bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New Material of Karakoromys (Ctenodactylidae, Rodentia) from Late Eocene-Early Oligocene of Ulantatal (Nei Mongol): Taxonomy, Diversity, and Response to Climatic Change
Authors: Xu Rancheng , Zhang Zhaoqun , Li Qian , Wang Bian
Published: June 2023

The Eocene-Oligocene Transition (EOT) was one of the most profound climate changes in the Cenozoic era, characterized by global cooling around 34 million years ago. This time period also witnessed major faunal turnovers, such as the “Mongolian Remodeling” of Asia, characterized by the dominance of rodents and lagomorphs after the EOT. Previous studies have primarily focused on overall faunal change across the EOT. Here, we examined one genus, the earliest ctenodactylid Karakoromys, based on rich fossils from continuous sections at Ulantatal, Nei Mongol, magnetostragraphically dated to latest Eocene-Early Oligocene. Based on a systematic paleontological study of these fossils, we recognized four species of Karakoromys (Karakoromys decussus, K. arcanus, K. chelkaris, and K. conjunctus sp. nov.), indicating a relatively high diversity of the most primitive ctenodactylids during the latest Eocene-Early Oligocene (~34.9–30.8 Ma). The turnover of ctenodactylids primarily occurred during a regional aridification event around 31 Ma rather than during the EOT cooling event, suggesting that regional precipitation variation in the semi-arid area may have played a more important role than global temperature change in the evolution of early ctenodactylids.
Diagnosis of COVID-19 Using Chest X-ray Images and Disease Symptoms Based on Stacking Ensemble Deep Learning
Authors: AlMohimeed Abdulaziz , Saleh Hager , El-Rashidy Nora , Saad Redhwan M. A. , El-Sappagh Shaker , Mostafa Sherif
Published: June 2023

The COVID-19 virus is one of the most devastating illnesses humanity has ever faced. COVID-19 is an infection that is hard to diagnose until it has caused lung damage or blood clots. As a result, it is one of the most insidious diseases due to the lack of knowledge of its symptoms. Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are being investigated for the early detection of COVID-19 using symptoms and chest X-ray images. Therefore, this work proposes stacking ensemble models using two types of COVID-19 datasets, symptoms and chest X-ray scans, to identify COVID-19. The first proposed model is a stacking ensemble model that is merged from the outputs of pre-trained models in the stacking: multi-layer perceptron (MLP), recurrent neural network (RNN), long short-term memory (LSTM), and gated recurrent unit (GRU). Stacking trains and evaluates the meta-learner as a support vector machine (SVM) to predict the final decision. Two datasets of COVID-19 symptoms are used to compare the first proposed model with MLP, RNN, LSTM, and GRU models. The second proposed model is a stacking ensemble model that is merged from the outputs of pre-trained DL models in the stacking: VGG16, InceptionV3, Resnet50, and DenseNet121; it uses stacking to train and evaluate the meta-learner (SVM) to identify the final prediction. Two datasets of COVID-19 chest X-ray images are used to compare the second proposed model with other DL models. The result has shown that the proposed models achieve the highest performance compared to other models for each dataset.
A Double-Teacher Model Capable of Exploiting Isomorphic and Heterogeneous Discrepancy Information for Medical Image Segmentation
Authors: Zou Junguo , Wang Zhaohe , Du Xiuquan
Published: June 2023

Deep learning, with continuous development, has achieved relatively good results in the field of left atrial segmentation, and numerous semi-supervised methods in this field have been implemented based on consistency regularization to obtain high-performance 3D models by training. However, most semi-supervised methods focus on inter-model consistency and ignore inter-model discrepancy. Therefore, we designed an improved double-teacher framework with discrepancy information. Herein, one teacher learns 2D information, another learns both 2D and 3D information, and the two models jointly guide the student model for learning. Simultaneously, we extract the isomorphic/heterogeneous discrepancy information between the predictions of the student and teacher model to optimize the whole framework. Unlike other semi-supervised methods based on 3D models, ours only uses 3D information to assist 2D models, and does not have a fully 3D model, thus addressing the large memory consumption and limited training data of 3D models to some extent. Our approach shows excellent performance on the left atrium (LA) dataset, similar to that of the best performing 3D semi-supervised methods available, compared to existing techniques.
COVID-19 Lung Ultrasound Scores and Lessons from the Pandemic: A Narrative Review
Authors: Maggi Luigi , De Fazio Giulia , Guglielmi Riccardo , Coluzzi Flaminia , Fiorelli Silvia , Rocco Monica
Published: June 2023

The WHO recently declared that COVID-19 no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern; however, lessons learned through the pandemic should not be left behind. Lung ultrasound was largely utilized as a diagnostic tool thanks to its feasibility, easy application, and the possibility to reduce the source of infection for health personnel. Lung ultrasound scores consist of grading systems used to guide diagnosis and medical decisions, owning a good prognostic value. In the emergency context of the pandemic, several lung ultrasound scores emerged either as new scores or as modifications of pre-existing ones. Our aim is to clarify the key aspects of lung ultrasound and lung ultrasound scores to standardize their clinical use in a non-pandemic context. The authors searched on PubMed for articles related to “COVID-19”, “ultrasound”, and “Score” until 5 May 2023; other keywords were “thoracic”, “lung”, “echography”, and “diaphragm”. A narrative summary of the results was made. Lung ultrasound scores are demonstrated to be an important tool for triage, prediction of severity, and aid in medical decisions. Ultimately, the existence of numerous scores leads to a lack of clarity, confusion, and an absence of standardization.
Role of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) in Patients with Mycosis Fungoides
Authors: Di Raimondo Cosimo , Lombardo Paolo , Tesei Cristiano , Esposito Fabiana , Meconi Federico , Secchi Roberto , Lozzi Flavia , Monopoli Alessandro , Narducci Maria Grazia , Scala Enrico , Angeloni Cecilia , De Stefano Alberto , Rahimi Siavash , Bianchi Luca , Cantonetti Maria
Published: June 2023

