bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF HIGH ENTROPY OXY-HYDROXIDES FOR ELECTROCATALYTIC OXYGEN EVOLUTION AND REDUCTION REACTION
Authors: TOPARLİ Cıgdem
Published: July 2023

The need for energy is rising quickly, and the usage of fossil fuels is contributing to the greenhouse effect and environmental pollution, both of which are raising public concerns. The development of novel electrochemical energy storage techniques as well as the creation of cleaner, more sustainable energies have both become highly researched topics as a result of this condition. New functional materials are being investigated for the advancement of energy storage. High entropy hydroxides (HEH) have lately been emerged as promising electrocatalyst for universal water splitting reactions, which are central for solid oxide fuel cells, hydrogen production and metal-air batteries. In this work, a cost-effective and scalable fabrication method was applied to fabricate several HEH on Nickel foam through single-step electrodeposition technique. Results showed that high-entropy FeCoNiMnOOH exhibits excellent OER activity with a low overpotential of 151 mV at current density of 100 mA cm−2, which is associated with it’s defective structure.
Pelos caminhos de Amália: do antigo norte goiano à capital do estado de Goiás
Authors: Lemes Rita Castorina Gonçalves Gundim , Oliveira Maria de Fátima , Pereira Júlio Cezar Milhomens
Published: July 2023

O presente artigo tem por objetivo compreender como foi a atuação de Amália Hermano Teixeira – mulher tocantinense/goiana – em diversas áreas do conhecimento. A investigação pautou-se na análise de seu acervo pessoal – que se encontra no Instituto Histórico e Geográfico de Goiás (IHGG) – além de suas publicações em forma de artigos em revistas científicas, livros autorais, e ainda, por meio da produção bibliográfica sobre ela. A fundamentação teórica baseou-se, por um lado, na História Cultural, com vistas a um melhor entendimento sobre a participação do indivíduo como agente histórico. Os resultados apontam que Amália foi uma personalidade que se destacou em diversos setores do conhecimento, com atuação na docência, no jornalismo, na advocacia e na botânica. Amália conseguiu dar visibilidade à flora cerratense, especialmente às orquídeas, e como colecionadora e amante da natureza, promoveu e participou de eventos, publicando diversos trabalhos com a finalidade de divulgar os seus conhecimentos sobre educação, clubes agrícolas, natureza e principalmente sobre as orquídeas.
Modelo de gestión de inventarios en logística humanitaria para la respuesta óptima ante un posible desastre natural en el distrito de Barrancabermeja
Authors: Torres Cardenas Fabian Alexander , Sanabria Ruiz Víctor Alfonso
Published: July 2023

