bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Student Evaluation from the Perspective of Competency for Enhancing the Competency Strategies of College Counselors
Authors: LIU Gang , LIAO Jingxi
Published: June 2024

In the higher education system, college counselors play a crucial role. They are not only guides for student growth, but also the backbone of student ideological and political education and daily management. However, with the changes of the times and the diversification of student needs, the competence of college counselors is facing unprecedented challenges. Among them, student evaluation, as a direct way to reflect the effectiveness of counselor work has important reference value for improving the competence of counselors. This article analyzes in depth the importance and practical significance of student evaluation in enhancing the competence strategy of college counselors from the perspective of competence. Study the application algorithm of k-means algorithm as the research model. Collect basic information, work attitudes, and student management skills of counselors through a questionnaire survey. Then, using data mining techniques to process and analyze the collected data, key indicators and influencing factors of the counselor’s ability are extracted. Through a review of a large number of relevant literature and field research, this article reveals the core role of college counselors in student education and management, as well as the key role of competence in their work. At the same time, this article elaborates on student evaluation as an important means of measuring the competence of counselors. It not only helps counselors to comprehensively understand their own work performance, but also provides targeted improvement directions for counselors.
Disability Inclusion in the Workplace: Perspectives of Romanian Human Resources Specialists
Authors: BLAGA Oana Maria , PADURE Marian , AMARIEI Cornel , DASCAL Marina Denisa
Published: June 2024

In Romania, people with disabilities (PWDs) represent 18% of the working-age population. Yet, participation in the workforce for PWDs is very low. This study is a cross-sectional, online survey of human resources (HR) specialists from 82 companies activating in Romania that aims to assess the extent to which companies hire PWDs, evaluate the perceived barriers to employing PWDs, and identify potential strategies to facilitate the employment of PWDs. Participants are mostly women (81.5%), are hired by companies located in Bucharest (42.7%), Cluj (15.9%), and Brasov (7.3%), and belong to the service sector of activity (61%). The 33/82 companies from the study that employ PWDs collectively hire 739 PWDs. After employing an individual with disabilities, 63.6% of the companies do not offer any type of training/workshops for typical employees. The most reported challenge in employing PWDs is the fact that qualified PWDs are hard to find (36.6%). The HR specialists mentioned that the most useful information that would persuade companies to hire PWDs would be information showing how employing PWDs has benefited other companies in the same sector (79.3%).
Exploration of Innovative Performance Strategies for Strategic Leadership from a Social Perspective
Authors: TENG Dechuan
Published: June 2024

This article aims to explore the strategies and practices of strategic leadership in optimizing innovation performance from a social perspective. In the current era of globalization and informatization, the role of strategic leaders in enterprises is becoming increasingly important, and their leadership ability and innovative thinking are crucial for the sustainable development of enterprises. The article first analyzes the impact of social factors on the innovation performance of strategic leadership, including market demand, industry competition, policies and regulations, and social culture. Subsequently, the article proposes the core strategies of strategic leadership in optimizing innovation performance, including building an innovation culture, strengthening team collaboration, enhancing innovation capabilities, and strengthening strategic management. In building an innovation culture, strategic leaders need to create a cultural atmosphere that encourages innovation and tolerates failure. By establishing innovation reward mechanisms and organizing innovation activities, they can stimulate employees’ enthusiasm and enthusiasm for innovation. At the same time, leaders also need to focus on innovative education and training for employees, enhancing their innovation awareness and abilities.
Prevention of oral cross-infection by using povidone-iodine compared with other antiseptic agents for orally transmitted diseases: A Review
Authors: Alqhtani Alaa Saif , Mohammed Abdulkarem Ali Ali , Al-ghazaly Farouk , Alareqi Ahmed , Irmawati Anis
Published: June 2024

The oral cavity is a high-risk infective site, and highly contagious diseases like viral infections are confirmed to be transmitted through it. Oral rinses are a very important and one of the most important objective methods and topical essential strategies to decrease the spread and transmission of contagious diseases. There is a gap in the literature regarding a comprehensive comparison between povidone-iodine and other formulations in terms of their effectiveness in preventing oral cross-infection and transmission of orally transmitted diseases. The authors performed a comprehensive literature review utilizing Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct to review relevant studies over the previous years on the effectiveness of povidone-iodine in preventing oral cross-infection and transmission of orally transmitted diseases by using these keywords: oral transmitted diseases, povidone-iodine, cross-infection, and antiseptic.  This article includes a comprehensive overview of the existing knowledge regarding the effectiveness of povidone-iodine compared with other antiseptic agents in preventing oral cross-infection and transmission of orally transmitted diseases. Povidone-iodine has shown effective antiseptic properties in the oral cavity without disrupting its natural balance. It is a valuable anti-septic preventive oral-transmitted disease for patients and healthcare providers, and there is no evidence to show the side effects over a long time. Povidone-iodine can be safely used as antisepsis for the oral cavity for the prevention of orally transmitted diseases as personal prophylaxis, and it's the most effective mouth rinse for viral infection in the oral cavity due to its fast action.
Distribution-Free Control Charts Based on Multiple Runs: Advances
and Applications in Supply Chain Management
Authors: Triantafyllou Ioannis S. Triantafyllou
Published: June 2024

