bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pregnancy outcomes following natural conception and assisted reproduction treatment in women who received COVID-19 vaccination prior to conception: a population-based cohort study in China
Authors: Yang Yulu , Dong Yujie , Li Guojing , Yin Biqi , Tang Xiong , Jia Liangfang , Zhang Xueke , Yang Wenjuan , Wang Chao , Peng Xiaoqing , Zhang Ying , Cao Yunxia , Xu Xiaofeng
Published: October 2023

Introduction

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has swept across the world and continues to exert serious adverse effects on vulnerable populations, including pregnant women and neonates. The vaccines available at present were designed to prevent infection from COVID-19 strains and control viral spread. Although the incidence of pregnancy cycle outcomes are not likely to increase patients vaccinated prior to pregnancy compared with unvaccinated patients based on our knowledge of vaccination safety, there is no specific evidence to support this hypothesis. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the association between maternal vaccination prior to conception and pregnancy outcomes.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 2,614 women who received prenatal care and delivered in the Obstetrical Department of The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University between February 2022 and November 2022. Of the 1,380 eligible pregnant women, 899 women who had received preconception vaccination were assigned to a vaccine group and 481 women who were not vaccinated were control group. Of the enrolled patients, 291 women received fertility treatment (141 vaccinated women, 150 unvaccinated women). The primary outcomes were pregnancy complications (hypothyroidism, gestational diabetes mellitus, pregnancy-induced hypertension, polyhydramnios, oligohydramnios, premature rupture of membranes and postpartum hemorrhage), obstetric outcomes (preterm birth rate, cesarean section rate) and neonatal outcomes (birth-weight, body length, low-birth-weight rate, rate of congenital defects, neonatal mortality and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit).

Results

There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications during pregnancy and delivery when compared between the vaccine group and control group in either univariate- or multivariate-models. The type of vaccine was not associated with the odds of adverse pregnancy outcome. Among the women with infertility treatment, the vaccinated group and the unvaccinated group had similar pregnancy outcomes.

Conclusion

Women who received COVID-19 vaccination prior to conception had similar maternal and neonatal outcomes as women who were unvaccinated. Our findings indicate that COVID-19 vaccinations can be safely administered prior to pregnancy in women who are planning pregnancy or assisted reproductive treatment. During new waves of COVID-19 infection, women who are planning pregnancy should be vaccinated as soon as possible to avoid subsequent infections.
Spontaneous cervical artery dissection: is it really a connective tissue disease? A comprehensive review
Authors: Gunduz Muhammed Enes , Kadirvel Ramanathan , Kallmes David F. , Pezzini Alessandro , Keser Zafer
Published: October 2023

Background

Spontaneous cervical artery dissection (sCeAD) is an important cause of stroke in young adults. The underlying pathophysiology remains unclear, without validated biomarkers to identify subjects at risk. Previous studies suggested the role of abnormalities in the connective component of the arterial wall.

Purpose

To assess dermal ultrastructural aberrations of connective tissue by skin biopsy and genetic variations in sCeAD patients.

Method

We searched the PubMed and Scopus databases until August 2023 with PRISMA guidelines. Original articles assessing skin biopsy in sCeAD patients were included. Two reviewers independently conducted the screening.

Findings

We included 16 studies compromising 459 patients. Thirteen studies assessed ultrastructural changes and found aberrations of collagen and elastic fibers, described as irregular contours and calibers of collagen fibrils, composite flower-like fibrils, fragmented moth-eaten elastin, and microcalcifications, cumulatively in 50.5% of patients. Seven studies showed no causative mutations in collagen type I, III, V, or elastin genes. One study showed linkage between connective tissue alterations and mutation on chromosomes 15q2 and 10q26 using genome-wide linkage analysis, while another study found significant copy number variant enrichments in genes involved in extracellular matrix (COL5A2/COL3A1/SNTA1) and collagen fibril organizations (COL5A2/COL3A1). Finally, differential expression of extracellular proteins was linked to connective tissue disorder in patients with recurrent sCeAD using a quantitative proteomics approach.

Conclusion

Current literature supports the hypothesis that an underlying, subclinical connective tissue disorder, likely genetically determined, may predispose to arterial wall weakness and sCeAD. Further studies with larger sample sizes and robust methodology are needed to better define the role of connective tissue in sCeAD pathogenesis.
Does China improve social welfare after implementing the national volume-based procurement?
Authors: Wang Huan , Huo Ya-Tong , Zhuang Qian
Published: October 2023

Objective: To explore the changes in social welfare before and after the implementation of the national volume-based procurement (NVBP). Explore whether the NVBP promotes the healthy development of manufacturers under the premise of benefiting patients. Then put forward relevant suggestions on how to effectively intervene the government in the pharmaceutical market.

