bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vai trò của niềm tin trong mối quan hệ giữa ý định và hành vi tiêu dùng sản phẩm xanh: Nghiên cứu trường hợp xăng sinh học tại Việt Nam
Authors: Đỗ Thị Hồng Vân
Published: February 2024

Ngày nay, lĩnh vực “tiêu dùng xanh” đã và đang trở thành xu hướng chung ở nhiều quốc gia trên thế giới. Mục tiêu của nghiên cứu là tìm hiểu các yếu tố tác động đến ý định tiêu dùng sản phẩm xanh và hành vi mua xăng sinh học thực tế của người tiêu dùng Việt Nam tiếp cận dưới góc độ học thuyết về giá trị văn hóa. Nghiên cứu cũng làm rõ vai trò điều tiết của biến niềm tin trong mối quan hệ giữa ý định và hành vi mua sản phẩm xanh. Dữ liệu khảo sát được thu thập từ 378 người tiêu dùng bằng phương pháp lấy mẫu thuận tiện và sau đó được xử lý trên phần mềm SPSS 22.0. Kết quả nghiên cứu cho thấy yếu tố “chủ nghĩa tập thể” tác động có ý nghĩa thống kê lên hành vi tiêu dùng sản phẩm xanh; ngược lại yếu tố “chủ nghĩa cá nhân” không tác động lên hành vi tiêu dùng sản phẩm xanh. Yếu tố “niềm tin” cũng khẳng định vai trò điều tiết lên mối quan hệ giữa ý định tiêu dùng sản phẩm xanh và hành vi tiêu dùng xăng sinh học. Kết quả nghiên cứu hàm ý các khuyến nghị chính sách nhằm thúc đẩy hành vi tiêu dùng sản phẩm xanh giúp góp phần bảo vệ môi trường, đảm bảo sự phát triển bền vững của đất nước.
Results of Preclinical Studies of 4-(2-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-oxoethyl)-1-(thietane-3-yl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-4-th Bromide in Relation to the Hemostasis System in vivo
Authors: Wang Y. , Bulatova N. R. , Klen E. E. , Rozit G. A. , Nikitina I. L. , Smolyarchuk E. A. , Zavadich K. A. , Krylova I. D. , Samorodov A. V.
Published: February 2024

Introduction. A characteristic manifestation of vascular brain damage is depressive disorders that accompany both acute and chronic disorders of cerebral circulation. Depression not only reduces the patient's quality of life, but also complicates the treatment of basic vascular disease, increases the risk of stroke and death. Therefore, complex therapy of vascular depression includes not only antidepressants, but also basic means to correct the consequences of disorders of cerebral blood flow, including with antiplatelet activity. In this regard, the development of a new molecule based on thietane-containing heterocycles, combining the properties of an antidepressant and an antiplatelet agent.

Aim. To conduct a preclinical evaluation of 4-(2-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-oxoethyl)-1-(thietane-3-yl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-4 bromide when administered to rats.

Materials and methods. A study was conducted of the effect of 4-(2-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-oxoethyl)-1-(thietan-3-yl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-4-bromide on the hemostasis system during intravenous and intragastric administration to healthy white non-linear sexually mature male rats (n = 160). Thromboelastography was performed on a TEG 5000 device, activated with a 0.2 M solution of calcium chloride, Born aggregometry and standard clotting tests to assess the coagulation component of hemostasis.

Result and discussion. The findings show that 4-(2-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-oxoethyl)-1-(thietane-3-yl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-4-th bromide with peroral administration exceeded acetylsalicylic acid by 2.8 times in terms of ED50, and by 1.8 times with intravenous way of administration accordingly. A similar effect of pentoxifylline in the intravenous route of administration was recorded at a concentration of 27.8 mg/kg versus 12.4 mg/kg of compound I. The results of a complex method to assess the state of the hemostasis system indicate a more pronounced antiaggregational effect of compound I compared with pentoxifylline and acetylsalicylic acid.

Conclusion. Preclinical studies of 4-(2-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-oxoethyl)-1-(thietane-3-yl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-4 bromide, was demonstrated that a combination of antidepressant and antiplatelet activity, which can serve as a basis for further drug development.
“Ignoring” to “Autonomous” Participation: Narratives of a Participatory Action Researcher
Authors: Pant Binod Prasad , Luitel Bal Chandra , Gjøtterud Sigrid , Bjønness Birgitte
Published: February 2024

This paper examines different layers of participation while conducting Participatory Action Research (PAR). In the journey of three years of fieldwork with teachers, many realizations were made about becoming co-researchers and engaging in a collaborative knowledge-building process for developing an engaged pedagogical approach. The paper had two purposes: a) exploring the different layers of participation in PAR, and b) documenting the lead researcher’s continuous professional learning in understanding PAR. The lead researcher proposed “ignoring” to “autonomous” participation as levels. The lead researcher also changed from overly influencing roles on PAR to accepting co-researchers' voices and respecting their efforts for sustainable change.
Addressing the Subjugation of Knowledge in Educational Settings through Structuration of Teacher Research
Authors: Edwards Will , Kalan Amir
Published: February 2024