In this article, we improve the behavior of nonparametric Shewhart-type control charts, which employ order statistics and multiple runs-type rules. The proposed class of monitoring schemes includes some existing control charts. In addition, new distribution-free monitoring schemes that pertain to the class, are set up and examined extensively. Explicit expressions for determining the variability and the mean of the run length distribution for the enhanced control charts are additionally delivered. As an example, a real-life managerial application is considered, where the proposed framework is implemented in order to enhance the provided services of a company under a supply chain management environment. Based on numerical comparisons, we draw the conclusion that the new charts outperform their competitors in identifying potential changes in the fundamental distribution in almost all cases considered.
Reliability Analysis of Cutting Tools for Industrial Applications: An Integrated AHP-RSM-PHM Approach
Authors: Patel Neha , Rai Rajiv , Patil Harshal , Shrivastava Prakhar
Published: June 2024

In manufacturing industries, reliability analysis of cutting tools is of paramount importance, as their frequent failures may result in enhanced downtime of production lines, leading to reduced throughput, enhanced process cycle times, and low profits. There are numerous factors that govern the desired operations of cutting tools, e.g., tool cutting speed, feed, depth of cut, and many others. Existing literature on cutting tools’ reliability estimation emphasizes mainly three variables, as mentioned earlier while neglecting other important factors. Including a greater number of factors in the process of estimating reliability increases the number of covariates, hence rendering the data acquisition costlier and estimation models highly complex. This work initially utilizes Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to assess the importance of various factors that are responsible for the cutting tool’s performance, followed by the reliability estimation of the cutting tools using proportional hazards model (PHM) considering the four “critical to reliability” factors as obtained through AHP as covariates. The proposed method also helps in determining the relationship of these sub-factors with the hazard rate and reliability of the cutting tools. Experimental results are then used to verify the model’s predictions through response surface methodology (RSM) and Weibull fit. Furthermore, the paper also presents a proposed technique to estimate the required number of cutting tools for one machine per day and the number of job completions that can be an essential takeaway for various industries. Thus, this research paper proposes an integrated AHP-RSM-PHM based approach for a comprehensive reliability analysis of cutting tools.
Stable Biped Robot's Walk using Semi-Supervised ANN based Trajectory Generation within Yolov5 Algorithm based Identified Environment with Ditch
Authors: Duhan Seema , Panwar Ruchi
Published: June 2024

The study introduces a stable walking pattern for a biped robot by employing a semi-supervised artificial neural network (ANN) to generate trajectories with a focus on reducing potential damage from small objects that are identified by Yolov5 algorithm. The ANN is utilized as a universal approximator to ensure smooth motion automatically by meeting predefined boundary conditions during its training. This trajectory generation approach is then compared with one another ANN- based method, with nonstop evaluations mainly focusing on position, velocity, and its acceleration profiles to maintain smooth motion. By analysis of trajectory derivatives and its curvature detects and auto corrects any discontinuities. Mathematical model created on from MATLAB 2023 and its simulations validate the trajectory's smoothness and demonstrating its effectiveness in enabling bipedal robots to navigate uneven terrain. The proposed method is very useful and more suitable for online adaptable trajectory generation by addressing collision avoidance and adaptability to various terrains, and overall stability in bipedal robot navigation comprehensively.
A Hybrid Model of Integrating Sentiment Analysis and Key Market Indicators for IPO Listing Trend Prediction
Authors: Garg Ashish , Ghanshala Kamal Kumar , Sharma Sachin
Published: June 2024

Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) provide great opportunities for companies to grow and expand, and they allow investors to invest their money wisely to get a decent Return on Investment (ROI) in the short term. Nevertheless, the intricate nature of the stock market is susceptible to several influences such as a company's financial statement, governmental regulations, and public sentiment, which hinders the attainment of a satisfactory ROI. This study aims to address this challenge by developing a model that combines public sentiment analysis and machine learning approaches to optimize the ROI for IPO trends. The study gives a novel approach that uses multiple different features associated with IPOs like the public opinion, grey market price (GMP), issue prices, lot size etc. and leverages the use of various machine learning techniques like Random Forest, Decision Tree, Naive Bayes, and K-Nearest Neighbour (KNN) to make well-informed investment recommendations. The testing results demonstrate that the Decision Tree method surpasses the other algorithms, with an accuracy rate of 82.3%. This discovery emphasizes the effectiveness of our method in forecasting the success of IPOs by utilizing a combination of sentiment analysis and crucial financial indicators.
Clinical features of pediatric mucormycosis: role of metagenomic next generation sequencing in diagnosis
Authors: Zhang Yu , Wei Erhu , Niu Jiechao , Yan Kunli , Zhang Mengjiao , Yuan Wenhua , Fang Xiao , Jia Peisheng
Published: June 2024

Background

Mucormycosis is an uncommon invasive fungal infection that has a high mortality rate in patients with severe underlying diseases, which leads to immunosuppression. Due to its rarity, determining the incidence and optimal treatment methods for mucormycosis in children is challenging. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) is a rapid, precise and sensitive method for pathogen detection, which helps in the early diagnosis and intervention of mucormycosis in children. In order to increase pediatricians’ understanding of this disease, we conducted a study on the clinical features of mucormycosis in children and assessed the role of mNGS in its diagnosis.

