bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Defining complicated urinary tract infection and route of antibiotics in children presenting to the emergency department: a cohort study using the Melbourne RUPERT clinical score
Authors: Scanlan Barry T , Ibrahim Laila F , Babl Franz E , Hopper Sandy M , McNab Sarah , Donath Susan M , Davidson Andrew , Bryant Penelope A
Published: July 2024

Objectives

Most children with uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTI) can be managed with oral antibiotics. However, identifying those likely to fail oral and need intravenous antibiotics due to complicating features at presentation is challenging. We aimed to derive, validate and test a score to guide initial antibiotic route.

Design

This cohort study enrolled children both prospectively and retrospectively. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether they received intravenous or oral antibiotics after 24 hours, including those who switched between routes. Children diagnosed with confirmed UTI were used to derive then validate the score, comparing complicating clinical features between the two groups. Combinations of significantly differentiating features generated receiver operating characteristic curves and the optimal cut-off for intravenous antibiotic use was selected.

Setting

The emergency department of a tertiary paediatric hospital.

Participants

All children aged 3 months–17 years with suspected UTI were eligible, and were included if they fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for UTI.

Outcome measures

The effectiveness of the derived clinical score to differentiate patients at presentation who had complicated UTI requiring ongoing intravenous antibiotics.

Results

There were 1240 patients, of whom 167 children aged 12 months–11 years with confirmed UTI comprised the derivation cohort. The combination of features that performed optimally (area under curve 0.85, 95% CI 0.79 to 0.91) were: rigors, urological abnormality, pyrexia (≥38°C), emesis, recurrent (≥3) UTI, tachycardia: the RUPERT score (1 point each, maximum 6). A score ≥3 accurately classified route of antibiotics after 24 hours for 80% patients (sensitivity 77%, specificity 81%). For the 168 patients in the validation cohort, the score accurately classified 76% (sensitivity 67%, specificity 78%). The score tested well in ‘probable’ UTI and adolescents, and less well in infants.

Conclusion

The Melbourne RUPERT score provides the first standardised, easy-to-use score to aid clinicians in deciding route of antibiotics for more complicated UTI in children. It now needs prospective validation.
Lived experiences of village-based patients with chronic kidney disease receiving haemodialysis at Mirpur, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan: a transcendental phenomenology study protocol
Authors: Akhtar Tazeem , Pienaar Abel J , Asmat Kainat , Khalil Fareeha
Published: July 2024

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the major health issues in Pakistan, exerting notable effects on both the physical and mental well-being of individuals undergoing haemodialysis. Of particular concern to healthcare professionals is the potential adverse influence of haemodialysis on the lives of patients with CKD residing in rural areas of the country. This study will explore and describe the lived experiences and needs of patients with CKD receiving haemodialysis from the perspectives of patients and their family caregivers.

Methods and analysis

Transcendental phenomenological research design will be used. Participants will be recruited from the dialysis centre of a tertiary hospital through purposive sampling based on specific inclusion criteria. In-depth unstructured interviews, observation and document analysis will be the methods for data collection. Data will be analysed using Colaizzi’s approach following the transcription of the interviews.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Pakistan (IRB # 0307–23) and written permission was obtained from the administration of the study hospital. Before giving written and verbal consent, all participants will receive detailed information about the study. Participants will maintain the freedom to withdraw from the study at any point. Confidentiality of the participants will be ensured. The study findings will be disseminated to important stakeholders and published in scientific papers and conference proceedings.
Hypergeometric Gevrey-0 approximation for the Gevrey-k divergent series with application to eight-loop renormalization group functions of the O(N)-symmetric field model
Authors: Shalaby Abouzeid M. , Abdelhamid Hamdi M. , Elkamash I. S.
Published: July 2024

Mera et al. (Phys Rev Lett 115:143001, 2015) discovered that the hypergeometric function $${}_2F_1(a_1,a_2;b_1; \omega g)$$

2

F
1

(

a
1

,

a
2

;

b
1

;
ω
g
)

can serve as an accurate approximant for a divergent Gevrey-1 type of series with an asymptotic large-order behavior of the form $$n! n^b \sigma ^n$$

n
!

n
b

σ
n

. What is strange about this approximant is that it has a series expansion with the wrong large-order behavior (Gevrey-0 type). In this work, we extend this discovery to Gevrey-k series where we show that the hypergeometric approximants and its extension to the generalized hypergeometric approximants are not only able to approximate divergent (Gevrey-1) series but also able to approximate strongly-divergent series of Gevrey-k type with $$k=2,3,\ldots$$

k
=
2
,
3
,
…

. Moreover, we show that these hypergeometric approximants are able to predict accurate results for the non-perturbative strong-coupling and large-order parameters from weak-coupling data as input. Examples studied here are the ground-state energy for the $$x^n$$

x
n

anharmonic oscillators. The hypergeometric approximants are also used to approximate the recent eight-loop series ( g-expansion) of the renormalization group functions for the O(N)-symmetric $$\phi ^4$$

ϕ
4

scalar field model. Form these functions for $$N=0, 1, 2$$

N
=
0
,
1
,
2

, and 3, critical exponents are extracted which are very competitive to results from more sophisticated approximation techniques.
Predictive Modeling for Arabic Fake News Detection: Leveraging Language Model Embeddings and Stacked Ensemble
Authors: Umer Muhammad , Jamjoom Arwa A. , Alsubai Shtwai , AlArfaj Aisha Ahmed , Alabdulqader Ebtisam Abdullah , Ashraf Imran
Published: July 2024

