bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pengaruh Employee Engagement dan Komitmen Organisasi Terhadap Kinerja Karyawan Pada Toko Berlian Underwear Simpur
Authors: Dunan Hendri , Ningrum Bella Shelvia
Published: February 2025

Individu yang bekerja dalam organisasi dan bertanggung jawab akan mencapai sasaran yang dikenal sebagai Sumber Daya Manusia (SDM). Untuk mengurangi dampak pergantian karyawan, penting untuk meningkatkan komitmen organisasi. Employee Engagement mengacu pada tingkat keterlibatan karyawan pada pekerjaan dan organisasi, sedangkan komitmen organisasi mengacu pada seberapa dekat dan setia karyawan terhadap perusahaan mereka. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untk meanalisis pengaruh keterlibatan karyawan (employee engagement) dann komitmen organisasi terhadap kinerja karyawan di Toko Berlian Underwear. Selain itu, penelitian ini juga mengeksplorasi kontribusi bersama dari ke dua faktor trsebut pada kinerja karyawan. Penelitian ini di maksutkan untk meng analisis pengaruh Employee Engagement dan komitmen organisasi terpada kinerja karyawan di Toko Berlian Underwear Simpur, menggunakan data primer dari kuesioner pada 32 karyawan. Analisis ini dijalankan dengan SPSS versi 22, dan hasilnya menunjukkan bahwa Employee Engagement berpengaruh positif tetapi tidak signifikan terhadap kinerja karyawan. Sementara itu, komitmen organisasi juga berpengaruh positif tetapi tidak signifikan terhadap kinerja karyawan, dan keduanya secara simultan mempunyai pengaruh yang positif dan signifikan terhadap kinerja karyawan. Penelitian ini memberikan wawasan penting bagi manajemen Toko Berlian Underwear dalam merancang strategi untuk meningkatkan keterlibatan dan komitmen karyawan. Dengan memahami faktor-faktor ini, perusahaan dapat mengembangkan program yang lebih efektif untuk meningkatkan kepuasan dan produktivitas karyawan, sehingga mengurangi tingkat pergantian dan meningkatkan kinerja secara keseluruhan. Hal ini penting untuk keberlanjutan dan pertumbuhan organisasi di pasar yang kompetitif saat ini.
Analyzing the Development of Scientific Research in the Field of Digital Transformations
Authors:   Research Centre for Industrial Problems of Development of NAS of Ukraine, Bondarenko Dmytro V. , Khaustov Mykyta M. ,   Research Centre for Industrial Problems of Development of NAS of Ukraine, Kalashnikova Kateryna Yu. ,   Research Centre for Industrial Problems of Development of NAS of Ukraine
Published: February 2025

The article is devoted to determining the state and tendencies in the development of scientific research in the field of digital transformations using the tools of bibliometric analysis. In accordance with the aim of the article, the study considers the features of bibliometric analysis as a research method that allows conducting a thorough comprehensive review of all the most influential publications in a particular subject area. The sources of data on citations available in the world have been analyzed and the expediency of conducting a study on the basis of the scientometric database Scopus has been substantiated. The tasks, tools and methods of research are defined. According to the results of the carried out analysis, the following is determined: a rapid increase in the number of publications in the direction of digital transformation; leaders of publication activity in this area (China, USA, Germany, Great Britain); most used keywords in the publications on digital transformation (Digital Transformation, Digitalization, Industry 4.0, Innovation, Digital Technologies); 6 clusters have been identified that characterize the key areas of research in the field of digital transformation (1 – covers publications on the problems of digital transformation of the enterprise, its business processes, factors influencing the efficiency of digital transformation; 2 – publications on ICT, digital technologies, implementation of digital tools; 3 – publications focusing on identifying ways of development of digital transformation and its impact on education, services, human capital, infrastructure; 4 – publications focused on business strategies, digital opportunities, productivity, machine learning, organizational culture, and readiness to embrace transformation; 5 – publications on the development of the digital economy, identification of growth paths, innovations, ecology, production, risks for the economy as a whole; 6 – publications on the substantiation of the company’s innovation strategy); tendencies in the change in the focus of research of scientists in the field of digital transformation have been examined and the intensification of research in recent years on the problems of corporate governance, green innovations, digital finance, and risks of digital transformation has been determined.
The Evolution of Trading in Ukraine's Bilateral Agreements Electricity Market: Challenges, Changes, and Prospects
Authors:   Research Centre for Industrial Problems of Development of NAS of Ukraine, Salashenko Tetiana I.
Published: February 2025