Background: The neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) at baseline has been demonstrated to correlate with higher stages of disease and to be a prognostic factor in numerous cancers. However, its function as a prognostic factor for mycosis fungoides (MF) has not been yet clarified. Objective: Our work aimed to assess the association of the NLR with different stages of MF and to outline whether higher values of this marker are related to a more aggressive MF. Methods: We retrospectively calculated the NLRs in 302 MF patients at the moment of diagnosis. The NLR was obtained using the complete blood count values. Results: The median NLR among patients with early stage disease (low-grade IA-IB-IIA) was 1.88, while the median NLR for patients with high-grade MF (IIB-IIIA-IIIB) was 2.64. Statistical analysis showed positive associations of advanced MF stages with NLRs higher than 2.3. Conclusions: Our analysis demonstrates that the NLR represents a cheap and easily available parameter functioning as a marker for advanced MF. This might guide physicians in recognizing patients with advanced stages of disease requiring a strict follow-up or an early treatment.
Adaptive Resilient Neural Control of Uncertain Time-Delay Nonlinear CPSs with Full-State Constraints under Deception Attacks
Authors: Chen Zhihao , Wang Xin , Pang Ning , Shi Yushan
Published: June 2023

This paper focuses on the adaptive control problem of a class of uncertain time-delay nonlinear cyber-physical systems (CPSs) with both unknown time-varying deception attacks and full-state constraints. Since the sensors are disturbed by external deception attacks making the system state variables unknown, this paper first establishes a new backstepping control strategy based on compromised variables and uses dynamic surface techniques to solve the disadvantages of the huge computational effort of the backstepping technique, and then establishes attack compensators to mitigate the impact of unknown attack signals on the control performance. Second, the barrier Lyapunov function (BLF) is introduced to restrict the state variables. In addition, the unknown nonlinear terms of the system are approximated using radial basis function (RBF) neural networks, and the Lyapunov–Krasovskii function (LKF) is introduced to eliminate the influence of the unknown time-delay terms. Finally, an adaptive resilient controller is designed to ensure that the system state variables converge and satisfy the predefined state constraints, all signals of the closed-loop system are semi-globally uniformly ultimately bounded under the premise that the error variables converge to an adjustable neighborhood of origin. The numerical simulation experiments verify the validity of the theoretical results.
On Geometry of p-Adic Coherent States and Mutually Unbiased Bases
Authors: Zelenov Evgeny
Published: June 2023

This paper considers coherent states for the representation of Weyl commutation relations over a field of p-adic numbers. A geometric object, a lattice in vector space over a field of p-adic numbers, corresponds to the family of coherent states. It is proven that the bases of coherent states corresponding to different lattices are mutually unbiased, and that the operators defining the quantization of symplectic dynamics are Hadamard operators.
Delay Minimization Using Hybrid RSMA-TDMA for Mobile Edge Computing
Authors: Xiao Fengcheng , Chen Pengxu , Wu Hua , Mao Yuming , Liu Hongwu
Published: June 2023

Rate-splitting multiple access (RSMA) has recently received attention due to its benefits in both spectral and energy efficiencies. In this paper, we propose a hybrid RSMA-time-division multiple access (TDMA) scheme for a mobile edge computing (MEC) system, where two edge users need to offload their task data to a MEC server. In the proposed scheme, the offloading time is divided into two time phases. Specifically, we design a cognitive radio (CR)-inspired RSMA scheme, in which two users, namely the primary user and secondary user, offload their task data to the MEC server in the first time phase, while only a single user can offload task data in the second time phase. With the aim of minimizing the overall offloading delay, we formulate the offloading delay minimization problem subject to the transmit power and total energy constraints. We transform the original fractional programming non-convex problem to a convex one by using the Dinkelbach transform and propose Dinkelbach and Newton iterative algorithms to determine the optimal transmit power allocation. Specifically, we establish the optimization criteria for the three offloading schemes and derive the corresponding closed-form expressions for the optimal power allocation. Compared to the existing offloading schemes, the numerical results show that the proposed hybrid RSMA-TDMA scheme in scenarios where having a limited energy budget is superior in offloading delay compared to other offloading schemes and the sum offloading delay tends to a constant with the increase in the energy budget.
Sustainable Development of Operational Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles: A Case Study for Poland
Authors: Chmielewski Adrian , Piórkowski Piotr , Możaryn Jakub , Ozana Stepan
Published: June 2023

