bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RNAi-mediated downregulation of AcCENH3 can induce in vivo haploids in onion (Allium cepa L.)
Authors: Manape Tushar K. , Satheesh Viswanathan , Somasundaram Saravanakumar , Soumia Parakkattu S. , Khade Yogesh P. , Mainkar Pawan , Mahajan Vijay , Singh Major , Anandhan Sivalingam
Published: November 2023

Haploid induction (HI) holds great promise in expediting the breeding process in onion, a biennial cross-pollinated crop. We used the CENH3-based genome elimination technique in producing a HI line in onion. Here, we downregulated AcCENH3 using the RNAi approach without complementation in five independent lines. Out of five events, only three could produce seeds upon selfing. The progenies showed poor seed set and segregation distortion, and we were unable to recover homozygous knockdown lines. The knockdown lines showed a decrease in accumulation of AcCENH3 transcript and protein in leaf tissue. The decrease in protein content in transgenic plants was correlated with poor seed set. When the heterozygous knockdown lines were crossed with wild-type plants, progenies showed HI by genome elimination of the parental chromosomes from AcCENH3 knockdown lines. The HI efficiency observed was between 0 and 4.63% in the three events. The HI efficiency was the highest (4.63%) when knockdown lines were used as male in crosses with wildtype. Given the importance of doubled haploids in breeding programmes, the findings from our study are poised to significantly impact onion breeding.
Intravenous Vitamin C Supplementation in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients: Salutary Impact on Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Toor Amir , Simmons Gary , Sabo Roy , Aziz May , Martin Erika , Bernard Robyn , Sripa Manjari , McIntire Cody , Kreiger Elizabeth , Brophy Donald , Natarajan Ramesh , Fowler Alpha , Roberts Catherine
Published: November 2023

Intravenous (IV) vitamin C improves organ function and reduces inflammation in sepsis, an inflammatory state like the post-hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) milieu. The safety and efficacy of parenteral vitamin C after allogeneic HCT were evaluated in a phase I/II trial. Clinical outcomes were compared with a propensity score - matched historical control. Methods: Patients with advanced hematologic malignancies received IV vitamin C, 50mg/kg/d, divided into 3 doses given on days 1-14 after HCT, followed by 500 mg bid oral from day 15 until 6 months post-SCT.
Results 55 patients received IV vitamin C. All patients were deficient in vitamin C at day 0. Vitamin C recipients had lower non-relapse mortality (NRM) (p = 0.07) and improved survival compared to historical controls (p=0.06), with no attributable grade 3 and 4 toxicities. Vitamin C recipients had similar relapse rate and acute graft versus host disease (GVHD) (p=0.35), but lower severe chronic GVHD (p=0.35). Patients with myeloid malignancies had improved survival (p=0.02) and NRM (p=0.009), as well as chronic GVHD, with similar relapse rates compared to controls.
Conclusions: In patients undergoing allogeneic HCT the administration of IV vitamin C is safe and reduces non-relapse mortality and chronic GVHD improving overall survival.
Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Combined with LI-RADS Imaging Features to Predict Ki-67 Expression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Chen Jingmu , Tan Xiaoliang , Ma Yunhui , Yang Chunyu , Qiu Ganbin , Long Shiliang , Zhao Yue
Published: November 2023

Background: The optimal cut-off value of Ki-67 to guide the clinical management of patients with HCC remains undetermined, although previous studies have shown that high Ki-67 expression is associated with tumor differentiation, lymph node metastasis, and poor prognoses. The aim of this study was to investigate the value of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) v2018 imaging features at different Ki-67 labeling index (LI) levels in preoperative prediction of Ki-67 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Methods: A total of 124 patients with HCC who underwent enhanced-MRI and were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into three groups according to Ki-67 cut-offs: Ki-67 LI<10% (n=33) vs. Ki-67 LI≥10% (n=91); Ki-67 LI< 25% (n=61) vs. Ki-67 LI≥25% (n=63); Ki-67 LI<50% (n=92) vs. Ki-67 LI≥50% (n=32). A multivariable model was established using ADC and LI-RADS v2018 imaging features. The performance of the multivariable model was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves.
Results: When Ki-67 LI≥10%, ADC (odds ratio [OR]=0.018, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.001–0.343, P=0.008) was an independent predictor of HCC, with an AUC of 0.684 (0.594–0.764), sensitivity and specificity of 90.91% and 46.15%, respectively. Similarly, when Ki-67 LI≥25%, ADC (OR=0.002, 95% CI: 0.000–0.048, P<0.001) was an independent predictor, with an AUC of ADC of 0.784 (0.701–0.853), sensitivity and specificity of 93.44% and 61.90%, respectively. When ki-67 LI≥50%, mosaic architecture (OR=6.844, 95% CI: 1.815–25.811, P=0.005) and ADC (OR=0.001, 95% CI: 0.000–0.015, P<0.001) were independent predictors of HCC. The sensitivity, specificity and AUC of the model based on ADC and mosaic architecture were 94.57%, 74.12% and 0.883 (0.813–0.934), respectively. The diagnostic performance of the combined model was better than that of ADC (0.883 vs. 0.825, P=0.02) and mosaic architecture (0.883 vs. 0.704, P<0.001).
Conclusions: When Ki-67 LI≥50%, ADC combined with Mosaic architecture has good differential performance, and may be an effective imaging approach for clinical decision-making and prognostic assessment in patients with HCC.
Transcriptomic of mesenchymal stem cells growing on RGD conjugated cotton scaffold confers anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and osteogenesis potentials
Authors: Aouabdi Sihem , Nedjadi Taoufik , Alsiary Rawiah , Mouffouk Fouzi , Ansari Hifzur Rahman
Published: November 2023