Methods: Starting with consumer surplus and producer surplus, social welfare was studied from the three perspectives of price, supply, and demand.

Results: Consumer surplus was significantly increased, and the drug welfare of patients was significantly improved. The profits of the whole pharmaceutical industry have decreased but will increase in the future. The welfare of individual pharmaceutical enterprises varies. Overall social welfare has been significantly improved.

Conclusion: The core purpose of the NVBP is to improve the medication welfare of patients, and through the increase of consumer surplus, it can affect the increase of producer surplus. Under such a linkage mechanism, the diversified linkage system of “price, demand, and supply” will achieve the effect of “1 + 1+1 > 3”.
μ-opioid receptor agonists and psychedelics: pharmacological opportunities and challenges
Authors: Salinsky Leah M. , Merritt Christina R. , Zamora Joshua C. , Giacomini Juliana L. , Anastasio Noelle C. , Cunningham Kathryn A.
Published: October 2023

Opioid misuse and opioid-involved overdose deaths are a massive public health problem involving the intertwined misuse of prescription opioids for pain management with the emergence of extremely potent fentanyl derivatives, sold as standalone products or adulterants in counterfeit prescription opioids or heroin. The incidence of repeated opioid overdose events indicates a problematic use pattern consistent with the development of the medical condition of opioid use disorder (OUD). Prescription and illicit opioids reduce pain perception by activating µ-opioid receptors (MOR) localized to the central nervous system (CNS). Dysregulation of meso-corticolimbic circuitry that subserves reward and adaptive behaviors is fundamentally involved in the progressive behavioral changes that promote and are consequent to OUD. Although opioid-induced analgesia and the rewarding effects of abused opioids are primarily mediated through MOR activation, serotonin (5-HT) is an important contributor to the pharmacology of opioid abused drugs (including heroin and prescription opioids) and OUD. There is a recent resurgence of interest into psychedelic compounds that act primarily through the 5-HT2A receptor (5-HT2AR) as a new frontier in combatting such diseases (e.g., depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders). Emerging data suggest that the MOR and 5-HT2AR crosstalk at the cellular level and within key nodes of OUD circuitry, highlighting a major opportunity for novel pharmacological intervention for OUD. There is an important gap in the preclinical profiling of psychedelic 5-HT2AR agonists in OUD models. Further, as these molecules carry risks, additional analyses of the profiles of non-hallucinogenic 5-HT2AR agonists and/or 5-HT2AR positive allosteric modulators may provide a new pathway for 5-HT2AR therapeutics. In this review, we discuss the opportunities and challenges associated with utilizing 5-HT2AR agonists as therapeutics for OUD.
Effects of exercise on circadian rhythms in humans
Authors: Shen Bingyi , Ma Changxiao , Wu Guanlin , Liu Haibin , Chen Lihong , Yang Guangrui
Published: October 2023

The biological clock system is an intrinsic timekeeping device that integrates internal physiology and external cues. Maintaining a healthy biological clock system is crucial for life. Disruptions to the body’s internal clock can lead to disturbances in the sleep-wake cycle and abnormalities in hormone regulation, blood pressure, heart rate, and other vital processes. Long-term disturbances have been linked to the development of various common major diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, tumors, neuropsychiatric conditions, and so on. External factors, such as the diurnal rhythm of light, have a significant impact on the body’s internal clock. Additionally, as an important non-photic zeitgeber, exercise can regulate the body’s internal rhythms to a certain extent, making it possible to become a non-drug intervention for preventing and treating circadian rhythm disorders. This comprehensive review encompasses behavioral, physiological, and molecular perspectives to provide a deeper understanding of how exercise influences circadian rhythms and its association with related diseases.
Effects of sub-lethal doses of fentanyl on vital physiologic functions and withdrawal-like behaviors in adult goats
Authors: Neumueller Suzanne E. , Buiter Nicole , Hilbert Grace , Grams Kirstyn , Taylor Reiauna , Desalvo John , Hodges Grace L. , Hodges Madeline M. , Pan Lawrence G. , Lewis Stephen J. , Forster Hubert V. , Hodges Matthew R.
Published: October 2023