In the structure of the Ukrainian electricity market, the bilateral agreements market was initially considered an unorganized segment. However, over time, most of the forward electricity trading has been transferred to an organised electronic platform. Over the 5 years of the liberalised electricity market in Ukraine, the bilateral agreements market has its own patterns, different from other market segments restricted by the price caps. The article aims to analyze the key trends in organized trading in the electricity at the bilateral agreements market and determine the directions for its further development, taking into account changes in the electricity system and regulatory advancements. The article provides analytical support for the organized forward electricity trading, which includes classification of trading forms, determination of the market balance and price trend, that allows to identify tendencies in its development. The analysis of organized electricity trading in the bilateral agreements market of Ukraine was carried out by the data of the Ukrainian Energy Exchange for the period from 01.07.2019 to 30.06.2024, which covers the launch of the European market model in Ukraine, the Covid-19 pandemic, the European energy crisis, the russian military aggression against Ukraine, including the 1st and 2nd phases of the energy terror. The key trends in the development of organized forward electricity trading in Ukraine can be identified as follows: (1) sharp changes in sales volumes due to changes in the condition of the electric power system and ongoing regulatory innovations; (2) wide diversification and lack of a consistent product portfolio; (3) dependence of agreement terms and electricity prices on the condition of the electric power system; (4) inconsistency between the bids of electricity supply and asks of electricity demand; (5) the own electricity price trend unrestricted by price caps. Further development of forward trading in Ukraine requires ensuring consistency between commercial and physical electricity flows as they approach the actual time of supply, which can be achieved by launching financial derivatives for electricity with the possibility of converting them into commodity products.
Aprendizaje experiencial de Kolb en la enseñanza de la osteología: diafanización y tinción ósea
Authors: Romero Oliva Oscar Jesús
Published: February 2025

Se presentan los resultados de un estudio en el que se evaluó el impacto del aprendizaje experiencial de Kolb en la enseñanza de la osteología, comparando el desempeño de dos grupos de 35 estudiantes de nivel medio superior cada uno. El grupo A recibió clases teóricas; por otra parte, el grupo B realizó prácticas de diafanización y tinción ósea de un ejemplar de la familia Teiidae. Posteriormente, se aplicó un examen y se analizaron los resultados. Los hallazgos revelaron una diferencia estadísticamente significativa en el desempeño promedio entre grupos, mostrando un tamaño de efecto a favor del grupo experimental, B, lo cual se traduce en un mejor aprovechamiento académico por parte de dicho grupo. Ahora bien, las mujeres del grupo B obtuvieron puntajes más altos que los hombres. Estos resultados respaldan la importancia de incorporar enfoques pedagógicos que promuevan el aprendizaje activo y experiencial, especialmente en áreas con componente práctico fundamental.
Quantifying the impact of the food we eat on species extinctions
Authors: Ball Thomas , Dales Michael , Eyres Alison , Green Jonathan , Madhavapeddy Anil , Williams David , Balmford Andrew
Published: February 2025

Agriculturally-driven habitat degradation and destruction is the biggest threat to global biodiversity, yet the impacts on extinctions of different types of food and where they are produced and the mitigation potential of different interventions remain poorly quantified. Here we link the LIFE biodiversity metric – a high-resolution global layer describing the marginal impact of land-use on extinctions of ~30K vertebrate species – with food consumption and production data and provenance modelling. Using an opportunity cost framing we discover that the impact of producing one kilogram of different food commodities on species extinction risks varies widely both across and within foods, in many cases by more than an order of magnitude. Despite marked differences in per-capita impacts across countries, there are consistent patterns that could be leveraged for mitigating harm to biodiversity. In particular, we find that animal products and commodities grown in the tropics are generally much more impactful than staple crops and vegetables grown elsewhere. We anticipate the approach and results outlined here could inform decision-making across many levels, from national policies to individual dietary choices.
New Quantum-Corrected Black Hole Solutions from Loop Quantum Gravity and Their Canonical Ensemble Analysis
Authors: CHEN WEN-XIANG
Published: February 2025

This study investigates quantum-corrected black hole solutions derived from Loop Quantum Gravity (LQG) and explores their thermodynamic properties using the canonical ensemble framework. By incorporating higher-order quantum correction terms into classical black hole metrics, we construct regular black hole solutions that eliminate classical singularities. Advanced canonical ensemble techniques, including path integral formulations and stability analyses, are employed to examine the thermodynamic stability, phase transitions, and critical phenomena of these quantum-corrected black holes. The results indicate that quantum corrections significantly alter the thermodynamic landscape, introducing novel phase structures and stability conditions. Additionally, numerical simulations are conducted to visualize the behavior of thermodynamic quantities under varying quantum correction parameters. This work provides deeper insights into the interplay between quantum gravity effects and black hole thermodynamics, contributing to the broader understanding of quantum gravitational phenomena in strong gravitational fields.
Electrocardiography-based artificial intelligence predicts the upcoming future of heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Kim Dae-Young , Lee Sang-Won , Lee Dong-Ho , Lee Sang-Chul , Jang Ji-Hun , Shin Sung-Hee , Kim Dae-Hyeok , Choi Wonik , Baek Yong-Soo
Published: February 2025

Background

Heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) has emerged as the predominant subtype of heart failure (HF). This study aimed to develop artificial intelligence (AI)-electrocardiography (ECG) to identify and predict the prognosis of patients with HFmrEF.

Methods

We collected 104,336 12-lead ECG datasets from April 2009 to December 2021 in a tertiary centre. The AI-ECG encompasses a novel model that combines an automatic labelling preprocessing method with a transformer architecture incorporating a triplet loss for HFmrEF analysis.

