bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immuno-surveillance and protection of the human cochlea
Authors: Liu Wei , Li Hao , Kämpfe Nordström Charlotta , Danckwardt-Lillieström Niklas , Agrawal Sumit , Ladak Hanif M. , Rask-Andersen Helge
Published: May 2024

Background

Despite its location near infection-prone areas, the human inner ear demonstrates remarkable resilience. This suggests that there are inherent instruments deterring the invasion and spread of pathogens into the inner ear. Here, we combined high-resolution light microscopy, super-resolution immunohistochemistry (SR-SIM) and synchrotron phase contrast imaging (SR-PCI) to identify the protection and barrier systems in the various parts of the human inner ear, focusing on the lateral wall, spiral ganglion, and endolymphatic sac.

Materials and methods

Light microscopy was conducted on mid-modiolar, semi-thin sections, after direct glutaraldehyde/osmium tetroxide fixation. The tonotopic locations were estimated using SR-PCI and 3D reconstruction in cadaveric specimens. The sections were analyzed for leucocyte and macrophage activity, and the results were correlated with immunohistochemistry using confocal microscopy and SR-SIM.

Results

Light microscopy revealed unprecedented preservation of cell anatomy and several macrophage-like cells that were localized in the cochlea. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated IBA1 cells frequently co-expressing MHC II in the spiral ganglion, nerve fibers, lateral wall, spiral limbus, and tympanic covering layer at all cochlear turns as well as in the endolymphatic sac. RNAscope assays revealed extensive expression of fractalkine gene transcripts in type I spiral ganglion cells. CD4 and CD8 cells occasionally surrounded blood vessels in the modiolus and lateral wall. TMEM119 and P2Y12 were not expressed, indicating that the cells labeled with IBA1 were not microglia. The round window niche, compact basilar membrane, and secondary spiral lamina may form protective shields in the cochlear base.

Discussion

The results suggest that the human cochlea is surveilled by dwelling and circulating immune cells. Resident and blood-borne macrophages may initiate protective immune responses via chemokine signaling in the lateral wall, spiral lamina, and spiral ganglion at different frequency locations. Synchrotron imaging revealed intriguing protective barriers in the base of the cochlea. The role of the endolymphatic sac in human inner ear innate and adaptive immunity is discussed.
Development and validation of a nomogram to predict lymph node metastasis in patients with progressive muscle-invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Qiao Yi , Jia Yuefeng , Luo Lei , Li Bin , Xie Fei , Wang Hanshu , Li Shengxian
Published: May 2024

Purpose

To develop and validate a nomogram for preoperative prediction of lymph node metastasis in patients with progressive muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively recruited patients, divided them into training and validation cohorts, and gathered patient demographics, pathology data of transurethral bladder tumor resection specimens, imaging findings, and laboratory information. We performed logistic regression analyses, both single-variable and multi-variable, to investigate independent preoperative risk variables and develop a nomogram. Both internal and external validations were conducted to evaluate the predictive performance of this nomogram.

Results

The training cohort consisted of 144 patients with advanced muscle-invasive bladder cancer, while the validation cohort included 62 individuals. The independent preoperative risk factors identified were tumor pathology grade, platelet count, tumor size on imaging, and lymph node size, which were utilized to develop the nomogram. The model demonstrated high predictive accuracy, as evidenced by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values of 0.898 and 0.843 for the primary and external validation cohorts, respectively. Calibration curves and decision curve analysis showed a good performance of the nomogram in both cohorts, indicating its high clinical applicability.

Conclusion

A nomogram for preoperative prediction of lymph node metastasis in patients with advanced muscle-invasive bladder cancer was successfully developed; its accuracy, reliability, and clinical value were demonstrated. This new tool would facilitate better clinical decisions regarding whether to perform complete lymph node dissection in cases of radical cystectomy.
The hepatocellular carcinoma risk in patients with HBV-related cirrhosis: a competing risk nomogram based on a 4-year retrospective cohort study
Authors: Guo Dandan , Li Jianjun , Zhao Peng , Mei Tingting , Li Kang , Zhang Yonghong
Published: May 2024

Objective

The study aimed to build and validate a competitive risk nomogram to predict the cumulative incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related cirrhosis.

Methods

A total of 1401 HBV-related cirrhosis patients were retrospectively enrolled from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2014. Application of 20 times imputation dealt with missing data using multiple imputation by chained equations (MICE). The patients were randomly divided into a training set (n = 1017) and a validation set (n = 384) at a ratio of 3:1. A prediction study was carried out using a competing risk model, where the event of interest was HCC and the competing events were death and liver transplantation, and subdistribution hazard ratios (sHRs) with 95% CIs were reported. The multivariate competing risk model was constructed and validated.

