bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Exogenous Melatonin Application on Maintaining Physicochemical Properties, Phytochemicals, and Enzymatic Activities of Mango Fruits During Cold Storage
Authors: Charoenphun Narin , Lekjing Somwang , Venkatachalam Karthikeyan
Published: February 2025

Mango fruits are susceptible to cold stress under prolonged storage. Melatonin (MT) is a phytohormone well known for enhancing the tolerance and overall quality of various tropical and subtropical fruits during cold storage. This study investigated the effects of MT treatment on the postharvest quality of mango fruits during prolonged cold storage. Mangoes were treated with different concentrations of MT (1.0 mM (T1), 1.5 mM (T2), 2.0 mM (T3), and 2.5 mM (T4)) and stored for 45 days under cold conditions (15 °C and 90% relative humidity). Control fruits had no MT treatments. Various physicochemical, phytochemical, antioxidant, and enzymatic activities were monitored every 5 days throughout the storage period. MT treatment significantly reduced the weight loss and decay rates compared to control samples, with T3 and T4 treatments showing superior effectiveness. Due to severe decay in the control samples, the storage period was terminated on day 25, whereas the MT treatment protected the mango fruits and allowed for the completion of all 45 days of storage. The MT treatments effectively maintained color characteristics, reduced respiration rates, and suppressed ethylene production in mango fruits compared to the control samples. Higher MT concentrations preserved firmness and controlled malondialdehyde accumulation (p < 0.05). Chemical properties, including the starch content, total soluble solids, and titratable acidity, were better maintained in MT-treated fruits. The treatments also enhanced the retention of phytochemicals (ascorbic acid, total phenolic, and total flavonoid contents) and improved antioxidant activities against DPPH and ABTS radicals. Furthermore, MT treatment effectively regulated the activities of browning-related enzymes (polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD)), cell wall-degrading enzymes (polygalacturonase (PG), pectin methylesterase (PME), and lipoxygenase (LOX)), and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX)). The results demonstrate that MT treatment, particularly at higher concentrations (T3 and T4), effectively extends the storage life and maintains the quality of mango fruits during prolonged cold storage.
Continuous Simulations for Predicting Green Roof Hydrologic Performance for Future Climate Scenarios
Authors: Jabeen Komal , Grossi Giovanna , Turco Michele , Dada Arianna , Palermo Stefania A. , Pirouz Behrouz , Piro Patrizia , Gnecco Ilaria , Palla Anna
Published: February 2025

Urban green spaces, including green roofs (GRs), are vital infrastructure for climate resilience, retaining water in city landscapes and supporting ecohydrological processes. Quantifying the hydrologic performance of GRs in the urban environment for future climate scenarios is the original contribution of this research developed within the URCA! project. For this purpose, a continuous modelling approach is undertaken to evaluate the hydrological performance of GRs expressed by means of the runoff volume and peak flow reduction at the event scale for long data series (at least 20 years). To investigate the prediction of GRs performance in future climates, a simple methodological approach is proposed, using monthly projection factors for the definition of future rainfall and temperature time series, and transferring the system parametrization of the current model to the future one. The proposed approach is tested for experimental GR sites in Genoa and Rende, located in Northern and Southern Italy, respectively. Referring to both the Genoa and Rende experimental sites, simulation results are analysed to demonstrate how the GR performance varies with respect to rainfall event characteristics, including total depth, maximum rainfall intensity and ADWP for current and future scenarios.
Impact of Lead Pollution from Vehicular Traffic on Highway-Side Grazing Areas: Challenges and Mitigation Policies
Authors: Al-Sabbagh Tareq A. , Shreaz Sheikh
Published: February 2025

One major environmental concern is the lead (Pb) pollution from automobile traffic, especially in highway-side grazing areas. Sheep grazing in Pb-contaminated areas are particularly vulnerable because Pb exposure from soil, water, and feed can have harmful effects that impair their general health, reproductive capability, and immune systems. Long-term hazards to cattle from persistent Pb exposure include neurotoxicity, hematological abnormalities, reproductive health problems, and immunosuppression. These can have serious consequences, such as reduced productivity and even mortality. Additionally, through the food chain, Pb bioaccumulation in lamb tissues directly endangers human health. Pb poisoning is caused by a variety of intricate mechanisms, including disturbances in calcium-dependent processes, oxidative stress, and enzyme inhibition. To mitigate these risks, an interdisciplinary approach is essential, combining expertise in environmental science, toxicology, animal husbandry, and public health. Effective strategies include rotational grazing, alternative foraging options, mineral supplementation, and soil remediation techniques like phytoremediation. Additionally, the implementation of stringent regulatory measures, continuous monitoring, and community-based initiatives are vital. This review emphasizes the need for comprehensive and multidisciplinary methodologies to address the ecological, agricultural, and public health impacts of Pb pollution. By integrating scientific expertise and policy measures, it is possible to ensure the long-term sustainability of grazing systems, protect livestock and human health, and maintain ecosystem integrity.
Validation of a Novel Method to Evaluate Community-Based Interventions That Improve Access to Fruits and Vegetables
Authors: Ewald Louisa , LeGrand Kate E. , Ugo-Ike Claire-Lorentz , Honeycutt Sally , Hall Jennifer L. , Gakidou Emmanuela , Mokdad Ali H. , Roth Gregory A.
Published: February 2025

