bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An ALG12-CDG patient with a novel homozygous intronic mutation associated with low ALG12 mRNA
Authors: Vuillaumier-Barrot Sandrine , Dupré Thierry , Andriantsihoarana Tiffany , Desportes Vincent , Cheillan David , Moore Stuart E. H. , Chantret Isabelle
Published: February 2025

Background

Type I Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation (CDG-I) are inherited diseases presenting deficits in protein N-glycosylation involving either the biosynthesis of the lipid-linked oligosaccharide Glc3Man9GlcNAc2-PP-dolichol or transfer of its oligosaccharide to protein.

Results

We describe a patient harbouring hypoglycosylated transferrin, a characteristic of CDG-I. NGS revealed a homozygous RFT1 (c.16G > T p.Val6Leu) variant of unknown significance that is predicted to be benign. Metabolic radiolabelling of the patient’s fibroblasts did not reveal the accumulation of truncated Man5GlcNAc2-PP-dolichol expected of RFT1-CDG but rather an accumulation of Man7GlcNAc2-PP-dolichol, characteristic of ALG12-CDG. Revaluation of the NGS data revealed a homozygous (22_50311909A_G, c.-79 + 2 T > C) variant that modifies the second nucleotide of the first intron of the ALG12 gene upstream of the first coding exon (exon 2). Sequencing of ALG12 cDNA revealed a 4-base insertion between exon 1 and exon 2 suggesting a shift in mRNA splicing in this intron to a putative new GU donor site. The patient’s fibroblasts display 3% of control ALG12 mRNA levels.

Conclusion

This is the first description of a pathogenic intronic ALG12 variant upstream of the first coding exon. The modification of the splicing process between intron 1 and exon 2, the very low transcript level and the absence of other mutations in the patient's ALG12 gene lead us to conclude that this ALG12 variant is a predicted Loss of Function (pLOF) variant.
Molecular detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in field-collected Haemaphysalis larvae in the Republic of Korea
Authors: Ahn KyuSung , Alkathiri Badriah , Lee Seung-Hun , Lee Haeseung , Kwak Dongmi , Cho Yun Sang , Lee Hyang-Sim , Youn SoYoun , Yoo Mi-Sun , Kim Jaemyung , Shin SungShik
Published: February 2025

Background

Anaplasma spp., zoonotic tick-borne pathogens affecting livestock, companion animals, and humans, exhibits 15–18% seropositivity among hunting dogs in the Republic of Korea (South Korea). The dominant tick species in South Korea, Haemaphysalis longicornis, can transmit these pathogens to both humans and animals. Given the limited understanding of transovarial transmission of Anaplasma spp., our study aimed to assess the prevalence of questing larval ticks containing Anaplasma DNA. Additionally, we aimed to gather data for establishing a nationwide forecasting and alert system on seasonal variation of tick developmental stages and tick-borne zoonotic pathogens.

Methods

From March to October 2021 and again from March to October 2022, we collected a total of 36,912 unfed, questing ticks of Haemaphysalis spp. from 149 sites in South Korea. Ticks were collected from herbaceous vegetation using the flagging method using a white flannel cloth. After species identification, one-third of collected ticks underwent analysis for Anaplasma DNA. Nymph ticks were pooled in groups of 1–10 and larvae in groups of 1–50, while adults were examined individually. Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to detect the genus Anaplasma by amplifying the 16S rRNA gene, followed by sequencing for species identification and phylogenetic analysis.

Results

Of the 36,912 questing ticks collected, 13,082 (35.4%) were identified as nymphs and adults of H. longicornis and 3850 (10.4%) as those of Haemaphysalis flava. The morphologically indistinguishable larval stage of Haemaphysalis spp. predominated, with 19,980 (54.1%) collected primarily from July to October. From the 939 tick pools, 24 pools (2.6%) tested positive for Anaplasma, with the larval stage exhibiting the highest number of positive pools (16, 1.7%). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 21 of the 24 Anaplasma-positive pools contained A. phagocytophilum-specific genes, with 1 identified as Anaplasma sp. and the remaining 2 as A. bovis.

Conclusions

Our study provides evidence of transovarial transmission of A. phagocytophilum in Haemaphysalis spp. larvae under field conditions, showing that the bacteria are transmitted from mother ticks to unengorged, questing larvae. Additionally, our findings contribute significant data for establishing a nationwide forecasting and alert system on seasonal variation of tick developmental stages and tick-borne zoonotic pathogens.

Graphical Abstract
Lifestyle intervention to prevent type 2 diabetes after a pregnancy complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis update
Authors: Bracco Paula Andreghetto , Reichelt Angela Jacob , Alves Luísia Feichas , Vidor Pedro Rodrigues , Oppermann Maria Lúcia Rocha , Duncan Bruce Bartholow , Schmidt Maria Inês
Published: February 2025

Background

Women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at increased risk of type 2 diabetes, and lifestyle intervention (LSI) offered a decade after pregnancy is effective in preventing diabetes. However, since diabetes frequently onsets in the initial years following pregnancy, preventive actions should be implemented closer to pregnancy. We aimed to assess the effect of lifestyle interventions, compared to standard care, in reducing the incidence of diabetes following a pregnancy complicated by GDM.

