bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CTLA4-Ig exerts preferable effect for both bone erosion and bone microarchitecture in rheumatoid arthritis: Results of a prospective, non-randomized two-group study using HR-pQCT
Authors: Iwamoto Naoki , Chiba Ko , Sato Shuntaro , Tashiro Shigeki , Shiraishi Kazuteru , Watanabe Kounosuke , Ohki Nozomi , Okada Akitomo , Koga Tomohiro , Kawashiri Shin-ya , Tamai Mami , Osaki Makoto , Kawakami Atsushi
Published: August 2024

Objective: This exploratory study aimed to examine the impact of abatacept treatment on bone structure in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT).
Methods: RA patients initiating either abatacept or newly introduced csDMARDs were enrolled in this prospective, non-randomized, two-group study. Bone structure in the 2nd and 3rd metacarpal heads was assessed using HR-pQCT at 0, 6, and 12 months after enrollment. Synovitis was evaluated using musculoskeletal ultrasound and MRI. The adjusted mean between-group differences (abatacept–csDMARDs group) were estimated using a mixed-effect model.
Results: Thirty-five patients (abatacept group: n=15; csDMARDs group: n=20) were analyzed. Changes in erosion volume, depth and width were numerically smaller in the abatacept group compared to the csDMARDs group (adjusted mean between-group differences: -1.86 mm³, -0.02 mm, and -0.09 mm, respectively). Over a 12-month period, 5 erosions emerged in the csDMARDs group, while only 1 erosion appeared in the abatacept group. Compared to csDMARDs, abatacept better preserved bone microarchitecture; several components of bone microarchitecture were significantly worsened at 6 months in the csDMARDs group, but were not deteriorated at 6 months in the abatacept group. Changes in synovitis scores were similar between the two treatment groups.
Conclusions: Our results indicate that abatacept prevented the progression of bone erosion including new occurrence, and also prevented worsening of bone strength independently with synovitis compared to csDMARDs including MTX. Thus, abatacept treatment may provide benefits not only in inhibiting the progress of bone erosion but also in preventing bone microarchitectural deterioration.
Plasma extracellular vesicle sampling from high grade gliomas demonstrates a small RNA signature indicative of disease and identifies lncRNA RPPH1 as a high grade glioma biomarker.
Authors: Han Jae Ho , Wajnberg Gabriel , Attwood Kathleen M. , Noiles Lindsay , Hannay Brandon , Cormier Robert , Chacko Simi , Willms Maya , Hebb Andrea L.O. , MacNeil Mary V. , Schmidt Matthias H. , Croul Sidney E. , Weeks Adrienne C. , Roy Jeremy W.
Published: August 2024

Background: High grade gliomas (HGGs) and cells of the tumour microenvironment (TME) secrete extracellular vesicles(EVs) into the plasma that contain genetic and protein cargo, which function in paracrine signaling. Isolation of these EVs and their cargo from plasma could lead to a simplistic tool that can inform on diagnosis and disease course of HGG.
Methods: In the present study, plasma EVs were captured utilizing a peptide affinity method (Vn96 peptide) from HGG patients and normal controls followed by next generation sequencing (NovaSeq6000) to define a small RNA (sRNA) signature unique to HGG.
Results: Over 750 differentially expressed sRNA (miRNA, snoRNA, lncRNA, tRNA, mRNA fragments and non-annotated regions) were identified between HGG and controls. MiEAA 2.0 pathway analysis of the miRNA in the sRNA signature revealed miRNA highly enriched in both EV and HGG pathways demonstrating the validity of results in capturing a signal from the TME. Also revealed were several novel HGG plasma EV sRNA biomarkers including lncRNA RPPH1 (Ribonuclease P Component H1), RNY4 (Ro60-Associated Y4) and RNY5 (Ro60-Associated Y5). Furthermore, in paired longitudinal patient plasma sampling, RPPH1 informed on surgical resection (decreased on resection) and importantly, RPPH1 increased again on clinically defined progression.
Conclusions: The present study supports the role of plasma EV sRNA sampling (and particularly RPPH1) as part of a multi-pronged approach to HGG diagnosis and disease course surveillance.
Status report on vitamin A deficiency and associated factors in the health area of Sanmatenga province (Burkina Faso)
Authors: KERE Natacha , COMPAORE Ella W. R. , OUEDRAOGO Ousmane , KY Inoussa , BAMBARA Estelle A. , TIROGO Souleymane , KOUAME Jean S. R. , SAVADOGO Boubacar , DICKO Mamoudou H.
Published: August 2024

Background
Micronutrient deficiencies are a serious public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa, with particularly devastating consequences for children's health. In Burkina Faso, this burden, which is particularly marked by vitamin A deficiency, is exacerbated in certain areas where security and humanitarian problems are reducing access to health and nutrition services. One of the solutions most promoted at national level to deal with these micronutrient deficiencies is the use of lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS). In order to understand the extent of this burden of malnutrition and to enable the strategy to be evaluated, it is necessary to carry out an epidemiological assessment of the nutritional status of children before implementing supplementation.
Methods
The nutritional status of the children was assessed using anthropometric measurements and serum retinol concentration. Interviews were conducted with the children's mothers to determine their feeding practices. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the variables associated with vitamin A deficiency with statistical significance at p < 0.05. Candidate variables for this test were obtained by a chi-square test at p < 0.20.
Results
The results showed that 86.6% of the children were vitamin A deficient. In addition, only 11.8% had a minimum dietary diversity. It emerged that 1.4% of the children had eaten roots, tubers and vegetables rich in vitamin A the day before the survey, and only 3.5% had eaten fruit rich in vitamin A. The study also showed that there was a statistically significant association (p < 0.05) between dietary diversity and vitamin A deficiency.
Conclusions
The results show the actual level of vitamin A deficiency in the study area and provide a factual basis for adopting strategies to address the problem of vitamin A deficiency.
Trial registration
the Ethics Committee for Health Research in Burkina Faso has given its authorisation for this study under number 2022_60_/MSHP/MESRSI/CERS of 03/02/2022.
Sarcopenia and dynapenia are associated with depression rather than anxiety in Chinese hemodialysis patients
Authors: Chen Xiaoyu , Han Peipei , Liang Zhenwen , Cao Liou , Gao Jing , Ding Ke , Li Wenzhen , Zhu Siyi , Xue Yifan , Guo Qi
Published: August 2024

