bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Islamic Family Finance: An In-Depth Analysis of Financial Management Practices
Authors: Ratih Inayah Swasti , Ridho Zainur
Published: March 2024

This research contains to assess Islamic Family Financial Management for PNM Mekaar Syariah consumers group in Jambesari District, Bondowoso. This study aims to analyze Islamic Family Financial Management for PNM Meekar Syariah customers. The research method uses descriptive research qualitative approach. Research using descriptive methods is research directed to provide symptoms, facts accurately and systematically regarding the nature of the population of a particular area. The results showed that the understanding of customers in managing household finances is very simple. Customers have budgeting and implement simple financial management. Obstacles in its implementation are due to uncertain income and low financial literacy. However, research shows that the financial management of the three households studied is mostly in accordance with the concept of Sakinah finance.
Enhancing Research Competence of Islamic Religious Education Teachers through the Mentoring Model in the Era of Digital Technology
Authors: Amrullah Asbi
Published: March 2024

This research aims to investigate the effectiveness of implementing the mentoring model in improving the research competence of Islamic Religious Education (PAI) teachers in the era of digital technology. This qualitative research uses a phenomenological approach to dissect the reality of PAI teachers' awareness and experience in conducting research, explore the impact of mentoring activities in improving PAI teachers' research competence and explore the role of digital technology in supporting the improvement of their research competence. Authentic and valid data collection was obtained through interviews, observation and documentation. Informants were selected using a purposive sampling technique, taking into account their motivation and interest in conducting research, employment status (ASN), which requires self-development in conducting research, and skills in using IT technology sophistication. Data analysis techniques are carried out through data analysis and field interpretation, analysis and interpretation after data collection, and the development of coding categories. The research results show that (1) the mentoring model effectively increases understanding and (2) PAI teachers' skills in conducting research. Apart from that, (3) research subjects' motivation, cognition and conation (willingness) are the sine qua non in carrying out mentoring. Also, digital technology is crucial in facilitating interactive relationships between mentor-mentees. The implication of this research is a deeper understanding of the motivations, perceptions, and experiences of PAI teachers in following the mentoring model.
The Meaning and Usage of laʿalla in the Qur’an
Authors: Stewart Devin J.
Published: March 2024

This study examines the use of laʿalla in the Qur’an, arguing that its most common meaning is ‘so that’ rather than ‘perhaps’, the common dictionary meaning. A few Western scholars have realised this, mainly on the basis of their independent inspection of the Qur’anic text, despite the fact that this meaning did not appear in any of the available dictionaries, grammars, and reference works in European languages until recent years. This interpretation of laʿalla is supported not only by the general sense indicated by contextual reading, but also by syntactic analysis of passages in which laʿalla appears. The present study corroborates and refines earlier analyses and shows that the interpretation of laʿalla as ‘so that’ is supported by several Arabic grammatical and lexical works. Furthermore, it finds that in the Qur’anic context, laʿalla is strongly connected with rhyme; it generally serves to introduce verse-final clausulae that rhyme, most often, but not always, in - ūn.
Textual Understanding and the Dialectics of Intent in the Works of Qur'anic Exegetes
Authors: Ḥimām Bilqāsim
Published: March 2024

This article explores the ways a number of exegetes deal with ideas of authorial intent and textual (mis)understanding, on the basis that the Qur’anic discourse is a set of intentions, or rather an ‘intentional discourse’ ( al-khiṭāba al-qaṣadiyya). In their view, the Qur’an is a discourse, rather than a monologic, linear text. As a speech act that uses the power of the spoken utterance, it is able to use language in a ways that allow it to convey its intended meanings fully, thereby guiding the recipient to a complete understanding of the speaker’s intention.

Qur’anic Arabic is a specialised language that can be understood primarily through an appreciation of authorial intention ( mabdaʾ al-qaṣad). This is the most significant element in intentional discourses, in contrast to other genres such as literature, in which the reader’s understanding of the text is guided by both linguistic and semantic conventions and personal reader reception. In the case of the Qur’an, a failure to confine oneself to seeking to understand the speaker’s intended meaning leads to misunderstandings, and thus represents the most prominent threat to an accurate understanding of its message.

Misunderstandings can arise from issues such as the recipient’s lack of linguistic and rhetorical competence, or their lack of sufficient knowledge of the characteristics and qualities of the author of the discourse, not to mention the effect of personal assumptions. Exegetes have therefore attempted to arrive at a taxonomy of the degrees of textual understanding and misunderstanding of authorial intent in the Qur’an, and the range and scope of their analysis will be addressed in this article.
Association between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Cancer - a Review from the Literature
Authors: Trajkovski Vladimir
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is neurodevelopmental polygenic disorder with strong genetic component. In adult period, it is associated with many chronic diseases including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

The aim of this article is to show possible connection between autism spectrum disorder and some kinds of cancers, and to show possible pathways for prevention and treatment.

Methodology: The PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched using the keywords: autism spectrum disorder, genetics, cancer, prevention and treatment.