Methods

We retrospectively summarized the clinical data of 14 children with mucormycosis treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2020 to September 2023.

Results

Of the 14 cases, 11 case of mucormycosis were classified as probable, and 3 cases were proven as mucormycosis. Most children (85.71%) had high-risk factors for mucormycosis. All 14 children had lung involvement, with 5 cases of extrapulmonary dissemination. Among the 14 cases, 4 cases underwent histopathological examination of mediastinum, lung tissue or kidney tissue, in which fungal pathogens were identified in 3 patients. Fungal hyphae was identified in 3 cases of mucormycosis, but only 1 case yielded a positive culture result. All patients underwent mNGS testing with samples from blood (8/14), bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (6/14), and tissue (1/14). mNGS detected fungi in all cases: 7 cases had Rhizomucor pusillus, 4 cases had Rhizopus oryzae, 3 cases had Rhizopus microsporus, 1 case had Lichtheimia ramosa, and 1 case had Rhizomucor miehei. Coinfections were found with Aspergillus in 3 cases, bacteria in 3 cases, and viruses in 5 cases.

Conclusion

Children with mucormycosis commonly exhibit non-specific symptoms like fever and cough during the initial stages. Early diagnosis based on clinical symptoms and imaging is crucial in children suspected of having mucormycosis. mNGS, as a supplementary diagnostic method, offers greater sensitivity and shorter detection time compared to traditional mucormycosis culture or histopathological testing. Additionally, mNGS enables simultaneous detection of bacteria and viruses, facilitating timely and appropriate administration of antibiotics and thereby enhancing patient outcomes.
General dry trends according to the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index in mainland Chile
Authors: Meseguer-Ruiz Oliver , Serrano-Notivoli Roberto , Núñez-Hidalgo Ignacio , Sarricolea Pablo
Published: June 2024

Droughts are one of the main challenges affecting humanity in a global change context. Due to its spatial configuration, Chile experiences droughts of different severities, from arid to humid climates, ranging from sea level to elevations above 6,000 m above sea level (a.s.l.), but it is still unknown how this phenomenon behaves in distribution, duration and intensity. The goal of this study is to identify how droughts have affected the different climate regions of the country between 1979 and 2019. The Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), calculated for March and September, at the end of the humid season in the north and center-south of the country, respectively, and calculated at 3-, 6-, 9-, 12- and 24-month, allowed to determine the trends of the drought severity in a 5 × 5 km grid between 1979 and 2019. We found that negative and significant trends, indicating dry conditions, appear mainly in the Andes above 2,000 m a.s.l., where the main water reservoirs are located, affecting all climate types, except Mediterranean ones between 33°S and 38°S. The SPEI indicates general trends towards drier conditions across various elevations and climate types, with more pronounced negative trends in the north and central regions and some positive trends in the south. These trends suggest a significant impact on water availability, and highlight the need for focused policy initiatives to combat drought effects and manage water resources effectively. These findings are of main interest to Chile, one of the world’s leading producers of lithium and copper, with both industries requiring substantial amounts of water for extraction and processing, demanding high water availability in a drier territory.
Uncertainty of microseismic sources identification and probabilistic location in underground excavation
Authors: Liang Xu
Published: June 2024

Microseismic (MS) source location is an integral component of MS technology and essential to understanding the rock failure mechanism and avoiding potential geological hazards in underground rock excavation. However, accurate location remains challenging owing to the complex geological conditions and unknown rock failure mechanisms. In this study, a novel location framework was developed to locate the MS source positions and their uncertainties based on probabilistic programming. Probabilistic programming was utilized to determine the coordinates of the MS source and its variation using the Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method based on the waveform equation. A classical benchmark problem was utilized to verify and illustrate the developed framework. The developed framework can not only locate the position of the MS source but also determine its variation due to the uncertainty during the monitoring and excavation. The located MS source is in agreement with the actual positions. The results show that the developed framework is a scientific, accurate, reasonable, and promising tool for the location of MS sources. Then, the developed framework was applied to locate the position of the blasting in a practical mine. This further proved that the developed framework could locate the MS source, providing an excellent uncertainty analysis tool for underground rock excavation.
Associations of different dietary patterns, bone mineral density, and fracture risk among elderly women: the China Osteoporosis Prevalence Study
Authors: Zhao Nan , Yin Xiangjun , Chen Lin , Tang Shunyu , Lin Hua , Cui Lu , Jin Xiaolan , Xie Zhongjian , Jiang Ning , Cui Lijia , Yu Wei , Cummings Steven R. , Wang Linhong , Xia Weibo
Published: June 2024

Objective

Despite the fact that China amounts to one-fifth of the world’s population, has a higher proportion of the elderly, and has a higher prevalence of osteoporosis and fracture, limited studies have investigated the association between dietary patterns and bone mineral density (BMD) as well as fracture risk among the elderly Chinese population. We aimed to investigate the association between different dietary patterns and BMD as well as the risk of fractures, and this association may vary between elderly women and men.