This article overviews Poland’s current electric vehicle infrastructure development. It discusses market segmentation and the analysis of charging standards, connectors, and types of charging. The paper focuses on Poland’s charging infrastructure, including costs and charging times for popular electric vehicle models in 2022. It highlights the challenges faced by charging operators and the barriers to infrastructure development. The article also presents the outlook for the electric vehicle market in Poland until 2025 and 2030. Furthermore, it examines private charger development, particularly in prosumer households with renewable energy sources. The implementation of smart charging and the potential for vehicle-to-grid technology in Poland are addressed. Lastly, a comparative analysis of incentives for electric vehicle users in Poland and Norway is discussed in the context of achieving 100% zero-emission vehicle sales by 31 December 2035, in Poland.
The Impact of Green Innovation on Carbon Emissions: Evidence from the Construction Sector in China
Authors: Li Xinping , Qin Qiongxia , Yang Yongliang
Published: June 2023

Green innovation has been identified as a viable strategy to mitigate the tension between industrial change and pollutant emissions. Relevant research should focus more on the impact of eco-friendly innovations on carbon emissions. Consequently, using a panel data set that covers 30 Chinese provinces from 2005 to 2020, we examine whether there is a carbon-abatement effect of green innovation in the construction sector. According to the findings of a two-way fixed-effects model, green innovation substantially positively influences reduction in dioxide emissions in the Chinese construction industry. The results of a panel threshold model show a significant non-linear relationship between green innovation and carbon emissions when the environmental regulation intensity is used as the threshold variable. Furthermore, we discovered that green innovation cuts carbon emissions considerably through environmental regulation. Finally, the impact of abatement varies significantly between regions, innovation elements, and types of development.
A Compact High-Stability Nanosecond Pulse Test System Using Corona-Stabilized Switch and Coaxial Resistance Divider
Authors: Sun Jinru , Qing Qin , Liu Haoliang , Yao Xueling , Jiao Zijiao , Wu Yiheng
Published: June 2023

Due to the lack of a standard nanosecond high-voltage pulse generator for sensor calibration, a high-stability nanosecond high-voltage pulse test system was developed in terms of circuit analysis, structural design, and performance test. By establishing the equivalent circuit model of the nanosecond pulse generator, the circuit component parameters of the five-stage Marx loop and the one-stage compression steepening unit were simulated. The influence of the action performance of the steepening gap on the characteristics of output nanosecond pulse was analyzed. The nanosecond pulse test system was established through the structural design of the nanosecond pulse-generating circuit, the development of a high-performance corona-stabilized switch, and the measurement of a fast-response resistance divider made of metal oxide thin-film resistors. The nanosecond pulse test system has the capability to output a double exponential nanosecond pulse voltages in the amplitude range of 10–60 kV with a rise time of 2.3 ± 0.5 ns and a half-peak time of 23 ± 5 ns. In addition, the output pulse voltage has a high consistency and stability in the full amplitude range. The maximum relative standard deviation of the peak value is 1.517%, and the relative standard uncertainty is less than 5‰.
Effects and Mechanism of Micro-Drilling Parameters on the Drilling Force and Hole Morphology of Sapindus mukorossi Seeds
Authors: Zhao Suxiao , Bai Xiaopeng , Xu Daochun , Cao Wan
Published: June 2023

Sapindus mukorossi seeds are commonly drilled and processed into Buddha beads and other craft products. To improve the machining qualities of the micro-drilling of S. mukorossi seeds, the effects of drilling parameters (feed rate, drilling speed, and drill diameter) on the drilling force, hole diameter and hole morphology were found. The mechanism behind these changes was further analyzed. The drilling parameters and machining process for the micro-drilling of S. mukorossi seeds were optimized. Results indicated that each drilling parameter influenced the drilling force and hole-machining quality by affecting the amount of cutting, the working conditions of the drill bit, chip formation, and the generation of drilling heat. Moreover, the feed rate and drill diameter were the main factors that influenced the drilling force, and the drilling speed played a leading role that influenced hole-machining quality. Interestingly, for the drilling of S. mukorossi seeds, a feed rate of 0.03 mm/r, a drilling speed of 6 m/min, and a drill-bit diameter of 0.9 or 1.5 mm resulted in a hole with high accuracy, good hole morphology, and minimal wear on the drill bit. This study facilitates the selection of suitable drilling parameters and processing technology for the micro-drilling of S. mukorossi seeds to improve processing accuracies and qualities, and provides a theoretical basis for the improvement of related drilling processing equipment.
Understanding the Essential Metabolic Nodes in the Synthesis of 4-Acetylantroquinol B (4-AAQB) by Antrodia cinnamomea Using Transcriptomic Analysis
Authors: Jin Yuhan , Liu Huan , Ning Yuchen , Tzeng Yew-Min , Deng Li , Wang Fang
Published: June 2023

