bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of transcription factor-lipid droplet-related gene biomarkers for the prognosis of post-acute myocardial infarction-induced heart failure
Authors: Zhao Jianqiao , Guo Can , Cheng Mengyuan , Li Jie , Liu Yangyang , Wang Huahua , Shen Jianping
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are at high risk of progressing to heart failure (HF). Recent research has shown that lipid droplet-related genes (LDRGs) play a crucial role in myocardial metabolism following MI, thereby influencing the progression to HF.

Methods

Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and differential expression gene analysis were used to screen a transcriptome dataset of whole blood cells from AMI patients with (AMI HF, n = 16) and without progression (AMI no-HF, n = 16). Functional enrichment analysis were performed to observe the involved function. Machine learning methods were used to screen the genes related to prognosis. Transcriptional factors (TF) were predicted by using relevant databases. ROC curves were drawn to evaluate the TF-LDRG pair in predicting HF in the validation dataset (n = 16) and the clinical trial (n = 13).

Results

The 235 identified genes were primarily involved in pathways related to fatty acid and energy metabolism. 22 genes were screened out that they were strongly associated with prognosis. 35 corresponding transcription factors were predicted. The TF-LDRG pair, ABHD5-ARID3a, was demonstrated good predictive accuracy.

Discussion

Our findings suggest that ABHD5-ARID3a have significant potential as predictive biomarkers for heart failure post-AMI which also provides a foundation for further exploration into the molecular mechanisms underlying the progression from AMI to HF.
Mild autonomous cortisol secretion leads to reduced volumetric BMD at lumbar spine in patients with primary aldosteronism
Authors: Mansour Nabeel , Bruedgam Denise , Heinrich Daniel , Dischinger Ulrich , Reisch Nicole , Völter Friederike , Stüfchen Isabel , Nowak Elisabeth , Zopp Stephanie , Vasileva Victoriya , Öcal Osman , Wildgruber Moritz , Seidensticker Max , Ricke Jens , Bidlingmaier Martin , Reincke Martin , Ribeiro de Oliveira Longo Schweizer Juínia
Published: December 2024

Objectives

Glucocorticoid cosecretion is more common in primary aldosteronism (PA) than previously thought. Chronic subtle cortisol excess in patients with mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) negatively affects bone health. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of MACS on bone density and turnover markers in PA patients.

Methods

Patients with PA and MACS (n = 50), confirmed by a 1-mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST) with a cortisol cutoff of ≥1.8 µg/dL without symptoms of overt Cushing, were compared to age- and sex-matched patients with PA without MACS (non-MACS, n = 50). Lumbar volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) was extracted by a novel convolutional neural network (CNN)-based framework (SpineQ software v1.0) applied to routine CT data, incorporated into the diagnostic protocol for PA. Additionally, bone turnover markers—including osteocalcin, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, N-terminal propeptide of type I collagen, and carboxy-terminal crosslinked telopeptide of type I collagen were evaluated between the groups.

Results

Median cortisol after DST was 1.1 µg/dL (30.3 nmol/L) [IQR: 0.5 µg/dL (13.8 nmol/L)] in the non-MACS group and 2.5 µg/dL (69.0 nmol/L) [IQR: 1.4 µg/dL (38.5 nmol/L)] in the MACS group (p < 0.001). Patients with MACS had significantly lower vBMD values compared to the non-MACS group (106.4 mg/cm³ vs. 116.6 mg/cm³, p = 0.038). Cortisol after DST negatively correlated with vBMD (Spearman’s r=−0.33, p=0.00042). No significant differences in bone turnover markers were found, and classifications based on visible lesions on CT or PA-lateralization via adrenal venous sampling did not reveal any significant differences in these markers (p > 0.05 for all comparisons).

Conclusion

Despite non-significant differences in bone turnover markers between patients with PA with or without MACS, CT scans revealed significantly reduced vBMD in PA and MACS patients, indicating compromised bone health and vBMD significantly negatively correlated with cortisol post DST. Thus, opportunistic evaluation of vBMD in routine CT screenings could aid in the early detection of bone alterations in MACS and help mitigate potential long-term adverse effects on bone health.
Willingness of caregivers to have their daughters vaccinated against human papilloma virus and associated factors in Jimma Town, Southwest Ethiopia
Authors: Getachew Anebo , Anand Susan , Wodaynew Tilahun
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a widespread sexually transmitted infection and a leading cause of cervical cancer. Although there is a significant HPV prevalence in Ethiopia, yet the uptake of the HPV vaccine remains low. This study aimed to assess the level of caregivers' willingness to vaccinate their daughters against the human papilloma virus and associated factors in Jimma town.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from June 1–30, 2023. A total of 471 study participants were selected using multi-stage sampling techniques. Data was collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Binary and multiple logistic regression analyses were done to identify associated factors, and the adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were computed. A value p of <0.05 was used to determine statistical significance.