The proliferation of fake news poses a substantial threat to information integrity, prompting the need for robust detection mechanisms. This study advances the research on Arabic fake news detection and overcomes the limitation of lower accuracy for fake news detection. This research addresses Arabic fake news detection using word embedding and a powerful stacking classifier. The proposed model combines bagging, boosting, and baseline classifiers, harnessing the strengths of each to create a robust ensemble. Extensive experiments are carried out to evaluate the proposed approach indicating remarkable results, with recall, F1 score, accuracy, and precision reaching 99%. The utilization of advanced stacking techniques, coupled with appropriate textual feature extraction, empowers the model to effectively detect Arabic fake news. Study results make a valuable contribution to fake news detection, particularly in the Arabic context, providing a valuable tool for enhancing information veracity and fostering a more informed public discourse. Furthermore, the proposed model’s accuracy is compared with other cutting-edge models from the existing literature to showcase its superior performance.
Presowing Mechanical Seed Treatment Influencing the Emergence and Primary Seedling Vigor of Jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana Lam.)
Authors: Sarker Babul Chandra , Gomasta Joydeb
Published: July 2024

Rootstock preparation from seed is the prerequisite for fruit crop multiplication through grafting or budding, and hard seed coat in jujube has been the proven question for uniform seed germination and subsequent seedling growth. Therefore, the study aimed at successful and rapid production of uniform and healthy jujube rootstocks through applying mechanical seed priming at the presowing stage. The experiment was set in a randomized complete block design where scrapped seeds, cracked seeds, seed kernels, and intact seeds (control) were sown in polybags keeping five replications. The emergence and initial seedling growth were evaluated to sort out the best pretreatment methods for successful stock seedling production in jujube. Seed cracking resulted in the highest germination (69.00%) compared to other pretreatments and also showed better performance in respect of earliness of emergence (10.40 days (d) for the first emergence and 20.40 d for final emergence). Regarding the early plant vigor, significantly maximum seedling height (23.73 cm) and fresh (3.91 g) and dry weight (1.17 g) of seedling and the second‐best leaf number (14.24 seedling−1) were also noted in seed cracking. Although seed kernel had the fastest emergence in 7.20 d, and statistically similar seedling vigor with that of cracked seed but it possessed very low germination percentage (27.00%) compared to the best treatment. Meanwhile, seed priming by scrapping exhibited statistically inferior germination rate (32%) as of intact seed (21%), and below par seedling growth compared to cracked seed. So, seed pretreatment by cracking can be suggested for commercial stock plant regeneration in hard seed‐coated plant species.
Evaluating Injury Risk Caused by Potential Drift of Florpyrauxifen‐Benzyl or Quinclorac in Corn
Authors: Godar Amar , Norsworthy Jason , Barber L.
Published: July 2024

Of relevance to the off‐target movement of herbicides in Arkansas is the drift of rice herbicides in the state’s agricultural landscape, where aerial application of herbicides is common, raising the prima facie question of the risk of damage to other sensitive crops. The aim of this study was to evaluate the response of corn to postemergence applications of florpyrauxifen‐benzyl or quinclorac, which were applied directly to the crop at low rates (0.78 or 1.56 to 12.5% of the normal use rate for labeled crops). This was investigated through three site‐year field experiments conducted in Fayetteville (2020 and 2021) and Tillar (2020), Arkansas. Injury and yield response varied among site‐years. No corn injury was visible at the Tillar site. At the Fayetteville site in 2020, florpyrauxifen‐benzyl rates caused an average injury of 5% and 6% 2 and 4 wk after application (WAA), respectively. The 12.5% rate in 2021 caused a greater injury (7% injury) compared to other lower rates 2 WAA and such a response departed from linearity to stochasticity 4 WAA. Compared to the nontreated control, the 6.25% rate caused nearly 20% yield reduction at the Fayetteville site in 2020, and the 12.5% rate caused a 10% yield reduction at the Tillar site. The quinclorac rate of 12.5% at the Fayetteville site in 2020 caused an average of 7% injury‐2 WAA and <5% injury when averaged across the other rates, or 4 WAA. The injury was more differentiated in 2021, particularly with the 12.5% rate (>20% injury) from the average injury of 5% with the other lower rates 2 WAA; the injury remained similar or slightly recovered 4 WAA. Compared to the nontreated control, quinclorac rates caused an average yield reduction of <5% at the Fayetteville site in 2020, whereas the 12.5% rate caused nearly 20% and 10% yield reductions at the Fayetteville site in 2021 and at the Tillar site, respectively.
Development of Specific Motor Skills through System Wall Bouldering Training: A Pilot Study
Authors: Stien Nicolay , Langer Kaja , Andersen Vidar , Engelsrud Gunn Helene , Olsen Elias , Saeterbakken Atle Hole
Published: July 2024