Background
Affective disorders contribute to poorer outcomes in hemodialysis patients. We aimed to investigate the association of depression and anxiety with sarcopenia and dynapenia among patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis.
Methods
A total of 1074 patients (676 men, mean aged 61.3 ± 12.6 years) undergoing hemodialysis from 7 facilities in Shanghai of China from 2020 to 2023. Depression was evaluated by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and anxiety was assessed by the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7). The cut-off values of muscle mass and muscle function to define sarcopenia, dynapenia, and presarcopenia were according to the consensus by the Asia Working Group of Sarcopenia in 2019.
Results
Among 1074 participants, 160 (14.9%) had depression, 85(7.9%) had anxiety. Patients were divided into four groups: sarcopenia (n = 211), dynapenia(n = 267), presarcopenia(n = 100), and the robust (n = 496) group. The proportion of depression in the group sarcopenia, dynapenia, presarcopenia and robust were 19.4%, 22.8%, 14.0%, and 8.9% (sarcopenia vs robust P < 0.001; dynapenia vs robust P < 0.001; overall p value < 0.001). The proportion of anxiety in the four group were 10.4%, 10.5%, 6.0%, and 5.8%, respectively (overall p value > 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that sarcopenia, dynapenia, Malnutrition Inflammation Score (MIS), Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and Fractional clearance index for urea (Kt/V) were significant factors linked to the presence of depression.
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that sarcopenia and dynapenia are associated with depression rather than anxiety in hemodialysis patients. Interventions or programs aiming to alleviate sarcopenia or dynapenia can be effective strategies to prevent depression in the hemodialysis population.
MiR-618 suppresses the proliferation, invasion, and migration of non-small lung cancer via the JAK2/STAT3 axis
Authors: Chen Ziyuan , Chen Wei , Hong Zhiqi , Wu Xianqiao , Fang Tianzheng , Sheng Yufei , Fang Shuai , Zhou Chengwei
Published: August 2024

Objective
The regulatory role of the miR-618/JAK2/STAT3 axis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells was investigated with the objective of identifying a target for the precise treatment of patients with NSCLC.
Methods
Differentially expressed genes were identified in the GEO database and were analyzed bioinformatically. The tissue and cell levels of miR-618 were assessed using qRT-PCR, while the protein levels of JAK2 and STAT3 were determined through western blotting analysis.The association between miR-618 and JAK2 was scrutinized through bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase experiments. To evaluate cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, MTT, wound-healing, and Transwell assays were employed.
RESULTS
MiR-618 expression decreased in NSCLC, leading to the inhibition of growth, invasiveness, and migratory properties of non-small cell lung cancer. This is achieved by MiR-618 modulating the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. In addition, miR-618 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by targeting JAK2/STAT3.
Conclusion
Our study demonstrates that a novel miR-618/JAK2/STAT3 signaling axis is involved in suppressing malignancy in NSCLC and provides a promising target for NSCLC therapy.
Artificial Neural Network to optimize energy solutions of office buildings in subtropical monsoon climate
Authors: Ashraf Jawad
Published: August 2024

Reducing a building's energy use has many real-world applications. An early-stage design could have a quantitative foundation for energy-saving designs if energy consumption could be predicted quickly and accurately. The main issue that designers are currently dealing with is the incompatibility of building modelling and energy simulation software. In order to realize the flexibility of building energy systems, accurate and timely thermal load prediction for buildings is essential. Here, a model of an artificial neural network (ANN) is developed, for forecasting an office building's load demand and energy usage. A case study building was selected and analysed via Autodesk Revit and Green Building Studio. For the modelling of ANN, 438 simulated data samples were created based on different design parameters considering different window, wall and roof materials, and meteorological conditions considering dew point, dry bulb, wet bulb temperature and relative humidity of seven major cities in Bangladesh. The findings show that the artificial neural network (ANN) model has a high degree of precision in predicting annual electricity use and annual load demand. The coefficient of variation of the root mean squared errors corresponding to the predictions of load demand and electricity consumption is 0.132% and 0.105%, respectively. The model fits the data well, as evidenced by the R2 values of 0.99189 and 0.99505 for the load demand and electricity consumption predictions, respectively. The optimization results can subsequently lower the electricity consumption by 21.49%.
Exploring The Nexus: Gender Equitable Attitudes & Financial Perceptions of Mexican Adolescents
Authors: Kartha Rhea Sanjiv , Vyas Amita , Nagaraj Nitasha
Published: August 2024