Methods

We searched the Cochrane Library, Embase, MEDLINE, and Web of Science from inception to July 21, 2024, to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) testing LSI to prevent diabetes following gestational diabetes. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We evaluated the risk of bias with the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias tool RoB-2 and the certainty of the evidence with GRADE methodology. We used the DerSimonian-Laird random effects pooling method and evaluated heterogeneity with the I2 statistic and the Chi2 test.

Results

We identified 24 studies involving 9017 women. In studies without high risk of bias (18 studies; 8,357 women), LSI reduced the incidence of diabetes by 19% (RR = 0.81; 95%CI 0.71.0.93). The effect was significant and more protective (RR = 0.78; 0.65, 0.94) in studies evaluating women with GDM identified specifically as at a higher risk of diabetes, compared to those intervening on women with GDM irrespective of risk (RR = 0.85; 0.70, 1.04). Similarly, when expressed in absolute terms, the overall number needed to treat (NNT) was 56 considering all studies, 71 for women with GDM irrespective of risk, and 31 for women with GDM at high risk. The intervention produced a lower weight gain (mean difference=-0.88 kg;-1.52, -0.23 for all studies; -0.62 kg;-1.22, -0.02 for studies without high risk of bias). The effects were robust in sensitivity analyses and supported by evidence of moderate certainty for diabetes and weight change.

Conclusions

LSI offered to women with GDM following pregnancy is effective in preventing type 2 diabetes, despite the small postpartum weight change. The impact of LSI on incidence reduction was greater for women with GDM at a higher diabetes risk.

PROSPERO

Registration number CRD42024555086, Jun 28, 2024.
Unravelling physical and radiobiological effects of proton boron fusion reaction with anionic metallacarboranes ([o-COSAN]-) in breast cancer cells
Authors: Belchior Ana , Alves Bianca C. , Mendes Edgar , Megre Francisco , Alves Luís C. , Santos Pedro , Nishimura Kai , Nakamura Hiroyuki , Teixidor Francesc , Viñas Clara , Sampaio Jorge Miguel , Marques Fernanda , Pinheiro Teresa
Published: February 2025

Background

Protons, which are considered low-LET (Linear Energy Transfer) radiation, have an average RBE (relative biological effectiveness) of 1.1, with a range from 0.7 to 1.6. Thus, increasing biological effectiveness is of high interest in radiation oncology, and one way to enhance this is by using radiosensitizers. The present work investigates the effectiveness of the proton boron fusion reaction (PBFR) at the cellular level, using the sodium salt of metallacarborane [3,3’-Co(C2B9H11)2]− (Na[o-COSAN]) as the boron source, aiming to explore the potential of this type of boron clusters as a radiosensitizer for proton therapy. Therefore, the main goal was to test the hypothesis that loading the cells with boron will favour the PBFR at energies close to the Bragg peak. This would enhance the radiation-induced biological effects through the production of alpha-particles.

Results

MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells were used. Nuclear microscopy assessed [o-COSAN] uptake and distribution in single cells, while biodistribution was studied in tumor-bearing Balb/cSlc-nu/nu mice (MDA-MB-231 xenograft), with boron accumulation in target organs and tumor measured by ICP-OES. The cells were irradiated with a proton beam tuned to reach the PBFR resonance energy of 675 keV at the cell layer. DNA damage was assessed with the g-H2AX assay and cell survival with the clonogenic assay. Beam parameters and dose calibration curves using radiochromic films validated Monte Carlo dosimetry simulations. As expected, we observed higher biological damage in irradiated cells and the presence of [o-COSAN]− potentiated the damage. These results translate into a lower cellular viability, indicating that DNA damage imposed colonies smaller than their non-irradiated counterparts. This suggests that these damages either took longer time to be repaired or made the cells undergo less efficient survival mechanisms.

Conclusions

The radiosensitizing effect of [o-COSAN]− by strategic cellular 11B placement and proton irradiation intensifies the DNA damage, making the nucleus particularly susceptible and thus increasing the destructive capability of alpha-particles, generated in the nuclear fusion reaction, which may lead to increased cell mortality.
Synergistic antireflection and SERS enhancement in hybrid silicon nanowires by LIL and MACE
Authors: Saeed Sadaf , Zia Ali , Tariq Sana , Shakoor Umema , Liu Dongdong , Liu Ri , Cao Liang , Liao Changrui , Wang Zuobin
Published: February 2025

This paper presents an innovative approach to fabricating dual-functional hybrid silicon nanowire (SiNW) arrays that demonstrate antireflection and Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) potentials. Three-beam laser interference lithography (TBLIL) is used to create interference fringe patterns on a Si substrate, which serves as a template for subsequent NWs creation. Subsequently, metal-assisted chemical etching (MACE) selectively etched the substrate and stimulated the formation of SiNWs with various aspect ratios. The morphological and optical features of the hybrid SiNWs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), finite difference time domain (FDTD), and Raman spectroscopy. The resulting structured surface morphology effectively reduced the reflection losses at various wavelengths. The Raman spectra of rhodamine 6G (R6G) analytes at concentrations of 10–4 to 10–8 are examined, indicating that the Raman signals were significantly enhanced and had long-term stability and reliability. The Raman characteristic peaks of R6G were observed at 620, 1361, and 1660 cm−1, which are potentially useful in sensitive chemical sensors.
Experimental efficacy of vaccination of weaned piglets with a modified-live commercial PRRS virus vaccine against the challenge with a Spanish highly virulent PRRSV-1 strain
Authors: Cortey M. , Jiménez M. , Aguirre L. , Sánchez-Carvajal J. M. , Gómez-Laguna J. , Domingo-Carreño I. , Clilverd H. , Marcos M. , Menjon R. , Von Berg S. , Mateu E.
Published: February 2025

