bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SOSYOEKONOMİK FAKTÖRLERİN SUÇ ORANLARINA ETKİSİ: EKONOMİK BÜYÜME, GÖÇ VE BAĞIMLILIK
Authors: Marufoğlu Mevlüt , Görür Çetin
Published: October 2024

Suç oranları, modern toplumların en önemli sosyal problemlerinden biri olarak karşımıza çıkarken, bu oranları etkileyen birçok karmaşık faktör bulunmaktadır. Ekonomik büyüme, göç ve bağımlılık gibi unsurlar, suç oranları üzerinde derin etkiler yaratabilir. Ekonomik büyüme, genellikle refah seviyesinin artmasına ve işsizlik oranlarının azalmasına katkıda bulunarak suç oranlarını düşürebilir; ancak, ekonomik eşitsizlikler ve kaynakların adil olmayan dağılımı suç faaliyetlerini tetikleyebilir. Göç ise, hem olumlu hem de olumsuz etkiler yaratabilir; göçmenlerin entegrasyon süreci, sosyal uyum ve fırsat eşitliği sağlandığında toplumsal yapıya olumlu katkılar sunarken, uyum sorunları ve toplumsal dışlanma, suç oranlarının artmasına neden olabilir. Bağımlılık, özellikle uyuşturucu ve alkol bağımlılığı, bireylerin suç işleme eğilimlerini artırarak hem bireysel hem de toplumsal düzeyde suç oranlarına etki edebilir. Bu faktörlerin bir arada değerlendirilmesi, suç oranlarının anlaşılması ve etkin çözümler üretilmesi için kritik bir öneme sahiptir. Gelişmiş ülkelerde suç oranları, toplumun sosyal, ekonomik ve politik dinamiklerinin bir yansıması olarak karmaşık bir yapıya sahiptir. Bu çalışmada gelişmiş ülkelerde suç oranlarını etkileyen ekonomik büyüme, göç ve bağımlılık faktörler panel nedensellik testi ile ele alınmıştır. Çalışmada panel genelinde suç oranları ile ekonomik büyüme arasında nedensellik ilişkisi olmadığı bazı ülkelerde ise bu ilişkinin varlığı gözlemlenmiştir. Suç oranları ile göç ve suç oranları ile bağımlılık arasında ise panel genelinde çift yönlü bir nedensellik ilişkinin varlığı gözlemlenmiştir.
Fragile Democratization When Military Forces Fear Losing Control over Transition: The Cases of Thailand and Myanmar
Authors: Kong Lingkai
Published: October 2024

The military governments and political democratization processes in Thailand and Myanmar have been studied extensively, but there is a lack of research that reveals how the military governments played what role at key points in the process. With an introduction to the basic political realities of these two countries, and figures and tables to compare the seats held by the military and democratic camps in the last few elections, the author demonstrate the evolution of pro-military and pro-democratic parties in both countries. It is found that: first, the politics in both countries historically were heavily influenced by military forces. Second, the military in both countries actually tolerated a certain degree of democratization. Finally, when the military found that the democratization process was beyond their control, the military tended to intervene to slow down that democratization process.
Over the counter hearing aids self-fitting using the Gaussian Process Classification
Authors: Boven Christopher , Turek Joseph , Dunckley Kathleen , Richter Claus-Peter
Published: October 2024

Introduction

To provide better access to hearing aids and lower the devices' costs for patients with mild to moderate hearing loss, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) changed its rules for hearing aid distribution, making them available to consumers over-the-counter without the supervision, involvement, or prescription of a licensed health care professional. While this regulation provides some patients direct access to hearing aids, the hearing aid fitting creates challenges for the patients and the hearing aid providers. OTC hearing aids should be programmable outside of a clinical setting. This study demonstrates that the self-fitting of hearing aids does not differ significantly from and is non-inferior to the fitting of the device by a licensed audiologist.

Method

Hearing aid and patient performance after fitting the device by the patient (self-fitting) and a certified audiologist (clinical fitting) were compared in a laboratory setting and a field trial. The laboratory session used a repeated-measures design to assess the reliability and validity of the self-fitting method. A 7–14 days of wear time was used for the field study. The outcome measures for the laboratory session were the differences in acoustical real-ear aided response (REAR). For the wear-time trial, the outcome was the clinical self-report measure of benefit (Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit, APHAB). The benefit of the hearing aid was tested after the self-fitting and the clinical fitting of the hearing aid with a speech-in-noise test (QucikSIN).

Results

The test outcomes showed no statistically significant differences between repeated self-fitting and clinical fitting of the hearing aids. The hearing aid self-fitting was non-inferior to the clinical fitting.