4-Acetylantroquinol B (4-AAQB) is a ubiquinone that has been shown to have multiple anticancer activities and is only found in the rare medicinal fungus A. cinnamomea in Taiwan. The large-scale production and application of 4-AAQB is thus limited due to the high host specificity, long production cycle, and low 4-AAQB content of A. cinnamomea. Additionally, the lack of molecular genetic studies on A. cinnamomea has hindered the study of the synthetic pathway of 4-AAQB. In this work, transcriptomic analysis was conducted to understand the essential metabolic nodes in the synthesis of 4-AAQB by A. cinnamomea based on the differences using glucose and fructose as carbon sources, respectively. The results showed that the glyoxylate and TCA cycle, terpenoid synthesis pathway, and the quinone ring modification pathway were clarified as the most significant factors associated with 4-AAQB synthesis. The enzymes ACS, ACU7, ACUE, GPS, PPT, P450, GEDA, YAT1, CAT2, and METXA in these pathways were the essential metabolic nodes in the synthesis of 4-AAQB. When fructose was used as the substrate, the expressions of these enzymes were upregulated, and the synthesis of some important intermediate metabolites was enhanced, thus promoting the accumulation of 4-AAQB. Our work understood the mechanism of fructose promoting the synthesis of 4-AAQB and identified the essential metabolic nodes which could provide the theoretical basis for the development of fermentation strategies to produce 4-AAQB by A. cinnamomea.
Calcium Propionate Supplementation Mitigated Adverse Effects of Incubation Temperature Shift on In Vitro Fermentation by Modulating Microbial Composition
Authors: He Tengfei , Wang Xilin , Long Shenfei , Li Jiangong , Wu Zhenlong , Guo Yao , Sun Fang , Chen Zhaohui
Published: June 2023

The ingestion of cold water in winter results in fluctuating decreases in rumen temperature, impacting rumen fermentation function and methane production. This study aimed to investigate the impact of calcium propionate (CaP) on rumen fermentation characteristics, methane production, and microbial microbiome under different in vitro incubation temperatures. A 2 × 2 factorial experiment was conducted over 72 h, with or without 2.5% CaP (dry matter [DM] basis) in substrate under a constant incubation temperature (39 °C, CIT) or shifting incubation temperatures (12 cycles in total, with each cycle consisting of 4 h of incubation at 39 °C followed by immediate transfer to 30 °C for 2 h, ITS). The results showed that ITS inhibited the gas production, methane production, and methane concentration at 12 and 72 h (p < 0.05), and reduced the concentration of ammonium nitrogen (−14.25%), propionate (−16.14%), butyrate (−12.67%), and total volatile fatty acid (−8.50%) at 72 h more than the CIT groups (p < 0.05). The addition of 2.5% CaP significantly increased the gas production at 72 h (+4.84%), asymptotic gas production (+5.08%, per 0.2 g DM substrate), concentration of propionate (+18.05%), and valerate (+9.45%) (p < 0.05) compared to CaP-free groups, while it had no observable effect on the production or concentration of methane. Furthermore, the addition of 2.5% CaP yielded a significant increase in the relative abundance of Bacteroides (p < 0.05). Under the ITS condition, the relative abundance of Methanomicrobiales decreased and was positively correlated with methane production at 72 h (r = 0.47, p < 0.05). Additionally, CaP decreased the abundance of Prevotella_UCG_003 (p < 0.05), which was negatively correlated with the asymptotic gas production (r = 0.45, p < 0.05). Overall, our study suggests that the addition of 2.5% CaP can alleviate the adverse effects of ITS on in vitro fermentation parameters by regulating microbial composition and sustaining a reduction in methane production.
High-Temperature Stress Induces Autophagy in Rainbow Trout Skeletal Muscle
Authors: Molina Alfredo , Dettleff Phillip , Valenzuela-Muñoz Valentina , Gallardo-Escarate Cristian , Valdés Juan Antonio
Published: June 2023

Ectothermic animals, such as teleosts, have increasingly been exposed to stressful high-temperature events due to global warming. Currently, the effects of thermal stress on skeletal muscle, a key tissue for fish growth, are unknown. This study examined the impact of high-temperature stress on the skeletal muscle transcriptome of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in control (15 °C) and high-temperature (20 °C) conditions. Additionally, we examined the plasmatic levels of cortisol, glucose, and creatine kinase activity, and examined oxidative damage and autophagy activation in skeletal muscle. High-temperature stress induced significant increases in cortisol and glucose plasmatic levels. Nevertheless, no changes were observed in creatine kinase activity in plasma and skeletal muscle oxidation. Skeletal muscle RNA was isolated and sequenced using the HiSeq Illumina platform. A total of 383,796,290 reads were mapped onto the reference rainbow trout genome. The transcriptomic analysis showed that 293 genes were upregulated in the high-temperature group, mainly associated with autophagosome assembly, amino acid transport, and the glutamine metabolic process. On the other hand, 119 genes were downregulated in the high-temperature group, mainly associated with digestion, proteolysis, and the muscle contraction process. In addition, RT-qPCR of differentially expressed representative genes and Western blot analysis of LC3-II/LC3-I levels confirmed skeletal muscle autophagy induced by high temperature. This study sheds light on intriguing facets of the adaptive response of rainbow trout skeletal muscle to high-temperature stress and provides significant insights into the physiology of autophagy in teleosts.
Changes in Household Dietary Diversity in Herder Communities over the Past 20 Years: Evidence from Xilin Gol Grassland of China
Authors: Yang Wanni , Zhen Lin , Wei Yunjie
Published: June 2023

Food security is critical for socioeconomic development. In grassland areas, inappropriate food consumption patterns can cause irreversible damage to vulnerable local ecosystems. This study aims to examine the household dietary diversity status and development trend over the past 20 years in Chinese herder communities. We draw on a cross-sectional dataset of 230 households involving 652 family members from the Xilin Gol Grassland areas in North China. Household dietary diversity was assessed using the household dietary diversity score (HDDS), which was calculated based on 12 food groups. Results show that HDDS increased from 3.74 in 1999 to 5.92 in 2019, with an annual average growth rate of 2.45% during the past 20 years. The increase in plant-based food scores made a major contribution to the HDDS improvement. The variations in household dietary diversity status between pastoral areas and agro-pastoral areas showed differences among different types of grassland in arid and semiarid transitional zones. It is worth paying more attention to monitoring the main impact factors that affect HDDS and how these changes might impact the local ecosystem, which will benefit regional sustainable development.
Effects of Endogenous Anti-Oxidative Components from Different Vegetable Oils on Their Oxidative Stability
Authors: Ma Yuchen , Wang Guangyi , Deng Zeyuan , Zhang Bing , Li Hongyan
Published: June 2023