Results

The receiver operating characteristic analyses revealed that the area under the curve of AI-ECG for identifying all types of HF was acceptable [0.873, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.864–0.893], while that for identifying patients with HFmrEF was relatively lower (0.824, 95% CI: 0.794–0.863) than that for those with HF with reduced ejection fraction (EF) (0.875, 95% CI: 0.844–0.912) and those with normal EF (0.870, 95% CI: 0.842–0.894). The analysis of ECG features showed significant increases in QRS duration (p = 0.001), QT interval (p = 0.045), and corrected QT interval (p = 0.041) with increasing “Severity by Euclidean distance”. Following the predictability analysis with another group of 953 patients for improvements of follow-up EF in HFmrEF, the patients were grouped into three clusters based on the AI-Euclidean distance; Cluster 1 had the most severe cases and poorer outcomes than Clusters 2 (p < 0.001) and 3 (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

AI-ECG presents an innovative approach for the prognostic stratification of cardiac contractility in patients with HFmrEF. In patients with HFmrEF, disease progression can be predicted using AI-ECG.
Anatomical characteristics of mitral isthmus and its spatial relationship with the esophagus in patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation using CT angiography
Authors: Pan Yilin , Zeng Hong , Liu Xin , Fu Xiaohang , Pan Liyuan , Wang Yanjing
Published: February 2025

Background

This study examines the anatomical characteristics of the mitral isthmus (MI) and its spatial relationship with the esophagus in patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation, using cardiovascular computed tomographic angiography (CTA). Understanding this relationship is crucial to minimize the risk of esophageal injuries during ablation procedures.

Methods

The investigation included 300 participants, divided into 200 subjects in the experimental group undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation and 100 in the control group. Detailed CTA scans were used to assess the MI's structure and proximity to the esophagus, employing various measurements like the MI's endocardial length, depth, and its relation to adjacent esophageal anatomy.

Results

The study revealed significant differences in the MI's length and distance measurements between the experimental and control groups, with the former showing greater dimensions, potentially influencing ablation strategies. A substantial proportion of patients exhibited close proximity or direct contact between the MI and the esophagus, emphasizing the importance of pre-procedural imaging in identifying risks for esophageal damage.

Conclusions

Pre-procedural cardiovascular CTA provides essential insights into the MI's anatomical details and its relation to the esophagus, aiding in the customization of ablation strategies to enhance procedural safety and efficacy. The findings highlight the significance of tailored imaging assessments to mitigate esophageal injury risks in atrial fibrillation ablation.
Mind over matter: consistency monitoring and domain-specific learning
Authors: Bascandziev Igor , Abutto Adani , Walker Caren M. , Bonawitz Elizabeth
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Children's naïve understanding of the physical world is permeated with inconsistencies among beliefs. For example, young children who believe that air does not occupy space also believe that balloons are filled up with air. Here, we asked if an ability to explicitly notice inconsistencies among statements is associated with a more mature understanding of the physical world.

Method

We tested 100 children who received a Physics Interview, a battery of Executive Functioning measures, a Cognitive Reflection measure, and a Consistency Monitoring measure.

Results and discussion

We found that Consistency Monitoring is associated with Physics Understanding, even when controlling for Age, Executive Functioning, and Cognitive Reflection. This finding highlights the importance of explicit consistency monitoring skills in the accumulation and expression of domain-specific understanding of the physical world, and it suggests future avenues for development and research of educational interventions that take into account the role of consistency monitoring skills in science learning.
Undergraduate EFL learners’ preferences for three different types of written corrective feedback
Authors: Almohawes Monera
Published: February 2025

The present study examined undergraduate EFL learners’ preferences for three different types of written corrective feedback: direct, indirect, and metalinguistic. The participants were undergraduate students from various colleges at Hail University. A mixed-methods approach was employed, with data collected through a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The researcher sought to investigate learners’ preferences for direct, indirect, or metalinguistic written corrective feedback and the reasons behind these preferences. The results showed that most learners preferred direct written corrective feedback because it helped them improve their writing skills and was easier to understand. While the quantitative findings indicated that learners were uncertain about metalinguistic written corrective feedback, the qualitative responses suggested a preference for it, as it was perceived as an interesting, memorable, and enjoyable learning experience that motivated them to learn. The findings also revealed that learners did not prefer indirect written corrective feedback. The current study involves learners’ preferences which acknowledges the importance of their opinion in the learning process, leading to more effective and personalized language learning experiences. Future research could explore students’ preferences for written corrective feedback in relation to how new technology might affect these preferences.
Effects of different fertilization treatments on ground-dwelling arthropods and their functional groups in agricultural landscapes
Authors: Bian Ziqi , Liu Lyuyi , Li Yan , Li Yanli , Ding Shengyan
Published: February 2025

