bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inter- and intra-specific metal tolerance variation in ectomycorrhizal fungal Suillus species
Authors: Fletcher Jessica , Smith Alexander , Honan Amy , Leary William , Dabney Treya , Branco Sara
Published: March 2024

Soil metal contamination negatively affects fungal growth, metabolism, and reproduction, and can lead to death. However, some fungi have evolved metal tolerance and are able to live in contaminated soils. Species in the ectomycorrhizal genus Suillus from Europe and Asia display variation in metal tolerance, yet it is unknown whether this is a widespread trait in the genus and whether it occurs in North America. Here we investigate cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) tolerance in S. brevipes and S. tomentosus isolates collected from metal contaminated and non-contaminated sites in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. In line with previous findings for other Suillus species, we hypothesized 1) S. brevipes and S. tomentosus to display intra-specific metal tolerance variation, 2) Zn and Cd tolerance to be correlated to soil contamination, and 3) tolerant isolates to show lower metal tissue accumulation compared to sensitive isolates (due to increased metal exclusion). We found ample intra- and inter-specific Zn and Cd tolerance variation in both S. brevipes and S. tomentosus, but no correlation between soil metal content and tolerance. There was a negative correlation between tolerance level and Zn uptake, indicating an exclusion-based Zn tolerance strategy. Sensitive and tolerant isolates showed no difference in Cd accumulation, indicating that Cd tolerance in these species is likely not dependent on exclusion. Our study sets the groundwork for further investigation into the genetic basis of Suillus metal tolerance and whether and how it impacts pine mycorrhizal partners.
Long-term Effects of the COVID-19 Lockdown on Weight Status, Eating Habits, and Lifestyle Changes Related to School-aged Children in Bandar Abbas, Iran
Authors: Khamesan Behnaz , Khatibzade-Nasari Niloufar , Zare Shahram , Rostami-Gooran Narges , Baghestani Roya
Published: March 2024

Background
During the COVID-19 pandemic, school closures caused destructive changes in student weight status, eating habits, screen exposure, sleep patterns, psychological responses, and activity behaviors. Despite the end of the lockdown and reopening of schools, the long-term effects of quarantine on the lifestyle and weight status of children and adolescents remain unknown. On the other hand, there is a chance that these negative changes become more prominent during extended school holidays such as summer breaks. This study aimed to determine the long-term effects of the lockdown on the weight status and lifestyle of children and adolescents after the eighth wave of the disease in Iran.
Method
This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from April to May 2022. The target population comprises one hundred students aged between 10 and 16 years. Our study obtained students' weight and height data from records maintained by school principals or sports teachers before and after the quarantine period. The BMI z score (zBMI) was calculated for each time point. The researchers also provided a questionnaire to collect the students’ demographic and lifestyle status changes during school closures.
Results
We found that the zBMI increased significantly from − 0.02 ± 1.64 to 0.36 ± 1.12, and the statistics of the overweight and obese population increased by 3% during quarantine (P ≤ 0.05). These changes were more pronounced in males and students aged 14–16 years. We also found that eating habits, sleep time, sleep patterns, screen time, and physical activity had significant negative changes during quarantine, and a significant increase in zBMI was observed among students who experienced negative eating behaviors, altered sleep patterns, and decreased physical activity during school closures. Conclusion: As prolonged school closures due to the COVID-19 lockdown aggravated students’ health and lifestyle status, our findings can aid in proper planning to establish an appropriate framework for the diet, physical activity, and sleep quality of students during extended school closures.
Validity and reliability of the Hungarian version of the Pain Self-efficacy Questionnaire among women with endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain
Authors: Kovács-Szabó Zsófia , Makai Alexandra , Ács Pongrác , Hock Márta
Published: March 2024

Our study aimed to perform Hungarian cross-cultural adaptation and assess the reliability and validity of the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ) among women with chronic pelvic pain. The current study was conducted in Hungary among women aged 18–50 (34,39 ± 6,68 years). Besides PSEQ, the 36 Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF36), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) were used. We examined the reliability of the PSEQ-HU by applying internal consistency and test-retest evaluations. For construct validity of the PSEQ-HU we used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and for convergent validity Spearman rank correlation analysis was performed to assess the correlations between PSEQ-HU and SF-36, PCS, PSS and NRS. For discriminant validity two groups were created based on the NRS (0–4, 5–10). The results were analyzed via IBM SPSS version 28.0 software with a significance level of p < 0.05. 262 women took part in the study. Cronbach’s α was 0.966, the intraclass correlation coefficient values showed adequate reliability (ICC = 0.939. 95% CI 0.884–0.968) for the PSEQ-HU. Spearman correlation analysis showed significant correlations between pain-related self-efficacy and health-related quality of life, perceived stress levels and pain catastrophizing. We concluded that PSEQ is a reliable and valid measurement among Hungarian women endometriosis-related pelvic pain.
ClinicalTrials.gov registration: https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/prs/app/action/LoginUser?ts=1&cx=-jg9qo4
Unique protocol ID: 9534-PTE2023 NCT05863663
Can deep learning predict human intelligence from structural brain MRI?
Authors: Hussain Mohammad Arafat , LaMay Danielle , Grant Ellen , Ou Yangming
Published: March 2024