Introduction:
The aim of the study is to assess the relationship between gender equitable attitudes and norms, and gender based financial perceptions among adolescent boys and girls in Mexico. This evaluation is part of a larger Girl Rising Financial Education Initiative (GR FEI) conducted amongst adolescents in Mexico.
Method
A quantitative study was conducted including 979 adolescents (boys n = 385, girls n = 589) at baseline. Gender equitable attitudes and norms were measured using a scale consisting of 3 subdomains (roles/privileges/restrictions, gender attributes and gender violence) and gender based financial perceptions were measured using a vignette.
Results
Multivariate Linear regression analyses revealed that positive gender based financial perceptions were associated with significantly higher gender equitable attitudes after adjusting for sociodemographic differences. Girls reported significantly higher gender equitable attitudes when compared to boys (Model 1: β = 0.240, 95% CI [0.218, 0.347], p < 0.001).
Conclusion
Introducing financial education initiatives at an early age can shape the way young people interact with money. It not only improves overall literacy but also reinforces the idea that financial literacy and decision-making are not limited by gender.
Novel prognostic score for endometrial cancer
Authors: Maehana Tomoka , Kawahara Naoki , Kamibayashi Junya , Matsuoka Motoki , Waki Keita , Sugimoto Sumire , Kawaguchi Ryuji , Kimura Fuminori
Published: August 2024

Recently, there have been an increasing number of reports on the association between inflammatory markers and the prognosis of malignant tumors. However, the current indicators have limited accuracy. We aimed to develop a new scoring system for predicting endometrial cancer recurrence using inflammatory markers, tumor markers, and histological diagnosis. Patients with primary, previously untreated, and suspected endometrial cancer who underwent surgery at the Nara Medical University Hospital between January 2007 and December 2020 were included and followed up until March 2024. Items were divided into positive and negative using scores based on cutoff values and placed into the new scoring system, the endometrial tumor-related (ETR) score. We found that positive postoperative histological examination of lymph node metastasis and myometrial invasion, high levels of carcinoembryonic antigen and D-dimer in preoperative blood tests, and a large difference in preoperative and postoperative white blood cell counts were significantly associated with recurrence. The prediction of recurrence using the ETR score was superior to that using the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging system, which is considered the best prognostic factor for survival. The ETR score is a significant prognostic marker of recurrence in patients who have undergone lymphadenectomy, with complete surgical tumor removal.
Quantified small bowel motility assessment on MR enterography in paediatric inflammatory bowel disease – does it reflect clinical response?
Authors: Meshaka Riwa , Fitzke Heather , Barber Joy , Jones Kelsey , Taylor Stuart , Watson Tom
Published: August 2024

Background
Quantified small bowel motility assessment using cine magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) has shown promise as a biomarker in adult inflammatory bowel disease. Whether quantified motility corresponds to treatment response in paediatric inflammatory bowel disease (PIBD) is unknown. Our objective to test whether changes in motility reflect response.
Materials and Methods
Local ethics approval was granted for this single institution, retrospective study. All children < 18 years with confirmed PIBD, who had > 1 MRE between Jan 2011-Jan 2022 were included. sMaRIA and motility index (quantified motility) at all terminal ileum (TI) and diseased non-TI segments were independently assessed by two radiologists each with ≥ 9 years’ experience. Change in (Δ) motility index was compared to clinical (gastroenterologist physician’s global assessment) and consensus radiological reference standard (response = decrease in sMaRIA ≥ 2) in responders versus non-responders using Mann-Whitney test. Sensitivity and specificity of Δmotility index ≥ 0 was compared to decrease in sMaRIA ≥ 2 for identifying clinical response.
Results
Of 64 children aged 5–16; 21 out of 64 (33%) were responders, 37 out of 64 (58%) were non-responders and 6 out of 64 (9%) had inactive disease according to clinical reference standard. Δmotility index by both radiologists was higher in responders (+ 16, + 39) than non-responders (-43, -44), p = 0.04, p = 0.009 each radiologist, respectively. Motility index was more sensitive (57% versus 24%), but less specific (67% versus 93%) than sMaRIA in identifying clinical response.
Conclusion
Motility index on cine MRE corresponds to clinical response, and is more sensitive at detecting response compared to sMaRIA in PIBD.
Deletion of EGFL7 exacerbated chronic constriction-induced nerve damage and neuropathic pain by modulating the notch pathway
Authors: Huo Zhiqi , Hao Zengtao , Wu Tao , Aixinjueluo Qicheng , Wang Bingtao , Chen Yihong , Zhao Xinlei , Yan Shijie , Chen Mengmeng
Published: August 2024

The pathogenesis of neuropathic pain (NP) is complex, and there is an urgent need to study its underlying mechanisms. A CCI rat model was established and injected with shRNA plasmid lentivirus to knock down EGFL7. Behavioral experiments were used to analyze pain thresholds in rats. Histologic hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and toluidine blue staining were used to investigate the changes in tissue structure. Apoptosis was analyzed by TUNEL staining, while VWF was assessed by IHC for nerve repair evaluation. Finally, Western blot (WB) experiments were performed to analyze the potential molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of EGFL7 in a rat model of CCI. The results showed that he absence of EGFL7 exacerbated pain in rats with CCI, resulting in disorganization of nerve cells in the sciatic nerve. It also caused extensive necrosis of the sciatic nerve and promoted demyelination and degeneration of axonal myelin. Large amounts of apoptosis were also present in the groups where EGFL7 was knocked down. In addition, the nerve repair factor VWF was also reduced in the CCI rat model with EGFL7 knockdown. Finally, mechanistic studies revealed that the knockdown of EGFL7 led to the downregulation of proteins related to the Notch signaling pathway. Our results suggested that inhibiting EGFL7 expression might worsen CCI-induced neuropathic pain and nerve injury in rats by affecting the Notch signaling pathway. This indicated that EGFL7 played a crucial role in the process of nerve injury. EGFL7 could also be a potential target for the treatment of neuropathic pain.
A Unified Conditional Framework for Unsupervised Anomaly Detection
Authors: Nafti Najeh , Besbes Olfa , Abdallah Asma Ben , Bedoui Mohammed Hedi
Published: August 2024