The effects of endogenous anti-oxidative components of ten common edible vegetable oils (palm olein, corn oil, rapeseed oil, soybean oil, perilla seed oil, high oleic sunflower oil, peanut oil, camellia oil, linseed oil, and sesame oil) on oxidation were explored in this research. The oxidation processes and patterns of the oils were investigated with the Schaal oven test using fatty acids and the oxidative stability index, acid value, peroxide value, p-anisidine value, total oxidation value, and content of major endogenous anti-oxidative components as indicators. The major endogenous anti-oxidative components in vegetable oils were tocopherols, sterols, polyphenols, and squalene, among which α-tocopherol, β-sitosterol, and polyphenols showed good anti-oxidative activity. However, squalene and polyphenols were relatively low and showed limited anti-oxidative effects. Moreover, the oxidative stability index of edible vegetable oils oxidized at high temperature (120 °C) was positively correlated with the content of saturated fatty acids (r = 0.659) and negatively correlated with the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (r = −0.634) and calculated oxidizability (r = −0.696). When oxidized at a low temperature (62 °C), oxidative stability was influenced by a combination of fatty acid composition as well as endogenous anti-oxidative components. An improved TOPSIS based on Mahalanobis distance was used to evaluate the oxidative stability of different types of vegetable oils. Moreover, the oxidative stability of corn oil was better than the other vegetable oils, while perilla seed oil was very weak.
Electrochemical Sensor Based on Laser-Induced Graphene for Carbendazim Detection in Water
Authors: Wang Li , Li Mengyue , Li Bo , Wang Min , Zhao Hua , Zhao Fengnian
Published: June 2023

Carbendazim (CBZ) abuse can lead to pesticide residues, which may threaten the environment and human health. In this paper, a portable three-electrode sensor based on laser-induced graphene (LIG) was proposed for the electrochemical detection of CBZ. Compared with the traditional preparation method of graphene, LIG is prepared by exposing the polyimide film to a laser, which is easily produced and patterned. To enhance the sensitivity, platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) were electrodeposited on the surface of LIG. Under optimal conditions, our prepared sensor (LIG/Pt) has a good linear relationship with CBZ concentration in the range of 1–40 μM, with a low detection limit of 0.67 μM. Further, the sensor shows good recovery rates for the detection of CBZ in wastewater, which provides a fast and reliable method for real-time analysis of CBZ residues in water samples.
Plant Promoters: Their Identification, Characterization, and Role in Gene Regulation
Authors: Villao-Uzho Liliana , Chávez-Navarrete Tatiana , Pacheco-Coello Ricardo , Sánchez-Timm Eduardo , Santos-Ordóñez Efrén
Published: June 2023

One of the strategies to overcome diseases or abiotic stress in crops is the use of improved varieties. Genetic improvement could be accomplished through different methods, including conventional breeding, induced mutation, genetic transformation, or gene editing. The gene function and regulated expression through promoters are necessary for transgenic crops to improve specific traits. The variety of promoter sequences has increased in the generation of genetically modified crops because they could lead to the expression of the gene responsible for the improved trait in a specific manner. Therefore, the characterization of the promoter activity is necessary for the generation of biotechnological crops. That is why several analyses have focused on identifying and isolating promoters using techniques such as reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), genetic libraries, cloning, and sequencing. Promoter analysis involves the plant genetic transformation method, a potent tool for determining the promoter activity and function of genes in plants, contributing to understanding gene regulation and plant development. Furthermore, the study of promoters that play a fundamental role in gene regulation is highly relevant. The study of regulation and development in transgenic organisms has made it possible to understand the benefits of directing gene expression in a temporal, spatial, and even controlled manner, confirming the great diversity of promoters discovered and developed. Therefore, promoters are a crucial tool in biotechnological processes to ensure the correct expression of a gene. This review highlights various types of promoters and their functionality in the generation of genetically modified crops.
What Is Hidden behind Amputation? Quanti-Qualitative Systematic Review on Psychological Adjustment and Quality of Life in Lower Limb Amputees for Non-Traumatic Reasons
Authors: Calabrese Laura , Maffoni Marina , Torlaschi Valeria , Pierobon Antonia
Published: June 2023

Objective: This systematic review aims to investigate Quality of Life (QoL)/Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and psychological adjustment in non-traumatic lower limb amputees (LLA). Methods: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were used for the literature search. Studies were read and analysed using the (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) PRISMA statement procedure. Results: The literature search retrieved 1268 studies, of which 52 were included in the systematic review. Overall, psychological adjustment, especially depression with or without anxiety symptoms, influences the QoL/HRQoL in this clinical population. Other factors influencing QoL/HRQoL include subjective characteristics, physical aspects, the cause and level of the amputation, relational aspects, social support, and the doctor-patient relationship. In addition, the patient’s emotional-motivational status, depression and/or anxiety symptoms, and acceptance play a key role in the subsequent rehabilitation process. Conclusions: In LLA patients, psychological adjustment is a complex and multifaceted process, and QoL/HRQoL may be influenced by various factors. Shedding light on these issues may provide useful suggestions for promoting clinical and rehabilitative interventions that may be tailored and effective in this clinical population.
German Physicians and Medical Students Do Not Represent the Population They Serve
Authors: Groene Oana R. , Huelmann Thorben , Hampe Wolfgang , Emami Pedram
Published: June 2023