Intensive agriculture has caused significant declines in ground-dwelling arthropod diversity and ecosystem services. Chemical and organic fertilizers alter arthropod habitats, affecting arthropod community abundance and diversity. Fertilization treatments differentially affect arthropod communities, and various soil physico-chemical properties differentially affect various species in the arthropod community. Studying arthropod diversity, community structure, and soil physico-chemical properties under various fertilization treatments is crucial to understanding the impact of agricultural activities. We used pitfall traps to catch ground-dwelling arthropods four times a year, and analyzed arthropod abundance and biodiversity indices under different fertilization treatments The study revealed that Lycosidae and Araneidae were the dominant family in the study area. Notably, the application of both chemical and organic fertilizers led to a decrease in ground-dwelling arthropod diversity compared to unfertilized treatments. Furthermore, our analysis indicated that the strongest environmental predictors of ground-dwelling arthropod community variation varied depending on the fertilization method, and different species were affected differently by soil physico-chemical properties. Specifically, when no fertilization was applied, soil total potassium and available phosphorus were the strongest predictors of arthropod diversity. Conversely, organic matter became the primary determinant when organic fertilizers were used alone. Interestingly, when chemical and organic fertilizers were combined, soil total nitrogen, pH, and available phosphorus were identified as the principal drivers. Additionally, our findings highlighted that the dominant group of ground-dwelling arthropods was particularly sensitive to changes in biomass, available nitrogen, and available potassium.
Coastal moderation of Holocene fire and vegetation change on the Pacific coast of Canada
Authors: Duncan Maggie E. , Pellatt Marlow G. , Kohfeld Karen E.
Published: February 2025

In the coming century, climate variability is projected to increase in Northeast Pacific coastal areas, increasing the need for land managers to understand how ecosystems are expected to change in response to new or enhanced disturbances. Previous research indicates that the Pacific coast of Canada, southern British Columbia (BC) experienced warmer and drier climate conditions than present, with higher than modern fire activity during the early Holocene xerothermic interval (9.5 – 7.0 kcal BP). In this study, we reconstructed past climate-fire-vegetation changes from a 13,000-year sediment record from Lost Lake in Vancouver’s Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve, BC. Contrary to other sites, the coastal western hemlock forest at this site remained cool and moist with low fire activity throughout the xerothermic period. Instead, peak fire frequencies were observed during the cool and moist Neoglacial period (4.5 kcal BP – present), when human activity became prevalent. These results have implications for the managed watershed’s resilience to fire and response to future warming conditions.
Assessing hemorrhagic risks in combination therapy: implications of angiogenesis inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors
Authors: Yang Yuhui , Long Pingping , Tuo Ying , Wang Xiaoxiao
Published: February 2025

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the hemorrhage risk in solid tumor patients receiving angiogenesis inhibitors (AGIs), immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), and their combination using the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database.

Methods

Data from Q1 2011 to Q4 2023 were extracted from the FAERS database for solid tumor patients treated with AGIs, ICIs, or their combination. A disproportionality analysis was conducted by calculating the reporting odds ratio (ROR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI), as well as the Proportional Reporting Ratio (PRR), to identify potential safety signals. To assess whether the hemorrhage risk is higher with combination therapy compared to monotherapy, additive and multiplicative models were employed to evaluate the interactions between combination and single-agent treatments.

Results

The combination of AGIs and ICIs significantly increased the risk of hemorrhagic adverse events, particularly tumor and pulmonary hemorrhage. Hemorrhagic events were common in females (50.97%) and older patients (aged 64+), frequently occurring within the first 30 days of treatment (38.11%). Gingival hemorrhage (ROR 3, PRR 418.9) and tumor hemorrhage (ROR 9.65, PRR 1893.36) were most common in the AGI group, while tumor hemorrhage (ROR 9.49, PRR 1350.78) and pulmonary hemorrhage (ROR 2.6, PRR 98.97) were prominent in the ICI group. In the combination group, esophageal variceal hemorrhage (ROR 40.72, PRR 2344.72) and tumor hemorrhage (ROR 19.31, PRR 1056.63) exhibited significantly increased risks Additive and multiplicative models indicated that the excess risk (RDAB = 0.01025, P<0.001) and relative risk (RRAB = 1.99277, P<0.001) of combination therapy were significantly higher than those of monotherapy, suggesting a positive interaction between the drugs that further increases the risk of hemorrhage.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that the combination of AGIs and ICIs significantly raises the risk of hemorrhage, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced monitoring protocols in clinical practice to improve treatment efficacy and safety.
Cerebrospinal fluid and serum cytokine profiles in severe viral encephalitis with implications for refractory status epilepticus: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Huang Peipei , Yang Fan , Dong Ruirui , Wen Lijun , Zang Qiuling , Song Dandan , Guo Junshuang , Wang Yating , Zhang Ruike , Ren Zhiping , Qin Jinjin , Teng Junfang , Miao Wang
Published: February 2025

Background

To identify new intervention targets, we explored the correlation between cytokines and the development of refractory status epilepticus (RSE) in patients with severe viral encephalitis (SVE).

Methods

We examined the characteristics of 14 cytokines in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum, analyzing their correlation with acute symptomatic seizures and prognosis. Furthermore, we conducted a dynamic analysis of differences and correlations in the expression of cytokines among patients with SVE without seizures, those with controlled seizures, and those with RSE.