Results: Autism spectrum disorder is associated with high rates of genomic aberrations, including chromosomal rearrangements and de novo copy-number variations. Autism and cancer share 43 risk genes, suggesting that common mechanisms underlying the functions of some of these genes could conceivably be leveraged to develop therapies not just for cancer but for autism as well. Pleiotropy, whereby gene variants exert effects on multiple phenotypes, has been the source of increasing research attention with ASD and cancer.

Germline loss-of-function PTEN mutations increase the rate of benign and malignant tumors and also manifest as ASD and macrocephaly. Mutations in TSC1 and TSC2 genes cause tuberous sclerosis complex which is characterized by cortical tubers, and neurocognitive phenotypes including epilepsy, ASD, and intellectual disability (ID).

Conclusion: There is may be an association between autism and specific forms of cancer. Further epidemiologic research in large populations is needed to elucidate the association between autism and cancer and identify explanatory factors. Approved drugs targeting oncogenic pathways might also have therapeutic value for treating autism spectrum disorder.
Komparasi Metode Mean dan KNN Imputation dalam Mengatasi Missing Value pada Dataset Kecil
Authors: Yulian Pamuji Fandi , Ahmad Rofiqul Muslikh  , Rizza Muhammad Arief  , Delviana Muti
Published: March 2024

Missing value pada dataset yang kecil akan mengakibatkan berkurangnya data yang dapat digunakan untuk pembelajaran sehingga prediksi hasil klasifikasi dari data tersebut akan berkurang. Metode Imputasi sebagai solusi metode yang paling umum digunakan untuk menangani masalah dataset yang tidak lengkap. Metode Imputasi proses di mana beberapa teknik statistik digunakan untuk mengganti data yang hilang dengan nilai pengganti. Tujuan penelitian ini dengan kinerja klasifikasi yang dapat dipertahankan dengan metode imputasi missing value, karena metode ini dapat menghindari berkurangnya jumlah dataset yang digunakan dalam proses klasifikasi pada dataset dan meningkatkan kinerja klasifikasi pada dataset yang tidak ideal terutama untuk jumlah dataset yang kecil. Berdasarkan hasil eksperimen yang telah dilakukan dari penelitian ini yaitu bahwa pengujian metode imputasi Mean dan KNN Imputation dengan metode klasifikasi mampu menangani data kosong dengan jumlah missing value sedikit maupun banyak dengan menghasilkan nilai accuracy mencapai kinerja prediksi yang lebih besar dibandingkan dengan menggunakan missing value nilai 0. Kemudian untuk dataset Hepatitis nilai Accuracy tinggi menggunakan metode imputasi KNN Imputasi dengan nilai 0,79 menggunakan metode Logistic Regression dan dataset Ginjal Kronis nilai Accuracy tinggi menggunakan metode imputasi Mean dengan nilai 0,97 dengan menggunakan metode Naïve Bayes. Hal tersebut menunjukkan bahwa proses metode imputasi terhadap nilai kosong disetiap column dataset kecil pada tahap data preprocessing memberikan pengaruh terhadap nilai Accuracy metode Mean dan KNN Imputation pada metode klasifikasi.
The Roles of the Golgi in Various Diseases
Authors: Salcın Hilal , Tezcanlı Kaymaz Burçin
Published: March 2024

The primary function of the Golgi is to perform post-translational modifications on proteins, allow them to be transported within the cell. The Golgi has more functions in the cell, according to research into its unknown structure and functions. It has been discovered that, in addition to substance process and transport, it plays a role in autophagy, lipid formation, calcium homeostasis, and apoptosis regulation.

The fact that the Golgi has so many tasks has caused question marks about what kind of illnesses or diseases it can cause in case of a problem with Golgi. A mutation at Golgi can disrupt its function by cause of the Golgi fragmentation. It can be seized by living organisms or molecules, called infectious agents, outside the mutation. Disintegration and disorders in the Golgi structure and function are examples of neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. In addition, studies prove that the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes pandemic in the world, is also linked to the Golgi. The diseases that can be caused by the Golgi are highlighted in this review, as are treatment studies. Treatment strategies for the Golgi that causes many diseases are still developing and studies are ongoing.The primary function of the Golgi apparatus is to perform post-translational modifications on proteins, allowing them to be transported within the cell. The Golgi has more functions in the cell, according to research into its unknown structure and functions. It has been discovered that, in addition to substance processing and transport, it plays a role in autophagy, lipid formation, calcium homeostasis, and apoptosis regulation. The fact that Golgi has so many tasks has caused question marks about what kind of illnesses or diseases it can cause in case of a problem with Golgi. A mutation at Golgi can disrupt its function by causing Golgi fragmentation. It can be seized by living organisms or molecules, called infectious agents, outside the mutation. Disintegration and disorders in Golgi structure and function are examples of neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. In addition, studies prove that the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes pandemics in the world, is also linked to Golgi. The diseases that can be caused by Golgi are highlighted in this review, as are treatment studies. Treatment strategies for Golgi device that causes many diseases are still developing and studies are ongoing.
Independent associations of serum calcium with or without albumin adjustment and serum phosphorus with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: results from NHANES 1999-2018
Authors: Qi Haolong , Wang Bin , Zhu Lei
Published: March 2024

Background

The associations of serum calcium and phosphorus with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remain unclear. In addition, there may be an effect of albumin correction on the association between serum calcium and NAFLD. We aimed to explore these relationships in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Methods

Eligible adult individuals from NHANES 1999-2018 were recruited for the study. We explored the associations of serum calcium, albumin-adjusted serum calcium, and serum phosphorus with NAFLD in multivariable-adjusted regression models. In addition, restricted cubic spline (RCS), stratified analysis, and multiple sensitivity analyses were used for further elaboration.