Building on critical sociological models and action research traditions, our work theorizes a structurated model of action research to address the subjugation of knowledge within educational settings. We focus on the interplay between structure and agency and how these dimensions can co-evolve in teacher research. In this article, we examine how teachers and researchers engaged in collaborative inquiry communities inhabit a complicated role within educational structures. The authors outline and detail rich cases that illustrate the dense particulars of knowledge subjugation within educational structures—these range from the denigration of immigrant students’ credentials to the suppression of indigenous languages. The testimonies of practitioners and students are presented to underscore the inchoate and contradictory conditions that inform educational systems and the meaningful alternative practices that might contravene inequitable structures. The possibilities for recognizing the corrosive mechanisms of knowledge subjugation potentiate resistant parallel structures that invite meaningful inquiry-based methods.
Bacterial and viral co-infections in aquaculture under climate warming: co-evolutionary implications, diagnosis, and treatment
Authors: Vega-Heredia S , Giffard-Mena I , Reverter M
Published: February 2024

Climate change and the associated environmental temperature fluctuations are contributing to increases in the frequency and severity of disease outbreaks in both wild and farmed aquatic species. This has a significant impact on biodiversity and also puts global food production systems, such as aquaculture, at risk. Most infections are the result of complex interactions between multiple pathogens, and understanding these interactions and their co-evolutionary mechanisms is crucial for developing effective diagnosis and control strategies. In this review, we discuss current knowledge on bacteria-bacteria, virus-virus, and bacterial and viral co-infections in aquaculture as well as their co-evolution in the context of global warming. We also propose a framework and different novel methods (e.g. advanced molecular tools such as digital PCR and next-generation sequencing) to (1) precisely identify overlooked co-infections, (2) gain an understanding of the co-infection dynamics and mechanisms by knowing species interactions, and (3) facilitate the development multi-pathogen preventive measures such as polyvalent vaccines. As aquaculture disease outbreaks are forecasted to increase both due to the intensification of practices to meet the protein demand of the increasing global population and as a result of global warming, understanding and treating co-infections in aquatic species has important implications for global food security and the economy.
Thick as Thieves: Mothers, Gypsies, & Criminals in Enola Holmes’ Victorian England
Authors: Basu Manisha
Published: February 2024

In her 2006 Young Adult novel, The Case of the Missing Marquess, Nancy Springer narrativises Enola Holmes as Sherlock Holmes’ intrepid and extraordinarily intelligent sister, a young woman with the ability to challenge even that great detective's iconic deductive abilities. I suggest that this overtly feminist impulse in rewriting the Victorian world of Conan Doyle is supplemented in Springer's novel with a nod toward the politics of intersectionality which attends to the ways in which gendered, class-based, and racialised identities become relational in an axiomatics of capitalist-colonialism. Particularly in conversation with Conan Doyle's 1892 short story, ‘The Adventure of the Speckled Band’, Springer's narrative takes a meta-critical neo-Victorian stance in encouraging its young audience to do three important things: first, mine the subtext of Conan Doyle's detective fiction for the broad anxieties it points to in imperial Victorian culture; second, probe the conditions of colonial commerce under which identities based in gender, race, and class differentials intersect with one another; and third, ask how to develop a decolonial praxis that in exposing such intersections, can avoid isolationist critical proclivities, and embrace instead a transnational and comparative sensibility of reading that is alive to at once specific and interrelated disempowerments.
Aportes del pensamiento complejo y de las ciencias de la complejidad frente a la incertidumbre de los sistemas sociales y jurídicos
Authors: Benítez Jorge
Published: February 2024

El derecho, mal concebido desde un inicio como un sistema simple juega un rol necesario dentro de las sociedades, pero no suficiente. De ahí la importancia de complejizar el derecho y de esta forma ayude a exaltar, posibilitar y gratificar la vida. Para este objetivo, en este capítulo se reflexiona sobre nuevos métodos, enfoques, conceptos o teorías vinculados con los sistemas, fenómenos y comportamientos complejos, y el tratamiento y comprensión ofrecidos desde el paradigma del pensamiento complejo y el de las ciencias de la complejidad, y sus rasgos de contradicción e incertidumbre.
Postmodernidad, complejidad y placer estético-emotivo. Reflexiones sobre Edgar Morin
Authors: Arévalo Benito Héctor
Published: February 2024

Partiendo del análisis del concepto de postmodernidad en sus posibles orígenes en el siglo XIX, se presentan ya algunos de los temas fundamentales contemporáneos, especialmente en lo referido a la relación razón/sociedad. Enfrentando este concepto central del pensamiento y la vida contemporáneos con las etapas y algunos elementos relevantes con los que se conforma la idea de complejidad, se pretende en este trabajo pensar los conceptos morinianos como una vía para salvar los abismos y rupturas abiertos por la sospecha y la posmodernidad, recalando asimismo en una propuesta estética de corte kantiano.
Algunos apuntes sobre la contribución del pensamiento de Edgar Morin para un Nuevo Humanismo y unas Nuevas Humanidades
Authors: Fernández Mora Vicente de Jesús
Published: February 2024