This study evaluated the effects of a five‐week period of practicing specific climbing movements using a system wall on motor skills and bouldering performance compared to self‐regulated, conventional bouldering. Thirteen advanced female boulderers (age: 24.5 ± 3.6 years, height: 166.9 ± 3.4 cm, and body mass: 63.4 ± 8.0 kg) were divided into an experimental group (n = 7) and a control group (n = 6). Both groups continued their normal training routines during the intervention, but the experimental group dedicated 30 minutes of their climbing time twice per week to practicing specific motor skills on a system climbing wall. Before and after the intervention, the participants attempted two boulder problems on the same wall. The performance was registered as the number of attempts to complete the boulder problems and as the highest hold reached within four attempts. Video recordings of climbers’ best attempts, capturing the highest hold reached from a perspective directly behind them, were analyzed by three independent experts. The analysis was conducted using a five‐point scale across six categories of movement quality. Modest enhancements in certain motor skills and performance were evident in both groups, revealing no significant distinction between them. The results underscore the efficacy of incorporating system walls into the training routines of advanced female boulder climbers, but the absence of between‐group differences highlights the significance of individual preferences when choosing between conventional and system wall bouldering.
Charged Particles Moving around a Spherically Symmetric Dilatonic Black Hole
Authors: Lungu Vitalie , Dariescu Marina–Aura , Dariescu Ciprian , Stelea Cristian
Published: July 2024

For the static spherically symmetric dilatonic black hole described by the Gibbons–Maeda–Garfinkle–Horowitz–Strominger geometry, we analyze the timelike trajectories for electrically charged test particles. Both cases of an electric black hole and a magnetic one are considered. Finally, we are obtaining the solution to the Klein–Gordon equation in terms of Heun confluent functions and the corresponding energy spectrum. A special attention is given to the role of the dilaton parameter.
Mechanisms of Response and Tolerance to Active RAS Inhibition in KRAS-Mutant Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Araujo Haniel A. , Pechuan-Jorge Ximo , Zhou Teng , Do Minh Truong , Hu Xin , Rojas Alvarez Frank R. , Salvatierra Maria E. , Ibarguen Heladio P. , Lee Richard , Raghulan Rashi , Shah Harshit , Moreno Ayala Mariela A. , Chen Kevin , Tovbis Shifrin Nataliya , Wu Shuhong , Solis Soto Luisa M. , Negrao Marcelo V. , Gibbons Don L. , Hong David S. , Roth Jack A. , Heymach John V. , Zhang Jianjun , Jiang Jingjing , Singh Mallika , Smith Jacqueline A.M. , Quintana Elsa , Skoulidis Ferdinandos
Published: July 2024

Resistance to inactive state-selective RASG12C inhibitors frequently entails accumulation of RASGTP, rendering effective inhibition of active RAS potentially desirable. Here, we evaluated the antitumor activity of the RAS(ON) multiselective tricomplex inhibitor RMC-7977 and dissected mechanisms of response and tolerance in KRASG12C-mutant non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Broad-spectrum reversible RASGTP inhibition with or without concurrent covalent targeting of active RASG12C yielded superior and differentiated antitumor activity across diverse comutational KRASG12C-mutant NSCLC mouse models of primary or acquired RASG12C(ON) or RASG12C(OFF) inhibitor resistance. Interrogation of time-resolved single-cell transcriptional responses established an in vivo atlas of multimodal acute and chronic RAS pathway inhibition in the NSCLC ecosystem and uncovered a regenerative mucinous transcriptional program that supports long-term tumor cell persistence. In patients with advanced KRASG12C-mutant NSCLC, the presence of mucinous histologic features portended poor response to sotorasib or adagrasib. Our results have potential implications for personalized medicine and the development of rational RAS inhibitor-anchored therapeutic strategies.

Significance: Our work reveals robust and durable antitumor activity of the preclinical RAS(ON) multiselective inhibitor RMC-7977 against difficult-to-treat subsets of KRASG12C-mutant NSCLC with primary or acquired RASG12C inhibitor resistance and identifies a conserved mucinous transcriptional state that supports RAS inhibitor tolerance.

See related commentary by Marasco and Misale, p. 2018
Table 3 from Characterization of Non-Monotonic Relationships between Tumor Mutational Burden and Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Anaya Jordan , Kung Julia , Baras Alexander S.
Published: July 2024

BPC and MSK data metrics
Figure S4 from Characterization of Non-Monotonic Relationships between Tumor Mutational Burden and Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Anaya Jordan , Kung Julia , Baras Alexander S.
Published: July 2024

MSK fits. Cox and neural net model fits were mean normalized and averaged over 10 K-folds. TMB distributions shown as rug plots.
Figure 5 from Characterization of Non-Monotonic Relationships between Tumor Mutational Burden and Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Anaya Jordan , Kung Julia , Baras Alexander S.
Published: July 2024

Neural network can create a better binary label. Patients were split by either median TMB (A and C) or median risk from a neural net (B and D). A and B show the hazard ratios and log-likelihood tests of each cancer type for these splits while C and D, show the Kaplan curves for SKCM with these splits along with the logrank P-value.
Figure 3 from Characterization of Non-Monotonic Relationships between Tumor Mutational Burden and Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Anaya Jordan , Kung Julia , Baras Alexander S.
Published: July 2024