Results

There was a negligible difference between the original database and the 20 imputed datasets. At the end of follow-up, the median follow-up time was 69.9 months (interquartile range: 43.8–86.6). There were 31.5% (442/1401) of the patients who developed HCC, with a 5-year cumulative incidence of 22.9 (95%CI, 20.8%–25.2%). The univariate and multivariate competing risk regression and construction of the nomogram were performed in 20 imputed training datasets. Age, sex, antiviral therapy history, hepatitis B e antigen, alcohol drinking history, and alpha-fetoprotein levels were included in the nomogram. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve values at 12, 24, 36, 60, and 96 months were 0.68, 0.69, 0.70, 0.68, and 0.80, and the Brier scores were 0.30, 0.25, 0.23, 0.21, and 0.20 in the validation set. According to the cumulative incidence function, the nomogram effectively screened out high-risk HCC patients from low-risk patients in the presence of competing events (Fine–Gray test p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The competitive risk nomogram was allowed to be used for predicting HCC risk in individual patients with liver cirrhosis, taking into account both the association between risk factors and HCC and the modifying effect of competition events on this association.
Evolution and impact of molecular glue research: a bibliometric analysis from 2000 to 2023
Authors: Li Dian , Cheng Jingyi , Yuan Zhigen , Deng Kexin
Published: May 2024

Background

Molecular glues, which reshape E3 ligase receptors to promote targeted protein degradation, are emerging as a promising therapeutic strategy, particularly in oncology, driven by rapidly advancing insights into their mechanisms and structural properties.

Objective

This study aims to offer an insightful depiction and visualization of the knowledge structure, prevalent themes, and emerging trends within the domain since the year 2000, employing bibliometric analysis to achieve this goal.

Methods

To conduct this research, a comprehensive collection of literature on molecular glues was sourced from the Web of Science database. Subsequently, the data underwent analysis utilizing CiteSpace and VOSviewer tools, enabling the identification of pivotal countries, institutions, authors, and journals, as well as the delineation of subject hotspots, trends, and the forefront of research in this evolving field.

Result

Since 2000, 388 papers on molecular glues have been published, with a notable increase to an annual average of 43 articles post-2018. This research, contributed by 506 authors across 329 institutions, highlights the United States and China as leading nations in output, with 122 and 104 articles respectively. Takuzo Aida, Luc Brunsveld, and Christian Ottmann are identified as key authors. Nature emerges as the foremost publication venue, while the Chinese Academy of Sciences is the top contributing institution, underscoring the global engagement and interdisciplinary nature of molecular glue research. This study identified 19 distinct research clusters within the molecular glues domain.

Conclusion

We reveal the current status, hotspots, and trends of molecular glue research since 2000, offering insights and novel scholarly perspectives on the field’s prevailing limitations.
Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with implantable arterial access port for advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report
Authors: Jiang Xin , Aljbri Afaf , Liu Jiaxuan , Shang Liqi , Tian Yulong , Shao Haibo
Published: May 2024

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common gastrointestinal malignancy characterized by high incidence rates and a poor prognosis. Common treatment modalities include surgery, ablation, and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) has long been used in the treatment of unresectable liver cancer. In recent years, the combination of anti-angiogenesis therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors has shown significant advances in the treatment of middle- and advanced-stage liver cancer. This report presents a case of HCC in which sustained benefits are achieved through a combination of HAIC of infusional oxaliplatin, leucovorin, and fluorouracil (FOLFOX), targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.

Main body

A 64-year-old male patient was diagnosed with a parenchymal mass in the liver by a three-dimensional color ultrasound one month before admission, prompting consideration of liver cancer. Subsequently, computed tomography (CT) imaging performed at our hospital identified mass shadows in the right lobe of the liver and diffuse nodules throughout the liver, suggesting malignant lesions. Upon admission, the patient presented poor general health and baseline indicators. Following symptomatic treatment, the patient underwent a therapeutic regimen that combined transarterial infusion port FOLFOX-HAIC with Lenvatinib and Sintilimab. This combined treatment resulted in significant liver tumor necrosis and effectively managed the patient’s condition.

Conclusion

The combined approach of using FOLFO-HAIC transarterial infusion alongside anti-angiogenesis therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors has shown promising results that provide substantial benefits. This combined regimen has demonstrated the potential to improve treatment compliance among certain patients. Given these encouraging outcomes, further investigation into this combination therapy regimen is warranted to understand better its efficacy and potential broader applications in clinical settings.
Accurate quantification of pulmonary perfusion ratio in children with congenital heart disease using partial volume corrected 4D flow cardiac magnetic resonance
Authors: Lagerstrand Kerstin , Nyström Anna , Svensson Pär-Arne , De Lange Charlotte , Dangardt Frida
Published: May 2024

Background

In children with congenital heart disease (CHD), lung scintigraphy is the reference standard for evaluation of pulmonary perfusion. 4D flow CMR offers a non-ionizing alternative. Due to the intrinsic limitation in the spatial resolution, however, 4D flow may display clinically unacceptable differences compared to the reference standard. This case study aims to highlight the importance of correcting for such partial volume errors to accurately evaluate pulmonary perfusion in small pulmonary arteries.

