bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of clinical prognosis in autoimmune encephalitis: Girona score
Authors: Álvarez Bravo Gary , Guglielmini Giuseppe , Quiroga Varela Ana , Boix Lago Almudena , Gifreu Fraixinó Ariadna , Urso Daniele , Logroscino Giancarlo , Ramió-Torrentà Lluís
Published: January 2025

Background

The assessment of clinical prognosis in autoimmune encephalitis: Girona (ACPE-Gi) score is a scale for evaluating the severity in the acute phase of autoimmune encephalitis (AE) and predicting the risk of disability at 3 months, measured by modified Rankin scale (mRS).

Methods

Patients were strictly diagnosed with AE according to the current criteria between 1 January 2009 to 31 March 2023 at the University Hospital Dr. Josep Trueta of Girona, Catalonia, Spain. ACPE-Gi score included 14 items, and every item was scored from 0 to 3, depending on their severity with a sum ranging from 0 to 41.

Results

ACPE-Gi score measured the severity in the acute phase and grouped the patients into three groups: mild (<8; 32%), moderate (8 to 15; 60%), and severe (>15; 8%). We found that the third group had a higher risk of disability compared with the first group (p = 0.035). We identified that the mean initial score was significantly higher in the group of patients who had higher mRS at 3 months compared to that in the group of patients who had a mild to moderate disability level (mRS ≤ 2) at 3 months (p = 0.023). In addition, autonomic symptoms and mental status impairment demonstrated to be independent risk factors to predict disability (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The ACPE-Gi score seems to be a reliable scale for comprehensively evaluating the severity of AE in the acute phase and predicting the risk of disability at 3 months. Dysautonomia and altered mental status predict a poorer prognosis in patients with AE.
Adult HIV/AIDS patients are more likely to experience anxiety symptoms
Authors: Abdu Zakir , Belayneh Wondwossen , Dule Aman , Alemu Solomon Seyife , Wedajo Lema Fikadu , Hajure Mohammedamin , Tesfaye Gebremeskel Mulatu , Workneh Yadeta Alemayehu , Gezimu Wubishet , Adem Hussen Mustefa , Tefera Bilisumamulifna , Habib Sadik
Published: January 2025

Background

Among various mental disorders, anxiety disorder is commonly reported in HIV-positive individuals. Compared to the general population, people living with HIV/AIDS exhibit a higher prevalence of anxiety, with an estimated figure of 68.2% versus 29% in the general population. However, there is a scarcity of studies on the prevalence and associated factors of anxiety among people living with HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia.

Method

An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 320 participants at Gambella General Hospital. The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) scale, Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS), and the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) were used to collect the data. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions were employed to identify independently associated variables, and statistical significance was determined at a p-value <0.05.

Results

Out of a total of 323 samples, 320 respondents completed all items, resulting in a response rate of 99.07%. The results showed that 28.4% (95% CI = 23.2–33.9) of participants had anxiety. Factors such as being aged 25 to 40 years, having seen a counselor, HIV disclosure, alcohol use disorders, and perceived high stigma were significantly associated with anxiety in people living with HIV (PLWH).

Conclusion

In the study area, about two out of every seven people living with HIV/AIDS experienced anxiety symptoms. Factors such as being aged 25 to 40 years, having seen a counselor, HIV disclosure, alcohol use disorders, and perceived high stigma were significantly associated with anxiety in this population. Based on these findings, timely intervention is recommended to enhance the overall well-being and quality of life for people living with HIV (PLWH), leading to better health outcomes, reducing the burden of mental health issues, and supporting more holistic, patient-centered care.
The independent and joint relationships between dietary antioxidant intake with risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and all-cause mortality: insights from NHANES
Authors: Xu Yifeng , Yan Zhaoqi , Li Keke , Liu Liangji , Xu Lei
Published: January 2025

Background

Numerous studies have indicated that a diet rich in antioxidants can prevent Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). However, the relationship between combined dietary antioxidant intake and the risk of COPD remains unclear. The Comprehensive Dietary Antioxidant Index (CDAI) is a composite score of various dietary antioxidants, including vitamins A, C, E, zinc, selenium, and carotenoids. In this study, we examined the independent and joint associations of CDAI with the risk of COPD and all-cause mortality.

Methods

The analysis was conducted using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning from 2013 to 2018. Multivariable weighted logistic and Cox regression models were employed to evaluate the correlations of CDAI (including vitamins A, C, E, zinc, selenium, and carotenoids) with the risk of COPD and all-cause mortality. Restricted cubic spline models were used to examine potential non-linear relationships. Sensitivity and stratified analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of the results.

Results

In this study, compared to the lowest quartile, the highest quartile of CDAI levels was significantly negatively associated with the risk of COPD (Odds Ratio [OR]: 0.47; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.22–0.97), exhibiting a non-linear relationship. Additionally, vitamins A, C, E, zinc, selenium, and carotenoids were also negatively associated with the risk of COPD. Furthermore, dietary antioxidant zinc in the second quartile (Hazard Ratio [HR]: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.10–0.62) was negatively associated with the risk of all-cause mortality compared to the lowest quartile. Subgroup analysis results remained stable, and sensitivity analysis did not support the association between selenium and the risk of COPD, with no substantial changes in the remaining associations.

