bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does explorative behavior allow the successful finding of ephemeral food resources in the wild?
Authors: Wirowska Martyna , Iwińska Karolina , Borowski Zbigniew , Brzeziński Marcin , Solecki Paweł , Boratyński Jan S
Published: July 2023

The repeatable among-individual variation in behavior (animal personality) is considered to affect fitness. The variation in personality traits is shaped by complex evolutionary mechanisms involving mainly energy allocation and resource acquisition. However, an association between personality and individual performance in energy gain in the natural environment still seems underexplored. The aim of our study was to test a hypothesis that consistent individual variation in behavior affects the energy acquisition of unpredictable food resources. We predicted that more explorative individuals would be finding ephemeral food resources with higher probability than those less explorative. The quasi-experiment with ‘random-walking-feeders’ was performed to assess the use of unpredictable food resources in the natural habitat occupied by free-ranging arboreal rodents – edible dormice Glis glis. Repeated open field test at laboratory conditions was conducted to assess whether male dormice show consistent among-individual variation in behavior. The open field test analysis indicated two main components of dormice behavior: exploration and boldness, from which only the first one was repeatable and thus considered as a component of animal personality. The probability of finding a feeder increased with exploration, independently of dormice age and body size. The results indicate that exploration can be considered an adaptive trait that improve the energy acquisition. We suggest that the behavioral among-individual variation within populations persists due to use of distinct foraging strategies in the face of fluctuations in food resources availability.
Implication of novel BMP15 and GDF9 variants in unexpected poor ovarian response
Authors: Mehdizadeh Anahita , Soleimani Mansoureh , Amjadi Fatemehsadat , Sene Azadeh Akbari , Sheikhha Mohammad Hassan , Dehghani Ali , Ashourzadeh Sareh , Aali Bibi Shahnaz , Dabiri Shahriar , Zandieh Zahra
Published: July 2023

Unexpected poor ovarian response (UPOR) occurs when nine or fewer oocytes are retrieved from a young patient with normal ovarian reserve. Bone morphogenetic protein15 (BMP15) and Growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) are two oocyte-specific factors with pivotal role in folliculogenesis. The aim of this study was to assess the relation between BMP15 and GDF9 variants with UPOR. All participants were aged 39 and younger with AMH ≥1.27 IU/ml who were divided into UPOR cases and normal ovarian responders (NOR), based on their oocyte number. After genomic DNA extraction, the entire exonic regions of BMP15 and GDF9 were amplified and examined by direct sequencing. Western blotting was performed to determine the expression levels of BMP15 and GDF9 in follicular fluid. Additionally, in-silico analysis was applied to predict the effect of discovered mutations.
From four novel variants, silent mutations (c.744T>C) and (c.99G>A) occurred in both groups, whereas missense variants: c.967-968insA and c.296A>G were found exclusively in UPORs. The latter variants caused reduction in protein expression. Moreover, the mutant allele (T) in a GDF9 polymorphism (C447T) found to be more in NOR individuals (58% NOR vs. 37% UPOR (OR=2.3, CI 1.32-4.11, p=0.004).
The novel missense mutations which were predicted as damaging, along with other mutations that happened in UPORs might result in ovarian resistance to stimulation. The mutant allele (T) in C447T polymorphism, has a protective effect. Our study proves that BMP15 and GDF9 variants play crucial roles in follicular development and ovarian response, however further investigation is needed for related mechanisms.
2-BFI protects against ischemic stroke by selectively acting on NR2B-containing NMDA receptors
Authors: Xu Shasha , Chen Jiaou , Xu Ye , Xu Lu , Xu Chunfei , Zhao Meiqi , Xu Tong , Cao Yungang , Li Peijun , Zhao Han
Published: July 2023

NMDA receptors play opposing roles in the pathology of ischemic stroke, depending on whether they contain the NR2A or NR2B subunit. Building on our previous finding that the compound 2-(benzofuran-2-yl)-2-imidazoline (2-BFI) can inhibit NMDA receptor currents and exert neuroprotective effects during ischemic stroke, here we examined whether 2-BFI acts on NR2A- and/or NR2B-containing NMDARs. Whole-cell patch-clamp results showed that 2-BFI dose-dependently inhibited NR2A-containing NMDARs currents (IC50 = 238.6µM) and NR2B-containing NMDARs currents (IC50 = 18.47µM). Experiments in HEK293 cells expressing exogenous receptor subunits showed that 2-BFI exhibited a significantly higher affinity towards NR2B-containing NMDARs as compared to NR2A-containing ones. Administering both 2-BFI and an inhibitor of the NR2A subunit NVP-AAM077 to rats with transient middle cerebral artery occlusion(tMCAO) led to less severe cerebral ischemic injury than administering only NVP-AAM077. 2-BFI significantly altered the expression of proteins downstream of NR2B-containing NMDA receptor, but not of proteins downstream of NR2A-containing receptor. These results suggest that 2-BFI may exert neuroprotective effects in ischemic stroke by preferentially inhibiting NR2B-containing NMDA receptors.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with juvenile idiopathic inflammatory myopathies
Authors: Wahezi Dawn M , BY Yi
Published: July 2023