The chaotic conditions after a disaster can cause imbalances in the supply chain, affecting the level of inventory in each storage location and the shelters destined for the care of the affected people. The common goal for all relief operations is to reach people in need and deliver aid on time. Now, an inventory management model approach is proposed through the use of lateral transfers, it is considered that in this way the effectiveness of the help activities between shelters can be improved. Thus, a decision model oriented to inventory management in humanitarian logistics in the post-disaster phase in the event of a possible earthquake is presented. The proposed model links stochastic demand inventories with a periodic review for the decisions making in the supply management process with lateral transshipment.
Personality construct as a biomarker in fibromyalgia: A narrative review from an autonomic rehabilitation perspective
Authors: Kulshreshtha Poorvi , Deepak Kishore Kumar
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND: The heterogeneity of symptoms and ineffective treatment raise questions about the current diagnostic criteria of fibromyalgia (FM). Misdiagnosis of FM often leads to less than efficacious treatment and poor quality of life. OBJECTIVE: This article reviews relevant evidence-based literature on personality traits in FM patients with an autonomic dysfunction perspective based on a hierarchical model to explain the utility of considering the personality trait in FM diagnosis. METHODS: A narrative review of articles concerning chronic pain, FM, and personality traits with respect to autonomic dysfunction in FM was conducted after extensive relevant literature searches. RESULTS: Reports discussing the predisposing factors, including coping styles, anger, suicide risk, a lack of physical activity and social support, in maintaining persistent pain in FM exist. Relationships between pain duration and severity and personality traits like neuroticism and extraversion have been reported. Coexisting clinical manifestations of FM like sleep disorders, anxiety, and intestinal irritability indicate autonomic dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: This article lays out a constructive framework for individualized and personalized medicine for the effective rehabilitation of FM patients. The quest to find a definitive diagnosis of FM should include personality biomarkers that might translate into personalized medicine. An individualistic approach may bank upon artificial intelligence algorithms for both diagnostic as well as prognostic purposes in FM.
The relationship between kinesiophobia severity and clinical parameters in patients with mechanical low back pain
Authors: Ege Ferhat
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND: Low back pain is an important widespread health problem that can occur at any age, causing serious socioeconomic losses. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between kinesiophobia severity and pain severity, depression, and quality of life in patients with mechanical low back pain. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 155 patients, of whom 72 were female and 83 were male, aged between 18 and 75 years with mechanical low back pain. Quality of life was assessed with the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), pain intensity with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), kinesiophobia with the Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale (TKS), and depression with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Patients were divided into the low (TKS ⩽ 37) and high kinesiophobia (TKS > 37) groups according to the scores they obtained from TKS. RESULTS: VAS-pain severity and BDI scores were significantly higher in the high kinesiophobia group than in the low kinesiophobia group (p< 0.001). On the other hand, the SF-36 subscale scores were significantly higher in the low kinesiophobia group than in the high kinesiophobia group (p< 0.001). The TKS scores were moderately correlated with VAS-pain severity (r= 0.470; p< 0.001) and BDI scores (r= 0.584; p< 0.001) in the positive direction, and strongly correlated with all sub-parameters of quality of life in the negative direction (p< 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results indicated that the severity of kinesiophobia in patients with non-inflammatory low back pain is associated with pain severity, depression, and poor quality of life.
A scoping review of the different types of exercise programs proposed for the improvement of postural balance in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis
Authors: Baik Seung-Min , Kim Seok-Hyun , Lee Ji-Hyun
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), which is the most common type of scoliosis, is a progressive disease that occurs in children aged 10–16 years. Abnormal curvature in AIS provokes spinal asymmetry of the upper body alignment and might deteriorate postural balancing and control ability. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of exercise interventions on balance and postural stability in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. METHODS: Embase, Scopus, Pubmed (Medline) and Web of Science databases were searched using the terms idiopathic scoliosis, physiotherapy, and balance. The articles selected were published in English in peer-reviewed journals from 2012 to July 2022. RESULTS: Ten studies met the inclusion criteria. The PEDro scale values ranged from 2 to 6 (mean, 3.6), indicating a low level of scientific rigor. In the sample studies, spinal stabilization exercises were most often trialed (n= 3), followed by Schroth’s exercise (n= 2), stretching and self-elongation exercise (n= 2), the exercise protocol of Blount and Moe, physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercise, and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation exercise (all n= 1). CONCLUSIONS: Physical therapists will be able to apply hippotherapy, Schroth exercise, physiotherapy scoliosis-specific exercise, trunk stabilization, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation exercise, spinal stabilization exercise, core stabilization exercise, and body awareness therapy to manage balance impairments in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, and further studies are needed to provide stronger evidence.
Activity of deep trunk muscles for postural control to predictable and unpredictable sagittal plane perturbations: Electromyographic analysis
Authors: Yamane Masahiro , Aoki Mitsuhiro , Sasaki Yuji , Hayashi Tomoya , Okino Kumiko
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND: The activity of deep trunk muscles (psoas major; PM, quadratus lumborum; QL, transverse abdominis; TrA, and lumbar multifidus; MF) in response to external perturbation is not clearly known. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to record the onset and amount of activity of the deep trunk muscles during sagittal plane perturbations. METHODS: Fourteen healthy males participated in this study. The activity of the right deep trunk muscles was recorded using wire electrodes. In standing, the participants performed three tasks: a pendulum impacted from anterior with predictable and unpredictable and posterior with unpredictable. RESULTS: In predictable anterior perturbation, the TrA and PM demonstrated feedforward activation, while all deep trunk muscles demonstrated feedback activation in unpredictable anterior and posterior perturbations. In the anticipatory postural adjustment phase, the activity of the TrA was large in predictable anterior perturbation, while that of all deep trunk muscles was slight in other perturbations. In the compensatory postural adjustment phase, the activity of the PM, QL, and TrA in unpredictable anterior perturbation and those of the PM, QL, and MF in unpredictable posterior perturbation were large. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed that the onset and magnitude of deep trunk muscle activity changed depending on both predictable or unpredictable perturbation and the direction of perturbation.
Global perceived improvement and health-related quality of life after physical therapy in Lebanese patients with chronic non-specific low back pain
Authors: Saleh Nour El Hoda , Hamdan Yara , Shabaanieh Abdullah , Housseiny Nourhan , Ramadan Ahmad , Diab Aly Haj , Sadek Zahra
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of physical therapy (PT) in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain (CNSLBP) is mainly evaluated through pain, disability, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). However, recent studies have recommended the consideration of improvement from patients’ perspectives. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the global perception of improvement in Lebanese patients with CNSLBP who have undergone PT, the HRQOL levels, as well as pain intensity. METHODS: 132 patients with CNSLBP who have undergone PT completed a questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic and CNSLBP characteristics questions, pain intensity numeric scale (NRS), 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12), and the Global Perceived Effect scale (GPE). Binary logistic regressions and Pearson correlation coefficient were used for analyses. RESULTS: Global perceived improvement of PT varies according to HRQOL levels. A significant correlation was found between pain intensity after PT, perceived improvement from PT, and HRQOL. Educational level and pain irradiation have been shown to be predictive factors of perceived improvement after PT. CONCLUSION: Pain and HRQOL are interrelated and contributed to elucidating the global perception of improvement after PT in patients with CNSLBP. The findings suggest that patients’ global perception of improvement should be considered in evaluating the benefits of physical therapy in addition to pain and HRQOL.
Energy efficient routing using adaptive elephant herding optimization for IoT-WSN
Authors: Sivakami K. , Vijayalakshmi P.
Published: July 2023