Methods

Children with CHD, mainly those with transposition of the great arteries or tetralogy-of-Fallot, referred to CMR from 2020 to 2022 at our clinic, were retrospectively reviewed; n = 37. All patients had been examined with a free breathing, motion-corrected 4D flow protocol. Comparison in pulmonary perfusion (PPR: relative flow through right and left pulmonary arteries) with scintigraphy were performed both for 4D flow before and after partial volume correction.

Results

Patients with large pulmonary arteries, 76%, displayed small differences in PPR between modalities (<20%), while patients with arteries of only a few pixels, 24%, displayed differences up to 178%, depending on the relative difference in size between the right and left pulmonary artery. Differences were effectively reduced after partial volume correction (<21%).

Conclusion

The present report shows that 4D flow is a promising tool to accurately evaluate the pulmonary perfusion in children with CHD, but that partial volume correction is warranted to overcome its limitation in the spatial resolution. Without such correction, lung scintigraphy is still recommended to ensure high diagnostic certainty in children with small pulmonary arteries.
Analysis of clinical risk factors for metabolic bone disease of prematurity
Authors: Liu Xiumin , Wang Ling , Qian Min
Published: May 2024

Objective

To analyze clinical data related to preterm infants and identify risk factors for metabolic bone disease of prematurity (MBDP).

Methods

This study involved 856 newborns with a gestational age of less than 37 weeks or a weight of less than 1,500g at the Second Hospital of Jilin University. Multifactorial analysis was performed using logistic regression models to explore the risk factors for MBDP. Linear regression was used to investigate the factors affecting the time of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) exceedance and the peak value of ALP in the MBDP group.

Results

In the MBDP group, ALP excesses occurred in preterm infants at an average of 39.33 days after birth, and the mean value of peak ALP was 691.41 IU/L. Parenteral nutrition and the application of assisted ventilation were independent risk factors for MBDP, with ORs of 1.02 and 1.03 respectively. Gestational age was found to be a protective factor for earlier time of onset of ALP exceedance (β = 2.24,) and the increase in the peak value of ALP (β = −16.30).

Conclusion

Parenteral nutrition and the application of assisted ventilation are independent risk factors for MBDP. Gestational age is a major factor influencing the time of onset of ALP exceedance and the peak value of ALP in infants with MBDP.
Identification and validation of a platelet-related signature for predicting survival and drug sensitivity in multiple myeloma
Authors: Lin Zhili , Wang Quanqiang , Zheng Ziwei , Zhang Bingxin , Zhou Shujuan , Zheng Dong , Chen Zixing , Zheng Sisi , Zhu Shuxia , Zhang Xinyi , Lan Enqing , Zhang Yu , Lin Xuanru , Zhuang Qiang , Qian Honglan , Hu Xudong , Zhuang Yan , Jin Zhouxiang , Jiang Songfu , Ma Yongyong
Published: May 2024

Background: Significant progress has been achieved in the management of multiple myeloma (MM) by implementing high-dose therapy and stem cell transplantation. Moreover, the prognosis of patients has been enhanced due to the introduction of novel immunomodulatory drugs and the emergence of new targeted therapies. However, predicting the survival rates of patients with multiple myeloma is still tricky. According to recent researches, platelets have a significant impact in affecting the biological activity of tumors and are essential parts of the tumor microenvironment. Nonetheless, it is still unclear how platelet-related genes (PRGs) connect to the prognosis of multiple myeloma.

Methods: We analyzed the expression of platelet-related genes and their prognostic value in multiple myeloma patients in this study. We also created a nomogram combining clinical metrics. Furthermore, we investigated disparities in the biological characteristics, immunological microenvironment, and reaction to immunotherapy, along with analyzing the drug susceptibility within diverse risk groups.

Results: By using the platelet-related risk model, we were able to predict patients’ prognosis more accurately. Subjects in the high-risk cohort exhibited inferior survival outcomes, both in the training and validation datasets, as compared to those in the low-risk cohort (p < 0.05). Moreover, there were differences in the immunological microenvironments, biological processes, clinical features, and chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity between the groups at high and low risk. Using multivariable Cox regression analyses, platelet-related risk score was shown to be an independent prognostic influence in MM (p < 0.001, hazard ratio (HR) = 2.001%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.467–2.730). Furthermore, the capacity to predict survival was further improved when a combined nomogram was utilized. In training cohort, this outperformed the predictive value of International staging system (ISS) alone from a 5-years area under curve (AUC) = 0.668 (95% CI: 0.611–0.725) to an AUC = 0.721 (95% CI: 0.665–0.778).