Background:
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been concerns regarding the risks of infection in patients with autoimmune disease. In this study, we investigated the impact of the pandemic on patients with juvenile idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (JIIM).
Methods:
Data were collected using a patient/caregiver survey via Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) database. Eligibility included JIIM diagnosis and current age less than 21 years old. Surveys were distributed via the CureJM organization, social media, Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) network and Dr. Peter Dent Pediatric Rheumatology Bulletin Board.
Results:
Eighty-four respondents accessed the survey, 70 (83%) consented to participate, and 54 out of 70 completed the full survey (77%). Twenty-seven out of 57 patients (47%) tested positive for COVID-19, with 7 (12%) testing positive more than once. Despite broad usage of immunosuppressive medications, 24 out of 27 (89%) reported mild symptoms with none requiring hospitalization. Four patients reported a flare of JIIM symptoms after COVID-19; three of whom held immunomodulatory medications during their infection. Thirty-seven out of 54 respondents (69%) reported vaccination against COVID-19, with 9 out of 37 (24%) reporting minor vaccine side effects and one reporting JIIM flare post vaccination. Twenty-one out of 54 (39%) respondents reported psychosocial concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conclusions:
Patients with JIIM, including those on multiple immunosuppressive medications, had mild symptoms related to COVID-19. Most patients tolerated COVID-19 vaccination well. Few patients had disease flare post-COVID-19 or vaccination. Mental health concerns were demonstrated in JIIM patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Soil microorganisms and root exudation mediate rhizosphere acidification of the gypsum specialist Ononis tridentata Devesa & G. López
Authors: Puente Laura de la , Echevarría Lola , Igual José M. , Ferrio Juan Pedro , Palacio Sara
Published: July 2023

Background and Aims
Plants living on gypsum are adapted to uptake nutrients in extremely poor alkaline soils. Under such extreme conditions, processes affecting the chemical conditions of the rhizosphere may be crucial for plant survival and growth. Rhizosphere acidification in plants living on gypsum soils has never been reported before and the effect of root exudation and microbial fungi on the rhizosphere pH remains undescribed.
Methods
In this study we cultivated seeds of the gypsum specialist Ononis tridentata in rhizoboxes with natural gypsum soil and with fungi-sterile gypsum soil, and monitored changes in the rhizosphere pH with planar optodes coupled to a calibrated image recording system. Soil microbial life and root exudation were characterised.
Results
The acidification was steep in both treatments, more intense in the root tip. The higher presence of fungi led to lower pH values in the natural gypsum soil treatment. In the fungi-sterile treatment, however, rhizosphere acidification was more extensive across the root surface. Several organic acids and alcohols were exuded by plant roots, with a significantly higher concentration of some compounds in fungi-sterile roots, potentially due to the reduced fungal activity. However, the exudation of lactic acid, a compound related to rhizosphere bacteria, was higher in plants grown in the natural treatment.
Conclusion
Root exudation seemed to be a fundamental process to acidify the rhizosphere in gypsum soil, and fungal microbiota participated in the process without showing a dependency on plant growth. The direct visualization of pH changes at the rhizosphere helped to describe an important mechanism of plant life on gypsum.
Daily step counts and intensity both associated with obesity in Chinese older women
Authors: Zhang Xianliang , Wu Qinmei , Yin Shuting , Du Litao , Li Ting , Ren Xiaoyu , He Qiang , Pan Yang , Chen Si
Published: July 2023

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the associations of objectively measured daily step counts and intensity with overweightness/obesity in older women.
METHODS: Totally, 1 085 community-dwelling older women were included. Overweightness/obesity indicators were measured by body composition analyzer. Daily step counts, peak 1-minute cadence (peak 1 cadence), and peak 30-minute cadence (peak 30 cadence) were measured via tri-axial accelerometer. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to assess the association of total daily step counts, peak cadence and their joint effects with different overweightness/obesity indicators. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was used to determine the optimal daily steps, peak 1 cadence, peak 30 cadence cut-off values to distinguish overweightness/obesity.
RESULTS:After adjusting for confounders, a significant association was found between daily step counts, cadence or intensity and the overweightness/obesity. Each 1 000 step increase in daily step counts was associated with a 0.2% reduction in body fat ratio (BFR). Each 1 steps/min increase in peak 1 cadence and peak 30 cadence was associated with a decrease in BFR 0.09% and 0.07%, respectively. The joint effect showed that the high step and intensity (HSHI) group had the best effect on reducing obesity. ROC curve analysis showed that the optimal cut-off points of daily step count, peak 1 cadence and peak 30 cadence for predicting overweightness/obesity were 9 135 steps, 126.9 steps/min and 89.0 steps/min, respectively.
CONCLUSION: Increasing daily step count and intensity in walking activities is an effective way to lose weight although daily step count is not associated with BMI. It is recommended that older women walk more than 9 135 steps a day. Different steps and intensity combination can be considered according to the actual condition of older women, and increase daily step count or step intensity appropriately.
Diagnostic potential of LncRNAs-ANRIL and MIAT in the blood of patients with cerebral venous thrombosis
Authors: Zayani Zoofa , Hooshmandi Etrat , Borhani-Haghighi Afshin , Rahimi Mousa , Ostovan Vahid Reza , Fadakar Nima , Tabrizi Reza , Bayat Mahnaz , Hojati Seyedehshamim , Gharbi Negin , Mahmoudinasab Hamideh
Published: July 2023