Synthetic opioids like fentanyl have improved the standard of care for many patients in the clinical setting, but their abuse leads to tens of thousands of overdose deaths annually. The current opioid epidemic underscores a critical need for insights into the physiological effects of fentanyl on vital functions. High doses of opioids in small mammals cause opioid-induced respiratory depression (OIRD) leading to hypoventilation, hypoxemia, and hypercapnia. In addition, opioids can also increase the alveolar to arterial oxygen (A-a) gradient and airway dysfunction. However, little is known about the physiologic effects of sub-lethal doses of opioids in large mammals. Here we report the effects of a sub-lethal dose range of fentanyl (25–125 μg/kg; IV) on vital physiologic functions over 90 min (min) and withdrawal-like behaviors over the subsequent 4 h (h) in adult female goats (n = 13). Fentanyl induced decreases in breathing frequency in the first few min post-injection, but then led to a sustained increase in tidal volume, total ventilation, and blood pressure with a reduced heart rate for ≥90 min. These ventilatory changes resulted in time-dependent arterial hypocapnia and hypoxemia and an increased alveolar to arterial oxygen gradient ∼30 min post-injection indicative of impaired gas exchange in the lung. The predominant effects of fentanyl on breathing were stimulatory, underscored by an increased rate of rise of the diaphragm muscle activity and increased activation of upper airway, intercostal and abdominal muscles. Beginning 90 min post-injection we also quantified withdrawal-like behaviors over 4 h, demonstrating dose- and time-dependent increases in locomotor, biting, itching, and pawing behaviors. We conclude that fentanyl at sublethal doses induces multiple physiologic and behavior changes that emerge along different time courses suggesting multiple independent mechanisms underlying effects of opioids.
Impact of rising temperatures on historical wheat yield, phenology, and grain size in Catalonia
Authors: Gulino Davide , Sayeras Roser , Serra Joan , Betbese Josep , Doltra Jordi , Gracia-Romero Adrian , Lopes Marta S.
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Climate change poses significant challenges to agriculture, impacting crop yields and necessitating adaptive strategies in breeding programs. This study investigates the genetic yield progress of wheat varieties in Catalonia, Spain, from 2007 to 2021, and examines the relationship between genetic yield and climate-related factors, such as temperature. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for ensuring the resilience of wheat crops in the face of changing environmental conditions.

Methods

Genetic yield progress was assessed using a linear regression function, comparing the average yield changes of newly released wheat varieties to benchmark varieties. Additionally, a quadratic function was employed to model genetic yield progress in winter wheat (WW). The study also analyzed correlations between genetic yield (GY) and normalized values of hectoliter weight (HLW) and the number of grains (NG) for both spring wheat (SW) and WW. Weather data were used to confirm climate change impacts on temperature and its effects on wheat growth and development.

Results

The study found that genetic yield was stagnant for SW but increased linearly by 1.31% per year for WW. However, the quadratic function indicated a possible plateau in WW genetic yield progress in recent years. Positive correlations were observed between GY and normalized values of HLW and NG for both SW and WW. Climate change was evident in Catalonia, with temperatures increasing at a rate of 0.050 °C per year. This rise in temperature had detrimental effects on days to heading (DH) and HLW, with reductions observed in both SW and WW for each °C increase in annual minimum and average temperature.

Discussion

The findings highlighted the urgent need to address the impact of climate change on wheat cultivation. The stagnation of genetic yield in SW and the potential plateau in WW genetic yield progress call for adaptive measures. Breeding programs should prioritize phenological adjustments, particularly sowing date optimization, to align with the most favorable months of the year. Moreover, efforts should be made to enhance HLW and the number of grains per unit area in new wheat varieties to counteract the negative effects of rising temperatures. This research underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring and adaptation in agricultural practices to ensure yield resilience in the context of a changing climate.
Genetic diversity of Coffea arabica L. mitochondrial genomes caused by repeat- mediated recombination and RNA editing
Authors: Ni Yang , Zhang Xinyi , Li Jingling , Lu Qianqi , Chen Haimei , Ma Binxin , Liu Chang
Published: October 2023

Background

Coffea arabica L. is one of the most important crops widely cultivated in 70 countries across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Mitochondria are essential organelles that play critical roles in cellular respiration, metabolism, and differentiation. C. arabica’s nuclear and chloroplast genomes have been reported. However, its mitochondrial genome remained unreported. Here, we intended to sequence and characterize its mitochondrial genome to maximize the potential of its genomes for evolutionary studies, molecular breeding, and molecular marker developments.

