bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nutrimetry and Evaluation of Intestinal Parasites and Anaemia in Malnourished Schoolchildren from Toliara (Madagascar)
Authors: Alfano Maria Valentina , Gozalbo Mónica , Tapia-Veloz Gabriela , Guirao Venny , Soriano Jose M. , Trelis María
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to determine the malnutrition status, prevalence of intestinal parasites and anaemia, and the hygiene and sanitation conditions of children participating in the nutritional recovery programme at Las Salinas school of the ONG Bel Avenir in Toliara (Madagascar). The ultimate goal of the ONG Bel Avenir is to apply synergistic strategies to effectively combat malnutrition. Methods: A total of 49 schoolchildren aged 6 to 17 years enrolled in the nutritional recovery programme were studied. Data collection included sociodemographic information, hygiene and sanitation practices, and haematological and anthropometric measurements. Results: All participants were found to have anaemia. Regarding intestinal parasites, Giardia intestinalis was detected in 93.9% of cases, and Trichuris trichiura was identified in 28.6% of cases. Nutritional assessments revealed that 100% of the participants experienced thinness or acute malnutrition, while 32.6% exhibited stunting or impaired growth. Conclusions: The findings underscore the critical relationship between nutritional status and factors such as parasitology, haematology, and hygiene. Tools like the Nutrimetry assessment enable more specific diagnostics, guiding targeted interventions to address malnutrition. This study highlights the urgent need for policies and collaborative actions to improve the health conditions of the children in Madagascar.
Association Between Alcohol Use Patterns and Insomnia Symptoms or Poor Sleep Quality Among Adult Women: An Internet Cross-Sectional Survey in Japan
Authors: Nakajima Suguru , Otsuka Yuichiro , Kaneita Yoshitaka , Itani Osamu , Kuwabara Yuki , Kinjo Aya , Minobe Ruriko , Maesato Hitoshi , Higuchi Susumu , Kanda Hideyuki , Yoshimoto Hisashi , Jike Maki , Kasuga Hideaki , Ito Teruna , Osaki Yoneatsu
Published: February 2025

It is unclear whether patterns of alcohol consumption are associated with sleep disturbance. We aimed to investigate the relationship between comprehensive alcohol-related factors and insomnia symptoms, as well as sleep quality, among adult women in Japan. Responses to an online cross-sectional survey were gathered from 12,000 women. The survey items included demographic characteristics, alcohol consumption (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, nightcaps, years of drinking), sleep-related factors (sleep duration, insomnia symptoms, sleep quality), lifestyle-related factors, and mental health. Binary logistic regression was used to investigate the relationship between alcohol consumption and both insomnia symptoms and sleep quality. A total of 10,233 women were included in the final analysis. The results revealed that several alcohol-related behaviors, including the consumption of nightcaps and years of drinking, were significantly associated with insomnia symptoms and poor sleep quality. Specifically, nightcaps were significantly associated with all types of insomnia symptoms and poor sleep quality, with a higher odds ratio than other alcohol-related items. Our findings suggest that specific alcohol-related behaviors, particularly the consumption of nightcaps, are associated with insomnia symptoms and poor sleep quality among women. Intervention programs for alcohol consumption should be provided to prevent sleep problems among women.
Development of an AI Model for Predicting Methacholine Bronchial Provocation Test Results Using Spirometry
Authors: Park SangJee , Yi Yehyeon , Han Seon-Sook , Kim Tae-Hoon , Kim So Jeong , Yoon Young Soon , Kim Suhyun , Lee Hyo Jin , Heo Yeonjeong
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: The methacholine bronchial provocation test (MBPT) is a diagnostic test frequently used to evaluate airway hyper-reactivity. MBPT is essential for diagnosing asthma; however, it can be time-consuming and resource-intensive. This study aimed to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) model to predict the MBPT results using forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and bronchodilator test measurements from spirometry. Methods: a dataset of spirometry measurements, including Pre- and Post-bronchodilator FEV1, was used to train and validate the model. Results: Among the evaluated models, the multilayer perceptron (MLP) achieved the highest area under the curve (AUC) of 0.701 (95% CI: 0.676–0.725), accuracy of 0.758, and an F1-score of 0.853. Logistic regression (LR) and a support vector machine (SVM) demonstrated comparable performance with AUC values of 0.688, while random forest (RF) and extreme gradient boost (XGBoost) achieved slightly lower AUC values of 0.669 and 0.672, respectively. Feature importance analysis of the MLP model identified key contributing features, including Pre-FEF25–75 (%), Pre-FVC (L), Post FEV1/FVC, Change-FEV1 (L), and Change-FEF25–75 (%), providing insight into the interpretability and clinical applicability of the model. Conclusions: These results highlight the potential of the model to utilize readily available spirometry data, particularly FEV1 and bronchodilator responses, to accurately predict MBPT results. Our findings suggest that AI-based prediction can improve asthma diagnostic workflows by minimizing the reliance on MBPT and enabling faster and more accessible assessments.
Quantitative Analysis of Early Retinal Changes and OCT Parameters in Diabetic Subjects with and Without Retinopathy
Authors: Aldakhil Sulaiman , Challa Naveen , Alhoshan Saja A. , Abohaimed Foziyah , Alnasser Bashair N. , Almuhawas Hana A. , AlObaisi Saif , Alrasheed Saif H.
Published: February 2025