Results

About 82.4% (95% CI: 79.0–86.0) of caregivers indicated a willingness to have their daughters vaccinated. Having college education or above (AOR:3.31, 95%CI:1.02–10.8), good knowledge of the HPV vaccine (AOR:2.25, 95%CI:1.05–4.85), good knowledge of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (AOR:2.04, 95%CI: 1.09–3.82), good knowledge of cervical cancer (AOR:2.50, 95%CI:1.31–4.77) and a positive attitude towards the vaccine (AOR:4.03, 95%CI: 2.26–7.22), were associated with willingness.

Discussion

The majority of caregivers were willing to vaccinate their daughters against HPV. Caregivers who had higher education, good knowledge about the HPV vaccine, cervical cancer, and STIs, as well as positive attitudes towards the vaccine, were more likely to be willing to vaccinate. Efforts should be made to educate caregivers about the vaccine, cervical cancer, and STIs while promoting positive attitudes.
Older women's well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic: individual, community, and contextual factors
Authors: Banda Andrew , Hoffman Jaco , Roos Vera
Published: December 2024

Objective

This article aims to examine the influence of individual and community-contextual factors on the well-being of older women in Zambia during the COVID-19 pandemic, drawing on Bronfenbrenner's process-person-context-time model.

Methods

Secondary data from the nationally representative 2021 SEIA were used, and bivariate and logistic regression analyses were performed to determine factors associated with the well-being of older women during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results

Overall, 29% (613) of older women reported a decline in their well-being due to COVID-19. Older women in rural areas had lower odds of well-being [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 0.607, 95% 0455,0.809]. At the individual level, the well-being of older women during COVID-19 was associated with age (AOR O.362, 95% CI: 0.190,0.689) and being in paid work (AOR 0.737, 95% CI: 0.552,0.984). Despite education having a strong relationship with well-being, it had a weak effect on the well-being of older women during COVID-19. Community-level factors significantly associated with the well-being of older women amidst COVID-19 included attendance at public gatherings (e.g., church meetings, funerals) (AOR 1.465, 95% CI: 1.139,1.885) and perceived fear or anxiety due to COVID-19 (AOR 0.522, 95% CI: 0.392,0.696). A significant contextual-level factor was access to transport services during the pandemic (AOR 0.589, 95% CI: 0.390,0.890).

Conclusion

COVID-19 has exposed the inadequacy of systems at different levels in meeting the needs of older women and promoting their well-being during emergencies. At the individual level, there is a need to support older women's livelihoods and educational opportunities. Despite limitations on social interactions during COVID-19, access to social gatherings and interactions supported older women's well-being. However, this was hampered by fear of contracting COVID-19 and the limitations in public transport that compromised their mobility to access services and visit people. A more extensive analysis of individual, community, and contextual factors should identify factors that support or compromise the well-being of older women during emergencies or shocks. There is a need for information about what livelihood strategies during and/or post shocks, or critical events such as COVID-19 could sustainably support older women's well-being.
Interpreting high levels of unfolded Von Willebrand Factor in patients with the antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors: de Laat-Kremers Romy , Huang Shengshi , ten Cate Hugo , Ninivaggi Marisa , de Laat Bas , Devreese Katrien
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Unfolded Von Willebrand Factor (VWF) is increased in thrombotic pathologies such as myocardial infarction. Unfolded VWF mediates the binding of platelets without the need for collagen. β2-glycoprotein I (β2-GPI) is a natural inhibitor of the platelet-VWF interaction. The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is associated with thrombosis, with an important pathophysiological role of auto-antibodies directed against β2-GPI.

Methods

(Unfolded) VWF levels were studied in normal controls (n=93), APS patients (n=64), non-APS thrombosis patients (n=39) and non-APS auto-immune disease (AID) patients (n=49.

Results

Unfolded VWF levels were respectively, 53%, 50% and 36% higher in APS patients, non-APS thrombosis patients and AID patients, compared to normal controls (p<0.0001). Unfolded VWF levels above the 90th percentile in normal controls were associated with an odds of APS (OR: 8.51; CI:3.26 - 22.2; p<0.001), compared to ORs of non-APS thrombosis (OR:5.87; CI:2.07 - 16.7, p=0.001) and AID (OR:3.71; CI:1.40 – 9.87; p=0.009).

Discussion

We found that APS patients have high levels of unfolded VWF in their circulation. In APS, auto-antibodies against-β2-GPI may interfere with the β2-GPI-mediated inhibition of VWF-platelet interaction. Therefore, the higher unfolded VWF levels in APS could in part explain the association of APS and thrombotic complications.
Ecological interactions, host plant defenses, and control strategies in managing soybean looper, Chrysodeixis includens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Debnath Rahul , George Justin , Gautam Manish , Shafi Insha , Kariyat Rupesh , Reddy Gadi V. P.
Published: December 2024