Discussion

It is important to emphasize that the results and conclusion obtained in this study strictly relate to the specific self-fitting process using the Gaussian Process. Many other potential methods for fitting hearing aids exist and future field studies are required to compare the efficacy of the self-fitting methods.
An enhanced whale optimization algorithm for task scheduling in edge computing environments
Authors: Han Li , Zhu Shuaijie , Zhao Haoyang , He Yanqiang
Published: October 2024

The widespread use of mobile devices and compute-intensive applications has increased the connection of smart devices to networks, generating significant data. Real-time execution faces challenges due to limited resources and demanding applications in edge computing environments. To address these challenges, an enhanced whale optimization algorithm (EWOA) was proposed for task scheduling. A multi-objective model based on CPU, memory, time, and resource utilization was developed. The model was transformed into a whale optimization problem, incorporating chaotic mapping to initialize populations and prevent premature convergence. A nonlinear convergence factor was introduced to balance local and global search. The algorithm's performance was evaluated in an experimental edge computing environment and compared with ODTS, WOA, HWACO, and CATSA algorithms. Experimental results demonstrated that EWOA reduced costs by 29.22%, decreased completion time by 17.04%, and improved node resource utilization by 9.5%. While EWOA offers significant advantages, limitations include the lack of consideration for potential network delays and user mobility. Future research will focus on fault-tolerant scheduling techniques to address dynamic user needs and improve service robustness and quality.
Experimental study on the dynamic threshold pressure gradient of high water-bearing tight sandstone gas reservoir
Authors: Li Yahui , Fu Jingang , Yan Wenxin , Chen Kui , Ding Jingchen , Wu Jianbiao
Published: October 2024

Tight sandstone water-bearing gas reservoirs typically exhibit low porosity and low permeability, with reservoir rocks characterized by complex pore structures, often featuring micron-scale or smaller pore throats. This intricate reservoir structure significantly restricts fluid flow within the reservoir, necessitating a certain threshold pressure gradient (TPG) to be overcome before flow can commence. This study focuses on the Ordos Basin and explores the influence of high water content tight sandstone gas reservoirs on TPG under different water saturation and formation pressure conditions through experiments. A mathematical model of TPG is established using multiple linear regression method. The results show that TPG is primarily affected by water saturation, followed by formation pressure. As the water saturation increases, the TPG of the core decreases, and the change becomes more pronounced when the water saturation exceeds 50%. As formation pressure increases, the weakening of the slippage effect in gas molecules leads to TPG stabilization, especially when local pressure exceeds 25.0 MPa. The research also shows that low-permeability cores exhibit greater TPG variation with pressure changes, while high-permeability cores remain more stable. A mathematical model was developed and validated to predict TPG based on permeability, water saturation, and formation pressure. These findings highlight the need to monitor formation water content during tight sandstone gas reservoir development to optimize production strategies, providing valuable insights for improving reservoir management and guiding future research.
Enhancing mathematical function understanding in university students: a comparative study of design thinking vs. traditional teaching methods
Authors: Vivanco-Galván Oscar , Castillo-Malla Darwin , Suconota Edgar , Quizphe Rolando , Jiménez-Gaona Yuliana
Published: October 2024

Mathematical education requires innovative didactic strategies to enhance the understanding and application of mathematical concepts, as traditional teaching methods often lack relevance. This methodology aims to develop a problem-solving scientific approach called design thinking as a strategy for learning mathematics functions. The study was applied to a sample of 138 students of biochemical, biological, and industrial engineering careers attending the first academic cycle at the Faculty of Natural and Exact Sciences of the Particular Technical University of Loja-Ecuador. The methodology uses a quasi-experimental design with a convenience sampling method. All participants were divided into a control group (C, D, K) and an experimental group (P, Q, R). Knowledge, skills, perceptions, and engagement were measured through pretest, posttest, workshop, rubric, project, and survey instruments. The pretest results indicate that both groups had similar knowledge of mathematical functions (pretest mean experimental group: 1.42/2 and mean control group: 1.55/2). Moreover, after applying design thinking strategy to the experimental group, variables questionnaire, project, and workshop show statistical differences (p < 0.001) between groups related to the traditional learning strategy, increasing the experimental group’s score in the project (posttest mean experimental group: 1.62/2 points, and mean control group: 1.65/2). The survey opinion indicates that 53.5% of the experimental group highlighted the project’s development as positively impacting their academic training. In conclusion, problem-solving design thinking using scientific projects as a mathematical function learning strategy contributes to improving the comprehension of polynomial functions and developing mathematical competencies, abilities, and skills to generate tangible solutions for real problems.
The mediating role of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D on the association between reduced sensitivity to thyroid hormones and periodontitis in Chinese euthyroid adults
Authors: Yang Hao , Lu Yayun , Zhao Lina , He Yufeng , He Yuecheng , Chen Dong
Published: October 2024

Aim

Thyroid dysfunction is closely associated with periodontitis. We aim to explore the association between sensitivity to thyroid hormones (THs) and periodontitis and to investigate the mediating role of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D[25(OH)D] in this relationship in Chinese euthyroid populations.