En este texto se pretende interpretar buena parte del trabajo de Edgar Morin como una apuesta encaminada a repensar, sobre las ruinas de la filosofía de la sospecha, las condiciones de posibilidad del sujeto y de su responsabilidad en la construcción de su futuro. Sería este un Nuevo humanismo que responde a los desafíos de la globalización desde un pensamiento ecologizado arraigado en sus determinaciones bio-ecológicas y se construye sobre los restos de las propuestas ya a todas luces insuficientes del reduccionismo dualista cartesiano de la ciencia clásica y de la moda deconstructiva deslegitimadora de toda fundación paradigmática.
P. G. Patmore’s view of Romanticism through the parody of literary reviews in "Rejected Articles" (1826)
Authors: Ramos Ramos María Rocío
Published: February 2024

Este estudio ofrece la visión del ensayista Peter George Patmore sobre el Romanticismo a través de la parodia a reseñas en Rejected Articles (1826), una obra esencial para entender un Romanticismo paralelo al canon más tradicional. Partiendo de una introducción contextual del autor y la obra, se centra metodológicamente en la discusión sobre la naturaleza y estrategias paródicas de la obra. El resultado muestra una mejor comprensión del desarrollo de la crítica literaria romántica del momento, y una visión del Romanticismo poco convencional en torno a los procesos de publicación de la época. Asimismo, se logra un retrato indirecto y original de estereotipos de importantes escritores románticos, a merced del mercado editorial, demostrando así la necesidad de recuperar el valor crítico y literario de la obra de Patmore.
Prevalence of circulating antibodies against hemagglutinin of influenza viruses in epidemic season 2021/2022 in Poland
Authors: Kondratiuk Katarzyna , Hallmann Ewelina , Szymański Karol , Łuniewska Katarzyna , Poznańska Anna , Brydak Lidia B.
Published: February 2024

The aim of the study was to determine the level of anti-hemagglutinin antibodies in the serum of patients during the 2021/2022 epidemic season in Poland. A total of 700 sera samples were tested, divided according to the age of the patients into 7 age groups: 0–4 years of age, 5–9 years of age, 10–14 years of age, 15–25 years of age, 26–44 years of age, 45–64 years of age and ≥65 years of age, 100 samples were collected from each age group. Anti-hemagglutinin antibody levels was determined using the haemagglutination inhibition assay (OZHA). The results obtained confirm the presence of anti-hemagglutinin antibodies for the antigens A/Victoria/2570/2019 (H1N1) pdm09, A/Cambodia/e0826360/2020 (H3N2), B/Washington/02/2019 and B/Phuket/3073/2013 recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) for the 2021/2022 epidemic season. The analysis of the results shows differences in the levels of individual anti-hemagglutinin antibodies in the considered age groups. In view of very low percentage of the vaccinated population in Poland, which was 6.90% in the 2021/2022 epidemic season, the results obtained in the study would have to be interpreted as the immune system response in patients after a previous influenza virus infection.
Lable-free aptamer portable colorimetric smartphone for gliadin detection in food
Authors: Qin Yadi , Zhang Sicheng , Qian Jie , Meng Fanxing , Yao Jun , Zhang Minwei
Published: February 2024

For individuals with celiac disease (CD), the current clinical therapy option available is a lifelong gluten-free diet. Therefore, it is essential to swiftly and efficiently detect gluten in foods. A colorimetric sensor has been developed, which operates by regulating the aggregation and dispersion state of AuNPs induced by high concentration NaCl through the specific binding of gliadin and aptamer, thereby achieving rapid detection of gliadin in flour. It is found that the sensor exhibits good linearity in the concentration range of 0.67–10 μM and the LOD (3σ/S) is 12 nM. And it can accurately distinguish various types of free-gliadin samples, with a spiked recovery rate of 85%–122.3%. To make the detection process more convenient, the colorimetric results of the biosensor were translated into RGB color-gamut parameters by a smartphone color-picking program for further analysis. Gliadin can still be accurately quantified with the established smartphone platform, and a correlation coefficient of 0.988 was found. The proposed portable smartphone aptamer colorimetric sensing device has achieved satisfactory results in the rapid detection of gliadin in food.
Lung lymphatic endothelial cells undergo inflammatory and prothrombotic changes in a model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Trivedi Anjali , Lu Tyler M. , Summers Barbara , Kim Kihwan , Rhee Alexander J. , Houghton Sean , Byers Derek E. , Lis Raphaël , Reed Hasina Outtz
Published: February 2024