Conclusion

Higher CDAI is inversely associated with the risk of COPD, and appropriate intake of the dietary antioxidant zinc may reduce all-cause mortality in COPD patients.
Centering community-based maternal and child nutrition services in Bangladesh’s rural primary healthcare: what has potential to scale
Authors: Abdulloeva Safina , Bhanot Arti , Khan Mohd. Aziz , Bulbul Md. Mofijul Islam , Rahman Mijanur , Afsana Kaosar , Forissier Thomas , Sharma Deepika , Alam Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid
Published: January 2025

Introduction

The extensive network of community health workers in rural Bangladesh has the potential to deliver maternal and child nutrition services, while promoting linkages with healthcare facilities. A strategy for strengthening community-based nutrition services was developed and tested.

Methods

The three-phased strategy included review of existing community-based systems, co-designing service package with multi-sector government representatives, and testing implementation feasibility. Integrated health and nutrition service delivery, supportive supervision, and increased accountability of local government were core components of the service package being implemented in selected geographies since March 2023. The assessment followed a mixed-method design with household survey of 1,166 pregnant women, mothers of children under-6 months and 6–23 months, and observations of 965 service delivery points along with qualitative study.

Results

A higher proportion of children received growth monitoring and promotion (GMP) services through expanded program on immunization (EPI) sessions, with better compliance to service delivery protocol in intervention areas compared with controls. Maternal nutrition services of gestational weight gain monitoring and distribution of supplements were better available in intervention areas. However, minimum dietary diversity among pregnant women (69% intervention, 72% control), early initiation of breastfeeding (55% intervention, 51% control), and complementary feeding practices were comparable in intervention and control areas. Nutrition services were successfully integrated in supervision which earlier covered EPI and family planning. The local government contributed to strengthening nutrition services but at a small scale.

Discussion

There is potential to scale-up GMP services through EPI and merging antenatal clinics with GMP and EPI such that all maternal and childcare services are available at the same place and same time. A coordinated investment and oversight from multiple national government departments is needed. At district and sub-district levels, scale-up requires joint annual planning of nutrition and EPI services, strengthened management of nutrition services, bridging health worker vacancies, introducing volunteers in sites with high EPI case load, capacity building, and supportive supervision. Replacement of multiple health and nutrition records with a single mother and child health and nutrition card is also feasible. However, behavior change interventions through home visits and courtyard meetings need more testing before recommending scale-up.
How do families access holiday activities and food programmes and other support? Learnings from the Borough of Southwark holiday activities and food club’s evaluation
Authors: McSweeney Lorraine , Sewornu Anita , Goffe Louis , Arnott Bronia , Adamson Ashley
Published: January 2025

Introduction

The school holidays can be a challenging time for many families especially for those reliant on free school meals. The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme aims to provide disadvantaged families across England with healthy meals and enriching activities for children and young people. The clubs are usually in the form of a network of independent clubs and often depends on local partnerships and connections, such as the voluntary, community, social and enterprise sectors. In 2023 Southwark Council, interested in building on the findings of a national evaluation and providing more context specific insights relating to access to and use of their clubs, approached the Public Health Intervention Responsive Studies Teams scheme to collaborate in a service provision evaluation.

Methods

As part of the wider evaluation, a qualitative study was conducted. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents/carers of HAF eligible children and semi-structured interviews/focus groups were held with children and young people (CYP) attending a HAF club. Recruitment was through the clubs. The transcripts were coded by two independent researchers and thematic analysis applied.

Results

Nine parent/carers and two young people took part in an interview. Six discussion groups with 4–6 young people in each took place. Most participants heard about the club they attended through word of mouth from friends and family, through the child’s school or by seeing a flyer/newsletter advert. Many participants were unaware of the variety and number of different clubs available to families. Finding out about the clubs online was reported to be time-consuming and websites not user-friendly. Parents/carers spoke of the frustration in trying to navigate booking systems. There was also a lack of awareness of the types of other support/signposting available from clubs.

Discussion

The evaluation highlighted the low-level of family awareness of all available HAF activities across the borough. Furthermore, navigating the system was reported as challenging. Southwark Council reviewed and revised its online provision to create a centralised repository accessible to families that aimed to improve awareness and ease the club booking process. Further work is required to improve signposting to support services and provision for parents/carers.
Rotavirus infections in the pediatric population: a comparative study of pre-COVID and COVID-19 pandemic periods
Authors: Öztelcan Gündüz Bahar , Kutlutürk Kazım , Ünay Bülent
Published: January 2025

Background

This study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence and clinical outcomes of rotavirus infections in the pediatric population.