Background Stem cell therapy represents a good alternative therapy to the degenerated or damaged tissue. Stem cells have been used solely or in combination with a scaffold. The latter offers a structural advantage as it allows the cells to grow in 3 Dimensional (3-D) conditions mimicking thein vivoenvironments. We have previously reported the development of a 3-D Arginyl-glycyl-aspartic acid (RGD)-conjugated cotton-based scaffold for the growth and proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The scaffold allowed the adhesion of the MSCs and their proliferation without compromising their viability and their stem cell markers. In depth analysis of the molecular changes in the MSCs adhering to the cotton fibers will result in better therapy. Our work aims at identifying the molecular events happening in growing MSCs on the cotton-RGD conjugated-based scaffold through their gene expression profiles. In this study we have seeded MSCs with and without scaffold for 48 hours. Celle were collected for RNA, cDNA synthesis and whole transcriptomic analysis run on both populations. Results Our analysis revealed several up-regulated and down-regulated differently expressed genes in the MSCs adhering to the scaffold compared to the control cells. Gene ontology analysis identified enriched biological processes, molecular functions, pathway and protein-protein interaction in up-regulated and down-regulated genes. Conclusions Our data suggest that the scaffold might have enhanced potential to induce osteogenesis in the MSCs. The results also suggest that the scaffold does not induce oxidative stress, inflammation and aging of the MSCs. Our findings provide useful data for the MSCs applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Physiological and molecular mechanisms of radicle development of somatic embryos in Schisandra chinensis cultured in the dark
Authors: SUN DAN , Zhang SU , Ai jun , Wang Zhenxin , Shi Guangli , Guo Jianhui , Song XIN , Li Meng , Liu Yunqing
Published: November 2023

Somatic embryogenesis (SE) is a method for producing plant embryos in vitro and is considered a highly promising approach for micropropagation. As a valuable Chinese herbal medicine, the application of SE in genetic breeding, such as in Schisandra chinensis, faces several technical challenges, including incomplete development of somatic embryos and difficulties in plant regeneration. Here, we established an efficient plant regeneration pathway for somatic embryos in S. chinensis. In this experiment, dark culture conditions were found to significantly improve the plant regeneration rooting rate through SE. To understand the genetic mechanism governing embryogenesis, a comparative transcriptome analysis was performed to elucidate differences between light and dark conditions on somatic embryo development in S. chinensis. Dormant buds of S. chinensis were used as explants, and embryonic calli were cultured in light (16 h/D) or dark conditions for 28 days. The cultivation of explants in darkness has been shown to significantly enhance the production of somatic embryo radicles. Under dark conditions, radicle primordia were initiated at the globular embryo stage and developed from the heart-shaped to the torpedo-shaped embryo stages. To explore the S. chinensis root mechanism, endogenous hormones were quantified, and RNA-seq analysis was performed throughout the process of somatic embryogenesis. The results indicated that from the globular to heart-shaped embryo stages, the levels of IAA and ABA in somatic embryos subjected to the dark treatment were markedly lower (190.965 ng•g− 1 and 525.152 ng•g− 1) than those in somatic embryos exposed to light (597.565 ng•g− 1 and 749.188 ng•g− 1), while the concentrations of GA3 and ZR were lower at all stages under light treatment. Transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis revealed that the pathways and processes in which the differentially expressed genes in somatic embryos under dark conditions were predominantly enriched were plant hormone signaling, circadian rhythm, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. qRT‒PCR was employed to validate the expression of plant hormone signaling transduction-related genes, including GH3, SAUR, ARF1, ARF18, AUX/IAA, MMK1, AHK4, AHK5, and PIF3, and the results were consistent with the transcriptome sequencing results. This work laid the foundation for applied research and could be useful in future reluctant woody plant improvement programs and can even be extended to other species.
Single cell atlas of kidney cancer endothelial cells reveals distinct expression profiles and phenotypes
Authors: Xu Yuexin , Miller Chris P. , Xue Jun , Zheng Ying , Warren Edus H. , Tykodi Scott S. , Akilesh Shreeram
Published: November 2023