Can brain structure predict human intelligence? T1-weighted structural brain magnetic resonance images (sMRI) have been correlated with intelligence. However, the population-level association does not fully account for individual variability in intelligence. To address this, studies have emerged recently to predict individual subject’s intelligence or neurocognitive scores. However, they are mostly on predicting fluid intelligence (the ability to solve new problems). Studies are lacking to predict crystallized intelligence (the ability to accumulate knowledge) or general intelligence (fluid and crystallized intelligence combined). This study tests whether deep learning of sMRI can predict an individual subject’s verbal, comprehensive, and full-scale intelligence quotients (VIQ, PIQ, and FSIQ), which reflect fluid and crystallized intelligence. We performed a comprehensive set of 432 experiments, using different input image channels, six deep learning models, and two outcome settings, in 850 healthy and autistic subjects 6-64 years of age. Our findings indicate a statistically significant potential of T1-weighted sMRI in predicting intelligence, with a Pearson correlation exceeding 0.21 (p < 0.001). Interestingly, we observed that an increase in the complexity of deep learning models does not necessarily translate to higher accuracy in intelligence prediction. The interpretations of our 2D and 3D CNNs, based on GradCAM, align well with the Parieto-Frontal Integration Theory (P-FIT), reinforcing the theory’s suggestion that human intelligence is a result of interactions among various brain regions, including the occipital, temporal, parietal, and frontal lobes. These promising results invite further studies and open new questions in the field.
Early warning model of heavy metal accumulation and AN in the continuous cropping soils of cauliflower heart planting area in Ningxia - the changes in biomass of cauliflower heart
Authors: XU Lei , Li Haijun , Bi Xueting , Xu Jiaxin , Hou Xuanhui , Chen Qiwei , Gao Fucheng , Ye Lin , Mu Xiaoguo
Published: March 2024

In order to better evaluate the environmental safety of continuous cropping soil for Chinese lettuce heart in Ningxia. Five central lettuce heart planting areas in Ningxia were chosen to explore the relationship between soil heavy metals and alkali dissolved nitrogen (AN) and their effects on the growth of Chinese lettuce heart, with the accumulation of soil heavy metals as the research object. The results showed that no soil pollution was caused by the heavy metal accumulation in soil during a five-year continuous cultivation of vegetable hearts. Since the 6th year, the soil suffered mild heavy metal contamination, showing a decline in the biomass and quality of vegetable hearts. AN was significantly correlated with heavy metals and vegetable hearts (p ≤ 0.05). A model was established for AN and heavy metals to estimate that the maximum permissible cropping period is less than 6 years in Helan, Wuzhong and Guyuan as the vegetable heart planting areas, and is 9 years in Pingluo and Yongning, with the maximum threshold of 30 mg kg-1 at the time of severe AN deficiency as the criterion. In planting areas across Ningxia, the AN, TN, TC and TOC contents in soil showed a decreasing trend. Besides, when the content of heavy metals Mn and Zn reaches the alarming level, it signifies an extremely low level of soil fertility. In this circumstance, it is necessary to stop continuous cropping and apply C and N-containing fertilizers to maintain the AN above the minimum production capacity.
Diagnostic accuracy of low-dose double-input perfusion computed tomography in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary benign and malignant ground-glass nodules
Authors: Hu Xiaoyan , Gou Jie , Wang Lishan , Lin Wei , Li Wenbo , Yang Fan
Published: March 2024

This study aimed to evaluate the value of low-dose dual-input targeted perfusion computed tomography (CT) imaging in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant pulmonary ground-glass opacity nodules (GGOs).A prospective study was conducted of patients with GGOs who underwent CT perfusion imaging from January 2022 to October 2023. All nodules were confirmed by pathological analysis or disappeared during follow-up. The dual-input perfusion mode (pulmonary artery and bronchial artery) of the body perfusion software was used for postprocessing analysis to measure the perfusion parameters of the pulmonary GGOs. A total of 101 patients with pulmonary GGOs were enrolled in this study, including 43 benign and 58 malignant nodules. The dose length product of the CT perfusion scan was 348 mGy∙cm, which was < 75% of the diagnostic reference level of the chest CT plain scan (470 mGy∙cm). The effective radiation dose was 4.872 mSV. Blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV), mean transit time (MTT), and flow extraction product (FEP) were higher in the malignant nodules than in the benign nodules, with statistically significant differences (p < 0.05). The FEP had the highest accuracy for diagnosis of malignant nodules [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.821, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.735–0.908], followed by BV (AUV 0.713, 95% CI: 0.608–0.819), BF (AUC 0.688, 95% CI: 0.587–0.797), and MTT (AUC 0.616, 95% CI: 0.506–0.726). When the FEP was ≥ 19.12 mL/100 mL/min, the sensitivity was 91.5% and the specificity was 62.8%. For distinguishing between benign and malignant nodules, the AUC of the combination of BV and FEP was 0.816 (95% CI: 0.728–0.903), and the AUC of the combination of BF, BV, MTT, and FEP was 0.814 (95% CI: 0.729–0.900).Low-dose dual-input perfusion CT was very good at distinguishing between benign and malignant pulmonary GGOs, with FEP exhibiting the highest diagnostic capability.
Indole-3-Carbinol Alleviates Allergic Skin inflammation via Periostin/Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin Suppression in Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Kang Yun-Mi , Kim Hye-Min , Lee Minho , An Hyo-Jin
Published: March 2024