Results

We included 161 patients with SVE; the incidence of seizures was 55.2%, and the mortality rate was 5.5%. Notably, 18.9% of these patients developed RSE, with a mortality rate of 20%. During the early stage of SVE, CSF interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 levels were significantly higher, declining over time and affecting the prognosis. CSF IL-6 and IL-8 levels were significantly elevated in the RSE group compared to patients without seizures and with controlled seizures, decreasing gradually and independently of serum cytokine levels. CSF IL-8 and age were independent risk factors for RSE, with clinical utility.

Conclusions

Patients with SVE exhibit intrathecal cytokine storms, primarily characterized by elevated levels of IL-6 and IL-8, which influence prognosis. The strong and persistent hyperinflammation underscored by CSF IL-6 and IL-8 is associated with the occurrence and development of RSE; thus, CSF IL-8 and age are independent risk factors for SVE with RSE, indicating potential anti-inflammatory intervention targets.
A longitudinal study on the professional identity formation of health promotion practitioners: evidence from undergraduate students in Switzerland
Authors: Biehl Verena , Bänziger Andreas , Wieber Frank
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Professional identity (PI) is crucial for workforce capacity building, as it leads to the adoption of the professional role and commitment. And yet, there is little literature on the PI of health promotion practitioners as part of the public health workforce. Education plays a significant role in PI formation. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate PI formation in undergraduate health promotion students. To conceptualize PI, we draw on social psychological theories and consider potential determinants across cognitive, social, motivational, and behavioral dimensions.

Methods

To gain insights into the PI formation of health promotion students, an observational longitudinal study was conducted using an online survey at three times of measurement. Undergraduate physiotherapy students served as the comparison group. The outcome variable of PI was calculated as a composite score with three subscales. In addition to sociodemographic data, potential determinants in cognitive, social, motivational, and behavioral dimensions were measured. Mixed effect models were used to analyze these determinants of PI formation.

Results

The study included 276 participants. On average, PI in health promotion students was moderate and declined over the course of the undergraduate program. In contrast, PI in physiotherapy students was high from the beginning and remained stable throughout their studies. Factors such as gender, self-esteem, insecurity about the study program, the perceived social status of the profession, and planned behavior during and after the program were found to influence health promotion students’ PI formation.

Discussion

Undergraduate health promotion students lack a strong PI, especially compared to physiotherapy students. Given the importance of a strong PI, the following interventions are suggested to strengthen health promotion students’ PI: (1) incorporating PI formation as a learning objective within curricula, and (2) enhancing the visibility and clarity of health promotion’s professional profile within undergraduate studies and in society. By recognizing the factors that shape PI and implementing targeted interventions, stakeholders can empower the next generation of health promotion practitioners to navigate their professional journeys with confidence and purpose, thereby strengthening workforce capacity building in health promotion.
Quantifying monochromatic and polychromatic optical blur anisotropy in the periphery of myopes and emmetropes using a radial asymmetry metric
Authors: Degre Kendrick Chloe , Pusti Dibyendu , Yoon Geunyoung
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The goal of this study is to characterize peripheral blur anisotropy resulting from monochromatic and chromatic aberrations along multiple meridians of myopic and emmetropic eyes using a newly developed quantitative metric.

Methods

A scanning Shack-Hartmann-based wavefront sensor was used to measure lower- and higher-order monochromatic aberrations along the horizontal and vertical meridians of 20 healthy adult subjects (10 myopes, and 10 emmetropes). Monochromatic and polychromatic blur asymmetry magnitude and orientation were quantified using a novel metric based on the optical transfer function. Published population averages of longitudinal and transverse chromatic aberration were used for polychromatic blur asymmetry calculations.

Results

Blur anisotropy magnitude and orientation differed between refractive groups at several peripheral retinal locations under monochromatic and polychromatic conditions. Myopes were significantly more likely to have vertically oriented blur than emmetropes under monochromatic conditions in the temporal peripheral retina beyond 20°. These differences were minimized when chromatic aberrations were included, though the trend remained the same.

Implications

A trend of more vertical optical blur in the temporal periphery of myopes strengthens the hypothesis that myopes experience different peripheral optical blur than emmetropes, though the small sample size of the current study limits generalizability of the results. A thorough account of peripheral blur across the visual field may lead to a better understanding of the cues that the peripheral visual system might rely on during processes such as accommodation, emmetropization, and myopization.
Genomic insights and comparative analysis of Colletotrichum species associated with anthracnose fruit rot and crown rot of strawberry in North Carolina
Authors: Adhikari Tika B. , Muzhinji Norman , Philbrick Ashley N. , Louws Frank J.
Published: February 2025