Results

We sequenced the total DNA of C. arabica using Illumina and Nanopore platforms. We then assembled the mitochondrial genome with a hybrid strategy using Unicycler software. We found that the mitochondrial genome comprised two circular chromosomes with lengths of 867,678 bp and 153,529 bp, encoding 40 protein-coding genes, 26 tRNA genes, and three rRNA genes. We also detected 270 Simple Sequence Repeats and 34 tandem repeats in the mitochondrial genome. We found 515 high-scoring sequence pairs (HSPs) for a self-to-self similarity comparison using BLASTn. Three HSPs were found to mediate recombination by the mapping of long reads. Furthermore, we predicted 472 using deep-mt with the convolutional neural network model. Then we randomly validated 90 RNA editing events by PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing, with the majority being non-synonymous substitutions and only three being synonymous substitutions. These findings provide valuable insights into the genetic characteristics of the C. arabica mitochondrial genome, which can be helpful for future study on coffee breeding and mitochondrial genome evolution.

Conclusion

Our study sheds new light on the evolution of C. arabica organelle genomes and their potential use in genetic breeding, providing valuable data for developing molecular markers that can improve crop productivity and quality. Furthermore, the discovery of RNA editing events in the mitochondrial genome of C. arabica offers insights into the regulation of gene expression in this species, contributing to a better understanding of coffee genetics and evolution.
FlbZIP12 gene enhances drought tolerance via modulating flavonoid biosynthesis in Fagopyrum leptopodum
Authors: Wang Anhu , Liu Yu , Li Qiujie , Li Xiaoyi , Zhang Xinrong , Kong Jiao , Liu Zhibing , Yang Yi , Wang Jianmei
Published: October 2023

Karst lands provide a poor substrate to support plant growth, as they are low in nutrients and water content. Common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) is becoming a popular crop for its gluten-free grains and their high levels of phenolic compounds, but buckwheat yields are affected by high water requirements during grain filling. Here, we describe a wild population of drought-tolerant Fagopyrum leptopodum and its potential for enhancing drought tolerance in cultivated buckwheat. We determined that the expression of a gene encoding a Basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor, FlbZIP12, from F. leptopodum is induced by abiotic stresses, including treatment with the phytohormone abscisic acid, salt, and polyethylene glycol. In addition, we show that overexpressing FlbZIP12 in Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) root hairs promoted drought tolerance by increasing the activities of the enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase, decreasing malondialdehyde content, and upregulating the expression of stress-related genes. Notably, FlbZIP12 overexpression induced the expression of key genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis. We also determined that FlbZIP12 interacts with protein kinases from the FlSnRK2 family in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, our results provide a theoretical basis for improving drought tolerance in buckwheat via modulating the expression of FlbZIP12 and flavonoid contents.
Facial expression recognition in virtual reality environments: challenges and opportunities
Authors: Zhang Zhihui , Fort Josep M. , Giménez Mateu Lluis
Published: October 2023

This study delved into the realm of facial emotion recognition within virtual reality (VR) environments. Using a novel system with MobileNet V2, a lightweight convolutional neural network, we tested emotion detection on 15 university students. High recognition rates were observed for emotions like “Neutral”, “Happiness”, “Sadness”, and “Surprise”. However, the model struggled with 'Anger' and 'Fear', often confusing them with “neutral”. These discrepancies might be attributed to overlapping facial indicators, limited training samples, and the precision of the devices used. Nonetheless, our research underscores the viability of using facial emotion recognition technology in VR and recommends model improvements, the adoption of advanced devices, and a more holistic approach to foster the future development of VR emotion recognition.
Digital storytelling intervention to enhance social connections and participation for people with mild cognitive impairment: a research protocol
Authors: Zhu Di , Al Mahmud Abdullah , Liu Wei
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Interventions utilizing the principles of digital storytelling can improve cognitive ability by cultivating positive emotions and framing a new way to enhance social participation among people with mild cognitive impairment. However, existing research has understudied group-based storytelling, focusing instead on building individual stories and connections with family and friends. In response to this research gap, this paper proposes co-designing a digital storytelling intervention for people with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) to enhance their social participation and build meaningful connections.

