bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Case report: Marked electroclinical improvement by fluoxetine treatment in a patient with KCNT1-related drug-resistant focal epilepsy
Authors: Mosca Ilaria , Freri Elena , Ambrosino Paolo , Belperio Giorgio , Granata Tiziana , Canafoglia Laura , Ragona Francesca , Solazzi Roberta , Filareto Ilaria , Castellotti Barbara , Messina Giuliana , Gellera Cinzia , DiFrancesco Jacopo C. , Soldovieri Maria Virginia , Taglialatela Maurizio
Published: April 2024

Variants in KCNT1 are associated with a wide spectrum of epileptic phenotypes, including epilepsy of infancy with migrating focal seizures (EIMFS), non-EIMFS developmental and epileptic encephalopathies, autosomal dominant or sporadic sleep-related hypermotor epilepsy, and focal epilepsy. Here, we describe a girl affected by drug-resistant focal seizures, developmental delay and behavior disorders, caused by a novel, de novo heterozygous missense KCNT1 variant (c.2809A > G, p.S937G). Functional characterization in transiently transfected Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells revealed a strong gain-of-function effect determined by the KCNT1 p.S937G variant compared to wild-type, consisting in an increased maximal current density and a hyperpolarizing shift in current activation threshold. Exposure to the antidepressant drug fluoxetine inhibited currents expressed by both wild-type and mutant KCNT1 channels. Treatment of the proband with fluoxetine led to a prolonged electroclinical amelioration, with disappearance of seizures and better EEG background organization, together with an improvement in behavior and mood. Altogether, these results suggest that, based on the proband’s genetic and functional characteristics, the antidepressant drug fluoxetine may be repurposed for the treatment of focal epilepsy caused by gain-of-function variants in KCNT1. Further studies are needed to verify whether this approach could be also applied to other phenotypes of the KCNT1-related epilepsies spectrum.
Large-scale coupling of prefrontal activity patterns as a mechanism for cognitive control in health and disease: evidence from rodent models
Authors: Negrón-Oyarzo Ignacio , Dib Tatiana , Chacana-Véliz Lorena , López-Quilodrán Nélida , Urrutia-Piñones Jocelyn
Published: April 2024

Cognitive control of behavior is crucial for well-being, as allows subject to adapt to changing environments in a goal-directed way. Changes in cognitive control of behavior is observed during cognitive decline in elderly and in pathological mental conditions. Therefore, the recovery of cognitive control may provide a reliable preventive and therapeutic strategy. However, its neural basis is not completely understood. Cognitive control is supported by the prefrontal cortex, structure that integrates relevant information for the appropriate organization of behavior. At neurophysiological level, it is suggested that cognitive control is supported by local and large-scale synchronization of oscillatory activity patterns and neural spiking activity between the prefrontal cortex and distributed neural networks. In this review, we focus mainly on rodent models approaching the neuronal origin of these prefrontal patterns, and the cognitive and behavioral relevance of its coordination with distributed brain systems. We also examine the relationship between cognitive control and neural activity patterns in the prefrontal cortex, and its role in normal cognitive decline and pathological mental conditions. Finally, based on these body of evidence, we propose a common mechanism that may underlie the impaired cognitive control of behavior.
Long COVID and its association with neurodegenerative diseases: pathogenesis, neuroimaging, and treatment
Authors: Zhao Jinyang , Xia Fan , Jiao Xue , Lyu Xiaohong
Published: April 2024

Corona Virus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has presented unprecedented challenges to the world. Changes after acute COVID-19 have had a significant impact on patients with neurodegenerative diseases. This study aims to explore the mechanism of neurodegenerative diseases by examining the main pathways of central nervous system infection of SARS-CoV-2. Research has indicated that chronic inflammation and abnormal immune response are the primary factors leading to neuronal damage and long-term consequences of COVID-19. In some COVID-19 patients, the concurrent inflammatory response leads to increased release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which may significantly impact the prognosis. Molecular imaging can accurately assess the severity of neurodegenerative diseases in patients with COVID-19 after the acute phase. Furthermore, the use of FDG-PET is advocated to quantify the relationship between neuroinflammation and psychiatric and cognitive symptoms in patients who have recovered from COVID-19. Future development should focus on aggressive post-infection control of inflammation and the development of targeted therapies that target ACE2 receptors, ERK1/2, and Ca2+.
Machine learning algorithms for detection of visuomotor neural control differences in individuals with PASC and ME
Authors: Ahuja Harit , Badhwar Smriti , Edgell Heather , Litoiu Marin , Sergio Lauren E.
Published: April 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected millions worldwide, giving rise to long-term symptoms known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) infection, colloquially referred to as long COVID. With an increasing number of people experiencing these symptoms, early intervention is crucial. In this study, we introduce a novel method to detect the likelihood of PASC or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) using a wearable four-channel headband that collects Electroencephalogram (EEG) data. The raw EEG signals are processed using Continuous Wavelet Transform (CWT) to form a spectrogram-like matrix, which serves as input for various machine learning and deep learning models. We employ models such as CONVLSTM (Convolutional Long Short-Term Memory), CNN-LSTM, and Bi-LSTM (Bidirectional Long short-term memory). Additionally, we test the dataset on traditional machine learning models for comparative analysis. Our results show that the best-performing model, CNN-LSTM, achieved an accuracy of 83%. In addition to the original spectrogram data, we generated synthetic spectrograms using Wasserstein Generative Adversarial Networks (WGANs) to augment our dataset. These synthetic spectrograms contributed to the training phase, addressing challenges such as limited data volume and patient privacy. Impressively, the model trained on synthetic data achieved an average accuracy of 93%, significantly outperforming the original model. These results demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of our proposed method in detecting the effects of PASC and ME, paving the way for early identification and management of the condition. The proposed approach holds significant potential for various practical applications, particularly in the clinical domain. It can be utilized for evaluating the current condition of individuals with PASC or ME, and monitoring the recovery process of those with PASC, or the efficacy of any interventions in the PASC and ME populations. By implementing this technique, healthcare professionals can facilitate more effective management of chronic PASC or ME effects, ensuring timely intervention and improving the quality of life for those experiencing these conditions.
EEG analysis in patients with schizophrenia based on microstate semantic modeling method
Authors: Li Hongwei , Wang Changming , Ma Lin , Xu Cong , Li Haifeng
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Microstate analysis enables the characterization of quasi-stable scalp potential fields on a sub-second timescale, preserving the temporal dynamics of EEG and spatial information of scalp potential distributions. Owing to its capacity to provide comprehensive pathological insights, it has been widely applied in the investigation of schizophrenia (SCZ). Nevertheless, previous research has primarily concentrated on differences in individual microstate temporal characteristics, neglecting potential distinctions in microstate semantic sequences and not fully considering the issue of the universality of microstate templates between SCZ patients and healthy individuals.