Background
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic multifactorial inflammatory skin disorder with a complex etiology. Despite its increasing prevalence, treatment of AD is still limited. Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) is found in cruciferous vegetables and is formed when these vegetables are cut, chewed, or cooked; it exerts diverse pharmacological activities.
Methods
HaCaT keratinocytes stimulated with tumor necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ mixture and NC/Nga mice stimulated with 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzen (DNCB) were used for AD models, in vitro and in vivo, respectively.
Results
The results showed that I3C reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), and periostin in in vitro model. Oral administration of I3C alleviated AD-like skin inflammatory symptoms, including serum IgE levels, epidermal thickening, inflammatory cell infiltration, transepidermal water loss, and scratching behavior. Moreover, I3C decreased the expression of TSLP and periostin and recovered the expression of skin barrier proteins by inhibiting the mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor-κB pathways in the skin of DNCB-induced AD mice.
Conclusions
I3C is suggested as a potential therapeutic alternative for the treatment of AD by repressing allergic inflammatory pathways.
A Hybrid Approach to Investigating Major Management Factors for Effective Highway Preventive Maintenance
Authors: Zhao Na , Liu Yijuan , Li Jianchang , Chen Huihua , Cheng Baoquan
Published: March 2024

Highway preventive maintenance (HPM) can help reduce the negative environmental impacts of transportation infrastructure by prolonging the life of existing infrastructure, reducing the need for costly and resource-intensive repairs and reconstruction, and improving the energy efficiency of pavement infrastructure. However, many transportation agencies struggle with low HPM management capacity. This paper aims to enhance HPM management effectiveness by identifying and evaluating the major management factors that impact HPM. The study conducted a literature review and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to identify the key HPM management factors. Social network analysis (SNA) was used to assess the importance of these factors, and a system dynamics (SD) model was developed to explore their influence laws. The research identified six dimensions of HPM management, including management system, management resource, management cognition, management decision, management technology, and external condition, along with 26 major management factors. The study found that key factors had a positive impact on HPM management, while hub factors were also critical. The study provides a comprehensive framework for identifying and evaluating the management factors that impact HPM, which can guide managers to develop effective HPM plans, improve the overall quality of highway maintenance, and form a sustainable transportation system.
Optimal Key Forwarding Strategy in QKD Behaviours
Authors: Popa Alin-Bogdan , Popescu Pantelimon George
Published: March 2024

Nowadays QKD plays a critical role in unconditionally-secure and quantum-safe key distribution. Commercially available QKDdevices are getting more popular for institutional and governmental national and international networks, but are expensive andoffer limited key rates. We provide a formalization of QKD-generated key forwarding and redistribution at the KMS level byextending the network graph of physical QKD links to the complete graph with logical links, and we investigate its application onthree practical scalable scenarios (all-to-all, one-to-all, one-to-one). We define a maximization goal for each scenario, andprovide a linear programming problem statement to compute the optimal redistribution. We perform an extensive analysis ofthe algorithm in terms of forwarding results and key consumption on simulated QKD networks and discuss the implications ofnetwork size and graph topology on the algorithm’s performance and complexity.
ERP Influence of Velocity Structure and Direction Cue on the Coincident-timing of Tennis Landing
Authors: xiaogang ma , shi bing
Published: March 2024

According to the classic research paradigm of Bassin Anticipation Timer (Bassin), a tennis ball Coincident-timing stimulus material with highly representative ecological validity is designed. To explore the behavioral and ERP characteristics of tennis players' landing synchronization timing under different speed structure and direction cues. The behavioral results show that the timing error of the slow condition is higher than that of the fast condition, and the timing error of the right drop point is higher than that of the middle and left drop point. ERP results showed that the right hemisphere parietal region, parietal occipital region and occipital region of P1 and P2 showed higher amplitude than that of the left hemisphere, and the latency of P1 in the right drop point of the fast group was later than that in the middle and left drop point, and later than that in the slow group. The amplitude of N1 and N2 components induced by the right drop point was higher than the left drop point, and the latency of the right and middle drop point of N1 was later than the left drop point. The amplitude of P3 induced by the left occipital region and parieto-occipital region was higher than the left and right points, and the amplitude of Po7 was higher than the left point. The incubation period of P3 in the middle and left drop point of fast group was higher than that in the right drop point, and that in the slow drop point of right drop point was higher than that in the fast group. The electrode amplitude in the parietal and parietal occipital regions of LPP components was higher than that in the frontal and central regions. The amplitude of the right frontal area, the middle, the left frontal area and the left parietal pillow area were the highest.
Conclusion: There is an inverted U-shaped relationship between speed stimulation and physiological arousal, and the direction level is closely related to motor expertise experience and dominant eye. The latency time of the parietal and parietal occipital regions and the suppression control of the central region of ERP components have great influence on the timing error between the speed groups. The timing errors in different directions showed the advantage of the right hemisphere cognitive processing in the early stage, and the difference of the amplitude was mainly reflected in the activation intensity of the parietal, parietal and occipital regions, while the advantage of the right hemisphere cognitive processing gradually weakened in the late stage.
Fostering Oral Health in Oncology: Bridging Awareness and Action
Authors: Alananzeh Ibrahim , Qawasmeh Khaled Al , Issa Wassem Al , Chacko Selva , George Ajesh
Published: March 2024