Conclusion: Our study revealed the potential benefits of PRGs in terms of survival prognosis of MM patients. Furthermore, we verified its potential as a drug target for MM patients. These findings open up novel possibilities for prognostic evaluation and treatment choices for MM.
Antiseizure properties of fenamate NSAIDs determined in mature human stem-cell derived neuroglial circuits
Authors: Salmanzadeh Hamed , Halliwell Robert F.
Published: May 2024

Repeated and uncontrolled seizures in epilepsy result in brain cell loss and neural inflammation. Current anticonvulsants primarily target ion channels and receptors implicated in seizure activity. Identification of neurotherapeutics that can inhibit epileptiform activity and reduce inflammation in the brain may offer significant benefits in the long-term management of epilepsy. Fenamates are unique because they are both non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and highly subunit selective modulators of GABAA receptors. In the current study we have investigated the hypothesis that fenamates have antiseizure properties using mature human stem cell-derived neuro-glia cell cultures, maintained in long-term culture, and previously shown to be sensitive to first, second and third generation antiepileptics. Mefenamic acid, flufenamic acid, meclofenamic acid, niflumic acid, and tolfenamic acid (each tested at 10–100 μM) attenuated 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, 100 μM) evoked epileptiform activity in a dose-dependent fashion. These actions were as effective diazepam (3–30 μM) and up to 200 times more potent than phenobarbital (300–1,000 μM). The low (micromolar) concentrations of fenamates that inhibited 4-AP evoked epileptiform activity correspond to those reported to potentiate GABAA receptor function. In contrast, the fenamates had no effect on neural spike amplitudes, indicating that their antiseizure actions did not result from inhibition of sodium-channels. The antiseizure actions of fenamates were also not replicated by either of the two non-fenamate NSAIDs, ibuprofen (10–100 μM) or indomethacin (10–100 μM), indicating that inhibition of cyclooxygenases is not the mechanism through which fenamates have anticonvulsant properties. This study therefore shows for the first time, using functionally mature human stem cell-derived neuroglial circuits, that fenamate NSAIDs have powerful antiseizure actions independent of, and in addition to their well-established anti-inflammatory properties, suggesting these drugs may provide a novel insight and new approach to the treatment of epilepsy in the future.
StMAPKK5 responds to heat stress by regulating potato growth, photosynthesis, and antioxidant defenses
Authors: Zhu Xi , Li Wei , Zhang Ning , Jin Hui , Duan Huimin , Chen Zhuo , Chen Shu , Wang Qihua , Tang Jinghua , Zhou Jiannan , Zhang Yu , Si Huaijun
Published: May 2024

Backgrounds

As a conserved signaling pathway, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade regulates cellular signaling in response to abiotic stress. High temperature may contribute to a significant decrease in economic yield. However, research into the expression patterns of StMAPKK family genes under high temperature is limited and lacks experimental validation regarding their role in supporting potato plant growth.

Methods

To trigger heat stress responses, potato plants were grown at 35°C. qRT-PCR was conducted to analyze the expression pattern of StMAPKK family genes in potato plants. Plant with StMAPKK5 loss-of-function and gain-of-function were developed. Potato growth and morphological features were assessed through measures of plant height, dry weight, and fresh weight. The antioxidant ability of StMAPKK5 was indicated by antioxidant enzyme activity and H2O2 content. Cell membrane integrity and permeability were suggested by relative electrical conductivity (REC), and contents of MDA and proline. Photosynthetic capacity was next determined. Further, mRNA expression of heat stress-responsive genes and antioxidant enzyme genes was examined.

Results

In reaction to heat stress, the expression profiles of StMAPKK family genes were changed. The StMAPKK5 protein is located to the nucleus, cytoplasm and cytomembrane, playing a role in controlling the height and weight of potato plants under heat stress conditions. StMAPKK5 over-expression promoted photosynthesis and maintained cell membrane integrity, while inhibited transpiration and stomatal conductance under heat stress. Overexpression of StMAPKK5 triggered biochemical defenses in potato plant against heat stress, modulating the levels of H2O2, MDA and proline, as well as the antioxidant activities of CAT, SOD and POD. Overexpression of StMAPKK5 elicited genetic responses in potato plants to heat stress, affecting heat stress-responsive genes and genes encoding antioxidant enzymes.