Methods

This study introduced a microstate semantic modeling analysis method aimed at schizophrenia recognition. Firstly, microstate templates corresponding to both SCZ patients and healthy individuals were extracted from resting-state EEG data. The introduction of a dual-template strategy makes a difference in the quality of microstate sequences. Quality features of microstate sequences were then extracted from four dimensions: Correlation, Explanation, Residual, and Dispersion. Subsequently, the concept of microstate semantic features was proposed, decomposing the microstate sequence into continuous sub-sequences. Specific semantic sub-sequences were identified by comparing the time parameters of sub-sequences.

Results

The SCZ recognition test was performed on the public dataset for both the quality features and semantic features of microstate sequences, yielding an impressive accuracy of 97.2%. Furthermore, cross-subject experimental validation was conducted, demonstrating that the method proposed in this paper achieves a recognition rate of 96.4% between different subjects.

Discussion

This research offers valuable insights for the clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia. In the future, further studies will seek to augment the sample size to enhance the effectiveness and reliability of this method.
GluN2B-containing NMDA receptor attenuated neuronal apoptosis in the mouse model of HIBD through inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress-activated PERK/eIF2α signaling pathway
Authors: Wu Mengxue , Xu Shilian , Mi Kai , Yang Shuang , Xu Yuanyuan , Li Jie , Chen Junyang , Zhang Xiaomin
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) refers to brain damage in newborns caused by hypoxia and reduced or even stopped cerebral blood flow during the perinatal period. Currently, there are no targeted treatments for neonatal ischemic hypoxic brain damage, primarily due to the incomplete understanding of its pathophysiological mechanisms. Especially, the role of NMDA receptors is less studied in HIBD. Therefore, this study explored the molecular mechanism of endogenous protection mediated by GluN2B-NMDAR in HIBD.

Method

Hypoxic ischemia was induced in mice aged 9-11 days. The brain damage was examined by Nissl staining and HE staining, while neuronal apoptosis was examined by Hoechst staining and TTC staining. And cognitive deficiency of mice was examined by various behavior tests including Barnes Maze, Three Chamber Social Interaction Test and Elevated Plus Maze. The activation of ER stress signaling pathways were evaluated by Western blot.

Results

We found that after HIBD induction, the activation of GluN2B-NMDAR attenuated neuronal apoptosis and brain damage. Meanwhile, the ER stress PERK/eIF2α signaling pathway was activated in a time-dependent manner after HIBE. Furthermore, after selective inhibiting GluN2B-NMDAR in HIBD mice with ifenprodil, the PERK/eIF2α signaling pathway remains continuously activated, leading to neuronal apoptosis, morphological brain damage. and aggravating deficits in spatial memory, cognition, and social abilities in adult mice.

Discussion

The results of this study indicate that, unlike its role in adult brain damage, GluN2B in early development plays a neuroprotective role in HIBD by inhibiting excessive activation of the PERK/eIF2α signaling pathway. This study provides theoretical support for the clinical development of targeted drugs or treatment methods for HIBD.
Associations of maternal inflammatory states with human milk composition in mothers of preterm infants
Authors: Landau-Crangle Erin , O’Connor Deborah , Unger Sharon , Hopperton Kathryn , Somerset Emily , Nir Hadar , Hoban Rebecca
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Overweight/obesity (ow/ob) is increasing in prevalence in pregnant women, and it is associated with other pro-inflammatory states, such as pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and preterm labor. Data are lacking if mothers experiencing inflammatory states who deliver preterm have mother’s own milk (MOM) with differing inflammatory markers or pro-inflammatory fatty acid (FA) profiles.