Background: Current evaluation tools are inadequate for assessing the impact of small-scale interventions, such as farmer’s markets or community meal programs, on fruit and vegetable consumption. This study analyzes the pilot data of a novel tool designed to evaluate community-based programs’ impact on fruit and vegetable consumption. Our research addresses the gap in effective evaluation methods for dietary behaviors within underserved populations. Methods: The survey tool was developed through a participatory research approach involving interest holders and community members. We conducted a pilot survey across four community-based programs, validated the findings, and compared them against the data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Results: This pilot survey demonstrated a high completion rate of 98.2%. Notably, 62.5% of respondents reported an increased consumption of fruits and vegetables since participating in the programs and cited cost, time, and accessibility as primary barriers to healthy eating. There is a strong, though not significant, correlation of 0.876 (p = 0.12) between the pilot data of prevalence of daily fruit and vegetable consumption and the national average. Conclusion: Our findings suggest the survey tool effectively captures dietary behaviors and the influence of community-based programs. Further research is required to enhance its applicability in diverse settings and extend robust impact evaluation methods for these programs.
Optimizing the Equality of Healthcare Services in Wuhan, China, Using a New Multimodal Two-Step Floating Catchment Area Model in Conjunction with the Hierarchical Maximal Accessibility Equality Model
Authors: Lu Pengfei , Li Xiang , Wang Lina , Zhang Zhengbin , Zhang Danfei , Zhang Wenya , Li Yaru
Published: February 2025

The equity of medical services is crucial for the quality of life of a population and the sustainable development of cities. Current research on optimizing the maximal equity of medical facilities has the following limitations: (1) In the accessibility calculation models for multiple transportation modes, the impact of factors such as public transport transfers and travel distance on the choice of transportation mode is often overlooked. (2) Existing spatial equity indicators are mostly derived from the overall study area, failing to fully consider the differences in population distribution and development gaps within different development zones inside the region. This study proposes a novel Incorporating Multiple Transportation Two-Step Floating Catchment Area (IMT-2SFCA) and a Hierarchical Theil-based Maximal Accessibility Equality model (HT-MAE) to optimize the equity of access to tuberculosis medical institutions in Wuhan. The findings reveal that, compared to single-mode transportation accessibility models, the multimodal accessibility model integrates the characteristics of four transportation modes, providing a more realistic reflection of residents’ access to medical services. The optimization results show a significant improvement in the equity of access to medical services across Wuhan and among different economic development zones, although the equity indicators in non-central urban areas have declined. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis and practical insights for alleviating the inequality of access to medical services across different urban layers.
Extrapolation of PBBs Environmental Transformation Mechanisms and Toxicity Risks of Byproducts
Authors: Xu Bohan , Liu Qian , Cui Weihan , Tao Li , Chi Yuanquan , Yang Luze
Published: February 2025

Polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) are commonly used flame retardants that pose severe risks to humans. However, there is a lack of systematic research on the transformation process and biological toxicities of PBBs in the environment, which is not conducive to the prevention and control of pollution risks of PBBs. Therefore, the transformation pathways (i.e., photodegradation, microbial degradation, combustion oxidation, and in vivo metabolism) of PBBs and previously designed PBB substitutes were deduced first. Then the potential rodent carcinogenicity, rodent toxicity, mutagenicity, developmental toxicity, skin and eye irritation, skin sensitization, and aquatic toxicity of the transformation products were evaluated using the toxicokinetics (TOPKAT) model. Finally, 3D quantitative structure activity relationship (3D-QSAR) models were constructed to assess the human toxicity (i.e., carcinogenicity, developmental toxicity, hepatotoxicity, epigenetic toxicity, neurotoxicity, and immunotoxicity) of PBBs, PBBs substitutes, and their transformation products. Results showed that the transformation products of PBBs and their substitutes exhibit high toxicity risks (i.e., potential carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and developmental toxicity) to organisms. The D3-A1 molecule had the highest carcinogenic risk probability at 0.826. The dihydroxy metabolite 2,2′-OH-PBB-80 of the PBB-80 molecule presented the highest potential developmental toxicity risk (toxicity probability 0.713). Polybrominated dibenzofuran (PBDF) showed the strongest skin irritation (probability 0.995). The combustion oxidation products of PBBs exhibited higher potential ecological and human health risks than other transformation products. Among potential toxicity risks to humans, the developmental toxicity of the transformation products of PBBs and their substitutes was theoretically significant, with characterization values ranging from 70.53 to 100.87. This is the first study to comprehensively evaluate the ecological and human health risks of PBBs and their transformation products by combining the inference of transformation pathways with the prediction of transformation product toxicities, providing theoretical support for the design of environmentally friendly PBB substitutes in future studies.
miR-212-5p Regulates PM2.5-Induced Apoptosis by Targeting LAMC2 and LAMA3
Authors: Jia Yunna , Zhang Xiqing , Zhao Cuizhu , Ma Zhenhua , Sun Ke , Sun Yize , Du Xiaohui , Liu Meng , Liang Xiaojun , Yu Xiuzhen , Gao Yunhang
Published: February 2025