Background

In 2020, a highly virulent PRRSV-1 strain emerged in Spain and rapidly spread across the country. The purpose of the present study was to test in a piglet model whether a commercial PRRSV-1 modified live vaccine was able to confer protection against strain R1, a representative of the emerging clade. For that purpose, two groups of 26 piglets were either vaccinated intradermally or kept as controls; 42 days later, half of the animals in each group were intranasally challenged with the R1 strain. Then, animals were followed to assess the development of clinical signs (until 14 days post-challenge), lung lesions (10- and 35-days post-challenge), weight gains, viremia and nasal shedding and the immune response (anti PRRS virus nucleoprotein antibodies) by ELISA and virus specific-interferon-γ secreting cells by ELISPOT).

Results

Challenge of naïve pigs resulted in high fever (up to 41.9 °C), lethargy and severely retarded growth (0.748 kg/day). In contrast, vaccinated/challenged pigs had less fever and for a shorter period, lower clinical scores and a higher average daily weight gain (0.940 kg/day), comparable to the unchallenged animals. At 10 days-post challenge, in naïve animals on average 49.1% of the lung was pneumonic (range 8–81%) while in vaccinated animals the average was 15.7% (4–41%). Duration of viremia was reduced in vaccinated animals and after 14 days post-challenge, most were negative by RT-qPCR. In contrast, 50% of the naïve/challenged pigs remained viremic at 35 days post-challenge. Vaccination induced rapid seroconversion and challenge of naïve animals resulted in 100% of ELISA-positive pigs by day 14 post-challenge. Regarding the development of IFN-γ responses, for vaccinated animals the frequencies increased until day 35 post-vaccination. After challenge, in vaccinated pigs, the peak of the R1-specific IFN-γ response was reached at 14 days and then the viremia ceased, although nasal shedding persisted in some vaccinated animals.

Conclusions

In the present trial, vaccination resulted in improved clinical course, better weight gain and reduced viremia. At the peak of the infection, lung lesions were reduced in most animals although some individuals still had extensive pneumonia. In summary, vaccination was shown to provide partial but significant protection against the highly virulent R1 strain.
Beyond the surface: advanced wash-trading detection in decentralized NFT markets
Authors: Tošić Aleksandar , Vičič Jernej , Hrovatin Niki
Published: February 2025

Wash trading in decentralized markets remains a significant concern magnified by the pseudonymous and public nature of blockchains. In this paper, we introduce an innovative methodology designed to detect wash-trading activities beyond surface-level transactions. Our approach integrates NFT ownership traces with the Ethereum Transaction Network, encompassing the complete historical record of all Ethereum-account normal transactions. By analyzing both networks, our method offers a notable advancement over techniques proposed in existing research. We analyzed the wash-trading activity of 7 notable NFT collections. Our results show that wash trading in unregulated NFT markets is an underestimated concern and is much more widespread in terms of both frequency and volume. Excluding the Meebits collection, which emerged as an outlier, wash trading constitutes up to 24% of the total trading volume. Specifically, for the Meebits collection, 93% of the total trade volume was attributed to wash trading.
Wide-viewing-angle color holographic 3D display system with high brightness encoding
Authors: Zheng Yi-Wei , Chu Fan , Lin Fan-Chuan , Hu Yi-Xiao , Li Yi-Long , Zheng Yi , Wang Di , Wang Qiong-Hua
Published: February 2025

Holographic 3D display technology, widely considered the ultimate solution for real 3D display, has broad applications in fields including advertisement, industrial manufacturing and military. However, it is difficult to simultaneously realize color holographic 3D display with wide viewing angle and high brightness required for an immersive visual experience. Here, a novel holographic 3D display system based on a customized achromatic liquid crystal grating and a phase-only spatial light modulator is proposed. Thanks to the secondary diffraction performed by the achromatic liquid crystal grating, nine secondary diffraction images of red, green and blue channels overlap in space in time sequence. Additionally, a high brightness hologram encoding method is developed, which introduces a frequency loss function with dynamic weights to ensure that differences of all frequency components in the frequency domain can be learned. The proposed method dramatically enhances light energy utilization by a factor of five, resulting in significantly brighter reconstructed images while substantially attenuating background noise in non-target regions. This groundbreaking system, achieving a remarkable ~ 65° wide viewing angle with good image quality and high brightness, represents a significant advancement in holographic technology, offering a comprehensive solution for wide-viewing-angle, high-brightness, color 3D displays with potential applications across diverse technological domains.
Interrater reliability of the DSM-5 and ICD-11 Criterion A for PTSD and complex PTSD in parents of children with autism using the Life Events Checklist
Authors: Hinde Kylie , Hald Gert Martin , Hallford David , Lange Theis , Arendt Mikkel Christoffer Berg B. , Pavan Silvia , Austin David
Published: February 2025

Background

Parents of children with autisma demonstrate elevated traumatic stress symptoms, but seldom receive diagnoses of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or complex PTSD. An accurate assessment of Criterion A is essential for a valid diagnosis of these disorders, yet it is uncertain whether Criterion A, as defined by the two primary international diagnostic systems (DSM-5-TR and ICD-11), yields consistent interrater reliability, when psychologists rely solely on self-report from these parents for assessing PTSD or complex PTSD.