Methods

This population-based retrospective study included 2,530 euthyroid participants. Central sensitivity to THs was assessed by the thyroid feedback quantile-based index (TFQI), parametric thyroid feedback quantile-based index (PTFQI), thyrotrophic thyroxine resistance index (TT4RI) and thyroid-stimulating hormone index (TSHI), while FT3/FT4 was evaluated to assess peripheral sensitivity. Multivariable regression analysis and restricted cubic spline were performed to explore the association between sensitivity to THs and periodontitis. Threshold effect and subgroup analysis were also conducted. Mediation analysis was performed to estimate direct and indirect effects through 25(OH)D.

Results

Multivariable regression analysis indicated that central sensitivity to THs indices(per SD increase) were positively associated with periodontitis risk [TFQI: OR=1.19,95% CI (1.09, 1.31); PTFQI: OR=1.22, 95% CI(1.12,1.34); TSHI: OR=1.36, 95% CI (1.21,1.52); TT4RI: OR=1.43, 95% CI (1.25,1.63)](all P value<0.001). TT4RI only had a non-linear relationship with periodontitis in euthyroid participants. Subgroup analysis showed that no significant correlations were founded among those aged over 65 years or with hypertension/diabetes. Mediation analysis revealed that the proportions mediated by 25(OH)D on the association of TFQI, PTFQI,TSHI, TT4RI and periodontitis risk were 16.37%, 16.43%, 9.93% and 10.21%, respectively.

Conclusions

Impaired central sensitivity to THs is positively associated with periodontitis in euthyroid and serum 25(OH)D might be one of its biological mechanisms.
A practical framework for applied forestry assisted migration
Authors: Bower Andrew D. , Frerker Katie L. , Pike Carolyn C. , Labonte Nicholas R. , Palik Brian J. , Royo Alejandro A. , Anderson Sarah M. , Ferreira Arnaldo R. , Brandt Leslie A.
Published: October 2024

Recent and projected changes in climate over this century pose an unprecedented threat to the health, diversity, and productivity of forest ecosystems. Forests have migrated and adapted to long-term changes in climate over thousands to millions of years; however, natural migration rates and adaptive responses of tree populations cannot match the rapid pace of current climate change. Consequently, more climate-informed approaches to reforestation are needed as current reforestation strategies using local seed sources may no longer be adequate to meet forest management objectives. Assisted migration is a climate change adaptation technique that can help maintain the ecosystem services and economic value that forests provide. Forestry assisted migration (FAM) focusses on the movement of populations of widespread, commercially, or ecologically important forest tree species within or just beyond their current ranges as a way to maintain forest productivity and health in the face of climate change. Although the forestry community recognizes FAM as a reforestation tool, guidance for planning and implementation of FAM is lacking and a framework that provides this guidance can prove useful to land managers with limited time and resources available who want to undertake FAM. We developed a practical framework (the FAM Framework) to provide a structured approach to ensure the most important considerations and best available science are utilized by land managers wanting to implement FAM on their land base. The FAM Framework incorporates multiple factors for the application of FAM in four sequential phases: assessment and analysis, climate-based plant material selection, seed procurement and deployment, and documentation and monitoring. The FAM Framework was tested by developing an assisted migration plan for the Superior National Forest, Minnesota (MN), and lessons learned from the development of this specific plan were used to revise and improve the FAM Framework for suitability across all lands. While originally designed to meet the needs of National Forest System land managers, it is relevant and applicable across the spectrum of land ownership because it incorporates consideration of critical elements in planning and implementing FAM on any landscape while facilitating adaptive management for active learning and future implementation.
Identification of m5C-Related gene diagnostic biomarkers for sepsis: a machine learning study
Authors: Lin Siming , Cai Kexin , Feng Shaodan , Lin Zhihong
Published: October 2024

Background

Sepsis is a serious condition that occurs when the body’s response to infection becomes uncontrolled, resulting in a high risk of death. Despite improvements in healthcare, identifying sepsis early is difficult because of its diverse nature and the absence of distinct biomarkers. Recent studies suggest that 5-methylcytosine (m5C)-related genes play a significant role in immune responses, yet their diagnostic potential in sepsis remains unexplored.

Methods

This research combined and examined four sepsis-related datasets (GSE95233, GSE57065, GSE100159, and GSE65682) sourced from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO)database to discover m5C-related genes with differential expression. Various machine learning methods, such as decision tree, random forest, and XGBoost, were utilized in identifying crucial hub genes. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to assess the diagnostic accuracy of these genetic markers. Additionally, single-gene enrichment and immune infiltration analyses were conducted to investigate the underlying mechanisms involving these hub genes in sepsis.

Results

Three hub genes, DNA Methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), tumor protein P53 (TP53), and toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8), were identified and validated for their diagnostic efficacy, showing area under the curve (AUC) values above 0.7 in both test and validation sets. Enrichment analyses revealed that these genes are involved in key pathways such as p53 signaling and Toll-like receptor signaling. Immune infiltration analysis indicated significant correlations between hub genes and various immune cell types, suggesting their roles in modulating immune responses during sepsis.