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is often linked to a range of respiratory diseases and cellular damage. Although studies have shown that the expression profiles of microRNAs (miRNAs) are altered during lung damage brought on by PM2.5, the underlying functions of miRNAs remain poorly understood. In this research, we explored the role of PM2.5-induced apoptosis in detail and focused on the miRNA (miR-212-5p) that regulates apoptosis. Through a dual-luciferase assay, a direct targeting connection between laminin subunits γ2 (LAMC2) and α3 (LAMA3) and miR-212-5p was successfully demonstrated. This study focused on revealing the negative regulatory relationship between miR-212-5p and LAMC2 and LAMA3, providing important clues for a deeper understanding of the relevant physiological and pathological mechanisms. The present study showed that LAMC2 and LAMA3 positively regulate the PI3K-AKT pathway and negatively regulate the NF-κB pathway, which directly leads to significant changes in apoptosis rates. This study reveals a previously unrecognized molecular mechanism by showing that miR-212-5p directly targets LAMC2 and LAMA3 and thus associates with PM2.5-induced apoptosis via the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway. These findings not only redefine the role of miR-212-5p in apoptosis but also open up new avenues for future research.
Transcriptome Analysis and Resistance Identification of bar and BPH9 Co-Transformation Rice
Authors: Li Sanhe , Li Changyan , Wang Jianyu , Zhou Lei , Wu Bian , Zhou Zaihui , Fan Xiaolei , You Aiqing , Liu Kai
Published: February 2025

Insect pests and weeds are the two major biotic factors affecting crop yield in the modern agricultural system. In this study, a brown planthopper (BPH) resistance gene (BPH9) and glufosinate tolerance gene (bar) were stacked into a single T-DNA cassette and transformed into an indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) line H23. The present study employed a gene stacking process that combines more than one gene/trait into an individual transgenic plant to meet the increasing cropping demands under complex conditions. The transgenic rice H23 (H23R) co-expressing bar and BPH9 genes demonstrated both glufosinate tolerance and BPH resistance. We utilized transcriptome data to reveal the mechanism of BPH9-mediated brown planthopper resistance and to analyze the impact of exogenous transgenic fragments on upstream and downstream genes at insertion sites. The evaluation of insect resistance and glufosinate tolerance confirmed H23R as an excellent double-resistant transgenic rice. These findings indicate that H23R can satisfy insect management and weed control in the modern rice agricultural system. However, a deregulation study will help with prospective commercial planting.
Impact of Nutrient Stress on Plant Disease Resistance
Authors: Martín-Cardoso Héctor , San Segundo Blanca
Published: February 2025

Plants are constantly exposed to abiotic and biotic stresses that seriously affect crop yield and quality. A coordinated regulation of plant responses to combined abiotic/biotic stresses requires crosstalk between signaling pathways initiated by each stressor. Interconnected signaling pathways further finetune plant stress responses and allow the plant to respond to such stresses effectively. The plant nutritional status might influence disease resistance by strengthening or weakening plant immune responses, as well as through modulation of the pathogenicity program in the pathogen. Here, we discuss advances in our understanding of interactions between nutrient stress, deficiency or excess, and immune signaling pathways in the context of current agricultural practices. The introduction of chemical fertilizers and pesticides was a major component of the Green Revolution initiated in the 1960s that greatly boosted crop production. However, the massive application of agrochemicals also has adverse consequences on the environment and animal/human health. Therefore, an in-depth understanding of the connections between stress caused by overfertilization (or low bioavailability of nutrients) and immune responses is a timely and novel field of research with important implications for disease control in crop species. Optimizing nutrient management practices tailored to specific environmental conditions will be crucial in maximizing crop production using environmentally friendly systems.
A Genetic Test to Identify People at High Risk of Heart Failure
Authors: Ge Xintian , Brittain Bek , Dawson Luke , Dwivedi Girish , Kaye David M. , Morahan Grant
Published: February 2025