Unsupervised anomaly detection methods based on Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) have gained momentum tremendous in medical applications. However, due to the diverse range of anomalies encountered in real-world clinical settings, the utilization of GANs remains constrained to addressing one specific pathology per model. This paper introduces an innovative unsupervisedapproach to pulmonary anomaly detection through a unified conditional frame-work. The model consists of two Residual Attention Conditional networks: a GAN and an Encoder. Tailored to the input condition, such as the specified dataset or region of interest (ROI), the GAN generates realistic samples in the target style, while the encoder ensures fast mapping of normal images to their latent representations. Notably, our Residual Attention Conditional GAN (RA-CGAN) framework is exclusively trained on normal data in a fully unsupervisedmanner. During inference, our model adeptly detects anomalous images acrossvarious contexts, eliminating the need for distinct models for each dataset or ROI.This unified approach not only streamlines training processes but also harnesses joint information, significantly enhancing generalization capabilities. Additionally, the model integrates Depthwise Separable Convolution (DSC) to reduce computational resources and leverages the Convolutional Block Attention Module (CBAM) to focus on relevant image regions without increasing model complexity. The efficiency of our framework is demonstrated on pneumonia and lung cancer datasets. Benchmarking results on MVTec-AD datasets illustrate its state-of-the-art performance at the image level, contributing to efficient unsupervised anomaly detection.
Pollution characteristics and health risk assessment of heavy metals in PM2.5 in Fuxin, China
Authors: Zhao Xiaoliang , Shen Zhaolin , Han Fangwei , Bharti Bandna , Feng Shaohui , Du Jing , Li Yide
Published: August 2024

Fuxin is located in the atmospheric channel around Bohai Bay, and its geographical location is very special. Few existing studies have studied the pollution characteristics and health risk assessment of heavy metals in atmospheric PM2.5 in four seasons in Fuxin, so a total of 180 PM2.5 samples were collected from four sampling sites in Fuxin during the period from December 2021 to November 2022. The seasonal distribution characteristics of V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, As, Sb, Cd and Ba were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS), and the source of heavy metals was analyzed by enrichment factor (EF). Health risk model was used to examine the health risk assessment of respiratory exposure in men, women and children in Fuxin. The results reveal that, the annual average mass order of heavy metal in Fuxin PM2.5 was Zn（0.2947μg·m-3）>Pb（0.0664μg·m-3）>As（0.0225μg·m-3）>Ba（0.0205μg·m-3）>Mn（0.0187μg·m-3）>Cu（0.0140μg·m-3）>Cr（0.0095μg·m-3）>V（0.0067μg·m-3）>Ni（0.0061μg·m-3）>Sb（0.0024μg·m-3）>Cd（0.0019μg·m-3）>Co（0.0007μg·m-3. The annual average concentration of As was 3.75 times of the GB3095-2012(China) secondary standard limit, the concentration of hazard quotient (HQ) in PM2.5 was lower than 1, but the concentration of incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) in As was higher than the cancer risk threshold (10-4). These findings indicate the certain risk of cancer in the urban population of Fuxin. Therefore, it is necessary to control the emissions created from the coal-burning to minimize the health risks to the people of Fuxin.
Cultivar-specific wheat-associated bacterial communities and metabolites in response to nitrogen deficiency
Authors: Chan Lok Hang , Lam Shu Kee , Chen Deli , Tang Caixian , Chen Qinglin , Roessner Ute , Salazar Vinícius Werneck , Gupta Sneha , Dias Daniel Anthony , Hu Hang-Wei
Published: August 2024

Background and Aims
Nitrogen (N) deficiency in soil constrains plant growth, which may potentially be alleviated by beneficial soil bacterial communities. However, there is limited knowledge of the plant-bacteria interactions of wheat cultivars with different N-use efficiency (NUE) under N deficiency.
Methods
We investigated the responses of soil and root endosphere bacterial communities as well as root metabolites of two wheat cultivars (cv. Mace and Gladius) with reported high and low NUE, respectively, using a glasshouse experiment and a hydroponic experiment with three N levels.
Results
The rhizosphere bacterial community of Mace shifted under N deficiency, but not in its root endosphere. Conversely, the rhizosphere bacterial community of Gladius remained unchanged under N deficiency but shifted in its root endosphere. The metagenomic analysis illustrated increased detection of genes related to bacterial growth and motility in the rhizosphere of Mace, but not of Gladius, under N deficiency. A 4-fold increase in octadecanoic acid in the root of Mace, but not Gladius, under N deficiency, suggesting the potential role of octadecanoic acid in shaping the rhizobacterial community in Mace with higher reported NUE.
Conclusion
Our study highlights the divergent responses of wheat-associated microorganisms and root metabolites to N deficiency in the two cultivars. We found that wheat cultivars with higher NUE increased octadecanoic acid secretion, which potentially shaped the rhizobacterial communities, thereby enhancing their growth under N-limited conditions.
Problematic Internet Use Profiles: Identifying Social-Cultural Demographic Risk Factors and Predicting Longitudinal Effects on Psychopathology
Authors: Wang Yi , Hall Brian , Chen Yuran , Chen Chun
Published: August 2024