Aim: The aim of this paper is to assess the changes in optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) parameters among normal individuals and for type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients, with and without retinopathy, in the adult Saudi population. Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study; subjects were divided into four groups. Group 1, the control group, consisted of 40 eyes from normal healthy individuals, while the other three groups included subjects diagnosed with type 2 DM at various stages of retinopathy. All subjects’ OCT and OCTA images were acquired using a swept-source OCT (DRI Triton, Topcon, Inc., Tokyo, Japan). Parameters collected included superficial capillary plexus (SCP) vessel density (VD), foveal avascular zone (FAZ), macular thickness (MT), ganglion cell layer (GCL) thickness, and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness at central and perifoveal locations. OCTA acquisition included a 4.5 × 4.5 mm scan to measure FAZ and SCP VD, with the FAZ manually mapped onto OCTA images at the SCP. Results: There was a significant decrease in SCP VD (p < 0.05) in all quadrants except the central as the severity of diabetes increased. SCP VD was considerably lower in DM patients without retinopathy compared to controls. Additionally, the FAZ area exhibited a significant increasing trend as the severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR) increased. Regression analysis showed a significant decrease in RNFL thickness (p < 0.01) and GCL thickness (p < 0.01) in the nasal quadrant as DR severity increased, even after adjusting for age, gender, and mean arterial pressure. Furthermore, SCP VD showed a significant negative correlation with both the duration of DM and contrast sensitivity. Conclusions: OCT and OCTA parameters were significantly different between the control and diabetic patients with and without DR. The observed microvascular and contrast sensitivity alterations may precede detectable DR damage or changes in visual acuity.
Unplanned Excision in Soft Tissue Sarcoma: Current Knowledge and Remaining Gaps
Authors: Nakamura Tomoki , Hasegawa Masahiro
Published: February 2025

Soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is a rare and heterogeneous disease, which can result in surgeons not considering STS as a differential diagnosis when they encounter a lump. However, unplanned excision (UE) often occurs in nonspecialized sarcoma centers. Before re-excision (RE) after UE, radiological examinations such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) should be performed to determine the surgical margin and conduct a pathological evaluation of the UE. However, differentiating between residual tumor and postsurgical changes remains challenging because of the presence of postoperative edema, hematoma, and seroma on MRI. Propensity score matching analysis showed that patients with STS who underwent RE after UE did not have higher mortality or local recurrence rates than those who underwent planned excision (PE), while RE often requires reconstruction procedures. From the patient’s perspective, one operation (PE) is better than two (UE and RE) because it reduces hospital stays and time away from work. Continuous education about STS is necessary for all surgeons to reduce the incidence of UE.
Dual-Regularized Feature Selection for Class-Specific and Global Feature Associations
Authors: Wang Chenchen , Wang Jun , Li Yanfei , Piao Chengkai , Wei Jinmao
Published: February 2025

Understanding feature associations is vital for selecting the most informative features. Existing methods primarily focus on global feature associations, which capture overall relationships across all samples. However, they often overlook class-specific feature interactions, which are essential for capturing locality features that may only be significant within certain classes. In this paper, we propose Dual-Regularized Feature Selection (DRFS), which incorporates two feature association regularizers to address both class-specific and global feature relationships. The class-specific regularizer captures the local geometric structure of features within each class. Meanwhile, the global regularizer utilizes a global feature similarity matrix to eliminate redundant features across classes. By combining these regularizers, DRFS selects features that preserve both local interactions within each class and global discriminative power, with each regularizer complementing the other to enhance feature selection. Experimental results on eight public real-world datasets demonstrate that DRFS outperforms existing methods in classification accuracy.
A Comprehensive Analysis of Energy Consumption in Battery-Electric Buses Using Experimental Data: Impact of Driver Behavior, Route Characteristics, and Environmental Conditions
Authors: Belloni Mattia , Tarsitano Davide , Sabbioni Edoardo
Published: February 2025

With the increasing emphasis on environmental sustainability, the electrification of urban public bus fleets has gained significant attention. Understanding the factors influencing the energy consumption of battery-electric buses (BEBs) is crucial for enhancing their energy efficiency. Therefore, it is crucial to identify the subsystems that contribute most to energy consumption and understand how operational factors influence them. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of BEB energy consumption based on experimental measurements performed with a 12 m fully electric battery bus. The main limitations of this study stem from the use of a single vehicle over a total period of 18 days, during which 187 routes were completed. Additionally, sandbags were used as ballast in place of actual passengers. Various parameters, including the number of passengers, drivers, route characteristics, environmental conditions, and traffic, were analyzed to assess their impact on BEB energy consumption. Data related to the energy consumed by various bus utilities were collected through the vehicle’s CAN network, with a sampling rate of 1 measurement per second. These data were analyzed both daily and per route, revealing the breakdown of energy consumption among different utilities and highlighting those responsible for the highest energy use. The results correlate the total distance traveled, service duration, average speed, driver’s driving style, route characteristics, internal and external temperatures, and air-conditioning system’s reference temperature with the energy consumption of the traction motors and climate control system. In addition, the correlation between the driver, vehicle acceleration, and throttle pedal use, and the energy consumed by the electric traction motor is presented.
Study on Pore Structure of Tectonically Deformed Coals by Carbon Dioxide Adsorption and Nitrogen Adsorption Methods
Authors: Zhang Jinbo , Huang Huazhou , Zhou Wenbing , Sun Lin , Huang Zaixing
Published: February 2025