Simulated data model fits. Mean-normalized model fits from a Cox model and a neural net were averaged over 10 K-folds for the first two simulated survival datasets for a linear and non-monotonic relationship. A and B, monotonic data. C and D, non-monotonic data. TMB distributions shown as rug plots with the true risks shown as a scatterplot.
Preclinical Direct Endoluminal Assessment of Endothelialization After Flow Diversion With Microangioscopy
Authors: Srinivasan Visish M. , Garcia Roberto L. , Shekhtman Oleg , Robledo Ariadna , Lazaro Tyler , Rao Abhijit , O'Leary Sean , Husain Adam , Covell Michael M. , Phillips Michael , Cooper Phillip , Duncan Richard Forrest , Bolanos Oscar , Colasurdo Marco , Edhayan Gautam , Chen Stephen R. , Fahed Robert , Kan Peter
Published: July 2024

Background

Direct endoluminal imaging, such as with our previously described microangioscope, is an emerging adjunct in endovascular cerebral aneurysm management that enables clinicians to delineate between thrombi and visualize neoepithelialization after stent placement with high resolution. The present study sought to study flow diversion in vivo under direct endoluminal imaging, and to validate our findings with histopathology.

Methods

In a rabbit model, we implanted each left common carotid artery with a shielded flow diverter (FD) (Medtronic Pipeline Vantage) and nonshielded FD (Medtronic Pipeline Flex) in the right common carotid artery. We studied 9 animals in 3 groups: (1) no periprocedural antiplatelet therapy, (2) aspirin 81 mg daily, and (3) aspirin 81 mg and clopidogrel 75 mg daily. FD thrombosis, stenosis, malapposition, and neoepithelialization were all evaluated by diagnostic cerebral angiography and microangioscopy after 30 days. Diagnostic cerebral angiography and angioscopic video were analyzed by independent evaluators and compared with histopathologic analysis.

Results

In the aspirin and dual antiplatelet therapy groups, there were no significant observed differences in stent thrombosis, stenosis, malapposition, or neoepithelialization between the shielded and non‐shielded FD groups. There was significantly more thrombus formation in Group 1. Neointimal thickness as measured by the microangioscope was highly correlated with histology (r = 0.72;
P
= 0.016). Interrater agreement of microangioscope videos was highest for FD thrombosis and stenosis.

Conclusion

In‐stent thrombosis, stenosis, malapposition, and neopithelialization demonstrated no significant difference between shielded and non‐shielded FDs. Microangioscopy measurements for neointimal thickness were highly correlated with pathology and may be a helpful adjunct to diagnostic cerebral angiography in FD follow‐up.
Endovascular Therapy for Isolated Cervical Internal Carotid Artery Occlusion
Authors: Falkesgaard Katrine , Hedegaard Jakob N. , Jensen Jonas , Leslie‐Mazwi Thabele M. , Blauenfeldt Rolf A. , Simonsen Claus Z.
Published: July 2024

Background

Guidelines on endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke do not include isolated cervical internal carotid artery (cICA) occlusions. The effect of treating these lesions remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the baseline characteristics and treatment outcomes between patients with isolated cICA occlusions to patients who underwent endovascular therapy due to a level of occlusion supported by guidelines.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 1162 patients who underwent endovascular therapy. Of these, 115 had an isolated cICA occlusion. Univariate analysis of baseline characteristics and outcome measured by the modified Rankin scale 90 days after endovascular therapy were compared between patients with isolated cICA occlusion, those with tandem occlusions, and those with occlusions of the middle cerebral artery/top of the internal carotid artery (first segment of the middle cerebral artery/intracranial internal carotid artery). To adjust for confounders, an inverse probability of treatment weighting was performed.

Results

Patients with isolated cICA occlusions were more likely men (67.8% versus 50.9%;
P
<0.001) and active smokers (42.2% versus 26.4%;
P
= 0.002) compared with patients with first segment of the middle cerebral artery/intracranial internal carotid artery occlusions where atrial fibrillation was more common (35.5% versus 23.5%;
P
= 0.02). Patients with an isolated cICA had a lower chance of achieving a modified Rankin scale score of 0 to 2 at 90 days (adjusted relative risk, 0.71 [95% CI, 0.54–0.92]) and a higher mortality rate (adjusted relative risk, 1.97 [95% CI, 1.36–2.87]) compared with patients with first segment of the middle cerebral artery/intracranial internal carotid artery occlusions.

Conclusion

Patients with isolated cICA occlusions and first segment of the middle cerebral artery/intracranial internal carotid artery occlusions differ in sex, smoking status, and rate of atrial fibrillation. Patients with isolated cICA occlusions have lower reperfusion rates, worse outcome, and a higher mortality rate.
Apnoea suppresses brain activity in infants
Authors: Zandvoort Coen S. , Dereymaeker Anneleen , Baxter Luke , Jansen Katrien , Naulaers Gunnar , de Vos Maarten , Hartley Caroline
Published: July 2024