Background: Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) have been implicated as possible circulating stroke indicators. This study focused on the expression status of ANRILand MIAT in cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) patients.
Methods: In this study, fifty CVT patients and one hundred age/gender-matched individuals as controls were included. The circulating levels of ANRIL and MIATin the first 24 hours after admission were evaluated using the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. We compared the expression levels of ANRIL and MIAT between patients and controls using the independent two-sample t-test. Subgroup analysis was used toinvestigate the association of lncRNAs with clinical characteristics in CVT patients. ROC curve analyses conducted the diagnostic value of two lncRNAs in patient assessment.
Results: The relative expression of lncRNAs ANRILand MIAT significantly decreased in patients compared to the control. ANRILand MIAT showed potential markers for discriminating CVT patients from the healthy controls with an AUC of 0.98 and 0.99, respectively.
Conclusion: For the first time we found downregulation and diagnostic potential of LncRNAs-ANRILand MIAT in the blood of patients with CVT.
Enhanced phenylpropanoid metabolism underlies resistance to Fusarium oxysporum vasinfectum f. sp. race 4 infection in the cotton cultivar Pima-S6 (Gossypium barbadense L.)
Authors: Ojeda-Rivera Jonathan , Ulloa Mauricio , Najera-Gonzalez Hector Rogelio , Roberts Philip A. , Montes Ricardo Chavez , Herrera-Estrella Luis , Lopez-Arredondo Damar
Published: July 2023

Background
Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum (FOV) race 4 (FOV4) is a highly pathogenic soil-borne fungus responsible for Fusarium wilt in cotton (Gossypium spp.) and represents a continuing threat to cotton production in the southwest states of the U.S., including California, New Mexico, and Texas. Even though the Pima (G. barbadense L.) cotton gene pool shows more susceptibility to this pathogen than Upland (G. hirsutum L.) cotton, fortunately, some Pima cultivars present resistance to FOV4 infection, like Pima-S6. To gain insights into the mechanism underlying FOV4 resistance, we performed comparative transcriptional and metabolomic profiling of FOV4-resistant Pima-S6 and FOV4-susceptible Pima S-7 and Pima 3–79 cotton.
Results
Comparative analysis of transcriptional FOV4 infection responses on these genotypes indicated a differential response between resistant Pima-S6 and susceptible Pima S-7 and 3–79. GO-enriched analysis found clusters related to various biological processes, including transmembrane transport, glycoside hydrolysis, metabolism of small molecules, and phenylpropanoid metabolism. Arabidopsis ortholog genes comparison with categories significantly enriched in Pima-S6 resulted in multiple categories clustered to similar biological processes such as the metabolism of small molecules, regulation of enzymatic activity, diterpenoid biosynthetic processes, and phytohormone signaling-related processes, being phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and metabolism highly enriched. These results correlated with the accumulation of secondary metabolites in Pima-S6 roots, specifically esculetin, a coumarin that inhibits the growth of Fusarium. Transcriptomic profiling enabled the identification of candidate genes potentially involved in the resistance mechanism of FOV4-resistance in protecting the Pima-S6 cotton cultivar from this pathogenic fungus. Some genes of this pathway were found to be in chromosome-QTL regions linked with resistance to FOV4.
Conclusions
Our results highlight an essential role for the phenylpropanoid synthesis pathway in FOV4 resistance and create opportunities for gene discovery and SNP development for marker-associated selection (MAS) for breeding for FOV4 resistance.
Treadmill exercise ameliorated stress-induced neuron impairment and dopamine loss in rat hippocampus and improved working memory
Authors: Yang Rui , Zhang Xiguang , Li Wenyi , Guo Cheng
Published: July 2023

Stress-related memory deficit is correlated with neurotransmitter system impairment. Exercise improves memory function and neurotransmitter. However, no studies have been performed to directly observe exercise-related effects on neurotransmitter in stress model, in association with memory function and hippocampal neuron. This study aimed to investigate the effect of exercise on hippocampal neuron and dopamine in stress model, followed by working memory in a passive avoid test. Our study found that stress rat had significantly neuron impairment and dopamine loss in hippocampus plus working memory deficit, which can be rescued by exercise. In summary, this study demonstrated that the neuroprotective effect of stress-associated working memory by treadmill exercise via ameliorated neuron impairment and dopamine loss.
The Psychophysics of Human Three-Dimensional Active Visuospatial Problem-Solving
Authors: Solbach Markus D. , Tsotsos John K.
Published: July 2023