The study of pore characteristics in tectonic coal is essential for a deeper understanding of gas diffusion, seepage, and other transport processes within coal seams, and plays a crucial role in the development of coalbed methane resources. Based on low-temperature N2 and CO2 adsorption experiments, this study investigated the pore structure characteristics of four tectonic coal samples collected from the Hegang and Jixi basins in China. The results show that the mylonitic coal sample exhibits a clear capillary condensation and evaporation phenomenon around a relative pressure (P/P0) of 0.5. The degree of tectonic deformation in coal has a significant impact on its pore characteristics. As the degree of deformation increases, both the pore volume and specific surface area of the coal gradually increase. The pore volume and specific surface area of micropores are primarily concentrated in pores with diameters of 0.5–0.7 nm and 0.8–0.9 nm, while those of mesopores are mainly distributed in pores with diameters of 2.3–6.2 nm. The proportion of pore volume and specific surface area contributed by micropores is much greater than that of mesopores. The fractal dimension is positively correlated with the degree of tectonic deformation in coal. As the fractal dimension increases, the average pore diameter decreases, closely tied to the destruction and reconstruction of the coal’s pore structure under tectonic stress. These findings will contribute to a deeper understanding of the pore structure characteristics of tectonic coal and effectively advance coalbed methane development.
Modeling and Analyzing Critical Policies for Improving Energy Efficiency in Manufacturing Sector: An Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) Approach
Authors: Li Yuanyuan , Badulescu Alina , Badulescu Daniel
Published: February 2025

The manufacturing sector’s carbon emissions and energy consumption is much greater than other counterparts, which needs to be remedied. To solve this issue, energy efficiency is an essential element for sustainable production in the manufacturing process. While a number of studies have examined different energy efficiency policies, no prior study has delved into their interactions. Moreover, there is a lack of studies classifying the policies based on their driving and dependence power. To fill these research gaps, this study identified twelve policies through researching literature, which were further analyzed using the ISM MICMAC approach. Interpretive structural modeling (ISM) was used to develop contextual relationships among identified policies, whereas cross-impact matrix multiplication was applied to classification (MICMAC) to analyze driving and dependence power. The study results reveal that “strategic planning” and “green capabilities” are the most influential policies for energy efficiency, while “green marketing” and “green production” have reduced roles in energy efficiency. The findings of this study can be used to manufacture sustainable goods and services, which can enhance overall corporate sustainability. Businesses can lessen their environmental impact while maintaining their financial sustainability through an energy efficiency scheme.
Review of Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems in Maritime Transport
Authors: Kolodziejski Marcin , Sosnowski Mariusz
Published: February 2025

The maritime industry is going through a technology transition, aiming to have carbon-neutral propulsion systems. A significant trend of orders for ships with alternative propulsion has been observed. A favorable means to meet the decarbonization requirements imposed by IMO (International Maritime Organization) is to operate vessels with sustainable energy. Harvesting wind power and its conversion into ship propulsion are gaining popularity due to emission reductions and expected reductions in fuel consumption. This paper reviews recent studies on wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPSs), the different aspects of using sail applications in the maritime industry, and the types of wind-assisted propulsion systems. The study also presents the latest developments in WAPS systems offered by leading maritime market manufacturers and their applications on existing vessels. The article is based on a literature review (peer-reviewed articles), the information provided by wind propulsion systems manufacturers and internet research.
Corrosion Cracking Causes in 13Cr-110 Tubing in Oil and Gas Extraction and Transportation
Authors: Xu Kangkai , Xie Shuyi , Luo Jinheng , Wang Bohong
Published: February 2025

With the continuous development of oil and gas fields, the demand for corrosion-resistant tubing is increasing, which is important for the safe exploitation of oil and gas energy. Due to its excellent CO2 corrosion resistance, 13Cr-110 martensitic stainless steel is widely used in sour gas-containing oil fields in western China. This paper describes a case of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in a 13Cr-110 serviced in an ultra-deep gas well. The failure mode of the tubing is brittle along the lattice fracture, and the cracks are generated because of nitrogen gas-lift production-enhancement activities during the service of the tubing, leading to corrosion damage zones and cracks in the 13Cr-110 material under the synergistic effect of oxygen and chloric acid-containing environments. During subsequent production, the tubing is subjected to tensile stresses and cracks expanded at the 13Cr-110 lattice boundaries due to reduced structural strength in the corrosion region. To address the corrosion sensitivity of 13Cr-110 in an oxygen environment, it is recommended that the oxygen content in the wellbore be strictly controlled and that antioxidant corrosion inhibitors be added.
Utilization of Yeast Cells as Alternative Carriers in the Microencapsulation of Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) Phenolic Extract
Authors: Gümüşay Özlem Aktürk , Cerit İnci , Demirkol Omca
Published: February 2025