WSNs(Wireless Sensor Networks) has been developed with applications in many domains including agriculture, telecommunication, manufacturing industry, healthcare, and surveillance. More specifically, WSN plays a pivotal role in IoT (Internet of Things). The IoT sensors provide information about the physical phenomena in the deployed fields. As the sensors contain only limited resources, the factors like data processing, power consumption, transmission, and storage capabilities adversely affect the efficiency. Thus, the process of routing is necessary for network longevity. The data from IoT-based sensors is routed to the destination through a multi-hop routing system. The Energy aware Routing is motivated by the nature inspired Fuzzy Butterfly Optimization (E2RFBOA). Further a new data aggregation method is introduced in this article customized for IoT based WSN to acquaint higher crop yield in precision farming. Nevertheless, the scalability becomes a primary concern when deployed in larger and denser networks. This is due to the fact that all nodes in IoT and WSN are mostly alive depending on higher usage of bandwidth and power. The primal aim is to build a novel routing protocol developed for IoT-WSN. Apart from this, an Energy aware Clustered Routing that is motivated by Adaptive Elephant Herding Optimization (E2CR-AEHO) is proposed, which sensors collect data and find a group of Cluster Heads (CHs). In the AEHO Algorithm, the formed CH is rotated depending on power consumption. This also prevents frequent re-clustering; at the same time it can effectively adapt to the changes in network topology. According to the AEHOA, the node population comprises of nodes that can choose its CHs among the other nodes. This algorithm takes into account a number of criteria, including power consumption, residual power of Sensor Nodes (SN), network reliability, and data reliability. The suggested approach can efficiently represent the network environment, allowing the routing algorithm to avoid passing over marked zones. Network-specific performances measures including PDRs (Packet Delivery Ratios), NLs (Network Lifetimes), PLRs (Packet Loss Ratios), and AE2E (Average End To End) delay are used to evaluate simulation outcomes. This proposed framework aggregates IoT, which can gradually reduce the amount of data, hence extending network lifetime.
Burnout syndrome, work ability, quality of life and physical activity in teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Campo Grande, Brazil
Authors: Neto Lúcio Barbosa , Christofoletti Gustavo , de Alencar Gildiney Penaves , Burke Thomaz Nogueira
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND: School performance encompasses several forms of representation, and this has been identified as stressing factors with negative repercussions on teachers’ health. In 2020 this scenario was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with yet unknown consequences on teachers’ health. Our hypothesis is that the disease affected both the quality of life and work ability of teachers. OBJECTIVE: To identify the association between burnout syndrome, work ability, quality of life and physical activity in basic education teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic in the city of Campo Grande, Brazil. METHODS: Data collection took place from April 2020 to April 2021 through an online form linked to Google Forms. Quality of life was measured using the WHOQOL-bref, Work Ability through Work Ability Index (WAI) and burnout syndrome aspects through MBI-HSS. The association between variables was assessed by Pearson’s correlation test with p < 0,05. RESULTS: Teachers self-rated their quality of life positively (good/very good = 55.9%), showed good (43,1%) or very good (27,7%) work ability, and had low emotional fatigue (41.6%), low depersonalization (75.7%) and high personal fulfillment (58.4%). The highest correlations indicate that the greater the emotional fatigue, the lower the WAI (r = – 0.60); and the higher the WAI, the higher the quality of life (all p < 0,05). CONCLUSION: The associations indicate that those teachers who showed greater emotional fatigue showed less ability to work. In addition, a negative association between emotional fatigue and physical, social and environmental domain of quality of life was also expressed, which may be relevant to the work environment.
Improvement of the Fiber-Bonding Capacity of Unbleached Recycled Pulp by the Laccase/Mediator Treatment
Authors: MOCCIUTTI PAULINA , ZANUTTINI MIGUEL , KRUUS KRISTIINA , SUURNÄKKI ANNA
Published: July 2023

The authors studied the oxidative and delignifying effects of the Trametes hirsuta laccase-HBT (1-hydroxybenzotriazole) system (LMS) on the papermaking properties of an unbleached recycled softwood kraft pulp. The effects of pulp washing with a non-ionic surfactant (Tween 20) as a way to recover the enzyme and the effects of a final alkaline treatment were also analyzed. LMS treatment was applied to the fibrous fraction of a kappa-92 recycled pulp. The kappa-number reduction, the formation of radicals, and the increase in absorption coefficient that resulted verified that the LMS was active on this kind of pulp. Compared with the control treatment, the LMS treatment reduced the kappa number of the pulp by 8% and increased fivefold the number of radicals as analyzed by electron spin resonance. The LMS treatment also increased the light-absorption coefficient by 19%, suggesting that the fibers were oxidized. Alkaline treatment subsequent to the LMS treatment did not produce additional delignification and slightly decreased the light-absorption coefficient. The authors also found that LMS treatment or LMS treatment followed by alkaline treatment increased the fiber tensile and compressive strengths. It can be concluded that enzymatic delignification, oxidized residual lignin, or both contributed to improving the bonding capacity of the recycled fibers.
Black Liquor Spraying Experiments With Six Splashplate Nozzles in Two Recovery Boilers
Authors: MIIKKULAINEN PASI , KANKKUNEN ARI , FOGELHOLM CARL-JOHAN , HEIKKILÄ VILLE-PEKKA , RAUKOLA ANTTI
Published: July 2023