Background
Tumor endothelial cells (TECs) represent the primary interface between the tumor microenvironment and circulating immune cells, however their phenotypes are incompletely understood in highly vascularized clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).
Methods
We purified tumor and matched normal endothelial cells (NECs) from ccRCC specimens and performed single-cell RNA-sequencing to create a reference-quality atlas available as a searchable web resource for gene expression patterns. We established paired primary TECs and NECs cultures for ex vivo functional testing.
Results
TECs from multiple donors shared a common phenotype with increased expression of pathways related to extracellular matrix regulation, cell-cell communication, and insulin-like growth factor signaling that was conserved in comparison to hepatocellular carcinoma associated TECs, suggesting convergent TEC phenotypes between unrelated tumors. Cultured TECs stably maintained a core program of differentially regulated genes, were inherently resistant to apoptosis after vascular endothelial growth factor removal and displayed increased adhesiveness to subsets of immune cells including regulatory T-cells.
Conclusions
Our studies delineate unique functional and phenotypic properties of TECs, which may provide insights into their interactions with available and emerging therapies. Functional phenotypes of cultured TECs suggest potential mechanisms of resistance to both antiangiogenic and immune-based therapies.
Assessing intentions to donate corneal tissue using the theory of planned behavior among health workers in selected health facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Fikadu Eyerusalem , Molla Mitike , Taye Girma
Published: November 2023

Background
Organ/tissue donation and transplantation has been one of the successes of modern medicine.In Ethiopia, a considerable number of people lose their sight due to damage to their cornea. Despite the high demand, only a few people pledge their corneal tissue when they die.Health workers could play an exemplary role in motivating the general public toward the donation of corneal tissue.However, there is limited information about their attitude and intention toward corneal donation. This study aims to assess the intention of health workers toward corneal tissue donation using the Theory of Planned Behavior which is a robust model for predicting intentions toward behavior.
Method: We conducted an institution based cross-sectional study among 595 health care workers selected randomly using a multistage sampling method in Addis Ababa.Data were collected using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used to assess the demographic information with correlation and regression analysis to identify factors influencing health workers’ intention todonate corneal tissue in A.A, Ethiopia.
Result: With a response rate of 94%, the median age of the respondents was 29 years SD (+5.45).A total of 311(52.3%), 417 (70.1%) and 304 (51.1%) were male, Orthodox Christians and never married respectively. Health workers had a neutral intention to donate their corneal tissue with a mean intention score of 9.07 (range: 3-15).The TPB explained 61.2% of the variation in the intention to donate corneal tissue among health workers. Perceived behavioral control (PBC) was found to be the strongest predictor of intention to donate corneal tissue (β= 0.411: CI (0.387, 0.580), with attitude (β= 0.234: CI (0.124, 0.219) and subjective norm (β= 0.136: CI (0.078, 0.250) being the second and third strongest predictors respectively. The partial eta squared values were 53.6%, 36.9% and 37.2% respectively, with respect to the above order.
Conclusion: This study suggests that health workers did not decide to donate their corneal tissue upon death. Real inhibiting and facilitating factors that affect organ donation have more influence on health workers’ intention to donate their corneal tissue than their perception about corneal donation and the perceived social pressure on them to donate their corneal tissue.
On the other hand previous experience was a strong predictor of intention where those who had
Previous experiences of organ donation were intending to donate corneal tissue upon death.
Constitutive analysis of hot metal flow behavior of virgin and rejuvenated heat treatment creep exhausted power plant X20 steel
Authors: Maube Shem Elahetia , Obiko Japheth Oirere , Merwe Josias Van der , Madaraka Fred Mwema , Klenam Desmond , Bodunrin Michael Oluwatosin
Published: November 2023

This paper presents constitutive equations that describe the hot flow behaviour of Virgin (VG) X20 and rejuvenated heat-treated creep exhaust (CE) X20 steels. The study provides a foundation for determining the effect of rejuvenation heat treatment on CE steels by making comparisons to the VG steel. Hot compression tests in the temperature range of 900°C to 1050°C, strain rate range of 0.1–10 s− 1 to a total strain of 0.6 and stress-strain curves were obtained. The flow stress curves of both steels exhibited dynamic recovery (DRV) characteristics as the main softening mechanism. Constitutive constants of steady-state stresses were determined. The stress exponents, n, were 6.62 (VG) and 5.58 (CE), and the apparent activation energy values were 380.36 kJmol− 1(VG) and 435.70 kJmol− 1 (CE). Analysis of the activation energies showed that VG steel had better workability properties than CE steel and was easier to deform at high temperatures. Constitutive equations for predicting the flow stress in the two steels were established. This were verified by statistical tools: Pearson’s correlation coefficient (R) and Absolute Average Relative Error (AARE). The results showed R-values were, 0.98 (VG) and 0.99 (CE), and the AARE value for VG was 4.17% and 9.01% for CE. The statistical parameters indicated a good correlation between the experimental and predicted values. The constitutive equations therefore adequately described the flow stress behaviour of both steels and can therefore efficiently analyse industrial metal forming schedules.
miR-34c-5p inhibited fibroblast proliferation, differentiation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in benign airway stenosis via MDMX/p53 pathway
Authors: Wei Jinmei , Chen Yan , Feng Tingmei , Wei Yuhui , Yang Caizhen , Zhang Changwen , Li Wentao , Liu Guangnan
Published: November 2023