Results

The study sample consisted of 20,900 participants, with an observed NAFLD prevalence of 44.65%. Fully adjusted models indicated that serum calcium was inversely associated with NAFLD (odds ratio [OR] and 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.70 (0.62, 0.78), p<0.0001), whereas albumin-adjusted serum calcium was positively associated with NAFLD (OR and 95% CI=1.59 (1.41, 1.79), p<0.0001). RCS modeling indicated that serum calcium without and with albumin adjustment was linearly(p nonlinear = 0.083) and nonlinearly (p nonlinear < 0.0001) associated with NAFLD, respectively, whereas serum phosphorus showed a U-shaped relationship with NAFLD(p nonlinear < 0.0001). Gender is a significant influence in all associations, and other variables may also have an effect. Sensitivity analyses indicated that these associations were independent of additional significant confounders.

Conclusion

Serum calcium and phosphorus were significantly associated with the development of NAFLD. These findings suggest the potential clinical significance of serum calcium/phosphorus and albumin levels in individuals at high risk for NAFLD. Our study supports the potential role of serum calcium/phosphorus homeostasis in the pathophysiology of NAFLD and could serve as NAFLD-related biomarkers.
Early detection of myocardial involvement by non-contrast T1ρ mapping of cardiac magnetic resonance in type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Shu Hongmin , Xu Huimin , Pan Zixiang , Liu Yan , Deng Wei , Zhao Ren , Sun Yan , Wang Zhen , Yang Jinxiu , Gao Hui , Yao Kaixuan , Zheng Jie , Yu Yongqiang , Li Xiaohu
Published: March 2024

Objective

This study aims to determine the effectiveness of T1ρ in detecting myocardial fibrosis in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients by comparing with native T1 and extracellular volume (ECV) fraction.

Methods

T2DM patients (n = 35) and healthy controls (n = 30) underwent cardiac magnetic resonance. ECV, T1ρ, native T1, and global longitudinal strain (GLS) values were assessed. Diagnostic performance was analyzed using receiver operating curves.

Results

The global ECV and T1ρ of T2DM group (ECV = 32.1 ± 3.2%, T1ρ = 51.6 ± 3.8 msec) were significantly higher than those of controls (ECV = 26.2 ± 1.6%, T1ρ = 46.8 ± 2.0 msec) (all P < 0.001), whether there was no significant difference in native T1 between T2DM and controls (P = 0.264). The GLS decreased significantly in T2DM patients compared with controls (−16.5 ± 2.4% vs. −18.3 ± 2.6%, P = 0.015). The T1ρ and native T1 were associated with ECV (Pearson’s r = 0.50 and 0.25, respectively, both P < 0.001); the native T1, T1ρ, and ECV were associated with hemoglobin A1c (Pearson’s r = 0.41, 0.52, and 0.61, respectively, all P < 0.05); and the ECV was associated with diabetes duration (Pearson’s r = 0.41, P = 0.016). The AUC of ECV, T1ρ, GLS, and native T1 were 0.869, 0.810, 0.659, and 0.524, respectively.

Conclusion

In T2DM patients, T1ρ may be a new non-contrast cardiac magnetic resonance technique for identifying myocardial diffuse fibrosis, and T1ρ may be more sensitive than native T1 in the detection of myocardial diffuse fibrosis.
Research on data-driven power flow calculation method based on undirected-graph delooping-backtracking
Authors: Zhu Hong , Hu Zijian , Liu Zichen , Wang Yandi
Published: March 2024

As the scale of the power grid expands and distributed energy sources are integrated, along with the emergence of random loads, topological control of distribution networks has become a novel means of control. Therefore, data-driven power flow calculations must be capable of rapidly and accurately computing power flow results even when there are changes in the network’s topology. In this paper, a data-driven power flow calculation method is proposed to take topological changes into account. Based on initial loop data, we employ an undirected-graph delooping-backtracking method to generate a set of feasible topological samples. Using the Monte Carlo method on this basis, we generate feasible samples for the network’s topology and power injection, thereby establishing a training dataset. By training a deep neural network on these samples and adjusting network parameters, we effectively address power flow calculations in the presence of topological changes. Case study results demonstrate that the data-driven power flow calculation method, considering topological changes, can rapidly and accurately compute power flow results when topology alterations occur.
Digitalization transformation and enterprise green innovation: empirical evidence from Chinese listed companies
Authors: Zhuo Rufeng , Zhang Yunhua , Zheng Junwei , Xie Hongtao
Published: March 2024