Methods

This retrospective study was conducted at the Pediatrics Clinic of Gülhane Research and Training Hospital, analyzing data from the pre-COVID-19 period (January 1, 2017 – January 1, 2020) and during the COVID-19 pandemic period (March 11, 2020 – August 31, 2022). Patient data, including demographic characteristics, presenting complaints, laboratory results, and hospitalization status, were collected from hospital records. Statistical comparisons were made to evaluate changes in rotavirus infection patterns between the two examined periods.

Results

The data of a total of 3,915 pediatric patients with diarrhea were included, with 468 (6.8%) testing positive for rotavirus. Three hundred and forty of these cases (72.6%) were detected during the COVID-19 pandemic period, while 128 cases (27.4%) were detected before the pandemic period. The median age of the patients was 2 years, while 62.7% were under 2 years of age. Significant differences were found between the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 periods in terms of the number of emergency department visits (p = 0.003), the duration of emergency observations (p = 0.001) and the rates of patient visits from urban or rural centers (p = 0.001). Laboratory parameters, including blood sodium levels (p = 0.02), neutrophil counts (p = 0.02), base excess (p = 0.03), and bicarbonate levels (p = 0.05), also showed significant differences. Factors influencing hospitalization were found to be emergency department observation time (hours) with an OR of 0.91, 95% CI (0.867–0.974) (p = 0.005), blood glucose levels with an OR of 1.03, 95% CI (1.02–1.05) (p = 0.002), serum potassium levels with an OR of 2.36, 95% CI (1.14–4.87) (p = 0.02), and CRP levels with an OR of 1.02, 95% CI (1.01–1.03) (p = 0.006).

Conclusion

The results of this study emphasize the need for targeted interventions to manage rotavirus infections, particularly in the context of ongoing public health challenges. Understanding the COVID-19 pandemic’s effects on rotavirus epidemiology is crucial for developing effective strategies to mitigate severe outcomes in vulnerable pediatric populations.
Integrating retrieval-augmented generation for enhanced personalized physician recommendations in web-based medical services: model development study
Authors: Zheng Yingbin , Yan Yiwei , Chen Sai , Cai Yunping , Ren Kun , Liu Yishan , Zhuang Jiaying , Zhao Min
Published: January 2025

Background

Web-based medical services have significantly improved access to healthcare by enabling remote consultations, streamlining scheduling, and improving access to medical information. However, providing personalized physician recommendations remains a challenge, often relying on manual triage by schedulers, which can be limited by scalability and availability.

Objective

This study aimed to develop and validate a Retrieval-Augmented Generation-Based Physician Recommendation (RAGPR) model for better triage performance.

Methods

This study utilizes a comprehensive dataset consisting of 646,383 consultation records from the Internet Hospital of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University. The research primarily evaluates the performance of various embedding models, including FastText, SBERT, and OpenAI, for the purposes of clustering and classifying medical condition labels. Additionally, the study assesses the effectiveness of large language models (LLMs) by comparing Mistral, GPT-4o-mini, and GPT-4o. Furthermore, the study includes the participation of three triage staff members who contributed to the evaluation of the efficiency of the RAGPR model through questionnaires.

Results

The results of the study highlight the different performance levels of different models in text embedding tasks. FastText has an F1-score of 46%, while the SBERT and OpenAI significantly outperform it, achieving F1-scores of 95 and 96%, respectively. The analysis highlights the effectiveness of LLMs, with GPT-4o achieving the highest F1-score of 95%, followed by Mistral and GPT-4o-mini with F1-scores of 94 and 92%, respectively. In addition, the performance ratings for the models are as follows: Mistral with 4.56, GPT-4o-mini with 4.45 and GPT-4o with 4.67. Among these, SBERT and Mistral are identified as the optimal choices due to their balanced performance, cost effectiveness, and ease of implementation.

Conclusion

The RAGPR model can significantly improve the accuracy and personalization of web-based medical services, providing a scalable solution for improving patient-physician matching.
Microbiota, parasitic infections and their relationship with nutritional status and neurocognitive functioning in children from Ecuador—Proyecto Guagua: research protocol for a cross-sectional study
Authors: Abril-Ulloa Sandra Victoria , Carpio-Arias Tannia Valeria , Alvarado-Barba Renata Alejandra , Ríos-Romero Cristina Gabriela , Vinueza-Veloz Pamela , Lima-dos-Santos Sueny Paloma , Astudillo-Skliarova Igor Eduardo , Arias-Gutiérrez Ruth Irene , Pérez-Quintana Manuel , Boele Henk-Jan , Vinueza-Veloz María Fernanda
Published: January 2025

Introduction

This protocol outlines the Proyecto Guagua, which aims to explore the relationship between the characteristics of the gut microbiota, parasitic infections, nutritional status, and neurocognitive functioning in school-age children in Ecuador.