Methods

We will conduct two co-design workshops with people with MCI (n = 12), their caregivers (n = 4–12), and therapists (n = 5) in Beijing, China, to facilitate the co-development of the digital storytelling application. During the first workshop, we will utilize card sorting and voting to define potential facilitators of social participation, identifying the abilities people with MCI want to improve through storytelling. During the second workshop, we will build on these findings to facilitate people with MCI and their caregivers to visualize the interfaces. After reflexive thematic analysis of the co-design workshops, we will develop a digital storytelling application and test its usability and efficacy among people with MCI and therapists, respectively. A single-blinded field test will be conducted with 20 community-dwelling adults with MCI (Age: 65+). The testing will consist of an intervention group of 10 participants who use the co-designed digital storytelling intervention and a control group of 10 participants who will not use the co-designed intervention on the waiting list. The intervention period will extend over 7 weeks, with individual intervention sessions lasting 30 min. We will evaluate its efficacy in terms of social participation, social connectedness, self-efficacy, subjective sense of happiness, and user experience of people with MCI.

Discussion

This study will examine an innovative digital storytelling intervention to enhance social participation among people with MCI. This study is expected to advance the concept of community-centric social groups in social health service contexts by integrating technological solutions with the self-identified needs and lived experiences of people with MCI, increasing the motivation of people with MCI to cultivate social participation.

Ethics and dissemination

Swinburne University of Technology’s Human Research Ethics Committee gave ethics approval for this research (Approval Number: 20226525-11105; Date: 26/09/2022). Our findings shall be reported in peer-reviewed journal articles and at relevant conferences.
Retrospective T2 quantification from conventional weighted MRI of the prostate based on deep learning
Authors: Sun Haoran , Wang Lixia , Daskivich Timothy , Qiu Shihan , Han Fei , D'Agnolo Alessandro , Saouaf Rola , Christodoulou Anthony G. , Kim Hyung , Li Debiao , Xie Yibin
Published: October 2023

Purpose

To develop a deep learning-based method to retrospectively quantify T2 from conventional T1- and T2-weighted images.

Methods

Twenty-five subjects were imaged using a multi-echo spin-echo sequence to estimate reference prostate T2 maps. Conventional T1- and T2-weighted images were acquired as the input images. A U-Net based neural network was developed to directly estimate T2 maps from the weighted images using a four-fold cross-validation training strategy. The structural similarity index (SSIM), peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), mean percentage error (MPE), and Pearson correlation coefficient were calculated to evaluate the quality of network-estimated T2 maps. To explore the potential of this approach in clinical practice, a retrospective T2 quantification was performed on a high-risk prostate cancer cohort (Group 1) and a low-risk active surveillance cohort (Group 2). Tumor and non-tumor T2 values were evaluated by an experienced radiologist based on region of interest (ROI) analysis.

Results

The T2 maps generated by the trained network were consistent with the corresponding reference. Prostate tissue structures and contrast were well preserved, with a PSNR of 26.41 ± 1.17 dB, an SSIM of 0.85 ± 0.02, and a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.86. Quantitative ROI analyses performed on 38 prostate cancer patients revealed estimated T2 values of 80.4 ± 14.4 ms and 106.8 ± 16.3 ms for tumor and non-tumor regions, respectively. ROI measurements showed a significant difference between tumor and non-tumor regions of the estimated T2 maps (P < 0.001). In the two-timepoints active surveillance cohort, patients defined as progressors exhibited lower estimated T2 values of the tumor ROIs at the second time point compared to the first time point. Additionally, the T2 difference between two time points for progressors was significantly greater than that for non-progressors (P = 0.010).

Conclusion

A deep learning method was developed to estimate prostate T2 maps retrospectively from clinically acquired T1- and T2-weighted images, which has the potential to improve prostate cancer diagnosis and characterization without requiring extra scans.
Targeted crop pollination by training honey bees: advances and perspectives
Authors: Farina Walter M. , Arenas Andrés , Estravis-Barcala M. Cecilia , Palottini Florencia
Published: October 2023

As pollinator-dependent crops continue to expand globally, management strategies are needed to meet the current demand for pollination services. Improving the efficiency of pollinators depends on knowledge about crop plant biology as well as pollinator behavior. In this sense, we will review the scope and challenges of implementing a targeted pollination strategy based on the behavioral individual and social plasticity of the honey bee Apis mellifera. Here we summarize current knowledge on the bees´ ability to perceive, learn and generalize floral odors, the bias of their foraging preferences after in-hive experiences and the transfer of food source information within the social context of the colony, all aspects that impact on foraging decisions and can be used to direct pollinators to target crops. We focused on describing how key olfactory cues that mimic crop floral scents are acquired in the hive and propagate among colony mates to guide foraging to specific crops. Knowledge gaps, including volatiles variability between flowers of the same or different crop varieties, alternative managed pollinators, and potential impact on food industry are discussed.
Arthrofibrosis risk factors after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
Authors: Dauty Marc , Menu Pierre , Grondin Jérôme , Crenn Vincent , Daley Pauline , Fouasson-Chailloux Alban
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Knee arthrofibrosis is a disabling complication after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLr). Different risk factors have been studied but are still controversial because of a diagnosis made only during reoperations for the treatment of the stiffness, which underestimates the occurrence rate. We aimed to confirm risk factors of arthrofibrosis after ACLr in case of clinically made diagnoses.