Aims

This study aims to investigate interrater reliability across psychologists when assessing Criterion A events against the ICD-11 and DSM-5-TR.

Method

Ten Australian psychologists rated parents’ self-reported traumatic events related to parenting, using the Life Events Checklist for DSM-5-TR and ICD-11 Criterion A. Data from 200 randomly selected parents of children, all meeting symptom thresholds for PTSD or complex PTSD, were analysed. Bootstrapping calculated kappa coefficients, differences between ICD-11 and DSM-5-TR criteria, and self-reports of threat/no threat, with 95% confidence intervals for these differences.

Results

Interrater reliability varied from poor to moderate. The ICD-11 had significantly higher reliability than the DSM-5-TR for Criterion A (κdifference = 0.105, 95% CI 0.052–0.153, P < 0.001). The interrater reliability was lower when parents reported life threat, serious injury or death (κdifference = 0.096, 95% CI 0.019–0.176, P = 0.007).

Conclusions

This study highlights challenges in assessing PTSD and complex PTSD Criterion A in parents of children with autism, using DSM-5-TR and ICD-11 criteria with the Life Events Checklist, revealing less than adequate interrater reliability.
Considerations in Neoadjuvant Therapy Implementation in T3 and T4 Colon Cancer
Authors: Pena Paola , Cui Anna , AlMasad Qusai , Sousa Aryana , Abdelfattah Thaer , Espat N. Joseph , Calvino Abdul S. , Somasundar Ponnandai , Kwon Steve
Published: February 2025

PURPOSE

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is increasingly being considered over standard upfront surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced colon cancer. Studies have been underpowered to look at the effect of NAC on overall survival (OS) in individual clinical T stages.

METHODS

A nationwide retrospective analysis using the National Cancer Database from 2010 to 2020 to evaluate patients with clinical stage T3-4, N0-2, M0 colon adenocarcinomas in line with the FOxTROT trial. Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the effect of NAC approach compared with upfront surgery on OS. Clinical and pathological T stages were compared among those who underwent upfront surgery to evaluate the accuracy of clinical T staging.

RESULTS

A total of 60,557 patients were identified—2,313 patients undergoing NAC and 58,245 undergoing upfront surgery. In the past decade, use of NAC increased from 1.73% to 12.13%. In our multivariable survival analysis combining clinical T3 and T4 patients, we observed a worse OS in the NAC group (hazard ratio [HR], 1.16 [95% CI, 1.07 to 1.26]). We found no OS benefit for patients undergoing NAC approach for clinical stage T3 (HR, 1.13 [95% CI, 0.99 to 1.28]) but found a significant OS benefit for patients undergoing NAC approach for clinical stage T4 (HR, 0.85 [95% CI, 0.77 to 0.95]).

DISCUSSION

Our analysis demonstrated OS benefit of the NAC approach in T4 colon adenocarcinoma but not in T3. This study highlights the importance of evaluating the survival benefit of NAC separately for T3 and T4 colon adenocarcinoma in future studies.
Nonequilibrium continuous transition in a fast rotating turbulence
Authors: Lohani Chandra Shekhar , Nayak Suraj Kumar , Seshasayanan Kannabiran , Shukla Vishwanath
Published: February 2025

We study the saturation of three-dimensional unstable perturbations on a fast rotating turbulent flow using direct numerical simulations (DNSs). We observe a transition from states dominated by coherent two-dimensional modes to states with three-dimensional variations (quasi-2D behavior), as the global rotation is varied, under the effect of Kolmogorov forcing. We find this transition akin to a critical phenomenon, wherein the order parameter scales with the distance to the critical point raised to an exponent. The exponent itself deviates from the predicted mean field value. Also, the nature of the fluctuations of the order parameter near the critical point indicate the presence of an on-off intermittency. The critical rotation rate at which the transition occurs exhibits a linear scaling behaviour with the forcing wave number. Linear stability analysis is used to verify the instability mechanisms and to find the linear threshold estimates; we find these to be in good agreement with the 3D nonlinear DNS results.
Mean total macular volume measurement using optical coherence tomography in already diagnosed primary open angle glaucoma patients
Authors: Hafiz Muhammad Ahmad  , Muhammad Younis Tahir  , Chaudhary Muhammad Ajmal , Razaullah Khan
Published: February 2025