Our understanding of how visual systems detect, analyze and interpret visual stimuli has advanced greatly. However, the visual systems of all animals do much more; they enable visual behaviours. How well the visual system performs while interacting with the visual environment and how vision is used in the real world is not well studied, especially in humans. It has been suggested that comparison is the most primitive of psychophysical tasks. Thus, as a probe into these active visual behaviours, we use a same-different task: are two physical 3D objects visually the same? This task is a fundamental cognitive ability. We pose this question to human subjects who are free to move about and examine two real objects in an actual 3D space. Past work has dealt solely with a 2D static version of this problem. We collected detailed, first-of-its-kind data of humans performing a visuospatial task in hundreds of trials. Strikingly, humans are remarkably good at this task without training, with a mean accuracy of 93.82%. No learning effect was observed on accuracy after many trials, but some effect was seen for response time, number of fixations and extent of head movement. Subjects demonstrated a variety of complex strategies involving a range of movement and eye fixation changes, suggesting that solutions were developed dynamically and tailored to the specific task.
Investigations on the effect of natural veined calcite on the mechanical properties of limestone
Authors: Chen Qingzhi , Liu Yuanming , Teng Zhaolei , Ou Xun , Zhang Quan
Published: July 2023

The damage behavior of limestone rock masses containing calcite mineral filling under uniaxial compression experimental conditions is unclear, and the fracture mechanism of the rock masses needs to be further explored. In this study, uniaxial compression tests were conducted on limestone rock specimens containing veined calcite by combining acoustic emission (AE) and digital image correlation (DIC) techniques. The effects of veined calcite on the generation and development of cracks on the surface of the specimens until the formation of macroscopic penetration and the strength properties of the rock mass were analyzed. The results showed that the transversely distributed veined calcite caused significant stress concentrations in the rock specimens. The longitudinally distributed veined calcite caused cracks in the specimens or influenced the expansion path of the longitudinal principal cracks. The final damage pattern of the specimens didn’t differ significantly from that of conventional rock masses due to the presence of veined calcite. The presence of the veined calcite had effect on the uniaxial compressive capacity of the rock, but the load variation process of the specimen with time still conformed to the load variation pattern during the uniaxial compressive test of conventional rocks.
Life Cycle Assessment of an Institutional building using OpenLCA Software
Authors: Kulkarni Abhishek , Sivakumar M. V.N.
Published: July 2023

There is a growing recognition in the construction industry of the need to reduce the environmental impacts of buildings and construction projects. This has led to a focus on quantifying and minimizing the energy, carbon, and material footprints of buildings and construction projects, as well as implementing sustainable design strategies. The combination of tools like Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is becoming more common as a way to better understand the environmental impacts and identify opportunities for improvement. By taking a proactive approach to sustainability, the construction industry can play a key role in reducing the overall environmental impact of the built environment. This study focuses on a case study of analyzing the environmental impacts of different components of a building, such as columns, beams, masonry, and slabs, in an institutional building, and determining the impacts on the environment. Masonry with fired clay bricks was found to be the component with the maximum environmental impacts, and different alternative materials for replacement, such as fly ash bricks, were assessed in Open-LCA software using the Ecoinvent database. The environmental impacts of fired clay bricks and fly ash bricks were compared, and the results of the reduction in environmental impacts are presented.
Promising Use of Filgotinib in Patients Affected by Systemic Sclerosis: Preliminary Data From a Monocentric, Prospective, Open-label Study
Authors: Sandri Gilda , de Pinto Marco , Spinella Amelia , Macripò Pierluca , Amati Gabriele , Lumetti Federica , Secchi Ottavio , Guerra Anna , Giuggioli Dilia
Published: July 2023

Objective
To assess the efficacy and safety of Filgotinib for the management of cutaneous, visceral and articular involvement in patients affected by Systemic sclerosis.
Methods
5 patients affected by SSc referring to the Scleroderma Units of Modena and Reggio Emilia between October 2021 and February 2023, were enrolled.
Patients received 200 mg of Filgotinib once daily for a period of 52 weeks. Skin, articular and visceral organ involvement were evaluated at the baseline and every 12 weeks after the start of the treatment.
Results
A significant improvement of articular involvement was seen at 12th week. All patients confirmed a significant amelioration in articular involvement at 52th week, with a significant reduction in TJ, SDAI/CDAI, DAS28-CRP. PDUS performed after 24 and 52 weeks of treatment supported the remission.
A significant decrease of mRSS, improvement of other skin manifestations and a stabilization of ILD, assessed through HRCT and PFTs, were noticed in patients with dcSSc.
The 2 patients with dsSSC showed a clinical improvement assessed using the CRISS score.
No drug-related side effects were recorded and neither patients discontinued the treatment. No deaths were reported.
Conclusion
Filgotinib was safe, effective and well tolerated in the treatment of articular and visceral involvement in patients affected by SSc.
Unlocking the Antioxidant Potential of White Tea and Osmanthus Flower: A Novel Polyphenol Liquid Preparation and Its Impact on KM Mice and Their Offspring
Authors: Wang Yisen , Xu Jiaqi , Fan Ziluan , Zhou Xun , Wang Zhenyu , Zhang Hua
Published: July 2023