Benign airway stenosis (BAS) means airway stenosis or obstruction that results from a variety of non-malignant factors, including tuberculosis, trauma, benign tumors, etc. In consideration of the currently limited research on microRNAs in BAS, this study was aimed at exploring the role and mechanism of miR-34c-5p in BAS. The expression of miR-34c-5p in BAS granulation tissues showed a significant down-regulation compared with the normal control group. Moreover, miR-34c-5p mimics suppressed the proliferation and differentiation of human bronchial fibroblasts (HBFs) and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of human bronchial epithelial cells (HBE). Conversely, miR-34c-5p inhibitors aggravated those effects. A dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR-34c-5p can target MDMX rather than Notch1. Interestingly, the over-expression of MDMX can reverse the inhibiting effect of miR-34c-5p on HBFs proliferation, differentiation and EMT. Furthermore, the expressions of tumor protein (p53) and PTEN were down-regulated following the over-expression of MDMX. In addition, the expressions of PI3K and AKT showed an up-regulation. In conclusion, miR-34c-5p was down-regulated in BAS and may inhibit fibroblast proliferation differentiation and EMT in BAS via the MDMX/p53 signaling axis. These findings expand the understanding of the role of miR-34c-5p and will help develop new treatment strategies for BAS.
Growth and Mortality Rates of Mediterranean Horse Mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus Steindachner, 1868) Catches in Southeastern Coast of Black Sea Mediterranean Horse Mackerel Mortalities, Growth
Authors: Samsun Serap
Published: November 2023

Age, growth, sex, and condition of the Mediterranean horse mackerel, Trachurus mediterraneus were studied in the Southeastern Coast of Black Sea from October 2018 to September 2019. Overall female:male sex ratio was 1:1.23, statistically different from unity. Total lengths ranged between 9.1-21.5 cm. Age determination based on otolith readings showed that the population comprised 0-7 age-groups. It was also found that length-weight relationship of all individuals W=0.0057*L3.1269. The results obtained showed that the growth pattern of the fishes was positive allometric. Growth parameters of the population were L∞=25.02 cm, K=0.1332 year-1, t0=-3.6341 years and W∞=134 g. Growth index Φ’ was 1.92 of all individuals studied. The length growth rate was rapidly during the early years of their lives. The instantaneous rates of total (Z), survival rate (S), annual (A), natural (M) and ﬁshing mortalities (F) and exploitation rate (E) were 1.02 year-1, 0.36 year-1, 0.64 year-1, 0,31 year-1, 0.71 year-1 and 0.69 year-1. Trachurus mediterraneus was affected by fishing during the study period, according to the estimated E values.
Associations between motivational factors and burnout syndrome among elite skiers
Authors: Wu Xinran , Cai Yongmao , Abidin Nor Eeza Zainal , Jaladin Rafidah Aga Mohd
Published: November 2023

The present research investigated the association between a series of motivational factors and burnout syndrome among elite skiers at the contextual level within the Hierarchical Model of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation (HMIEM). There are 352 subjects (258 males, 94 females, aged 18 to 25 years) across five skiing events from three sport universities in this study. Four psychological scales related to motivational factors and burnout syndrome were completed by subjects. Overall, the result showed that a task-involving climate had a positive relationship with basic psychological needs, eliciting a positive pathway to autonomous motivation, and thus negatively affecting burnout syndromes. On the contrary, an ego-involving climate had a negative relationship with basic psychological needs, then positively affecting burnout syndrome through amotivation. The results underscore the intricate associations between a variety of motivational factors and athletes’ burnout syndrome, supporting the need to incorporate burnout syndrome elements into the outcomes of HMIEM sequence.
Response is increased using postal rather than electronic questionnaires – new results from an updated Cochrane Systematic Review
Authors: Edwards Phil , Perkins Chloe
Published: November 2023

Background
Paper questionnaires are more common in epidemiology than those administered online, but increasing Internet access may change this. Researchers planning to use a self-administered questionnaire should know whether response rates to questionnaires administered electronically differ to those of questionnaires administered by post. We analysed trials included in a recently updated Cochrane Review to answer this question.
Methods
We exported data of randomised controlled trials included in three comparisons in the Cochrane Review that had evaluated hypotheses relevant to our research objective and imported them into Stata for analysis. We pooled odds ratios for response in random effects meta-analyses. We explored causes of heterogeneity among study results using subgroups. We assessed evidence for reporting bias using Harbord's modified test for small-study effects.
Results
Twenty-seven trials (66,118 participants) evaluated the effect on response of an electronic questionnaire compared with postal. Results were heterogeneous (I-squared=98%). Synthesis of studies at low risk of bias indicates that response was increased (OR=1.43; 95% CI 1.08–1.89) using postal questionnaires. Ten trials (39,523 participants) evaluated the effect of providing a choice of mode (postal or electronic) compared to an electronic questionnaire only. Response was increased with a choice of mode (OR=1.63; 95% CI 1.18–2.26). Eight trials (20,909 participants) evaluated the effect of a choice of mode (electronic or postal) compared to a postal questionnaire only. There was no evidence for an effect on response (OR=0.94; 95% CI 0.86–1.02).
Conclusions
Postal questionnaires should be used in preference to, or offered in addition to, electronic modes.
Association between cerebral tissue oxygen saturation and neurodevelopmental delay in patients undergoing pediatric liver transplantation
Authors: Fan Yichen , Pan Qianling , Su Henghua , Pu Zhongchan , Zhu Linjie , Qi Bo , Su Diansan , Yang Liqun , Huang Dan , Yu Weifeng
Published: November 2023