Methods

The aim was to explore associations of maternal pre- and perinatal inflammatory states with levels of inflammatory markers and/or FAs in longitudinal samples of MOM from mothers of preterm infants born <1,250 g. Inflammatory states included pre-pregnancy ow/ob, diabetes, chorioamnionitis (chorio), preterm labor (PTL), premature rupture of membranes (PROM), pre-eclampsia, and cesarian delivery. In MOM, inflammatory markers studied included c-reactive protein (CRP), free choline, IFN-Ɣ, IL-10, IL-1β, IL-1ra, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α, and FAs included omega-6:omega-3 ratio, arachidonic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, linoleic acid, monounsaturated FAs, and saturated FAs. The above inflammatory states were assessed individually, and the healthiest mothers (normal BMI, no chorio, and ± no pre-eclampsia) were grouped. Regression analysis tested associations at baseline (day 5) and over time using generalized estimating equations.

Results

A total of 92 infants were included who were delivered to mothers (42% ow/ob) at a median gestational age of 27.7 weeks and birth weight of 850 g. MOM CRP was 116% higher (relative change 2.16) in mothers with ow/ob at baseline than others (p = 0.01), and lower (relative change 0.46, 0.33, respectively) in mothers in the two “healthy groups” at baseline (both p < 0.05) than others. MOM IL-8 levels were lower with chorio and PTL at baseline. No significant associations were found for other individual or grouped inflammatory states nor for other MOM inflammatory markers nor FA profiles at baseline.

Discussion

In conclusion, MOM CRP levels are positively associated with inflammatory states, such as ow/ob. Reassuringly, there was no association between FA profiles or most other inflammatory markers and maternal inflammatory states. Further studies are needed to determine potential associations or ramifications of MOM CRP in vulnerable preterm infants.
Valorization of monovarietal Nostrana di Brisighella extra virgin olive oils: focus on bioactive compounds
Authors: Casadei Enrico , Valli Enrico , Bendini Alessandra , Barbieri Sara , Tucci Rosalba , Ferioli Federico , Gallina Toschi Tullia
Published: April 2024

A “green breakthough” at the table due to consumer demand for healthy and sustainable foods, which aligns with the typical Mediterranean diet, has recently led to an increase in the consumption of products such as extra virgin olive oil. In fact, Italian olive cultivation, which contributes an average of 15% of world production, has seen the production of extra virgin olive oil with a value of exports that have doubled in the last 20 years. In this context, the olive oil sector of the Emilia-Romagna region (Italy), and in particular the PDO Brisighella, could achieve greater success with consumers by proposing a product obtained through sustainable agriculture that enhances the content of bioactive compounds. For these reasons, in this study, different agronomic variables are investigated in order to optimize the presence of bioactive components in extra virgin olive oil made from monovarietal Nostrana di Brisighella, namely phenolic and positive volatile compounds, thus naturally enriching this product both from health and sensory points of view. The study focuses on the volatile and phenolic fractions (derivatives of hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol) of olive oil and the positive sensory attributes (fruity, bitter and pungent) that are known to be associated with these molecules. The phenolic content is of particular interest due to the potential to support health claims. Extra virgin olive oil samples were produced from olives of the Nostrana di Brisighella cultivar; fruits were obtained through integrated pest management or organic farming and picked at four increasing indices of maturity, corresponding to four successive weeks of harvesting. These agronomic variables influenced the compositional and sensory characteristics of the extra virgin olive oils assessed, highlighting differences that likely derive from the effect of the agronomic system used, i.e., integrated pest management or organic farming.
Genetic, lifestyle and metabolic factors contributing to cardiovascular disease in the Italian population: a literature review
Authors: Ojeda-Granados Claudia , Campisi Elisabetta , Barchitta Martina , Agodi Antonella
Published: April 2024

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent a major health problem worldwide. In Italy, despite the decline in CVD mortality and disability-adjusted life years recently observed, CVD remains the leading cause of death. The development of CVD has a complex and multifactorial etiology that involves environmental, lifestyle/behavioral (e.g., unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, smoking, and alcohol abuse), metabolic, and genetic factors. Although a large number of CVD susceptibility genetic variants have been identified, some seem to confer risk according to the genetic background or ethnicity of the population. Some CVD-associated polymorphisms with appreciable frequency in the Italian population may be important contributors to the development and progression of the most prevalent CVD in the population. This literature review aims to provide an overview of the epidemiology of CVD in Italy, as well as to highlight the main genetic, lifestyle/behavioral, and metabolic factors contributing to CVD risk in this population.
Laboratory blood parameters and machine learning for the prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Lu Feng , Yang Linlan , Luo Zhenglian , He Qiao , Shangguan Lijuan , Cao Mingfei , Wu Lichun
Published: April 2024

Background

In contemporary study, the death of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients need precise and expedient prognostic methodologies.

Objective

To develop and validate a prognostic model tailored to ESCC patients, leveraging the power of machine learning (ML) techniques and drawing insights from comprehensive datasets of laboratory-derived blood parameters.