The lymphatic vasculature regulates lung homeostasis through drainage of fluid and trafficking of immune cells and plays a key role in the response to lung injury in several disease states. We have previously shown that lymphatic dysfunction occurs early in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) caused by cigarette smoke (CS) and that this is associated with increased thrombin and fibrin clots in lung lymph. However, the direct effects of CS and thrombin on lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) in COPD are not entirely clear. Studies of the blood vasculature have shown that COPD is associated with increased thrombin after CS exposure that causes endothelial dysfunction characterized by changes in the expression of coagulation factors and leukocyte adhesion proteins. Here, we determined whether similar changes occur in LECs. We used an in vitro cell culture system and treated human lung microvascular lymphatic endothelial cells with cigarette smoke extract (CSE) and/or thrombin. We found that CSE treatment led to decreased fibrinolytic activity in LECs, which was associated with increased expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1). LECs treated with both CSE and thrombin together had a decreased expression of tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) and increased expression of adhesion molecules. RNA sequencing of lung LECs isolated from mice exposed to CS also showed upregulation of prothrombotic and inflammatory pathways at both acute and chronic exposure time points. Analysis of publicly available single-cell RNA sequencing of LECs as well as immunohistochemical staining of lung tissue from COPD patients supported these data and showed increased expression of inflammatory markers in LECs from COPD patients compared to those from controls. These studies suggest that in parallel with blood vessels, the lymphatic endothelium undergoes inflammatory changes associated with CS exposure and increased thrombin in COPD. Further research is needed to unravel the mechanisms by which these changes affect lymphatic function and drive tissue injury in COPD.
Advances in application of CRISPR-Cas13a system
Authors: Zhang Yue , Li Shengjun , Li Rongrong , Qiu Xu , Fan Tianyu , Wang Bin , Zhang Bei , Zhang Li
Published: February 2024

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPRs) and CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins serve as an adaptive immune system that safeguards prokaryotes and some of the viruses that infect prokaryotes from foreign nucleic acids (such as viruses and plasmids). The genomes of the majority of archaea and about half of all bacteria contain various CRISPR-Cas systems. CRISPR-Cas systems depend on CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs). They act as a navigation system to specifically cut and destroy foreign nucleic acids by recognizing invading foreign nucleic acids and binding Cas proteins. In this review, we provide a brief overview of the evolution and classification of the CRISPR-Cas system, focusing on the functions and applications of the CRISPR-Cas13a system. We describe the CRISPR-Cas13a system and discuss its RNA-directed ribonuclease function. Meanwhile, we briefly introduce the mechanism of action of the CRISPR-Cas13a system and summarize the applications of the CRISPR-Cas13a system in pathogen detection, eukaryotes, agriculture, biosensors, and human gene therapy. We are right understanding of CRISPR-Cas13a has been broadened, and the CRISPR-Cas13a system will be useful for developing new RNA targeting tools. Therefore, understanding the basic details of the structure, function, and biological characterization of CRISPR-Cas13a effector proteins is critical for optimizing RNA targeting tools.
Understanding genomic medicine for thoracic aortic disease through the lens of induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Singh Aminder A. , Shetty Deeti K. , Jacob Aishwarya G. , Bayraktar Semih , Sinha Sanjay
Published: February 2024

Thoracic aortic disease (TAD) is often silent until a life-threatening complication occurs. However, genetic information can inform both identification and treatment at an early stage. Indeed, a diagnosis is important for personalised surveillance and intervention plans, as well as cascade screening of family members. Currently, only 20% of heritable TAD patients have a causative mutation identified and, consequently, further advances in genetic coverage are required to define the remaining molecular landscape. The rapid expansion of next generation sequencing technologies is providing a huge resource of genetic data, but a critical issue remains in functionally validating these findings. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are patient-derived, reprogrammed cell lines which allow mechanistic insights, complex modelling of genetic disease and a platform to study aortic genetic variants. This review will address the need for iPSCs as a frontline diagnostic tool to evaluate variants identified by genomic discovery studies and explore their evolving role in biological insight through to drug discovery.
Temporal variability and site specificity of thermomechanical weathering in a temperate climate
Authors: Gage Henry J. M. , Nielsen Julia P. , Eyles Carolyn H.
Published: February 2024

Thermomechanical processes caused by short- and long-term temperature fluctuations are a prevalent weathering mechanism on exposed rock walls. While many authors have explored the potential for thermomechanical weathering in alpine and polar regions, few have examined the effects of seasonality on weathering in temperate climates. This is pertinent as seasonal climatic conditions may influence both short-term temperature oscillations which produce incipient fractures and diurnal-to annual-scale cycles which propagate pre-existing fractures via thermal fatigue. In this study, three rock outcrops located along the Niagara Escarpment in Hamilton, Canada were monitored to examine changes in the thermal regime at the rock surface and within pre-existing fractures over a 1-year period. Temperature was sampled in 1-min intervals, providing data at a fine temporal resolution. Our unique dataset demonstrates that the rock surface and fracture experience minute-scale temperature oscillations which magnify over time. Longer-term temperature cycles during the year are superimposed upon minute- and diurnal-scale fluctuations which likely augment weathering potential. This produces considerable thermal stress over the year which we estimate to be on the order of 18 GPa at the rock surface and 8 GPa in fractures. We also observed diurnal reversals of the temperature gradient between the rock surface and fracture which may further amplify crack propagation. Seasonality and site-specific characteristics interact to modify different components of the rockwall thermal regime. Vegetation shading has seasonal and diurnal-scale impacts on the temperature gradient between the surface and fracture, and the amplitude of daily warming and cooling cycles. Aspect has a stronger influence on minute-scale temperature oscillations. Estimates of diurnal thermal stress indicate that the thermomechanical weathering potential is seasonally variable, but highest in the spring. Our findings demonstrate that in a temperate climate, rockwall thermal regimes experience variability across the gradient of temporal scale with strong seasonal effects.
Sex differences and age-related changes in vertebral body volume and volumetric bone mineral density at the thoracolumbar spine using opportunistic QCT
Authors: Rühling Sebastian , Dittmann Jonas , Müller Tobias , Husseini Malek El , Bodden Jannis , Hernandez Petzsche Moritz R. , Löffler Maximilian T. , Sollmann Nico , Baum Thomas , Seifert-Klauss Vanadin , Wostrack Maria , Zimmer Claus , Kirschke Jan S.
Published: February 2024

Objectives

To quantitatively investigate the age- and sex-related longitudinal changes in trabecular volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) and vertebral body volume at the thoracolumbar spine in adults.