Objective: To measure the mean total macular volume (MTMV) in primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients using optical coherence tomography (OCT).
Methods: This descriptive cross sectional study was carried out in the department of ophthalmology, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur from October 2021 to April 2022. A total of 30 patients with POAG, of either gender, between the ages of 20-60 years were included. Patients with secondary glaucoma, having previous intraocular surgery, patients with history of trauma, patients with high myopia and macular disease were excluded. After taking systemic and ophthalmic history, examination of anterior and posterior segments was carried out including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), central corneal thickness (CCT), gonioscopy, dilated fundus examination of optic nerve and retina, and 30-2° visual field (VF) analysis. OCT was carried out in each patient to measure RNFL thickness and MTMV.
Results: Mean age in our study was 45.50 ± 8.20 years. Majority of these patients 22 (73.33%) were between 41-60 years of age. Among these 30 patients, 20 (66.67%) were male and 10 (33.33%) were females with a male to female ratio of 2:1. MTMV in these POAG patients using OCT was 6.30 ± 1.09 mm3.
Conclusion: Our study concluded that POAG patients have a reduced MTMV and it can be easily measured by a non-invasive technique using OCT. MTMV loss is a useful indicator of documenting glaucoma and monitoring its progression in POAG patients.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.3.10102
How to cite this: Ahmad HM, Tahir MY, Chaudhary MA, Khan R. Mean total macular volume measurement using optical coherence tomography in already diagnosed primary open angle glaucoma patients. Pak J Med Sci. 2025;41(3):736-739. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.3.10102
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Computed tomography manifestations and pathological features of intra-abdominal desmoplastic small round cell tumor
Authors: Pan Ashan , Shen Xunze , Qiu Qiande
Published: February 2025

Objective: To explore the computed tomography (CT) manifestations and pathological features of intra-abdominal desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT).
Methods: Retrospective analysis was conducted on the CT manifestations and pathological features of 11 patients with intra-abdominal DSRCT in Yueqing People’s Hospital, Shaoxing People’s Hospital and Wenzhou People’s Hospital from January 2010 to June 2022.
Results: Among 11 patients, four cases were with solitary tumor and seven cases were with multiple tumors. There were five cases with elliptical shape, smooth edges and clear boundary and six cases with irregular shape and unclear boundary. The CT plain scan showed the uneven density in tumor. There were six cases with necrosis and cystic transformation in central tumor, and five cases with small patchy or strip-shaped calcification within the tumor. The enhanced CT scan showed uneven enhancement. There were seven cases of mild enhancement and four cases of moderate enhancement. Five cases showed strip or grid-like enhancement within tumor, and five cases showed increased and thickened vascular shadows around the tumor. The immunohistochemistry showed nine cases were positive for AE1/AE3, CK, Vim and Desmin, eight cases were positive for EMA, seven cases were positive for NSE, and three cases were positive for CGA, SYN, CD56 and CD99.
Conclusion: In CT manifestations, the intra-abdominal DSRCT present the solitary or multiple tumors, with uneven density. There are often cystic changes and small patchy calcification within the tumor, with mild to moderate uneven enhancement.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.3.10154
How to cite this: Pan A, Shen X, Qiu Q. Computed tomography manifestations and pathological features of intra-abdominal desmoplastic small round cell tumor. Pak J Med Sci. 2025;41(3):-753-757. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.3.10154
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Effect of Black Cumin (Nigella sativa) on Prostate Health: Narrative Review
Authors: Alzahrani Meshari A. , Abunohaiah Ibrahim , Altuwaijry Yousuf , Alahmadi Muath , Qasim Osama , Alzahrani Abdulaziz , Loni Shamshad Begum , Shareef Mohammed , Almannie Raed , Binsaleh Saleh
Published: February 2025

A growing amount of research is shedding light on nutrient-rich foods and nutritional supplements’ potential health and disease-preventative advantages. Black cumin (Nigella sativa L.), an esteemed nutraceutical herb, is well-known for its multiple health advantages among health-conscious individuals, researchers, and pharmaceutical businesses. Black cumin and its principal bioactive ingredient, thymoquinone (TQ), have been found to lower oxidative stress and inflammation, while also enhancing immunological function, cellular viability, and energy metabolism. They protect against metabolic, cardiovascular, digestive, hepatic, renal, pulmonary, reproductive, and neurological diseases, as well as cancer. Black cumin works as a countermeasure to minimize the toxicity and side effects of pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, the possible effects of black cumin on prostate health and disorders like benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer are not well understood. This narrative review seeks to reveal knowledge gaps. This study intends to guide future research into the possible uses of black cumin and TQ in prostate health and illness.
The genome sequence of the Black-veined White butterfly, Aporia crataegi (Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Ebdon Sam , Mackintosh Alexander , Lohse Konrad , Hayward Alex , Arif Saad , Whitla Rebecca ,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: February 2025

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Aporia crataegi (the black-veined white; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Pieridae). The genome sequence is 230 megabases in span. The complete assembly is scaffolded into 26 chromosomal pseudomolecules, with the Z sex chromosome assembled. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl has identified 10,860 protein coding genes.
Ultraproduct for Quantum Structures
Authors: Moniri Morteza , Shirinkalam Elahe
Published: February 2025