Methods

Three ML approaches, including Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM), Random Survival Forest (RSF), and the classical Cox method, were employed to develop models on a dataset of 2521 ESCC patients with 27 features. The models were evaluated by concordance index (C-index) and time receiver operating characteristics (Time ROC) curves. We used the optimal model to evaluate the correlation between features and prognosis and divide patients into low- and high-risk groups by risk stratification. Its performance was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier curve and the comparison with AJCC8 stage. We further evaluate the comprehensive effectiveness of the model in ESCC subgroup by risk score and KDE (kernel density estimation) plotting.

Results

RSF’s C-index (0.746) and AUC (three-year AUC 0.761, five-year AUC 0.771) had slight advantage over GBM and the classical Cox method. Subsequently, 14 features such as N stage, T stage, surgical margin, tumor length, age, Dissected LN number, MCH, Na, FIB, DBIL, CL, treatment, vascular invasion, and tumor grade were selected to build the model. Based on these, we found significant difference for survival rate between low-(3-year OS 81.8%, 5-year OS 69.8%) and high-risk (3-year OS 25.1%, 5-year OS 11.5%) patients in training set, which was also verified in test set (all P < 0.0001). Compared with the AJCC8th stage system, it showed a greater discriminative ability which is also in good agreement with its staging ability.

Conclusion

We developed an ESCC prognostic model with good performance by clinical features and laboratory blood parameters.
Assessment of omeprazole and famotidine effects on the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus in patients following kidney transplant–randomized controlled trial
Authors: Miedziaszczyk Miłosz , Karczewski Marek , Grabowski Tomasz , Wolc Anna , Idasiak-Piechocka Ilona
Published: April 2024

Tacrolimus is metabolized in the liver with the participation of the CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 enzymes. Proton pump inhibitors are used in kidney transplant patients to prevent duodenal and gastric ulcer disease due to glucocorticoids. Omeprazole, unlike famotidine, is a substrate and inhibitor of the enzymes CYP2C19, CYP3A4, CYP3A5. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of omeprazole and famotidine on the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus. A randomized, non-blinded study involving 22 stabilized adult kidney transplant patients was conducted. Patients received the standard triple immunosuppression regimen and omeprazole 20 mg (n = 10) or famotidine 20 mg (n = 12). The study material consisted of blood samples in which tacrolimus concentrations were determined using the Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immuno Assay method. A single administration of omeprazole increased tacrolimus concentrations at 2 h (day 2) = 11.90 ± 1.59 ng/mL vs. 2 h (day 1 — no omeprazole administration) = 9.40 ± 0.79 ng/mL (p = 0.0443). AUC0-6 amounted to 63.07 ± 19.46 ng × h/mL (day 2) vs. 54.23 ± 10.48 ng × h/mL (day 1), (p = 0.0295). AUC2-6 amounted to 44.32 ± 11.51 ng × h/mL (day 2) vs. 38.68 ± 7.70 ng × h/mL (day 1), (p = 0.0130). Conversely, no significant changes in values of pharmacokinetic parameters were observed for famotidine. Omeprazole significantly increases blood exposure of tacrolimus. The administration of famotidine instead of omeprazole seems safer for patients following kidney transplantation.

Clinical Trial Registration:clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT05061303
Fabry-perot interferometers with resin scaffolders for high sensitivity temperature sensing
Authors: Zeng Yu , Zhang Pengyu , Li Zhiqi , Shen Jian , Li Chaoyang
Published: April 2024

This study explores the development of an innovative Fabry-Perot Interferometer (FPI) designed for temperature sensing and environmental monitoring. The device is constructed by embedding optical fibers within a 3D-printed resin scaffold, forming a structure with an open Fabry-Perot cavity. Intended as an integral component of Cyber-Physical-Social Systems (CPSS), this FPI structure aims to enhance the system’s capacity to sense changes in external environmental conditions. Within the CPSS context, the FPI offers several advantages, including simple manufacturing processes, low production costs, and high sensitivity. These benefits contribute to providing precise environmental feedback to the system, which is essential in implementing effective security and privacy protection strategies. Experimental evaluations have shown that the FPI exhibits a high linear sensitivity of 14.330 nm/°C within a temperature range of 34.9°C–38.5°C, confirming its potential for application in CPSS for temperature monitoring and environmental sensing.
Disturbed flow regulates protein disulfide isomerase A1 expression via microRNA-204
Authors: Tanaka Leonardo Y. , Kumar Sandeep , Gutierre Lucas F. , Magnun Celso , Kajihara Daniela , Kang Dong-Won , Laurindo Francisco R. M. , Jo Hanjoong
Published: April 2024