The effects of differences in splashplate nozzle size, splashplate angle, and the connection point of the nozzle pipe and the nozzle are not well known. Reasons for choosing specific splashplate nozzles for a particular use are unclear. We studied the differences in the performance and fouling behavior of six different splashplate nozzles in similar spraying conditions inside two recovery boiler furnaces. We measured velocity, opening angle, and trajectory of the sprays in addition to pressure inside the nozzle and nozzle surface temperature. Remarkable differences were observed in initial velocities and spray disintegration mechanisms, pressure loss through the nozzle pipe, trajectories, and spray opening angle.
Effect of Chemical Reaction on Unsteady Mhd Convective Transport Passing a Vertical Porous Sheet
Authors: Hossain Md Mosharrof , Laskar A Rahim , Afroz Bhuiyan Mosammat Fahmida
Published: July 2023

An analysis of the effect of chemical reactions on unsteady MHD convective transport passing a vertical porous sheet has been introduced in this research paper. The model formed of highly nonlinear governing equations are converted by inserting the similarity transformations. The numerical solutions of the fluid properties like concentration, temperature, and velocity are presented graphically. This paper also presented the heat transfer rate, mass transfer rate, and the local skin friction coefficient which are analyzed in tabular forms. The dimensionless parameters or numbers used in this problem are suction parameter, magnetic parameter, Prandtl number, Schmidt number, and chemical reaction parameter. Results give the improvement of concentration and motion of the fluid for growing values of the chemical reaction, but the reverse trends are found for the Schmidt number. The local skin-friction coefficient and the mass transfer rate are increased by about 23 % and 283%, respectively for growing amounts of the chemical reaction from 0.5 to 2.0.
Journal of Engineering Science 14(1), 2023, 85-93
River Flood Characteristics Along the Canal Area Effected By Hanzhuang Canal Jacking
Authors:   Water Resources Research Institute of Shandong Province, Jinan 250013, China, Xue-qun CHEN , Cheng-guang, LI ,   Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Environment, Jinan 250013, China, Jun-feng LIU ,   Shandong Haihe Huaihe Xiaoqing River Basin Water Conservancy Management Service Center, Jinan 250100, China, Ri-qing ZHU ,   Shandong Haihe Huaihe Xiaoqing River Basin Water Conservancy Management Service Center, Jinan 250100, China
Published: July 2023

In this paper, flood characteristics along the canal area effected by Hanzhuang Canal jacking are studied. By coupling the rainfall runoff (NAM) model with the hydrodynamic (HD) model, a 1-D hydrologic-hydrodynamic coupling model was built. On the basis of parameter calibration and model validation, different flood simulation schemes are drawn up, and the influence range of Hanzhuang Canal jacking and the flood characteristics of tributaries affected by Hanzhuang Canal jacking are analyzed respectively. The results show that with the increasing discharge of Hanzhuang Canal, the water level of Hanzhuang canal rises gradually, the main stream flood flows upstream along the tributaries, the water level of the tributaries rises gradually, and the risk of flood disasters increases. Among the tributaries, Taogou River is most affected by Hanzhuang Canal jacking and has the highest risk of flood disaster, followed by Dasha River, Dasha River Floodway and Sizhi Ditch. The results also show that the backwater of Hanzhuang Canal on the tributaries is mainly reflected in the influence on the upstream flood water level process, but has little or no influence on the flood discharge process, which can provide a reference for regional flood control and scheduling department.
MARKETING ECOLOGICO: ANÁLISIS DE REVISIÓN DE LA LITERATURA
Authors: Perez Santiago Agustín
Published: July 2023

En las últimas décadas el medioambiente es una variable clave en la gestión de las organizaciones, y dentro de estas, del marketing. El objetivo del presente trabajo es desarrollar una revisión de la literatura sobre el concepto de marketing ecológico, explorando antecedentes, la importancia de este y comprender el concepto. Se usaron las bases de datos Scopus, Science Direct, Google Scholar y Scielo. Se seleccionaron 50 artículos para realizar el proceso de revisión y rescatar lo necesario para su entendimiento. Los resultados indican una tendencia positiva en número de artículos que plantean el énfasis de la ecología y medioambiente en el marketing. Existe una diferencia entre la ecología con la sustentabilidad, que confunde y debe considerarse. A futuro se plantea la revisión de herramientas empresariales de marketing ecológico, como la aceptación de estas.
The prospective outcome of the monkeypox outbreak in 2022 and characterization of monkeypox disease immunobiology
Authors: Qudus Muhammad Suhaib , Cui Xianghua , Tian Mingfu , Afaq Uzair , Sajid Muhammad , Qureshi Sonia , Liu Siyu , Ma June , Wang Guolei , Faraz Muhammad , Sadia Haleema , Wu Kailang , Zhu Chengliang
Published: July 2023