Colletotrichum is a large genus of fungal phytopathogens responsible for significant economic losses in numerous crops globally. These pathogens exhibit varying host specificities; some have a broad host range, while others are more limited. To explore the genetic composition and underlying factors of fungal virulence and pathogenicity, we sequenced the genomes of seven isolates of Colletotrichum spp.: three from the C. acutatum and four from the C. gloeosporioides. These isolates were sourced from anthracnose fruit rot and crown rot of strawberry in North Carolina. Phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses classified the isolates within the C. acutatum as C. nymphaeae, while those in the C. gloeosporioides were identified as C. siamense. The genome sizes of the C. nymphaeae isolates ranged from 50.3 Mb to 50.7 Mb, with 14,235 to 14,260 predicted protein-coding gene models. In contrast, the genome sizes of the C. siamense isolates ranged from 55.7 Mb to 58.6 Mb, with predicted protein-coding gene models ranging from 17,420 to 17,729. The GC content across all genomes spanned from 51.9 to 53.7%. The predicted gene models included effectors (339 to 480), secondary metabolic gene clusters (67 to 90), and carbohydrate-active enzymes (800 to 1,060), with C. siamense isolates exhibiting the highest numbers in these categories. The genomic resources from this study will aid in resolving taxonomic challenges associated with Colletotrichum spp., elucidate their evolutionary history, and enhance the understanding of fungal biology and ecology, which is crucial for developing effective disease management strategies.
The mcpC mutant of Salmonella enteritidis exhibits attenuation and confers both immunogenicity and protective efficacy in mice
Authors: Zhang Lu , Chen Li , Zhang Xuqiang , Li Yang , Zheng Qingfeng , Li Yun , Li Ning , Shi Qiumei , Zhang Yanying , Wu Tonglei
Published: February 2025

Background

Salmonella enteritidis (SE) is a Gram-negative, facultative anaerobic intracellular pathogen that not only causes disease and mortality in livestock and poultry but also contaminates animal-derived products, leading to foodborne illnesses in humans. This presents a significant threat to public health. To eliminate this pathogen, the development of novel vaccines targeting SE is imperative. Attenuated live vaccines are capable of eliciting robust immune protection against SE.

Methods

In this study, an mcpC gene deletion strain (ΔmcpC) was constructed by the wild strain C50336, to evaluate its potential as a genetically engineered attenuated live vaccine. The virulence of ΔmcpC was assessed by examining its resistance to environmental stresses, biofilm formation capacity, motility, adhesion, invasion ability, intracellular survival, LD50, expression levels of virulence genes, and in vivo colonization ability. Furthermore, the immunogenicity of ΔmcpC was analyzed in mice by measuring specific IgG and SIgA antibody levels, lymphocyte proliferation, cytokine expression, and the protective efficacy of ΔmcpC vaccination.

Results

Compared to the wild-type strain, ΔmcpC exhibited no significant changes in biofilm formation or adhesion to Caco-2 cells. However, ΔmcpC showed significantly reduced survival under acidic, alkaline, thermal, and oxidative stress conditions; markedly diminished motility; weakened invasion of Caco-2 cells; and reduced intracellular survival in RAW264.7 macrophages. The LD50 of ΔmcpC increased by 30-fold, and the expression levels of certain virulence genes were significantly downregulated. Additionally, ΔmcpC demonstrated significantly decreased colonization in the liver, spleen, and cecum of mice, indicating attenuated virulence. Immunization with ΔmcpC induced the production of specific IgG and SIgA antibodies, enhanced lymphocyte proliferation, upregulated cytokine expression, and achieved a 100% survival rate in immunized mice. These findings indicate that ΔmcpC provides effective immune protection in mice.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that deletion of the mcpC gene attenuates the virulence of SE. The ΔmcpC offers strong immune protection in mice, providing a solid foundation for the development of genetically engineered attenuated live vaccines against SE.
Multiparameter resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging as an indicator of neuropsychological changes in Binswanger’s disease with mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Zhang Haiyi , Zhang Lu , Lu Juan , Yue Jiajun , Yuan Zhengzhen , Hu Jidan , Yao Qi , Fu Yuting , Chen Guiquan , Fang Jiliang , Zhao Jie
Published: February 2025

The underlying neuropathological mechanisms in Binswanger’s disease (BD) with mild cognitive impairment (BD-MCI) remain unclear. The multiparameter functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) including amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF), fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF), regional homogeneity (ReHo), independent component analysis (ICA), and edge-link analysis was utilized to explore the abnormal brain networks of BD-MCI patients. Compared with the BD without MCI group, this study revealed that the ALFF values in the BD-MCI group were significantly increased in the Temporal_Inf_R, Frontal_Mid_Orb_L, and Hippocampus_L, while decreased in the SupraMarginal_R and Precuneus_R. The fALFF value in the BD-MCI group exhibited a reduction in the Frontal_Med_Orb_L. Additionally, ReHo values in the BD-MCI group increased in the Hippocampus_R but decreased in several areas including Precentral_L, Putamen_L, Postcentral_R, Supp_Motor_Area_R, and SupraMarginal_L. The results of ICA revealed that patients diagnosed with BD-MCI exhibited abnormal connectivity patterns across 12 groups of independent components and 5 distinct groups of brain networks. In one group, the internal connectivity within the brain network exhibited abnormalities. The correlation analysis between ALFF and ReHo values and clinical scales revealed a significant negative correlation between the bilateral hippocampus and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores. Conversely, ReHo values for Postcentral_R and SupraMarginal_L were significantly positively correlated with MMSE scores. In summary, the results of our study suggest that patients diagnosed with BD-MCI display atypical activity across several brain regions. The observed changes in these areas encompass a range of functional networks. The reduced coordination among these functional networks may play a role in the deterioration of cognitive functions and decision-making capabilities, potentially serving as a critical mechanism contributing to the early manifestation of cognitive impairments.
Sensory substitution and augmentation techniques in cerebral visual impairment: a discussion of lived experiences
Authors: Duesing Stephanie L. , Lane-Karnas Katie , Duesing Sebastian James Adam , Lane-Karnas Mae , Y Nai , Chandna Arvind
Published: February 2025