Redox processes can modulate vascular pathophysiology. The endoplasmic reticulum redox chaperone protein disulfide isomerase A1 (PDIA1) is overexpressed during vascular proliferative diseases, regulating thrombus formation, endoplasmic reticulum stress adaptation, and structural remodeling. However, both protective and deleterious vascular effects have been reported for PDIA1, depending on the cell type and underlying vascular condition. Further understanding of this question is hampered by the poorly studied mechanisms underlying PDIA1 expression regulation. Here, we showed that PDIA1 mRNA and protein levels were upregulated (average 5-fold) in the intima and media/adventitia following partial carotid ligation (PCL). Our search identified that miR-204-5p and miR-211-5p (miR-204/211), two broadly conserved miRNAs, share PDIA1 as a potential target. MiR-204/211 was downregulated in vascular layers following PCL. In isolated endothelial cells, gain-of-function experiments of miR-204 with miR mimic decreased PDIA1 mRNA while having negligible effects on markers of endothelial activation/stress response. Similar effects were observed in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Furthermore, PDIA1 downregulation by miR-204 decreased levels of the VSMC contractile differentiation markers. In addition, PDIA1 overexpression prevented VSMC dedifferentiation by miR-204. Collectively, we report a new mechanism for PDIA1 regulation through miR-204 and identify its relevance in a model of vascular disease playing a role in VSMC differentiation. This mechanism may be regulated in distinct stages of atherosclerosis and provide a potential therapeutic target.
The contribution of sensory information asymmetry and bias of attribution to egocentric tendencies in effort comparison tasks
Authors: Stinson Caedyn , Kagan Igor , Pooresmaeili Arezoo
Published: April 2024

When comparing themselves with others, people often evaluate their own behaviors more favorably. This egocentric tendency is often categorized as a bias of attribution, with favorable self-evaluation resulting from differing explanations of one’s own behavior and that of others. However, studies on information availability in social contexts offer an alternative explanation, ascribing egocentric biases to the inherent informational asymmetries between performing an action and merely observing it. Since biases of attribution and availability often co-exist and interact with each other, it is not known whether they are both necessary for the egocentric biases to emerge. In this study, we used a design that allowed us to directly compare the contribution of these two distinct sources of bias to judgements about the difficulty of an effortful task. Participants exhibited no attribution bias as judgements made for themselves did not differ from those made for others. Importantly, however, participants perceived the tasks they actively performed to be harder than the tasks they observed, and this bias was magnified as the overall task difficulty increased. These findings suggest that information asymmetries inherent to the difference between actively performing a task and observing it can drive egocentric biases in effort evaluations on their own and without a contribution from biases of attribution.
Effects of age-based stereotype threat on time-based prospective memory
Authors: Tsang Alex Pak Lik , Chan Stephen Cheong Yu , Lu Hui Jing , Wong Chi Chung
Published: April 2024

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of a blatant activation of age-based stereotype threats (ABST) on time-based prospective memory (TBPM) in older adults. A sample of 74 adults from Hong Kong was randomly assigned to one of the two experimental conditions: the stereotyped condition (n = 36) or the neutral condition (n = 38). Participants were asked to read fictitious news reports related to dementia (stereotyped condition) or the importance of English oral skills (neutral condition). After, all participants performed a TBPM task using the Chinese lexical decision task as an ongoing task block. The results indicate a main effect of ABST on TBPM accuracy. Specifically, older adults under a blatant activation of ABST demonstrated lower TBPM accuracy (p < 0.05, ηp2 = 0.08). Further analyses based on age groups demonstrated that TBPM accuracy was only impaired in older participants (aged 70–80 years) (p < 0.05, ηp2 = 0.19). The study, for the first time, provides evidence that ABST can disrupt TBPM performance in older adults, especially when cues are blatantly activated.
Trends in the global burden of vision loss among the older adults from 1990 to 2019
Authors: Yin Jiayang , Jiang Bing , Zhao Tantai , Guo Xiaojian , Tan Yao , Wang Yanbing
Published: April 2024

Purpose

To quantify the global impact of vision impairment in individuals aged 65 years and older between 1990 and 2019, segmented by disease, age, and sociodemographic index (SDI).

Methods

Using the Global Burden of Diseases 2019 (GBD 2019) dataset, a retrospective demographic evaluation was undertaken to ascertain the magnitude of vision loss over this period. Metrics evaluated included case numbers, prevalence rates per 100,000 individuals, and shifts in prevalence rates via average annual percentage changes (AAPCs) and years lived with disability (YLDs).

Results

From 1990 to 2019, vision impairment rates for individuals aged 65 years and older increased from 40,027.0 (95% UI: 32,232.9-49,945.1) to 40,965.8 (95% UI: 32,911-51,358.3, AAPC: 0.11). YLDs associated with vision loss saw a significant decrease, moving from 1713.5 (95% UI: 1216.2–2339.7) to 1579.1 (95% UI: 1108.3–2168.9, AAPC: −0.12). Gender-based evaluation showed males had lower global prevalence and YLD rates compared to females. Cataracts and near vision impairment were the major factors, raising prevalence by 6.95 and 2.11%, respectively. Cataract prevalence in high-middle SDI regions and near vision deficits in high SDI regions significantly influenced YLDs variation between 1990 and 2019.

Conclusion

Over the past three decades, there has been a significant decrease in the vision impairment burden in individuals aged 65 and older worldwide. However, disparities continue, based on disease type, regional SDI, and age brackets. Enhancing eye care services, both in scope and quality, is crucial for reducing the global vision impairment burden among the older adults.
Prevalence, drug resistance, and genotypic diversity of the RDRio subfamily of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Ecuador: a retrospective analysis for years 2012–2016
Authors: Castro-Rodriguez Bernardo , Franco-Sotomayor Greta , Benitez-Medina Jose Manuel , Cardenas-Franco Greta , Jiménez-Pizarro Natalia , Cardenas-Franco Camilo , Aguirre-Martinez Juan Luis , Orlando Solon Alberto , Hermoso de Mendoza Javier , Garcia-Bereguiain Miguel Angel
Published: April 2024

Introduction

A major sublineage within the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) LAM family characterized by a new in-frame fusion gene Rv3346c/55c was discovered in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) in 2007, called RDRio, associated to drug resistance. The few studies about prevalence of MTB RDRio strains in Latin America reported values ranging from 3% in Chile to 69.8% in Venezuela, although no information is available for countries like Ecuador.