Conclusion

The study highlights the diagnostic potential of m5C-related genes in sepsis and their involvement in immune regulation. These findings offer new insights into sepsis pathogenesis and suggest that DNMT1, TP53, and TLR8 could serve as valuable biomarkers for early diagnosis. Further studies should prioritize validating these biomarkers in clinical settings and investigating their potential for therapy.
Characteristics of blood lipid and metabolic indicators in subclinical hypothyroidism patients: a retrospective study
Authors: Zhu Lili , Jiang Xiaohong
Published: October 2024

Background

The characteristics of blood lipid and metabolic indicators were analyzed in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH), and the effect of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on SCH patients was determined.

Methods

The physical examination data of 2,119 residents in a university community were retrospectively divided into 2 groups (SCH and non-SCH groups). Furthermore, the SCH group was divided into SCH-T2DM and SCH–non-T2DM subgroups, and the data between the groups were analyzed.

Results

The SCH group had significantly higher levels of triglycerides (p = 0.044), total cholesterol (p = 0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.019), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.044), 2-h plasma glucose (p = 0.023), and globulin (p = 0.000) compared to the non-SCH group. The SCH–T2DM group was older (p < 0.001), had a greater BMI (p = 0.028), a more rapid heart rate (p = 0.025), and a greater waist circumference (p < 0.001) than the SCH–non-T2DM group based on the subgroup analysis. The SCH–T2DM group had significantly higher dyslipidemia and dysglycemia levels than the SCH–non-T2DM group.

Conclusion

Patients with SCH with or without T2DM may have dyslipidemia and dysglycemia and should be evaluated accordingly.
The causal role of gastroesophageal reflux disease in endometriosis: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Shi Zunlin , Li Zhi , Wang Kana , Yang Fan
Published: October 2024

Observational studies have reported an association between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and endometriosis. We conducted a two-sample and bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis to determine whether those associations are causal. Two-sample and bidirectional MR analyses were performed using summary statistics from the European Individual Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS). The inverse variance weighting (IVW) method is used as the main analysis method to evaluate causality. Sensitivity analyses were performed to assess heterogeneity, horizontal versatility, and stability. The results showed no significant causal association between GERD in women with endometriosis in the UK Bank database [ratio (OR) ≈ 0, 95% adjusted interval (CI) 1.0007∼1.0044, P = 0.006] and Finn databases [ratio (OR) = 1.29, 95% adjusted interval (CI) 0.99∼1.67, P = 0.06]. However, when studying the Finn database only for endometriosis, which is confined to the uterus, a significant increase in GERD was limited to the risk of endometriosis in the uterus [ratio (OR) = 1.47, 95% adjusted interval (CI) 1.00∼2.17, P = 0.05]. Sensitivity analysis showed that the results were robust and did not detect multi efficacy or heterogeneity. Meanwhile, reverse MR analysis showed that endometriosis did not increase the risk of GERD. This MR study supports a causal relationship between GERD and an increased risk of endometriosis confined to the uterus. Therefore, patients with gastric esophageal reflux should be treated with gynecological examination to avoid and prevent the development of endometriosis.
The experiences of newly qualified nurses in intensive care unit: a qualitative meta-synthesis
Authors: Wang Ligang , Chen Yuan , Yu Haiyan , Wu Linjing , You Aijun , Zheng Xutong , Zhang Yunfei
Published: October 2024

Background

Clinical rotation practicum provides NQNs with more opportunities to learn their professional knowledge and develop basic nursing skills. ICU is often used as one of the clinical practicum departments for NQNs. Nursing shortages have been particularly felt in ICU. Due to the characteristic fast-paced working environments, high acuity of patient care, and technical complexities of an ICU. The experience of NQNs is highly stressful and challenging in these settings, which hinders their professional development and impacts patient care.

Aims

The study aimed to systematically review and synthesis the findings of qualitative studies exploring experience of NQNs in ICU rotation, to provide a basis for enhancing the quality of clinical nursing.

Methods

Nine databases were systematically searched for relevant publications from inception until February 2024. All qualitative studies in English and Chinese that explored the experience of NQNs in ICU rotation were collected. Two independent reviewers selected the studies and used The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tool to evaluate the quality of the studies. Meta-synthesis was performed to integrate the results.

Results

A total of 13 studies revealed five descriptive themes and 14 sub-themes: ICU readiness, physical and psychological stress, positive self-perception, developing relationships, and ICU reflections.

Conclusion

Standardized training in ICU, the working ability of NQNs is exercised and their professional quality is improved. However, it is also adversely affected by various stressors. The appropriate guidance and monitoring should be given by hospital managers, so as to promote the development of NQNs and enhance the quality of clinical nursing.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, CRD42023475257.
Bone resorption as a marker for delayed esophageal perforation post anterior cervical spine surgery: a retrospective analysis and call for increased vigilance
Authors: Luo Hua , Wang Zhangfu , Mi Shuang , Yang Guangyong , Pan Wenjun , Feng Xingbing , Hong Zhenghua
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Delayed esophageal perforation following anterior cervical spine surgery (ACSS) is a rare but serious complication. This study is to investigate the clinical characteristics, diagnostic approaches, and treatment outcomes of delayed esophageal perforation following ACSS, with a focus on the role of bone resorption around internal fixations as a potential diagnostic indicator.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed patients diagnosed with delayed esophageal perforation after ACSS from January 2010 to December 2023 and described their clinical characteristics, diagnostic approaches, and treatment outcomes. Through the analysis of the differences in the radiomics of patients, we identified the possible clinical signs of esophageal perforation and shared our experience in treating esophageal perforation.