Background
Problematic Internet Use (PIU) has many adverse effects on youth mental health and development. However, few studies have systematically investigated the internal heterogeneity of PIU symptoms among rural Chinese adolescents. This study collected two waves of data (T1: October 2022; T2: April 2023) from 5,271 rural Chinese adolescents from two secondary schools in Guizhou and Sichuan provinces.
Methods
A Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) was conducted to first identify PIU symptom profiles. Then, a “three-step” logistic regression mixed model was conducted to explore the association between PIU patterns and demographic correlates. Anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms collected at the second wave were compared across PIU profiles.
Results
The study found that (1) The patterns of PIU among rural adolescents could be divided into four subgroups: low PIU group (57.18%), medium PIU group (15.65%), high PIU group (9.01%), and self-blame group (18.16%), which is a uniquely identified group. (2) Being female, an ethnic minority, living off-campus, having left-behind experiences, and having fewer siblings were risk factors for high PIU group membership. (3) The order of severity for anxiety, depression, and stress was as follows: high PIU, medium PIU, self-blame, and low PIU groups.
Conclusions
Addressing the dimension of internet obsession of PIU is vital for rural Chinese adolescent mental health, necessitating tailored interventions involving families and schools.
Short Term Oxidation in HT-SEM of the Pt-containing TROPEA Single Crystal Ni-based Superalloy from 680 to 1000°C
Authors: Mathieu S. , Podor R. , Emo M. , Hunault L. , Vilasi M. , Cormier J. , Pedraza F.
Published: August 2024

Short-time oxidation of the Ni-based TROPEA single-crystal superalloy was implemented to determine the nature and quantities of transient oxides in the 680–1000°C temperature range. Experiments were carried out in situ in the SEM with reduced air pressure (150 Pa, \(\:{P}_{{O}_{2}}\) ∼ 31.5 Pa) compared to atmospheric conditions (105 Pa, \(\:{P}_{{O}_{2}}\) ∼ 2.1 104 Pa). TEM characterization after oxidation showed the complexity of the oxidation products developed. Aluminum underwent internal oxidation between 680 and 1000°C. During the limited duration of oxidation, the TROPEA alloy only formed a continuous alumina layer at 1000°C. At 680 and 850°C, the low diffusion rate and small amount of Al in the Ni-based single crystal led to the formation of a significant amount of transient oxides such as (Ni,Co)O, compared to the desired chromia or alumina protective oxides. The lower the temperature, the smaller the size of the internal Al2O3 precipitates and the larger the transient oxide crystals, which would lower the resistance of TROPEA to Type II hot corrosion. In contrast after a transient period shorter than 22 hours, during which multiple transient oxide developed, the oxidation resistance would be ensured at 1000°C by the formation of a continuous Al2O3 scale.
Comparative functional analysis of a new CDR1-like ABC transporter gene in multidrug resistance and virulence between Magnaporthe oryzae and Trichophyton mentagrophytes
Authors: Wang Jing , Xiao Chenwen , Liang Shuang , Noman Muhammad , Cai Yingying , Zhang Zhen , Zhu Xueming , Chai Rongyao , Qiu Haiping , Hao Zhongna , Wang Yanli , Wang Jiaoyu , Bao Guolian , Sun Guochang , Lin Fucheng
Published: August 2024

Fungi are notorious for causing diseases in plants and domestic animals. ABC transporters play pivotal roles in multidrug resistance in fungi, with some ABC proteins indispensable for the pathogenicity of plant fungal pathongens. However, the roles of ABC proteins in animal pathogenic fungi, and the functional connections between ABC homologues in plant and animal pathogenic fungi are largely obscure. Here, we first functionally compared ABCG-1 proteins in rice-blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae and identified MoCDR1, a new ABC gene invovled in pathogencity. MoCDR1 disruption caused hypersensitivity to multidrugs, and impaired conidiation, appressorium formation and pathogenicity. Subsequently, we systematically retrieved ABC proteins in animal pathogenic fungus Trichophyton mentagrophytes and identified TmCdr1, a homologue to MoCdr1. TmCDR1 effectively rescued the drug sensitivity and virulece of ΔMocdr1, and mediated the drug resistance in T. mentagrophytes. TmCDR1 deletion did not significantly weaken the lesions on animal skin, but the mutant elicited a lower response on mouse macrophages than the wild type. Moreover, MoCdr1 and TmCdr1 are conserved in structures and functions, and both involved in drug resistance and pathogenicity by analogously regulating gene expression levels related to transporter activity, MAPK signaling pathway, and metabolic processes. Altogether, our results represents the first comprehensive characterization of ABC genes in T. mentagrophytes, establishing a functional correlation between homologous ABC genes in plant and animal pathogenic fungi.
Ageing is associated with a decline in the complexity of isometric precision pinch grip force and manual dexterity
Authors: Mauger Alexis R. , Hopker James G. , Fennell Christopher RJ.
Published: August 2024