Pediatric vision loss due to cerebral visual impairment (CVI) is an urgent public health issue, demanding evidence-based (re)habilitation and educational strategies. As with other neurodiverse populations, research on CVI needs to be directly informed by the lived experiences of those affected—children, adults, and their families. In this paper, three individuals with early-onset CVI and two parents discuss sensory substitution and augmentation developed in childhood in the absence of early identification of CVI, and they detail the important impact of the empowering, professionally taught non-visual skills–such as braille, orientation and mobility training, and assistive technology–which were acquired later. Efforts to improve visual perception ability and understanding of the visual world, both effective and ineffective, were made through traditional, professionally administered vision therapy, self-taught coping strategies, and from intensive arts participation. The authors discuss the strategies they use to leverage senses other than vision to achieve their daily life, educational, social, and career goals. Nonvisual skills training effective in those with ocular blindness, though received later in life after the delayed diagnosis, proved to be indispensable for these authors’ who have CVI access to all aspects of independent life. It is our hope that these personal experiences may encourage research into how traditional nonvisual skills training used for the ocularly blind, as well as sensory substitution and augmentation techniques, may be used to develop evidence-based multidisciplinary interventions; improved academic and independent life skills; multisensory educational and therapeutic interventions; and successful integration into the community for all CVIers.
Effect of microstructure and neutron irradiation defects on deuterium retention in SiC
Authors: Leide Alex , Zhong Weicheng , Fernandez-Victorio Isabel , Nguyen-Manh Duc , Koyanagi Takaaki
Published: February 2025

Retention of hydrogen isotopes is a critical concern for operating fusion reactors as retained tritium both activates components and removes scarce fuel from the fuel cycle. Radiation-induced displacement damage in SiC influences the retention of hydrogen isotopes compared to pristine SiC. Deuterium retention in neutron irradiated high purity SiC has been compared to different microstructures of non-irradiated high purity SiC using thermal desorption spectroscopy after gas charging and low energy ion implantation. Experimental results show lower deuterium retention in single crystal SiC than in polycrystal SiC indicating that grain boundaries are key trapping features in unirradiated SiC. Deuterium is released at lower temperatures in neutron irradiated polycrystal SiC compared to pristine polycrystal SiC, suggesting weaker trapping by radiation-induced defects compared to grain boundary trapping sites in the pristine materials. Low energy ion implantation caused a high deuterium release temperature, highlighting the sensitivity of deuterium release behaviour to radiation defect characteristics. First principles calculations have been conducted to identify energetically favourable trapping sites in SiC at the HABcVSi and HTSiVC complexes, and migration barriers between interstitial sites. This helps interpret experimental results and derive effective diffusivity of hydrogen isotopes in SiC in the presence of vacancies.
Meta-analysis to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of enzalutamide and abiraterone acetate for first-line treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer in real-world settings
Authors: Aprikian Armen , Bahl Amit , Omlin Aurelius , Baciarello Giulia , Chakravarty Abhiroop , Kondaparthi Prashanth , Gourgioti Georgia , McLean Thomas , Serikoff Alexis , Chilelli Andrew
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Androgen-receptor pathway inhibitors such as abiraterone and enzalutamide have demonstrated clinical benefit in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The aim of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis of published real-world evidence studies comparing outcomes among patients treated with enzalutamide or abiraterone in the first-line setting.

Methods

We conducted a systematic literature review to identify eligible studies. Evaluated outcomes were: overall survival (OS), progression-free survival, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) progression-free survival, PSA response, all-grade adverse events, grade ≥3 adverse events, treatment discontinuation, and dose reduction. Each outcome’s suitability for meta-analysis was evaluated by assessing whether there were sufficient data to make comparisons between studies, consistency between outcome definitions, and whether the studies adjusted for baseline patient characteristics. Outcomes deemed suitable for meta-analysis were analyzed using fixed-effect and random-effect models to obtain pooled-effect sizes. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to evaluate the robustness of conclusions.

Results

Of 1849 records reviewed, 30 were eligible for inclusion. Most outcomes were deemed unsuitable for meta-analysis due to a lack of adjustment for baseline characteristics, issues with inconsistent outcome definitions, and the small number of studies reporting each outcome. The only outcome deemed suitable for meta-analysis was OS. A total of 17 studies reported hazard ratios (HRs) for OS, 11 of which were adjusted for baseline characteristics. Among the studies reporting adjusted HRs, the pooled-effect estimate favored enzalutamide over abiraterone (reference group) in the fixed-effect model (HR: 0.90 [95% CI: 0.87–0.93]) and the random-effect model (HR: 0.90 [95% CI: 0.86–0.94]). These results were consistent across all sensitivity analyses.