Methods

Ninety-two athletes with clinically diagnosed arthrofibrosis, complicating a primary ACLr, were compared to 482 athletes with ACLr without any complications. Usually considered risk factors were studied: age under 18, female, Body Mass Index (BMI ≥ 25), high sport level, time from ACL injury to ACLr < 1 month, Bone-Patella-Tendon-Bone surgical procedure (BPTB), meniscal repair, and intensive rehabilitation. Binary logistic regression was carried out to confirm or refute these risk factors.

Results

Female, time from ACL injury to ACLr < 1 month, BPTB procedure, meniscal repair, and BMI ≥ 25 were not confirmed as risk factors. Previous competitive sport level assessed by Tegner score was the only risk factor identified, OR: 3.56 (95%IC: 2.20–5.75; p = 0.0001). Age < 18, OR: 0.40 (95%IC: 0.19–0.84; p = 0.015) and inpatient rehabilitation program, OR: 0.28 (95%IC: 0.17–0.47; p = 0.0001), were protective factors.

Discussion

Competitive athletes are at risk of arthrofibrosis after ACLr and should benefit from protective inpatient rehabilitation program.
Antimicrobial Susceptibility and Resistance Genes in Streptococcus uberis Isolated from Bovine Mastitis in the Czech Republic
Authors: Zouharova Monika , Nedbalcova Katerina , Matiaskova Katarina , Slama Petr , Matiasovic Jan
Published: October 2023

Streptococcus uberis is one of the most important causative agents of mastitis and is a common reason for the use of antimicrobials in dairy cows. In this study, we assessed the antimicrobial susceptibility of 667 S. uberis isolates originating from 216 Czech dairy farms collected between 2019 and 2023 using the broth microdilution method. We tested 140 of the isolates for the presence of antimicrobial genes using whole-genome sequencing and evaluated their relationship with phenotypic resistance. Streptococcus uberis isolates showed high levels of resistance to tetracycline (59%), followed by streptomycin (38%) and clindamycin (29%). Although all of the isolates were susceptible to beta-lactams, a relatively high percentage of intermediately susceptible isolates was recorded for ampicillin (44%) and penicillin (18%). The isolates were mainly resistant to tetracycline alone (31.3%); the second most frequent occurrence of the phenotypic profile was simultaneous resistance to tetracycline, streptomycin, and clindamycin (16.6%). The occurrence of antibiotic resistance genes did not always match the phenotypic results; in total, 36.8% of isolates that possessed the ant(6)-Ia gene did not show phenotypic resistance to streptomycin. To a lesser extent, silent genes were also detected in clindamycin and tetracycline. This study confirmed the high susceptibility of S. uberis to penicillins used as first-line antimicrobials for S. uberis mastitis treatment.
A Comparative Study on UHPLC-HRMS Profiles and Biological Activities of Inula sarana Different Extracts and Its Beta-Cyclodextrin Complex: Effective Insights for Novel Applications
Authors: Zengin Gokhan , Nilofar  , Yildiztugay Evren , Bouyahya Abdelhakim , Cavusoglu Halit , Gevrenova Reneta , Zheleva-Dimitrova Dimitrina
Published: October 2023