Introduction
The study investigated the time-course of age-related changes in the complexity of isometric precision pinch grip (PG) force and the performance of manual dexterity tasks.
Methods
Sixty-four individuals across four age groups, younger group (YG; 18 to 30 years), 50 year group (50yr; 50 to 59 years), 60 year group (60yr; 60 to 69 years) and 70 year group (70yr; 70 to 85 years) participated in the study. Participants performed submaximal constant intensity isometric precision PG force control tasks. The complexity of the isometric force signals was assessed using the multiscale entropy analysis (MSE) and detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA). Participants also completed the Purdue Pegboard and Moberg pick-up manual dexterity tests.
Results
There was a main effect of age group on DFA (P = 0.005) and MSE (P < 0.001). The 70 yr group presented with a higher DFA and lower MSE, compared with the YG, 50 yr and 60 yr group (all P < 0.001). The 70 yr group performed worse at the Purdue Pegboard and Moberg pick-up test compared with the YG, 50 yr and 60 yr group (all P < 0.05).
Conclusion
The current study found that beyond 70 years of age there is a significant decline in isometric precision PG force signal complexity and manual dexterity, when compared with adults under 70 years of age. Collectively, study findings are indicative of preserved fine motor control into the 6th and 7th decades of life, with a functional decline in fine motor control in the 8th decade.
DAAO mutant sites among different mice strains and their effects on enzyme activity
Authors: Yu-cong Zhou , Sheng-ling Fu , Jun-xuan Yang , Hao Liu
Published: August 2024

Previous studies reported that the up-regulation of DAAO expression and enzyme activity levels were closely related to the development of neuropathic pain, cognitive characteristics of schizophrenia and so on. To determine DAAO mutant sites in different strains of mice and their effects on enzyme activity, we successfully constructed a prokaryotic expression system for heterologous expression of DAAO in vitro. There were total five nucleotide mutations distributed in exons 2, 8, 9, 10 of C57 mice. Three mutations located on exons 8 and 9 were synonymous mutations and had no variation on the encoded amino acid. The remaining two mutations in exons 2 (V64A) and 10 (R296H) were non-synonymous mutations, which might affect enzymatic activity and protein structure of mDAAO. Based on the determination of the kinetic constants and IC50 of mDAAO mutants in vitro, the differences in amino acid levels at these two sites (V64A, R295H) partly impacted the catalytic efficiency of DAAO mutants and their affinity with some inhibitors in vitro.
Comparison of Tumor Markers and Risk of Malignancy Index (RMI) in Borderline OvarianTumors Names of
Authors: Demircivi Ergul , Donmez Nisan Helin , Callioglu Nihal , Turgut Abdulkadir
Published: August 2024

Background
Borderline ovarian tumours (BOTs) are non-invasive tumours with low malignancy potential frequently observed in patients of reproductive age. Therefore, preoperative differential diagnosis is important in these patients. In our study, we tried to differentiate benign and borderline ovarian tumours preoperatively using risk of malignancy (RMI) index and tumour markers.
Methods
In our study, we retrospectively compared tumour markers and risk of malignancy index (RMI) of 85 patients aged between 17–84 years with postoperative benign (n:52) and borderline (n:33) ovarian cysts.
Results
In our study, the mean age of the benign group was significantly higher than the borderline group (p = 0.001). Ca 125 and RMI values were significantly higher in the borderline group compared to the benign group (p = 0.001 and p = 0.018). In addition, mucinous tumours had significantly larger tumour diameter than serous tumours in the borderline group (p = 0.022).
Conclusion
As a result of our study, since borderline ovarian tumours are seen in young patients of reproductive age, it may be suggested to use Ca125 and RMI for the differential diagnosis of benign and borderline cysts preoperatively.
Multiple misdiagnoses of paraspinal synovial sarcoma as tuberculosis: A case report and literature review
Authors: Liu Jie , Huang Xiajie , Liang Xinyun , Xian Xinhua , Mo Yangzhou , Wu Xiaomei , Lu William W , Li Jian , Chen Yan
Published: August 2024

Background Synovial sarcoma (SS) is a rare but aggressive soft tissue sarcoma that can be challenging to diagnose accurately, especially when it mimics more common conditions such as tuberculosis. This case report aims to highlight the diagnostic difficulties and emphasize the importance of early and accurate identification.Case Presentation A 23-year-old female patient presented with left-sided lumbar pain that progressively worsened over three weeks, accompanied by weakness and numbness in the left lower limb. She was misdiagnosed twice by two hospitals as having a spinal tuberculous abscess based on weakly positive anti-tuberculosis antibody and imaging findings. Despite continuous anti-tuberculosis treatment, her condition deteriorated. The first surgery revealed findings inconsistent with spinal tuberculosis, and a tumor could not be ruled out, but the pathological biopsy was inconclusive. A second surgery was performed to resect the mass and obtain a biopsy, which confirmed SS. Unfortunately, by this time, the disease had metastasized to her lungs, and she missed the optimal window for surgical intervention.Conclusion This case highlights the necessity of considering malignancies such as SS in the differential diagnosis of spinal lesions, especially when the clinical response to treatment is poor. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for improving patient outcomes. Our literature review thoroughly examines the characteristics of paraspinal SS and provides insights to prevent misdiagnosis. It emphasizes the importance of timely surgical intervention to improve patient survival.
Taurine Alleviated Acrylamide-Induced Ovarian Toxicity via Suppression of Stress and Apoptosis in Mice
Authors: Khodabandeh Zahra , Alaee Sanaz , Samare-Najaf Mohammad , Hosseini Elham , Dara Mahintaj , Shokri Saeed , Shirazi Reza
Published: August 2024

