSH. SIC may be a better indicator for iodine nutritional assessment than other indexes.
Long-term effects of different hypoglycemic drugs on carotid intima-media thickness progression: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Lv Qianyu , Yang Yingtian , Lv Yanfei , Wu Qian , Hou Xinzheng , Li Lanlan , Ye Xuejiao , Yang Chenyan , Wang Shihan
Published: May 2024

Objective

The progression of carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) can partially predict the occurrence of future cardiovascular events. This network meta-analysis compared the effects of 14 antidiabetic drugs (acarbose, alogliptin, exenatide, glibenclamide, glimepiride, ipragliflozin, metformin, nateglinide, pioglitazone, rosiglitazone, sitagliptin, tofoglifozin, troglitazone, voglibose) on the progression of cIMT.

Method

PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were searched to screen all clinical trials of treatment of cIMT with hypoglycemic agents before March 1, 2024. The differences in the changes in cIMT between the treatment group and control group were evaluated.

Result

After screening 8395 citations, 25 studies (6675 patients) were included. The results indicated that exenatide had the best efficacy in slowing down cIMT progress, and exenatide [MD=-0.13,95%CI (-0.25, -0.01)], alogliptin [MD=-0.08,95%CI (-0.13, -0.02)] and metformin [MD=-0.05, 95%CI (-0.09, -0.02)] are more effective than placebo.

Conclusion

Long-term treatment of exenatide, alogliptin, and metformin may be more effective than other hypoglycemic drugs in slowing the progression of cIMT.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42024519474.
A brief global agenda for advancing the study of molluscs
Authors: Sousa Ronaldo
Published: May 2024

Mollusca is the second largest phylum on Earth comprising more than 90,000 species. Molluscs are responsible for key functions and services in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Despite their diversity and ecological and economic importance, several knowledge gaps exist concerning their basic biology. In this mini-review, I succinctly propose a new agenda for the study of molluscs for the next decade dividing it in four major topics that need urgent attention: knowledge shortfalls, monitoring at relevant spatial and temporal scales, conservation, and education and outreach. In this time of climate and biodiversity emergency, the study of molluscs and their conservation should be a priority and we cannot ignore their intrinsic and economic importance.
Global research trends and hotspots for leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin-2 from the past to 2023: a combined bibliometric review
Authors: Liu Wei , Wang Qin , Yeerlan Jianishaya , Yan Yirui , Xu Luke , Jia Cui , Liu Xinlian , Zhang Lushun
Published: May 2024

Leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin-2 (LECT2) is an important cytokine synthesized by liver. Significant research interest is stimulated by its crucial involvement in inflammatory response, immune regulation, disease occurrence and development. However, bibliometric study on LECT2 is lacking. In order to comprehend the function and operation of LECT2 in human illnesses, we examined pertinent studies on LECT2 investigation in the Web of Science database, followed by utilizing CiteSpace, VOSview, and Scimago Graphica for assessing the yearly quantity of papers, countries/regions involved, establishments, authors, publications, citations, and key terms. Then we summarized the current research hotspots in this field. Our study found that the literature related to LECT2 has a fluctuating upward trend. “Angiogenesis”, “ALECT2”, “diagnosis”, and “biliary atresia” are the current investigative frontiers. Our findings indicated that liver diseases (e.g. liver fibrosis and hepatic cell carcinoma), systemic inflammatory disease, and amyloidosis are the current research focus of LECT2. The current LECT2 research outcomes are not exceptional. We hope to promote the scientific research of LECT2 and exploit its potential for clinical diagnosis and treatment of related diseases through a comprehensive bibliometric review.
Invasive Spartina alterniflora alters sediment organic carbon mineralization dynamics in a coastal wetland of Southeastern China
Authors: Jiang Yongcan , Yang Dong , Huang Jiafang , Wen Yu , Tang Hong , Xu Jianming , Lin Xianbiao , Sun Dongyao , Gao Dengzhou
Published: May 2024