Purpose
Pediatric liver transplantation is considered the most effective treatment option for congenital biliary atresia. In recent years, researchers have focused on the long-term neurological developmental status of patients. Identifying the risk factors associated with perioperative neurological dysfunction in patients undergoing pediatric liver transplantation have emerged as crucial issues. This study aimed to explore the association between cerebral tissue oxygen saturation (SctO2) and neurodevelopmental delay in patients undergoing pediatric liver transplantation.
Methods
This observational study was conducted between September 2019 and September 2021. The primary outcome of this study was neurodevelopmental delay 1 year after pediatric liver transplantation. The secondary outcomes included prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay and hospitalization. The univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the risk factors for neurodevelopmental delay using the Ages Stages Questionnaires scale. Additionally, the risk factors for the prolonged length of stay in the ICU and hospital were also analyzed.
Results
123 patients were included in the statistical analysis. The preoperative weight had a significant impact on postoperative neurological development. The intraoperative maximum SctO2 (P = 0.037, OR = 0.951, 95% CI: 0.904–0.997) had a significant influence on the developmental delay in communication skills. The risk factors for the delay in problem-solving skills were intraoperative maximum SctO2 (P = 0.034, OR = 0.901, 95% CI: 0.807–0.981) and age (P = 0.026, OR = 0.501, 95% CI: 0.251–0.861).
Conclusions
This prospective observational study found an association between the decline of SctO2 and developmental delay in communication and problem-solving following pediatric liver transplantation. Hence, an evaluation of SctO2 might guide the intraoperative anesthesia strategy and improve the long-term prognosis of patients.
Floods have become less deadly: an analysis of global flood fatalities 1975-2022
Authors: Jonkman Sebastiaan , Curran Alex , Bouwer Laurens M.
Published: November 2023

Floods are amongst the most frequent disasters in terms of human and economic impacts. This study provides new insights into the frequency of loss of life at the global scale, mortality fractions of the population exposed to floods, and underlying trends. A dataset is compiled based on the EM-DAT disaster database covering the period 1975 until 2022, extending previous studies on this topic. Flood impact data is analysed over spatial, temporal and economic scales, decomposed in various flood types and compared with other natural disasters. Floods are the most frequent natural disasters up to 1,000 fatalities, and flash floods lead to the highest mortality fractions per event, i.e. the number of deaths in an event relative to the exposed population. Despite population growth and increasing flood hazards, the average number of fatalities per event has declined over time. Mortality fractions per event have decreased over time for middle and high-middle-income countries, but increased for low-income countries. This highlights the importance of continuing and expanding risk reduction and adaptation efforts.
RPIOSL: Construction of the radiation transfer model for rice leaves
Authors: Xiang Shuang , Jin Zhongyu , Li Jinpeng , Yu Fenghua , Xu Tongyu
Published: November 2023

The radiative transfer model of vegetation leaves simulates the transmission mechanism of light inside the vegetation and simulates the reflectivity of blades according to the change law of different components in the process of plant growth. Based on the PIOSL model, this paper combines PIOSL with the structure of rice leaves to construct a radiation transfer model for rice leaves. The parameters of each layer of the RPIOSL model are determined by the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-III. (NSGA-III.) algorithm. The reflectance spectra of 218 rice leaf samples in different periods were simulated using the RPIOSL model. The results show that the mean (RMSE) between the simulated and measured spectra of the constructed RPIOSL model is 0.1074, which is 0.0191 lower than that of the PROSPECT model. Among them, the spectral simulation effect of RPIOSL model in yellow and red light band is the best, and the RMSE at tillering period, jointing period, heading period and grouting period are 0.0584, 0.0576, 0.0724 and 0.0820, respectively. Therefore, the establishment of the RPIOSL model can accurately describe the interaction mechanism between light, which is of great significance for the rapid acquisition of rice growth information and accurate crop management.
The Effect of Osteoarthritis Pain on Functional Capacity and Life Satisfaction Among Older Adult Patients in Saudi Arabia
Authors: El-Soud Faiza Abou , Barnawi Najla , Al-Ghadeer Hend , Alarifi Omnyah , Almuqati Rana , Almutairi Nahlah , Alanazi Atheer
Published: November 2023

Background: Around the world, osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common degenerative musculoskeletal disorders that affects the cartilage of joints and causes stiffness, tenderness, and severe pain associated with various movement and functional limitations that result in a negative impact on quality of life of the elderly patients.
Aim: examine the effect of osteoarthritis pain on the functional capacity and life satisfaction among older adult patients in Saudi Arabia.
Methods: The study employed a descriptive correlational and comparative design. A convenient sampling technique was used to recruit 208 elderly patients at the outpatient polyclinics, King Fahad Hospital-King Abdulaziz Medical City, which is affiliated with the Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh. The data was collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Four standardized Instruments: The Geriatric Pain Measure (GPM) Scale, Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Activities of Daily Living (ADL), and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) were used to achieve the aim of the study.
Results: The mean age of the study participants was 66.6 +6.4 years. OA pain is present in various degrees among the study sample, where 44.2% of the participants had a severe degree, 40.4% had moderate pain, and 15.4% had mild pain. The severity of pain was significantly associated with a high percentage of functional disability 14.9%, compared with less percentage of functional disability 13.4%, and 8.7% associated with moderate and mild degrees of pain respectively (r=.139; p=-.045). In addition, the severity of pain was significantly associated with a high percentage of low life satisfaction 38%, compared with a lower percentage of low life satisfaction 35.1%, and 14.4% associated with moderate and mild pain respectively (r=.144; p=-.038).
Conclusion: The severity of osteoarthritis pain had a significant influence on functional capacity and life satisfaction among older adult patients. In further studies, it is recommended to apply an experimental design to compare between treatment group and control group to assess the impact of an appropriate nursing intervention to relieve pain.
DynamicAug: Enhancing Transfer Learning through Dynamic Data Augmentation Strategies Based on Model State
Authors: Yu Xinyi , Zhao Haodong , Zhang Mingyang , Zhou Libo , Wei Yan , Ou Linlin
Published: November 2023