Results

A total of five patients met our criteria. All five patients exhibited bone resorption around their internal fixations on radiography. Although bone resorption typically suggests local infection, none of the patients showed clear signs of neck skin infection, leading us to suspect esophageal perforation as the underlying cause. Further diagnostic procedures including CT, MRI, esophagography, and endoscopy were crucial for confirming the diagnosis of delayed esophageal perforation and assessing its severity. All patients underwent surgical intervention involving implant removal and esophageal repair using a sternocleidomastoid muscle flap transfer. All patients recovered and were discharged after treatment, with no recurrence of symptoms during follow-up.

Conclusion

Delayed esophageal perforation should be considered in patients with neck pain or nonspecific symptoms after ACSS, especially with bone resorption around internal fixations. Clinicians should maintain high vigilance and use multimodal imaging and endoscopy for timely diagnosis. Our study indicates a significant link between bone resorption and delayed esophageal perforation despite the limited number of cases. Highlighting this association aims to raise awareness and encourage further research. Larger studies are needed to validate our findings, improve clinical guidelines, and ultimately enhance patient outcomes in orthopedics.
Unleashing the synergistic effect of promising fungicides: a breakthrough solution for combating powdery mildew in pea plants
Authors: Maria  , Naz Ishrat , Khan Rizwan , Alam Syed Sartaj , Iqbal Owais , Akram Shazia , Rajput Nasir Ahmed , Younas Muhammad Usama , Qasim Muhammad , Ali Ijaz , Elsalahy Heba H. , Iqbal Rashid , Aljowaie Reem M. , Munir Shahzad
Published: October 2024

Pea powdery mildew, caused by Erysiphe pisi, is a major limitation to global pea production. The emergence of fungicide-resistant pathogen populations due to frequent and injudicious pesticide application highlights the importance of exploring the synergistic properties of fungicide combinations. This study investigated the efficacy of difenoconazole, thiophanate-methyl, and sulfur, both individually and in mixtures, against powdery mildew and assessed the interaction types between these fungicides. The results demonstrated that the combination of difenoconazole, thiophanate-methyl, and sulfur was the most effective in reducing, reducing disease severity to 6.10% and minimizing conidial production on foliage. Additionally, this fungicide combination reduced conidial germination by 89.26% in vitro and by 87.50% in a detached leaf assay compared to the control. The treatment also positively impacted leaf chlorophyll content (55.18), green pod yield (22.21 tons ha−1), seed yield (12.29 tons ha−1), and other yield-related parameters. Although statistically significant, this ternary fungicide combination was closely followed by the binary combination of thiophanate-methyl and sulfur, which was the only combination exhibiting synergism in both laboratory and field trials with a synergy factor (SF) > 1. In conclusion, this approach offers improved disease control as part of integrated disease management (IDM) while minimizing the risk of resistant pathogen strains.
A genomic analysis reveals the diversity of cellulosome displaying bacteria
Authors: Minor Christine M. , Takayesu Allen , Ha Sung Min , Salwinski Lukasz , Sawaya Michael R. , Pellegrini Matteo , Clubb Robert T.
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Several species of cellulolytic bacteria display cellulosomes, massive multi-cellulase containing complexes that degrade lignocellulosic plant biomass (LCB). A greater understanding of cellulosome structure and enzyme content could facilitate the development of new microbial-based methods to produce renewable chemicals and materials.

Methods

To identify novel cellulosome-displaying microbes we searched 305,693 sequenced bacterial genomes for genes encoding cellulosome proteins; dockerin-fused glycohydrolases (DocGHs) and cohesin domain containing scaffoldins.

Results and discussion

This analysis identified 33 bacterial species with the genomic capacity to produce cellulosomes, including 10 species not previously reported to produce these complexes, such as Acetivibrio mesophilus. Cellulosome-producing bacteria primarily originate from the Acetivibrio, Ruminococcus, Ruminiclostridium, and Clostridium genera. A rigorous analysis of their enzyme, scaffoldin, dockerin, and cohesin content reveals phylogenetically conserved features. Based on the presence of a high number of genes encoding both scaffoldins and dockerin-fused GHs, the cellulosomes in Acetivibrio and Ruminococcus bacteria possess complex architectures that are populated with a large number of distinct LCB degrading GH enzymes. Their complex cellulosomes are distinguishable by their mechanism of attachment to the cell wall, the structures of their primary scaffoldins, and by how they are transcriptionally regulated. In contrast, bacteria in the Ruminiclostridium and Clostridium genera produce ‘simple’ cellulosomes that are constructed from only a few types of scaffoldins that based on their distinct complement of GH enzymes are predicted to exhibit high and low cellulolytic activity, respectively. Collectively, the results of this study reveal conserved and divergent architectural features in bacterial cellulosomes that could be useful in guiding ongoing efforts to harness their cellulolytic activities for bio-based chemical and materials production.
Enrichment of acid-tolerant sulfide-producing microbes from an acidic pit lake
Authors: Liu Yutong , Macalady Jennifer L. , Sánchez-España Javier , Burgos William D.
Published: October 2024