Quantum Kripke frames are certain quantum structures recently introduced by Zhong. He has defined certain properties such as Existence of Approximation and Superposition for these structures. In this paper, we define the ultraproduct for the family of quantum Kripke frames and show that the aforementioned properties are invariant under ultraproduct. In this way we prove that the ultraproduct of each family of quantum Kripke frames is also a quantum Kripke frame. We also show the same results for other related quantum structures.
In-flight enhancement of the optical frequency accuracy of an integral-path differential absorption lidar thanks to a rugged, airborne self-referenced frequency comb
Authors: Quatrevalet Mathieu , Wolferstetter Martin , Sprenger Benjamin , Fischer Marc , Holzwarth Ronald , Fix Andreas
Published: February 2025

Airborne and spaceborne integral-path differential absorption (IPDA) lidar has the potential to deliver column measurements of the major greenhouse gases influenced by human activity with the high accuracy that is required to significantly reduce the uncertainties in our estimations of surface fluxes of methane and carbon dioxide by inverse modelling. A prerequisite is the highly accurate knowledge of the emitted wavelengths, especially for carbon dioxide in the 1.6-µm region, where a long-term optical frequency knowledge accuracy of the online channel down to a few tens of kHz is required. Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt’s airborne IPDA lidar for simultaneous measurements of carbon dioxide at 1.57 µm and methane at 1.64 µm, CHARM-F, uses a specifically developed frequency reference unit based on optimized wavelength modulation spectroscopy which can reach the required accuracy in a stabilized laboratory environment, but whose in-flight performance in the more challenging aircraft environment could not be independently validated. In the frame of the Carbon Dioxide and Methane Mission (CoMet) field campaigns in 2018 and 2022, CoMet 1.0 and CoMet 2.0 Arctic, respectively, a cooperation with Menlo Systems GmbH made it possible to bring a prototype of a new generation of portable and rugged self-referenced frequency combs (SRFCs) on board the German research aircraft HALO. This airborne frequency comb served as an independent frequency reference to characterize the performance of the carbon dioxide channel of CHARM-F’s frequency reference system in flight. We report here on the frequency stability measurements carried out during the CoMet 2.0 Arctic campaign and demonstrate the potential of such portable SRFCs as next-generation frequency references for atmospheric lidars.
Spacing and Wavelength Tunable Frequency Comb
Authors: Liu Zhixin , Cai Yijia
Published: February 2025

Optical frequency combs (OFCs) are becoming increasingly prevalent in applications such as optical communications, radio signal processing and dual-comb spectroscopy. Many of these applications require a broad and flat spectrum with flexibility in tuning the center wavelength and the tone spacing with a maintained spectral profile. However, most OFC generators are either not tunable or cannot maintain their spectral profiles while tuning.
In this paper, we demonstrate tone spacing tunability over 25-32 GHz and wavelength tunability from 1548 to 1568 nm using a cavity-less OFC based on electro-optic comb and parametric expansion. Our comb features high power (>2 W), wideband (>90 nm), high optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR, >25 dB), and, importantly, a maintained spectral profile. We show that a maintained spectral profile can be achieved by primarily adjusting the power of the RF driving signal and the gain of optical amplifiers. We also quantitatively study the changes in the spectral profile.
Impact of geopolitical risks and innovation on global defense stock return
Authors: Panazan Oana , Gheorghe Catalin
Published: February 2025

This study conducts a comparative analysis of how geopolitical risk (GPR) and innovation impact stock returns in the defense industry based on data from 75 defense companies across 17 countries and 4 continents. With daily datasets spanning from January 1, 2014 to March 29, 2024, wavelet coherence and wavelet phase differences were used to conduct the analysis. The results revealed that innovation had a greater and more pronounced impact during the entire analysis period compared with the influence of GPR events. GPRs exerted an uneven and heterogeneous impact on global defense stocks and had a concentrated impact during events that generated uncertainty. Overall, we found significant time-varying dependence across a large number of companies at different time frequencies. The COVID-19 pandemic did not have a major impact on companies in the defense industry. Further, GPR events led to increased volatility during the Russia–Ukraine war, leading to increased uncertainty. In addition to the dominant role they play in the world defense market, US companies served as a robust hedge, especially from 2021 to 2022. Defense companies in the UK are more sensitive to both GPR events and innovation, followed by companies in Germany and France. Comparative analysis of the scalograms of China reveals a greater influence of innovation compared with GPR events. Thus, diversification opportunities have been extended from the defense industry in China, offering investors a promising way to capitalize on refuge opportunities during periods of disruption. To mitigate the global rearmament trend, we suggest alternative investment opportunities for different time horizons.
Bile acids as biomarkers in carbonized archaeological sediment: Insights from dung burning experiments
Authors: Mir-Makhamad Basira , Larsen Thomas , Giddings Vassao Daniel , Spengler Robert , Wang Yiming V.
Published: February 2025