Soybean looper (SBL), Chrysodeixis includens (Walker 1858) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is one of the most damaging insect pests of soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr., in the mid-south region of the United States, and causes significant economic losses to cotton, sunflower, tomato, and tobacco crops in the United States, Brazil, and Argentina. Soybean production in the southern region accounted for 15.5% of the total production in the United States, and yield losses due to invertebrate pests were 5.8%, or 1.09 million metric ton, in 2022. As insecticide resistance of SBL continues to rise, the lack of alternate control strategies is a serious concern. Numerous studies have been reported on pest status, distribution, semiochemical-based attractant blends, pesticides and resistance mechanisms, host-plant resistance mechanisms, and molecular tools for controlling this pest in soybeans and other crops. However, there is no comprehensive review that summarizes and discusses these research on SBL and soybeans. The current management strategies for SBL remain heavily reliant on chemical insecticides and transgenic crops. In contrast, integrated pest management (IPM) strategies are needed to control the pest in an effective and environmentally friendly way. This review examines and synthesizes the literature on SBL as a significant pest of soybeans and other important crops, highlighting recent progress in ecological interactions, host plant defenses, and control strategies and identifying information gaps, thereby suggesting avenues for further research on this pest.
The specific medications for pulmonary arterial hypertension at functional class III to IV: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Li Qiang , Kuang Hongyu , Yi Qijian , Du Huaan
Published: December 2024

Purpose

To systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of targeted drugs in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) with cardiac function grades III–IV, and conduct a meta-analysis.

Methods

Two researchers independently searched the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases for relevant studies, with the search period extending from the establishment of the databases to March 2024. Meta-analysis was performed using statistical software Review Manager 5.4. Heterogeneity among studies was analyzed using either a random-effects model or a fixed-effects model. When the I2 value was < 50%, indicating good homogeneity, the fixed-effects model was adopted; otherwise, the random-effects model was used. For continuous variables, the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) was expressed as the mean difference (MD), while hemodynamic parameters were represented by the standard mean difference (SMD). For categorical variables, the odds ratio (OR) was used. The confidence interval (CI) was set at 95%, and a p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Ten randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 553 patients with PAH and cardiac function grades III-IV were ultimately included. Three RCTs targeted the endothelin pathway, five targeted the prostacyclin pathway, and two assessed the effects of combination therapy. Meta-analysis and subgroup analysis revealed that short-term monotherapy with bosentan significantly improved 6MWD by ~53.67 m (95% CI: [43.57, 63.77] meters, p < 0.0001) in patients with FC III-IV PAH. Additionally, prostacyclin analogs increased 6MWD by approximately 25.02 meters (95% CI: [19.22, 30.81] meters, p < 0.0001) in this patient population. Further hemodynamic assessments demonstrated that both bosentan monotherapy and prostacyclin analog therapy significantly reduced pulmonary vascular resistance, with SMDs of −1.07 (95% CI [-2.08, −0.06], p = 0.04) and −1.26 (95% CI = [−2.21, −0.32], p = 0.009), respectively. Analysis of the clinical efficacy of combination therapy in PAH patients revealed that while it did not significantly improve 6MWD, cardiac function improved in ~59.1% of patients (95% CI=[38.5%, 79.6%]). Safety analysis indicated that combination targeted therapy did not significantly increase the incidence of severe adverse events in PAH patients.

Conclusion

Monotherapy with targeted drugs is safe and effective for patients with PAH and cardiac function grades III-IV. Combination therapy can significantly improve cardiac dysfunction in these patients without significantly increasing the risk of severe adverse events. Therefore, bosentan and prostacyclin analogs are both safe and effective options for patients with PAH and cardiac function grades III-IV. However, early combination therapy may have added clinical value in improving exercise tolerance, cardiac function, and cardiovascular remodeling in this patient population.
Association between metabolic score for visceral fat and obstructive sleep apnea: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Xu Xue , Xu Jing , Zhang Mengye
Published: December 2024

Background

Previous studies have established a connection between obesity and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), novel surrogate markers of adipose accumulation may serve as more critical and reliable factors for consideration. Consequently, this study aims to explore and elucidate the correlation between metabolic score for visceral fat (METS-VF) and OSA.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, the data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) during the period from 2013 to 2020 were adopted. Through multivariate logistic regression, restricted cubic spline regression (RCS), subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses, the correlation between METS-VF and OSA was explored.

Results

Among 8,284 subjects, 4,176 of them were categorized as having OSA. It was observed that the quartile range of METS-VF increased, with a notable rise in the prevalence of OSA (32.8% vs. 49.8% vs. 56.9% vs. 62.1%, p < 0.001). Logistic regression analyses showed a significant positive correlation between METS-VF and the risk of having OSA, even after accounting for potential confounders (OR = 2.436, 95% CI: 2.065, 2.874). Subgroup analyses further revealed a stronger correlation between OSA and METS-VF among subjects who were female, younger, and Mexican Americans. RCS regression identified a positive linear correlation, without threshold effects. Sensitivity analyses with stop breathing (OR = 2.283, 95%CI: 1.169, 3.070) or snoring (OR = 2.716, 95%CI: 2.273, 3.246) as outcomes reaffirmed the positive correlation with METS-VF.