A new threat to global health re-emerged with monkeypox’s advent in early 2022. As of November 10, 2022, nearly 80,000 confirmed cases had been reported worldwide, with most of them coming from places where the disease is not common. There were 53 fatalities, with 40 occurring in areas that had never before recorded monkeypox and the remaining 13 appearing in the regions that had previously reported the disease. Preliminary genetic data suggest that the 2022 monkeypox virus is part of the West African clade; the virus can be transmitted from person to person through direct interaction with lesions during sexual activity. It is still unknown if monkeypox can be transmitted via sexual contact or, more particularly, through infected body fluids. This most recent epidemic’s reservoir host, or principal carrier, is still a mystery. Rodents found in Africa can be the possible intermediate host. Instead, the CDC has confirmed that there are currently no particular treatments for monkeypox virus infection in 2022; however, antivirals already in the market that are successful against smallpox may mitigate the spread of monkeypox. To protect against the disease, the JYNNEOS (Imvamune or Imvanex) smallpox vaccine can be given. The spread of monkeypox can be slowed through measures such as post-exposure immunization, contact tracing, and improved case diagnosis and isolation. Final Thoughts: The latest monkeypox epidemic is a new hazard during the COVID-19 epidemic. The prevailing condition of the monkeypox epidemic along with coinfection with COVID-19 could pose a serious condition for clinicians that could lead to the global epidemic community in the form of coinfection.
Constructing biology education research identities: a duoethnography
Authors: Sung Rou-Jia , Holt Emily A. , Lo Stanley M.
Published: July 2023

An emerging theme that has gained traction across science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) classrooms in recent decades is acknowledgingwhois responsible for the discoveries and content that we teach. Centering the human aspect of who the researchers are and how their identities intersect with perspectives in research impacts the lens through which the work is done but also shapes the community of practice in our classrooms and the evolving ecosystem of research communities that contribute to STEM education. In particular, discipline-based education research (DBER) is an emerging interdisciplinary field aimed at understanding and improving discipline-specific learning and teaching. Entering and establishing oneself in a new research field can be a daunting process. For many DBER scholars who began their careers in another discipline, their career trajectories have necessitated this challenge. Here, we focus on our experiences in Biology Education Research (BER). We use duoethnography to explore our overlapping trajectories into and engagements with BER, allowing for the juxtaposition of our experiences to give meanings to and build new understandings of our pathways in BER, which include entry points, reasons for persistence, and identity navigation. Through collaborative reflections, we formulated novel insights that we experienced BER as a community of practice that values the participation of emerging scholars and arrived at a transformed understanding that our educator identities were important driving factors for our continuing pursuit of BER. Results from this duoethnography not only provide insights into how BER faculty may navigate multiple professional identities but can also shed light on potential opportunities and challenges for research and practice partnerships connecting science and education faculty where such identities reside not in single individuals but with multiple persons in a cross-disciplinary collaboration. We see parallels between this work considering faculty identity and pathways into BER with work considering student identity and pathways into STEM, and we hope that these results also highlight the value of utilizing qualitative methodologies that may be novel to both the BER and more broadly, DBER, communities as a tool for centering the human experience that can spark future work and applications within STEM education.
Identification of the enhancer RNAs related to tumorgenesis of pituitary neuroendocrine tumors
Authors: Wang Liangbo , Wei Chenlu , Wang Yu , Huang Ning , Zhang Tao , Dai Yuting , Xue Li , Lin Shaojian , Wu Zhe Bao
Published: July 2023

Background

Pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs), which originate from the pituitary gland, account for 10%–15% of all intracranial neoplasms. Recent studies have indicated that enhancer RNAs (eRNAs) exert regulatory effects on tumor growth. However, the mechanisms underlying the eRNA-mediated tumorigenesis of PitNETs have not been elucidated.

Methods

Normal pituitary and PitNETs tissues were used to identify the differentially expressed eRNAs (DEEs). Immune gene sets and hallmarks of cancer gene sets were quantified based on single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) algorithm using GSVA. The perspective of immune cells among all samples was calculated by the CIBERSORT algorithm. Moreover, the regulatory network composed of key DEEs, target genes of eRNAs, hallmarks of cancer gene sets, differentially expressed TF, immune cells and immune gene sets were constructed by Pearson correlation analysis. Small molecular anti-PitNETs drugs were explored by CMap analysis and the accuracy of the study was verified by in vitro and in vivo experiments, ATAC-seq and ChIP-seq.