Background
This exploratory qualitative study adopted a constructivist approach to investigate the existing oral health care processes and requirements of oncology clinicians in the United Arab Emirates.
Methods
Nine clinicians and healthcare providers were selected using purposive sampling. One-on-one interviews were conducted to inform participants about the study, with written consent obtained after addressing their inquiries. These in-person interviews were transcribed and analyzed using thematic and a microanalysis approach, identifying themes and patterns to comprehend the impact of oral health in oncology care.
Results
Our study found that healthcare providers in oncology care were well-versed in oral health and its significance for cancer patients. They felt confident in addressing oral health issues as part of their patient care responsibilities. Barriers, including limited resources and financial constraints, occasionally hindered access to dental care. However, these providers emphasized the importance of oral health promotion within oncology. They recommended increased availability of resources and a greater role for non-dental healthcare providers in enhancing oral health awareness and care for cancer patients.
Conclusions
The study underscores the critical role of oral health in oncology care and the importance of education, awareness, and interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance patient outcomes. Addressing barriers related to awareness, education, and resource constraints is vital to providing comprehensive oral health care. Moreover, specialized nurse practitioners focusing on oral health may play a pivotal role in improving patient outcomes by delivering dedicated oral care and patient education.
Effect of medication on the rostrolateral prefrontal oxygenation and thalamic volume asymmetry in youths with ADHD
Authors: Kim Hyuna , Kang Da Hyun , Jang Young Hun , Ahn Ja-Hye , Sojin Won , Lee Hyun Ju , Kim Johanna Inhyang
Published: March 2024

Symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are associated with impaired executive functions. Some functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies on medication effects have provided positive evidence of neuroactivation patterns in children with ADHD; however, they should be extended to functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)-based examination of the neuropharmacological effects of medication. We investigated the differences in brain hemodynamic activity between 23 children with ADHD taking medication and 22 children who were not taking medication. Compared with the medicated ADHD group, the unmedicated ADHD group showed significantly reduced activation in the left rostrolateral prefrontal cortex (channel 9, p = 0.01; channel 13, p = 0.02) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (channel 14, p = 0.01). The unmedicated ADHD group exhibited a negative correlation between oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO) and symptom scores, while the ADHD with medication group exhibited a positive correlation. Moreover, the abnormal asymmetry of the thalamic volume was reduced in children with ADHD receiving medication compared to those not receiving medication (p = 0.02). Current findings suggest that left rostrolateral prefrontal activation and reduced thalamic asymmetry are important for inhibitory control, and that the activity of this region is restored by ADHD medication.
Electronic structure and spin dynamics of the metal-organic-framework kagome spin liquid Cu3(HOTP)2
Authors: Pratt Francis , Lopez-Alcala Diego , Garcia-Lopez Victor , Clemente-Leon Miguel , Baldovi Jose , Coronado Eugenio
Published: March 2024

The metal-organic-framework (MOF) compound Cu$_3$(HOTP)$_2$ is a small-gap semiconductor containing a kagome lattice of antiferromagnetically coupled $S$=1/2 Cu$^\mathrm{II}$ spins with exchange coupling of order 2 K.
First principles spin-polarized DFT+U electronic structure calculations obtain an in-plane nearest-neighbour exchange coupling that matches experiment.
Muon spin relaxation confirms no magnetic ordering down to 50~mK and sees spin fluctuations diffusing on a 2D lattice, consistent with a quantum spin liquid (QSL) ground state.
Reduction of the diffusion rate on cooling from the paramagnetic region to the low temperature QSL region is assigned to the effects of quantum entanglement.
Combined analysis of the spin diffusion, magnetic susceptibility and specific heat in the QSL region suggests close proximity to a quantum critical point and a large density of low energy spin-less electronic excitations.
A Z$_2$-linear Dirac model for the spin excitations of the QSL is found to provide the best overall consistency with experiment.
Unveiling Mechanisms and Onset Threshold of Humping in High-Speed Laser Welding
Authors: Li Jingjing , Lai Zen-Hao , Xu Siguang , Clark Samuel , Fezzaa Kamel
Published: March 2024