Earlier intervention may delay or prevent heart failure (HF), a widespread health problem. However, it is not currently possible to identify those who are most at risk, especially before the appearance of any clinical signs. This study presents the development and subsequent validation of a novel genetic test for predicting the risk of HF, utilizing data from three independent cohorts of Australian and US subjects. We developed a first-phase test using the Baker Biobank case–control cohort, identifying 41 genetic variants indicative of HF risk through genome-wide interaction and association analyses. Subsequently, a second-phase test was designed. This identified 29 additional single-nucleotide polymorphisms. The combination of these two tests resulted in an aggregate test with a high predictive accuracy, achieving an Area Under the Curve of 0.93 and a balanced accuracy of 0.89. High genetic risk subjects in the Baker Biobank cohort had an odds ratio of 533.2. The test’s robustness was validated by applying it to data from the Busselton Health Study and the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities cohorts, yielding, respectively, Areas Under the Curve of 0.83 and 0.72, a balanced accuracy of 0.76 and 0.67, and Odds Ratios of 12.3 and 4.6. These results highlight the critical role of genetic factors in the development of heart failure and demonstrate this test’s potential as a significant tool for clinical HF risk prediction.
Video-Based Information Mediating Opportunities for Professional Development: A Research Intervention with Teaching-Focused Lecturers in Higher Education
Authors: Moffitt Philip , Bligh Brett
Published: February 2025

This paper contributes to the growing international interest in using video-based information in education, training, and professional development. It describes an empirical study in which we analyse the use of video-based information as educational practitioners negotiate, design, and enact their own professional development. In our study, participants are teaching-focused lecturers in engineering higher education. We describe a research intervention using the Change Laboratory methodology, with expansive learning, where video-based information is embroiled throughout. Our analyses show that video acts at various epistemic levels, from using video-based information to support claims to truth to using video-based information to provoke social negotiations of the partiality of knowledge. We examine how video-based information acts as a mediating technology for imagining, negotiating, and reflexively implementing professional developmental intentions. Our core argument is that practitioners can benefit from understanding how video-based information can mediate their own professional development in relational ways. We make three substantive contributions to scholarship: evincing a need for the prioritisation of understanding diverse epistemic functions of video-based information, advancing understanding of the role of video in theoretically informed social negotiation, and exemplifying methodological arrangements that move video-based information beyond visual representation.
Predictive Machine Learning Approaches for Supply and Manufacturing Processes Planning in Mass-Customization Products
Authors: Alfayoumi Shereen , Elgammal Amal , El-Tazi Neamat
Published: February 2025

Planning in mass-customization supply and manufacturing processes is a complex process that requires continuous planning and optimization to minimize time and cost across a wide variety of choices in large production volumes. While soft computing techniques are widely used for optimizing mass-customization products, they face scalability issues when handling large datasets and rely heavily on manually defined rules, which are prone to errors. In contrast, machine learning techniques offer an opportunity to overcome these challenges by automating rule generation and improving scalability. However, their full potential has yet to be explored. This article proposes a machine learning-based approach to address this challenge, aiming to optimize both the supply and manufacturing planning phases as a practical solution for industry planning or optimization problems. The proposed approach examines supervised machine learning and deep learning techniques for manufacturing time and cost planning in various scenarios of a large-scale real-life pilot study in the bicycle manufacturing domain. This experimentation included K-Nearest Neighbors with regression and Random Forest from the machine learning family, as well as Neural Networks and Ensembles as deep learning approaches. Additionally, Reinforcement Learning was used in scenarios where real-world data or historical experiences were unavailable. The training performance of the pilot study was evaluated using cross-validation along with two statistical analysis methods: the t-test and the Wilcoxon test. These performance evaluation efforts revealed that machine learning techniques outperform deep learning methods and the reinforcement learning approach, with K-NN combined with regression yielding the best results. The proposed approach was validated by industry experts in bicycle manufacturing. It demonstrated up to a 37% reduction in both time and cost for orders compared to traditional expert estimates.
Building Energy Simulation of Eco-Efficient Composite Bricks Using a Novel Method to Convert Ceramic Bricks into Building Blocks: A Case Study in Iran
Authors: Kamalabadi Farahani Mohammad , Mirvalad Sajjad , Azimizadeh Mohammadreza
Published: February 2025

This study examines the reduction in energy consumption in residential and commercial buildings by utilizing eco-efficient ceramic bricks, converted into building blocks for the construction industry, in light of their significant energy usage and the challenges associated with solid waste management. A ceramic brick composed of zeolite and sugarcane bagasse ash (ZS brick) was selected and simulated as a building block. Such building blocks were used in building design models, and annual building energy simulation was performed by applying different approaches and modes. The results in four different climatic regions in Iran proved that the use of ZS bricks in building envelopes without a thermal insulation layer could lead to a reduction in building energy consumption from 5 to 12.5% compared with conventional fired clay bricks. Also, the use of ZS brick in the layering of the building walls with a thermal insulation layer, compared with conventional fired clay bricks, resulted in an energy consumption reduction from 2.3 to 7.5%.
Native Japanese Polygonaceae Species as Potential Native Insectary Plants in Conserving Indigenous Natural Enemies
Authors: Wari David , Abe Junichiro , Kitamura Toshio
Published: February 2025