Conclusion

Elevated METS-VF demonstrated a linear correlation with the increased incidence of OSA, suggesting the potential utility as a predictive index for OSA.
Genome mining and biosynthetic pathways of marine-derived fungal bioactive natural products
Authors: Han Caihua , Song Anjing , He Yueying , Yang Liu , Chen Litong , Dai Wei , Wu Qilin , Yuan Siwen
Published: December 2024

Marine fungal natural products (MFNPs) are a vital source of pharmaceuticals, primarily synthesized by relevant biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). However, many of these BGCs remain silent under standard laboratory culture conditions, delaying the development of novel drugs from MFNPs to some extent. This review highlights recent efforts in genome mining and biosynthetic pathways of bioactive natural products from marine fungi, focusing on methods such as bioinformatics analysis, gene knockout, and heterologous expression to identify relevant BGCs and elucidate the biosynthetic pathways and enzyme functions of MFNPs. The research efforts presented in this review provide essential insights for future gene-guided mining and biosynthetic pathway analysis in MFNPs.
Insights into the interaction between hemorphins and δ-opioid receptor from molecular modeling
Authors: Antony Priya , Baby Bincy , Vijayan Ranjit
Published: December 2024

Hemorphins are short atypical opioid peptide fragments embedded in the β-chain of hemoglobin. They have received considerable attention recently due to their interaction with opioid receptors. The affinity of hemorphins to opioid receptors μ-opioid receptor (MOR), δ-opioid receptor (DOR), and κ-opioid receptor (KOR) has been well established. However, the underlying binding mode and molecular interactions of hemorphins in opioid receptors remain largely unknown. Here, we report the pattern of interaction of camel and other mammalian hemorphins with DOR. Extensive in silico docking and molecular dynamics simulations were employed to identify intermolecular interactions and binding energies were calculated to determine the affinity of these peptides for DOR. Longer forms of hemorphins - hemorphin-7, hemorphin-6, camel hemorphin-7, and camel hemorphin-6 had strong interactions with DOR. However, camel hemorphin-7 and camel hemorphin-6 had high binding affinity towards DOR. Thus, the findings of this study provide molecular insights into how hemorphins, particularly camel hemorphin variants, could be a therapeutic agent for pain regulation, stress management, and analgesia.
Shifts in naturalistic behaviors induced by early social isolation stress are associated with adult binge-like eating in female rats
Authors: Simon Timothy B. , Sierra Julio , Williams Arianna , Wright Giara , Rhee Allison , Horn Julius , Lou John , Sharafeddin Fransua , Ontiveros-Ángel Perla , Figueroa Johnny D.
Published: December 2024

Binge eating (BE) is a highly pervasive maladaptive coping strategy in response to severe early life stress such as emotional and social neglect. BE is described as repeated episodes of uncontrolled eating and is tightly linked with comorbid mental health concerns. Despite social stressors occurring at a young age, the onset of BE typically does not occur until adulthood providing an interval for potential therapeutic intervention. Currently, our knowledge of longitudinal noninvasive digital biomarkers predictive of BE needs further development. Monitoring longitudinal impacts of adolescent social isolation stress on naturalistic behaviors in rats will enable the identification of noninvasive digital markers of disease progression to predict adult eating strategies. Recognizing adolescent naturalistic behaviors shaped by social stress informs our understanding of the underlying neurocircuits most effected. This study aimed to monitor and identify longitudinal behavioral shifts to enhance predictive capabilities in a rat model of social isolation stress-induced BE. We placed Paired (n = 12) and Socially Isolated (SI, n = 12) female rats in observational home cages weekly for seven weeks to evaluate the effect of SI on 10 naturalistic behaviors. All 10 naturalistic behaviors were simultaneously detected and tracked using Noldus Ethovision XT automated recognition software. Composite phenotypic z-scores were calculated by standardizing all 10 behaviors. When transitioning into adulthood, all rats underwent conventional emotionality testing and were exposed to a Western-like high fat diet (WD, 43% kcal from fat) to evaluate BE. Longitudinal assessments revealed SI-induced shifts in adolescent phenotypic z-scores and that sniffing, unsupported rearing, jumping, and twitching were the most susceptible to SI. SI increased emotionality compared to the Paired controls. Finally, we identified adolescent twitching as a digital biomarker of adult WD consumption. Our findings suggest that home cage monitoring can detect disrupted naturalistic behaviors associated with maladaptive coping.
A population-based analysis of the global burden of epilepsy across all age groups (1990–2021): utilizing the Global Burden of Disease 2021 data
Authors: Yang Ling-zhi , Guo Yi , Wang Zhi-qiang , Zhang Chen-qi
Published: December 2024

Objective

To investigate the trends in epilepsy prevalence, incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in all ages, with risk factors for epilepsy - associated death, from 1990 to 2021.

Methods

Using the standardized Global Burden of Disease (GBD) methodologies, we evaluated the burden of epilepsy in 204 countries and regions from 1990 to 2021, aiming to derive a more precise representation of the health burden posed by epilepsy by considering four distinct types of epidemiological data, namely the prevalence, incidence, mortality, and DALYs. The presented data were meticulously estimated and displayed both as numerical counts and as age-standardized rates per 100,000 persons of the population. All estimates were calculated with 95% uncertainty intervals (UI).