The structure of yeast cells, which are rich in bioactive compounds, makes them an attractive encapsulation vehicle due to their antioxidant, antibacterial, and antimutagenic properties. In this study, black chokeberry extract was encapsulated with different wall materials (maltodextrin, gum arabic, mixture of maltodextrin and gum arabic, plasmolyzed yeast, and non-plasmolyzed yeast) by freeze-drying. While the highest encapsulation efficiency was obtained with maltodextrin (98.82%), non-plasmolyzed yeast (86.58%) emerged as a viable alternative to gum arabic. The largest particle size was observed in plasmolyzed yeast microcapsules. Yeast-coated capsules exhibited a spheroidal morphology. Differential Scanning Calorimetry revealed high thermal stability for all microcapsules, with the gum arabic-coated microcapsules demonstrating the greatest stability. After the simulated gastric and intestinal fluid treatment, plasmolyzed yeast provided the highest retention, with 63.45% and 77.55% of phenolics, respectively. The highest 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) activities were found in yeast microcapsules, with no significant difference between them. In 2,2′-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS•+) scavenging activity, the least loss (approximately 10%) was observed in non-plasmolyzed yeast samples after intestinal digestion. These results showed that yeast can be used as an alternative coating material in the encapsulation of phenolics, and it contributes to the bioavailability of microcapsules with its protective effect during digestion.
Characterization of Volatile Compounds and Odorants in Different Sichuan Pepper Varieties in Tallow Hotpot
Authors: Li Wenhua , Wang Qiaojun , Huan Huilin , Wu Gangcheng , Jin Qingzhe , Zhang Youfeng , Wang Xingguo
Published: February 2025

Sichuan pepper plays a vital role in enhancing the flavor of hotpot. However, the specific flavor compounds involved are still unclear. In this study, the key aroma components of Sichuan pepper tallow hotpot were explored. Six aroma attributes were evaluated by quantitative descriptive sensory analysis (QDA). Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) identified 56 compounds. Among them, a total of 27 aroma-active compounds were identified by gas chromatography–olfactometry (GC-O) and aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA). Sixteen aroma-active compounds were determined using odor activity values (OAVs) ≥ 1. Linalool, linalyl acetate, D-limonene, sabinene, β-myrcene, eucalyptol, α-terpineol, terpinen-4-ol, acetic acid, (E,E)-2,4-decadienal, (E)-2-heptenal, and others were identified as the key aroma compounds. Chemometrics analysis indicated that the aroma of green Sichuan pepper tallow hotpot was green, and the aroma of different red Sichuan pepper tallow hotpots varied significantly. The research results serve as a foundation for the quality control and production of the hotpot industry.
The Stability and Global Attractivity of Fractional Differential Equations with the Ψ-Hilfer Derivative in the Context of an Economic Recession
Authors: Jeelani Mdi Begum , Hafeez Farva , Alqahtani Nouf Abdulrahman
Published: February 2025

Fractional differential equations (FDEs) are employed to describe the physical universe. This article investigates the attractivity of solutions for FDEs and Ulam–Hyers–Rassias stability, involving the Ψ-Hilfer fractional derivative. Important results are presented using Krasnoselskii’s fixed point theorem, which provides a framework for analyzing the stability and attractivity of solutions. Novel results on the attractiveness of solutions to nonlinear FDEs in Banach spaces are derived, and the existence of solutions, stability properties, and behavior of system equilibria are examined. The application of Ψ-Hilfer fractional derivatives in modeling financial crises is explored, and a financial crisis model using Ψ-Hilfer fractional derivatives is proposed, providing more general and global results. Furthermore, we also perform a numerical analysis to validate our theoretical findings.
Genetic Regulation of Chlorophyll Biosynthesis in Pepper Fruit: Roles of CaAPRR2 and CaGLK2
Authors: Sun Huagang , Zhang Yiyue , Zhang Lingkui , Wang Xiang , Zhang Kang , Cheng Feng , Chen Shumin
Published: February 2025