Methods

Building upon the China Osteoporosis Prevalence Study, we included 17,489 subjects aged ≥40 years old randomly sampled across 44 counties/districts of 11 provinces or municipalities in China who completed a food frequency questionnaire. BMD was measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry. Vertebral fracture was defined based on lateral spine radiographs using the semi-quantitative technique of Genant.

Results

A diet rich in “carnivorous”, “vegetarian”, “dairy, fruit, and egg” was significantly associated with higher BMD at total hip (TH), femoral neck (FN), and lumbar spine 1–4 (L1–4). Yet, a diet rich in “beverage and fried food” was associated with a lower BMD at the FN and L1–4. High quartiles of the carnivorous diet were associated with 34%–39% reduced risk of clinical fracture in the past 5 years and vertebral fracture. Stronger associations were observed among women. Sensitivity analysis among postmenopausal women presented even stronger positive associations between carnivorous and vegetarian diets and high BMD, as well as between carnivorous diet and reduced risk of fractures.

Conclusions

Our study suggested that a diet rich in meat, vegetables, and dairy, fruit, and eggs might be associated with greater BMD and a lower fracture risk, while beverage and fried foods may be associated with a lower BMD at L1–4, especially among elderly women. These findings are relevant to provide recommendations on dietary nutrition regarding the elderly population at high risk of osteoporosis and fractures, especially postmenopausal women.
The potential of genome editing to create novel alleles of resistance genes in rice
Authors: Singh Pankaj Kumar , Devanna Basavantraya N. , Dubey Himanshu , Singh Prabhakar , Joshi Gaurav , Kumar Roshan
Published: June 2024

Rice, a staple food for a significant portion of the global population, faces persistent threats from various pathogens and pests, necessitating the development of resilient crop varieties. Deployment of resistance genes in rice is the best practice to manage diseases and reduce environmental damage by reducing the application of agro-chemicals. Genome editing technologies, such as CRISPR-Cas, have revolutionized the field of molecular biology, offering precise and efficient tools for targeted modifications within the rice genome. This study delves into the application of these tools to engineer novel alleles of resistance genes in rice, aiming to enhance the plant’s innate ability to combat evolving threats. By harnessing the power of genome editing, researchers can introduce tailored genetic modifications that bolster the plant’s defense mechanisms without compromising its essential characteristics. In this study, we synthesize recent advancements in genome editing methodologies applicable to rice and discuss the ethical considerations and regulatory frameworks surrounding the creation of genetically modified crops. Additionally, it explores potential challenges and future prospects for deploying edited rice varieties in agricultural landscapes. In summary, this study highlights the promise of genome editing in reshaping the genetic landscape of rice to confront emerging challenges, contributing to global food security and sustainable agriculture practices.
Construction of a ceRNA network and screening of potential biomarkers and molecular targets in male smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Zhang Jihua , Xu Shuanglan , Liu Jie , Liu Ting , Fan Zeqin , Zhou Yunchun , Basnet Jorina , Zhang Liqiong , Li Xiao , Yang Jiao , Xing Xiqian
Published: June 2024

Background

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play an important role in the occurrence and development of diseases. However, the role of circRNAs in male smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains unclear.

Methods

Stable COPD patients and healthy controls were recruited. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were extracted. After high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) of PBMCs, a bioinformatics method was used to analyse differentially expressed (DE) circRNAs (DEcircRNAs) and mRNAs (DEmRNAs).

Results

Total of 114 DEcircRNAs and 58 DEmRNAs were identified. Functional enrichment analysis showed that processes related to COPD include the regulation of interleukin (IL)-18, IL-5 and the NLRP3 inflammasome; differentiation of T helper type 1 (Th1), Th2, and Th17 cells, and the AMPK, Wnt, JAK-STAT, and PI3K-Akt signalling pathways. In the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network, the core genes were MYO16, MYL4, SCN4A, NRCAM, HMCN1, MYOM2, and IQSEC3. Small-molecule prediction results revealed potential drugs for the COPD treatment. Additionally, the circRNA-miRNA-mRNA competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory network was constructed.