Invasive Spartina alterniflora has significant impacts on sediment carbon pool and turnover in the tidal wetlands of estuaries and coasts. Yet, how this exotic S. alterniflora affects sediment organic carbon mineralization dynamics remains poorly understood. In this study, sediment geochemical properties, organic carbon fractions, and mineralization dynamics were examined in a native Cyperus malaccensis habitat and three invasive S. alterniflora habitats (6-, 10-, and 14-year-old) in summer and winter. We found that invasive S. alterniflora generally increased sediment total organic carbon and their labile fraction contents. The organic carbon mineralization rates and cumulative carbon mineralization amounts were significantly influenced by invasive S. alterniflora, and their values increased with this exotic plant invasion chronosequences. The mineralization rates and cumulative mineralization amounts were also characterized by higher values in surface sediment (0 – 10 cm depth) compared to subsurface sediment (10 – 20 cm depth) and by seasonal variations with higher values in summer than in winter. The sediment organic carbon labile fractions, rather than total organic carbon, were the most important factor affecting carbon mineralization dynamics. The cumulative carbon mineralization amounts exhibited an excellent fit to the first-order kinetic equation (R2 ≥ 0.93). The changes in modeled kinetic parameters (potential carbon mineralization amounts (C0) and carbon mineralization rate constant (k)) among these four habitats were similar to carbon mineralization rates, implying invasive S. alterniflora promoted the availabilities of organic compounds for microbial respiration metabolism. Overall, our findings highlighted the importance of S. alterniflora invasion in accelerating organic carbon decomposition and carbon dioxide release potential, although it also increases carbon accumulation.
Case report: Spontaneous rupture of leiomyosarcoma uteri 8 months after primary laparoscopic surgery of STUMP
Authors: Bicanin-Ilic Marija , Ilic Igor , Dimitrijevic Aleksandra , Mujkovic Srdjan , Jovic Nikola , Rakic Dejana , Arsenijevic Neda , Nikolic-Turnic Tamara , Balovic Goran , Peric Andjela , Mitrovic Aleksandra , Nikolov Aleksandar
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Leiomyosarcoma (LMS), together with smooth muscle tumors of uncertain malignant potential (STUMP) and benign leiomyomas, belongs to a heterogeneous group of uterine neoplasms. According to the World Health Organization, tumors originating from uterine smooth muscle fibers are the second most frequent tumors. It is challenging to distinguish between STUMP and LMS because of an overlap of symptoms, lack of a precise definition, and unequivocal information obtained using imaging diagnostic methods. Following myomectomy or hysterectomy with laparoscopic or laparotomy surgery and a definitive histological diagnosis of STUMP, the course of treatment is determined by the need to preserve fertility. In 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration published an alert that unprotected laparoscopic morcellation is correlated with a 3-fold higher likelihood of dissemination of malignant cells and disease progression. Unprotected morcellation was independently associated with a higher risk of disease recurrence after demolition or conservative surgery, with a relative risk of 2.94.

Conclusion

Hematoperitoneum resulting from the spontaneous rupture of a uterine tumor is a rare gynecological emergency, with very few cases reported in the last decade.
Microbiomes, diet flexibility, and the spread of a beetle parasite of honey bees
Authors: Huang Qiang , Han Wensu , Posada-Florez Francisco , Evans Jay D.
Published: May 2024