Conservation biological control (CBC) is the application of agricultural practices that utilize insectary plants to conserve and enhance natural enemies, thereby increasing their efficiency to suppress pests. Most of the insectary plants used in CBC are non-native invasive insectary plants, which are costly and pose threats to the local ecosystems and biodiversity. Alternative to non-native insectary plants, the use of native plants is proposed. Hence, the aim of this study is to identify native plant species that can be used as alternatives to non-native insectary plants to conserve and promote indigenous natural enemies (INEs) for sustainable pest management. To achieve this, first, we bio-prospected the surrounding habitats of organic fields in the western region of Japan (i.e., Hiroshima Prefecture) to identify native plant species as prospective native insectary plants. As a result, among various Japanese native plants surveyed, Polygonaceae plant species seem to host a variety of INEs, showing potential as a native insectary plant. We then conducted open field experiments to test the role of Polygonaceae plants in promoting INEs, thereby indirectly suppressing pest densities on vegetable crops such as eggplants. Results show that significantly high densities of INEs (green lacewing, p = 0.024; Orius spp., p = 0.001: GLM) were observed on eggplants with Polygonaceae plants compared to eggplants without Polygonaceae plants, leading to a significant reduction in pest densities (thrips, p = 0.000; whiteflies, p = 0.002: GLM) on the eggplants with Polygonaceae plants. Furthermore, molecular analysis revealed that Orius spp., as a representative INE in this study, migrated from Polygonaceae plants to eggplants, suggesting that Polygonaceae plants may conserve and promote INEs to vegetable crops, resulting in pest suppression. Here, we discuss the roles of Polygonaceae plants (and other native plants) in regulating pest densities on crops.
Validation of the Japanese Version of Obstetric Quality of Recovery-11 Questionnaire and Its Association with Postpartum Depression and Functional Outcomes: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Ishida Ayu , Ida Mitsuru , Naito Yusuke , Kinomoto Akane , Kawaguchi Masahiko
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: The aim was to develop a Japanese version of the Obstetric Quality of Recovery-11 questionnaire (ObsQoR-11J), assess its feasibility, reliability, and validity, and investigate its association with postpartum depression and functionality. The need for this study is underscored by the limited availability of the ObsQoR-11 in different languages and the lack of documentation on its associations with early postpartum recovery and mid-term postpartum patient-reported outcomes. Methods: After translating the ObsQoR-11J into Japanese, 138 patients who underwent non-emergent cesarean delivery were enrolled in this study. ObsQoR-11J scores were evaluated at 24 h, 3 days, and 5 days post-surgery. The associations between ObsQoR-11J scores and postpartum depression and functionality, which were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at 1 and 3 months and the 12-item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) 2.0, respectively, at three months after cesarean delivery, were evaluated. Results: The questionnaire completion rate at 24 h was 97.1% (134/138), and the mean ObsQoR-11 scores at 24 h and 3 and 5 days post-surgery were 67.2, 89.0, and 96.3, respectively. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.77, and the Spearman correlation coefficient between ObsQoR-11J scores and global health visual analog scale scores was 0.43 (p = 0.03) at 24 h. The ObsQoR-11 score at any measurement point was significantly associated with the EPDS and 12-item WHODAS2.0 after adjusting for clinically relevant factors (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: The ObsQoR-11J is a valid assessment tool, and its scores are associated with patient-reported outcome measures.
Course of General Fatigue in Patients with Post-COVID-19 Conditions Who Were Prescribed Hochuekkito: A Single-Center Exploratory Pilot Study
Authors: Tokumasu Kazuki , Matsuki Nobuyoshi , Otsuka Yuki , Sakamoto Yoko , Ueda Keigo , Matsuda Yui , Sakurada Yasue , Honda Hiroyuki , Nakano Yasuhiro , Hasegawa Toru , Takase Ryosuke , Omura Daisuke , Otsuka Fumio
Published: February 2025

Background: After the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, general fatigue in patients with long COVID and post-COVID-19 conditions (PCC) became a medical issue. Although there is a lack of evidence-based treatments, Kampo medicine (traditional Japanese medicine) has gained attention in Japan. At an outpatient clinic in Japan specializing in long COVID, 24% of all prescriptions were Kampo medicines, and 72% of Kampo medicine prescriptions were hochuekkito. However, there has been no prospective, quantitative study on the course of fatigue in patients with long COVID and PCC who were prescribed hochuekkito. The aim of this study was to clarify the course of fatigue in those patients. Methods: This study included patients aged 18 years or older with general fatigue who visited the long COVID specialized outpatient clinic at Okayama University Hospital and consented to participate after being prescribed hochuekkito. We reviewed the backgrounds of the patients, and we evaluated the patients’ fatigue assessment scale in person or online. Results: Twenty patients were enrolled in this study from September to December in 2023. The average age of the patients was 42.9 years (SD: 15.8 years) and 12 patients (60%) were female. After hochuekkito administration, the fatigue assessment scale score decreased from 35.9 (SD: 5.9) at the initial visit to 31.2 (SD: 9.4) after 8 weeks, indicating a trend for improvement in fatigue (difference: 4.7; 95% CI: 0.5–8.9). Conclusions: A trend for improvement in fatigue was observed in patients with long COVID and PCC who were prescribed hochuekkito, indicating a potential benefit of hochuekkito for general fatigue in such patients. General fatigue in patients with long COVID or PCC can be classified as post-infectious fatigue syndrome and is considered a condition of qi deficiency in Kampo medicine, for which hochuekkito is appropriately indicated.
Right Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction Before Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Impact on 5-Year Follow-Up Outcomes
Authors: Sumin Alexey N. , Shcheglova Anna V. , Oganyan Nazeli D. , Romanenko Evgeniya Yu. , Sergeeva Tatjana Yu.
Published: February 2025