Transfer learning has made significant advancements, however, the issue of overfitting continues to pose a major challenge. Data augmentation has emerged as a highly promising technique to counteract this challenge. Current data augmentation methods are fixed in nature, requiring manual determination of the appropriate intensity prior to the training process. However, this entails substantial computational costs. Additionally, as the model approaches convergence, static data augmentation strategies can become suboptimal. In this paper, we introduce the concept of Dynamic Data Augmentation (DynamicAug), a method that autonomously adjusts the intensity of data augmentation, taking into account the convergence state of the model. During each iteration of the model’s forward pass, we utilize a Gaussian distribution based sampler to stochastically sample the current intensity of data augmentation. To ensure that the sampled intensity is aligned with the convergence state of the model, we introduce a learnable expectation to the sampler and update the expectation iteratively. In order to assess the convergence status of the model, we introduce a novel loss function called the convergence loss. Through extensive experiments conducted over 27 vision datasets, we have demonstrated that DynamicAug can significantly enhance the performance of existing transfer learning methods.
Doctor and patient perceptions of sarcopenia in community-based primary care clinics: A questionnaire survey
Authors: Park Jungha , Lee Daehyun , Jang Jae Young , Kim Jung-Ha , Baek Jae Uk , Jeong Myungkwan , Kim Sungwouk , Kyoung Moonbae , Kim Miji , Won Chang Won
Published: November 2023

Background
Early detection and management of sarcopenia in community-based primary care clinics that provide care for community-dwelling older patients are important to prevent related complications.
Methods
We analyzed nine matched items from separate surveys with 80 doctors working at community-based primary care clinics and 80 community-dwelling older patients who visited 6 of the 80 primary care clinics. Both questionnaires were self-administered and consisted of sections on sarcopenia awareness, willingness to treat sarcopenia, and demand for management methods.
Results
28 patients (35.4%) reported having heard about sarcopenia. Only 19 physicians (23.8%) responded that they knew the diagnostic criteria of sarcopenia. The proportion of patients who believed that they had sarcopenia was higher than that of patients with sarcopenia assumed by the doctors (patients, 35%; doctors, 16.9%; P = 0.0039). Patients desired more frequent and extensive exercise and nutritional education than doctors. More patients preferred receiving regular text messages than doctors (for exercise: patients 16.5%, doctors 5.8%, P = 0.0428; for nutrition: patients 17.1%, doctors 4.4%, P = 0.0154). More patients than doctors did not know what community services were available for managing sarcopenia (patients 48.8%, doctors 10.0%, P < 0.001).
Conclusion
Both patients and doctors at community-based primary care clinics were poorly informed about sarcopenia. The preference for exercise and nutritional education showed significant differences between patients and doctors. These results will be beneficial for developing programs to manage sarcopenia in community-based primary care clinics.
Comparing the Prognostic Roles of Red Blood Cell Volume Distribution Width, Neutrophil–Lymphocyte Ratio, and Platelet–Lymphocyte Ratio for Predicting Mortality after Hip Fracture in the Geriatric Population
Authors: Su Yu-Hsiang , Huang Yen-Wei , Huang Shu-Wei , Chen Yu-Pin , Chuang Tai-Yuan , Kuo Yi-Jie
Published: November 2023

Background
Hip fractures have adverse effects on older adults, often resulting in reduced functional independence, increased social costs, morbidity, and an elevated risk of mortality within 1 year after surgery. Prognostic markers such as red blood cell volume distribution width (RDW), the neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and the platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR) have been used to predict outcomes following hip fracture surgery; however, their prediction accuracy has varied across studies. This study aims to compare the prognostic accuracy of a single marker (RDW, NLR, or PLR) in predicting the mortality of older adults after hip fracture surgery.
Methods
This study enrolled 469 patients who underwent hip fracture surgery and were followed up for 1 year at a single tertiary medical center from December 2018 to March 2021. The patients’ preoperative RDW, NLR, and PLR levels were measured, and data on their clinical characteristics were collected. Receiver operating characteristic curves and areas under the curve (AUCs) were used to assess the predictive accuracy of these markers for 1-month, 3-month, and 1-year mortality.
Results
Among the patients, the mean age was 81.2 years, and 2.6%, 4.1%, and 13.9% died within 1 month, 3 months, and 1 year after surgery, respectively. RDW, NLR, and PLR were nonsignificant predictors of 1-month mortality, but RDW was the sole significant predictor of 3-month and 1-year mortality (AUC: 3-month, 0.689; 1-year, 0.583). The cutoff values for RDW were 15.05% and 13.65% for 3-month and 1-year mortality, respectively. Among the patients aged 60–80 years, RDW was a significant predictor of mortality following hip fracture surgery (AUC: 1-month, 0.834; 3-month, 0.855). However, for the patients aged > 80 years, all three markers were nonsignificant predictors.
Conclusion
RDW was a robust prognostic factor that outperformed NLR and PLR in predicting the mortality of patients aged > 60 years who underwent hip fracture surgery. Furthermore, the predictive accuracy of RDW was even higher for 1-month and 3-month mortality of patients aged 60–80 years who underwent hip fracture surgery.
Anatomy and connectivity of the Göttingen minipig subgenual cortex (Brodmann area 25 homologue)
Authors: Glud Andreas N. , Zaer Hamed , Orlowski Dariusz , Nielsen Mette Slot , Sørensen Jens Christian H. , Bjarkam Carsten R.
Published: November 2023