Methods and analysis

Proyecto Guagua is a cross-sectional observational study funded by the Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo. It is being carried out in several counties across different geographical regions in Ecuador, including Galápagos. The study targets children regularly attending school, aged 6–12. We aim to recruit 450 children, with data already collected from nearly 300 participants (67%). Enrolled children undergo comprehensive evaluations assessing nutritional status, body composition, motor learning, social skills, cognitive ability, sleep habits, and physical activity. Caretakers and school teachers are interviewed regarding hygiene, eating habits, and food handling. Stool samples are collected to analyze the gut microbiota and determine the presence of parasites. In the analysis phase, we aim to describe differences in microbiota population structure and diversity among undernourished and obese/overweight children, and children with parasitosis compared to their peers. We also plan to test the hypothesis that an altered microbiota mediates the influence of malnutrition on neurocognitive functioning and parasitosis.

Ethics and dissemination

Proyecto Guagua received ethical approval from the Ethics Committee of Universidad de Cuenca in July 2022. Following the pilot phase, an addendum and minor changes to the study design were approved in October 2022. Written consent was obtained from parents before enrolling their children in the study. Parents and children were informed of their right to withdraw from the study at any time. The findings of “Proyecto Guagua” will be disseminated through open-access, peer-reviewed publications and presented at local and international scientific events.
A consensus statement on child and family health during the COVID-19 pandemic and recommendations for post-pandemic recovery and re-build
Authors: Redhead Caroline A. B. , Silverio Sergio A. , Payne Elana , Greenfield Mari , Barnett Sara M. , Chiumento Anna , Holder Beth , Skirrow Helen , Torres Ofelia , Power Carmen , Weiss Staci M. , Magee Laura A. , Downe Soo , Frith Lucy , Cameron Claire
Published: January 2025

Introduction

As health systems struggled to respond to the catastrophic effects of SARS-CoV-2, infection prevention and control measures significantly impacted on the delivery of non-COVID children's and family health services. The prioritisation of public health measures significantly impacted supportive relationships, revealed their importance for both mental and physical health and well-being. Drawing on findings from an expansive national collaboration, and with the well-being of children and young people in mind, we make recommendations here for post-pandemic recovery and re-build.

Methods

This consensus statement is derived from a cross-disciplinary collaboration of experts. Working together discursively, we have synthesised evidence from collaborative research in child and family health during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have identified and agreed priorities areas for both action and learning, which we present as recommendations for research, healthcare practice, and policy.

Results

The synthesis led to immediate recommendations grouped around what to retain and what to remove from “pandemic” provision and what to reinstate from pre-pandemic, healthcare provision in these services. Longer-term recommendations for action were also made. Those relevant to children's well-being concern equity and relational healthcare.

Discussion

The documented evidence-base of the effects of the pandemic on children's and family services is growing, providing foundations for the post-pandemic recovery and re-setting of child and family health services and care provision. Recommendations contribute to services better aligning with the values of equity and relational healthcare, whilst providing wider consideration of care and support for children and families in usual vs. extra-ordinary health system shock circumstances.
Accuracy of smartwatches in predicting distance running performance
Authors: Dai Jiansong , Chen Gangrui , Gu Zhonghe , Qi Yuxuan , Xu Kai
Published: January 2025

Objective

This study examined the accuracy of smartwatches in predicting running performance.

Methods

A total of 154 amateur runners (123 males and 31 females) were recruited. After wearing the HUAWEI WATCH GT Runner for a minimum of six weeks, the runners' actual completion times for 5 km, 10 km, and half marathon distances were measured, resulting in 288 test instances. The predicted completion times for the same distances displayed on the watch on the test day were recorded simultaneously.

Results

The actual and predicted performances for the 5, 10, and 21.1 km distances were highly correlated, with r ≥ 0.95 (p < 0.001) and r2 ≥ 0.9 for all three distances, an error rate between the measured and predicted values of less than 3%, and intraclass correlation coefficient ≥0.9. The bias ± 95% limits of agreement were −20.4 ± 44.2 s for 5 km, 4.1 ± 299.1 s for 10 km, and 143.8 ± 400.4 s for the half marathon.

Conclusions

This study confirmed that the smartwatch exhibits high precision in predicting 5 km, 10 km, and half marathon performances, with an accuracy exceeding 97%. The performance prediction features of smartwatches can effectively guide amateur runners in setting reasonable competition goals and preparing for races.
The effect of sustainable agricultural practices on crop productivity in Ethiopia: insights from a meta-analysis
Authors: Ejeta Tadesse Tolera , Bai Xiuguang
Published: January 2025

Conventional agriculture harms the environment and threatens sustainability. To address these issues, sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs) have become imperative. This study utilizes a meta-analysis approach to comprehensively assess empirical studies, investigate the impact of SAPs on crop productivity, identify influencing factors, and examine their temporal evolution. The findings reveal that (1) SAP adoption significantly and positively influences crop productivity, with multiple practices exhibiting the most substantial impact, followed by sustainable agricultural technology. Individuals who adopted SAPs achieved crop productivity that was 980 kilograms per hectare higher than those who did not. (2) Factors such as age, farm size, family size, livestock units, credit access, off-farm income, market distance, and cooperative membership negatively affect crop productivity, whereas education and extension services have a positive impact. (3) The positive effects of education and extension services on crop productivity strengthen over time. The strengthening of these variables over time implies a gradual increase in farmer awareness, access to resources, and adoption of SAPs, highlighting their evolving role in driving them. Accordingly, none of the past researchers identified any patterns in the variables influencing crop productivity. Therefore, promoting SAP adoption and prioritizing education and extension services can offer farmers with experience and support, thereby enhancing crop productivity. Future initiatives should therefore combine interdisciplinary methods, technology, and community involvement for ensuring SAP’s sustainability and scalability.
Insights gained through real-time monitoring of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and description of temporal trends based on laboratory data in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Petukhova Tatiana , Spinato Maria , Rossi Tanya , Guerin Michele T. , Bauman Cathy A. , Nelson-Smikle Pauline , Ojkic Davor , Poljak Zvonimir
Published: January 2025