Methods

A total of 814 MTB isolates from years 2012 to 2016 were screened by multiplex PCR for RDRio identification, followed by 24-loci MIRU-VNTR and spoligotyping.

Results

A total number of 17 MTB RDRio strains were identified, representing an overall prevalence of 2.09% among MTB strains in Ecuador. While 10.9% of the MTB isolates included in the study were multidrug resistance (MDR), 29.4% (5/17) of the RDRio strains were MDR.

Discussion

This is the first report of the prevalence of MTB RDRio in Ecuador, where a strong association with MDR was found, but also a very low prevalence compared to other countries in Latin America. It is important to improve molecular epidemiology tools as a part of MTB surveillance programs in Latin America to track the transmission of potentially dangerous MTB stains associated to MDR TB like MTB RDRio.
The moderating effect of care time on care-related characteristics and caregiver burden: differences between formal and informal caregivers of dependent older adults
Authors: Oh Eunmi , Moon SeolHwa , Chung Daum , Choi Rina , Hong Gwi-Ryung Son
Published: April 2024

Objective

This study examined differences in care burden between formal and informal caregivers of dependent older adults according to care-related characteristics, and whether care time had a moderating effect on the relationship between care-related characteristics and caregiver burden.

Methods

Participants were formal (n = 520) and informal caregivers (n = 142) of dependent older adults in South Korea. Caregiver burden was measured using the Korean version of the Zarit Burden Interview. Data were analyzed using hierarchical regression with interaction terms and moderation analysis.

Results

Caregiver burden was higher for informal caregivers than formal caregivers. Factors associated with an increased risk of caregiver burden in both formal and informal caregiver of dependent older adults were caregivers’ stress, physical strain, and care time. Care time significantly moderated the relationship between care attitude and care burden only among formal caregivers. When formal caregivers’ care time was 1 standard deviation higher than the mean value, care attitude was significantly associated with care burden (bsimple = −0.903, SE = 0.106, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The caregiver burden of dependent older adults can be reduced by providing interventions to attenuate the effects of modifiable risk factors that were identified in this study. And to weaken the relationship between care attitude and burden of formal caregivers who have long care hours, a positive social atmosphere for care should be provided in addition to education. To realize sustainable care, policy considerations that reflect the results of this study will help solve the problem of formal and informal caregiver burden of dependent older adults.
Validity and reliability of the My Jump 2 app for detecting interlimb asymmetry in young female basketball players
Authors: Stojiljković Nenad , Stanković Dušan , Pelemiš Vladan , Čokorilo Nebojša , Olanescu Mihai , Peris Miruna , Suciu Adrian , Plesa Alin
Published: April 2024

Introduction

The aim of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of the My Jump 2 app for the assessment of interlimb jump asymmetry in young female basketball players.

Methods

Nine athletes (age 15 ± 0.9 years; weight 62.9 ± 5.8 kg; height 173.6 ± 6.1 cm) performed single-leg drop jumps (DJs) and both-leg drop jumps on a force plate (Kistler Quattro jump) and were simultaneously recorded on two smartphones using the My Jump 2 app. Jump height from flight time and contact time data were statistically analyzed to evaluate the validity of two different camera settings, drop jump performance, and interlimb jump asymmetry in basketball players. The testing was repeated after 1 week for test retest reliability.

Results

High test-retest reliability [intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) > 0.88] was observed in DJ height. High correlation between the force plate and the My Jump 2 app was observed in DJ height (r = 0.99) and DJ contact time (r = 0.98). For the interlimb jump height asymmetries, mean differences were 0.6 percentages for the My Jump 2 app and the force plate, respectively (p = 0.77). Inter-device reliability revealed almost perfect correlation for the DJ height (ICC = 0.99, r = 0.98).

Conclusion

The My Jump 2 app is a valid and reliable tool to assess drop jump performance and interlimb asymmetry in young female basketball players.
Quantifying movement of the coffee berry borer at the interface between coffee plantations and adjacent land uses
Authors: Vilchez-Mendoza Sergio J. , Ronin Antoine , Bommel Pierre , Cilas Christian , Bagny Beilhe Leila
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Insect pests cause important crop production losses worldwide. Their distribution and movement are affected by climate and land use change and agriculture intensification. Site colonization by insect pests is dependent on pest dispersal capability, the availability of resources, the presence of competitors or predators, the weather conditions and the characteristics of the surrounding landscape. Movement of pests between the plots might be considered in pest management strategies to counterbalance the traditional plot oriented strategies. In this study, our objective was to provide evidence of the movement of the coffee berry borer (CBB), the most important pest in coffee cultivation, from neighboring coffee plantations to adjacent land uses at different time periods of the coffee production cycle.