Within this particular framework, the extracts obtained from Inula sarana using a variety of solvents, included n-hexane, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane (DCM), 70% ethanol, ethanol, and water. The extracts obtained from n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and DCM were then subjected to a specific method for their incorporation into β-cyclodextrin (β-CD). The establishment of complex formation was validated through the utilization of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The identification of phytochemical components was executed using UHPLC-HRMS. Furthermore, the total phenolic and flavonoid content was evaluated using the Folin–Ciocalteu assay and the AlCl3 method. Subsequently, the determination of antioxidant capacity was conducted utilizing DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC, Frap, PBD, and MCA assays. The enzyme inhibitory activities of the samples (extracts and β-CD complexes) were also examined by AChE, BChE, tyrosinase, α-glucosidase, and α-amylase. The findings indicated that water and 70% ethanol extracts contained the highest phenolic content. One hundred and fourteen bioactive compounds were identified by UHPLC-HRMS analysis. This study unveiled a substantial array of flavonoids, phenolic acid-hexosides and caffeoylhexaric acids within I. sarana, marking their initial identification in this context. Among the various extracts tested, the 70% ethanol extract stood out due to its high flavonoid content (jaceosidin, cirsiliol, and eupatilin) and hydroxybenzoic and hydroxycinnamic acid hexosides. This extract also displayed notably enhanced antioxidant activity, with ABTS, CUPRAC, and FRAP test values of 106.50 mg TE/g dry extract, 224.31 mg TE/g dry extract, and 110.40 mg TE/g, respectively. However, the antioxidant values of the complex extracts with β-CD were generally lower than those of the pure extracts, an observation warranting significant consideration. In terms of enzyme inhibition activity, the ethanol and 70% ethanol extracts exhibited higher inhibitory effects on AChE, tyrosinase, and α-glucosidase. Conversely, n-hexane displayed stronger inhibitory activity against BChE. The ethyl acetate extract demonstrated elevated amylase inhibitory activity. However, the antioxidant values of the complex extracts with β-CD were generally lower than those of the pure extracts, a noteworthy observation, while water and extracts from the I. sarana complex with β-CD exhibited minimal or negatable inhibitory activity against specific enzymes.
Special Issue on Artificial Intelligence and Complex Systems
Authors: Kejriwal Mayank
Published: October 2023

The late Stephen Hawking referred to our current century as the ‘century of complexity’ [...]
MLPs Are All You Need for Human Activity Recognition
Authors: Ojiako Kamsiriochukwu , Farrahi Katayoun
Published: October 2023

Convolution, recurrent, and attention-based deep learning techniques have produced the most recent state-of-the-art results in multiple sensor-based human activity recognition (HAR) datasets. However, these techniques have high computing costs, restricting their use in low-powered devices. Different methods have been employed to increase the efficiency of these techniques; however, this often results in worse performance. Recently, pure multi-layer perceptron (MLP) architectures have demonstrated competitive performance in vision-based tasks with lower computation costs than other deep-learning techniques. The MLP-Mixer is a pioneering pureMLP architecture that produces competitive results with state-of-the-art models in computer vision tasks. This paper shows the viability of the MLP-Mixer in sensor-based HAR. Furthermore, experiments are performed to gain insight into the Mixer modules essential for HAR, and a visual analysis of the Mixer’s weights is provided, validating the Mixer’s learning capabilities. As a result, the Mixer achieves F1 scores of 97%, 84.2%, 91.2%, and 90% on the PAMAP2, Daphnet Gait, Opportunity Gestures, and Opportunity Locomotion datasets, respectively, outperforming state-of-the-art models in all datasets except Opportunity Gestures.
Determining the Macrostructural Stability of Compacted Wyoming Bentonites by a Disaggregation Method
Authors: Moreno-Maroto José Manuel , Merlo Óscar , Torres-Serra Joel , Alonso-Azcárate Jacinto , Tyrer Mark , Navarro Vicente
Published: October 2023

The use of compacted bentonites in radioactive waste repository barriers is a relevant application of geoenvironmental engineering. The on-site structural characteristics of the bentonites determine the performance and integrity of the barrier. The present work addresses the adaptation of the standardized sand equivalent shaking method for the controlled disaggregation of Wyoming bentonite specimens prepared at low, medium, and high compaction. The evolution of the macrostructural units’ size distribution was determined by sieving at different shaking times. The stability of the compacted material increases with dry density. However, if enough energy is applied in the disaggregation process, the size distribution of the macrostructural units after disaggregation has the same characteristics as that of the uncompacted starting material, regardless of the applied degree of compaction. Since the disaggregation rate is a function of the aggregation level (compaction), it follows that compaction energy is not only spent on reducing porosity but also on generating more stable macrostructural units. These findings pave the way for future research with different materials and test conditions (compaction, moisture, etc.). In addition, the proposed shaking method is adaptable and could also be used in other sectors, such as agriculture, to determine the structural stability of natural soils.
Elemental Compositions of Wood Plastic Pellets Made from Sawdust and Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Waste
Authors: Chotikhun Aujchariya , Laosena Rattikal , Kittijaruwattana Jitralada , Lee Seng Hua , Sae-Ueng Kanokorn , Nakason Charoen , Pianroj Yutthapong , Salca Emilia-Adela
Published: October 2023