Methods

We retrospectively included 168 adults (mean age 58.7 ± 9.8 years, 51 women) who received ≥7 MDCT scans over a period of ≥6.5 years (mean follow-up 9.0 ± 2.1 years) for clinical reasons. Level-wise vBMD and vertebral body volume were extracted from 22720 thoracolumbar vertebrae using a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based framework with asynchronous calibration and correction of the contrast media phase. Human readers conducted semiquantitative assessment of fracture status and bony degenerations.

Results

In the 40-60 years age group, women had a significantly higher trabecular vBMD than men at all thoracolumbar levels (p<0.05 to p<0.001). Conversely, men, on average, had larger vertebrae with lower vBMD. This sex difference in vBMD did not persist in the 60-80 years age group. While the lumbar (T12-L5) vBMD slopes in women only showed a non-significant trend of accelerated decline with age, vertebrae T1-11 displayed a distinct pattern, with women demonstrating a significantly accelerated decline compared to men (p<0.01 to p<0.0001). Between baseline and last follow-up examinations, the vertebral body volume slightly increased in women (T1-12: 1.1 ± 1.0 cm3; L1-5: 1.0 ± 1.4 cm3) and men (T1-12: 1.2 ± 1.3 cm3; L1-5: 1.5 ± 1.6 cm3). After excluding vertebrae with bony degenerations, the residual increase was only small in women (T1-12: 0.6 ± 0.6 cm3; L1-5: 0.7 ± 0.7 cm3) and men (T1-12: 0.7 ± 0.6 cm3; L1-5: 1.2 ± 0.8 cm3). In non-degenerated vertebrae, the mean change in volume was <5% of the respective vertebral body volumes.

Conclusion

Sex differences in thoracolumbar vBMD were apparent before menopause, and disappeared after menopause, likely attributable to an accelerated and more profound vBMD decline in women at the thoracic spine. In patients without advanced spine degeneration, the overall volumetric changes in the vertebral body appeared subtle.
Community perspectives of flagship species: can conservation motivators mitigate human-wildlife conflict?
Authors: Xu Wanyun , Xu Lingxia , Cao Yuqi , Zheng Jiaoyang , Wang Yaling , Cheng Kun , Lee Chun-Hung , Dai Huxuan , Mei Sonamtso , Zong Cheng
Published: February 2024

Public perception of endangered species is crucial for successful management of community-based conservation and sustainability of national parks. By the method of choice experiment, our study evaluated conservation preferences and willingness to donate money for flagship and non-flagship species using a choice experiment with 409 residents living near the Lanstang river source of Sanjiangyuan National Park, China. We found that flagship species such as the Snow leopard (Pristine plateau) and White-lipped deer (Przewalskium albirostris) generated more conservation funds than non-flagship species. However, not all flagship species were accepted. Respondents disliked Tibetan brown bears (Ursus arctos pruinosus) due to direct human-wildlife conflicts such as bodily injury and property damage. Heterogeneity of preference was influenced by household income, religious beliefs, ethnicity, culture, and conservation awareness. Results can be used to establish a local community-participative framework by combining conservation motivations that alleviate human-wildlife conflict.
Neonicotinoid contamination in conservation areas affects bees more sharply than beetles
Authors: Tetlie Jonathan , Harmon-Threatt Alexandra
Published: February 2024

The neurotoxic insecticide class of neonicotinoids has become one of the most widely used groups of pesticides globally. Their long half-lives and high water solubility increase their potential to linger and affect numerous organisms long after application. A prominent concern associated with residual contamination is the negative impact that neonicotinoids can have on beneficial arthropods such as bees and certain groups of beetles. Many studies have looked at the effects neonicotinoids have on arthropod communities in lab settings; however, comparatively few studies have looked at these groups in neonicotinoid-contaminated restored prairie habitats. These habitats are often restored from or located near agriculture and are almost ubiquitously contaminated with neonicotinoids. Our one-year manipulated field study compared native bee nesting rates and beetle community assemblages between paired clothianidin-contaminated and non-contaminated restored prairie plots. Native bee nesting probability and nesting abundance increased by 46% and 172%, respectively, in sites contaminated with clothianidin. Conversely, we observed no significant differences in beetle family assemblages, abundance, or richness between clothianidin-contaminated and control sites. These results suggest that neonicotinoid contamination of natural habitats can have numerous environmental consequences for arthropods and that these effects are not always consistent between taxa. Understanding how neonicotinoid contamination affects beneficial groups such as bees and arthropod community assemblages is crucial for characterizing the risks these chemicals pose to ecologically imperative taxa.
A comprehensive review on Gossypium hirsutum resistance against cotton leaf curl virus
Authors: Nadeem Sahar , Riaz Ahmed Syed , Luqman Tahira , Tan Daniel K. Y. , Maryum Zahra , Akhtar Khalid Pervaiz , Muhy Ud Din Khan Sana , Tariq Muhammad Sayyam , Muhammad Nazar , Khan Muhammad Kashif Riaz , Liu Yongming
Published: February 2024