Finding

In 2021, there were 24,220,856 (95% UI: 18,476,943–30,677,995) patients with epilepsy, with an age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) of 307.38 per 100,000 persons (95% UI: 234.71–389.02) and an age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of 42.821 per 100,000 persons (95% UI: 31.24–53.72).The global age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) of epilepsy was 1.74 per 100,000 population (95% UI: 1.46–1.92); The age-standardized DALYs rate (ASDR) were 177.85 per 100,000 population (95% UI: 137.66–225.90); 154.25 per 100,000 population for females [114.73–201.76], and 201.29 per 100,000 population for males [157.93–252.74]. All of the ASPR, ASIR, ASMR and ASDR of males were higher than those of females, and the ASIR of epilepsy was the highest in children aged 0–14, at 61.00(95% UI: 39.09–86.21), while the older adult group aged 70+ has the highest ASMR of 5.67(95% UI: 4.76–6.18). From 1990 to 2021, the number of epilepsy-related deaths and DALYs both decreased. However, the ASPR of epilepsy increased by about 6.9% (95% UI: −0.10–0.26), and the ASIR increased by almost 12% (95% UI: 0.05–0.33). The trends in ASPR, ASIR, ASMR and ASDR exhibited notable variations across different regions.

Conclusion

Epilepsy is an increasing global health challenge with rising prevalence and incidence. Results of this cross-sectional study suggest that despite the global decline in deaths and DALYs, Epilepsy remains an important cause of disability and death, especially in low SDI regions. An improved understanding of the epidemiology of epilepsy may potentially have considerable benefits in reducing the global burden of epilepsy, by aiding in policy-making in low-income countries, provide data support for research on epilepsy medications and treatment methods.
The importance of recovering body awareness in post-stroke rehabilitation: insights from clinical case reports
Authors: Cardile Davide , Lo Buono Viviana , Corallo Francesco , Cammaroto Simona , Formica Caterina , Quartarone Angelo , Calabrò Rocco Salvatore
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Body awareness (BA) is the process of gaining sensory awareness based on the physiological states and actions of the body. It is influenced by an individual’s attitudes, perceptions, beliefs, and experiences within the social and cultural contexts. Following a stroke, impairments in BA are thought to be widespread and could have a significant impact on recovery results. Regaining body awareness, however, is often neglected in the neurorehabilitation field. This study aimed to assess body image perception in two stroke patients and the potential effect of motor and cognitive rehabilitative treatments on possible improvement of BA.

Methods

Patients were evaluated through a multidimensional neuropsychological assessment before and after a 3-month motor and cognitive rehabilitative training. Sessions were scheduled 6 times per week with a total duration of 3 h per session.

Results

After the neurorehabilitative treatment, both patients showed an improvement in BA, cognition, mood, and motor skills. Differences emerged related to the progression and improvement of their respective performances.

Discussion

The causes of these differences could include the following: different brain areas affected, the ischemic or hemorrhagic nature of the stroke, age, and sex. Further research is needed to better understand the differences and similarities in the correlations between deficit and lesional sites. Structured and early multidisciplinary intervention can certainly guarantee a better functional recovery for patients after a stroke. However, in this study we show how complementary assessment methods (such as human figure drawing) may be highly informative in choosing treatment modalities and verifying rehabilitation outcomes.
Current research trends and hotspots of boron neutron capture therapy: a bibliometric and visualization analysis
Authors: Cong Yuyang , Abulimiti Muyasha , Matsumoto Yoshitaka , Jin Jing
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study aimed to describe the trends, current hotspots, and future directions in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) through a bibliometric analysis.

Methods

Articles related to BNCT published before 2023-12-31 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database. VOSviewer, R, and CiteSpace were used for bibliometric analysis and visualization.

Results

A total of 3347 related publications from 1975 to 2023 were retrieved. Since a burst of published documents in 1992, the past three decades have witnessed continuous investigations into BNCT-related studies. Japan was the most productive country (794, 23.72%), followed by the USA (792, 23.66%), while the latter had the most citations. Kyoto University was the most influential institution. Ono K was the most prolific author, and Applied Radiation and Isotopes was the most popular journal. Ono K was the author that had the most total citations, followed by Barth RF. “Carborane”, “boronophenylalanine”, “glioblastoma”, “sodium borocaptate”, “cancer” and “drug delivery” were the most frequent keywords. The article “Dendrimers and dendritic polymers in drug delivery” had the most citations, whereas “Boron delivery agents for neutron capture therapy of cancer” had the highest outbreak value.