Invasive pests may disturb and destructively reformat the local ecosystem. The small hive beetle (SHB), Aethina tumida, originated in Africa and has expanded to America, Australia, Europe, and Asia. A key factor facilitating its fast global expansion is its ability to subsist on diverse food inside and outside honey bee colonies. SHBs feed on various plant fruits and exudates in the environment while searching for bee hives. After sneaking into a bee hive, they switch their diet to honey, pollen, and bee larvae. How SHBs survive on such a broad range of food remains unclear. In this study, we simulated the outside and within hive stages by providing banana and hive resources and quantified the SHB associated microbes adjusted by the diet. We found that SHBs fed on bananas were colonized by microbes coding more carbohydrate-active enzymes and a higher alpha diversity than communities from SHBs feeding on hive products or those collected directly from bee hives. SHBs fed on bananas and those collected from the hive showed high symbiont variance, indicated by the beta diversity. Surprisingly, we found the honey bee core symbiont Snodgrassella alvi in the guts of SHBs collected in bee hives. To determine the role of S. alvi in SHB biology, we inoculated SHBs with a genetically tagged culture of S. alvi, showing that this symbiont is a likely transient of SHBs. In contrast, the fungus Kodamaea ohmeri is the primary commensal of SHBs. Diet-based microbiome shifts are likely to play a key role in the spread and success of SHBs.
The influence of cognitive load and vision variability on postural balance in adolescents with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Jouira Ghada , Alexe Dan Iulian , Moraru Cristina Elena , Rekik Ghazi , Alexe Cristina Ioana , Marinău Marius Alin , Sahli Sonia
Published: May 2024

Introduction

This study aimed to investigate the impact of cognitive load, particularly its escalation during the execution of the same test, under varying vision conditions, on postural balance among adolescents with intellectual disability (ID).

Methods

Twenty adolescents underwent balance assessments under different visual conditions (Open Eyes (OE), Closed Eyes (CE), Flash, Goggles, Visual Stimulation (VS)) and task settings (Single Task (ST), Dual Task (DT) without challenges, and DT with challenges). The cognitive test was assessed using Verbal Fluency (VF).

Results and discussion

Significant effects were found for Task (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.85), indicating that CoP values significantly increased (p < 0.05) with the introduction of the DT. Dual Task Cost (DTC) demonstrated significant effects for Vision (p = 0.008, ηp2 = 0.62), with values varying significantly (p < 0.05) among different vision conditions, especially in CE and Flash conditions. Visual Dependency Quotient (VDQ) analyses revealed significant effects of condition (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.84), with significant changes observed in CE/OE and Flash/OE conditions (p < 0.05). Significant effects were observed for Cognitive performance in the Challenge condition (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.86), with decreased performance with cognitive task challenges, particularly in Flash and Goggles conditions (p < 0.05). In conclusion, cognitive tasks, especially challenging ones, and visual variations significantly impact postural balance in adolescents with ID.
Map plasticity following noise exposure in auditory cortex of rats: implications for disentangling neural correlates of tinnitus and hyperacusis
Authors: Wake Naoki , Shiramatsu Tomoyo I. , Takahashi Hirokazu
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Both tinnitus and hyperacusis, likely triggered by hearing loss, can be attributed to maladaptive plasticity in auditory perception. However, owing to their co-occurrence, disentangling their neural mechanisms proves difficult. We hypothesized that the neural correlates of tinnitus are associated with neural activities triggered by low-intensity tones, while hyperacusis is linked to responses to moderate- and high-intensity tones.

Methods

To test these hypotheses, we conducted behavioral and electrophysiological experiments in rats 2 to 8 days after traumatic tone exposure.

Results

In the behavioral experiments, prepulse and gap inhibition tended to exhibit different frequency characteristics (although not reaching sufficient statistical levels), suggesting that exposure to traumatic tones led to acute symptoms of hyperacusis and tinnitus at different frequency ranges. When examining the auditory cortex at the thalamocortical recipient layer, we observed that tinnitus symptoms correlated with a disorganized tonotopic map, typically characterized by responses to low-intensity tones. Neural correlates of hyperacusis were found in the cortical recruitment function at the multi-unit activity (MUA) level, but not at the local field potential (LFP) level, in response to moderate- and high-intensity tones. This shift from LFP to MUA was associated with a loss of monotonicity, suggesting a crucial role for inhibitory synapses.

Discussion

Thus, in acute symptoms of traumatic tone exposure, our experiments successfully disentangled the neural correlates of tinnitus and hyperacusis at the thalamocortical recipient layer of the auditory cortex. They also suggested that tinnitus is linked to central noise, whereas hyperacusis is associated with aberrant gain control. Further interactions between animal experiments and clinical studies will offer insights into neural mechanisms, diagnosis and treatments of tinnitus and hyperacusis, specifically in terms of long-term plasticity of chronic symptoms.
Carbohydrate beliefs and practices of ultra-endurance runners in Ireland for gastrointestinal symptom management
Authors: Ryan Tansy , Daly Ed , Ryan Lisa
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the carbohydrate beliefs and practices of ultra-endurance runners in Ireland to gain an understanding of their gastrointestinal symptom (GIS) management strategies.