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of right ventricular diastolic dysfunction on the results of 5-year follow-up of patients after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: Patients were enrolled in this prospective observational study examined before planned CABG from 2017 to 2018. In addition to the baseline preoperative indicators and perioperative data, the initial parameters of the left and right ventricle (RV) systolic and diastolic function were assessed. The long-term results after CABG were assessed after 5 years. The following endpoints were recorded in the remote period: coronary and non-coronary death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), repeat myocardial revascularization. Results: The results of long-term follow-up were assessed in 148 patients, during which time MACE was registered in 43 patients (29.1%). In the group with MACE before CABG, a history of myocardial infarction (p = 0.008), functional class 3 NYHA of chronic heart failure (CHF) (p = 0.013), an increase in the left ventricle size, a decrease in the e′/a′ ratio (p = 0.041), and the presence of the right ventricle diastolic dysfunction (p = 0.037) were more often detected. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed a better long-term prognosis (MACE-free survival) in the group without RVDD compared to the group with RVDD (p = 0.026). Conclusions: In patients after coronary artery bypass grafting, the development of adverse events was associated with both clinical factors and the presence of right ventricular diastolic dysfunction. Survival analysis revealed a worse prognosis in patients with preoperative RVDD compared with patients without RVDD.
Special Issue “Role of Exercises in Musculoskeletal Disorders—4th Edition”
Authors: Musumeci Giuseppe
Published: February 2025

This fourth edition of the Special Issue titled “Role of Exercises in Musculoskeletal Disorders” significantly enriches the discourse on the effectiveness and feasibility of physical activity in managing patients with musculoskeletal disorders [...]
Experimental Study on Enhanced Serviceability for Human Activities of Floating Structures with Wave-Dissipating Modules
Authors: Jeong Youn-Ju , Park Min-Su , Kim Young-Taek , Kim Jeongsoo
Published: February 2025

This study evaluates the serviceability of floating structures designed for marine cities by incorporating wave-dissipating modules. Small-scale model tests in a 2D wave flume were conducted to compare the serviceability of structures with and without these modules under different wave conditions (1-year and 100-year return period waves). The results showed that wave-dissipating modules significantly reduced vertical acceleration, with reductions of approximately 44~45% levels for 1-year return period waves and 54~57% levels for 100-year return period waves. When a topside building was included, the reductions were similarly pronounced, reaching 64% and 63~64% levels for 1-year and 100-year return period waves, respectively. The modules also mitigated inclination (angle), with reduction rates ranging from 55~77% levels, depending on wave conditions and the presence of a topside building. These findings suggest that incorporating wave-dissipating modules around the periphery of floating structures can enhance their serviceability by creating more comfortable and stable environments for human activities, while also improving the stability of the structures themselves. Future research should focus on scaling up the model tests and conducting field experiments to validate these findings under real conditions, as well as optimizing module designs for different wave conditions and structural configurations.
Outcome Analysis of Breakthrough Invasive Aspergillosis on Anti-Mold Azole Prophylaxis and Treatment: 30-Year Experience in Hematologic Malignancy Patients
Authors: Dagher Hiba , Chaftari Anne-Marie , Haddad Andrea , Jiang Ying , Shrestha Jishna , Sherchan Robin , Lamie Peter , Makhoul Jennifer , Chaftari Patrick , Hachem Ray , Raad Issam
Published: February 2025

Background: Anti-mold azoles have improved the outcomes of invasive aspergillosis (IA) when used therapeutically, but they are extensively used as prophylaxis. There are limited data regarding the outcomes of patients with hematologic malignancy who develop breakthrough IA on anti-mold azoles. We aimed to determine whether breakthrough IA on azole prophylaxis shows worse outcomes compared to no prophylaxis. Methods: We compared outcomes including therapy response and mortality between antifungal regimens in hematologic malignancy patients with IA between July 1993 and July 2023. Results: Compared to an amphotericin B-containing regimen (AMB), an anti-mold azole as the primary therapy was independently associated with successful response at the end of therapy (OR = 4.38, p < 0.0001), protective against 42-day IA-associated mortality (OR = 0.51, p = 0.024) or all cause mortality (OR = 0.35, p < 0.0001), and protective against 84-day mortality, both IA-associated (OR = 0.50, p = 0.01) and all-cause mortality (OR = 0.27, p < 0.0001). Azole prophylaxis was independently associated with higher IA-associated mortality at 42 days (OR = 1.91, p = 0.012) and 84 days (OR = 2.03, p = 0.004), compared to fluconazole or no prophylaxis. Conclusions: Patients with breakthrough IA on anti-mold azole prophylaxis show a worse prognosis than those on other or no prophylaxis, possibly related to the emergence of azole resistance due to their widespread use as prophylaxis agents. On the other hand, anti-mold azole primary therapy is superior to AMB therapy in the treatment of IA.
The Burden of Hospital Illness Associated with Disseminated Versus Isolated Pulmonary Coccidioidomycosis in the United States
Authors: Coleman Craig I. , Bylyku Jessica , Latifi Andria , Lovelace Belinda , Shan Ryan , Miriyapalli Lahar , Donovan Fariba
Published: February 2025