Acrylamide (Acr) poses reproductive toxicity risks to humans due to its ability to penetrate cell membranes and disrupt cellular balance. Taurine (Tau), a sulfur-containing amino acid with cell membrane stabilization and antioxidant properties, may mitigate these effects. This study examines how Tau can protect against oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by Acr in mouse ovarian tissue. Forty adult healthy mice, aged 6-8 weeks, were randomly assigned to four including Con (received normal saline orally), Acr (50 mg/Kg/day Acr orally), Acr+Tau75 (Acr and 75 mg/Kg/day Tau), and Acr+Tau150 (Acr and 150 mg/Kg/day Tau). Treatments were administered for 35 days, followed by assessments of stress markers and apoptosis via immunofluorescence and TUNEL assays. Both doses of Tau significantly enhanced the gene and protein expression levels of stress response enzymes, including GPx, SOD, and CAT (p <0.05). Moreover, Tau significantly decreased the gene expression levels of apoptotic markers Caspase3 and BAX, while upregulating the anti-apoptotic gene BCL2L1 (p < 0.01). The TUNEL assay revealed the ameliorative properties of Tau against Acr-induced apoptosis in the ovaries. The current findings suggest the promising properties of Tau in the amelioration of Acr-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in mouse ovarian tissue. Therefore, Tau presents a potential therapeutic approach for protecting against Acr-induced reproductive toxicity in females, warranting further investigation.
Gloveport-assisted retroperitoneal pyeloplasty (GARP): a case report
Authors: Montero Javier Arredondo , Ruiz María Rodríguez
Published: August 2024

Single-port video-assisted techniques, such as one-trocar-assisted pyeloplasty (OTAP) or Round-Traction-Assisted Pyeloplasty (RoTAP), have proven helpful for correcting congenital ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO), especially in infants. We present a case report of a patient diagnosed with UPJO who underwent a minimally invasive pyeloplasty with a RoTAP technical variation based on the gloveport system that allowed bimanual endocavitary dissection and protected the surgical wound during the procedure without increasing the cost or technical difficulty compared to the original technique. This new technique, called gloveport-assisted retroperitoneal pyeloplasty (GARP), could be a valuable alternative for this pathology.
Fully proximal migrated double J-stent in a pediatric patient with congenital ureteropelvic junction obstruction: a pediatric case report
Authors: Montero Javier Arredondo , Ruiz María Rodríguez
Published: August 2024

Proximal double-J stents (DJ) migration is infrequent in the pediatric population. We present the case of a 5-year-old patient with a previous diagnosis of ureteropelvic junction obstruction who underwent a dismembered pyeloplasty in early infancy and suffered an anastomotic stricture. Endourological dilatation was performed. During placement of the DJ, it migrated proximally until it was wholly lodged in the renal pelvis. A second DJ was placed correctly, and the procedure was ended. Two months later, a successful retrograde removal was performed using an endourological hydrodistension system. We describe our technique, which may be a valuable resource for similar cases.
Assessment of Heavy Metals in Vegetables Grown on Irrigated Land in Butura, Bokkos LGA, Plateau State, Nigeria
Authors: Solomon
Published: August 2024

Vegetables have positive antioxidative properties and are abundant in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. However, if consumed in large quantities, eating vegetables polluted with heavy metals may be harmful to human health. Therefore, this study assessed the effects of heavy metals on irrigated pepper, cabbage and Irish potatoes grown in Butura. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AA240FS) was used to analyze cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr) and arsenic (As) levels. Three samples were selected from each of the vegetables grown on nine selected farms at distances of 0 m, 10 m, and 30 m. This forms a composite sample of vegetables at each farm. The study showed that the concentrations of cobalt, chromium, cadmium, copper, arsenic, zinc and nickel were within the standard limits set by the FAO/WHO, except for lead, which is higher than the allowable limits for vegetables. These patients may have behavioral problems, neurological complications and hematologic disorders. Thus, these findings could lead to a risk for the human population consuming these vegetables. It is recommended that irrigation water and agricultural soils be constantly monitored to determine the concentration of metals accumulated by crop plants to ensure that crop plants are safe for consumption by humans.
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices toward Physical Activity among Public Sector Librarians in Brunei Darussalam
Authors: Tuah Nik A A , Rahman Amirul , Rahman Hanif Abdul
Published: August 2024

One in four adults globally has an insufficient level of physical activity (PA). Librarians, due to the sedentary nature of their profession, are at risk. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward PA among public sector librarians in Brunei Darussalam. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated questionnaire. A total of 194 participants completed the survey (71.85%). The findings revealed good knowledge (mean 8.71, SD 1.12), poor attitudes (mean 35.63, SD 3.97), and satisfactory practices (mean 23.49, SD 3.18) toward PA. Multiple linear regression revealed several key findings. Librarians with higher education had higher knowledge scores (P = 0.046, t = 2.01, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.64) than did those who completed secondary education, and librarians who did not engage in PA (P = 0.009, t = -2.64, 95% CI: 2.64) had lower knowledge scores than did those who engaged in PA. Compared with their male counterparts. female librarians had lower attitude scores (P = 0.003, t = -3.00, 95% CI: -3.84, -0.79). Older age groups 40–49 years (P = 0.014, t = 1.62, 95% CI: -0.24, 3.41) and 50–60 years (P = 0.023, t = 2.46, 95% CI: 0.34, 3.14) had higher practice scores than did the other age groups, and librarians who did not engage in PA tended to have lower practice scores than did those who did not (P = 0.000, t = -3.52, 95% CI: -2.81, -0.79). Future research and policy could focus on developing tailored interventions and wellness programme for PAs.
Investigation of in vivo toxicity and biochemical perturbation of plasticizers identified in the Tunisian sweets and the fate in WWTP and adjacent coastal area
Authors: Belaid Afifa , Bekir Karima , Beltifa Asma , Ben Mansour Hedi
Published: August 2024