Green innovation is an essential strategy for businesses to gain a competitive edge and attain long-term sustainable growth. It does, however, often run into money problems. The rapid advancement of digital technology provides organizations with potent tools to get external resources through digital transformation, surmount resource obstacles, and promote environmentally-friendly innovation. The impact mechanism, however, necessitates additional elucidation. This article analyzes the data of Chinese A-share listed firms from 2012 to 2022, using resource dependence theory and stakeholder theory. This study examines how digital transformation affects the ability of organizations to innovate in environmentally friendly ways by focusing on the acquisition of external resources. Research has shown that digital transformation may significantly improve the quantity and quality of green innovation in businesses. Moreover, the findings of the intermediate impact study indicate that digital transformation has the potential to enhance the green innovation capacity of businesses by improving their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. Concurrently, we noticed that the level of openness in disclosing environmental information by corporations and the quality of partnerships between the government and enterprises play a positive role in influencing the effects of digital transformation on the ability to innovate in environmentally friendly ways. Based on the findings of our research, we provide fresh perspectives and policy suggestions to assist business managers and governments in fostering environmentally-friendly innovation in enterprises.
Role of the gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of endometriosis: a review
Authors: Guo Cuishan , Zhang Chiyuan
Published: March 2024

Endometriosis is classically defined as a chronic inflammatory heterogeneous disorder occurring in any part of the body, characterized by estrogen-driven periodic bleeding, proliferation, and fibrosis of ectopic endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterus. Endometriosis can take overwhelmingly serious damage to the structure and function of multi-organ, even impair whole-body systems, resulting in severe dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain, infertility, fatigue and depression in 5–10% women of reproductive age. Precisely because of a huge deficiency of cognition about underlying etiology and complex pathogenesis of the debilitating disease, early diagnosis and treatment modalities with relatively minor side effects become bottlenecks in endometriosis. Thus, endometriosis warrants deeper exploration and expanded investigation in pathogenesis. The gut microbiota plays a significant role in chronic diseases in humans by acting as an important participant and regulator in the metabolism and immunity of the body. Increasingly, studies have shown that the gut microbiota is closely related to inflammation, estrogen metabolism, and immunity resulting in the development and progression of endometriosis. In this review, we discuss the diverse mechanisms of endometriosis closely related to the gut microbiota in order to provide new approaches for deeper exploration and expanded investigation for endometriosis on prevention, early diagnosis and treatment.
Mixing with native broadleaf trees modified soil microbial communities of Cunninghamia lanceolata monocultures in South China
Authors: Zheng Fenglin , Gu Jiawei , Lu Dehao , Yang Jiaman , Shuai Xiaomai , Li Cheng , Chen Hongyue
Published: March 2024

Mixing with different broadleaf trees into the monocultures of Cunninghamia lanceolata is widely adopted as an efficient transformation of the pure C. lanceolata forest. However, it is unclear how native broad-leaved trees influence the belowground ecological environment of the pure C. lanceolata culture plantation in nutrient-poor soil of South China. Herein, we aimed to investigate how a long-time mixing with native broadleaf trees shape soil microbial community of the pure C. lanceolata forest across different soil depth (0–20 cm and 20–40 cm) and to clarify relationships between the modified soil microbial community and those affected soil chemical properties. Using high-throughput sequencing technology, microbial compositions from the mixed C. lanceolata-broadleaf forest and the pure C. lanceolata forest were analyzed. Network analysis was utilized to investigate correlations among microorganisms, and network robustness was assessed by calculating network natural connectivity. Results demonstrated that the content of soil microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen, total phosphorus and pH in mixed forest stand were significantly higher than those in pure forest stand, except for available phosphorus in topsoil (0–20 cm). Simultaneously, the mixed C. lanceolata-broadleaf forest has a more homogeneous bacterial and fungal communities across different soil depth compared with the pure C. lanceolata forest, wherein the mixed forest recruited more diverse bacterial community in subsoil (20–40 cm) and reduced the diversity of fungal community in topsoil. Meanwhile, the mixed forest showed higher bacterial community stability while the pure forest showed higher fungal community stability. Moreover, bacterial communities showed significant correlations with various soil chemical indicators, whereas fungal communities exhibited correlations with only TP and pH. Therefore, the mixed C. lanceolata-broadleaf forest rely on their recruiting bacterial community to enhance and maintain the higher nutrient status of soil while the pure C. lanceolata forest rely on some specific fungi to satisfy their phosphorus requirement for survive strategy.
Out of the core: the impact of focal ischemia in regions beyond the penumbra
Authors: Koukalova Ludmila , Chmelova Martina , Amlerova Zuzana , Vargova Lydia
Published: March 2024