Methods

For 10 months we captured the CBB with funnel traps in 13 coffee plots that had an interface with forests, pastures, and abandoned coffee plantations in Costa Rica. At each interface, we established three transects with a minimum distance of 50 m between them, in the direction of the wind. Within each transect, we placed four traps 20 m apart. We fitted generalized linear mixed models to evaluate the relationship between CBB captures and the type of interface, the position of the trap, wind velocity, rainfall, temperature and relative humidity, and their interactions.

Results

Our findings suggest that CBB moves into adjacent land uses when the coffee resource in the plot is limited. This effect varies according to the interface and the position of the trap. We also found an interaction between the interface and the position of the trap with the wind and relative humidity.

Discussion

Our findings suggest that movement of the CBB partly depends upon the adjacent land uses. The forest creates a barrier to CBB movement and may prevent the transport of the CBB considering the action of the wind speed. The pasture may facilitate movement of the CBB through the action of the wind speed and infest coffee plantations beyond its dispersal capacity. Our results support the importance of considering the landscape context when developing CBB management strategies.
Characterization of the plasma proteome from healthy adult dogs
Authors: Doulidis Pavlos G. , Kuropka Benno , Frizzo Ramos Carolina , Rodríguez-Rojas Alexandro , Burgener Iwan A.
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Bloodwork is a widely used diagnostic tool in veterinary medicine, as diagnosis and therapeutic interventions often rely on blood biomarkers. However, biomarkers available in veterinary medicine often lack sensitivity or specificity. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics technology has been extensively used in the analysis of biological fluids. It offers excellent potential for a more comprehensive characterization of the plasma proteome in veterinary medicine.

Methods

In this study, we aimed to identify and quantify plasma proteins in a cohort of healthy dogs and compare two techniques for depleting high-abundance plasma proteins to enable the detection of lower-abundance proteins via label-free quantification liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. We utilized surplus lithium-heparin plasma from 30 healthy dogs, subdivided into five groups of pooled plasma from 6 randomly selected individuals each. Firstly, we used a commercial kit to deplete high-abundance plasma proteins. Secondly, we employed an in-house method to remove albumin using Blue-Sepharose.

Results and discussion

Among all the samples, some of the most abundant proteins identified were apolipoprotein A and B, albumin, alpha-2-macroglobulin, fibrinogen beta chain, fibronectin, complement C3, serotransferrin, and coagulation factor V. However, neither of the depletion techniques achieved significant depletion of highly abundant proteins. Despite this limitation, we could detect and quantify many clinically relevant proteins. Determining the healthy canine proteome is a crucial first step in establishing a reference proteome for canine plasma. After enrichment, this reference proteome can later be utilized to identify protein markers associated with different diseases, thereby contributing to the diagnosis and prognosis of various pathologies.
Research on Efficient Feature Generation and Spatial Aggregation for Remote Sensing Semantic Segmentation
Authors: Li Ruoyang , Xiong Shuping , Che Yinchao , Shi Lei , Ma Xinming , Xi Lei
Published: April 2024

Semantic segmentation algorithms leveraging deep convolutional neural networks often encounter challenges due to their extensive parameters, high computational complexity, and slow execution. To address these issues, we introduce a semantic segmentation network model emphasizing the rapid generation of redundant features and multi-level spatial aggregation. This model applies cost-efficient linear transformations instead of standard convolution operations during feature map generation, effectively managing memory usage and reducing computational complexity. To enhance the feature maps’ representation ability post-linear transformation, a specifically designed dual-attention mechanism is implemented, enhancing the model’s capacity for semantic understanding of both local and global image information. Moreover, the model integrates sparse self-attention with multi-scale contextual strategies, effectively combining features across different scales and spatial extents. This approach optimizes computational efficiency and retains crucial information, enabling precise and quick image segmentation. To assess the model’s segmentation performance, we conducted experiments in Changge City, Henan Province, using datasets such as LoveDA, PASCAL VOC, LandCoverNet, and DroneDeploy. These experiments demonstrated the model’s outstanding performance on public remote sensing datasets, significantly reducing the parameter count and computational complexity while maintaining high accuracy in segmentation tasks. This advancement offers substantial technical benefits for applications in agriculture and forestry, including land cover classification and crop health monitoring, thereby underscoring the model’s potential to support these critical sectors effectively.
Analysing the Performance of a Trust-Based AODV in the Presence of a Flooding Attack
Authors: Alzahrani Ali , Thomas Nigel
Published: April 2024

Mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) are wireless multi-hop networks that do not rely on any fixed infrastructure, unlike traditional networks. Nodes in MANETs are formed dynamically and are free to move in any direction at variable speeds. The special characteristics of MANETs make them vulnerable to flooding attacks, which can have a negative impact on their performance. Moreover, due to their nature, employing solutions designed for traditional networks is not feasible. One potential solution to enhance the performance of MANETs in the face of network attacks is to implement trust management. This paper evaluates the performance of Ad hoc On-Demand Distance Vector (AODV) Routing in the presence of a flooding attack. We propose a direct trust management scheme to detect and isolate malicious nodes and implement this scheme on AODV. We name the modified protocol Trusted AODV (TAODV) and, finally, compare the performance of AODV and TAODV when both are under a flooding attack to measure the improvement achieved by our suggested scheme.
Preoperative Direct Puncture Embolization of Castleman Disease of the Parotid Gland: A Case Report
Authors: Pedicelli Alessandro , Trombatore Pietro , Bartolo Andrea , Camilli Arianna , Rossi Esther Diana , Scarcia Luca , Alexandre Andrea M.
Published: April 2024