The fabrication of fuel cells relies on a rapid laser welding process. However, challenges arise with the occurrence of humping when the welding speed surpasses a critical threshold, which poses difficulties in achieving a smooth surface finish and a consistent weld strength. This study aims to elucidate the mechanisms behind humping by analyzing the morphology of molten pool and the characteristics of melt flow at varying welding speeds via in situ synchrotron high-speed X-ray imaging and computational fluid dynamics simulations. Our findings indicate that the short keyhole rear wall, the high backward melt velocity, and the prolonged tail of molten pool are the primary factors contributing to the onset of humping. Furthermore, a dimensionless humping index (π_h) was introduced, which successfully captured the onset threshold of humping across different literatures. This index not only provides a quantitative description of the humping formation tendency but also serves as a valuable tool for optimizing the laser welding process.
Diagnostic agreement between emergency medical service and emergency department physicians, a prospective multicentre study
Authors: Veldhuis Lars I. , Gouma Patrick , Ludikhuize Jeroen , Nanayakkara Prabath
Published: March 2024

Introduction
Early and adequate preliminary diagnosis reduce emergency department (ED) and hospital stay, and may reduce mortality. Several studies demonstrated adequate preliminary diagnosis as stated by emergency medical services (EMS) ranging between 61-77%. Dutch EMS are highly trained, but performance of stating adequate preliminary diagnosis remains unknown.
Methods
This prospective observational study included 781 patients (>18years), who arrived in the emergency department (ED) by ambulance in two academic hospitals. For each patient, the diagnosis as stated by EMS and the ED physician was obtained and compared. Diagnosis was categorized based on the International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision.
Results
The overall diagnostic agreement was 79% [95%-CI: 76-82%]. Agreement was high for traumatic injuries (94%), neurological emergencies (90%), infectious diseases (84%), cardiovascular (78%), moderate for mental and drug related (71%), gastrointestinal (70%), and low for endocrine and metabolic (50%), and acute internal emergencies (41%). There is no correlation between 28-day mortality, the need for ICU admission or the need for hospital admission with an adequate preliminary diagnosis.
Conclusion
In the Netherlands, the extent of agreement between EMS diagnosis and ED discharge diagnosis varies between categories. Accuracy is high in diseases with specific observations, e.g., neurological failure, detectable injuries, and electrocardiographic abnormalities. Further studies should use these findings to improve patient outcome.
Influence of tibial plateau leveling osteotomy on strains placed on the patellar ligament: an ex vivo study in cranial cruciate deficient stifles
Authors: Bester Elizabeth G , Zeiler Gareth E , Stoltz George G , Oberholster Abraham J , Kitshoff Adriaan M
Published: March 2024

Background
Cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) disease is a frequent cause of pelvic limb lameness in dogs. Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) is a common surgical intervention but can result in postoperative patella desmitis. The underlying causes are not fully understood, but can involve increased strain on the patella ligament. The aim was to assess the impact of different tibial plateau angles (TPAs) post-TPLO on patellar ligament strain in CrCL-deficient stifles during weight-bearing stance.
Methods
Patellar ligament strain was measured using a 3D method of digital image correlation to calculate Green–Lagrange strain (unitless measure), specifically E33, to yield the axial strain. Twelve pelvic limbs harvested from seven previously owner-consented euthanized dogs (> 20 kg) without pelvic limb or girdle pathology were dissected out and fitted to a custom-built jig. The limbs were positioned to mimic a loadbearing standing animal and 120 Newtons of force were applied. Strain, change in strain, and percent change in strain were measured or calculated on pre-TPLO (intact and transected CrCL) and various post-TPLO TPAs. Data were compared using a linear mixed model and applying Dunnett method of multiple comparisons (control: pre-TPLO intact CrCL) where significance was interpreted at p < 0.05. The hypothesis was that patellar ligament strain would not differ across various TPAs compared to CrCL-intact stifles, simulating weight bearing at a standard standing angle.
Results
Post-TPLO TPAs of 0° (P = 0.019) and 5° (P = 0.031) increased in patellar strain compared to pre-TPLO intact CrCL constructs. However, the change in patellar ligament strain was only different at 0° (P = 0.047) TPA. Whereas the percent change in strain were different at -5° (P = 0.041), 0° (P = 0.013) and 5° (P = 0.026) TPAs compared to pre-TPLO intact CrCL construct. The median magnitude of percent change in strain were 35.1%, 37.0% and 79.0% for − 5°, 0° and 5°, respectively.
Conclusion
TPLO rotation angle influences patellar ligament strain. TPLO with a 10° TPA is less likely to cause patellar ligament strain, but further research is needed for short or long-term outcomes in a live animal canine model is warranted.
Environmental Control on the Productivity of a Heavily Fished Ecosystem
Authors: Cyr Frederic , Adamack Aaron , Bélanger David , Koen-Alonso Mariano , Mullowney Darrell , Murphy Hannah , Regular Paul , Pepin Pierre
Published: March 2024