The changes in the necrotic core and the penumbra following induction of focal ischemia have been the focus of attention for some time. However, evidence shows, that ischemic injury is not confined to the primarily affected structures and may influence the remote areas as well. Yet many studies fail to probe into the structures beyond the penumbra, and possibly do not even find any significant results due to their short-term design, as secondary damage occurs later. This slower reaction can be perceived as a therapeutic opportunity, in contrast to the ischemic core defined as irreversibly damaged tissue, where the window for salvation is comparatively short. The pathologies in remote structures occur relatively frequently and are clearly linked to the post-stroke neurological outcome. In order to develop efficient therapies, a deeper understanding of what exactly happens in the exo-focal regions is necessary. The mechanisms of glia contribution to the ischemic damage in core/penumbra are relatively well described and include impaired ion homeostasis, excessive cell swelling, glutamate excitotoxic mechanism, release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and phagocytosis or damage propagation via astrocytic syncytia. However, little is known about glia involvement in post-ischemic processes in remote areas. In this literature review, we discuss the definitions of the terms “ischemic core”, “penumbra” and “remote areas.” Furthermore, we present evidence showing the array of structural and functional changes in the more remote regions from the primary site of focal ischemia, with a special focus on glia and the extracellular matrix. The collected information is compared with the processes commonly occurring in the ischemic core or in the penumbra. Moreover, the possible causes of this phenomenon and the approaches for investigation are described, and finally, we evaluate the efficacy of therapies, which have been studied for their anti-ischemic effect in remote areas in recent years.
Neurocomputational mechanisms underlying perception and sentience in the neocortex
Authors: Johnson Andrew S. , Winlow William
Published: March 2024

The basis for computation in the brain is the quantum threshold of “soliton,” which accompanies the ion changes of the action potential, and the refractory membrane at convergences. Here, we provide a logical explanation from the action potential to a neuronal model of the coding and computation of the retina. We also explain how the visual cortex operates through quantum-phase processing. In the small-world network, parallel frequencies collide into definable patterns of distinct objects. Elsewhere, we have shown how many sensory cells are meanly sampled from a single neuron and that convergences of neurons are common. We also demonstrate, using the threshold and refractory period of a quantum-phase pulse, that action potentials diffract across a neural network due to the annulment of parallel collisions in the phase ternary computation (PTC). Thus, PTC applied to neuron convergences results in a collective mean sampled frequency and is the only mathematical solution within the constraints of the brain neural networks (BNN). In the retina and other sensory areas, we discuss how this information is initially coded and then understood in terms of network abstracts within the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) and visual cortex. First, by defining neural patterning within a neural network, and then in terms of contextual networks, we demonstrate that the output of frequencies from the visual cortex contains information amounting to abstract representations of objects in increasing detail. We show that nerve tracts from the LGN provide time synchronization to the neocortex (defined as the location of the combination of connections of the visual cortex, motor cortex, auditory cortex, etc.). The full image is therefore combined in the neocortex with other sensory modalities so that it receives information about the object from the eye and all the abstracts that make up the object. Spatial patterns in the visual cortex are formed from individual patterns illuminating the retina, and memory is encoded by reverberatory loops of computational action potentials (CAPs). We demonstrate that a similar process of PTC may take place in the cochlea and associated ganglia, as well as ascending information from the spinal cord, and that this function should be considered universal where convergences of neurons occur.
Case report: Febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome in a 14-year-old girl with multiple organ failure and lethal outcome
Authors: Ruttkowski Lars , Wallot Ines , Korell Marie , Daur Elke , Seipelt Peter , Leonhardt Andreas , Weber Stefanie , Mand Nadine
Published: March 2024

We report a case of an otherwise healthy 14-year-old girl with febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES), multiple organ failure (MOF), and ultimately a lethal outcome. This is a rare case of FIRES with MOF and consecutive death. Only a few cases have been described in the literature. The adolescent girl was initially admitted to our pediatric emergency department with a first episode of generalized tonic–clonic seizures after a short history of fever a week before admission. Seizures progressed rapidly into refractory status epilepticus without any evidence of the underlying cause, and treatment subsequently had to be escalated to thiopental anesthesia. Since the initial diagnostics showed no promising leads, the rare syndrome of FIRES was suspected, representing a catastrophic epileptic encephalopathy linked to a prior benign febrile infection. Methylprednisolone, intravenous immunoglobulins, and a ketogenic diet were initiated. Respiratory, circulatory, kidney, and liver failure developed during treatment, requiring increasing intensive care. Multiple attempts to deescalate antiepileptic treatment resulted in recurrent status epilepticus. A cranial MRI on the 10th day of treatment revealed diffuse brain edema and no cerebral perfusion. The patient was declared dead on the 11th day of treatment. FIRES should be taken into account in previously healthy children with a new onset of difficult-to-treat seizures after a short febrile infection when no other cause is apparent. First-line treatment, besides seizure control, is the early initiation of immunomodulatory therapy and the start of a ketogenic diet. As treatment is difficult and MOF may develop, patients should be transferred to a specialized children’s hospital providing full intensive care.
Effects of acute cannabidiol on behavior and the endocannabinoid system in HIV-1 Tat transgenic female and male mice
Authors: Yadav-Samudrala Barkha J. , Gorman Benjamin L. , Barmada Karenna M. , Ravula Havilah P. , Huguely Caitlin J. , Wallace E. Diane , Peace Michelle R. , Poklis Justin L. , Jiang Wei , Fitting Sylvia
Published: March 2024

Background

Some evidence suggests that cannabidiol (CBD) has potential to help alleviate HIV symptoms due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Here we examined acute CBD effects on various behaviors and the endocannabinoid system in HIV Tat transgenic mice.