Background: Castleman disease (CD) is an uncommon benign lymphoproliferative disease characterized by hypervascular lymphoid hyperplasia. We present a unique case of unicentric CD of the parotid gland treated by preoperative direct puncture embolization. Case presentation: A 27-year-old female patient was admitted for a right neck mass. Ultrasound examination and MRI scan documented a hypervascular mass within the right parotid gland. Preoperative embolization was performed by direct puncture technique: a needle was inserted into the core of the mass under both ultrasound and fluoroscopic guidance and SQUID 12 was injected into the mass under fluoroscopic control, achieving a total devascularization. Conclusion: Preoperative direct puncture embolization was safe and effective and provides excellent hemostatic control during the surgical operation, limiting the amount of intraoperative bleeding.
Chemical Recalcitrance Rather Than Soil Microbial Community Determined Short-Term Biochar Stability in a Poplar Plantation Soil
Authors: Zhang Fangchao , Lu Weiwei , Jin Fengjie
Published: April 2024

The stability of biochar is fundamental to its soil carbon (C) sequestration potential. The relative importance of chemical recalcitrance and the soil microbial community on biochar stability is still unclear. To unveil the question, we conducted a 60-day incubation to explore the stability of two rice-straw-derived biochars pyrolyzed at 300 and 500 °C (denoted as BS300 and BS500), as well as the relative contribution of the soil microbial community and biochar chemical recalcitrance to biochar stability in a poplar plantation soil. Biochar-derived cumulative carbon dioxide (CO2) emission was estimated to be 41.3 and 6.80 mg C kg−1, accounting for 0.73 and 0.11% of the amended biochar-derived organic C (OC) in BS300 and BS500 treatments, respectively. The mean retention time (MRT) estimated by double-exponential model fitting was 49.4 years for BS300 and 231 years for BS500. Compared to control, BS300 and BS500 decreased β-D-glucosidase activity by 20.9 and 18.0%, while they decreased phenol oxidase activity by 31.8 and 18.9%, respectively. Furthermore, BS300 increased the soil microbial metabolic quotient (qCO2) by 155%, but BS500 decreased it by 13.4%. In addition, BS300 resulted in a 520% higher biochar-derived hot-water-extractable OC than BS500. Partial least-squares path modeling (PLSPM) showed that the path efficients of biochar’s chemical recalcitrance and microbial qCO2 were 0.52 and 0.25, respectively, and that of the soil microbial activity is neglected. We conclude from this short-term study that chemical recalcitrance imposed a greater effect than soil microbial community on biochar stability.
Relevance of PNPLA3, TM6SF2, HSD17B13, and GCKR Variants to MASLD Severity in an Egyptian Population
Authors: Elmansoury Nehal , Megahed Ahmed A. , Kamal Ahmed , El-Nikhely Nefertiti , Labane Marina , Abdelmageed Manal , Daly Ann K. , Wahid Ahmed
Published: April 2024

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is a frequent clinical condition globally. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with NAFLD have been proposed in the literature and based on bioinformatic screening. The association between NAFLD and genetic variants in Egyptians is still unclear. Hence, we sought to investigate the association of some genetic variants with NAFLD in Egyptians. Egyptians have been categorized into either the MASLD group (n = 205) or the healthy control group (n = 187). The severity of hepatic steatosis and liver fibrosis was assessed by a Fibroscan device. TaqMan-based genotyping assays were employed to explore the association of selected SNPs with MASLD. PNPLA3 rs738409 C>G variant is associated with the presence of MASLD with liver fibrosis, the severity of both hepatic steatosis and liver fibrosis, increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure and increased alanine aminotransferase (all p < 0.05), while the TM6SF2 rs58542926 C>T, HSD17B13 rs9992651 G>A, and GCKR rs1260326 T>C variants were not (all p > 0.05). The TM6SF2 rs58542926 T allele is associated with increased fasting blood glucose and a decreased waist circumference. The GCKR rs1260326 C allele is associated with decreased aspartate transaminase and diastolic blood pressure (all p < 0.05). Only after adjusting for the risk factors (age, sex, BMI, WC, HDL, TG, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension) F2 liver fibrosis score is negatively correlated with the HSD17B13 rs9992651 GA genotype. This study offers evidence for the association of the PNPLA3 rs738409 C>G variant with MASLD among Egyptians and for the association of the PNPLA3 rs738409 G allele, the TM6SF2 rs58542926 T allele, and the GCKR rs1260326 C allele with some parameters of cardiometabolic criteria.
Innovative Molecular Targets and Therapeutic Approaches in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NAFLD/NASH) 3.0
Authors: Vairetti Mariapia , Colucci Giuseppe , Ferrigno Andrea
Published: April 2024

The aim of this Special Issue is to provide an update on the diagnosis and treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is the most prevalent liver disease worldwide; however, there are still no specific treatment agents [...]