Medical professionals who represent the communities they serve are in a better position to understand patients‘ social circumstances and communicate in a more patient-centered way. International studies show limited diversity and underrepresentation of certain social groups in the population of physicians and medical students. We designed an observational study to investigate the cultural and socio-economic diversity of physicians and medical applicants in comparison to the general population in Germany. We invited 15,195 physicians in Hamburg and 11,287 medical applicants in Germany to participate in an online survey between June and August 2022. The lower three quintiles of objective socio-economic background (SEB) were vastly underrepresented in all subsamples of the study and in particular amongst applicants and students admitted in Hamburg: 57.9% of physicians and 73.8% of medical students in Hamburg originate from the top quintile of SEB. The Turkish and Polish communities were particularly underrepresented in the group of physicians from Hamburg and medical applicants and students in Germany (p = 0.02; p < 0.001). In line with existing evidence, the vast majority of physicians and medical students come from the most affluent households when entering medical school. Widening participation strategies are needed to facilitate fairer access to the study of medicine in Germany.
Drug Utilisation Review among Geriatric Patients with Noncommunicable Diseases in a Primary Care Setting in Malaysia
Authors: Manirajan Priya , Sivanandy Palanisamy
Published: June 2023

A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted to analyse the drugs prescribed to the elderly population with noncommunicable diseases and to determine the polypharmacy at a primary care clinic in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. The study was conducted for 6 months at the primary care clinic of Gemas. Geriatric patients above the age of 65 and diagnosed with noncommunicable diseases were included upon providing written informed consent. The majority of the geriatric patients were between 65 and 69 years (mean: 69.72 ± 2.85) and prescribed 4 or more medications (mean: 5.18 ± 0.64, p = 0.007). More than 95% (n = 295) of the geriatrics were found to have multimorbidity, in which around 45% (n = 139) had type-2 diabetes together with hypertension and dyslipidaemia. Combination therapy was prescribed to more than 97% (n = 302) of the elderly, whereas cardiovascular and endocrine medications were the most commonly prescribed. Ten prescriptions were found to have drug-related problems, prescribing cascade (80%), lack of medicine optimisation (10%), and inappropriate prescription (10%). In this study, the majority of the elderly had multimorbidity; polypharmacy was commonly seen among geriatric patients. Polypharmacy is the biggest threat to the elderly population, as it increases the chances of falls and fall-related injuries. Medicine optimisation and deprescribing will reduce the chances of drug-related problems and morbidity and mortality associated with polypharmacy and over-consumption of medications. Hence, the study recommends the health fraternity look for medication optimisation and deprescribing to reduce the future complications associated with polypharmacy.
Attending to the Mental Health of People Who Are Homeless by Mobile Telephone Follow-Up: A Systematic Review
Authors: Jiménez-Lérida Cristina , Herrera-Espiñeira Carmen , Granados Reina , Martín-Salvador Adelina
Published: June 2023

Background: More than 20% of the world’s population has no decent or suitable home. People who are homeless have more health problems than the rest of the population, especially mental health-type problems. The main objective of this study was to identify follow-up interventions by using mobile telephones to improve the mental health of people who are homeless and to analyze their efficiency. Methods: To do so, a systematic review was carried out in the Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Ebscohost, and PsyInfo databases. Results: Studies conclude that mobile phone use is a suitable means to improve adherence to medication and the mental health of the homeless. However, significant attempts to demonstrate health benefits by means of reliable and valid instruments that supplement qualitative satisfaction and feedback instruments appear to be lacking. Conclusions: The literature about mental health benefits through technology for people who are homeless is scarce and shows methodological limitations that can lead to failure when setting up methodologies in clinical practice.
Application of Geomechanical Classification Systems in a Tourist Mine for Establishing Strategies within 3G’s Model
Authors: Aguilar-Aguilar Maribel , Jaya-Montalvo María , Loor-Oporto Oscar , Andrade-Ríos Héctor , Morante-Carballo Fernando , Carrión-Mero Paúl
Published: June 2023