Conclusion

StMAPKK5 can improve the resilience of potato plants to heat stress-induced damage, offering a promising approach for engineering potatoes with enhanced adaptability to challenging heat stress conditions.
The intervention of local public authorities and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Romania: a subnational analysis
Authors: Ștefan George , Bodislav Dumitru Alexandru , Arsăni (Chiriță) Alina , Hrebenciuc Andrei , Paierele Ada , Paraschiv Anca , Virjan Daniela
Published: May 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic had a strong territorial dimension, with a highly asymmetric impact among Romanian counties, depending on pre-existing vulnerabilities, regions’ economic structure, exposure to global value chains, specialization, and overall ability to shift a large share of employees to remote working. The aim of this paper is to assess the role of Romanian local authorities during this unprecedented global medical emergency by capturing the changes of public spending at the local level between 2010 and 2021 and amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and to identify clusters of Romanian counties that shared similar characteristics in this period, using a panel data quantitative model and hierarchical cluster analysis. Our empirical analysis shows that between 2010-2021, the impact of social assistance expenditures was higher than public investment (capital spending and EU funds) on the GDP per capita at county level. Additionally, based on various macroeconomic and structural indicators (health, labour market performance, economic development, entrepreneurship, and both local public revenues and several types of expenditures), we determined seven clusters of counties. The research contributes to the discussion regarding the increase of economic resilience but also to the evidence-based public policies implementation at local level.
The potential of virtual healthcare technologies to reduce healthcare services’ carbon footprint
Authors: Usher Kim , Williams Jen , Jackson Debra
Published: May 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the potential to reduce our carbon footprint especially by reducing travel. We aim to describe healthcare and health education services’ contribution to the global climate emergency and identify the need for increased use of virtual health service delivery and undergraduate/postgraduate education to help reduce the impact of health service and health education delivery on the environment. Health care services, as one of the largest contributors to carbon emissions, must take steps to rapidly reduce their carbon footprint. Health services have unfortunately paid little attention to this issue until recently. Virtual healthcare and education have a valuable role in transition to a net carbon-zero outcome. Given the increasing use of and satisfaction with virtual health services such as telehealth, and the increase in virtual education opportunities, it is important that a concerted effort is undertaken to increase their use across health services and education in the future.
Heat and the planning system: how can local authorities encourage deployment of low and zero-carbon heating?
Authors: Barns David G. , Bale Catherine S. E. , Taylor Peter G. , Owen Alice
Published: May 2024

There is widespread recognition of the need for new homes to feature only low or zero-carbon (LZC) heating. However, residential developers continue to choose conventional high-carbon options such as natural gas boilers over net-zero compatible alternatives. This study explores how UK local authorities (LAs) within the English planning system can encourage residential developers to deploy LZC heating systems within their projects. We adopt an embedded case study design and analyse 30 residential project proposals within two LA areas. Our study examines local planning policies and interactions between developers and LA officers, along with the resultant outcomes, through documentary analysis and expert interviews with local stakeholders. We find that LAs can encourage developers to adopt LZC heating technologies above and beyond what is required nationally. The conditions for this to occur are (1) a planning policy which restricts allowable heating technology options, (2) empowering LA officers to enforce policies, (3) advice and support for developers to consider alternatives, and where necessary, (4) political backing to challenge unwilling developers. Study findings highlight the important role of LAs in creating the conditions for the transition to LZC heating, which show how they can use powers within the planning system to encourage developers to make low carbon choices without the need for direct investment.
Turmeric trends: analyzing consumer preferences and willingness to pay
Authors: Nguyen Ly , Govindasamy Ramu , Mentreddy Srinivasa R.
Published: May 2024

This Research determines the factors influencing American consumers’ willingness to purchase turmeric products, amidst the spice’s rising popularity for its potential health benefits, particularly those linked to its bioactive component, curcumin. Through a comprehensive analysis of a Qualtrics online survey with 1,020 national respondents in the U.S., we employed advanced choice experiment mixed logit models to elucidate consumer preferences regarding product form, origin, sustainability certification, curcumin content, and price. Contrary to the initial hypothesis that curcumin potency would be a primary driver, our results indicate that the place of origin and price significantly shape purchasing decisions, with a clear preference for inland domestically grown, organically certified turmeric products. These insights offer valuable guidance for producers, manufacturers, and marketers in the natural products industry, suggesting a focus on emphasizing local, sustainable sourcing and clear communication of organic credentials to align with consumer expectations. Our findings not only provide a detailed understanding of current consumer attitudes toward turmeric but also highlight potential markets for turmeric–based product development and effective marketing to cater to the evolving demand for health-beneficial natural products.
Enhancing irrigated forage crop production through water and nutrient management in the Ethiopian sub-humid highlands
Authors: Hussein Misbah A. , Haileslassie Amare , Derseh Melkamu B. , Assefa Tewodros T. , Riga Fikadu T. , Adie Aberra , Tebeje Aschalew K. , Jones Chris S. , Tilahun Seifu A.
Published: May 2024

Introduction

The increasing pressure on land and water resources, fueled by high population growth and climate change, has profound implications for crop yield and quality. While studies thrive for various crops, a notable research gap exists in understanding the responses of forage crops to irrigation and nutrient management in developing countries. This study aims to address this gap by assessing the impact of irrigation and fertilizer application on forage production in the Ethiopian sub-humid highlands.

Methods

The experiment focused on four forage varieties, namely Napier grass (Cenchrus purpureus) cultivars, ILRI-16791, ILRI-16819, ILRI-16803, and Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus) ILRI-144 cultivated in experimental plots. Three irrigation levels designated as IR60 (60% of total available soil water), IR80 (80%), and IR100 (100%) were applied, along with three fertilizer rates: organic manure at 30 t ha−1, and Urea-N at 100 kg ha−1 and 300 kg ha−1. Agronomic data including growth performance, forage dry matter yield, and nutritional quality were collected during two trial years.