Apnoea—the cessation of breathing—is commonly observed in premature infants. These events can reduce cerebral oxygenation and are associated with poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes. However, relatively little is known about how apnoea and shorter pauses in breathing impact brain function in infants, which will provide greater mechanistic understanding of how apnoea affects brain development. We analysed simultaneous recordings of respiration, electroencephalography (EEG), heart rate, and peripheral oxygen saturation in 124 recordings from 118 infants (post-menstrual age: 38.6 ± 2.7 weeks [mean ± standard deviation]) during apnoeas (pauses in breathing greater than 15 seconds) and shorter breathing pauses between 5 and 15 seconds. EEG amplitude significantly decreased during both apnoeas and short breathing pauses compared with normal breathing periods. Change in EEG amplitude was significantly associated with change in heart rate during apnoea and short breathing pauses and, during apnoeas only, with oxygen saturation change. No associations were found between EEG amplitude changes and apnoea/pause duration, post-menstrual age, or sleep state. As apnoeas often occur in premature infants, frequent disruption to brain activity may impact neural development and result in long-term neurodevelopmental consequences.
BOLD fMRI responses to amplitude-modulated sounds across age in adult listeners
Authors: Fuglsang Søren A. , Märcher-Rørsted Jonatan , Madsen Kristoffer H. , Frantzen Ditte H. , Encina-Llamas Gerard , Sørensen Charlotte , Dyrby Tim B. , Dau Torsten , Hjortkjær Jens , Siebner Hartwig R.
Published: July 2024

Age-related alterations in the auditory system have been suggested to affect the processing of temporal envelope amplitude modulations (AM) at different levels of the auditory hierarchy, yet few studies have used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to study this noninvasively in humans with high spatial resolution. In this study, we utilized sparse-sampling fMRI at 3 Tesla (3T) to investigate regional blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) responses to AM noise stimuli in 65 individuals ranging in age from 19 to 77 years. We contrasted BOLD responses to AM noise stimuli modulated at 4 Hz or 80 Hz with responses to unmodulated stimuli. This allowed us to derive functional measures of regional neural sensitivity to the imposed AM. Compared with unmodulated noise, slowly varying 4 Hz AM noise stimuli elicited significantly greater BOLD responses in the left and right auditory cortex along the Heschl’s gyrus (HG). BOLD responses to the 80 Hz AM stimuli were significantly greater than responses to unmodulated stimuli in putatively primary auditory cortical regions in the lateral HG. BOLD responses to 4 Hz AM stimuli were significantly greater in magnitude than responses to 80 Hz AM stimuli in auditory cortical regions. We find no discernible effects of age on the functional recruitment of the auditory cortex by AM stimuli. While the results affirm the involvement of the auditory cortex in processing temporal envelope rate information, they provide no support for age-related effects on these measures. We discuss potential caveats in assessing age-related changes in responses to AM stimuli in the auditory pathway.
The Wise Mind Balances the Abstract and the Concrete
Authors: Grossmann Igor , Peetz Johanna , Dorfman Anna , Rotella Amanda , Buehler Roger
Published: July 2024

We explored how individuals’ mental representations of complex and uncertain situations impact their ability to reason wisely. To this end, we introduce situated methods to capture abstract and concrete mental representations and the switching between them when reflecting on social challenges. Using these methods, we evaluated the alignment of abstractness and concreteness with four integral facets of wisdom: intellectual humility, open-mindedness, perspective-taking, and compromise-seeking. Data from North American and UK participants (N = 1,151) revealed that both abstract and concrete construals significantly contribute to wise reasoning, even when controlling for a host of relevant covariates and potential response bias. Natural language processing of unstructured texts among high (top 25%) and low (bottom 25%) wisdom participants corroborated these results: semantic networks of the high wisdom group reveal greater use of both abstract and concrete themes compared to the low wisdom group. Finally, employing a repeated strategy-choice method as an additional measure, our findings demonstrated that individuals who showed a greater balance and switching between these construal types exhibited higher wisdom. Our findings advance understanding of individual differences in mental representations and how construals shape reasoning across contexts in everyday life.
A new species of Ramaria subg. Laeticolora from Meghalaya, India
Authors: BISWAS PINKY RANI , DUTTA ARUN KUMAR
Published: July 2024

A new species of coralloid fungus from Meghalaya, India, Ramaria pseudovinosimaculans, belonging to the genus Ramaria subg. Laeticolora, is proposed based on taxonomy and phylogenetic studies of the internal transcribed spacer of the ribosomal DNA (nrITS) region. The morphological characteristics, together with molecular studies, confirmed that the species is a novel species. The species is characterized by a small to medium-sized, radially branched, white to yellowish white basidiomata with a base colour of light brown to violet red and greyish yellow elsewhere that turns brownish orange when bruised, a cylindrical to bacilliform basidiospore, basally clamped four-spored basidia, and clamped hyphae. An inclusive description, illustration, and comparison with morphologically similar and related species are provided.
New specimens of Helicops boitata (Serpentes: Dipsadidae: Hydropsini), with data on morphological variation and behavior
Authors: VALLE-ALVARENGA GABRIELA DO , CURCIO FELIPE F. , MORAES-DA-SILVA ANTONIO , WALTERMAN SUELLEN S. , ROSA LUANA G. S. , CAMPOS-FILHO LUIZ V. S. , STRÜSSMANN CHRISTINE
Published: July 2024