Methodology

An adapted version of a previously developed and validated questionnaire was distributed online to ultra-endurance runners, recognized as those who completed a single bout of exercise lasting 4 or more hours. The questionnaire asked about carbohydrate awareness and sourcing, and dietary practices, particularly in relation to GIS management.

Results

A total of n = 68 individuals completed the adapted questionnaire. Of these, n = 1 was excluded due to their reporting of an ulcerative colitis diagnosis. The remaining participants included 46 men and 21 women. Personal previous experience was the main source directing participants’ nutrition practices (n = 30), while only 3 participants quoted sourcing information from qualified professionals. Forty-two participants experienced GIS, usually equally around training and competition times. Many participants had not previously implemented any specific dietary or non-dietary strategies to alleviate exercise-induced GIS. Supplementing with nitrates (n = 9) and probiotics (n = 4) were the most common dietary practices to alleviate GIS, while other practices (n = 14) and portion control (n = 13) were the most reported non-dietary practices.

Discussion

Similar to previous studies, these findings suggest that GISs are prevalent in the ultra-endurance running community, occurring regardless of whether during training or an event. Similarly, this research highlights the vast range of GISs experienced by this population. However, the absence of both dietary and non-dietary-related practices used for GIS management alludes to a current deficit in the availability of nutrition information specific to this problem. Further research is required to understand the mechanisms behind ultra-endurance-associated GISs and its various management strategies as well as best practices for communicating these to the target audience to reduce individuals’ risks of developing long-term, chronic health complications.
Assessing the prognostic value of KRAS mutation combined with tumor size in stage I-II non-small cell lung cancer: a retrospective analysis
Authors: Eklund Ella A. , Mourad Ali , Wiel Clotilde , Sayin Sama I. , Fagman Henrik , Hallqvist Andreas , Sayin Volkan I.
Published: May 2024

Background

KRAS mutation status is a well-established independent prognostic factor in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), yet its role in early-stage disease is unclear. Here, we investigate the prognostic value of combining survival data on KRAS mutation status and tumor size in stage I-II NSCLC.

Methods

We studied the combined impact of KRAS mutational status and tumor size on overall survival (OS) in patients with stage I-II NSCLC. We performed a retrospective study including 310 diagnosed patients with early (stage I-II) NSCLCs. All molecularly assessed patients diagnosed with stage I-II NSCLC between 2016–2018 in the Västra Götaland Region of western Sweden were screened in this multi-center retrospective study. The primary study outcome was overall survival.

Results

Out of 310 patients with stage I-II NSCLC, 37% harbored an activating mutation in the KRAS gene. Our study confirmed staging and tumor size as prognostic factors. However, KRAS mutational status was not found to impact OS and there was no difference in the risk of death when combining KRAS mutational status and primary tumor size.

Conclusions

In our patient cohort, KRAS mutations in combination with primary tumor size did not impact prognosis in stage I-II NSCLC.
Celastrol alleviates diabetic vascular injury via Keap1/Nrf2-mediated anti-inflammation
Authors: An Ning , Wang Rixiang , Li Lin , Wang Bingyu , Wang Huiting , Peng Ganyu , Zhou Hua , Chen Gen
Published: May 2024

Introduction: Celastrol (Cel) is a widely used main component of Chinese herbal medicine with strong anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antitumor activities. In the present study, we aimed to elucidate the cellular molecular protective mechanism of Cel against diabetes-induced inflammation and endothelial dysfunction.

Methods: Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) was induced by db/db mice, and osmotic pumps containing Cel (100 μg/kg/day) were implanted intraperitoneally and were calibrated to release the drug for 28 days. In addition, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured in normal or high glucose and palmitic acid-containing (HG + PA) media in the presence or absence of Cel for 48 h.