Results and discussion

Among the various irrigation treatments, IR80 demonstrated the most favorable balance between forage yield, WUE, net benefit, and LWP. In addition, the highest DMY, WUE, net benefit, and LWP were obtained for UREA at the rate of 300 kg ha−1 while the lowest DMY and WUE were observed for UREA at the rate of 100 kg ha−1. Significant variations were observed among the four forage varieties, with Napier grass ILRI-16791 having the highest DMY (9.8 tons ha−1), WUE (39 kg ha−1 mm−1), LWP (0.28 USD m−3 for local cows, and 1.04 USD m−3 for crossbred cows), and net benefit (783 USD ha−1). For all forages combined, a 40 and 20% decrease in irrigation increased water use efficiency by 17 and 9.4%, respectively. These results indicate that a moderate level of deficient irrigation such as IR80 could be a viable water management strategy for irrigated forage, especially in water-scarce areas. The conserved water saved from the deficit irrigation can thus be used to irrigate additional land, contributing to a more sustainable and efficient water usage approach.
Treatment of complex limb fractures with 3D printing technology combined with personalized plates: a retrospective study of case series and literature review
Authors: Liang Hairui , Chen Beibei , Duan Siyu , Yang Lei , Xu Rongda , Zhang He , Sun Ming , Zhou Xueting , Liu Hanfei , Wen Hang , Cai Zhencun
Published: May 2024

Background

In recent years, 3D printing technology has made significant strides in the medical field. With the advancement of orthopedics, there is an increasing pursuit of high surgical quality and optimal functional recovery. 3D printing enables the creation of precise physical models of fractures, and customized personalized steel plates can better realign and more comprehensively and securely fix fractures. These technologies improve preoperative diagnosis, simulation, and planning for complex limb fractures, providing patients with better treatment options.

Patients and methods

Five typical cases were selected from a pool of numerous patients treated with 3D printing technology combined with personalized custom steel plates at our hospital. These cases were chosen to demonstrate the entire process of printing 3D models and customizing individualized steel plates, including details of the patients' surgeries and treatment procedures. Literature reviews were conducted, with a focus on highlighting the application of 3D printing technology combined with personalized custom steel plates in the treatment of complex limb fractures.

Results

3D printing technology can produce accurate physical models of fractures, and personalized custom plates can achieve better fracture realignment and more comprehensive and robust fixation. These technologies provide patients with better treatment options.

Conclusion

The use of 3D printing models and personalized custom steel plates can improve preoperative diagnosis, simulation, and planning for complex limb fractures, realizing personalized medicine. This approach helps reduce surgical time, minimize trauma, enhance treatment outcomes, and improve patient functional recovery.
Effects of meteorology and lunar cycle on the post-thawing quality of avian sperm
Authors: Díaz Ruiz Esther , Delgado Bermejo Juan Vicente , González Ariza Antonio , León Jurado José Manuel , Arando Arbulu Ander , Navas González Francisco Javier
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Various climatological and lunar cycle parameters have a direct impact on animal reproduction, and in the case of the avian species, spermatozoa are extremely sensitive to heat stress. These parameters could influence sperm freezability, which will ultimately affect post-thawing semen quality, being sperm motility in roosters a relevant indicator of this quality as it is highly related to fertility. Therefore, the objective of the present study is to determine which are the climatological and lunar cycle parameters that have a greater effect on sperm freezability in roosters.

Methods

Sperm was obtained from 16 Utrerana breed roosters and a total of 27 replicates were performed. A pool was made with those ejaculates that met the minimum quality criteria for each replicate, and four freezing–thawing samples per replicate were analyzed. The straws were thawed, and sperm motility was evaluated, classifying the results obtained into four seminal quality groups according to the guidelines of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (Group 1: Good, Group 2: Satisfactory, Group 3: Acceptable but undesirable and Group 4: Unsatisfactory). The following traits were recorded for each day of semen collection: maximum temperature, minimum temperature, maximum barometric pressure, minimum barometric pressure, maximum gust, wind direction, mean wind speed, sunshine hours, rainfall, moon phase, and percentage of illuminated lunar surface over the total area.

Results

A discriminant canonical analysis was performed to determine which of these parameters offered the most information when classifying an ejaculate in each quality group, with minimum temperature, the new moon as moon phase, minimum barometric pressure, and rainfall being the most significant variables.

Discussion

According to the results obtained, semen quality decreases when temperature and precipitation are lower, pressure is higher, and when there is a new moon phase. Therefore, these environmental conditions should be avoided for sperm collection and processing.
Can long-read sequencing tackle the barriers, which the next-generation could not? A review
Authors: Szakállas Nikolett , Barták Barbara K. , Valcz Gábor , Nagy Zsófia B. , Takács István , Molnár Béla
Published: May 2024