We report data on morphological variation and behavior of the recently described watersnake Helicops boitata, previously known strictly from the holotype. Our data come from five new specimens fortuitously found in a private area near the type locality, in the Brazilian Pantanal wetlands. The expanded sample revealed polymorphism in at least two scalation features previously assumed as diagnostic of the species (i.e., undivided condition of the cloacal plate and nasal scales) and confirmed the uniqueness of the ventral color pattern, as well as the divided condition of the foremost ventral shields. In addition, three individuals collected alive also exhibited the same harmless behavior reported to the holotype, a rather unusual feature among snakes of the genus Helicops. Other new behavioral observations include mostly nocturnal activity (in contrast with the previous data) and the ability to dig galleries in the soft substrate when attempting to escape. The finding of five individuals very close to each other suggest aggregations in habitats prone to retain humidity in the dry season of the Pantanal. Low abundance rates and possible habitat restrictions might render Helicops boitata particularly susceptible to seasonal fire episodes that consume large extensions of the wetlands, including temporarily dry flooding fields in which aquatic reptiles find refuge during the seasonal droughts.
L-theanine alleviates myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury by suppressing oxidative stress and apoptosis through activation of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway in mice
Authors: Li Qi , Ding Jiaqi , Xia Boyu , Liu Kun , Zheng Koulong , Wu Jingjing , Huang Chao , Yuan Xiaomei , You Qingsheng
Published: July 2024

Background

L-theanine is a unique non-protein amino acid in tea that is widely used as a safe food additive. We investigated the cardioprotective effects and mechanisms of L-theanine in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI).

Methods

The cardioprotective effects and mechanisms of L-theanine and the role of Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling were investigated in MIRI mice using measures of cardiac function, oxidative stress, and apoptosis.

Results

Administration of L-theanine (10 mg/kg, once daily) suppressed the MIRI-induced increase in infarct size and serum creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase levels, as well as MIRI-induced cardiac apoptosis, as evidenced by an increase in Bcl-2 expression and a decrease in Bax/caspase-3 expression. Administration of L-theanine also decreased the levels of parameters reflecting oxidative stress, such as dihydroethidium, malondialdehyde, and nitric oxide, and increased the levels of parameters reflecting anti-oxidation, such as total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in ischemic heart tissue. Further analysis showed that L-theanine administration suppressed the MIRI-induced decrease of phospho-JAK2 and phospho-STAT3 in ischemic heart tissue. Inhibition of JAK2 by AG490 (5 mg/kg, once daily) abolished the cardioprotective effect of L-theanine, suggesting that the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway may play an essential role in mediating the anti-I/R effect of L-theanine.

Conclusions

L-theanine administration suppresses cellular apoptosis and oxidative stress in part via the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, thereby attenuating MIRI-induced cardiac injury. L-theanine could be developed as a potential drug to alleviate cardiac damage in MIRI.
The need of centralized coordination to counter biological invasions in the European Union
Authors: Kurtul Irmak , Haubrock Phillip J.
Published: July 2024

Non-native species monitoring faces global challenges due to resource disparities, hindering effective implementation. Current strategies are fragmented and resource-dependent, inadequately addressing non-native species dynamics and are subjected to reporting biases, being further ridiculed by political borders. To overcome these challenges, a paradigm shift towards targeted, large-scale monitoring is crucial, requiring standardized protocols and advanced technologies like environmental DNA analysis, orchestrated, applied—and enforced—following international collaboration. Despite existing efforts, networks, and laws, even larger political entities like the European Union suffer from the lack of information exchange as well as economic, political, and socio-cultural differences among member status, ultimately hampering united efforts against the threat posed by non-native species. The absence of a comprehensive central hub and authority, guided by scientific input and at the same time empowered by being a political institution, emerges as a compelling solution. Despite potential drawbacks, this institution, possibly bridging gaps in the large-scale approach, could coordinate efforts, standardize reporting, allocate resources, and advocate increased funding. Considering rising introduction rates and accelerating impacts from non-native species, creating a centralized institution becomes imperative for enhancing global non-native species monitoring and management to foster a collaborative response to non-native species threats.
Genome-wide identification of the Q-type C2H2 zinc finger protein gene family and expression analysis under abiotic stress in lotus (Nelumbo nucifera G.)
Authors: Liu Huan , Liu Yidan , Liu Fangyu , Zeng Lihong , Xu Yingchun , Jin Qijiang , Wang Yanjie
Published: July 2024

Background

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera G.) is an important aquatic plant with high ornamental, economic, cultural and ecological values, but abiotic stresses seriously affect its growth and distribution. Q-type C2H2 zinc finger proteins (ZFPs) play an important role in plant growth development and environmental stress responses. Although the Q-type C2H2 gene family has been identified in some plants, limited reports has been carried out it in lotus.

Results

In this study, we identified 45 Q-type NnZFP members in lotus. Based on the phylogenetic tree, these Q-type NnZFP gene family members were divided into 4 groups, including C1-1i, C1-2i, C1-3i and C1-4i. Promoter cis-acting elements analysis indicated that most Q-type NnZFP gene family members in lotus were associated with response to abiotic stresses. Through collinearity analyses, no tandem duplication gene pairs and 14 segmental duplication gene pairs were identified, which showed that duplication events might play a key role in the expansion of the Q-type NnZFP gene family. The synteny results suggested that 54 and 28 Q-type NnZFP genes were orthologous to Arabidopsis and rice, respectively. The expression patterns of these Q-type NnZFP genes revealed that 30 Q-type NnZFP genes were expressed in at least one lotus tissue. Nn5g30550 showed relatively higher expression levels in all tested tissues. 12 genes were randomly selected with at least one gene from each phylogenetic clade, and the expression of these selected genes were confirmed by qRT-PCR (quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction). The results indicated that Q-type NnZFP genes were extensively involved in cadmium, drought, salt and cold stresses responses. Among them, 11 genes responded to at least three different stress treatments, especially Nn2g12894, which induced by all four treatments.