Background: Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is a widely cultivated vegetable crop worldwide, with its rich fruit colors providing unique visual traits and economic value. This study investigated the genetic basis of the immature green fruit color by constructing a F2 segregating population derived from a cross between yellow fruit C20 and green fruit C62 parent lines. Methods: Bulked segregant analysis sequencing (BSA-seq) was performed to identify genomic regions associated with fruit color. Candidate genes were pinpointed through functional annotation and genetic variation analysis, supported by SNP markers, genotype analysis, and transcriptome profiling. Results: Two genomic regions associated with fruit color were identified on chromosomes 1 (14.55–20.85 Mb) and 10 (10.15–22.85 Mb), corresponding to previously reported loci pc1 and pc10.1. Two chlorophyll synthesis-related genes, CaAPRR2 and CaGLK2, were identified as candidate regulators of fruit color. Mutations in these genes include a premature stop codon in both CaGLK2 and CaAPRR2. The mutation of CaAPRR2 and CaGLK2 jointly regulate the yellow fruit trait in pepper, with CaGLK2 being the major gene and CaAPRR2 being the minor gene. Transcriptome analysis showed that the expression levels of the two genes increased during the green ripening stage of the parent fruits, with higher expression levels of CaGLK2. Conclusions: This study identifies CaGLK2 and CaAPRR2 as key regulators of immature green fruit color in pepper, with CaGLK2 playing a predominant role. These findings provide a theoretical foundation and data support for elucidating the molecular regulatory mechanisms of fruit color and advancing marker-assisted breeding in pepper.
Effects of Critical Thinking Disposition, Clinical Judgement, and Nurse–Physician Collaboration on Triage Competency Among Triage Nurses
Authors: Song Ji-Won , Park Hyung-Ran
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between critical thinking disposition, clinical judgement, nurse–physician collaboration, and triage competency among triage nurses and to identify the factors influencing triage competency. Methods: This descriptive survey study included 152 triage nurses from one tertiary and six general hospitals. Data were collected from 1 September to 1 November 2023 and analysed using SPSS 29.0. Results: Triage competency was positively correlated with critical thinking disposition (r = 0.55, p < 0.001) and clinical judgement (r = 0.61, p < 0.001), while it was negatively correlated with nurse–physician collaboration (r = −0.52, p < 0.001). The hierarchical regression analysis showed that five variables, critical thinking disposition, clinical judgement, nurse–physician collaboration, education level, and years of experience in the emergency department, significantly influenced triage competency. The explanatory power of these variables for triage competency was 63.7% (F = 27.52, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Based on the findings, increasing the level of cooperation and fostering more cooperative relationships between nurses and physicians are necessary measures to improve their triage competency.
Prevalence and Factors Associated with Common Mental Disorders and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Healthcare Workers in a Reference Center for Infectious Diseases During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Survey-Based Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Guimarães Patrícia , Oliveira Raquel , Amud Rocicley , Bezerra Maria Elisa , Rigolon Paula , Milhomem Eunes , Lessa José Luiz , Calvet Guilherme , Passos Sonia
Published: February 2025

A cross-sectional survey conducted between July and September 2020 and August and September 2021 estimated the prevalence and predictors of common mental disorders (CMDs) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among healthcare workers (HCWs) at an infectious disease referral center during the COVID-19 pandemic. CMDs were assessed using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), and PTSD using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). Multivariate logistic regressions identified predictors of CMD and PTSD. The study included 371 HCWs in 2020 and 167 in 2021. The CMD prevalence was 34.3% (95% confidence interval (CI): 29.5–39.4) in 2020 and 30.5% (95% CI: 23.7–38.1) in 2021. The PTSD prevalence was 25.4% (95% CI: 21.0–30.2) in 2020 and 32.7% (95% CI: 25.6–40.5) in 2021. Factors increasing CMD odds included lower education (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 3.71, 95% CI: 1.60–8.61), lack of physical activity (AOR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.33–3.73), and experiencing COVID-19 symptoms (AOR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.02–2.64) in 2020; chronic diseases (AOR = 3.14, 95% CI: 1.34–7.35) and SARS-CoV-2 testing (AOR = 3.39, 95% CI: 1.13–10.17) raised CMD odds in 2021. Frontline HCWs had lower CMD odds in 2020 (AOR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.36–1.00) and 2021 (AOR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.14–0.75). PTSD was associated with having COVID-19 symptoms (AOR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.23–3.45), living with high-risk individuals (AOR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.03–2.95), and losing loved ones (AOR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.09–3.17) in 2020. Chronic diseases increased PTSD odds in 2020 (AOR = 2.20, 95% CI: 1.25–3.86) and 2021 (AOR = 2.30, 95% CI: 1.03–5.13), while age decreased them in 2020 (AOR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.93–0.98) and 2021 (AOR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.91–0.99). Younger HCWs with chronic conditions living with high-risk individuals were particularly affected. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted emotional support and stress management programs for HCWs.
Pt-Au Nanoparticles in Combination with Near-Infrared-Based Hyperthermia Increase the Temperature and Impact on the Viability and Immune Phenotype of Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Szwed Marzena , Jost Tina , Majka Emilia , Gharibkandi Nasrin Abbasi , Majkowska-Pilip Agnieszka , Frey Benjamin , Bilewicz Aleksander , Fietkau Rainer , Gaipl Udo , Marczak Agnieszka , Lubgan Dorota
Published: February 2025