The large-scale heterogeneity of genetic diseases necessitated the deeper examination of nucleotide sequence alterations enhancing the discovery of new targeted drug attack points. The appearance of new sequencing techniques was essential to get more interpretable genomic data. In contrast to the previous short-reads, longer lengths can provide a better insight into the potential health threatening genetic abnormalities. Long-reads offer more accurate variant identification and genome assembly methods, indicating advances in nucleotide deflect-related studies. In this review, we introduce the historical background of sequencing technologies and show their benefits and limits, as well. Furthermore, we highlight the differences between short- and long-read approaches, including their unique advances and difficulties in methodologies and evaluation. Additionally, we provide a detailed description of the corresponding bioinformatics and the current applications.
Evaluation of Radio Frequency Identification Power and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Altitude in Plant Inventory Applications
Authors: Patiluna Van , Maja Joe Mari , Robbins James
Published: May 2024

In the business of growing and selling ornamental plants, it is important to keep track of plants from nursery to distribution. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology provides an easier tracking method for inventories of plants by attaching tags with unique identifiers. Due to the vast area of most nurseries, there is a need to have an efficient method of scanning RFID tags. This paper investigates the use of drones and RFID, specifically, the effects of RFID reader power and flight altitude on tag counts. The experimental setup evaluated three RFID reader power levels (15 dBm, 20 dBm, and 27 dBm), three flight altitudes (3 m, 5 m, and 7 m), the number of passes (one or two), and two plant types (‘Green Giant’ arborvitae and ‘Sky Pencil’ holly). For RFID tags, four types were used (L5, L6, L8, and L9), with two antenna types (dog-bone and square-wave) and two attachment types (loop-lock and stake). For each power level, the UAV was flown to three different altitudes of 3 m, 5 m, and 7 m above the ground. At each altitude, two scan passes were performed at a constant speed of approximately 1.5 m/s. Each plot of plants (two in total) was randomly tagged with a total of 40 RFID tags per plot. Field data were collected from September to December 2023 (on a total of eight dates). The data showed that a power level of 15 dBm and an altitude of 3 m yielded a tag count of 53%, while counts of 34% and 16% were achieved at 5 m and 7 m, respectively. At 20 dBm and an altitude of 3 m, the count accuracy across all tag types and both plants was 90%. When the altitude was increased to 5 m and 7 m, tag-count accuracy dropped to 75% and 33%, respectively. The highest count accuracy was observed at 27 dBm and an altitude of 3 m, with a reading accuracy of 98%. Tag types L6 and L9 performed better at any power level and altitude, while L5 and L8 performed well at a higher power level and lower altitude. In this experiment, canopy properties (size and shape) had no effect on the number of tags read. This study aimed to evaluate the RFID power and UAV altitude achieving the highest accuracy in scanning the RFID tags. Furthermore, it also assessed the effects of plant growth on the scanning efficiency and accuracy of the system.
Efficient Paddy Grain Quality Assessment Approach Utilizing Affordable Sensors
Authors: Singh Aditya , Raj Kislay , Meghwar Teerath , Roy Arunabha M.
Published: May 2024

Paddy (Oryza sativa) is one of the most consumed food grains in the world. The process from its sowing to consumption via harvesting, processing, storage and management require much effort and expertise. The grain quality of the product is heavily affected by the weather conditions, irrigation frequency, and many other factors. However, quality control is of immense importance, and thus, the evaluation of grain quality is necessary. Since it is necessary and arduous, we try to overcome the limitations and shortcomings of grain quality evaluation using image processing and machine learning (ML) techniques. Most existing methods are designed for rice grain quality assessment, noting that the key characteristics of paddy and rice are different. In addition, they have complex and expensive setups and utilize black-box ML models. To handle these issues, in this paper, we propose a reliable ML-based IoT paddy grain quality assessment system utilizing affordable sensors. It involves a specific data collection procedure followed by image processing with an ML-based model to predict the quality. Different explainable features are used for classifying the grain quality of paddy grain, like the shape, size, moisture, and maturity of the grain. The precision of the system was tested in real-world scenarios. To our knowledge, it is the first automated system to precisely provide an overall quality metric. The main feature of our system is its explainability in terms of utilized features and fuzzy rules, which increases the confidence and trustworthiness of the public toward its use. The grain variety used for experiments majorly belonged to the Indian Subcontinent, but it covered a significant variation in the shape and size of the grain.
The Eye in the Sky—A Method to Obtain On-Field Locations of Australian Rules Football Athletes
Authors: Born Zachery , Mundt Marion , Mian Ajmal , Weber Jason , Alderson Jacqueline
Published: May 2024

The ability to overcome an opposition in team sports is reliant upon an understanding of the tactical behaviour of the opposing team members. Recent research is limited to a performance analysts’ own playing team members, as the required opposing team athletes’ geolocation (GPS) data are unavailable. However, in professional Australian rules Football (AF), animations of athlete GPS data from all teams are commercially available. The purpose of this technical study was to obtain the on-field location of AF athletes from animations of the 2019 Australian Football League season to enable the examination of the tactical behaviour of any team. The pre-trained object detection model YOLOv4 was fine-tuned to detect players, and a custom convolutional neural network was trained to track numbers in the animations. The object detection and the athlete tracking achieved an accuracy of 0.94 and 0.98, respectively. Subsequent scaling and translation coefficients were determined through solving an optimisation problem to transform the pixel coordinate positions of a tracked player number to field-relative Cartesian coordinates. The derived equations achieved an average Euclidean distance from the athletes’ raw GPS data of 2.63 m. The proposed athlete detection and tracking approach is a novel methodology to obtain the on-field positions of AF athletes in the absence of direct measures, which may be used for the analysis of opposition collective team behaviour and in the development of interactive play sketching AF tools.
Synergistic Effect of Postbiotic Yeast ABB C22® on Gut Inflammation, Barrier Function, and Protection from Rotavirus Infection in In Vitro Models
Authors: Carrera Marcolin Lydia , Cuñé Castellana Jordi , Martí Melero Laia , de Lecea Carlos , Tintoré Gazulla Maria
Published: May 2024