Sustainable fisheries management requires an understanding of the links between environmental conditions and fish stock populations, especially in the context of climate change. From this perspective, identifying phases where ocean climate fluctuations and changes in ecosystem productivity coincide could provide a powerful tool to help inform fisheries management. Using more than 70 years of climate and fisheries data, this study shows that the Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) ecosystem productivity, from primary producers to piscivorous fish, changes in relative synchronicity with the climate of the northern hemisphere over decadal time scales. Such correspondence between the climate and lower and higher trophic levels has not been achieved previously in the Northwest Atlantic in the context of fisheries. This work advances ideas for incorporating environmental knowledge into fisheries management on the NL shelves, or in other regions facing similar dynamics.
Inter-relation Between Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension in Terms of Incidence and Prediction: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Alharbi Abdulhameed , Alharbi Alwaleed , Al-Dubai Sami
Published: March 2024

Background
Hypertension (HTN) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are interconnected metabolic disorders with escalating global incidence and prevalence. However, no longitudinal studies have specifically examined the incidence of HTN and T2DM in the same study population. This study aimed to elucidate the association between HTN and T2DM and ascertain their respective roles in the development of each other.
Methods
This retrospective cohort study encompassed 809 patients from primary healthcare centers in Al Madinah Al Munawarah, Saudi Arabia. The sample was stratified into three cohorts: 226 patients with HTN but without T2DM, 274 patients with T2DM but without HTN, and 309 patients devoid of both T2DM and HTN. Over a retrospective follow-up period of approximately 5 years, incidence density rates (IDR) were computed for HTN in the T2DM cohort, T2DM in the HTN cohort, and both HTN and T2DM in the control cohort. Multiple logistic regression analysis was employed to identify predictors of HTN and T2DM.
Results
The IDR of T2DM among patients with HTN stood at 73.9 (95% confidence interval [CI] 56, 92) per 1000 person-years, in contrast to 33.9 (95% CI 24, 44) per 1000 person-years in the control cohort (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 7.1, 95% CI 3.55, 14.13). Conversely, the IDR of HTN among patients with type-2 T2DM was 55.9 (95% CI 42, 70) per 1000 person-years, while in the control cohort, it was 20.8 (95% CI 13, 28) per 1000 person-years (adjusted OR = 5.8, 95% CI 3.11, 11.09). Significant predictors of HTN in the logistic regression model encompassed age, smoking status, family history of HTN, T2DM status, and body mass index (BMI). Similarly, significant predictors of T2DM in the logistic regression model included age, sex, family history of T2DM, HTN, and BMI.
Conclusion
This study unveils HTN and T2DM as mutually significant risk factors. The IDR of each condition in the presence of the other significantly exceeded that among individuals devoid of HTN or T2DM.
Optimization of a sensitive and reliable UPLC-MS/MS method to simultaneously quantify almonertinib and HAS-719 and its application to study the interaction with nicardipine
Authors: Chen Dongxin , Chen Jie , Shen Yuxin , Chen Xiaohai , Xia Hailun , Liu Ya-nan , Xu Ren-ai
Published: March 2024

Almonertinib, a novel third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was selected by the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology as a first-line therapy for EGFR T790M mutated non-small cell lung cancer in 2021. Almonertinib is primarily metabolized by CYP3A4, so it could interact with a variety of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4, leading to the changes of systemic exposure. For the purpose of this experiment, an ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) assay with accuracy and simplicity was optimized and fully validated for the simultaneous quantitative determination of almonertinib and its metabolite HAS-719, and drug-drug interactions (DDIs) between almonertinib and nicardipine in vivo and in vitro was researched. After one-step precipitation of protein with acetonitrile, chromatographic separations of almonaitinib, HAS-719 and gefitinib (internal standard, IS) were achieved by gradient elution with 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution and acetonitrile. Detection of analytes was achieved by MS/MS coupled with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) in the positive ion mode with ion transitions of m/z 526.01 → 72.04 for almonertinib, m/z 512.18 → 455.08 for HAS-719, and m/z 447.16 → 128.11 for IS. There was favorable linearity in the 0.5–200 ng/mL calibration range for almonertinib and 0.5–100 ng/mL for HAS-719. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) for both analytes were 0.5 ng/mL. The precision, accuracy, stability, matrix effect, and extraction recovery required for methodological validation were consistent with the requirements of FDA guideline. Then, the UPLC-MS/MS assay was employed successfully on the interactions of almonertinib and nicardipine in vivo and in vitro. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was 1.19 µM in rat liver microsomes (RLM), where nicardipine inhibited the metabolism of almonertinib with a mixed inhibitory mechanism. In pharmacokinetic experiments of rats, it was observed that nicardipine could significantly alter the pharmacokinetic profiles of almonertinib, including AUC(0−∞), AUC(0−t) and Cmax, but had no effect on the metabolism of HAS-719. According to the findings, it was indicated that nicardipine could inhibit the metabolism of almonertinib in vitro and in vivo.
Integrating bioinformatics and machine learning methods to analyze diagnostic biomarkers for HBV-induced HCC
Authors: Yang Anyin , Liu Jianping , Li Mengru , Zhang Hong , Zhang Xulei , Wu Lianping
Published: March 2024