There are scarce data comparing inpatient mortality, length of stay (LOS) and all-cause hospital costs in disseminated coccidioidomycosis (DCM) vs. isolated pulmonary coccidioidomycosis (IPCM). We assessed the burden of hospital illness associated with DCM versus IPCM. This study was performed using National Inpatient Sample data from 2019 to 2021. DCM was defined as having a primary International Classification of Diseases—Tenth Revision (ICD-10) code for coccidioidal meningitis, a non-primary code for coccidioidal meningitis in the presence of a primary code for a meningitis complication or a procedure code depicting the need for a meningitis-related procedure, or a primary code for DCM without a code for unspecified disease. IPCM was defined as a primary code for pulmonary coccidioidomycosis without codes for DCM or unspecified disease. Multivariable regression was used to compare the odds of in-hospital mortality, LOS and all-cause hospital costs (2023 US$) for DCM versus IPCM, after covariate adjustment. A total of 6195 hospitalizations were identified, 2305 for DCM and 3890 for IPCM. Patients experiencing a DCM hospitalization had a 19.7% incidence of concomitant pulmonary coccidioidomycosis. Coccidioidal meningitis constituted 81.3% of all DCM hospitalizations, of which 78.1% received a meningitis-related procedure or were admitted for a meningitis complication. DCM was associated with an increased odds of death (odds ratio = 2.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.26–6.04) versus IPCM. DCM was associated with a longer mean hospital LOS (4.51 days, 95%CI = 3.39–5.63) and higher mean all-cause costs ($20,008, 95%CI = $15,313–$24,704) versus IPCM. DCM hospitalizations were associated with higher odds of inpatient mortality, longer LOS, and higher costs versus IPCM.
Structural and Functional Analysis of the Lectin-like Protein Llp1 Secreted by Ustilago maydis upon Infection of Maize
Authors: Christ Marvin , Rubio Elizalde Itzel , Weiland Paul , Kern Antonia , Iwen Thomas , Mais Christopher-Nils , Pané-Farré Jan , Kiontke Stephan , Altegoer Florian , Freitag Johannes , Bange Gert
Published: February 2025

The biotrophic fungus Ustilago maydis, which causes smut disease in maize, secretes numerous proteins upon plant colonization. Some of them, termed effectors, help to evade plant defenses and manipulate cellular processes within the host. The function of many proteins specifically secreted during infection remains elusive. In this study, we biochemically characterized one such protein, UMAG_00027, that is highly expressed during plant infection. We show that UMAG_00027 is a secreted protein with a lectin-like fold and therefore term it Llp1 (lectin-like-protein 1). Llp1 decorated the fungal cell wall of cells grown in axenic culture or proliferating in planta, which is in agreement with its potential sugar-binding ability. We were unable to identify the precise sugar moieties that are bound by Llp1. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deletion of llp1 reveals that the gene is not essential for fungal virulence. A structural search shows the presence of several other lectin-like proteins in U. maydis that might compensate for the function of Llp1 in ∆llp1 mutants. We therefore speculate that Llp1 is part of a family of lectin-like proteins with redundant functions.
Residential Segregation and Accessibility: Exploring Inequalities in Urban Resources Access Among Social Groups
Authors: Benassi Federico , De Falco Antonio
Published: February 2025

Residential segregation refers to the spatial separation between two or more social groups in urban areas. Originating from scholars of the Chicago School, this topic has since consolidated over time within the fields of urban and sociological studies. In the European context, the growing social disparities and levels of segregation experienced by cities in recent years have renewed interest in the study of the spatial distribution of groups and urban inequalities at both macro and local levels. While not inherently negative, segregation can lead to the formation of urban areas with distinct social compositions and unequal distribution of resources and services. These factors can shape the opportunity/constraint structure of individuals, perpetuating and transmitting social inequalities. Therefore, based on their social position, population groups can experience varying access to urban resources. Some benefit from a range of services like mobility, health, and education, while others face challenges in accessing resources and opportunities, with consequences in terms of exclusion and social cohesion. Building on these premises, this work aimed to delve into urban inequalities by combining residential segregation analysis with spatial accessibility analysis to gain a more comprehensive understanding of how and to what extent the social composition of urban areas intersects with differentiated access to urban resources. To achieve this goal, the study relied on quantitative and spatial methods of analysis applied to the Italian municipality of Naples.
Transformations in Urban Human Settlements Within China’s Sustainable Development Innovation Demonstration Zones: A Case Study of Chenzhou City, Hunan Province, During Rapid Urbanization
Authors: Xu Bingxin , Wang Penglong , Wang Yichun , Wang Qinhua , Wang Bao , Zhao Xueyan , Miao Junxia , Gao Feng
Published: February 2025