Conclusions

These results could increase our understanding of the characterization of the Q-type NnZFP gene family and provide relevant information for further functional analysis of Q-type NnZFP genes in plant development, and abiotic stress tolerance in lotus.
Identification of key differentially expressed immune related genes in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation: an integrated bioinformation analysis
Authors: Tao Yijing , Feng Tonghui , Zhou Lucien , Han Leng
Published: July 2024

Objective

We aimed to investigate key differentially expressed immune related genes in persistent atrial fibrillation.

Methods

Gene expression profiles were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) using “GEO query” package. “limma” package and “sva” package were used to conduct normalization and eliminate batch effects, respectively. We screened out differentially expressed genes (DEGs) based on “limma” package with the standard of |log fold change (FC)| ≥ 1.5 and false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.05. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses of DEGs were performed by “clusterProfler” package. We further applied LASSO to select key DEGs, and intersected key DEGs with immune related genes from ImmPort database. The ROC curve of each DEIRG was constructed to evaluate its diagnostic efficiency for AF.

Results

A total of 103 DEGs we were screened out, of them, 48 genes were down-regulated and 55 genes were up-regulated. Result of functional enrichment analysis show that, most of DEGs were related to immune response, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Ultimately, CYBB, RORB, S100A12, and CHGB were determined as key DEIRGs, each of which displayed a favor efficiency for diagnosing persistent AF.

Conclusion

CYBB, RORB, S100A12, and CHGB were identified as key DEIRGs in persistent AF, and future studies are needed to further explore the underlying roles of CYBB, RORB, S100A12, and CHGB in persistent AF.
Gut microbiome and major depressive disorder: insights from two-sample Mendelian randomization
Authors: Zhao Qian , Baranova Ancha , Cao Hongbao , Zhang Fuquan
Published: July 2024

Background

Existing evidence suggests that alterations in the gut microbiome are closely associated with major depressive disorder (MDD). We aimed to reveal the causal relationships between MDD and various microbial taxa in the gut.

Methods

We used the two-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR) to explore the bidirectional causal effects between gut microbiota and MDD. The genome-wide association studies summary results of gut microbiota were obtained from two large consortia, the MibioGen consortium and the Dutch Microbiome Project, which we analyzed separately.

Results

Our TSMR analysis identified 10 gut bacterial taxa that were protective against MDD, including phylum Actinobacteria, order Clostridiales, and family Bifidobacteriaceae (OR: 0.96 ∼ 0.98). Ten taxa were associated with an increased risk of MDD, including phyla Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, class Actinobacteria, and genus Alistipes (OR: 1.01 ∼ 1.09). On the other hand, MDD may decrease the abundance of 12 taxa, including phyla Actinobacteria and Firmicutes, families Bifidobacteriaceae and Defluviitaleaceae (OR: 0.63 ∼ 0.88). MDD may increase the abundance of 8 taxa, including phylum Bacteroidetes, genera Parabacteroides, and Bacteroides (OR: 1.12 ∼ 1.43).

Conclusions

Our study supports that there are mutual causal relationships between certain gut microbiota and the development of MDD suggesting that gut microbiota may be targeted in the treatment of MDD.
Exploring the association between sleep duration and cancer risk in middle-aged and older Chinese adults: observations from a representative cohort study (2011–2020)
Authors: Jiang Yang , Gu Xinyue , Yang Xiao , Sun Aidi , Sun Huixin
Published: July 2024

Background

This prospective cohort study aimed to investigate the relationship between sleep duration and cancer incidence among 9996 participants over a median follow-up period of 9 years.

Methods

Participants without cancer at baseline were followed for over 88,790 person-years. The incidence of cancer and sleep duration was self-reported. The relationship between sleep duration and cancer incidence was analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for various confounding factors, including age, gender, lifestyle factors, and comorbidities.

Results

During the follow-up, 325 participants were diagnosed with incident cancer, resulting in an incidence rate of 20.49 per 1000 person-years. After adjusting for confounders, a total sleep duration of less than 6 h was significantly associated with an increased risk of cancer (HR: 1.27; 95% CI: 1.01–1.61). This association was particularly strong for cancers in the digestive and respiratory systems (HR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.03–1.93). Longer sleep durations (> 9 h) showed a potential increase in cancer risk, but results were not consistently significant. Age-stratified analyses revealed a similar significant increase in cancer incidence among individuals aged 60 years or younger with less than 6 h of sleep per day, showing a 35% increase in overall cancer risk and an 83% increase in digestive and respiratory system cancer. No significant association was found between nocturnal sleep durations or daytime naps and cancer incidence. However, a significant interaction was observed between daytime naps longer than 30 min and cancer incidence in women (p = 0.041).