Plasticizers have been excessively used in food packaging and numerous studies show their migration into food and their fate in the environment after the release of plastic packaging into the receiving environment. Our results show the sweets products analyzed using GC-MS/MS indicated the presence of benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP), diisononyl phthalate (DINP), and 1,2-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid diisononyl ester (DINC). Slightly or not metabolized in the body, plasticizers can reach WWTPs and contaminated wastewater. Generally, the usual treatment procedures in WWTPs are not effective in removing these plasticizers, and therefore, they end up in the sea and concentrate in the sediments. This is what our study showed by detecting plasticizers at high concentrations such as DINB which reached 0.93 mg/L in the tested WWTP and 3.8 mg/kg in the sediment of the adjacent marine coast. These analyses generally have negative effects on human health. In fact, we have tested the toxicity of the main detected phthalates such as DINP, DEHP, and DBP. The results showed that the acute administration significantly induced liver and kidney injuries in male mice manifested by a rise in plasma uric acid, alanine aminotransferase, and glucose.
Primer registro del género Semiopyla Simon, 1901 (Araneae: Salticidae: Sitticini) en Colombia
Authors: Suarez Martinez Leiner A. , Gallego Lengua Kenia Sofía , Hoyos Figueroa Luisa F. , Quirós Rodríguez Jorge A. , Bedoya Roqueme Edwin
Published: August 2024

Las arañas saltarinas son el grupo más diverso dentro del orden Araneae, distribuidas en casi todos los continentes y habitando una amplia variedad de microhábitats, incluyendo los manglares. En un estudio sobre arañas saltarinas en los manglares del sur del Golfo de Morrosquillo, se recolectaron especímenes del género Semiopyla Simon, 1901 mediante muestreo de hojarasca y recolección manual. Este estudio pretende reportar por primera vez la presencia de este género en Colombia, específicamente de la especie S. cataphracta Simon, 1901. Adicionalmente, el estudio incluye mapas de distribución basados en registros nuevos y anteriores, junto con observaciones ecológicas de la especie en bosques de manglar.
Industrial Application of Hydrotalcite-Based Materials
Authors: Banik Nibedita , Kaur Navdeep
Published: August 2024

Hydrotalcite is a layered double hydroxide (LDH) with a wide range of
applications in catalysis, flame retardancy, PVC stabilization, fillers and
reinforcements, additives in coatings and paints, pharmaceuticals and personal care,
environmental remediation, and other industrial applications. This paper provides an
overview of the properties and characteristics of hydrotalcite, as well as its potential
applications in various industries.

The paper begins with an introduction to hydrotalcite, including its definition,
structure, synthesis methods, and properties. The next section discusses the role of
hydrotalcite as a catalyst, as well as its applications in the petrochemical industry and
environmental remediation. The following section focuses on the flame retardant and
smoke suppression properties of hydrotalcite, and its applications in plastics and
polymers. The subsequent section discusses the use of hydrotalcite as a PVC stabilizer
and its benefits and applications in the PVC industry.

The following sections discuss the use of hydrotalcite as a filler and reinforcement in
composite materials, as an additive in coatings and paints, and in pharmaceutical and
personal care formulations. The next section discusses the applications of hydrotalcite
in water treatment, soil remediation, and battery and energy storage. The final section
summarizes the future prospects and challenges of hydrotalcite, including emerging
research areas, challenges and limitations, and potential for further industrial
applications.

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the properties and applications of
hydrotalcite. It is intended to be a valuable resource for researchers, engineers, and
other professionals who are interested in this versatile material.
Catalytic Application of Hydrotalcite-Based Materials in Organic Transformation
Authors: Jaiswal Pradeep Kumar , Sharma Vashundhra , Singh Shishir , Azad Chandra S , Singh Gurpal , Barnwal Ravi Pratap
Published: August 2024

Hydrotalcite-based materials or Hydrotalcites (HTs) have gained significant
attention in recent years as efficient and versatile catalysts for various organic
transformation reactions. The tunable surface properties, high surface area, and
excellent thermal stability make them ideal catalysts for a range of chemical reactions.
This book chapter provides an overview of the recent advances in the application of
hydrotalcite-based materials as catalysts in organic transformations. The chapter
highlights the various catalytic reactions where hydrotalcite-based materials have
shown significant potential in the synthesis of a range of heterocycles such as
chromenes, pyrans, pyrazoles, and triazoles. as well as oxidation, reduction, and C-C
bond formation reactions. The chapter also discusses the various modifications that can
be made to hydrotalcite-based materials to enhance their catalytic activity, selectivity,
and stability by tailoring the electronic structure of the catalysts and supports.
Additionally, the chapter covers the use of hydrotalcite-based materials in the synthesis
of fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and polymers. Overall, this book chapter provides a
comprehensive overview of the catalytic application of hydrotalcite-based materials in
organic transformations. It will be of great interest to researchers and professionals in
the fields of catalysis, organic chemistry, and materials science, as well as to those
interested in developing more sustainable and efficient catalytic processes.