Scope: White tea rich in polyphenols has excellent antioxidant effect, but there is still some space for research and development of its functional application. In this study, we formulated a liquid polyphenol preparation derived from white tea and osmanthus flower(wtofLPP), which exhibited rich antioxidant content and desirable rheological properties.
Methods and results: The average particle size of wtofLPP was determined using a nanoparticle analyzer to assess the rheological properties of wtofLPP. The antioxidant performances in vitro were evaluated by in vitro antioxidant method. Notably, the wtofLPP substantially enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) enzyme activities in KM mice and their offspring. Furthermore, it reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, extended swimming time, and significantly increased small molecules such as glutathione (GSH), ceruloplasmin, and Vitamin E, which are known to exert antioxidant activities. The preparation also elevated liver glycogen levels, while decreasing lactic acid and urea nitrogen concentrations. Oxidative damage poses significant health risks, leading to alterations in physiological markers and potentially causing severe epigenetic effects on offspring.
Conclusion: Collectively, these findings indicated that the liquid polyphenol formulation(wtofLPP) protected against fatigue-induced oxidative damage, offering potential health benefits for both the parent generation and their progeny.
Disease burden and costs associated with multiple sclerosis in China: A cross-sectional analysis of nationwide survey data
Authors: Jia Yusheng , Qiao Xuanqi , Zhao Jin , Li Hainan , Hu Shanlian , Hu Min
Published: July 2023

Background
Multiple sclerosis (MS) imposes a huge burden on patients, not only physically, due to progressive disability, but also financially, due to reduced productivity and high utilization of healthcare resources. Little is known about the costs associated with MS for patients in China. This study aimed to estimate the disease burden of MS in China and the economic impact of MS and its association with disability severity, thereby providing empirical data to inform public health decision-making.
Methods
This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study using a self-reported online survey. Data were collected from MS patients including demographic information, employment status, health-related quality of life, resource utilization, and associated costs. The severity of the disability status of MS patients was identified by a proxy question for the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Regression analysis was applied to estimate the association between costs and disease severity.
Results
A total of 477 MS patients were included in the study. The mean age was 34.5 years, and 65.6% were female. The employment rate was 50.3%. The average total annual costs for an MS patient were approximately 168,228 CNY (23,720 USD) in China. The mean utility value was estimated at 0.808 for patients with EDSS < 4, 0.437 at EDSS 4–6, and 0.017 at EDSS > 6. Total annual costs of MS were 154,673 CNY (21,809 USD) at EDSS < 4, 187,038 CNY (26,372 USD) at EDSS 4–6, and 235,390 CNY (33,190 USD) at EDSS > 6. This study further found a significant association between disability severity and indirect costs due to MS.
Conclusions
Our findings identified severe disease burden and costs among MS patients in China. Higher costs were imposed on MS patients as the severity of disability increased, and the increase in the economic burden of MS was mainly driven by a dramatic increase in indirect costs. This study highlights the importance of slowing the progression of MS to reduce indirect costs of MS patients and provides empirical data for further policy review and reform.
The Effects Of Injectable Platelet-Rich Fibrin Application On Wound Healing Following Gingivectomy and Gingivoplasty Operations: single-blind, randomized controlled, prospective clinical study
Authors: Bahar Şeyma Çardakcı , Karakan Nebi C. , Vurmaz Ayhan
Published: July 2023

Objectives
The study aims to evaluate the effects of injectable platelet-rich fibrin (I-PRF) applications on early wound healing after gingivectomy and gingivoplasty surgery.
Materials and Methods
In this study, gingivectomy and gingivoplasty surgeries were performed on two groups. I-PRF (n = 23) was applied and compared with control group (n = 23). The surgical areas were stained with Mira-2 tone and evaluated in the ImageJ program. Wound healing was evaluated by using the Modified Manchester Scar (MMS) scale and Landry, Turnbull, and Howley (LTH) index. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor 10 (FGF-10) concentrations were assessed by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA). The seven-day Visual Analog Scale was used to assess pain level.
Results
The amount of staining with Mira-2 tone was found to be significantly higher in the control group than in the test group on days 3, 7, and 14. LTH index values ​​of the control group were significantly lower than the test group, and MMS scale values ​​were significantly higher than those of the test group. VEGF values of the control group at baseline, week 2, and week 3 were significantly higher than the test group. In weeks 2 and 3, FGF-10 values were found to be significantly higher in the control group than in the test group.
Conclusions
I-PRF applications revealed positive effects on epithelial wound healing after gingivectomy and gingivoplasty operations.
Clinical Relevance:
Platelet concentrates such as i-PRF accelerate wound healing and contribute to the patient’s comfort and quality of life.
Development of an early alert model for pandemic situations in Germany
Authors: Wang Danqi , Lentzen Manuel , Botz Jonas , Valderrama Diego , Deplante Lucille , Perrio Jules , Génin Marie , Thommes Edward , Coudeville Laurent , Fröhlich Holger
Published: July 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has pointed out the need for new technical approaches to increase the preparedness of healthcare systems. One important measure is to develop innovative early warning systems. Along those lines we developed a machine learning (ML) approach using Google Trends and Twitter data for Germany. As a use case we evaluated our models using COVID-19 surveillance data between March 2020 and June 2022. In conclusion we found that a long-short-term memory (LSTM) jointly trained on COVID-19 symptoms related Google Trends and Twitter data was able to accurately forecast up-trends in confirmed cases and hospitalization rates 14 days ahead. In both cases, F1 scores were above 98% and 97%, respectively, hence demonstrating the potential of using digital traces for building an early alert system for pandemics in Germany.
Annealing Effect on Mechanical and Tribological behaviour of Nanoscale Mechanics of Thin Layer Metallic Glasses for Engineering Material Applications
Authors: Muhabie Adem Ali , Girma Wubshet Mekonnen
Published: July 2023