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as a malignant tumor, is expected to become the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally by 2018. It is estimated that approximately 50–80% of HCC cases worldwide are caused by hepatitis b virus (HBV) infection, and other pathogenic factors have been shown to promote the development of HCC when coexisting with HBV. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of HBV-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-HCC) is crucial for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the disease. In this study, we analyzed the molecular mechanisms of HBV-induced HCC by combining bioinformatics and deep learning methods. Firstly, we collected a gene set related to HBV-HCC from the GEO database, performed differential analysis and WGCNA analysis to identify genes with abnormal expression in tumors and high relevance to tumors. We used three deep learning methods, Lasso, random forest, and SVM, to identify key genes RACGAP1, ECT2, and NDC80. By establishing a diagnostic model, we determined the accuracy of key genes in diagnosing HBV-HCC. In the training set, RACGAP1 (AUC: 0.976), ECT2 (AUC: 0.969), and NDC80 (AUC: 0.976) showed high accuracy. They also exhibited good accuracy in the validation set: RACGAP1 (AUC: 0.878), ECT2 (AUC: 0.731), and NDC80 (AUC: 0.915). The key genes were found to be highly expressed in liver cancer tissues compared to normal liver tissues, and survival analysis indicated that high expression of key genes was associated with poor prognosis in liver cancer patients. This suggests a close relationship between key genes RACGAP1, ECT2, and NDC80 and the occurrence and progression of HBV-HCC. Molecular docking results showed that the key genes could spontaneously bind to the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma drugs Lenvatinib, Regorafenib, and Sorafenib with strong binding activity. Therefore, ECT2, NDC80, and RACGAP1 may serve as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of HBV-HCC and as targets for the development of targeted therapeutic drugs.
The psychological capital questionnaire for newly licensed nurses: A validity and reliability study
Authors: Jin Man , Wang Jialin , Qian Rong , Yang Huawu , Huang Shuangying , Liao Min , Liu Xu , Liao Dan , Qi Shengwei
Published: March 2024

Background: Newly licensed nurses face great challenges after transitioning from classroom to workplace. As a positive psychological resource, psychological capital can maintain the mental health of nurses. However, there is no instrument dedicated to the psychological capital of new nurses.
Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of psychological capital questionnaire for nurses in newly licensed nurses.
Design: An exploratory, cross-sectional, and methodological design was performed.
Setting: Newly licensed nurses were recruited through convenience sampling from July to October 2023 in Chengdu city, China.
Participants: The study included 357 newly licensed nurses from five tertiary hospitals.
Methods: The general demographic questionnaire, Psychological Capital Questionnaire for Nurses, Utrecht Work Engagement Scale and Compassion Fatigue - Short Scale were used to investigate the newly licensed nurses. The reliability and validity of psychological capital questionnaire for nurses were verified by item analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, correlation test and other statistical methods.
Results: The questionnaire showed a 6-factor structure, namely confidence, hope, resiliency, collaboration communication, responsibility and emotional intelligence, and consisted of 30 items. Item analysis showed that all scores of items were normally distributed. In confirmatory factor analysis, the factor loading of each item ranged from 0.833 to 0.962. The fit indexes of the questionnaire were CMIN/df=3.711, NFI=0.922, IFI=0.941, TLI=0.933, CFI=0.941, RMSEA=0.087. Cronbach’ s alpha of the total scale and six sub-dimension were between 0.738 to 0.880. Besides, the test-retest correlation values of total score and dimensions were found range from 0.529 to 0.631 (P<0.01).
Conclusions: The psychological capital questionnaire for nurses was shown to be a valid and reliable measurement tool using in newly licensed nurses, which was worthy of popularization and next-step study.
Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of the Oxygenated Monoterpene Linalool in Alleviating Saline Stress Effects on Allium cepa L
Authors: Silva Jailson Renato de Lima , Santos Larisse Bernardino dos , Hassan Waseem , Kamdem Jean Paul , Duarte Antonia Eliene , Soufan Walid , Sabagh Ayman El , Ibrahim Mohammad
Published: March 2024

Sodium chloride (NaCl) can cause oxidative stress in plants, which represents a potential obstacle to the development of monocultures worldwide. Onion (Allium cepaL.) is a famous vegetable consumed and used in world cuisine. In the present study, we analyzed the influence of soil physicochemical profile and the remedial capacity of linalool on seed emergence, roots and leaf growth in onions subjected to salt stress, as well as itsin vivoandin vitroantioxidant potential, Fe2 + chelating activity and reducing power of Fe3+. The result of the soil analysis provided the relationship: S > Ca > K > Mg > Na. NaCl (150 mM) significantly reduced the Emergence Speed Index (ESI), leaf and root length, while increasing the peroxidation content. The length of leaves and roots significantly increased after treatment with linalool (300 and 500 µg/ml). Our data showed negative correlations between seed emergence and K + concentration, which was reversed after treatments. Linalool (500 µg/mL) significantly reduced oxidative stress, but increased Fe2 + concentration and did not show potential to reduce Fe3+. The in vivo antioxidant effect of linalool is thought to primarily result from an enzymatic activation process. This mechanism underscores its potential as a therapeutic agent for oxidative stress-related conditions. Further investigation into this process could unveil new avenues for antioxidant therapy.
Understanding what aspects of Parkinson’s Disease matter most to patients and families
Authors: Mammen Jennifer , Tyo Mirinda , Cadorette Joyce , Adams Jamie , Xiao Yuge , Stephenson Diane , Bale Claire
Published: March 2024