Methods

Tat transgenic mice (female/male) were injected with CBD (3, 10, 30 mg/kg) and assessed for antinociception, activity, coordination, anxiety-like behavior, and recognition memory. Brains were taken to quantify endocannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors, and cannabinoid catabolic enzymes. Additionally, CBD and metabolite 7-hydroxy-CBD were quantified in the plasma and cortex.

Results

Tat decreased supraspinal-related nociception and locomotion. CBD and sex had little to no effects on any of the behavioral measures. For the endocannabinoid system male sex was associated with elevated concentration of the proinflammatory metabolite arachidonic acid in various CNS regions, including the cerebellum that also showed higher FAAH expression levels for Tat(+) males. GPR55 expression levels in the striatum and cerebellum were higher for females compared to males. CBD metabolism was altered by sex and Tat expression.

Conclusion

Findings indicate that acute CBD effects are not altered by HIV Tat, and acute CBD has no to minimal effects on behavior and the endocannabinoid system.
A coming-of-age story: adult neurogenesis or adolescent neurogenesis in rodents?
Authors: Arellano Jon I. , Duque Alvaro , Rakic Pasko
Published: March 2024

It is surprising that after more than a century using rodents for scientific research, there are no clear, consensual, or consistent definitions for when a mouse or a rat becomes adult. Specifically, in the field of adult hippocampal neurogenesis, where this concept is central, there is a trend to consider that puberty marks the start of adulthood and is not uncommon to find 30-day-old mice being described as adults. However, as others discussed earlier, this implies an important bias in the perceived importance of this trait because functional studies are normally done at very young ages, when neurogenesis is at its peak, disregarding middle aged and old animals that exhibit very little generation of new neurons. In this feature article we elaborate on those issues and argue that research on the postnatal development of mice and rats in the last 3 decades allows to establish an adolescence period that marks the transition to adulthood, as occurs in other mammals. Adolescence in both rat and mice ends around postnatal day 60 and therefore this age can be considered the onset of adulthood in both species. Nonetheless, to account for inter-individual, inter-strain differences in maturation and for possible delays due to environmental and social conditions, 3 months of age might be a safer option to consider mice and rats bona fide adults, as suggested by The Jackson Labs.
Stereotactic body radiotherapy as a viable treatment on extracranial oligometastases in melanoma patients: a retrospective multicentric study
Authors: Trentesaux Victorine , Maiezza Sophie , Bogart Emilie , Le Deley Marie-Cécile , Meyer Emmanuel , Vanquin Ludovic , Pasquier David , Mortier Laurent , Mirabel Xavier
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Stereotactic radiotherapy (SBRT) potentially has a role in the management of oligometastatic melanoma. However, literature with data specific to this management is very limited. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the time to local control (LC) of extra-cranial melanoma metastases after SBRT treatment and to help establish if SBRT is a useful therapy for oligometastatic melanoma.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted with data collected from two referral centers in France between 2007 and 2020. The oligometastatic status of patients was reported based on the latest recommendations with a maximum of three lesions prior to treatment.

Results

A total of 69 patients receiving SBRT for 88 oligometastatic melanoma metastases were included. The median follow-up time was 42.6 months. Most patients were treated for metachronous oligometastatic lesions. Occurrence of oligoprogression, oligorecurrence, and oligopersistence was reported in 42.0%, 39.1%, and 17.4% of cases, respectively. Treated lesions were mostly pulmonary (40.6%), followed by lymph node (34.8%) and hepatic sites (24.6%). Progression-free survival at 1, 2, and 3 years were 47.0% (35-59), 27.0% (16-39), and 25.0% (15.0-37.0), respectively. Time to LC rates at 1, 2, and 3 years were 94.2% (87.0-98.1), 90.3% (81.3-96.1), and 90.3% (81.3-96.1), respectively. Overall survival at 1, 2, and 3 years were 87% (76.0-93.0), 74.0% (76.0-93.0), and 61.0% (47.0-73.0), respectively. Only 17.4% of patients experienced acute, grade 1 or grade 2 toxicities with no reports of grade 3 or higher toxicities.

Conclusion

SBRT demonstrated efficacy in managing melanoma patients with extracranial oligometastases and showed an overall low toxicity profile. Future randomized studies are needed to establish the role of SBRT in therapeutic approaches for patients with oligometastatic melanoma.
The radiomics-clinical nomogram for predicting the response to initial superselective arterial embolization in renal angiomyolipoma, a preliminary study
Authors: Zechuan Liu , Tianshi Lyu , Tiantian Li , Shoujin Cao , Hang Yao , Ziping Yao , Haitao Guan , Zeyang Fan , Yinghua Zou , Jian Wang
Published: March 2024

Purpose

The aim of this study was to explore a radiomics-clinical model for predicting the response to initial superselective arterial embolization (SAE) in renal angiomyolipoma (RAML).