Near-infrared light (NIR)-responsive metal-based nanoparticles (NPs) could be used for tumour therapy. We examined how platinum (Pt), gold (Au), and core-shell Pt-Au NPs affect the viability of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines (Hep3B, HepG2, and Huh7D-12) alone and in combination with NIR exposure. In addition, the expression of immune checkpoint molecules (ICMs) on the tumour cells was analysed. We revealed that the cytotoxicity and programmed cell death induction of Au and Pt-Au NPs toward HCC cells could be enhanced by NIR with 960 nm in a different way. Pt-Au NPs were the only particles that resulted in an additional temperature increase of up to 2 °C after NIR. Regarding the tumour cell immune phenotype, not all of the cells experienced changes in immune phenotype. NIR itself was the trigger of the alterations, while the NPs did not significantly affect the expression of most of the examined ICMs, such as PD-L1, PD-L1, HVEM, CD70, ICOS-L, Ox40-L, and TNFRSF9. The combination of Pt-Au NPs with NIR resulted in the most prominent increase of ICMs in HepG2 cells. We conclude that the thermotherapeutic effect of Pt-Au NP application and NIR could be beneficial in multimodal therapy settings in liver cancer for selected patients.
SARS-CoV-2-ORF-3a Mediates Apoptosis Through Mitochondrial Dysfunction Modulated by the K+ Ion Channel
Authors: Qudus Muhammad Suhaib , Afaq Uzair , Liu Siyu , Wu Kailang , Yu Chen , Tian Mingfu , Wu Jianguo
Published: February 2025

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) causes pulmonary edema, which disrupts the lung alveoli–capillary barrier and leads to pulmonary cell apoptosis, the main cause of death. However, the molecular mechanism behind SARS-CoV-2’s apoptotic activity remains unknown. Here, we revealed that SARS-CoV-2-ORF-3a mediates the pulmonary pathology associated with SARS-CoV-2, which is demonstrated by the fact that it causes lung tissue damage. The in vitro results showed that SARS-CoV-2-ORF-3a triggers cell death via the disruption of mitochondrial homeostasis, which is modulated through the regulation of Mitochondrial ATP-sensitive Potassium Channel (MitoKATP). The addition of exogenous Potassium (K+) in the form of potassium chloride (KCl) attenuated mitochondrial apoptosis along with the inflammatory interferon response (IFN-β) triggered by SARS-ORF-3a. The addition of exogenous K+ strongly suggests that dysregulation of K+ ion channel function is the central mechanism underlying the mitochondrial dysfunction and stress response induced by SARS-CoV-2-ORF-3a. Our results designate that targeting the potassium channel or its interactions with ORF-3a may represent a promising therapeutic strategy to mitigate the damaging effects of infection with SARS-CoV-2.
Evaluating Drought Tolerance in Codonopsis pilosula Seedlings: Combining Growth, Physiology, Yield, and Tolerance Indices
Authors: Wang Hongyan , Chen Yuan , Guo Fengxia , Wu Di , Liang Wei , Dong Pengbin , Cheng Jiali
Published: February 2025

Drought stress during the Codonopsis pilosula (Campanulaceae) seedling stage significantly affects its growth, quality, and yield. The aim of this study was to identify drought-tolerant cultivars of C. pilosula by using the growth—physiology—yield composite index (GPYCI) and drought-tolerant indices. Nine C. pilosula cultivars were evaluated under normal-watered (black plastic film hole sowing, BF) and water-stressed (spread in the open field, SF) conditions in a design that adopted a two-factor paired experiment with three replications. The emergence rate was significantly influenced by the water treatment, while both the water treatment and the cultivar affected root length, proline content, APX activity, and chlorophyll levels. The G1 cultivar performed better than others in multiple aspects. Yields and their attributes varied among cultivars under different water levels. The average yield was 7350.76 kg/hm2 under BF conditions and 4856.32 kg/hm2 under SF conditions. Drought stress reduced the total root length, single root fresh weight, and yield by 18.33%, 28.4%, and 33.9%, respectively. Correlation analysis revealed unique physiological response mechanisms to water changes among cultivars. Drought tolerance indices and comprehensive factor analysis indicated varying levels of drought tolerance among cultivars. This study has provided valuable insights into the growth, physiology, and yield response of C. pilosula under drought conditions and laid the foundation for breeding drought-tolerant cultivars.
Variants of the Progesterone Receptor Gene as Modulators of Risk for Idiopathic Spontaneous Premature Birth
Authors: Kadivnik Mirta , Dundović Marija , Bartulić Andreja , Rupčić Rubin Vinka , Abičić Žuljević Kristina , Milić Vranješ Iva , Kralik Kristina , Arvaj Nena , Wagner Jasenka
Published: February 2025

Premature birth (PTB) is the most common cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity. We performed a case–control study to determine whether two selected single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the progesterone receptor gene (PGR) (rs4754732 and rs653752) play a role in the modulation of the risk for spontaneous PTB. This study included 400 mothers (199 with premature delivery and 201 with term delivery) and 400 newborns (201 term-born and 199 premature-born) of European descent. Genotyping was performed with an ABI PRISM 7500 SDS using TaqMan SNP genotyping assays. We found no statistically significant difference in the distribution of genotypes and allele frequencies between prematurely born newborns and newborns at term for either investigated SNP. There was no statistically significant difference in the distribution of genotypes and allele frequencies between groups of mothers with extremely early and early PTB compared to the group of mothers with term births. Potential association of the mothers’ C allele of rs653752 with lower odds of PTB (p = 0.03; odds ratio 1.36; 95% confidence interval 1.02–1.81; Chi-square test), and association of the mothers’ CC genotype of rs653752 in the recessive inheritance model with lower odds of PTB in general (p = 0.02; odds ratio 0.54; 95% confidence interval 0.32–0.91; Chi-square test) and with a late PTB (p = 0.005, odds ratio 0.45, 95% confidence interval 0.23–0.79; Chi-square test), were found. It was also found that the mothers who were carriers of the haplotype T-G combination of rs4754732 and rs653752 were 1.5 times more likely to have PTB, even after correcting the p-value for multiple comparisons (p = 0.008; odds ratio 1.59; 95% confidence interval 1.13–2.24, Chi-square test). Further research on a larger number of subjects of these and other PGR SNPs will be needed in order to confirm the presented results.
The Ambiguous Role of Growth Factors in Autism: What Do We Really Know?
Authors: Spoto Giulia , Butera Ambra , Albertini Maria Ludovica , Consoli Carla , Ceraolo Graziana , Nicotera Antonio Gennaro , Rosa Gabriella Di
Published: February 2025