Background The subgenual gyrus is a promising target for deep brain stimulation (DBS) against depression. However, to optimize this treatment modality, we need translational animal models.Aim To describe the anatomy and connectivity of the Göttingen minipig subgenual area (sgC).Materials and methods The frontal pole of 5 minipigs was cryosectioned into 40 µm coronal and horizontal sections and stained with Nissl and NeuN-immunohistochemistry to visualize cytoarchitecture and cortical lamination. Eight animals were unilaterally stereotaxically injected in the sgC with anterograde (BDA) and retrograde (FluroGold) tracers to reveal the sgC connectivity.Results In homology with human nomenclature (Brodmann 1909), it can be subdivided into three distinct areas named area 25 (BA25), area 33 (BA33), and indusium griseum (IG). BA25 is a narrow agranular cortex, approximately 1 mm thick. It has a poor laminar differentiation in the deeper layers due to a similar appearance of layer III and V neurons. Perpendicular to the surface cell, poor columns of white matter stretch deep into layers II and III, thereby segregating small groups of closely arranged neurons in the superficial layers. BA33 is less differentiated than BA25. Accordingly, the cortex is narrower and displays a complete lack of laminar differentiation due to diffusely arranged small, lightly stained neurons. It abuts the indusium griseum, which is a neuron-dense band of heavily stained small neurons separating BA33 directly from the corpus callosum and the posteriorly located septum.Conclusion The minipig sgC displays a cytoarchitectonic pattern and connectivity like the human and may be well suited for further translational studies on BA25-DBS against depression.
Charge Transfer Interaction Dynamics between MHQ and DNP: Synthesis, Spectroscopic Characterization, DNA Binding and Density Functional Theory Studies
Authors: V Sundarpal , J Srinu , G Sailaja , B Shashi kanth , Z Hussain , V Kiran kumar , B Manohar , P Someshwar , N Rajitha , B Yadagiri
Published: November 2023

The e-donor 2-methyl-8-hydroxyquinoline (MHQ) and the e-acceptor 2, 4-Dinitrophenol (DNP) were both involved in the synthesis of a new charge transfer (CT) complex, which was then characterized experimentally as well as theoretically. The CT complex has a 1:1 stoichiometry. Formation constant (KCT), Molar absorptivity (εCT) and other spectroscopic physical measurements can all be determined with the help of the Benesi-Hildebrand equation. Several spectroscopic techniques were used to analyze the produced solid compound. 1H NMR, FT-IR, P-XRD and SEM-EDX analyses all established the presence of charge in addition with proton transfer in the resulting complex. Analysis of the complex DNA binding capability was carried out via electron absorption spectroscopy; the CT complex binding mechanism was determined to be intercalative, and the intrinsic binding constant (Kb) value was determined to be 4.2 x 106 M-1. To corroborate the results of the experiments, theoretical calculations were performed using DFT with a basis set of CAM-B3LYP/6-31 G (d, p). In accordance with the experimental findings, we calculated and analyzed the electrostatic potential maps (MEPs), geometrical parameters and Mullikan charges. The presence of an H-bond also affects the stability of the complex, in addition to e-transfer. The experimental findings are in agreement with the DFT calculations.
Spectroscopic Characteristics and Radiative Parameters of Er+3 Doped Ternary Lead Bismuth Tellurite Glass: Judd-Ofelt Analysis
Authors: Ahmed Ahmed , Mawlud Saman
Published: November 2023

Er+ 3doped lead-bismuth tellurite glasses with the composition (75-x) TeO2 − 15 PbO – 10 Bi2O3 - xEr2O3 where (x = 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 mole%) were synthesized by using melt quenching technique. The influence of Er3+ doping was evaluated through physical and optical properties. The non-crystalline nature of the samples was analyzed by XRD. The density of the samples was increased from 6.387 to 6.528 g.cm− 3. The absorption spectra show eight transition bands corresponding to the transitions from 4I15/2 to 4I13/2, 4I11/2, 4I9/2, 4F9/2, 4S3/2, 4H11/2, 4F7/2 and 4F5/2, respectively. The experimental and calculated oscillator strengths were calculated based on the Judd-Ofelt theory. The intensity parameters follow the trend Ω2 > Ω6 > Ω4. Three emission bands were observed from the fluorescence spectra. The green transition 4S3/2 →4I15/2 is the strongest among other transitions. The color coordinates were determined by using CIE 1931 chromaticity diagram. The highest quantum efficiency was 95.11% for the transition 4S3/2 →4I15/2. The results suggest that the TPBE2 glass is a great promising candidate for photonic applications and fabrication of laser optical devices.
Envelope versus Triangular flap design: A Third Molar Surgery study in Nepal
Authors: Thapa Gunjan , Upadhyaya Chandan , Chaurasia Nitesh , Dulal Sanad , Jwarchan Roshani
Published: November 2023