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a prevalent pathogen that impacts the health of swine and is costly to the swine industry. This study utilized PRRSV test results from the University of Guelph's Animal Health Laboratory database to develop interactive, real-time dashboards and to monitor and investigate PRRSV data. The test results from Ontario swine herd samples submitted from January 2014 to July 2023 were processed in R v.4.1.1. The final optimized, aggregated, and anonymized datasets were exported to the Tableau server and were used to design dynamic real-time visualizations with Tableau Desktop v.2021.4. Constructed dashboards were: (1) monthly number of submissions and positive submissions over the last 10 years; (2) number of submissions and positive submissions over the last 3 years, interactively displayed at weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly intervals; (3) monthly number of PRRSV restriction fragment length polymorphism pattern (RFLP) types at the submission level over the last 5 years; (4) weekly number of tested farms and positive farms over the last 6 Years; (5) monthly number of tested farms and positive farms over the last 6 Years; (6) indicators of the epidemiological data quality in each month; and (7) contextual information. Eighty different PRRSV RFLP patterns were identified with the predominant patterns being 1-8-4, 1-1-1, 1-4-2, and 2-5-2. Most farms contributed one submission per week or per month for PRRSV testing (median: 1 submission per week; IQR: 0; max: 13; median: 1 submission per month; IQR: 1, max: 31). Epidemiological data quality showed considerable improvements over the 9 years of investigation. Apparent changes in trends of submissions were visually observed when time series were stratified by reasons for submission and production class.
Development of a Basilar Membrane-Inspired Mechanical Spectrum Analyzer Using Metastructures for Enhanced Frequency Selectivity
Authors: Chavan Shantanu H. , Malladi Vijaya V. N. Sriram
Published: January 2025

This study introduces a mechanical spectrum analyzer (MSA) inspired by the tonotopic organization of the basilar membrane (BM), designed to achieve two critical features. First, it replicates the traveling-wave behavior of the BM, characterized by energy dissipation without reflections at the boundaries. Second, it enables the physical encoding of the wave energy into distinct spectral components. Moving beyond the conventional focus on metamaterial design, this research investigates wave propagation behavior and energy dissipation within metastructures, with particular attention to how individual unit cells absorb energy. To achieve these objectives, a metastructural design methodology is employed. Experimental characterization of metastructure samples with varying numbers of unit cells is performed, with reflection and absorption coefficients used to quantify energy absorption and assess bandgap quality. Simulations of a basilar membrane-inspired structure incorporating multiple sets of dynamic vibration resonators (DVRs) demonstrate frequency selectivity akin to the natural BM. The design features four types of DVRs, resulting in stepped bandgaps and enabling the MSA to function as a frequency filter. The findings reveal that the proposed MSA effectively achieves frequency-selective wave propagation and broad bandgap performance. The quantitative analysis of energy dissipation, complemented by qualitative demonstrations of wave behavior, highlights the potential of this metastructural approach to enhance frequency selectivity and improve sound processing. These results lay the groundwork for future exploration of 2D metastructures and applications such as energy harvesting and advanced wave filtering.
Addressing Shortages with Storage: From Old Grain Pits to New Solutions for Underground Storage Systems
Authors: Pasqualone Antonella
Published: January 2025

In every era, climate variability and frequent food shortages have made it necessary to store harvested grains for more than one season. Underground grain storage has been used since ancient times throughout the world. Italy (Cerignola) and Malta (Valletta and Floriana) have preserved rare examples of more recent (from the 16th century onward) large concentrations of grain pits, capable of accumulating substantial reserves to cope with famine or siege. No longer in operation, they represent an important part of the cultural heritage of the agricultural economy. The purpose of this narrative review was, after a geographical framing of grain pits in the Eurasian and African macro-areas, to take the Italian and Maltese grain pits as historical case studies to draw attention to the reevaluation of underground grain storage in the context of climate change and food insecurity. Today, as in the past, grain reserves play a significant role in food security in developing countries and, due to climate change and geopolitical events that can cause disruptions in grain supplies, are also increasingly important for developed countries. A comparison of traditional and modern underground storage systems reveals the great flexibility of this technology, ranging from basic pits of different sizes to large underground granaries equipped with a support structure. The advantages of underground storage, such as environmental sustainability due to thermal insulation of the soil and airtight conditions that make high energy inputs for grain cooling and pesticide use unnecessary, are still useful today, perhaps more so than in the past. Prospects for development include technical solutions involving the application of innovative information technology-based monitoring systems and the use of modern materials to ensure the performance of waterproofing, seepage control, and static safety, all tools for further evolution of this ancient storage system.
A Coupling Coordination Assessment of the Land–Water–Food Nexus in China
Authors: Liu Cong , Jiang Wenlai , Wei Jianmei , Lu Hui , Liu Yang , Li Qing
Published: January 2025