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutumL.) is a significant fiber crop. Being a major contributor to the textile industry requires continuous care and attention. Cotton is subjected to various biotic and abiotic constraints. Among these, biotic factors including cotton leaf curl virus (CLCuV) are dominant. CLCuV is a notorious disease of cotton and is acquired, carried, and transmitted by the whitefly (Bemisia tabaci). A cotton plant affected with CLCuV may show a wide range of symptoms such as yellowing of leaves, thickening of veins, upward or downward curling, formation of enations, and stunted growth. Though there are many efforts to protect the crop from CLCuV, long-term results are not yet obtained as CLCuV strains are capable of mutating and overcoming plant resistance. However, systemic-induced resistance using a gene-based approach remained effective until new virulent strains of CLCuV (like Cotton Leaf Curl Burewala Virus and others) came into existence. Disease control by biological means and the development of CLCuV-resistant cotton varieties are in progress. In this review, we first discussed in detail the evolution of cotton and CLCuV strains, the transmission mechanism of CLCuV, the genetic architecture of CLCuV vectors, and the use of pathogen and nonpathogen-based approaches to control CLCuD. Next, we delineate the uses of cutting-edge technologies like genome editing (with a special focus on CRISPR-Cas), next-generation technologies, and their application in cotton genomics and speed breeding to develop CLCuD resistant cotton germplasm in a short time. Finally, we delve into the current obstacles related to cotton genome editing and explore forthcoming pathways for enhancing precision in genome editing through the utilization of advanced genome editing technologies. These endeavors aim to enhance cotton’s resilience against CLCuD.
Frequency of IDH1 mutation in adult-type diffuse astrocytic gliomas in a tertiary hospital in Kenya
Authors: Gakinya Samuel , Mutuiri Anderson , Onyuma Timothy , Cheserem Beverly , Mogere Edwin
Published: February 2024

The 2021 WHO classification of gliomas has separated gliomas based on their IDH mutation status, reflecting differences in their pathogenesis and clinical characteristics. There is a paucity of data on the prevalence of IDH mutations in gliomas in this region. This study aimed to determine the frequency of the IDH1 mutation in adult-type diffuse astrocytic gliomas in a tertiary hospital in Kenya. Approximately half of the gliomas were positive for the IDH1 mutation, with a slight male predominance. Our study provides crucial insights into the frequency of IDH1 mutations in gliomas in Kenya.
Effects of intercropping teak with Alpinia katsumadai Hayata and Amomum longiligulare T.L. Wu on rhizosphere soil nutrients and bacterial community diversity, structure, and network
Authors: Xianbang Wang , Mingping Lin , Kunliang Li , Qiang Han , Dongkang Pan , Haibin Ma , Guihua Huang
Published: February 2024

Teak is a precious hardwood species in tropical and subtropical regions with a long growth cycle and slow economic returns. Intercropping medicinal plants is an effective method for obtaining early returns during the growth period of teak. However, currently, we lack sufficient knowledge about the impact of intercropping on the soil microenvironment, especially on rhizosphere soil bacterial communities. We selected two medicinal plants Alpinia katsumadai Hayata and Amomum longiligulare T.L. Wu, for an intercropping experiment with teak, and the non-intercropping teak forest area was used for comparison. By collecting soil rhizosphere samples and conducting 16S rDNA sequencing and property analysis, we aimed to investigate the influence of teak intercropping on soil microbial communities. The results showed that intercropping significantly improved soil nutrients contents, such as soil organic matter, soil total potassium and soil available nitrogen, and significantly altered bacterial community structure. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed that intercropping tightened the connections of the soil bacterial network and increased its complexity (by increasing the number of nodes and the proportion of positive edges). Teak intercropping with Amomum longiligulare T.L. Wu resulted in tighter network connections than teak intercropping with A. katsumadai Hayata. Changes in the soil bacterial community structure may related to environmental factors such as total potassium content and pH. These results demonstrated that the introduction of medicinal plants exerts a significant impact on the soil bacterial community of teak, fostering the enrichment of specific bacterial taxa (such as Firmicutes and Methylomirabilota), and makes the rhizosphere bacterial network denser and more complex. This study provides valuable insights for the management of teak plantations.
The two faces of microorganisms in traditional brewing and the implications for no- and low-alcohol beers
Authors: Roselli Giulia E. , Kerruish Daniel W. M. , Crow Matthew , Smart Katherine A. , Powell Chris D.
Published: February 2024