Objectives
This study was carried out in Nepal comparing the two most commonly used flap design employed in the removal of impacted 3rd molar in terms of postoperative outcomes- pain, swelling, trismus, alveolar osteitis and wound infection.
Materials and method
Forty-six patients (age ranged from 17 to 40 years) with bilateral, symmetrical impacted third molars (n = 45) were included in the study. One side impaction was removed using the envelope flap then after a month time other side impaction was removed using the triangular flap. Postoperative outcomes- pain, swelling, trismus, presence of alveolar osteitis and wound infection were compared. Mann-Whitney U test and independent sample T-test were used for data analysis.
Result
Facial swelling was low in cases of the envelope flap design and it was statistically significant on postoperative day 2nd (P < 0.05). Amount of mouth opening reduction was seen more in cases with the triangular flap with statistically significant (p < 0.05) on postoperative day 14th. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score of two flap designs were comparable. There was equal incidence of alveolar osteitis and no cases of wound infection in either flap design.
Conclusion
The envelope flap design has shown superior postoperative outcomes compared to the triangular flap design regarding the post-operative swelling and mouth-opening reduction.
Clinical Relevance:
Within the limitation of our study, we recommend the use of envelope flap design in third molar surgery cases.
Biostimulants can alter the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites (or natural products) and expression of related genes in lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
Authors: Shahri Faride Noroozi , Honarmand Saeid Jalali , Saeidi Mohsen , Mondani Farzad , Kahrizi Danial
Published: November 2023

To evaluate the agronomic, physiologic, and biochemical responses of the medicinal plant Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), an experiment was conducted with repeated measurements under greenhouse conditions. The treatments were four concentrations of smoke-water (SW) as a new family of plant growth regulators (including 1:5000, 1:1000. 1:500, and 1:100 (v/v)) accompanied by cytokinin (BAP), auxin (IAA), and gibberellic acid (GA3) (each of them with concentration 50 µM) and control in two harvest stages with three replications. This work aimed to study the yield and compositions of essential oils in Lemon balm under foliar application of the above treatments. Moreover, in this regard, the expression pattern of important genes related to essential oil compounds' biosynthesis pathways was studied. The gene expression was monitored by microarray technology and was carried out by Zagros Bioidea Company. Microarrays were designed by Imaxio, which has been accredited by Agilent Technologies. The SW at concentration 1:100 (v/v) recorded a significantly greater yield of essential oils compared to the control. The results of GC-Mass and gene expression showed that GA3 and SW at concentration 1:100 (v/v) caused to up-regulate the expression rate of geranial dehydrogenase and E-citral synthase that is increasing the amount of E-citral (26.53%) in lemon balm essence. However, overexpression of Z-citral synthase was not significant. The Z-citral level increased under all foliar treatments, especially cytokinin (28.34%). These findings suggest the possible use of SW for promoting the essential oils yield and accumulation of secondary metabolites in lemon balm.
Variations in permafrost environments determine populations and leaf traits of two closely related common shrub species (Rhododendron subsect. Ledum) in Interior Alaska
Authors: Amada Gaku , Iwahana Go , Noguchi Kyotaro , Matsuura Yojiro , Kim Yongwon , Lee Bang‐Yong , Kobayashi Hideki
Published: November 2023

Permafrost considerably influences boreal forest ecosystems by constraining the niche space of woody plants. The permafrost influence on the ecosystems could dramatically change with permafrost thawing owing to recent rapid climate warming. However, it remains unclear how shrub species dominating the understory in boreal forests are associated with the permafrost environments. We investigated two closely related common shrubs, Labrador teas (Ericaceae,Rhododendron subsect. Ledum): R. groenlandicum and R. tomentosum, which exist sympatrically in the discontinuous permafrost zone of the Interior Alaska. We employed field surveys and trait measurements across permafrost gradients under the same climatic conditions to examine the associations among permafrost environments, populations, and leaf traits of the two species. Contrastive habitats were found between the two species: R. groenlandicum is abundant under darker, drier, thicker-active-layer conditions, whereas R. tomentosum is common under brighter, wetter, thinner-active-layer conditions. This suggests that habitat segregation between these species occurs in the discontinuous permafrost zone. Rhododendron tomentosum dominating permafrost conditions had more conservative leaves compared to R. groenlandicum. Moreover, both species had more conservative leaves under permafrost conditions. These intraspecific variations were mainly directly associated with canopy openness in R. groenlandicumbut with active-layer thickness in R. tomentosum. In summary, our study suggests that large environmental variations driven by the inhomogeneous permafrost distributions can lead to the sympatric distributions of closely related shrub species in the discontinuous permafrost zone, and that the conservative leaves can contribute to their adaptation under permafrost conditions.