The synergistic relation among land resources, water resources, and food production plays a crucial role in sustainable agricultural development. This research constructs a coupling coordination assessment system of the land–water–food (LWF) nexus from 2005 to 2020 for 31 provinces (municipal cities, autonomous regions) in China, and explores the current development status of land, water, and food systems at multiple scales as well as the coupling coordination characteristics of the LWF nexus. The exploring spatial data analysis and spatial Tobit model are used to explain the spatial correlations and influencing factors of coupling coordination development on the LWF nexus. On that basis, the gray GM (1,1) model is used to forecast the future development of the LWF nexus in China. The results show that the comprehensive development indexes of the land system, water system, food system, and LWF nexus are on the rise, but the land system lags behind the water system and food system. The coupling coordination degree of the LWF nexus in different regions ranges from 0.538 to 0.754, and the coupling coordination development of the LWF nexus in China has reached the preliminary coupled coordination type, with an evolutionary process similar to that of its comprehensive development level. Further empirical research shows that there is a significant positive spatial correlation between coupling coordination development levels for the LWF nexus in China. The level of urbanization and agricultural industry agglomeration have negative effects, while economic development, ecological environment, and scientific and technological progress have positive effects. The prediction results indicate that the coupling coordination degree of the LWF nexus in China will show a stable upward trend from 2024 to 2025, and most provinces will reach the intermediate coupled coordination type in 2025. This study can inform decision-making for policy-makers and practitioners and enrich the knowledge hierarchy of the LWF nexus’ sustainable development on the national and regional scales.
Evaluation of Commercial Fertilizer Based Medium for Desmodesmus abundans Cultivation and the Use of Microalgal Biomass as Biostimulant in Soybean Glycine max (L.) Merr.
Authors: Goelzer Ademir , Lopes Graciela Beatris , Machado Danilo José , Resende Mário Lúcio Vilela , Duarte Whasley Ferreira
Published: January 2025

Microalgae have emerged as a promising renewable resource due to their biomass production and cell composition. This study aimed to evaluate a commercial nutrient source for Desmodesmus abundans L2B Bold cultivation, analyzing its metabolome, photosynthetic pigments, and biomass potential as a biostimulant for soybean crops. Samples underwent metabolomics analysis via GC/MS after derivatization. Microalgal biomass produced in a commercial fertilizer medium (CF) was applied as a biostimulant at three concentrations in soybean crops at 30, 50, and 70 days post-sowing. Pigments and dry biomass levels were similar in BG11 and CF media, but CF reduced production costs by 31.8%. Distinct metabolite profiles were observed, with major classes being organic acids (19%), amines (14%), sugars (12%), fatty acids (11%), and esters (10%). Foliar application of 20% (v/v) D. abundans L2B Bold increased stem diameter (5.88 mm), leaf fresh and dry mass, and stem mass. Additionally, there were increases in nitrogen (26%) and protein (38.1%) in seeds, alongside higher pod (10.9) and seed numbers (25.2) and seed mass (3.43 g) per plant−1. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of using CF as a culture medium and the potential of D. abundans L2B Bold as a biostimulant for soybean production.
Evaluation of the Concentration-Addition Approach for Pesticide Mixture Risk Assessment in Agricultural Watersheds
Authors: Kim Young-Eun , Jeon Da Rae , Im Jong Kwon , Lee Hyeri , Huh Yujeong , Lee Jong-Chun , Oh You-Kwan , Kim Jong Guk , Kim Hyoung Seop
Published: January 2025

The environment is a complex system composed of various creatures and pollutants caused by human activity. In this study, a mixture toxicity assessment based on the concentration-addition (CA) model was applied to 51 types of pesticides detected in the Saemangeum Watershed (the Mangyeong and Dongjin Rivers) for one year to evaluate pollution levels. A mixture toxicity assessment was conducted based on the measured environmental concentration (MEC) and the predictive values of basic ecotoxicity data (algae, daphnids, and fish). The risk and the trophic levels that showed the highest sensitivity varied depending on the sampling time and point for each mode of action (MoA) group of pesticides. In particular, the mixture risk for chloroacetamide and thiocarbamate pesticides was high (risk quotient > 1), and the potential risk was highest in autumn. In addition, the driving forces of seasonal changes were examined for samples that exhibited potential risks, and it was found that one to four substances contributed the most to the risk. The results of this study show that an initial risk assessment based on a mixture toxicity assessment can help in managing pesticide pollution in rivers.
Effect of Mixed Spraying of SA and ABA on the Growth and Development of Winter Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus L.) During the Post-Waterlogging Podding Period
Authors: Shao Mingyu , He Yejun , Han Xinran , Qu Hongyue , Zhang Xiaoyang , Chen Changqiang , Zhang Jiamin , Song Qinxu , Zhou Jinghua , Jie Yucheng , Xing Hucheng
Published: January 2025