Results: Cel significantly ameliorated the hyperglycemia-induced abnormalities in nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like protein 2 (Nrf2) pathway activity and alleviated HG + PA-induced oxidative damage. However, the protective effect of Cel was almost completely abolished in HUVECs transfected with short hairpin (sh)RNA targeting Nrf2, but not by nonsense shRNA. Furthermore, HG + PA reduced the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), the autophagic degradation of p62/Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), and the nuclear localization of Nrf2. However, these catabolic pathways were inhibited by Cel treatment in HUVECs. In addition, compound C (AMPK inhibitors) and AAV9-sh-Nrf2 reduced Cel-induced Nrf2 activation and angiogenesis in db/db mice.

Discussion: Taking these findings together, the endothelial protective effect of Cel in the presence of HG + PA may be at least in part attributed to its effects to reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammation through p62/Keap1-mediated Nrf2 activation.
A systems genetic analysis identifies putative mechanisms and candidate genes regulating vessel traits in poplar wood
Authors: Rodriguez-Zaccaro F. Daniela , Lieberman Meric , Groover Andrew
Published: May 2024

Wood is the water conducting tissue of tree stems. Like most angiosperm trees, poplar wood contains water-conducting vessel elements whose functional properties affect water transport and growth rates, as well as susceptibility to embolism and hydraulic failure during water stress and drought. Here we used a unique hybrid poplar pedigree carrying genomically characterized chromosomal insertions and deletions to undertake a systems genomics analysis of vessel traits. We assayed gene expression in wood forming tissues from clonal replicates of genotypes covering dosage quantitative trait loci with insertions and deletions, genotypes with extreme vessel trait phenotypes, and control genotypes. A gene co-expression analysis was used to assign genes to modules, which were then used in integrative analyses to identify modules associated with traits, to identify putative molecular and cellular processes associated with each module, and finally to identify candidate genes using multiple criteria including dosage responsiveness. These analyses identified known processes associated with vessel traits including stress response, abscisic acid and cell wall biosynthesis, and in addition identified previously unexplored processes including cell cycle and protein ubiquitination. We discuss our findings relative to component processes contributing to vessel trait variation including signaling, cell cycle, cell expansion, and cell differentiation.
Mass spectrometry imaging of Arabidopsis thaliana with in vivo D2O labeling
Authors: Na Sumin , Lee Young Jin
Published: May 2024

The commonly used analytical tools for metabolomics cannot directly probe metabolic activities or distinguish metabolite differences between cells and suborgans in multicellular organisms. These issues can be addressed by in-vivo isotope labeling and mass spectrometry imaging (MSI), respectively, but the combination of the two, a newly emerging technology we call MSIi, has been rarely applied to plant systems. In this study, we explored MSIi of Arabidopsis thaliana with D2O labeling to study and visualize D-labeling in three classes of lipids: arabidopsides, chloroplast lipids, and epicuticular wax. Similar to other stress responses, D2O-induced stress increased arabidopsides in an hour, but it was relatively minor for matured plants and reverted to the normal level in a few hours. The D-labeling isotopologue patterns of arabidopsides matched with those of galactolipid precursors, supporting the currently accepted biosynthesis mechanism. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-MSI was used to visualize the spatiotemporal distribution of deuterated chloroplast lipids, pheophytin a, MGDGs, and DGDGs, after growing day-after-sowing (DAS) 28 plants in D2O condition for 3–12 days. There was a gradual change of deuteration amount along the leaf tissues and with a longer labeling time, which was attributed to slow respiration leading to low D2O concentration in the tissues. Finally, deuterium incorporation in epicuticular wax was visualized on the surfaces of the stem and flower. The conversion efficiency of newly synthesized C30 aldehyde to C29 ketone was very low in the lower stem but very high at the top of the stem near the flower or on the flower carpel. This study successfully demonstrated that MSIi can unveil spatiotemporal metabolic activities in various tissues of A. thaliana.