High concentrations of harmful metal(loid)s and extreme acidity are persistent environmental concerns in acidic pit lakes. In this study, we examine Cueva de la Mora (CM), a meromictic pit lake in the Iberian Pyrite Belt, Spain, as a model system. Our research aims to explore potential bioremediation strategies to mitigate the impacts of metal(loid)s and acidity in such environments. The major strategy applied in this research is to biologically stimulate sulfate reduction (i.e., biosulfidogenesis) in the deep layer of the lake to promote the formation of low-solubility sulfide minerals. Previous omics-based studies of CM have shown that several sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) taxa are present in the deep layer. However, their activities are likely limited by the availability of electron donors for sulfide production. Therefore, different amendments (glycerol, elemental sulfur, and glycerol + elemental sulfur) were tested to promote sulfide production and enrich acid-tolerant sulfide-producing microbes. Our results showed that glycerol stimulated dissimilatory sulfate reduction much faster than elemental sulfur alone, suggesting that electron donor limitations control sulfide production. Furthermore, the combined addition of glycerol and elemental sulfur (S(0)) resulted in the highest level of sulfide production. This indicates that S(0) can play a significant role as an electron acceptor in further promoting sulfide production when a suitable electron donor is present. Microbial community analysis revealed that Desulfosporosinus acididurans, a previously discovered acid-tolerant SRB, was enriched and became the dominant species in incubations with glycerol only (~76–96% abundance) or the combination of glycerol and S(0) (~93–99% abundance).
P1 evoked by facial expression images is enhanced in Parkinson’s disease patients with depressive symptoms
Authors: Sun Yujia , Mo Yixiang , Peng Chunkai , Li Qingqing , Wang Zhuyong , Xue Sha , Zhang Shizhong
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Depressive symptoms are most common non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD), which is often overlooked due to absence of rapid and objective diagnostic biomarkers. Electroencephalography (EEG)-based event-related potentials (ERPs) is commonly used to assess emotional processes. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in ERPs in PD patients exhibiting depressive symptoms and to provide a reliable biomarker for assisting in the diagnosis of PD with depressive symptoms.

Methods

We conducted a case–control study involving 30 PD patients with (dPD group) or without depressive symptoms (nPD group) and 13 age matched healthy controls (HC). We recorded EEG of the patients during the emotional picture stimulation task and analyzed the difference in the early ERPs potentials (P1, N170, early posterior negativity) and their correlation with the severity of symptoms in PD patients.

Results

Our results found that P1 amplitude in the occipital region of the dPD group in response to emotional faces was significantly higher than that of nPD and HC group, and it was positively correlated with severity of depressive symptoms in PD patients.

Conclusion

Our study shows that facial expression-induced enhancement of P1 amplitude can be utilized as a rapid and objective indicator to screen for depressive symptoms in PD.
Mechanical acupuncture at HT7 attenuates alcohol self-administration in rats by modulating neuroinflammation and altering mPFC-habenula-VTA circuit activity
Authors: Seo Su Yeon , Bang Se Kyun , Kang Suk Yun , Cho Seong Jin , Choi Kwang-Ho , Ryu Yeonhee
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Alcohol use disorder is a chronic disorder with significant limitations in pharmacological treatments, necessitating the exploration of non-pharmacological interventions.

Methods

We used a model of alcohol self-administration (10% v/v) to analyze behavioral, neurochemical, and signaling mechanisms.

Results

Our findings demonstrate that stimulation of the HT7 acupuncture point significantly decreased the frequency of active lever presses in rats self-administering alcohol (p < 0.05). Alcohol self-administration increased microglial activity and sigma 1 receptor expression in the habenula (Hb), while HT7 stimulation mitigated these effects, decreasing microglial activity and sigma 1 receptor levels (p < 0.05). Additionally, alcohol self-administration reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and increased tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) levels in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) (p < 0.05). HT7 stimulation reversed these alterations by increasing BDNF expression in the mPFC and decreasing TH levels in the VTA (p < 0.05). Further investigation revealed that BDNF microinjection into the mPFC inhibited sigma 1 receptor activity in the Hb, while microglial inhibition in the Hb decreased TH expression in the VTA (p < 0.05). The administration of the microglial inhibitor MINO to the Hb also reduced alcohol self-administration (p < 0.05).