Winter oilseed rape is particularly vulnerable to waterlogging stress during its growth and development stages, especially at the podding stage, leading to impaired photosynthesis, reduced antioxidant enzyme activity, and significant declines in yield and oil content. Previous studies have demonstrated that exogenous plant growth regulators, such as salicylic acid (SA) and abscisic acid (ABA), enhance crop resistance to abiotic stresses. Nevertheless, their combined application for winter oilseed rape recovery under waterlogging stress remains underexplored. In this study, a pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of SA, ABA, and their combination on the growth, photosynthesis, antioxidant enzyme activity, and yield of winter oilseed rape at the podding stage following waterlogging stress. The results showed that mixed spraying of SA and ABA significantly improved plant height, effective branching number, yield per plant, and thousand-grain weight of winter oilseed rape, surpassing the effects of individual treatments. Structural equation modeling revealed that mixed spraying enhanced yield components through direct improvements in photosynthesis and indirect regulation of antioxidant enzyme activities. This study is the first to systematically evaluate the role of mixed spraying of SA and ABA in mitigating waterlogging stress and restoring yield and quality in winter oilseed rape. This approach effectively alleviates the adverse effects of waterlogging and provides a valuable reference for post-waterlogging management of other crops. These results hold significant implications for addressing the impacts of climate change and ensuring global food security.
A Study on the Preparation of Multifunctional Bacillus spp. Composite Inoculants and Their Ability to Promote Watermelon Growth
Authors: Li Lin , Liu Ke , Lan Fafa , Xiao Wentao , Wang Baoping , Zhou Jing , Zhang Jitao , Wen Yunjie , Wang Xiuhong , Shi Xiangyuan
Published: January 2025

The development of plant-growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) is one of the important research topics in agricultural microbiology. Four bacterial isolates that exhibited nitrogen fixation, phosphate and potassium solubilization, as well as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and siderophore production abilities, were selected from biogas residue, namely BR-1, BR-16, BR-17, and BR-44. According to morphological and molecular biological identification, BR-1, BR-16, BR-17, and BR-44 belonged to Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus megaterium, and Bacillus subtilis, respectively. The four functional strains were combined into a composite microbial community. The optimal media were peptone (15 g/L), sucrose (10 g/L), and KCl (2 g/L); the optimal incubation conditions were an initial pH of 7.0, a volume of 47 mL/250 mL, an inoculum size of 6% v/v, an incubation temperature of 31 °C, a shaking speed of 205 r/min, and an incubation period of 20 h, as determined through a single factor test and the response surface methodology (RSM). In the optimized process, a liquid bacterial inoculant with an OD600 of 1.866 was obtained, with an effective viable count of 8.955 × 109 CFU/mL. A solid bacterial inoculant was prepared by using bran as a substrate, and its effective viable count was 1.11 × 109 CFU/g. The application of the bacterial inoculants promoted the growth of watermelon, increased the photosynthetic efficiency and yield, and improved fruit quality. This study provides a theoretical basis and technical support for the development and application of microbial inoculants.
GmGGDR Gene Confers Abiotic Stress Tolerance and Enhances Vitamin E Accumulation in Arabidopsis and Soybeans
Authors: Yu Xiaofang , Li Jinghong , Bie Yanting , Cheng Xinfeng , Zheng Qingyun , Li Nan , Teng Weili , Li Yongguang , Han Yingpeng , Li Haiyan
Published: January 2025

Vitamin E, comprising tocopherols and tocotrienols, is a crucial fat-soluble antioxidant that helps maintain intracellular redox homeostasis in plants when they are under stress. Soybeans are a significant source of natural vitamin E. GGDR catalyzes the formation of phytyl diphosphate (PDP), a key vitamin E precursor, and it is involved in chlorophyll degradation. The GmGGDR gene, identified via RNA-seq in soybean germplasms with high and low vitamin E contents, encodes GGDR, a key enzyme involved in both vitamin E synthesis and chlorophyll degradation. This study shows that the GmGGDR-encoded protein is hydrophilic and stable, predominantly expressed in leaves, and markedly responsive to gibberellins. The GmGGDR gene enhances the tolerance of transgenic Arabidopsis and soybean plants to salt and drought stresses; transgenic soybeans overexpressing GmGGDR exhibited an approximately 8-fold increase in POD activity, with no significant changes in SOD and CAT activities. Moreover, the GmGGDR gene enhances the levels of α-, γ-, δ-, and total tocopherol content in transgenic soybean and Arabidopsis plants and also increases the chlorophyll a levels in the leaves of these transgenic plants. The increases in α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, and δ-tocopherol and total tocopherol in transgenic Arabidopsis seeds ranged from 177.8% to 600.0%, 42.9% to 90.0%, 17.6% to 292.9%, and 71.4% to 127.3% over the control, respectively. Similarly, transgenic soybeans exhibited a minimum increase of 42.9%, 27.8%, 7.1%, and 25.0% in these tocopherol fractions. Overexpression of GmGGDR also significantly elevated chlorophyll a levels in the leaves of these transgenic plants by 33.3–112.5%. This study preliminarily elucidated the function of the GmGGDR gene. It provides a theoretical foundation for further research. It presents a novel strategy for the genetic enhancement of soybean vitamin E content.
Application of the Buccal Micronucleus Cytome Assay for Genotoxicity Detection in Dogs
Authors: da Costa Bruna Filipa Tavares , Teixeira Alexandra , Prata Joana C. , Pérez-Mongiovi Daniel
Published: January 2025