Materials and methods

A total of 78 patients with RAML were retrospectively enrolled. Clinical data were recorded and evaluated. Radiomic features were extracted from preoperative contrast-enhanced CT (CECT). Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and intra- and inter-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used in feature selection. Logistic regression analysis was performed to develop the radiomics, clinical, and combined models where the fivefold cross-validation method was used. The predictive performance and calibration were evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calibration curve. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to measure clinical usefulness.

Results

The tumor shrinkage rate was 29.7% in total, and both fat and angiomyogenic components were significantly reduced. In the radiomics model, 12 significant features were selected. In the clinical model, maximum diameter (p = 0.001), angiomyogenic tissue ratio (p = 0.032), aneurysms (p = 0.048), and post-SAE time (p = 0.002) were significantly associated with greater volume reduction after SAE. Because of the severe linear dependence between radiomics signature and some clinical parameters, the combined model eventually included Rad-score, aneurysm, and post-SAE time. The radiomics-clinical model showed better discrimination (mean AUC = 0.83) than the radiomics model (mean AUC = 0.60) and the clinical model (mean AUC = 0.82). Calibration curve and DCA showed the goodness of fit and clinical usefulness of the radiomics-clinical model.

Conclusions

The radiomics-clinical model incorporating radiomics features and clinical parameters can potentially predict the positive response to initial SAE in RAML and provide support for clinical treatment decisions.
Applications of FAPI PET/CT in the diagnosis and treatment of breast and the most common gynecologic malignancies: a literature review
Authors: Li Tengfei , Zhang Jintao , Yan Yuanzhuo , Tan Min , Chen Yue
Published: March 2024

The fibroblast activating protein (FAP) is expressed by some fibroblasts found in healthy tissues. However, FAP is overexpressed in more than 90% of epithelial tumors, including breast and gynecological tumors. As a result, the FAP ligand could be used as a target for diagnosis and treatment purposes. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is a hybrid imaging technique commonly used to locate and assess the tumor’s molecular and metabolic functions. PET imaging involves the injection of a radiotracer that tends to accumulate more in metabolically active lesions such as cancer. Several radiotracers have been developed to target FAP in PET/CT imaging, such as the fibroblast-activation protein inhibitor (FAPI). These tracers bind to FAP with high specificity and affinity, allowing for the non-invasive detection and quantification of FAP expression in tumors. In this review, we discussed the applications of FAPI PET/CT in the diagnosis and treatment of breast and the most common gynecologic malignancies. Radiolabeled FAPI can improve the detection, staging, and assessment of treatment response in breast and the most common gynecologic malignancies, but the problem with normal hormone-responsive organs remains insurmountable. Compared to the diagnostic applications of FAPI, further research is needed for future therapeutic applications.
The frequency and timing of sepsis-associated coagulopathy in the neonatal intensive care unit
Authors: Aziz Khyzer B. , Saxonhouse Matthew , Mahesh Divya , Wheeler Kathryn E. , Wynn James L.
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Sepsis is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The frequency and severity of sepsis-associated coagulopathy as well as its relationship to illness severity are unclear.

Methods

We performed a single-center, retrospective, observational cohort study of all infants admitted to the University of Florida Health (UF Health), level IV NICU between January 1st 2012 to March 1st 2020 to measure the frequency of sepsis-associated coagulopathy as well as its temporal relationship to critical illness in the NICU population. All clinical data in the electronic health record were extracted and deposited into an integrated data repository that was used for this work.

Results

We identified 225 new sepsis episodes in 216 patients. An evaluation for sepsis-associated coagulopathy was performed in 96 (43%) episodes. Gram-negative pathogen, nSOFA score at evaluation, and mortality were greater among episodes that included a coagulopathy evaluation compared with those that did not. Abnormal coagulation results were common (271/339 evaluations; 80%) and were predominantly prothrombin times. Intervention (plasma or cryoprecipitate) followed a minority (84/271; 31%) of abnormal results, occurred in 40/96 (42%) episodes that were often associated with >1 intervention (29/40; 73%), and coincided with thrombocytopenia in 37/40 (93%) and platelet transfusion in 27/40 (68%). Shapley Additive Explanations modeling demonstrated strong predictive performance for the composite outcome of death and/or treatment for coagulopathy in neonates (f1 score 0.8, area under receiver operating characteristic curve 0.83 for those with abnormal coagulation values). The three most important features influencing the composite outcome of death or treatment for coagulopathy included administration of vasoactive medications, hematologic dysfunction assessed by the maximum nSOFA platelet score, and early sepsis (≤72 h after birth).