Conclusion

Over the past three decades, research on BNCT has expanded significantly, with the development of novel boron carriers with improved medicinal characteristics being the most extensively investigated area. Future research will likely focus on the validation and modification of current BNCT treatment modalities using conventional boron agents in brain tumors, accelerator-based neutron sources and the application of BNCT in more clinical scenarios.
Molecular glue degrader for tumor treatment
Authors: Hu Yuhan , Yan Yan , Wang Jiehao , Hou Jiangxue , Lin Quande
Published: December 2024

Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD) represented by Proteolysis-Targeting Chimeras (PROTAC) is the frontier field in the research and development of antitumor therapy, in which oral drug HP518 Receives FDA Proceed Authorization for its IND Application for Prostate Cancer Treatment. Recently, molecular glue, functioning via degradation of the target protein is emerging as a promising modality for the development of therapeutic agents, while exhibits greater advantages over PROTAC, including improved efficiency, resistance-free properties, and the capacity to selectively target “undruggable” proteins. This marks a revolutionary advancement in the landscape of small molecule drugs. Given that molecular glue research is still in its early stage, we summarized the mechanisms of molecular glue, the promising drugs in clinical trials and diverse feasible design strategies for molecular glue therapeutics.
Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis in anorexia nervosa; an underestimated endocrine dysfunction among adolescents
Authors: Calcaterra Valeria , Magenes Vittoria Carlotta , Fratangeli Nadia , Nigro Giulia , Fabiano Valentina , Mendolicchio Leonardo , Zuccotti Gianvincenzo
Published: December 2024

In patients affected by anorexia nervosa (AN) different endocrine abnormalities have been described, but, among them, hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) dysfunction, although associated to important side effects, is underestimated and has no therapeutical options. We present a narrative literature review to investigate the HPA axis in patients with AN, in order to highlight HPA dysfunction and its effects. We also described the crucial role of HPA monitoring, and to consider eventual therapeutic and preventive strategies in AN patients. The literature now available demonstrates that women and girls suffering from AN have higher measures of cortisol and lower levels of androgens as compared to controls. These endocrinological disturbances have deleterious effects on the subjects, both from the physical and from the psychological point of view. It's fundamental for physicians to consider these aspects when assessing AN patients. The mechanisms behind the adrenocortical dysfunctions in eating disorders patients remain an open question and there are no available treatments, thus research on this issue would be extremely useful and highly necessary, especially in the pediatric field.
Smaller babies at risk: birth weight impacts neonatal survival status in Silte zone, Central Ethiopia. A survival analysis of prospective cohort study
Authors: Jemal Musa , Kemal Abdurezak , Mohammed Bekri , Bedru Delwana , Kedir Shemsu
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Globally, 2.4 million neonates died in their first month of life in 2019 with approximately 6,700 neonatal deaths every day. Ethiopia is 4th among the top 10 countries with the highest number of neonatal deaths. Yet, there are few prospective studies on neonatal mortality in the central region of Ethiopia. Hence, to develop evidence-based, locally tailored intervention strategies, it is necessary to evaluate neonatal survival status and mortality predictors, including birth weight. Therefore, the current study aims to assess survival status and factors predicting the survival of neonates in the Silt’e zone, Ethiopia.

Methods

An institution-based prospective cohort study design was employed from 1 May to 30 July 2022. Data were collected from term neonates who were enrolled according to their order of health facility visit and then followed by data collectors in their homes. Data were analyzed using STATA version 14.1. Neonatal survival was presented using the Kaplan–Meier survival curve. The crude and adjusted associations were evaluated using the Cox proportional-hazards model, presented with a 95% confidence interval (CI), and a P-value <0.05 was used to declare statistical significance.

Result

In total, 1,080 term neonates were followed for a total of 27,643.6 neonatal days. The study showed a 95% cumulative probability of surviving the neonatal period. The incidence rate of neonatal death was 2.02 per 1,000 neonatal days. Maternal history of neonatal death [adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) = 4.03; 95% CI: 2.28–9.52], complication during pregnancy (AHR = 3.08; 95% CI: 1.12–8.25), female sex (AHR = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.25–0.84), birth weight (AHR = 0.27; 95% CI: 0.11–0.63), and a low or intermediate APGAR score at 1 min (AHR = 3.11; 95% CI: 1.23–7.82 and AHR = 5.34; 95% CI: 1.63–17.51, respectively) were independent predictors of neonatal death.

Conclusion

It has been noted that neonatal mortality in this area is higher than results from national studies and other study areas and thus requires strict attention and interventions targeting both the pre and postnatal periods. Babies with low birth weight were found to struggle to survive the neonatal period. Promoting maternal nutrition for normal birth weight of the newborn would thereby improve neonatal survival, and should be followed as a strategy.
Advanced gastrointestinal tract organ differentiation using an integrated swin transformer U-Net model for cancer care
Authors: Sharma Neha , Gupta Sheifali , Almogren Ahmad , Bharany Salil , Altameem Ayman , Rehman Ateeq Ur
Published: December 2024