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition with multifactorial origins, including the potential involvement of neurotrophins and growth factors. These molecules, which are crucial for neuronal survival, synaptic plasticity, and brain development, have been implicated in ASD pathophysiology. Altered levels of neurotrophins such as NGF, BDNF, NT3, and NT4, as well as growth factors like IGF1, VEGF, and FGF, have been associated with cognitive deficits, sensory processing abnormalities, and behavioral issues in ASD patients. However, the literature presents conflicting results, often due to differences in research methodologies, sample sizes, patient populations, and diagnostic criteria. Despite these inconsistencies, the potential of neurotrophins and growth factors as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for ASD remains promising. Future research with standardized methodologies, larger cohorts, and a clearer understanding of genetic influences is needed to further elucidate their roles in ASD diagnosis and treatment.
Behavioral Drivers of AI Adoption in Banking in a Semi-Mature Digital Economy: A TAM and UTAUT-2 Analysis of Stakeholder Perspectives
Authors: Papathomas Aristides , Konteos George , Avlogiaris Giorgos
Published: February 2025

The transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in banking is widely acknowledged, yet its practical adoption often faces resistance from users. This study investigates the factors influencing AI adoption behavior among various stakeholders in the Greek semi-mature systemic banking ecosystem, addressing a critical gap in the relevant research. By utilizing the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT-2), and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) models, data from 297 respondents (bank employees, digital professionals, and the general public) were analyzed. The results highlight the strong relevance of constructs such as Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, and Hedonic Motivation, whereas Social Influence was deemed non-significant, reflecting a pragmatic stance toward AI. Demographic factors like gender and age were found to have no significant moderating effect, challenging traditional stereotypes. However, occupation and education emerged as significant moderators, indicating varying attitudes among professions and educational levels. This study is the first to develop a theoretical framework for AI adoption by Greek banking institutions, offering Greek banking practitioners actionable insights. The findings also hold relevance for countries with similar digital maturity levels, aiding broader AI integration in banking.
Estimation of Trabecular Bone Volume with Dual-Echo Ultrashort Echo Time (UTE) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Significantly Correlates with High-Resolution Computed Tomography (CT)
Authors: Cheng Karen Y. , Moazamian Dina , Namiranian Behnam , Shaterian Mohammadi Hamidreza , Alenezi Salem , Chung Christine B. , Jerban Saeed
Published: February 2025

Trabecular bone architecture has important implications for the mechanical strength of bone. Trabecular elements appear as signal void when imaged utilizing conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences. Ultrashort echo time (UTE) MRI can acquire high signal from trabecular bone, allowing for quantitative evaluation. However, the trabecular morphology is often disturbed in UTE-MRI due to chemical shift artifacts caused by the presence of fat in marrow. This study aimed to evaluate a UTE-MRI technique to estimate the trabecular bone volume fraction (BVTV) without requiring trabecular-level morphological assessment. A total of six cadaveric distal tibial diaphyseal trabecular bone cubes were scanned using a dual-echo UTE Cones sequence (TE = 0.03 and 2.2 ms) on a clinical 3T MRI scanner and on a micro-computed tomography (μCT) scanner. The BVTV was calculated from 10 consecutive slices on both the MR and μCT images. BVTV calculated from the MR images showed strongly significant correlation with the BVTV determined from μCT images (R = 0.84, p < 0.01), suggesting that UTE-MRI is a feasible technique for the assessment of trabecular bone microarchitecture. This would allow for the non-invasive assessment of information regarding bone strength, and UTE-MRI may potentially serve as a novel tool for assessment of fracture risk.
Beauveria bassiana Induces Strong Defense and Increases Resistance in Tomato to Bemisia tabaci
Authors: Liu Mengying , Xiang Dong , Hokkanen Heikki M. T. , Niu Tiandi , Zhang Junjie , Yang Jinlin , Wei Qiuyang , Chen Hanqiu , Liu Huai , Li Yaying
Published: February 2025