Discussion

These results suggest that HT7 stimulation regulates the mPFC-Hb-VTA circuit, leading to decreased alcohol-seeking behavior. Our study demonstrates that HT7 acupuncture can modulate the mPFC-Hb-VTA circuit, providing a potential non-pharmacological treatment for alcohol-seeking behavior by influencing microglial activity, sigma 1 receptor expression, and TH levels. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying acupuncture’s therapeutic effects on alcohol use disorder.
Piezo1: the key regulators in central nervous system diseases
Authors: Xu Yi , Wang Yuheng , Yang Yanling , Fang Xiaowei , Wu Lidong , Hu Jialing , Li Jin , Mei Shuchong
Published: October 2024

The occurrence and development of central nervous system (CNS) diseases is a multi-factor and multi-gene pathological process, and their diagnosis and treatment have always posed a serious challenge in the medical field. Therefore, exploring the relevant factors in the pathogenesis of CNS and improving the diagnosis and treatment rates has become an urgent problem. Piezo1 is a recently discovered mechanosensitive ion channel that opens in response to mechanical stimuli. A number of previous studies have shown that the Piezo channel family plays a crucial role in CNS physiology and pathology, especially in diseases related to CNS development and mechanical stimulation. This article comprehensively describes the biological properties of Piezo1, focuses on the potential association between Piezo1 and CNS disorders, and explores the pharmacological roles of Piezo1 agonists and inhibitors in treating CNS disorders.
A nociceptive-nociplastic spectrum of myofascial orofacial pain: insights from neuronal ion channel studies
Authors: Chuinsiri Nontawat , Tiskratok Watcharaphol , Jorns Teekayu Plangkoon
Published: October 2024

Myofascial orofacial pain, traditionally viewed as a nociceptive pain condition, also exhibits characteristics consistent with nociplastic pain—pain arising from altered nociception without clear evidence of tissue damage. Evidence supporting myofascial orofacial pain as nociplastic pain includes clinical observations of central sensitisation in patients, even in the absence of visible inflammation. Sensitisation is characterised by heightened responsiveness of nociceptive neurons to normal stimuli or activation by normally subthreshold stimuli, either in the peripheral or central nervous system. It is linked to maladaptive neuroplastic changes, including increased functional potentiation and altered expression of neuronal ion channels, receptors and neurotransmitters. This mini-review presents insights from existing evidence regarding altered nociception and its relation to changes in the expression of neuronal ion channels in myofascial orofacial pain. Increased expression of transient receptor potential (TRP) vanilloid 1 channels (TRPV1), TRPV4, TRP ankyrin 1 channels (TRPA1), Piezo2 channels, P2X3 purinergic receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) receptors and voltage-gated calcium channels in the trigeminal ganglion of rodents has been observed in association with myofascial orofacial pain. This evidence highlights the role of neuronal ion channels in the pathophysiology of myofascial orofacial pain and supports the involvement of nociplastic mechanisms.
Facial emotion recognition using deep quantum and advanced transfer learning mechanism
Authors: Alsubai Shtwai , Alqahtani Abdullah , Alanazi Abed , Sha Mohemmed , Gumaei Abdu
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Facial expressions have become a common way for interaction among humans. People cannot comprehend and predict the emotions or expressions of individuals through simple vision. Thus, in psychology, detecting facial expressions or emotion analysis demands an assessment and evaluation of decisions for identifying the emotions of a person or any group during communication. With the recent evolution of technology, AI (Artificial Intelligence) has gained significant usage, wherein DL (Deep Learning) based algorithms are employed for detecting facial expressions.

Methods

The study proposes a system design that detects facial expressions by extracting relevant features using a Modified ResNet model. The proposed system stacks building-blocks with residual connections and employs an advanced extraction method with quantum computing, which significantly reduces computation time compared to conventional methods. The backbone stem utilizes a quantum convolutional layer comprised of several parameterized quantum-filters. Additionally, the research integrates residual connections in the ResNet-18 model with the Modified up Sampled Bottle Neck Process (MuS-BNP), retaining computational efficacy while benefiting from residual connections.

Results

The proposed model demonstrates superior performance by overcoming the issue of maximum similarity within varied facial expressions. The system’s ability to accurately detect and differentiate between expressions is measured using performance metrics such as accuracy, F1-score, recall, and precision.

Discussion

This performance analysis confirms the efficacy of the proposed system, highlighting the advantages of quantum computing in feature extraction and the integration of residual connections. The model achieves quantum superiority, providing faster and more accurate computations compared to existing methodologies. The results suggest that the proposed approach offers a promising solution for facial expression recognition tasks, significantly improving both speed and accuracy.
Optical coherence tomography angiography of peripapillary vessel density in non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and demyelinating optic neuritis
Authors: Xiao Qing , Sun Chuan-bin , Ma Zhiqiong
Published: October 2024

Background

In cases of optic disc edema or a pale optic disc, distinguishing an episode of optic neuritis (ON) from that of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) during a clinical examination is challenging. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) can reveal differences in peripapillary vascular network structures and provide biomarkers for differential diagnosis.

Methods

A total of 23 eyes with NAION, 22 eyes with demyelinating ON (DON), and 27 eyes from healthy participants were imaged using OCTA to observe the radial peripapillary capillaries (RPCs). Optical coherence tomography was used to measure peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and the macular ganglion cell complex (mGCC). Data for all patients were recorded at 2–3 weeks and more than 3 months after the symptom onset.