Conclusions

A coagulopathy evaluation was performed in a minority of NICU patients with sepsis and was associated with greater illness severity and mortality. Abnormal results were common but infrequently associated with intervention, and intervention was contemporaneous with thrombocytopenia. The most important feature that influenced the composite outcome of death or treatment for coagulopathy was the administration of vasoactive-inotropic medications. These data help to identify NICU patients at risk of sepsis-associated coagulopathy.
Abscisic-acid-responsive StlncRNA13558 induces StPRL expression to increase potato resistance to Phytophthora infestans infection
Authors: Shang Kaijie , Wang Ruolin , Cao Weilin , Wang Xipan , Wang Yubo , Shi Zhenting , Liu Hongmei , Zhou Shumei , Zhu Xiaoping , Zhu Changxiang
Published: March 2024

Late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans, is one of the most serious diseases affecting potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.). Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are transcripts with a length of more than 200 nucleotides that have no protein-coding potential. Few studies have been conducted on lncRNAs related to plant immune regulation in plants, and the molecular mechanisms involved in this regulation require further investigation. We identified and screened an lncRNA that specifically responds to P. infestans infection, namely, StlncRNA13558. P. infestans infection activates the abscisic acid (ABA) pathway, and ABA induces StlncRNA13558 to enhance potato resistance to P. infestans. StlncRNA13558 positively regulates the expression of its co-expressed PR-related gene StPRL. StPRL promotes the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and transmits a resistance response by affecting the salicylic acid hormone pathway, thereby enhancing potato resistance to P. infestans. In summary, we identified the potato late blight resistance lncRNA StlncRNA13558 and revealed its upstream and downstream regulatory relationship of StlncRNA13558. These results improve our understanding of plant-pathogen interactions’ immune mechanism and elucidate the response mechanism of lncRNA-target genes regulating potato resistance to P. infestans infection.
A de novo chromosome-scale assembly of the Lablab purpureus genome
Authors: Pootakham Wirulda , Somta Prakit , Kongkachana Wasitthee , Naktang Chaiwat , Sonthirod Chutima , U-Thoomporn Sonicha , Yoocha Thippawan , Phadphon Poompat , Tangphatsornruang Sithichoke
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Lablab (Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet), an underutilized tropical legume crop, plays a crucial role in global food and nutritional security. To enhance our understanding of its genetic makeup towards developing elite cultivars, we sequenced and assembled a draft genome of L. purpureus accession PK2022T020 using a single tube long fragment read (stLFR) technique.

Results and discussion

The preliminary assembly encompassed 367 Mb with a scaffold N50 of 4.3 Mb. To improve the contiguity of our draft genome, we employed a chromatin contact mapping (Hi-C) approach to obtain a pseudochromosome-level assembly containing 366 Mb with an N50 length of 31.1 Mb. A total of 327.4 Mb had successfully been anchored into 11 pseudomolecules, corresponding to the haploid chromosome number in lablab. Our gene prediction recovered 98.4% of the highly conserved orthologs based on the Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs (BUSCO) analysis. Comparative analyses utilizing sequence information from single-copy orthologous genes demonstrated that L. purpureus diverged from the last common ancestor of the Phaseolus/Vigna species approximately 27.7 million years ago. A gene family expansion analysis revealed a significant expansion of genes involved in responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Our high-quality chromosome-scale reference assembly provides an invaluable genomic resource for lablab genetic improvement and future comparative genomics studies among legume species.
A self-compatible pear mutant derived from γ-irradiated pollen carries an 11-Mb duplication in chromosome 17
Authors: Nishio Sogo , Shirasawa Kenta , Nishimura Ryotaro , Takeuchi Yukie , Imai Atsushi , Mase Nobuko , Takada Norio
Published: March 2024

Self-compatibility is a highly desirable trait for pear breeding programs. Our breeding program previously developed a novel self-compatible pollen-part Japanese pear mutant (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai), ‘415-1’, by using γ-irradiated pollen. ‘415-1’ carries the S-genotype S4dS5S5, with “d” indicating a duplication of S5 responsible for breakdown of self-incompatibility. Until now, the size and inheritance of the duplicated segment was undetermined, and a reliable detection method was lacking. Here, we examined genome duplications and their inheritance in 140 F1 seedlings resulting from a cross between ‘515-20’ (S1S3) and ‘415-1’. Amplicon sequencing of S-RNase and SFBB18 clearly detected S-haplotype duplications in the seedlings. Intriguingly, 30 partially triploid seedlings including genotypes S1S4dS5, S3S4dS5, S1S5dS5, S3S5dS5, and S3S4dS4 were detected among the 140 seedlings. Depth-of-coverage analysis using ddRAD-seq showed that the duplications in those individuals were limited to chromosome 17. Further analysis through resequencing confirmed an 11-Mb chromosome duplication spanning the middle to the end of chromosome 17. The duplicated segment remained consistent in size across generations. The presence of an S3S4dS4 seedling provided evidence for recombination between the duplicated S5 segment and the original S4haplotype, suggesting that the duplicated segment can pair with other parts of chromosome 17. This research provides valuable insights for improving pear breeding programs using partially triploid individuals.