Conclusion

This study identified a set of dysregulated circRNAs and mRNAs and revealed potentially important genes, pathways, new small-molecule drugs and ceRNA regulatory networks in male smokers with COPD. These circRNAs might be prospective biomarkers or potential molecular targets of the ceRNA mechanism for COPD.
Partial hepatectomy accelerates colorectal metastasis by priming an inflammatory premetastatic niche in the liver
Authors: Luenstedt Jost , Hoping Fabian , Feuerstein Reinhild , Mauerer Bernhard , Berlin Christopher , Rapp Julian , Marx Lisa , Reichardt Wilfried , von Elverfeldt Dominik , Ruess Dietrich Alexander , Plundrich Dorothea , Laessle Claudia , Jud Andreas , Neeff Hannes Philipp , Holzner Philipp Anton , Fichtner-Feigl Stefan , Kesselring Rebecca
Published: June 2024

Background

Resection of colorectal liver metastasis is the standard of care for patients with Stage IV CRC. Despite undoubtedly improving the overall survival of patients, pHx for colorectal liver metastasis frequently leads to disease recurrence. The contribution of this procedure to metastatic colorectal cancer at a molecular level is poorly understood. We designed a mouse model of orthograde metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) to investigate the effect of partial hepatectomy (pHx) on tumor progression.

Methods

CRC organoids were implanted into the cecal walls of wild type mice, and animals were screened for liver metastasis. At the time of metastasis, 1/3 partial hepatectomy was performed and the tumor burden was assessed longitudinally using MRI. After euthanasia, different tissues were analyzed for immunological and transcriptional changes using FACS, qPCR, RNA sequencing, and immunohistochemistry.

Results

Mice that underwent pHx presented significant liver hypertrophy and an increased overall metastatic load compared with SHAM operated mice in MRI. Elevation in the metastatic volume was defined by an increase in de novo liver metastasis without any effect on the growth of each metastasis. Concordantly, the livers of pHx mice were characterized by neutrophil and bacterial infiltration, inflammatory response, extracellular remodeling, and an increased abundance of tight junctions, resulting in the formation of a premetastatic niche, thus facilitating metastatic seeding.

Conclusions

Regenerative pathways following pHx accelerate colorectal metastasis to the liver by priming a premetastatic niche.
Elucidating the molecular landscape of tendinitis: the role of inflammasome-related genes and immune interactions
Authors: Xu Hongwei , Lu Xiaolang , Yu Yang , Zhou Yifei , Qi Tengfei , Zheng Yijing
Published: June 2024

Tendinitis, characterized by the inflammation of tendons, poses significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment due to its multifaceted etiology and complex pathophysiology. This study aimed to dissect the molecular mechanisms underlying tendinitis, with a particular focus on inflammasome-related genes and their interactions with the immune system. Through comprehensive gene expression analysis and bioinformatics approaches, we identified distinct expression profiles of inflammasome genes, such as NLRP6, NLRP1, and MEFV, which showed significant correlations with immune checkpoint molecules, indicating a pivotal role in the inflammatory cascade of tendinitis. Additionally, MYD88 and CD36 were found to be closely associated with HLA family molecules, underscoring their involvement in immune response modulation. Contrary to expectations, chemokines exhibited minimal correlation with inflammasome genes, suggesting an unconventional inflammatory pathway in tendinitis. Transcription factors like SP110 and CREB5 emerged as key regulators of inflammasome genes, providing insight into the transcriptional control mechanisms in tendinitis. Furthermore, potential therapeutic targets were identified through the DGidb database, highlighting drugs that could modulate the activity of inflammasome genes, offering new avenues for targeted tendinitis therapy. Our findings elucidate the complex molecular landscape of tendinitis, emphasizing the significant role of inflammasomes and immune interactions, and pave the way for the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Oxygen supersaturation adds resistance to a cnidarian: Symbiodiniaceae holobiont under moderate warming in experimental settings
Authors: Arossa Silvia , Klein Shannon G. , Garuglieri Elisa , Steckbauer Alexandra , Parry Anieka J. , Alva Garcia Jacqueline V. , Alamoudi Taiba , Yang Xinyuan , Hung Shiou-Han , Salazar Octavio R. , Marasco Ramona , Fusi Marco , Aranda Manuel , Daffonchio Daniele , Duarte Carlos M.
Published: June 2024

Ocean warming reduces O2 solubility and increases organismal O2 demand, endangering marine life. Coastal ecosystems, however, experience O2 supersaturation during peak daytime temperatures due to metabolic cycles. Recent discoveries show that this environmental supersaturation can reduce the vulnerability of tropical species to warming by satisfying their oxygen requirements. To test whether this also occurs within the cnidarian holobiont, we elevated internal O2 in Cassiopea andromeda at nighttime (i.e. holobiont respiration prevails on Symbiodniaceae O2 production) relying on bell pulsation for ventilation, then experimentally subjected them to thermal stress (+1°C day-1). Though ecologically unrealistic, this approach verified our hypothesis and eliminated confounding factors. Holobionts were exposed to either constant levels of 100% air saturation (100AS) or nighttime supersaturation (NSS; where 100% air saturation transitioned to O2 supersaturation at nighttime). At sublethal temperatures, supersaturation mitigated reductions in holobiont size of ~ 10.37% (-33.418% ± 0.345 under 100AS vs -23.039% ± 0.687 under NSS). Supersaturation alleviated chlorophyll-a loss by 42.73% until 34°C, when counteraction of this process could not be sustained due to excessive thermal stress. Supersaturation also enriched potentially beneficial bacterial taxa of the microbiome and selected a more consistent bacterial community. Although modest, the detected effects show that a O2 surplus increased the resistance of the holobionts to thermal stress.
Characterizing a regional fishery ecosystem trajectory: the Humpty Dumpty fish tale of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico from 1986 to 2013
Authors: Kilborn Joshua P.
Published: June 2024