Results

In this study, data of 134 PitNETs and 107 non-tumorous pituitary samples were retrieved from a public database to identify differentially expressed genes. In total, 1128 differentially expressed eRNAs (DEEs) (494 upregulated eRNAs and 634 downregulated eRNAs) were identified. Next, the correlation of DEEs with cancer-related and immune-related gene signatures was examined to establish a co-expression regulatory network comprising 18 DEEs, 50 potential target genes of DEEs, 5 cancer hallmark gene sets, 2 differentially expressed transcription factors, 4 immune cell types, and 4 immune gene sets. Based on this network, the following four therapeutics for PitNETs were identified using Connectivity Map analysis: ciclopirox, bepridil, clomipramine, and alexidine. The growth-inhibitory effects of these therapeutics were validated using in vitro experiments. Ciclopirox exerted potential growth-inhibitory effects on PitNETs. Among the DEEs, GNLY, HOXB7, MRPL33, PRDM16, TCF7, and ZNF26 were determined to be potential diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers for PitNETs.

Conclusion

This study illustrated the significant influence of eRNAs on the occurrence and development of PitNETs. By constructing the co-expression regulation network, GNLY, HOXB6, MRPL33, PRDM16, TCF7, and ZNF26 were identified as relatively significant DEEs which were considered as the novel biomarkers of diagnosis and treatment of PitNETs. This study demonstrated the roles of eRNAs in the occurrence and development of PitNETs and revealed that ciclopirox was a potential therapeutic for pituitary adenomas.
Multi-omic approach to decipher the impact of skincare products with pre/postbiotics on skin microbiome and metabolome
Authors: Li Min , Mao Junhong , Diaz Isabel , Kopylova Evguenia , Melnik Alexey V. , Aksenov Alexander A. , Tipton Craig D. , Soliman Nadia , Morgan Andrea M. , Boyd Thomas
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Although pre/pro/postbiotics have become more prevalent in dermatologic and cosmetic fields, the mode of action when topically applied is largely unknown. A multi-omic approach was applied to decipher the impact of the skincare products with pre/postbiotics on skin microbiome and metabolome.

Methods

Subjects with dry skin applied a body wash and body lotion with or without pre/postbiotics for 6 weeks. Skin hydration was measured at baseline, 3 and 6 weeks. Skin swabs were collected for 16S rRNA gene sequencing, metagenomics and metabolomics analysis.

Results

Skin hydration significantly increased in both groups. The prebiotic group significantly reduced opportunistic pathogens, e.g., Pseudomonas stutzeri and Sphingomonas anadarae, and increased the commensals, e.g., Staphylococcus equorum, Streptococcus mitis, Halomonas desiderata. Bacterial sugar degradation pathways were enriched in the prebiotic group, while fatty acid biosynthesis pathways were reduced in control. The changes on skin metabolome profiles by the products were more prominent. The prebiotic group performed greater modulation on many clinically-relevant metabolites compared to control. Correlation analysis showed H. desiderata and S. mitis positively correlated with skin hydration, P. stutzeri and S. anadarae negatively correlated with the metabolites that are positively associated with skin hydration improvement.

Conclusion

This holistic study supported a hypothesis that the pre/postbiotics increased skin hydration through the modulation of skin microbiome, metabolic pathways and metabolome.
Glycemic variability correlates with medial temporal lobe atrophy and decreased cognitive performance in patients with memory deficits
Authors: Zhang Shuangmei , Wang Anrong , Liu Shen , Liu Hongyu , Zhu Weifeng , Zhang Zhaoxu
Published: July 2023

Background

In the past, researchers have observed a significant link between glycemia and dementia. Medial temporal atrophy (MTA) is regarded as a common marker of dementia. The correlation between glycemic variability and MTA is unclear, and it has not been determined whether glycemic variability can be utilized as a biomarker of MTA and cognitive performance.

Methods

The patients in a memory clinic who underwent brain MRI scans and cognitive assessments within the first week of their hospital visit, were enrolled. All participants underwent three fasting blood glucose and one HBA1c assessments on three self-selected days within 1 week of their first visit. The variability independent of the mean (VIM) was employed. Validated visual scales were used to rate the MTA results. The mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scales were employed to assess the cognitive functions of the participants. Spearman’s correlation and regression models were used to examine the relationship between the MMSE and MoCA scales, and also determine the link between the MRI characteristics and cognitive status, where vascular risk factors, educational status, age, gender, and mean glucose parameters served as covariates.

Results

Four hundred sixty-one subjects completed the MMSE scale, while 447 participants completed the MoCA scale. Data analysis revealed that 47.72% of the participants were men (220/461), and the median age of the patients was 69.87 ± 5.37 years. The findings of Spearman’s correlation analysis exhibited a strong negative relationship between the VIM and MMSE score (r = −0.729, P < 0.01), and the MoCA score (r = −0.710, P < 0.01). The VIM was regarded as an independent risk factor for determining cognitive impairment in both the MMSE and MoCA assessments. The results were unaffected by sensitivity analysis. In addition, a non-linear relationship was observed between the VIM and MTA scores.