Conclusions

We observed that short sleep duration may increase the risk of cancer, particularly cancers in the digestive and respiratory systems. Additionally, while longer sleep durations might also increase cancer risk, this finding requires validation with larger sample sizes.
Viral hepatitis in China during 2002–2021: epidemiology and influence factors through a country-level modeling study
Authors: Sun Ning , He Fangli , Sun Jiufeng , Zhu Guanghu
Published: July 2024

Background

Viral hepatitis imposes a heavy disease burden worldwide and is also one of the most serious public health problems in China. We aimed to describe the epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis in China and to investigate the influencing factors.

Methods

We first used the JoinPoint model to analyze the percentage change (APC) and average annual percentage change (AAPC) of hepatitis in Chinese provinces from 2002 to 2021. We then explored the influencing factors by using the time-series global principal component analysis (GPCA) and the panel fixed-effects model.

Results

The disease burden varied across different provinces from 2002 to 2021. The AAPC of the total HAV incidence decreased by 10.39% (95% CI: [-12.70%, -8.02%]) from 2002 to 2021. Yet the AAPC of HBV, HCV, and HEV increased by 1.50% (95% CI: [0.23%, 2.79%]), 13.99% (95% CI: [11.28%, 16.77%]), and 7.10% (95% CI: [0.90%, 13.69%]), respectively. The hotspots of HAV, HBV, HCV, and HEV moved from the west to the center, from the northwest to the southeast, from the northeast to the whole country, and from the northeast to the southeast, respectively. Different types of viral hepatitis infections were associated with hygiene, pollutant, and meteorological factors. Their roles in spatial-temporal incidence were expressed by panel regression functions.

Conclusions

Viral hepatitis infection in China showed spatiotemporal heterogeneity. Interventions should be tailored to its epidemiological characteristics and determinants of viral hepatitis.
Does bilateral Wilms’ tumor involving the collecting system in children have a worse prognosis?
Authors: Fang YiWei , Li ZhenWu , Song HongCheng , Zhang WeiPing , Li Ning , Yang Yang
Published: July 2024

Background

The literature on nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) in children with bilateral Wilms’ tumors (BWT) involving the collection system is mostly comprised of case reports. The present study aimed to summarize the clinical characteristics, treatments, and prognosis of children with BWT involving the collecting system admitted to our pediatric surgery center compared with those whose tumors did not involve the collecting system. A secondary aim was to discuss how to preserve more kidney parenchyma and prevent long-term renal failure under the premise of preventing tumor recurrence.

Methods

Patients with BWT admitted to our pediatric surgery center between January 2008 and June 2022 were reviewed. All included patients were grouped according to the relationship between the tumor and collecting system according to the intraoperative findings. Group I included children with tumor infiltrating the collecting system, group II included children with tumor growing into the collecting system, and group III included children whose tumor did not involve the collecting system. The clinical features, treatments and prognosis of the patients were analyzed.

Results

Seventy patients were enrolled, including 20 patients with 25 sides of tumors infiltrating the collecting system in group I,10 patients with 13 sides of tumors growing into the collecting system in group II, and 40 patients in group III. There was no significant difference in patients age and gender between group I and group II. In total, 20 patients in group I and 9 patients in group II had partial response (PR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In group I, 22 of 25 sides of tumors underwent NSS; in group II, 11 of 13 sides of tumors underwent NSS. During an average follow-up of 47 months, in group I, 6/20 patients relapsed and 2/20 patients died; in group II, 3/10 patients relapsed and 1/10 patient died. There was no significant difference in 4-year overall survival (OS) rate among groups I, II and III (86.36% vs. 85.71%vs. 91.40%, P = 0.902).

Conclusions

To preserve renal parenchyma, NSS is feasible for children with BWT involving the collecting system. There was no significant difference in postoperative long-term OS between patients with BWT involving the collecting system and not involving the collecting system.
Prediction of precancerous cervical cancer lesions among women living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy in Uganda: a comparison of supervised machine learning algorithms
Authors: Namalinzi Florence , Galadima Kefas Rimamnuskeb , Nalwanga Robinah , Sekitoleko Isaac , Uwimbabazi Leon Fidele Ruganzu
Published: July 2024

Background

Cervical cancer (CC) is among the most prevalent cancer types among women with the highest prevalence in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It is a curable disease if detected early. Machine learning (ML) techniques can aid in early detection and prediction thus reducing screening and treatment costs. This study focused on women living with HIV (WLHIV) in Uganda. Its aim was to identify the best predictors of CC and the supervised ML model that best predicts CC among WLHIV.

Methods

Secondary data that included 3025 women from three health facilities in central Uganda was used. A multivariate binary logistic regression and recursive feature elimination with random forest (RFERF) were used to identify the best predictors. Five models; logistic regression (LR), random forest (RF), K-Nearest neighbor (KNN), support vector machine (SVM), and multi-layer perceptron (MLP) were applied to identify the out-performer. The confusion matrix and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC/ROC) were used to evaluate the models.

Results

The results revealed that duration on antiretroviral therapy (ART), WHO clinical stage, TPT status, Viral load status, and family planning were commonly selected by the two techniques and thus highly significant in CC prediction. The RF from the RFERF-selected features outperformed other models with the highest scores of 90% accuracy and 0.901 AUC.

Conclusion

Early identification of CC and knowledge of the risk factors could help control the disease. The RF outperformed other models applied regardless of the selection technique used. Future research can be expanded to include ART-naïve women in predicting CC.