The segmentation of gastrointestinal (GI) organs, including the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine, is crucial for radio oncologists to plan effective cancer therapy. This study presents an innovative semantic segmentation approach that integrates the Swin Transformer Block with the U-Net model to delineate healthy GI organs accurately using MRI data. The paper presents a novel approach that merges the Swin Transformer and U-Net models to leverage global context learning capabilities and fine-grained spatial resolution. Incorporating this integration greatly enhances the model’s capacity to achieve precise and comprehensive semantic segmentation, specifically in accurately outlining the gastrointestinal tract in MRI data. It utilizes the Swin Transformer, incorporating a shift-based windowing technique to gather contextual information efficiently while ensuring scalability. This novel architecture effectively balances local and global contexts, improving performance across various computer vision tasks, especially in medical imaging for segmenting the gastrointestinal tract. The model was trained and tested on the UW Madison GI Tract dataset, which comprises 38,496 MRI images from actual cancer cases. By leveraging the self-attention mechanisms of the Swin Transformer to capture global context and long-term dependencies, this approach combines the strengths of both models. The proposed architecture achieved a loss of 0.0949, a dice coefficient of 0.9190, and an Intersection over Union (IoU) score of 0.8454, demonstrating its effectiveness in providing high accuracy and robust performance. This technology holds significant potential for integration into clinical processes, enhancing the precision of radiation therapy for GI cancer patients.
Permeability behaviour of polyurethane polymer-reinforced granular material with and without clogging
Authors: Tao Xiaosan , Gao Zhibing
Published: December 2024

Polyurethane polymer-reinforced granular material (PPGM) can be used for ground improvement due to its high strength and drainage capacity. However, in engineering practice, clogging may occur that influence the permeability of PPGM. This study makes a laboratory assessment of the permeability of PPGM with and without clogging. It is found that the permeability coefficient of clean PPGM decreases as the content of polyurethane polymer increases, due to the reduction of its porosity and pore constriction size. To account this effect, a modified constriction size formula of PPGM is proposed. With the increase of the extent of clogging, the permeability coefficient of clogged PPGM decreases due to its decrease in the constriction size. A monotonic increase of the permeability coefficient of the mean constriction size of PPGM is found.
Pulmonary consequences of experimentally induced stroke: differences between global and focal cerebral ischemia
Authors: Somogyi Petra , Tóth Ibolya , Ballók Bence , Hammad Zaid , Hussein Ramez A. , Kun-Szabó Fruzsina , Tolnai József , Danis Judit , Kecskés Szilvia , Fodor Gergely H. , Farkas Eszter , Peták Ferenc
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Cerebral ischemia leads to multiple organ dysfunctions, with the lungs among the most severely affected. Although adverse pulmonary consequences contribute significantly to reduced life expectancy after stroke, the impact of global or focal cerebral ischemia on respiratory mechanical parameters remains poorly understood.

Methods

Rats were randomly assigned to undergo surgery to induce permanent global cerebral ischemia (2VO) or focal cerebral ischemia (MCAO), or to receive a sham operation (SHAM). Three days later, end-expiratory lung volume, airway and respiratory tissue mechanics were measured at positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) levels of 0, 3 and 6 cmH2O. Bronchial responsiveness to methacholine, lung cytokine levels, wet-to-dry ratio, blood gas parameters and cerebral stroke markers were also evaluated.

Results

Global and focal cerebral ischemia had no significant effect on end-expiratory lung volume, bronchial responsiveness, and arterial blood gas levels. No change in respiratory mechanics and inflammatory response was evident after 2VO. Conversely, MCAO decreased airway resistance at PEEP 0, deteriorated respiratory tissue damping and elastance at all PEEP levels, and elevated Hct and Hgb. MCAO also caused lung edema and augmented IL-1β and TNF-α in the lung tissue without affecting IL-6 and IL-8 levels.

Discussion

Our findings suggest that global cerebral ischemia has no major pulmonary consequences. However, deteriorations in the respiratory tissue mechanics develop after permanent focal ischemia due to pulmonary edema formation, hemoconcentration and cytokine production. This respiratory mechanical defect can compromise lung distension at all PEEP levels, which warrants consideration in optimizing mechanical ventilation.
A novel dataset and deep learning object detection benchmark for grapevine pest surveillance
Authors: Checola Giorgio , Sonego Paolo , Zorer Roberto , Mazzoni Valerio , Ghidoni Franca , Gelmetti Alberto , Franceschi Pietro
Published: December 2024

Flavescence dorée (FD) poses a significant threat to grapevine health, with the American grapevine leafhopper, Scaphoideus titanus, serving as the primary vector. FD is responsible for yield losses and high production costs due to mandatory insecticide treatments, infected plant uprooting, and replanting. Another potential FD vector is the mosaic leafhopper, Orientus ishidae, commonly found in agroecosystems. The current monitoring approach, which involves periodic human identification of yellow sticky traps, is labor-intensive and time-consuming. Therefore, there is a compelling need to develop an automatic pest detection system leveraging recent advances in computer vision and deep learning techniques. However, progress in developing such a system has been hindered by the lack of effective datasets for training. To fill this gap, our study contributes a fully annotated dataset of S. titanus and O. ishidae from yellow sticky traps, which includes more than 600 images, with approximately 1500 identifications per class. Assisted by entomologists, we performed the annotation process, trained, and compared the performance of two state-of-the-art object detection algorithms: YOLOv8 and Faster R-CNN. Pre-processing, including automatic cropping to eliminate irrelevant background information and image enhancements to improve the overall quality of the dataset, was employed. Additionally, we tested the impact of altering image resolution and data augmentation, while also addressing potential issues related to class detection. The results, evaluated through 10-fold cross validation, revealed promising detection accuracy, with YOLOv8 achieving an mAP@0.5 of 92%, and an F1-score above 90%, with an mAP@[0.5:0.95] of 66%. Meanwhile, Faster R-CNN reached an mAP@0.5 and mAP@[0.5:0.95] of 86% and 55%, respectively. This outcome offers encouraging prospects for developing more effective management strategies in the fight against Flavescence dorée.
Biggest of tinies: natural variation in seed size and mineral distribution in the ancient crop tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter]
Authors: Whisnant Eric D. , Keith Christian , Smieska Louisa , Chia Ju-Chen , Bekele-Alemu Abreham , Vatamaniuk Olena K. , VanBuren Robert , Ligaba-Osena Ayalew
Published: December 2024

Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] is the major staple crop for millions of people in Ethiopia and Eritrea and is believed to have been domesticated several thousand years ago. Tef has the smallest grains of all the cereals, which directly impacts its productivity and presents numerous challenges to its cultivation. In this study, we assessed the natural variation in seed size of 189 tef and 11 accessions of its wild progenitor Indian lovegrass (Eragrostis pilosa (L.) P. Beauv.) and explored the mineral distribution of representative accessions. Our findings revealed significant natural variation in seed size and mineral concentration among both the tef and E. pilosa accessions. We observed significant variation in seed length, seed width, and seed area among the accessions of both Eragrostis spp. we analyzed. Using representative accessions of both species, we also found significant variation in 1000-grain weight. The observed variation in seed size attributes prompted us to use comparative genomics to identify seed size regulating genes based on the well-studied and closely related monocot cereal rice [Oryza sativa (L.)]. Using this approach, we identified putative orthologous genes in the tef genome that belong to a number of key pathways known to regulate seed size in rice. Phylogenetic analysis of putative tef orthologs of ubiquitin-proteasome, G-protein, MAPK, and brassinosteroid (BR)-family genes indicate significant similarity to seed size regulating genes in rice and other cereals. Because tef is known to be more nutrient-dense than other more common cereals such as rice, wheat, and maize, we also studied the mineral concentration of selected accessions using ICP-OES and explored their distribution within the seeds using synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence (SXRF) microscopy. The findings showed significant variation in seed mineral concentration and mineral distribution among the selected accessions of both Eragrostis spp. This study highlights the natural variation in seed size attributes, mineral concentration, and distribution, while establishing the basis for understanding the genetic mechanisms regulating these traits. We hope our findings will lead to a better understanding of the evolution of tef at the genetic level and for the development of elite tef cultivars to improve seed size, yield, and quality of the grains.
Communion and agency: research on social workers in China
Authors: Zhang Yangyong
Published: December 2024

Communion and agency are two essential dimensions for understanding personality traits. This study comprised 49 in-depth interviews and three focus groups with experienced social workers in China to address the following research questions: (1) What is the orientation of Chinese social workers towards communion and agency? (2) What challenges do they encounter in their daily practice? (3) How do they interpret and utilize agency in coping with these challenges? The findings revealed three main themes: (a) Participants demonstrated a clear preference for communion over agency, reflecting a strong orientation towards social concern; (b) The professional challenges faced by participants varied significantly across career stages, with distinct requirements for agency at each stage; and (c) Participants’ understanding of agency was primarily rooted in professional competence. At different career stages, participants displayed varying levels of professional competence and agency, both of which were essential for addressing social concerns and developing strategies for long-term professional survival. The study suggests that social workers need to balance social concerns with individual development, view social work rationally as an ordinary job, and focus on enhancing both their professional competence and personal agency to achieve their aspirations.
Relevance theory for mapping cognitive biases in fact-checking: an argumentative approach
Authors: Masotina Mariavittoria , Musi Elena , Yates Simeon
Published: December 2024

In the fast-paced, densely populated information landscape shaped by digitization, distinguishing information from misinformation is critical. Fact-checkers are effective in fighting fake news but face challenges such as cognitive overload and time pressure, which increase susceptibility to cognitive biases. Establishing standards to mitigate these biases can improve the quality of fact-checks, bolster audience trust, and protect against reputation attacks from disinformation actors. While previous research has focused on audience biases, we propose a novel approach grounded on relevance theory and the argumentum model of topics to identify (i) the biases intervening in the fact-checking process, (ii) their triggers, and (iii) at what level of reasoning they act. We showcase the predictive power of our approach through a multimethod case study involving a semi-automatic literature review, a fact-checking simulation with 12 news practitioners, and an online survey involving 40 journalists and fact-checkers. The study highlights the distinction between biases triggered by relevance by effort and effect, offering a taxonomy of cognitive biases and a method to map them within decision-making processes. These insights can inform trainings to enhance fact-checkers’ critical thinking skills, improving the quality and trustworthiness of fact-checking practices.