Conclusion

The variability in the blood glucose levels, which was presented as VIM, was related to the reduced cognitive function, which was reflected by MMSE and MoCA scales. The relationship between the VIM and the MTA score was non-linear. The VIM was positively related to the MTA score when the VIM was less than 2.42.
Polysomnographic study in pediatric neurofibromatosis type 1
Authors: Carotenuto Marco , Messina Giovanni , Esposito Maria , Santoro Claudia , Iacono Diego , Spruyt Karen
Published: July 2023

Background

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic disease that alters neurodevelopment. We aimed to analyze the sleep macrostructure of a sample of children affected by NF1 without neurocognitive co-morbidities and MRI reports of unidentified bright objects (UBOs).

Methods

A 100 pre-pubertal children participated in the cross-sectional study: 50 subjects were children diagnosed with NF1 and 50 subjects were typically developing healthy children (TDC). All participants underwent polysomnographic evaluation through which conventional sleep parameters were collected: Total sleep time (TST), Sleep latency (SOL), first REM latency (FRL), number of stage shifts/h (SS/h), number of awakenings/h (AWN/h), wake after sleep onset (WASO%), sleep efficiency percentage (SE%), percentage of sleep time spent in sleep stages 1 (N1%) and 2 (N2%), slow-wave sleep (N3%), and REM sleep (REM%). Additionally, nocturnal respiratory events such as apnea/hypopnea index (AHI), oxygen desaturation index (ODI), and periodic limb movement index (PLMI) were recorded.

Results

Neurofibromatosis type 1 children showed a reduction in sleep duration parameters (TST; p < 0.001), sleep efficiency (SE%; p < 0.001), and stage N2% (p < 0.001). Moreover, the number of awakenings per hour (AWN/h), wake after sleep onset (WASO%), and respiratory events such as AHI, ODI, and PLMI resulted higher in NF1 vs. TDC children.

Conclusion

The data showed that the sleep macrostructure differs between NF1 and TDC children. These findings suggest that the evaluation of sleep may provide useful support in corroborating the diagnosis and offers additional therapeutic management perspectives in NF1 and genetic neurodevelopmental disorders in general.
A deep learning approach to estimating initial conditions of Brain Network Models in reference to measured fMRI data
Authors: Kashyap Amrit , Plis Sergey , Ritter Petra , Keilholz Shella
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Brain Network Models (BNMs) are mathematical models that simulate the activity of the entire brain. These models use neural mass models to represent local activity in different brain regions that interact with each other via a global structural network. Researchers have been interested in using these models to explain measured brain activity, particularly resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). BNMs have shown to produce similar properties as measured data computed over longer periods of time such as average functional connectivity (FC), but it is unclear how well simulated trajectories compare to empirical trajectories on a timepoint-by-timepoint basis. During task fMRI, the relevant processes pertaining to task occur over the time frame of the hemodynamic response function, and thus it is important to understand how BNMs capture these dynamics over these short periods.

Methods

To test the nature of BNMs’ short-term trajectories, we used a deep learning technique called Neural ODE to simulate short trajectories from estimated initial conditions based on observed fMRI measurements. To compare to previous methods, we solved for the parameterization of a specific BNM, the Firing Rate Model, using these short-term trajectories as a metric.

Results

Our results show an agreement between parameterization of using previous long-term metrics with the novel short term metrics exists if also considering other factors such as the sensitivity in accuracy with relative to changes in structural connectivity, and the presence of noise.

Discussion

Therefore, we conclude that there is evidence that by using Neural ODE, BNMs can be simulated in a meaningful way when comparing against measured data trajectories, although future studies are necessary to establish how BNM activity relate to behavioral variables or to faster neural processes during this time period.
Evaluating an emerging technology-based biorefinery for edible house crickets
Authors: Psarianos Marios , Ojha Shikha , Schlüter Oliver K.
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Edible insects, specifically house crickets, are expected to play an important role in the future food systems due to their rich nutritional profile, low environmental impact and growing consumer acceptance as food. Their content of proteins, lipids, chitin and phenolics offer great potential for the valorization of their biomass into nutritional end products and fractions. Furthermore, emerging food processing technologies and green solvents are relevant for improving the valorization process.

Materials and methods

High pressure (HP) and ultrasound (US) processing were implemented in an insect biorefinery system, where a hexane/methanol/water solvent was used to separate fat, phenolics and a solid fraction containing proteins and chitin. Subsequently, a deep eutectic solvent of betaine and urea (B/U) was used to for protein and chitin isolation.

Results

A maximum of 15% of fat was isolated, with no positive effect from the US or HP treatments. The US treatment enhanced the phenolic extraction yield by 38.69%, while HP negatively affected the antioxidant capacity. B/U was efficient in separating proteins and chitin, resulting in a protein concentrate with a protein content ≥80% and a chitinous fraction with a chitin content ≥70%.

Conclusion

House cricket biomass can be refined into valuable fractions with a quick and simple method, making the process industrially relevant.
Analysis of the nutritional status in the Palestinian territory: a review study
Authors: A. Assaf Enas , Al Sabbah Haleama , Al-Jawadleh Ayoub
Published: July 2023

Background

Food insecurity, occupation, and poverty contribute to the poor nutritional status of Palestine. This review study aimed to analyze the nutritional status in the Palestinian Territory by analyzing published data from 2011 to 2023.