Background: Understanding what matters to people with Parkinson’s (PwP) and their family is essential to derive relevant clinical outcome measures and guide clinical care.
Objectives: To explore what is important to PwP vs. family over time.
Methods: A qualitative content-analysis of online survey data was conducted to identify types and frequencies of important symptoms and impacts of Parkinson's for PwP vs. family. Independent T-tests were used to identify significant between group differences for PwP vs. family at <2, 2-5, 6-10, 11-20, >20-year durations. ANOVA was used to assess for within group differences by disease duration.
Results: Symptom priority changed over time with disease duration for both groups. PwP identified movement-related symptoms (walking, bradykinesia) as the most bothersome at all durations (n=677), while family (n=103) more strongly prioritized physical and psychosocial impacts (e.g., mobility, safety, interpersonal interactions, independence, and family impact).
Conclusions: Important differences may exist between family and patient perspectives of what matters.
Key technology and application of surface well drainage of coalbed methane in mining area of high gas mine
Authors: Fu Junfui , Wen Guangcai , Zhang Bichuan , Sun Haitao , Li Rifu , Liu Jiaqi
Published: March 2024

The coalbed methane drainage with surface well, under the mining effects in a high gas coal mine has become increasingly important, especially for a complex region for the coalbed methane drainage. In contrast, due to the effects of coal mining, the surface wells are prone to deformation and damage. In this paper, a displacement and deformation model for the overlying strata was established. Three forms of deformation and failure of the surface well casing were proposed, such as shearing, stretching and uneven extrusion. Moreover, the mathematical model functions of “S” - type shear deformation, delamination tensile deformation and non-uniform extrusion for the surface well were established. In the ShanXi Coal Group YueCheng Mine, on the mining affected area surface well the coalbed methane drainage practice was conducted, producing a good coalbed methane drainage effect. YCCD-04 well without local protective device was deformed and damaged, and the dynamic deformation and failure process of surface well was detected by well imager; YCCD-02 well with local protective device has experienced mining and gas drainage effect is good, which verifies the effectiveness of local protective device. The YCCD-02 well coalbed methane drainage was 35 months in duration and the cumulative extraction of coalbed methane drainage volume was 1.3×107 m3. Simultaneously, the problem of gas control in the working face was solved, to ensure the safety of coal mining, achieving good social and economic effects.
Weak sectors and weak ties? Labour dependence and asymmetric positioning in GVCs
Authors: Cresti Lorenzo , Virgillito Maria Enrica
Published: March 2024

Focusing on labour requirements incorporated into GVCs, in the following, we develop a novel, non conventional measure of learning capabilities, represented by knowledge embodied along the division of labour within global production networks. In order to capture the division of labour, and the ensuing division of embodied knowledge, we move from monetary flows of production, or value-added embodied, to labour embodied in the I-O linkages. We focus on mature economies as offshoring has been particularly in place there. After constructing a new indicator ofBilateral Net Labour Dependence, we estimate its relationship with a measure of performance of industries, namely, labour productivity, seeking to challenge the established findings generally reporting a positive effect of GVCs participation for sector-level productivity. Our conjecture is that being in a weak position in terms of (net) labour provision results in an overall weakening of the capabilities of the loosing productive structure. We corroborate the conjecture with a panel analysis of OECD countries and industries for the time period 2000–2014.JEL classification codes: F16, F6, J24, L6, O14
Does preoperative sarcopenia in esophageal cancer affect short-term outcomes in patients with esophageal cancer?
Authors: Katayama Yoshimi , Noma Kazuhiro , Hamada Masanori , Senda Masuo , Ozaki Toshifumi
Published: March 2024

Purpose
Sarcopenia is a condition in which muscle mass decreases with age. With the aging of society, the number of cancer cases is increasing, as is the number of sarcopenia cases. Many studies have investigated the relationship between sarcopenia and postoperative survival in patients with cancer; however, the diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia varied among the studies. Using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 criteria to diagnose sarcopenia, this study investigated the impact of preoperative sarcopenia on the short-term outcomes of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
Methods
Ninety-two Japanese patients (73 men and 19 women) with ESCC who underwent radical esophagectomy were retrospectively reviewed. The association between sarcopenia and demographic, nutritional, and clinicopathologic factors was investigated. Survival was assessed via Kaplan–Meier analysis, and factors affecting overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival were identified via regression analysis.
Results
Patients with preoperative sarcopenia (n = 11) had a significantly lower body mass index and lost more blood during surgery than did patients without sarcopenia (n = 81). Age, sex, respiratory function, and nutritional status were not associated with sarcopenia. Recurrence rates did not differ between patients with vs. without sarcopenia, whereas deaths were significantly more frequent in patients with sarcopenia. Sarcopenia and higher pathological stage independently predicted worse OS.
Conclusions
Preoperative sarcopenia diagnosed according to the AWGS 2019 criteria negatively influences short-term outcomes in patients with ESCC.