Showcasing the fishery ecosystem trajectory framework, this study seeks to understand the complex interplay between environmental, socioeconomic, and management factors in a large marine ecosystem as they relate to the status, structure, and function of living marine resources over time. Utilizing this framework, a historical accounting of a fishery ecosystem’s shifting stable states can be developed to describe the evolution of resources and identify apparent temporal controls. To that end, approximately three decades of data, spanning 1986–2013, were drawn from the 2017 ecosystem status report for the United States’ Gulf of Mexico (GoM) and used here as a case study. Analyses revealed a capricious system with ten unique fishery regime states over the 28-year period. The fishery ecosystem trajectory was broadly characterized by gradual and persistent changes, likely fueled by exploitation trends. However, a mid-1990s paradigm shift in the dynamics controlling the system-wide organization of resources resulted in an apparent recovery trajectory before leading to continued differentiation relative to its 1986 baseline configuration. This “Humpty Dumpty” ecosystem trajectory signifies permanent alterations akin to the nursery rhyme protagonist’s unrecoverable fall. Anthropogenic factors identified as influential to resource organization included artificial reef prevalence and recreational fishing pressure, while regional effects of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation’s warm phase transition after 1995 and rising sea surface temperatures in the GoM were also deemed notable. Conspicuously, the paradigm shift timing was coincident with effective implementation of annual catch limits due to the 1996 Sustainable Fisheries Act, highlighting the importance of the robust regulatory environment in this region. While these results describe the GoM fishery ecosystem’s vulnerability to shifting environmental and socioeconomic conditions, they also underscore its resources’ resilience, likely rooted in their complexity and diversity, to the rapidly evolving pressures observed throughout the study period. This work emphasizes the necessity of cautious, adaptive management strategies for large marine ecosystems, particularly in the face of climate-related uncertainties and species’ differential responses. It provides insight into the GoM fishery ecosystem’s dynamics and illustrates a transferable approach for informing ecosystem-based management strategies, sustainable practices, and decision making focused on preserving ecologically, economically, and culturally vital marine resources.
Melatonin influences reproduction in the sapphire devil Chrysiptera cyanea via regulation of dopamine 2b receptor transcription
Authors: Byun Jun-Hwan , Mahardini Angka , Rizky Dinda , Udagawa Shingo , Kodai Fukunaga , Tan Ee Suan , Kim Jong-Myoung , Hur Sung-Pyo , Takemura Akihiro
Published: June 2024

Melatonin and dopamine participate in the regulation of reproduction-related hormone/peptide synthesis and secretion at the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis in fish. Here, we report a unique reproduction-related interaction of melatonin and dopamine in the brain of the sapphire devil Chrysiptera cyanea, a tropical damselfish with a long-day preference. We examined the expression of arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase 2 (aanat2)—a rate-limiting enzyme of melatonin, dopamine 2b receptor (d2b), gonadotropin-releasing hormone (gnrh1), and β-subunit of follicle-stimulating hormone (fshβ) and luteinizing hormone (lhβ)—in the brain of the sapphire devil. During the reproductive season, mature females were divided into the early vitellogenesis (EV), late vitellogenesis (LV), and post-spawning (PS) stages; a day-low and night-high profile of aanat2 was observed during EV and LV but not during PS. There were nocturnal increases in gnrh1 during EV and LV as well as d2b during LV, suggesting that melatonin has a positive effect on the levels of gnrh1 and d2b transcripts in mature fish. When the brains of females in the non-breeding season were sampled at 4-h intervals, nocturnal increases in the levels of fshβ and lhβ transcripts were observed at 00:00 and 04:00, respectively. The immersion of immature fish in melatonin-containing seawater for 6 h resulted in the upregulation of fshβ and lhβ, as well as downregulation of d2b, in the brain. Additionally, in situ hybridization analysis showed that melatonin treatment lowered the signals of d2b transcripts in the ventral hypothalamus, rostral pars distalis, proximal pars distalis, and pars intermedia, suggesting that melatonin has a negative impact on the levels of d2b transcripts in the hypothalamus and pituitary of immature females; the opposite effect is likely concerning the levels of fshβ and lhβ transcripts in the pituitary. In conclusion, melatonin positively and negatively acted on the hypothalamus and pituitary in the sapphire devil; these opposite effects were related to differences in gonadal development status.
Crab bioturbation reduces carbon storage in salt marshes under more robust mechanisms than plant invasiveness
Authors: Hua Yujie , Chen Huayu , Ren Linjing , Tang Jianwu , Li Xiuzhen
Published: June 2024

Introduction

The macrobenthos are crucial for the stability of estuarine ecosystems due to their burrowing behavior in the sediment and their uptake of nutrients from plants. These activities lead to significant alterations in both the morphological and biogeochemical processes within the region.