Results

A total of 23 affected eyes from 23 patients with NAION (average age 52.17 ± 7.92 years), 22 eyes from 22 patients with demyelinating optic neuritis (DON) (average age 47.88 ± 19.24 years), and 27 eyes from 27 healthy individuals (average age 46.43 ± 14.08 years) were included in the study. There were no significant differences in sex, age, and eye laterality between any two groups (F = 0.968, 0.475, 0.870; p > 0.05). Throughout the course of NAION and DON, the superior RPC, superior mGCC, and peripapillary RNFL decreased with time (p < 0.05). In contrast, the inferotemporal RPC and inferior mGCC did not decrease from the acute to chronic stage in NAION (t = 1.639, 0.834, p = 0.117, 0.413). Compared with the normal group, patients with NAION and DON exhibited a sharp reduction in the average RPC, RNFL, and GCC from the acute to the chronic stage (p < 0.05). Patients with DON exhibited a significant decrease in the inferotemporal RPC and inferior mGCC compared with the patients with NAION (p < 0.05). In contrast, there were no significant differences in the inferior mGCC at the chronic stage between the patients with NAION and those with ON (t = 2.547, p = 0.093).

Conclusion

Various structural and microvascular changes were observed in patients with NAION and ON, indicating distinct features of the optic nerve during the different stages of NAION and ON. Peripapillary vascular density, measured using spectral domain OCT (SD-OCT), may be a biomarker to distinguish NAION from ON.
Retrospective clinical study on the efficacy and complications of interventional embolization in the treatment of scalp arteriovenous fistula
Authors: Han Wenliang , Yang Kexin , Gao Wei , Wu Xuejun , Huo Ran , Xu Lei
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Scalp arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is a rare and intricate vascular anomaly characterized by a direct connection between an artery and a vein, without an intervening capillary system. This anomaly can induce significant local hemodynamic changes and is associated with various complications, such as pain, a pulsatile mass, increasing swelling, and venous hypertension skin ulcerations which may be non-healing. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of interventional embolization treatments for scalp AVF at Shandong Provincial Hospital.

Methods

This retrospective clinical analysis assessed 21 patients who underwent interventional embolization between 2018 and 2024. Patients included were those treated in the vascular surgery department at Shandong Provincial Hospital, who had comprehensive medical records and follow-up data. Treatment methods, outcomes, and complications were thoroughly analyzed through patient medical records.

Results

Among the patients studied, direct puncture was the most prevalent treatment method, employed in 42.86% (9/21) of cases, followed by various combinations of arterial, venous, and direct approaches. Ethanol, used in 85.71% (18/21) of the cases, demonstrated its broad efficacy and application in clinical settings. Immediate imaging post-treatment confirmed a cure rate of 85.71% (18/21). The main postoperative complications included swelling, with some patients also experiencing nodules, scabbing, or hair loss.

Conclusion

Interventional embolization has proven to be a safe and effective method for managing scalp AVF, significantly minimizing complications. Future research should focus on further optimizing these treatment methods to enhance efficacy and improve patient quality of life.
Spectral graph convolutional neural network for Alzheimer's disease diagnosis and multi-disease categorization from functional brain changes in magnetic resonance images
Authors: Alharbi Hadeel , Juanatas Roben A. , Al Hejaili Abdullah , Lim Se-jung
Published: October 2024

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurological disorder characterized by the gradual deterioration of cognitive functions, leading to dementia and significantly impacting the quality of life for millions of people worldwide. Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for the effective management and treatment of this debilitating condition. This study introduces a novel framework based on Spectral Graph Convolutional Neural Networks (SGCNN) for diagnosing AD and categorizing multiple diseases through the analysis of functional changes in brain structures captured via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). To assess the effectiveness of our approach, we systematically analyze structural modifications to the SGCNN model through comprehensive ablation studies. The performance of various Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) is also evaluated, including SGCNN variants, Base CNN, Lean CNN, and Deep CNN. We begin with the original SGCNN model, which serves as our baseline and achieves a commendable classification accuracy of 93%. In our investigation, we perform two distinct ablation studies on the SGCNN model to examine how specific structural changes impact its performance. The results reveal that Ablation Model 1 significantly enhances accuracy, achieving an impressive 95%, while Ablation Model 2 maintains the baseline accuracy of 93%. Additionally, the Base CNN model demonstrates strong performance with a classification accuracy of 93%, whereas both the Lean CNN and Deep CNN models achieve 94% accuracy, indicating their competitive capabilities. To validate the models' effectiveness, we utilize multiple evaluation metrics, including accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score, ensuring a thorough assessment of their performance. Our findings underscore that Ablation Model 1 (SGCNN Model 1) delivers the highest predictive accuracy among the tested models, highlighting its potential as a robust approach for Alzheimer's image classification. Ultimately, this research aims to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment of AD, contributing to improved patient outcomes and advancing the field of neurodegenerative disease diagnosis.