Bile acids are increasingly used as fecal biomarkers for studying archeology, environmental pollution, paleoeconomy, and human-animal interactions. Exclusively synthesized by vertebrates, bile acids are more resistant to diagenetic degradation than other steroidal biomarkers. Although bile acids have been detected and analyzed in archaeological sediments, particularly in contexts where dung may have been used as fuel, their preservation after burning is poorly understood. In this study, we conducted controlled experiments on modern cattle dung to investigate the tolerance of bile acid to high temperatures (125°C, 233°C, 341°C, and 449°C). Bile acids were quantified before and after burning via High-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with Electrospray Ionization-Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-EI-MS). Our results indicate that elevated temperatures destabilize most bile acids to varying degrees. Primary and secondary bile acids showed moderate heat tolerance, persisting at reduced concentrations after exposure to the maximum furnace and open-air temperatures. In contrast, oxo-bile acids exhibited lower thermal stability and disappeared at exposure above 233°C. Open-air fires led to more significant overall bile acid loss than the furnace conditions, likely due to the higher temperatures. However, incompletely burned dung fragments from the cooler periphery of the fire pits, retained higher bile acid concentrations than fully combusted ashes. Our findings suggest that high temperatures complicate the use of bile acid profiles to distinguish species of origin. These persistent bile acids can, in archaeological contexts, provide valuable insights into past resource utilization, seasonal fuel use, mobility patterns, and environmental reconstruction.
An efficient Rhizobium rhizogenes-mediated transformation system for Cuscuta campestris
Authors: Alles K. M. Asha , Dilhani P. G. L. T. , Chandrasekera C. H. W. M. R. Bhagya , Bandaranayake Pradeepa C. G.
Published: February 2025

Parasitism has evolved independently in various plant families, with Cuscuta campestris (field dodder) being an economically significant example. Despite advances in genomics and transcriptomics, functional studies in C. campestris are limited by the lack of an efficient genetic transformation system. This study introduces a highly effective Rhizobium rhizogenes-mediated transformation system for C. campestris using a pBIN plasmid harboring a Yellow Fluorescence Protein reporter gene. We optimized transformation and regeneration by assessing explant type, media composition, and plant growth regulators. Notably, host plant contact was essential for transgenic shoot regeneration. Over 70% transformation efficiency was achieved using cuttings co-incubated with modified Murashige and Skoog medium and 5 mg/L Benzylaminopurine, followed by transfer to tomato hosts. Additionally, we developed a complete in-vivo protocol over 30% regeneration efficiency. Transgenic shoots were confirmed for rol gene expression and haustoria formation, advancing functional studies in C. campestris.
Effect of layering characteristics on compressive mechanical properties and damage mechanisms of rocks: Experiments and models
Authors: Chen Chong , Wu Aixiang , Wang Shaoyong , Gong Wutian , Sun Wei , Gao Tong
Published: February 2025

The investigation of layered rock mechanical properties is important for rock stability analysis. To examine the effects of layer inclination angle (LIA) and layer thickness (LT) on the compressive mechanical properties and damage mechanism of layered rock, this paper proposes a new method of preparing layered rock specimens using similar materials and conducting uniaxial compression tests. At the same time, PFC2D numerical analysis software is used to establish the discrete element numerical model of layered rock under uniaxial compression to deepen its microscopic damage mechanism. The results show that the LIA significantly affects the anisotropic mechanical properties of the rock, and the different LIA lead to significant differences in the crack extension paths and failure modes, which can be summarized into four types of cracks and four failure modes. The increase in LT under the effect of different LIA shows different mechanisms of action, which is enhanced in 0° and 90°, weakened in 45° and 75°, and insignificant in 15°, 30° and 60°. In addition, the expansion of micro-cracks in layered rocks are all dominated by interlayer shear cracks first, and then conduct to the rock portion to tensile cracks. The findings of this research offer valuable insights for stability assessment and design of layered rock structures in engineering applications.
Research on combustion and emissions of heavy duty diesel engines under low-speed and low-load conditions in low temperature environments
Authors: Zhang Jie , Liu Gengfei , Xu Huaimin
Published: February 2025

China has a complex geographical environment, and in order to improve the combustion and emissions performance of heavy-duty diesel engines operating at low temperatures, low-speed and low-load conditions, a cleaner combustion mode has been proposed. This study utilizes a multi-cylinder engine environmental chamber test bench and CONVERGE 3D simulation software to examine the effects of intake temperature, injection timing, and injection pressure on engine combustion and emissions. The results indicate that increasing the intake temperature to 322 K, advancing the injection timing to 1 deg and raising the injection pressure to 120 MPa significantly improved the fuel-air mixture. These adjustments increased the OH radical content, accelerated oxidation cracking rates across low, medium, and high-temperature zones and effectively shortened combustion duration. Consequently, soot emissions were reduced by 23.1%, HC emissions by 33.3%, and CO emissions by 52.3%, demonstrating a significant improvement in combustion efficiency and a reduction in emissions from incomplete combustion.
Exploring experiences of work-related inequitable treatment among international medical graduates (IMGs): A sequential explanatory mixed methods study
Authors: Healey Sunita Joann Rebecca , Fakes Kristy , Malau-Aduli Bunmi , Leigh Lucy , Nair Balakrishnan R
Published: February 2025

Background

International medical graduates (IMGs) are an essential workforce for many high-income countries worldwide and are often recruited to fill workforce shortages. Studies identify workplace discrimination as a major challenge for IMGs. However, little detailed exploration has been undertaken on this issue.