Methods

However, there is limited investigation into carbon cycling processes specifically related to crab bioturbation. Additionally, few studies have examined enzymatic activities and carbon fractions in sediments from crab burrow walls at different crab growth stages. This study aims to explore the impact of both plant invasiveness and crab bioturbation on carbon storage.

Results

Our findings suggest that plant invasion leads to higher organic accumulation due to the reduction of recalcitrant organic carbon (ROC) (decreased by 11.6% in invasive and 62.6% in native site from April to December), faster photosynthetic rates (25.8 μmol/m2 s in invasive and 10.7 μmol/m2 s in native site), and an increased presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in the soil over time. However, the increase of easy oxidized carbon (EOC) may lead to less carbon storage in soil (increase by 67.7% in invasive and 48.8% in native site from April to December). In addition to invasiveness, the bioturbation activities of macrobenthos also affect carbon storage. Sediments from crab burrows exhibit higher EOC content (33.6% more than the bulk soil) and higher levels of carbon cycling-related enzymes, including S-ACT, S-β-GC, and S-ACP activities (24.2%, 8.99%, and 135.6% higher than the bulk soil, respectively).

Discussion

These changes contribute to reduced carbon accumulation in the soil. Therefore, crab bioturbation is a more significant factor affecting carbon sink capacity than plant invasion.
Feasibility and reliability of measured glomerular filtration rate with [I125]-iothalamate among young adults with mild-to-moderate cerebral palsy
Authors: Whitney Daniel G. , Oliverio Andrea L. , Kreschmer Jodi , Bolde Shannen , Hurvitz Edward A. , Wong Ka Kit
Published: June 2024

Objective

Despite the need, measuring glomerular filtration rate (mGFR) is not routinely performed for adults with cerebral palsy (CP), possibly due to unknown feasibility given the secondary complications of CP. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and reliability of mGFR and explore factors associated with eGFR-mGFR discordance among young adults with mild-to-moderate CP.

Methods

This single-center, cross-sectional study included 18- to 40-year-olds with CP gross motor function classification system (GMFCS) I-III. The participants were excluded if they were pregnant/lactating, had cognitive impairments, or had contraindications to mGFR. A routine clinical protocol for mGFR and eGFR was used. mGFR feasibility was assessed based on the number of participants who completed testing. mGFR reliability was assessed using the coefficient of variation (CV) across the four 30 min intervals. The association between age, sex, and GMFCS and the percentage of eGFR-mGFR discordance was assessed.

Results

Of the 19 participants enrolled, 18 completed the testing [mean age (SD), 29.9 (7.4) years, n = 10 female participants, n = 10/3/5 for GMFCS I/II/III] and most (n = 15) of the participants had an mGFR >90 mL/min; 14 participants (77.8%) had a CV <20%, 2 had a CV between 20 and 25%, and 2 had a CV >50%. eGFR overestimated mGFR by a median (interquartile range) of approximately 17.5% (2–38%); the full range of mis-estimation was −20.5 to 174.3%. Increasing age and GMFCS levels exhibited notable, but weak-to-modest, associations with a larger eGFR-mGFR discordance.

Discussion

Obtaining mGFR was feasible and reasonably reliable within this small sample. eGFR overestimated mGFR by a notable amount, which may be associated with patient-level factors.
A review of the WHO strategy on traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine from the perspective of academic consortia for integrative medicine and health
Authors: Hoenders Rogier , Ghelman Ricardo , Portella Caio , Simmons Samantha , Locke Amy , Cramer Holger , Gallego-Perez Daniel , Jong Miek
Published: June 2024