The production of alcoholic beverages is intrinsically linked to microbial activity. This is because microbes such as yeast are associated with the production of ethanol and key sensorial compounds that produce desirable qualities in fermented products. However, the brewing industry and other related sectors face a step-change in practice, primarily due to the growth in sales of no- and low-alcohol (NoLo) alternatives to traditional alcoholic products. Here we review the involvement of microbes across the brewing process, including both their positive contributions and their negative (spoilage) effects. We also discuss the opportunities for exploiting microbes for NoLo beer production, as well as the spoilage risks associated with these products. For the latter, we highlight differences in composition and process conditions between traditional and NoLo beers and discuss how these may impact the microbial ecosystem of each product stream in relation to microbiological stability and final beer quality.
Metastability indexes global changes in the dynamic working point of the brain following brain stimulation
Authors: Bapat Rishabh , Pathak Anagh , Banerjee Arpan
Published: February 2024

Several studies have shown that coordination among neural ensembles is a key to understand human cognition. A well charted path is to identify coordination states associated with cognitive functions from spectral changes in the oscillations of EEG or MEG. A growing number of studies suggest that the tendency to switch between coordination states, sculpts the dynamic repertoire of the brain and can be indexed by a measure known as metastability. In this article, we characterize perturbations in the metastability of global brain network dynamics following Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation that could quantify the duration for which information processing is altered. Thus allowing researchers to understand the network effects of brain stimulation, standardize stimulation protocols and design experimental tasks. We demonstrate the effect empirically using publicly available datasets and use a digital twin (a whole brain connectome model) to understand the dynamic principles that generate such observations. We observed a significant reduction in metastability, concurrent with an increase in coherence following single-pulse TMS reflecting the existence of a window where neural coordination is altered. The reduction in complexity was validated by an additional measure based on the Lempel-Ziv complexity of microstate labeled EEG data. Interestingly, higher frequencies in the EEG signal showed faster recovery in metastability than lower frequencies. The digital twin shed light on how the phase resetting introduced by the single-pulse TMS in local cortical networks can propagate globally, giving rise to changes in metastability and coherence.
Awareness and attitude among general dentists and orthodontists toward obstructive sleep apnea in children
Authors: Arcidiacono Luisa , Santagostini Antonio , Tagliaferri Sara , Ghezzi Benedetta , Manfredi Edoardo , Segù Marzia
Published: February 2024

Aim

This study aimed to investigate Italian dentists’ knowledge of and attitudes toward obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children.

Methods

An anonymous questionnaire was prepared using Google Forms and sent to dentists in Italy through private social platforms. The first part of the questionnaire contained basic demographic data questions, and the second part included items about pediatric OSA.

Results

A total of 125 responses were collected within 1 month. The interviews revealed gaps in undergraduate and post-graduate training on OSA, and consequently, low self-evaluation of knowledge and self-confidence in managing young patients with OSA. Dentists showed unfavorable attitudes and poor knowledge of the general findings, risk factors, and consequences of pediatric OSA but demonstrated good knowledge of the beneficial effects of rapid maxillary expansion. Orthodontists showed a more favorable attitude and better recognition of the craniofacial features associated with OSA. In addition, a comparison was made between dentists who had graduated more than 5 years ago and new graduates, and differences were found in undergraduate education, which was better for new graduates, and a small number of questions were better answered by experienced dentists.

Conclusion

This study showed a lack of knowledge about pediatric OSA and its management among Italian dentists, revealing the need to update the dentistry curriculum and organize educational interventions.
Video-electroencephalographic findings and clinical characteristics of bathing seizures in children
Authors: Kuang Xiaojun , Liao Hongmei , Fang Hongjun , Zhang Xiao , Wang Lijuan , Yang Liming , Wu Liwen
Published: February 2024

Objective

To explore the electroencephalogram (EEG) and clinical characteristics of childhood bathing epilepsy.

Methods

We conducted a prospective summary of the clinical data from 10 children with bathing epilepsy who were admitted to Hunan Children’s Hospital from April 2019 to November 2023 and analyzed their EEGs and clinical characteristics.

Results

Our 10 patients included eight males and two females, with seizure-onset ages ranging from 4 months and 20 days to 14 months. Nine cases showed normal intellectual development, and one case manifested delayed development. The Video-EEG (VEEG) findings showed that nine cases exhibited normal background with no interictal epileptic discharge. The seizures were characterized by lip cyanosis, tachycardia or bradycardia, weakness, paleness, and loss of consciousness. Ictal EEG revealed rhythmic fast waves, spike waves, spike-slow waves, or slow and sharp-wave activity over the temporal region (eight cases) or the occipital and temporal regions (one case), finally evolving into a delta rhythm that lasted for 57–201 s. These children exhibited no seizures after discontinuing bathing and were not administered antiseizure medication. The interictal EEG of one case reflected mild slow background and focal interictal epileptic discharge; and her semiology was eyes gazing to right, with clonic movements of the right face and lips, lip cyanosis, bradycardia, and impaired consciousness. Ictal EEG showed spike–wave and spike-slow-wave rhythms over the left central, parietal, and temporal regions; these then spread to the left hemisphere, lasting for approximately 104 s. This patient did not exhibit bathing seizures after stopping her bathing but later experienced frequent spontaneous and drug-resistant seizures. The interictal EEG background slowed down, while focal epileptic discharge increased. Her intellectual development was significantly delayed, and a novel pathogenic mutation in the SMC1A gene, c.298+2T>C, was detected. She was diagnosed with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy.