A new and unique alloy formulation design strategies has been developed in order to fabricate thin layered metallic glasses (TFMG) with superior fracture resistance and low coefficient of friction (COF) during nano-scraching test. Due to the outstanding properties, TFMG could be applied for different uses uch as surface coating, biomedical, bio implant, electronic devices, spacecraft and railway, all of which need surface fracture resistance. The fabricated Zr-based metallic glass having the composition of Zr60Cu25Al5Ag5Ni5 (at.%) was annealed for 10, 30, and 60 min below the glass transition temperature. Nanoindentation and nanoscratch tests were used to investigate mechanical and nanotribological properties. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to examine the surface morphology and microstructures. The annealing effect and applied forces change over the chemical structure and stability, morphological change, elastic modulus, hardness, wear rate, and coefficient of friction of the samples were systematically investigated. The nano-indentation data indicated that the hardness and average elastic modulus of the samples increased with increasing annealing time, compared with those of the as-cast MG. More intriguingly, the coefficient of friction and wear rate decreases when the annealing time increases compared to as-cast MG. Furthermore, the continuous wear process, wear depth, wear track volume, and contact area decreases with increasing annealing time, as a result of the improvement of the mechanical and tribological properties of the thin-layered MGs. This study can be a reference to the design protocol to prepare novel a-MGs, which have outstanding mechanical and tribological behavior for engineering material applications.
Past Trends and Future Directions on Green Human Resource Management and Green Innovation: A Bibliometric Analysis (2013-2023)
Authors: Faheem Asra , Nawaz Zubair , Ahmed Masood , Haddad Hossam
Published: July 2023

This study aims to cover the research trends on the published literature of Green Human Resource Management and Green Innovation. In addition, we explored the topic's research trends in the context of what, how, when, where, and by whom. The study used the Scopus Data base to retrieve bibliometric data from year 2013 to March 2023. Using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and metanalysis (PRIZMA) approach, 47 published articles were finalized from the data set of 312 articles. The software VOSviewer is used to analyse the bibliometric data and insights are presented regarding past trends and future directions. Results indicate that there is an upward surge of research on the topic in recent years. Moreover, this study summarizes the past trends, contribution of major authors, institutions and international collaborations. Furthermore, this study presents the summary of findings of top cited papers and maps out noticeable future directions for the researchers.
The diagnostic value of DCE-MRI quantitative analysis combined with PI-RADS v2.1 in prostate cancer
Authors: Zhang Wei , Wang Wei , Huang Xing-hong
Published: July 2023

Background: To explore the diagnostic value of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) quantitative parameters combined with the prostate imaging report and data system version 2.1 (PI-RADS v2.1) for prostate cancer (PCa).
Methods: Retrospective collection of clinical data from patients with PCa who underwent DCE-MRI at Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University from June 2018 to January 2020, along with pathological results. Quantitative parameter (Ktrans, Kep and Ve) histograms were obtained through Siemens post-processing workstations. Receiver operating curve (ROC) were used to determine the optimal quantitative parameters, and logistic regression was utilized to establish a joint diagnostic model of quantitative parameters and PI-RADS score for patients with PCa.
Results: The Ktrans and Kep (mean, 25th, 50th, and 75th) and Ve (25th) in the PCa group were higher than those in the non-tumor group (P<0.05). ROC results showed Ktrans 25th and Kep 50th had higher AUC, sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of PCa. Logistic regression analysis indicated the combined application of Ktrans 25th, Kep 50th and PI-RADS has higher application value in the diagnosis and invasiveness for PCa (P<0.05).
Conclusions: The combined diagnostic model of Ktrans 25th, Kep 50th and PI-RADS have higher diagnostic efficiency in detecting PCa.
Factors Associated with Patient Adherence to Biofeedback Therapy Referral for Migraine: An Observational Study
Authors: Minen Mia T. , George Alexis , Cuneo Ami Z.
Published: July 2023