Stability problems in rock masses are one of the main causes of subsidence events in underground mining areas. Zaruma, in the South of Ecuador, is characterised by mineral wealth, in which 65% of the population depends directly on artisanal mining activity. However, mineral extraction, without technical considerations and in many cases illegal, has negatively impacted the stability of tunnels generated under the city’s urban area, reporting subsidence events in recent years. The aim of this study is to geomechanically characterise the main gallery of the tourist mine “El Sexmo” using two classic methods of geomechanical classification for the configuration of a model that complies with the 3G’s (geotourism, geoconservation, and geoeducation) and supports the culture of sustainability in all areas of the sector. The methodology consists of (i) a field study design, (ii) a geological–geomechanical survey of the rock mass of a tourist mine using rock mass rating (RMR) and the Q-Barton index, and (iii) establishing a 3G’s model for sustainable development. The results reveal that 100% of the rock mass of the tourist mine presents a rock quality classified as “Fair” (class III) by the RMR method, while, via the Q-Barton method, 92.9% of the rock mass obtains a “Poor” rating, except for station S05, rated “Very Poor”. Furthermore, the study proposes additional support measures for three specific stations based on Q-Barton assessments, including fibre-reinforced sprayed concrete and bolting and reinforced ribs of sprayed concrete, considering that the mine is more than 500 years old and maintains geological features for geoeducation in geotechnical mining. Technical and social problems demand an innovative strategy, which, in this work, focuses on the 3G’s model based on the quintuple innovation helix to develop sustainable underground geotourism.
The Conceptual Analysis of Collaboration in the Occupational Therapy by Combining the Scoping Review Methodology
Authors: Sawada Tatsunori , Oh Kyongmi , Namiki Mutsumi , Tomori Kounosuke , Ohno Kanta , Okita Yuho
Published: June 2023

Background: Collaboration is an important concept in goal-setting in occupational therapy. However, this concept is not stable due to various definitions. The purpose of this study was to clarify the concept of collaboration in occupational therapy. Method: A scoping review was used to search for all articles related to occupational therapy and collaboration. PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, and OT Seeker searches were conducted using predetermined keywords. Three examiners independently reviewed and assessed the quality of each study using Walker and Avant’s concept analysis method. Results: Results of the database searches yielded 1873 studies, 585 of which were deemed eligible to include in this review. Results showed five attributes (“active participation for the common objective”, “existence of something to share”, “matured communication and interaction”, “relationship founded on the respect and trust” and “complementing each other”) and two antecedents and several consequences. Conclusions: Our findings may contribute to collaborative goal-setting and occupational therapy.
Potentiating the Cross-Reactive IFN-γ T Cell and Polyfunctional T Cell Responses by Heterologous GX-19N DNA Booster in Mice Primed with Either a COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine or Inactivated Vaccine
Authors: Seo Yong Bok , Ko Ara , Shin Duckhyang , Kim Junyoung , Suh You Suk , Na Juyoung , Ryu Ji In , Lee Suyeon , Oh Min Ji , Sung Young Chul
Published: June 2023

Waning vaccine-induced immunity, coupled with the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants, has inspired the widespread implementation of COVID-19 booster vaccinations. Here, we evaluated the potential of the GX-19N DNA vaccine as a heterologous booster to enhance the protective immune response to SARS-CoV-2 in mice primed with either an inactivated virus particle (VP) or an mRNA vaccine. We found that in the VP-primed condition, GX-19N enhanced the response of both vaccine-specific antibodies and cross-reactive T Cells to the SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern (VOC), compared to the homologous VP vaccine prime-boost. Under the mRNA-primed condition, GX-19N induced higher vaccine-induced T Cell responses but lower antibody responses than the homologous mRNA vaccine prime-boost. Furthermore, the heterologous GX-19N boost induced higher S-specific polyfunctional CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses than the homologous VP or mRNA prime-boost vaccinations. Our results provide new insights into booster vaccination strategies for the management of novel COVID-19 variants.
Application of Box–Behnken Design to Optimize Phosphate Adsorption Conditions from Water onto Novel Adsorbent CS-ZL/ZrO/Fe3O4: Characterization, Equilibrium, Isotherm, Kinetic, and Desorption Studies
Authors: Hidayat Endar , Mohamad Sarbani Nur Maisarah Binti , Yonemura Seiichiro , Mitoma Yoshiharu , Harada Hiroyuki
Published: June 2023

Phosphate (PO43−) is an essential nutrient in agriculture; however, it is hazardous to the environment if discharged in excess as in wastewater discharge and runoff from agriculture. Moreover, the stability of chitosan under acidic conditions remains a concern. To address these problems, CS-ZL/ZrO/Fe3O4 was synthesized using a crosslinking method as a novel adsorbent for the removal of phosphate (PO43−) from water and to increase the stability of chitosan. The response surface methodology (RSM) with a Box–Behnken design (BBD)-based analysis of variance (ANOVA) was implemented. The ANOVA results clearly showed that the adsorption of PO43− onto CS-ZL/ZrO/Fe3O4 was significant (p ≤ 0.05), with good mechanical stability. pH, dosage, and time were the three most important factors for the removal of PO43−. Freundlich isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic models generated the best equivalents for PO43− adsorption. The presence of coexisting ions for PO43− removal was also studied. The results indicated no significant effect on PO43− removal (p ≤ 0.05). After adsorption, PO43− was easily released by 1 M NaOH, reaching 95.77% and exhibiting a good capability over three cycles. Thus, this concept is effective for increasing the stability of chitosan and is an alternative adsorbent for the removal of PO43− from water.
RNA Interference Past and Future Applications in Plants
Authors: Koeppe Sarah , Kawchuk Lawrence , Kalischuk Melanie
Published: June 2023

Antisense RNA was observed to elicit plant disease resistance and post-translational gene silencing (PTGS). The universal mechanism of RNA interference (RNAi) was shown to be induced by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), an intermediate produced during virus replication. Plant viruses with a single-stranded positive-sense RNA genome have been instrumental in the discovery and characterization of systemic RNA silencing and suppression. An increasing number of applications for RNA silencing have emerged involving the exogenous application of dsRNA through spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) that provides specificity and environmentally friendly options for crop protection and improvement.
Hyaluronan with Different Molecular Weights Can Affect the Gut Microbiota and Pathogenetic Progression of Post-Intensive Care Syndrome Mice in Different Ways
Authors: Li Lu , Jiang Yuanyuan , Zhu Qianqian , Liu Dawei , Chang Mingkai , Wang Yongzhe , Xi Ruitong , Wang Wenfei
Published: June 2023