Methods

We designed a sequential explanatory mixed methods study to explore details of inequitable treatment perceived by IMGs in Australia. An online survey was distributed to IMGs across Australia. We analysed data descriptively and tested for significant demographic differences against the primary discrimination variable using tests of association (t-test and chi-squared tests). Following analysis, individual interviews were undertaken by telephone, teleconference or face-to-face. Thematic analysis was conducted on qualitative study components. All data was triangulated to assess areas of congruence and difference and to gain fuller understanding of the data.

Results

We surveyed and interviewed 286 and 36 IMGs respectively. Most survey respondents reported that IMGs were disadvantaged when compared to Australian graduates, primarily due to registration and bureaucratic processes. Institutions/organisations and senior staff were implicated as major perpetrators of discrimination. Subtle experiences of interpersonal discrimination were reported by > 75% of those reporting discrimination in the last five years. Statistically significant associations (p < 0.05) were identified between the primary discrimination variable and ethnicity, native language, country of primary medical qualification and employment status. Negative sequelae of discrimination on IMG health and career progress were reported. Four themes were identified: i) Disadvantage as an independent construct to discrimination; ii) Structural and institutional discrimination facilitates exploitation; iii) Workplace bullying is a manifestation of inequitable treatment; iv) Inequitable treatment has physical and mental health implications for IMGs. High congruence was detected on triangulation of the quantitative and qualitative results.

Conclusions

IMGs describe various aspects of discrimination and disadvantage in Australia, warranting further investigation and action. Institutions are responsible for supporting a more equitable and inclusive environment for IMGs.
Multi-level quality assessment of United States COVID-19 epidemiological surveillance
Authors: Irgens Megan S. , O’Neill Riley M. , Ruiz John M.
Published: February 2025

Although the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) tasked United States (U.S.) health departments with tracking and informing disease mitigation efforts, there has been no national assessment of public COVID-19 data quality. The current study aimed to illustrate U.S. COVID-19 reporting quality by examining epidemiological surveillance from U.S. health departments in 50 states and the District of Columbia between July and August 2020 along five central quality dimensions: timeliness, reliability, completeness, accuracy, and accessibility. A follow-up assessment was conducted 19 months later for a subset of states. Results broadly demonstrated that the quality of COVID-19 data reporting was significantly heterogenous. States varied in timeliness of initial data reports (median: 3/2/2020, minimum: 9/29/2019, maximum: 4/20/2020). Most states (56.8%) did not indicate sources of data for their official published reports. In assessing for 10 standard variables from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), states widely differed in granularity of reported variables and no state health department reported data for all CDC surveillance variables (e.g., race, ethnicity, sex). Most same-day comparisons of state-specific counts reported by the CDC differed from respective state health departments (cases: 84.3% differed; deaths: 68.6% differed). Follow-up examination indicated improvements in reliability, accuracy, and accessibility, but issues in data source verification and completeness persisted. Authors conclude with recommendations to improve disease mitigation efficiency and improve public trust in health protection efforts: establish formal reporting guidelines; standardize operational definitions for key disease variables; and, require health departments to publicly identify sources of reported data.
Projection of irrigation water requirement in the south Mediterranean area using an explicit representation of irrigation processes into a land surface model: Case of the Tensift catchment (Morocco)
Authors: Moucha Ahmed , Jarlan Lionel , Quintana-Segui Pere , Barella-Ortiz Anaïs , Le Page Michel , Munier Simon , Chakir Adnane , Boone Aaron , Sghrer Fatallah , Calvet Jean-Christophe , Hanich Lahoucine
Published: February 2025

In semi-arid areas, irrigation represents the largest human footprint on the water cycle. Representing irrigation in land surface and hydrological models is a challenging task as irrigation decisions depend on environmental, economic and traditional knowledge factors. The objective of this work is twofold: (1) to evaluate the performance of the new irrigation module integrated into the Interactions between Soil, Biosphere, and Atmosphere (ISBA) model and (2) to assess the future trajectories of agricultural water use considering both climate and land use change. The evaluation of the new irrigation module in the ISBA model is done by: (1) comparing the observed and predicted fluxes by the ISBA model, with and without the activation of the irrigation module, and (2) comparing the irrigation water inputs at the level of irrigated perimeters. The evaluation shows that the integration of the new irrigation scheme in ISBA significantly improves the latent heat flux (LE) predictions for the period 2004-2014, compared to the model without this scheme. Considering several flux stations, the LE flux bias was reduced from -60 W/m2 for the model without irrigation to −15 W/m2. The evaluation at the irrigated perimeter scale highlights the ability of the irrigation model to reproduce the overall magnitude and seasonality of observed irrigation water quantities despite a positive bias. The agricultural water use was then projected considering two climate scenarios and two scenarios of land use change based on the actual trend of conversion to tree crops in response to the large subsidy attributed for the conversion to drip irrigation since 2008. It is shown that (1) irrigation water use could almost double for the more extreme scenarios and (2) that most of this drastic increase is attributed to land use change, including irrigation intensification and expansion. Within this context, the results presented in this study highlight the side effect of conversion to drip irrigation largely documented in the literature and open perspectives for making informed decisions for sustainable water management at the watershed level.