In Europe, there is a growing concern for animal welfare, encompassing both their rights and health. Consequently, identifying biomarkers that predict serious pathological conditions has become crucial in veterinary medicine. The Buccal Micronucleus Cytome (BMCyt) assay is a minimally invasive method that uses biomarkers to evaluate DNA damage and chromosomal instability, using exfoliated buccal cells. A rising frequency of anomalies, such as micronuclei formation, strongly indicates an elevated risk of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, or accelerated aging, potentially originating from exposure to genotoxins and cytotoxins. This method has been validated in humans, but very little research has been conducted on animals. This work aims to provide a detailed description of an optimized method for collecting buccal exfoliated cells in dogs and to characterize a biomarker related to genomic damage using optical and fluorescent microscopy. Samples from dogs in breeding kennels, including pregnant animals, were tested for chromosomal instability. By following procedures similar to those used in humans, we were able to detect and count major nuclear abnormalities. The percentage of micronuclei was higher compared to other studies. Technical aspects, such as avoiding artifacts and ensuring prior training of the operator, must be taken into account. This work validated the BMCyt method for collecting and processing samples in dogs, potentially enhancing the understanding of micronuclei as biomarkers for pre-pathological states in canines.
Causal Impacts of Psychiatric Disorders on Cognition and the Mediating Effect of Oxidative Stress: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Gao Yan , Wang Dandan , Wang Qian , Wang Jinfeng , Li Shuhui , Wang Tianqi , Hu Xiaowen , Wan Chunling
Published: January 2025

Many psychiatric disorders are associated with major cognitive deficits. However, it is uncertain whether these deficits develop as a result of psychiatric disorders and what shared risk factors might mediate this relationship. Here, we utilized the Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to investigate the complex causal relationship between nine major psychiatric disorders and three cognitive phenotypes, while also examining the potential mediating role of oxidative stress as a shared biological underpinning. Schizophrenia (SZ), major depressive disorder (MDD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) showed a decreasing effect on cognitive performance, intelligence, and education, while bipolar disorder (BPD) increased educational attainment. MR-Clust results exhibit the shared genetic basis between SZ and other psychiatric disorders in relation to cognitive function. Furthermore, when oxidative stress was considered as a potential mediating factor, the associations between SZ and the three dimensions of cognition, as well as between MDD and intelligence and ADHD and intelligence, exhibited larger effect sizes than the overall. Mediation MR analysis also supported the causal effects between psychiatric disorders and cognition via oxidative stress traits, including carotene, vitamin E, bilirubin, and uric acid. Finally, summary-based MR identified 29 potential causal associations of oxidative stress genes with both cognitive performance and psychiatric disorders. Our findings highlight the importance of considering oxidative stress in understanding and potentially treating cognitive impairments associated with psychiatric conditions.
Optimization of Anatase TiO2 Photocatalyst for Diclofenac Degradation by Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Akuma Desalegn Abdissa , Lund Henrik , Hoa Duong Thi Thanh , Fufa Fekadu , Strunk Jennifer , Steinfeldt Norbert
Published: January 2025

Titanium oxide semiconductors are considered effective photocatalysts for the degradation of organic pollutants. The photocatalytic activity of titanium dioxide is influenced by several factors, one of which is its phase composition, with anatase being considered the phase with the highest photocatalytic activity. In this work, a simple acid-assisted sol–gel process was used to synthesize a pure anatase phase by varying the synthesis and calcination temperature. The synthesized materials were characterized using various techniques and tested under simulated sunlight irradiation for the photocatalytic degradation of the drug diclofenac sodium (DCF), for which the pseudo-first-order apparent degradation rate constant and mineralization efficiency were determined. A pure anatase phase with high photocatalytic activity (up to 97% TOC removal) was obtained when TiO2 was synthesized at between 70 °C and 100 °C and calcined at between 400 °C and 500 °C. Furthermore, the obtained data were used to predict the optimal anatase synthesis and calcination temperatures for DCF removal using a response surface methodology (RSM) method. The model predicted a synthesis temperature of 71 °C and a calcination temperature of 440 °C, which should result in a pseudo-first-order DCF decay rate constant of 0.055 min−1 and a TOC removal rate of 100%. The experimentally determined values for the degradation rate (0.063 min−1) and TOC removal (97%) were in good agreement with the model’s predicted values.