Post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) poses a serious threat to the health of intensive care unit (ICU) survivors, and effective treatment options are currently lacking. With increasing survival rates of ICU patients worldwide, there is a rising interest in developing methods to alleviate PICS symptoms. This study aimed to explore the potential of using Hyaluronan (HA) with different molecular weights as potential drugs for treating PICS in mice. Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) were used to establish a PICS mice model, and high molecular weight HA (HMW-HA) or oligo-HA were used as therapeutic agents. Pathological and physiological changes of PICS mice in each group were monitored. 16S rRNA sequencing was performed to dissect gut microbiota discrepancies. The results showed that both molecular weights of HA could increase the survival rate of PICS mice at the experimental endpoint. Specifically, 1600 kDa-HA can alleviate PICS in a short time. In contrast, 3 kDa-HA treatment decreased PICS model survivability in the early stages of the experiment. Further, via 16S rRNA sequence analysis, we observed the changes in the gut microbiota in PICS mice, thereby impairing intestinal structure and increasing inflammation. Additionally, both types of HA can reverse this change. Moreover, compared to 1600 kDa-HA, 3 kDa-HA can significantly elevate the proportion of probiotics and reduce the abundance of pathogenic bacteria (Desulfovibrionaceae and Enterobacteriaceae). In conclusion, HA holds the advantage of being a potential therapeutic drug for PICS, but different molecular weights can lead to varying effects. Moreover, 1600 kDa-HA showed promise as a protective agent in PICS mice, and caution should be taken to its timing when considering using 3 kDa-HA.
A Critical View over the Newest Antidiabetic Molecules in Light of Efficacy—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Salmen Teodor , Serbanoiu Liviu-Ionut , Bica Ioana-Cristina , Serafinceanu Cristian , Muzurović Emir , Janez Andrej , Busnatu Stefan , Banach Maciej , Rizvi Ali Abbas , Rizzo Manfredi , Pantea Stoian Anca
Published: June 2023

The increase in life expectancy without a decrease in the years lived without disability leads to the rise of the population aged over 65 years prone to polypharmacy. The novel antidiabetic drugs can improve this global therapeutic and health problem in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). We aimed to establish the efficacy (A1c hemoglobin reduction) and safety of the newest antidiabetic drugs (considered so due to their novelty in medical practice use), specifically DPP-4i, SGLT-2i, GLP-1 Ra, and tirzepatide. The present meta-analysis followed the protocol registered at Prospero with the CRD42022330442 registration number. The reduction in HbA1c in the DPP4-i class for tenegliptin was 95% CI −0.54 [−1.1, 0.01], p = 0.06; in the SGLT2-iclass for ipragliflozin 95% CI −0.2 [−0.87, 0.47], p = 0.55; and for tofogliflozin 95% CI 3.13 [−12.02, 18.28], p = 0.69, while for tirzepatide it was 0.15, 95% CI [−0.50, 0.80] (p = 0.65). The guidelines for treatment in type 2 DM are provided from cardiovascular outcome trials that report mainly major adverse cardiovascular events and data about efficacy. The newest antidiabetic non-insulinic drugs are reported to be efficient in lowering HbA1c, but this effect depends between classes, molecules, or patients’ age. The newest antidiabetic drugs are proven to be efficient molecules in terms of HbA1c decrease, weight reduction, and safety, but more studies are needed in order to characterize exactly their efficacy and safety profiles.
Hypoxia with or without Treadmill Exercises Affects Slow-Twitch Muscle Atrophy and Joint Destruction in a Rat Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Kamada Yoichiro , Arai Yuji , Toyama Shogo , Inoue Atsuo , Nakagawa Shuji , Fujii Yuta , Kaihara Kenta , Cha Ryota , Mazda Osam , Takahashi Kenji
Published: June 2023

The effects of treadmill running under hypoxic conditions on joints and muscles of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats were investigated. CIA rats were divided into normoxia no-exercise, hypoxia no-exercise (Hypo-no), and hypoxia exercise (Hypo-ex) groups. Changes were examined on days 2 and 44 of hypoxia with or without treadmill exercises. In the early stage of hypoxia, the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α increased in the Hypo-no and Hypo-ex groups. The expression of the egl-9 family hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (EGLN1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the Hypo-ex group also increased. Under sustained hypoxia, the Hypo-no and Hypo-ex groups did not show increased expression of HIF-1α or VEGF, but p70S6K levels were elevated. Histologically, joint destruction was alleviated in the Hypo-no group, the loss of muscle weight in slow-twitch muscles was prevented, and muscle fibrosis was suppressed. In the Hypo-ex group, the preventive effect of a reduction in the slow-twitch muscle cross-sectional area was enhanced. Thus, chronic hypoxia in an animal model of rheumatoid arthritis controlled arthritis and joint destruction and prevented slow-twitch muscle atrophy and fibrosis. The combination of hypoxia with treadmill running further enhanced the preventive effects on slow-twitch muscle atrophy.