Conclusion

A majority of children with bathing epilepsy in our study showed focal autonomic seizures accompanied by impaired consciousness. Stopping bathing could control the seizures and showed a good prognosis. A few infants manifested a poor prognosis, and we posit that bathing seizure rarely constitute the early manifestations of developmental and epileptic encephalopathy. VEEG findings and clinical features can also indicate the prognosis.
DiMANI: diffusion MRI for anatomical nuclei imaging—Application for the direct visualization of thalamic subnuclei
Authors: Patriat Rémi , Palnitkar Tara , Chandrasekaran Jayashree , Sretavan Karianne , Braun Henry , Yacoub Essa , McGovern Robert A. , Aman Joshua , Cooper Scott E. , Vitek Jerrold L. , Harel Noam
Published: February 2024

The thalamus is a centrally located and heterogeneous brain structure that plays a critical role in various sensory, motor, and cognitive processes. However, visualizing the individual subnuclei of the thalamus using conventional MRI techniques is challenging. This difficulty has posed obstacles in targeting specific subnuclei for clinical interventions such as deep brain stimulation (DBS). In this paper, we present DiMANI, a novel method for directly visualizing the thalamic subnuclei using diffusion MRI (dMRI). The DiMANI contrast is computed by averaging, voxelwise, diffusion-weighted volumes enabling the direct distinction of thalamic subnuclei in individuals. We evaluated the reproducibility of DiMANI through multiple approaches. First, we utilized a unique dataset comprising 8 scans of a single participant collected over a 3-year period. Secondly, we quantitatively assessed manual segmentations of thalamic subnuclei for both intra-rater and inter-rater reliability. Thirdly, we qualitatively correlated DiMANI imaging data from several patients with Essential Tremor with the localization of implanted DBS electrodes and clinical observations. Lastly, we demonstrated that DiMANI can provide similar features at 3T and 7T MRI, using varying numbers of diffusion directions. Our results establish that DiMANI is a reproducible and clinically relevant method to directly visualize thalamic subnuclei. This has significant implications for the development of new DBS targets and the optimization of DBS therapy.
Hypothermia and temperature modulation for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH): pathophysiology and translational applications
Authors: Cadena Angel J. , Rincon Fred
Published: February 2024

Background

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) still poses a substantial challenge in clinical medicine because of the high morbidity and mortality rate that characterizes it. This review article expands into the complex pathophysiological processes underlying primary and secondary neuronal death following ICH. It explores the potential of therapeutic hypothermia as an intervention to mitigate these devastating effects.

Methods

A comprehensive literature review to gather relevant studies published between 2000 and 2023.

Discussion

Primary brain injury results from mechanical damage caused by the hematoma, leading to increased intracranial pressure and subsequent structural disruption. Secondary brain injury encompasses a cascade of events, including inflammation, oxidative stress, blood-brain barrier breakdown, cytotoxicity, and neuronal death. Initial surgical trials failed to demonstrate significant benefits, prompting a shift toward molecular mechanisms driving secondary brain injury as potential therapeutic targets. With promising preclinical outcomes, hypothermia has garnered attention, but clinical trials have yet to establish its definitive effectiveness. Localized hypothermia strategies are gaining interest due to their potential to minimize systemic complications and improve outcomes. Ongoing and forthcoming clinical trials seek to clarify the role of hypothermia in ICH management.

Conclusion

Therapeutic hypothermia offers a potential avenue for intervention by targeting the secondary injury mechanisms. The ongoing pursuit of optimized cooling protocols, localized cooling strategies, and rigorous clinical trials is crucial to unlocking the potential of hypothermia as a therapeutic tool for managing ICH and improving patient outcomes.
Automatic rehabilitation assessment method of upper limb motor function based on posture and distribution force
Authors: Bai Jing , Li Guocheng , Lu Xuanming , Wen Xiulan
Published: February 2024

The clinical rehabilitation assessment methods for hemiplegic upper limb motor function are often subjective, time-consuming, and non-uniform. This study proposes an automatic rehabilitation assessment method for upper limb motor function based on posture and distributed force measurements. Azure Kinect combined with MediaPipe was used to detect upper limb and hand movements, and the array distributed flexible thin film pressure sensor was employed to measure the distributed force of hand. This allowed for the automated measurement of 30 items within the Fugl-Meyer scale. Feature information was extracted separately from the affected and healthy sides, the feature ratios or deviation were then fed into a single/multiple fuzzy logic assessment model to determine the assessment score of each item. Finally, the total score of the hemiplegic upper limb motor function assessment was derived. Experiments were performed to evaluate the motor function of the subjects’ upper extremities. Bland-Altman plots of physician and system scores showed good agreement. The results of the automated assessment system were highly correlated with the clinical Fugl-Meyer total score (r = 0.99, p < 0.001). The experimental results state that this system can automatically assess the motor function of the affected upper limb by measuring the posture and force distribution.