Diarrhoea is a serious cause of mortality worldwide that can lead to dehydration, gut barrier function impairment, nutrient malabsorption, and alterations of the gut microbiota (dysbiosis). The current solutions for its management, such as oral rehydration salts (ORS), inhibitors of gut motility, antibiotics, and living probiotics, only partially counteract the mechanisms of the disease and do not provide a full coverage of the problem. The potential risks of the use of living probiotic strains, particularly in immunocompromised patients, can be eliminated with the use of tyndallized (heat-killed) postbiotic bacteria and yeast. ABB C22® is a postbiotic combination of three tyndallized yeasts, namely Saccharomyces boulardii, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Kluyveromyces marxianus. To assess the action of the postbiotic combination on diarrhoea, immune and gut epithelial cell signalling assays, the gut barrier formation assay, and the rotavirus gene expression assay were performed. ABB C22® showed a strong anti-inflammatory effect, an induction of the build-up of the gut epithelium, and a degree of protection against rotavirus infection. These experimental studies support the use of the postbiotic ABB C22® as a solution for the management of diarrhoea and gastrointestinal conditions, alone or in combination with existing but incomplete treatments.
Runtime Verification-Based Safe MARL for Optimized Safety Policy Generation for Multi-Robot Systems
Authors: Liu Yang , Li Jiankun
Published: May 2024

The intelligent warehouse is a modern logistics management system that uses technologies like the Internet of Things, robots, and artificial intelligence to realize automated management and optimize warehousing operations. The multi-robot system (MRS) is an important carrier for implementing an intelligent warehouse, which completes various tasks in the warehouse through cooperation and coordination between robots. As an extension of reinforcement learning and a kind of swarm intelligence, MARL (multi-agent reinforcement learning) can effectively create the multi-robot systems in intelligent warehouses. However, MARL-based multi-robot systems in intelligent warehouses face serious safety issues, such as collisions, conflicts, and congestion. To deal with these issues, this paper proposes a safe MARL method based on runtime verification, i.e., an optimized safety policy-generation framework, for multi-robot systems in intelligent warehouses. The framework consists of three stages. In the first stage, a runtime model SCMG (safety-constrained Markov Game) is defined for the multi-robot system at runtime in the intelligent warehouse. In the second stage, rPATL (probabilistic alternating-time temporal logic with rewards) is used to express safety properties, and SCMG is cyclically verified and refined through runtime verification (RV) to ensure safety. This stage guarantees the safety of robots’ behaviors before training. In the third stage, the verified SCMG guides SCPO (safety-constrained policy optimization) to obtain an optimized safety policy for robots. Finally, a multi-robot warehouse (RWARE) scenario is used for experimental evaluation. The results show that the policy obtained by our framework is safer than existing frameworks and includes a certain degree of optimization.
Effect of Acid Surface Treatments on the Shear Bond Strength of Metal Bracket to Zirconia Ceramics
Authors: Wongrachit Punchanit , Samruajbenjakun Bancha , Kukiattrakoon Boonlert , Jearanai Tanapat , Teerakanok Supontep , Chanmanee Pannapat
Published: May 2024

The surface treatment of zirconia prior to bonding remains controversial and unclear. This study aimed to compare the shear bond strength (SBS) of metal brackets to zirconia under surface treatments with either 4% HF or 37% PA in both immediate loading (IML) and artificial aging by thermocycling (TMC). Methods: Eighty-four zirconia were randomly assigned to six groups based on the surface treatment and artificial aging by TMC: (1) No surface treatment (NT); (2) NT + TMC; (3) HF (4% HF for 2 min); (4) HF + TMC; (5) PA (37% PA for 2 min); and (6) PA + TMC. After bracket bonding, only the TMC groups were thermocycled for 5000 cycles. The SBS and adhesive remnant index (ARI) of all groups were analyzed (p < 0.01). Results: TMC significantly lowered the SBS more than the IML in all acid surface treatment groups (p < 0.01). The ARI score after TMC was significantly higher than the IML in all acid surface treatment groups (p < 0.001). No significant differences in the SBS values or ARI scores were observed among the surface treatments (p > 0.01). Conclusions: Two-minute simple etching methods, using either 4% HF or 37% PA, showed an insufficient SBS of metal orthodontic brackets to zirconia after TMC.