Background
Biofeedback has Grade A evidence for the treatment of migraine, yet few studies have examined the factors associated with patients' decisions to pursue biofeedback treatment recommendations.
Objective
To examine reasons for adherence or non-adherence to referral to biofeedback therapy.
Methods
Patients with migraine who had been referred for biofeedback by a headache specialist/behavioral neurologist were interviewed in person or via Webex. Patients completed a questionnaire addressing demographics and questions related to their headache histories. At one month, patients were asked if they had pursued the recommendation for biofeedback therapy, their reasons for their decision, and their impressions about biofeedback for those who pursued it.
Results
Of the nearly two-thirds (65%; 33/51) of patients who responded at one month, less than half (45%, 15/33) had contacted biofeedback providers, and only 18% (6/33) were able to participate in biofeedback. Common themes emerged in patients who did not pursue biofeedback, including feeling that they did not have time, endorsing financial obstacles, including treatment cost and/or insurance coverage, and finding it too difficult to schedule an appointment due to limited provider availability. When asked about their preference between a physical therapist or psychologist as a biofeedback provider, responses were mixed; many patients indicated no preference so long as they took insurance and/or were experienced, while others indicated a specific preference for a physical therapist or psychologist due to familiarity, or prior experiences with that kind of provider.
Conclusion
Patients with migraine referred for biofeedback therapy face numerous obstacles to pursuing treatment.
Clinical characteristics and prognostic impact of immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated myocarditis in advanced non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Xu Lan , Xu Manyi , Sun Wei , Zhang Weiping , Song Zhengbo
Published: July 2023

Background: Myocarditis is a rare immune-related adverse events (irAEs) with high mortality rates, with few reports on its clinical characteristics and prognostic impact. This study designed to explore the associations between cardiac parameters and outcomes of myocarditis in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who treated with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI).
Methods: Fourteen patients diagnosed with ICI-associated myocarditis by clinicians were admitted to the study analysis. By Cox univariate and multivariate survival analyses, potential risk factors for the development of severe myocarditis were identified. Survival analysis was also performed to explore the prognosis of patients with myocarditis.
Results: Among patients with myocarditis, higher B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels (P=0.04) and conduction block (P=0.03) were associated with progression to severe myocarditis.In addition, high lactate dehydrogenase (LHD)levels (P=0.04) and myocarditis onset within 2 months (P=0.02) were prognostic factors of severe myocarditis. The median progression-free survival (PFS) time and median overall survival (OS) time for all patients were 5.9 months and 18.5 months, respectively. However, there were no statistical differences between mild and severe cohorts in terms of PFS and OS (PFS: 4.5 vs. 8.5 months, P=0.17; OS: 21.3 vs. 18.5months, P=0.36). And we found that the earlier occurrence of myocarditis, worse PFS prognosis (4.5 months vs. 10.5 months, P=0.008), while no difference in OS (18.5 months vs. 21.3 months, P=0.35).
Conclusion: Compared to mild myocarditis, severe myocarditis presented with higher BNP levels and cardiac conduction abnormalities. In addition, patients with mild and early myocarditis tended to have better survival rates.
GWAS in two Saudi Myocardial Infarction Cohorts and European based studies reveal dozens of concordant signals
Authors: AlAli Amein , Al-Rubaish Abdullah , Alali Rudaynah , Almansori Mohammed , Aljumaan Mohammed , Alshehri Abdullah , Al-Madan Mohammed , Vatte ChittiBabu , Verma Shefali , Cherlin Tess , Young Sylvia , Morahan Grant , Koeleman Bobby , Keating Brendan
Published: July 2023

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have yielded significant insights into the genetic architecture of MI although studies in non-European are still lacking. Saudi Arabian cohorts offers the opportunity for discovery of novel genetic variants impacting disease risk due to the high rate of consanguinity. GWG imputation and GWAS followed by meta-analysis was performed on two independent Saudi Arabian studies comprising 3,950 MI cases and 2,324 non-MI controls. Meta-analyses were then performed with the two Saudi MI studies and the CardioGRAMplusC4D and the UK BioBank GWAS as controls Meta-analyses of the two Saudi MI studies resulted in 17 SNPs reaching genome-wide significance. Meta-analyses of all 4 studies revealed 66 loci reaching genome-wide significance levels of p < 5 x 10− 8. All of these variants with the exception of rs2764203 have previously been reported as MI associated loci or are in high linkage disequilibrium with known loci. One SNP association in Shisa family member 5 (SHISA5) (rs11707229), is evident at a much higher frequency in Saudi MI populations (> 12% MAF). In conclusion, our results replicated many MI associations, whereas in Saudi only GWAS (meta-analyses) several new loci were implicated that would require future studies for validation and functional analyses.
Parameter constraints from shadows of Kerr-Newman-dS black holes with cloud strings and quintessence
Authors: Cao Wenfu , Liu Wenfang , Wu Xin
Published: July 2023

The motion of photons around the Kerr-Newman-dS black hole surrounded by quintessence and a cloud of strings is investigated. The existence of the Carter constant leads to that of unstable circular photon orbits on a two-dimensional plane not limited to the equatorial plane and unstable spherical photon orbits in the three-dimensional space. These circular or spherical photon orbits can determine two impact parameters, which are used to calculate black hole shadows. For the case of a spherically symmetric nonrotating black hole, the black hole shadow is circular and its size is independent of an observation angle and a plane on which a circular photon orbit exists. The shadow sizes are significantly influenced by the parameters involving the cloud of strings, quintessence parameter, magnitude of quintessential state parameter , and cosmological constant. When the black hole is spinning and axially symmetric, the black hole shadow is dependent on the observation angle. The effects of the parameters excluding the spin parameter on the sizes of black hole shadows in the rotating case are similar to those in the nonrotating case. Based on the Event Horizon Telescope observations of M87*, the constraint of the curvature radius is used to constrain these parameters. For slowly rotating black holes, the allowed regions of the parameters including the cosmological constant are given.
A Bibliometric Study on the Rising Trends of Metaverse Literature in Asia-Pacific Countries
Authors: Wider Walton , Jiang Leilei , Li Jingjing , Tanucan Jem Cloyd M. , Fauzi Muhammad Ashraf
Published: July 2023