The quality of urban human settlements (UHSs) directly affects the city’s livability and the well-being of its residents. Scientific monitoring and assessment of UHSs, their progress toward sustainable development, and impacts they experience from rapid urbanization can accelerate the implementation of the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the field of human settlements. This study focuses on Chenzhou City, an innovation demonstration zone for China’s Sustainable Development Agenda. It develops a sustainable development evaluation index based on SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and other relevant SDGs, with the objectives of residential stability, facilitated mobility, safety of residents, comfortable environment, and low-carbon development. The Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) methodology was utilized to assess the progress of sustainable development in Chenzhou City from 2015 to 2022, focusing on the evaluation of UHS indicators, targets, and sustainable development index (SDI) scores. The geographic detector techniques were employed to investigate the impact of new urbanization on the UHSs. The analysis found the following: (1) After the demonstration zone was established (2019–2022), the scores for the five goals and the SDI increased by over 50% compared to the pre-establishment period (2015–2018), with a highly significant difference between the two periods. (2) Among the 35 indicators measured, the proportion of those that reached or nearly reached their targets increased from 57.1% in 2018 to 71.4% in 2022. As of 2022, there has been positive progress toward the goal of residential stability, while efforts toward the other four goals have made some progress but require further acceleration. (3) China’s new urbanization process had a notable impact on the SDI, with most influencing factors positively correlated with the SDI and the interactive effects of population, economic, social, and spatial urbanization factors demonstrate strong explanatory power. The findings provide decision-making support for the sustainable development of the demonstration zone’s UHSs and offer a reference for evaluating the sustainable development of UHSs in similar cities.
Research on High-Quality Urbanization Development and Optimization Pathways Based on the Coupling Coordination Perspective of “Population–Land–Economy–Environment”: A Case Study of Jiangsu Province, China
Authors: Huang Siyuan , Lin Yaoben
Published: February 2025

Urbanization is a key driver of economic and social development. But balancing economic growth with ecological protection remains a global challenge. This paper examines urbanization in Jiangsu Province, China, analyzing data from its 13 prefecture-level cities between 2008 and 2022, with a focus on the population, land, economy, and ecological dimensions. Using a coupling coordination model, we analyze the temporal and spatial evolution, coupling relationships, and optimization of urbanization in the province. The key findings of this study are as follows: (1) Population urbanization increased from 54.3% in 2008 to 74.42% in 2022, with significant regional disparities. (2) Land urbanization expanded, with built-up areas growing from 2905 km2 to 4920 km2, although the northern region still shows potential for further development. (3) Economic urbanization grew, with secondary and tertiary industries contributing 96% to GDP by 2022, highlighting regional economic disparities. (4) Environmental urbanization improved, with reductions in industrial emissions and 100% harmless treatment of municipal waste. (5) The degree of coupling coordination rose from 0.513 to 0.851, reflecting improved alignment across the four urbanization dimensions. However, disparities persist across cities, requiring tailored urbanization policies to enhance quality of life, land management, economic development, and ecological governance, thus promoting high-quality urbanization.
Lower-Extremity Muscle Strength Symmetry Assessment Through Isokinetic Dynamometry
Authors: Ren Yuanyuan , Zhou Sheng , Cheng Guangzhen , Tang Yueqin , Wang Guangge , Lu Aming
Published: February 2025

Objective: This study aimed to establish a dominant and non-dominant limb muscle strength evaluation model to evaluate the asymmetry of lower extremity muscle strength. Methods: The hip, knee, ankle flexors and extensors of 86 runners were evaluated separately in different contraction modes and at different movement speeds. A principal component analysis was used to establish a model for evaluating dominant and non-dominant lower extremity muscle strength and to comprehensively evaluate the asymmetry of lower extremity muscle strength. Results: Six main factors were present in both dominant and non-dominant indicators of lower extremity muscle strength, with dominant indicators of lower extremity muscle strength explaining 80.413% of the total variance and non-dominant indicators explaining 78.607% of the total variance. Conclusions: In a population of healthy male runners, there were differences in the symmetry of lower limbs in the comprehensive assessment model. The main contribution of the non-dominant side was the knee muscles, and the dominant side was the hip and knee muscles, so this difference should be considered in constructing future muscle strength evaluation models. It is critical to understanding the design and function of the human muscle system, and can reduce the number of meaningful tests we perform on diverse populations and help us reduce asymmetry.