Despite important progress in modern medicine, widely regarded as an indispensable foundation of healthcare in all highly advanced nations and regions, not all patients respond well to available treatments in biomedicine alone. Additionally, there are concerns about side effects of many medications and interventions, the unsustainable cost of healthcare and the low resolution of chronic non-communicable diseases and mental disorders whose incidence has risen in the last decades. Besides, the chronic stress and burnout of many healthcare professionals impairs the therapeutic relationship. These circumstances call for a change in the current paradigm and practices of biomedicine healthcare. Most of the world population (80%) uses some form of traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (T&CM), usually alongside biomedicine. Patients seem equally satisfied with biomedicine and T&CM, but in the field of T&CM there are also many challenges, such as unsupported claims for safety and/or efficacy, contamination of herbal medicines and problems with regulation and quality standards. As biomedicine and T&CM seem to have different strengths and weaknesses, integration of both approaches may be beneficial. Indeed, WHO has repeatedly called upon member states to work on the integration of T&CM into healthcare systems. Integrative medicine (IM) is an approach that offers a paradigm for doing so. It combines the best of both worlds (biomedicine and T&CM), based on evidence for efficacy and safety, adopting a holistic personalized approach, focused on health. In the last decades academic health centers are increasingly supportive of IM, as evidenced by the foundation of national academic consortia for integrative medicine in Brazil (2017), the Netherlands (2018), and Germany (2024) besides the pioneering American consortium (1998). However, the integration process is slow and sometimes met with criticism and even hostility. The WHO T&CM strategies (2002–2005 and 2014–2023) have provided incipient guidance on the integration process, but several challenges are yet to be addressed. This policy review proposes several possible solutions, including the establishment of a global matrix of academic consortia for IM, to update and extend the WHO T&CM strategy, that is currently under review.
A technique to treat Descemet’s membrane detachment following cataract surgery
Authors: Liu Wenjie , Ma Jack X. , Tan Xin , Chai Feiyan , Liu Jiewei
Published: June 2024

We describe a technique to reattach the detached Descemet’s membrane, following cataract surgery. From the main clear corneal cataract incision, aqueous humor is ejected completely by apposition of the cornea to the iris for approximately 3 s. This ensures the fluid in the space between the stroma and Descemet’s membrane is ejected and the detached Descemet’s membrane returns to its original position. Sterile air is injected through a paracentesis 180 degrees away from the Descemet’s membrane detachment, to maintain a complete air-filled chamber. Full air tamponade is maintained for 20 min, following which one-third of the air is ejected from the chamber to prevent an increase of postoperative intraocular pressure.
Vibrio vulnificus infection from insect bites in Shanghai: a case report
Authors: Hu Xiaojie , Que Huafa
Published: June 2024

Background

Infection with Vibrio vulnificus is associated with high rates of amputation and mortality. Alterations in the global climate have heightened the risk of atypical infections caused by this pathogen.

Case presentation

In the case report we describe, a 75-year-old man residing in a coastal city contracted Vibrio vulnificus secondary to an insect bite.

Discussion and conclusion

This case underscores the importance for clinicians of recognizing that early administration of appropriate antibiotics in patients with non-traditional routes of Vibrio vulnificus infection can significantly reduce rates of amputation and mortality.
Impact of including two types of destoned olive cakes in pigs’ diets on fecal bacterial composition and study of the relationship between fecal microbiota, feed efficiency, gut fermentation, and gaseous emissions
Authors: Belloumi Dhekra , García-Rebollar Paloma , Calvet Salvador , Francino M. Pilar , Reyes-Prieto Mariana , González-Garrido Jorge , Piquer Laia , Jiménez-Belenguer Ana Isabel , Bermejo Almudena , Cano Carmen , Cerisuelo Alba
Published: June 2024

The microbial population in the pig’s gastrointestinal tract can be influenced by incorporating fibrous by-products into the diets. This study investigated the impact of including two types of dried olive cake (OC) in pigs’ diets on fecal bacterial composition. The correlation between fecal microbiota and growth performance, nutrient digestibility, gut fermentation pattern and slurry gas emissions was also evaluated. Thirty male Pietrain x (Landrace x Large white) pigs (47.9 ± 4.21 kg) were assigned to three groups: a control group (C), a group fed a diet with 20% partially defatted OC (20PDOC), and a group fed a diet with 20% cyclone OC (20COC) for 21 days. Fecal samples collected before and after providing the experimental diets were analyzed for the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Pigs were weighed, and feed intake was recorded throughout the study. Potential ammonia and methane emissions from slurry were measured. No significant differences in alpha diversity indexes were found. The taxonomic analysis revealed that Firmicutes and Bacteroidota phyla were dominant at the phylum level across all groups. Differential abundance analysis using ALDEx showed significant differences among groups for various bacteria at the phylum, genus, and species levels at the end of the experiment. Pigs from 20PDOC and 20COC groups exhibited increased abundances of health-promoting bacteria, such as Plactomycetota at the phylum level and Allisonella and an unidentified genus from the Eggerthellaceae family at the genus level. These changes influenced short-chain fatty acids’ (SCFA) concentration in slurries, leading to greater acetic, butyric, caproic and heptanoic acids in OC-fed groups, especially 20COC pigs. A volatility analysis revealed significant positive correlations (p < 0.05) between Uncultured_Bacteroidales and Unculured_Selenomonadaceae and energy digestibility. Monoglobus and Desulfovibrio showed a positive significant (p < 0.05) correlation with total SCFA, indicating a high impact on gut fermentation. However, growth performance parameters and potential gas emission displayed no significant correlations with a specific bacterial genus. In conclusion, our results suggest that OC inclusion into pig diets could positively modulate and contribute to the gut microbiota’s favorable composition and functionality. Also, nutrient digestibility and gut fermentation patterns can be associated with specific microbial populations.