Pre-stimulation of plants can change their resistance mechanisms, thereby enhancing their defense responses. Beauveria bassiana, a broad-spectrum entomogenous fungi, can also induce plant defenses, but it received little attention. Here, we show that B. bassiana can act as a stimulus to prime tomato defense responses, improving resistance in the plant to herbivore stress. The results illustrated that four defense genes (PIN2, PR2, PAL, and MPK3) were upregulated in all B. bassiana treatments, especially the phenylalanine deaminase (PAL) gene, which was highly expressed in tomato plants after B. bassiana inoculation. Feeding through Bemisia tabaci resulted in a weak upregulation of defense genes. However, in combined fungal inoculation and B. tabaci feeding, a total of nine defense genes were upregulated, among which five genes—PAL, PPO, PIN2, PR2, and PR1—were closely related to the phenol synthesis. The results of tomato plant metabolism showed that B. bassiana mainly activates tomato phenylpropane metabolic pathways, with this modulation being influenced by jasmonate. Further explorations revealed a significant enhancement in the antioxidant capacity of the plants, as evidenced by the determination of their antioxidant compounds and the coloration of leaf phenolic substances. Thus, entomopathogenic fungi can act as an exogenous substance to activate the defense responses of tomatoes without damaging the plant, indicating a good potential for developing applications using B. bassiana to promote resistance in tomatoes for pest management.
Land Use and Land Cover Changes: A Case Study in Nigeria
Authors: Ologunde Olanrewaju H. , Kelani Mordiyah O. , Biru Moges K. , Olayemi Abdullahi B. , Nunes Márcio R.
Published: February 2025

Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) assessment is vital for achieving sustainable ecosystems. This study quantified and mapped the spatiotemporal LULC changes in Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria, between 2015 and 2023. The LULC was classified into water, forest or thick bush, sparse vegetation, built-up, and bare land using Landsat images. Processing, classification, and image analysis were done using the ESRI ArcGIS Pro 3.3. LULC changed from 2015 to 2023, with built-up areas and sparse vegetation increasing by 138.2 km2 and 28.7 km2, respectively. In contrast, forest or thick bush, which had the greatest change among the LULC classes, decreased by 153.7 km2 over this period while bare land and water bodies decreased by 9.5 km2 and 3.8 km2, respectively. Forest or thick bush (201.0 km2) was converted to sparse vegetation, which reflects an increase in agricultural activities in the region. The conversion of about 109.8 km2 of vegetation and 3.7 km2 of water bodies to built-up areas highlights considerable urbanization. Overall, the increase in the built-up area highlights the need for sustainable land use practices to balance urban growth with ecological preservation, achievable through effective management and policy frameworks.
Connecting Natural and Planted Forests: New Ecological Functions in an Agricultural Landscape in Northern Spain
Authors: Brazuelo Núñez Javier , Rivas Carlos A. , Palacios-Rodríguez Guillermo , Navarro-Cerrillo Rafael M.
Published: February 2025

The connectivity of forest ecosystems is increasingly recognized as a key factor in evaluating the sustainability of forest management, with significant implications for biodiversity conservation. This study examines the impact of afforestation programs on forest evolution, fragmentation, and connectivity in León province, Spain, over the past 25 years (1996–2020). Three scenarios were modeled across two periods (1996–2006 and 2006–2020), integrating data from the national forest inventories (IFN2, IFN3, and IFN4) and afforestation program records provided by the Junta de Castilla y León. The evolution of connectivity “with” and “without” afforestation was analyzed using Graphab 2.6 and graph theory, and several connectivity metrics were calculated. The first period analyzed, influenced by the two initial afforestation programs, corresponded to the end of a forest expansion phase, followed by a decrease in tree cover. Despite this reduction, a net positive balance of up to 24% of all connectivity metrics (NC, PC, Flux, and ECA) was observed throughout the study period. Afforestation in mountain areas enhanced tree cover continuity, resulting in a more homogeneous but less diverse landscape. Conversely, afforestation in agricultural lands increased landscape heterogeneity, diversifying and extending the ecological network of connections. These programs have played a crucial role in shaping the landscape, influencing its diversity and the evolution of forest connectivity. Legislation grounded in technical and ecological principles should be prioritized as a strategic tool to address pressing land management challenges and preserve natural values.
Cardiac Metastasis: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Clinical Management
Authors: Lucà Fabiana , Parrini Iris , Canale Maria Laura , Rao Carmelo Massimiliano , Nucara Mariacarmela , Pelaggi Giuseppe , Murrone Adriano , Oliva Stefano , Bisceglia Irma , Sergi Andrea , Geraci Giovanna , Riccio Carmine , Ceravolo Roberto , Gelsomino Sandro , Colivicchi Furio , Grimaldi Massimo , Oliva Fabrizio , Gulizia Michele Massimo
Published: February 2025

Cardiac metastases (CMs) are more common than primary cardiac tumors, with autopsy studies reporting incidence rates between 2.3% and 18.3%. Their increasing detection is largely attributed to advances in cancer treatments, which have extended patient survival. CMs may present with diverse clinical manifestations depending on their size, location, and extent of infiltration, although they often remain asymptomatic and are identified only postmortem. Sometimes, they are incidentally discovered during tumor staging or follow-up evaluations. This review explores the incidence, pathophysiology, clinical features, and potential complications of CMs, focusing on their prevalence and characteristics. It highlights the importance of early detection and optimized management strategies to address this growing clinical concern. Further research is essential to elucidate the mechanisms driving CMs and develop effective therapeutic interventions.