Method

Searching for relevant publications yielded 67 studies. Based on reviewing these studies, five major themes were identified: low birth weight, breastfeeding, obesity and overweight, protein-energy malnutrition, and micronutrient deficiency.

Results

Based on the review of these studies, five major themes were identified, namely, low birth weight, breastfeeding, obesity and overweight, protein-energy malnutrition, and micronutrient deficiency. Based on the literature, the prevalence rate of exclusive breastfeeding was 24.4% in the Gaza Strip, compared to a national rate of 39.9% in 2020. Smoking, anemia in mothers, diet during pregnancy, and indoor pollution were associated with low birth weight. One-fifth of the boys and girls were stunted by 2 years of age in the Gaza Strip, and girls were more stunted than boys. The prevalence rates of underweight, overweight, and obesity among school children in the West Bank were 7.3%, 14.5%, and 15.7%, respectively. Age, gender, and living area were significant predictors of being overweight among school children. The prevalence rates of overweight and obesity among adults in Palestine were 57.8% and 26.8%, respectively. Obesity is associated with a family history, chronic diseases, and low physical activity among adults. Exclusive breastfeeding was below the WHO recommendations, while significant rates of obesity and overweight were found among children and adults. Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) among pregnant women and children remains a challenging public health issue, while other micronutrient deficiencies are high among children.

Conclusion

This review emphasizes the need for multi-sectoral interventions to address malnutrition and nutritional shifts. It identifies gaps and addresses nutrition-related issues in the Palestinian Territory, which can serve as a basis for guiding United Nations agencies and governments in formulating evidence-based policies and strategies for prioritizing nutritional interventions to meet sustainable development goals.
TNF-α-1031T/C gene polymorphism as a predictor of malnutrition in patients with gastric cancer
Authors: Fu Liang , Lei Changzhen , Chen Yingxun , Zhu Ruiyun , Zhuang Minling , Dong Liping , Ye Xianghong , Zheng Lushan , Gong Daojun
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Malnutrition is a complex clinical syndrome, the exact mechanism of which is yet not fully understood. Studies have found that malnutrition is associated with anorexia and inadequate intake, tumor depletion, leptin, tumor-induced metabolic abnormalities in the body, and catabolic factors produced by the tumor in the circulation and cytokines produced by the host immune system. Among these, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are present in the gene encoding the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α.

Aim

The objective of this study was to investigate TNF-α -1,031 T/C gene polymorphism as an unfavorable predictor of malnutrition in patients with gastric cancer.

Methods

The study group consisted of 220 gastric cancer patients treated at Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine. Malnutrition was mainly assessed by the Global Consensus on Malnutrition Diagnostic Criteria (GLIM). DNA was extracted from peripheral leukocytes of whole blood samples using an animal DNA extraction kit. DNA was amplified using a 1.1× T3 Super PCR mixture and genotyped using SNP1 software.

Results

There are three major genetic polymorphisms in TNF-α. Among the 220 patients with gastric cancer, there were 7 patients with the CC genotype, 61 with the CT genotype and 152 with the TT genotype. Compared to patients with the TT genotype, patients with the C allele had an approximately 2.5-fold higher risk of developing malnutrition (p = 0.003; OR = 0.406). On the basis of multivariate analysis, patients with the CC genotype had an approximately 20.1-fold higher risk of developing malnutrition (p = 0.013; OR = 20.114), while those with the CT genotype had an almost 3.7-fold higher risk of malnutrition (p = 0.002; OR = 3.218).

Conclusion

SNP (−1,031 T/C) of the TNF-α may be a useful marker in the assessment of the risk of nutritional deficiencies in gastric cancer patients. Patients with gastric cancer carrying the C allele should be supported by early nutritional intervention, but more research is still needed to explore confirmation.
An ontology design for validating childhood cancer registry data
Authors: Nicholson Nicholas , Giusti Francesco , Martos Carmen
Published: July 2023

Ontologies can provide a valuable role in the work of cancer registration, particularly as a tool for managing and navigating the various classification systems and coding rules. Further advantages accrue from the ability to formalise the coding rule base using description logics and thereby benefit from the associated automatic reasoning functionality. Drawing from earlier work that showed the viability of applying ontologies in the data validation tasks of cancer registries, an ontology was created using a modular approach to handle the specific checks for childhood cancers. The ontology was able to handle successfully the various inter-variable checks using the axiomatic constructs of the web ontology language. Application of an ontological approach for data validation can greatly simplify the maintenance of the coding rules and facilitate the federation of any centralised validation process to the local level. It also provides an improved means of visualising the rule interdependencies from different perspectives. Performance of the automatic reasoning process can be a limiting issue for very large datasets and will be a focus for future work. Results are provided showing how the ontology is able to validate cancer case records typical for childhood tumours.