Discussion

Across all analyses, enzalutamide demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in OS compared with abiraterone. These findings highlight the value of real-world evidence studies to demonstrate the potential of different therapies under real-world conditions and over long periods of time.
Mimosapudica L. aqueous extract protects mice against pilocarpine–picrotoxin kindling-induced temporal lobe epilepsy, oxidative stress, and alteration in GABAergic/cholinergic pathways and BDNF expression
Authors: Mambou Hart Mann Alain Youbi , Pale Simon , Bopda Orelien Sylvain Mtopi , Jugha Vanessa Tita , Musa Nji Seraphin Ombel , Ojongnkpot Tambong Ako , Wanyu Bertrand Yuwong , Bila Raymond Bess , Herqash Rashed N. , Shahat Abdelaaty A. , Taiwe Germain Sotoing
Published: February 2025

Ethnopharmacological studies revealed that the leaves and stems of Mimosa pudica L. (Fabaceae) are widely used for the treatment of epilepsy. This study sought to investigate the effects of the aqueous extract of Mimosa pudica leaves and stems against pilocarpine–picrotoxin kindling-induced temporal lobe epilepsy in mice and its implication on oxidative/nitrosative stress, GABAergic/cholinergic signalling, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression. The animals were treated for seven consecutive days as follows: one normal group and one negative control group that received orally distilled water; four test groups that received orally four doses of Mimosa pudica (20, 40, 80, and 160 mg/kg), respectively; and one positive control group that received 300 mg/kg sodium valproate intraperitoneally. One hour after the first treatment (first day), status epilepticus was induced by intraperitoneal injection of a single dose of pilocarpine (360 mg/kg). Then, 23 hours after the injection of pilocarpine to the mice, once again, they received their different treatments. Sixty minutes later, they were injected with a sub-convulsive dose of picrotoxin (1 mg/kg), and the anticonvulsant property of the extract was determined. On day 7, open-field, rotarod, and catalepsy tests were performed. Finally, the mice were sacrificed, and the hippocampi were isolated to quantify some biochemical markers of oxidative/nitrosative stress, GABAergic/cholinergic signalling, and BDNF levels in the hippocampus. Mimosa pudica extracts (160 mg/kg) significantly increased the latency time to status epilepticus by 70.91%. It significantly decreased the number of clonic and tonic seizures to 9.33 ± 1.03 and 5.00 ± 0.89, and their duration to 11.50 ± 2.07 and 6.83 ± 0.75 s, respectively. Exploratory behaviour, motor coordination, and catalepsy were significantly ameliorated, respectively, in the open-field, rotarod, and catalepsy tests. Pilocarpine–picrotoxin-induced alteration of oxidant–antioxidant balance, GABA-transaminase stability, acetylcholinesterase/butyrylcholinesterase activity, and neurogenesis were attenuated by the extract (80–160 mg/kg). This study showed that the aqueous extract of Mimosa pudica leaves and stems ameliorated epileptogenesis of temporal lobe epilepsy and could be used for the treatment of temporal lobe epilepsy.
Optimizing therapeutic outcomes: preconditioning strategies for MSC-derived extracellular vesicles
Authors: Song Yuqi , Liang Fengrui , Tian Weikun , Rayhill Erin , Ye Liping , Tian Xinghan
Published: February 2025

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) are increasingly recognized for their therapeutic potential in regenerative medicine, driven by their capabilities in immunomodulation and tissue repair. However, MSCs present risks such as immunogenic responses, malignant transformation, and the potential to transmit infectious pathogens due to their intrinsic proliferative and differentiative abilities. In contrast, MSC-EVs, particularly exosomes (MSC-exosomes, 30–150 nm in diameter), offer a safer therapeutic profile. These acellular vesicles mitigate risks associated with immune rejection and tumorigenesis and are inherently incapable of forming ectopic tissues, thereby enhancing their clinical safety and applicability. This review highlights the therapeutic promise of MSC-exosomes especially focusing on the modulation of miRNA (one of bioactive molecules in MSC-EVs) profiles through various preconditioning strategies such as exposure to hypoxia, chemotherapeutic agents, inflammatory cytokines, and physical stimuli. Such conditioning is shown to optimize their therapeutic potential. Key miRNAs including miR-21, miR-146, miR-125a, miR-126, and miR-181a are particularly noted for their roles in facilitating tissue repair and modulating inflammatory responses. These functionalities position MSC-exosomes as a valuable tool in personalized medicine, particularly in the case of exosome-based interventions. Despite the potential of MSC-EVs, this review also acknowledged the limitations of traditional MSC therapies and advocates for a strategic pivot towards exosome-based modalities to enhance therapeutic outcomes. By discussing recent advances in detail and identifying remaining pitfalls, this review aims to guide future directions in improving the efficacy of MSC-exosome-based therapeutics. Additionally, miRNA variability in MSC-EVs presents challenges due to the diverse roles of miRNAs play in regulating gene expression and cell behavior. The miRNA content of MSC-EVs can be influenced by preconditioning strategies and differences in isolation and purification methods, which may alter the expression profiles of specific miRNAs, contributing to differences in their therapeutic effects.