The present research employs bibliometric analysis to investigate past and current trends in research and forecast potential areas of research in Metaverse Literatures within the Asia-Pacific region. The bibliometric method was utilized to gather a total of 571 academic publications from the Web of Science database in this study. This research employs co-citation and co-word analyses to identify the most impactful publications, explicate the knowledge framework, and predict emerging trends. The analysis of co-citation revealed the presence of four primary clusters, whereas the analysis of co-word identified three clusters. The significance of Metaverse Literatures research is on the rise in the Asia-Pacific region; however, further investigation is required to furnish a more comprehensive perspective of the research landscape. This study essentially illuminates the research on metaverse and offers a perspective on the prospective future advancement of the domain in the Asia-Pacific regions. This study is distinctive in that it represents the initial attempt to construct a knowledge structure of metaverse in the Asia-Pacific region by means of a science mapping technique.
Development and validation of a hepatocellular carcinoma classifier based on macrophage-related gene set for rapid evaluation of patient response types and prognosis
Authors: Liu Defu , Yang Jing , Dai Zhanfeng , Wang Zhengjun , Huang Xiaonan , Xie Caoyu
Published: July 2023

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) participate in and shape the tumor microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is closely related to the formation of tumor heterogeneity. The aim of this study is to distinguish different subtypes of patients according to the activity level of macrophage functional gene set in HCC. We collected 1203 tissue samples from TCGA, ICGC and GEO databases. Using macrophage-associated gene set (MRRGS) from GSEA database, the score of MRRGS was calculated based on gene set variation analysis (GSVA). The key MRRGS was screened by univariate COX regression analysis and LASSO regression. Finally, non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) was used to classify HCC subtypes. Six immune cell infiltration algorithms, immune checkpoint expression differences, tumor immunity and rejection (TIDE) analysis, mutation data analysis, stem cell index based on mRNA expression (mRNAsi) were used to evaluate and reveal the differences of immunity, mutation and tumor cell malignancy among different HCC subtypes. Weighted gene coexpression network (WGCNA) is used to analyze the functional mechanism involved in MRRGS. CAMP and drug sensitivity analysis are used to explore drugs for different HCC subtypes. Two machine learning algorithms assist in screening characteristic genes among subtypes to facilitate subtype discrimination. Our study divides patients into two subtype (C1 and C2) by defining 12 MRRGS, which are similar to hot and cold tumors mentioned in previous studies. The stability of the macrophage functional classifier was validated in two independent HCC cohorts and this classifier can well predict the ability of patients to respond to immunotherapy, TACE treatment and various drug. Based on the above results, we built a bioinformatics tool to help users quickly distinguish patient subtypes and prognosis. In addition, immune signals (such as PD1-PDL1 signals), mutations, metabolic abnormalities, viral infection and chemical erosion in the environment are important upstream foundations of HCC heterogeneity caused by macrophages. This provides insights into the clinical treatment and management of HCC.
Superradiant photonic crystal surface emitting laser
Authors: Vasil’ev Peter P.
Published: July 2023

A concept of a superradiant photonic crystal surface emitting laser (Super-PCSEL) is proposed. The proposal aims to tackle the problem of the catastrophical optical damage of facets of superradiant devices due to extreme power flux densities. The suggested design incorporates photonic crystal (PC) sections into femtosecond multiple contact superradiant structures. The potential configuration of the PC sections has been calculated by solving Maxwell equations using the finite differences time domain method. Proposed Super-PCSELs allow for increased reliability and the generation of much more powerful superradiant pulses as compared to presently available pulses.
Alkali-Modified Boehmite for Acid Removal in Waste Transformer Oil
Authors: Fei Kai , Dong ZhuoYi , Meng Xuan , Shi Li , Liu NaiWang
Published: July 2023

Transformer oil plays a critical role in ensuring the insulation and normal operation of power transformers. However, during operation, the transformer oil would undergo oxidation and degradation, leading to the formation of acids and polar compounds that increase its acidity and degrade its performance. Recycling and reclamation of aged transformer oil are necessary to prolong transformer lifespan and mitigate risks. Adsorption separation is a preferred method for regeneration, offering simplicity and high efficiency. This study focuses on impregnated boehmite as an adsorbent for acidity removal in waste transformer oil. The effects of impregnation amount and calcination temperature on acidity removal are investigated, along with a comparative analysis of other adsorbents. The findings contribute to the development of sustainable methods for regenerating transformer oil, ensuring efficient and environmentally friendly operations.