The purpose of this research was to investigate the production and properties of wood plastic pellets (WPP) made from rubberwood sawdust and refuse-derived fuel (RDF). WPP samples were tested for chemical and physical properties and compared to standard wood pellets. The results showed that when using RDF, the elemental compositions of WPP can affect the content of Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Cr, and As. In addition, RDF samples had a higher heating value of 21.19–22.09 MJ/kg. The physical properties of the samples revealed that they had a density of 1175–1286 kg/m3, a mechanical durability of 98%, and a moisture content of 5.38–11.27%. According to the study’s findings, these manufactured mixed pellets have the potential to be beneficial for alternative sustainable green energy as fuels. Moreover, using RDF, which comes from MSW, could help in global warming mitigation.
A New Multi-Physics Coupled Method for the Temperature Field of Dry Clutch Assembly
Authors: Chen Jun , Yu Jiali , Gong Yubing
Published: October 2023

The temperature field of the clutch assembly is critical for the clutch design and operation life. Current modeling methods of the temperature of the clutch assembly suffer from insufficient accuracy or a limited time scale for the complicated multi-physics coupling between the contact force, friction-generated heat, heat transfer, and thermal deformation in the clutch assembly in harsh operation conditions. In order to improve the accuracy of temperature field simulation and achieve long-term time scale, a new approach to modeling the temperature is proposed based on CFD simulation and decoupling technology. Firstly, the flow-thermal bi-directional coupling method is employed to determine the convective boundary conditions between the clutch assembly and the ambient air, improving the model’s accuracy. Secondly, the thermal-solid decoupling method is then used to reduce the computational time. The temperature of the clutch assembly during the continuous engagement and disengagement process is performed using this approach and verified by the rig test. The results demonstrate that the temperature of the outer, middle, and inner diameters of the pressure plate by the model agrees well with that by the rig test. For the first engagement and disengagement processes, the proportion of simulated temperature deviations exceeding 5 °C from the measured data is only 3.03%. For the last engagement and disengagement process, while the maximum temperature of the clutch is above 350 °C, the maximum temperature deviation between simulation and measurement is 4.99%. It proves that the approach proposed for modeling the dry clutch assembly temperature field has high accuracy while achieving long-term time-scale simulation.
Microseismic Data-Direct Velocity Modeling Method Based on a Modified Attention U-Net Architecture
Authors: Zhou Yixiu , Han Liguo , Zhang Pan , Zeng Jingwen , Shang Xujia , Huang Wensha
Published: October 2023

In microseismic monitoring, the reconstruction of a reliable velocity model is essential for precise seismic source localization and subsurface imaging. However, traditional methods for microseismic velocity inversion face challenges in terms of precision and computational efficiency. In this paper, we use deep learning (DL) algorithms to achieve precise and efficient real-time microseismic velocity modeling, which holds significant importance for ensuring engineering safety and preventing geological disasters in microseismic monitoring. Given that this task was approached as a non-linear regression problem, we adopted and modified the Attention U-Net network for inversion. Depending on the degree of coupling among microseismic events, we trained the network using both single-event and multi-event simulation records as feature datasets. This approach can achieve velocity modeling when dealing with inseparable microseismic records. Numerical tests demonstrate that the Attention U-Net can automatically uncover latent features and patterns between microseismic records and velocity models. It performs effectively in real time and achieves high precision in velocity modeling for Tilted Transverse Isotropy (TTI) velocity structures such as anticlines, synclines, and anomalous velocity models. Furthermore, it can provide reliable initial models for traditional methods.
Climate Change Dependence in Ex Situ Conservation of Wild Medicinal Plants in Crete, Greece
Authors: Bariotakis Michael , Georgescu Luciana , Laina Danae , Koufaki Margianna , Souma Maria , Douklias Sotirios , Giannakakis Konstantinos A. , Chouli Kyriaki N. , Paoli Luca , Loppi Stefano , Karousou Reggina , Smykal Petr , Castanas Elias , Pirintsos Stergios A.
Published: October 2023

Over 80% of the global population addresses their primary healthcare needs using traditional medicine based on medicinal plants. Consequently, there’s a rising demand for these plants for both household and industrial use at local, regional, national, and international levels. However, wild harvesting has negatively impacted natural ecosystems. Cultivating medicinal species has been proposed as a conservation strategy to alleviate this pressure. Yet, in this age of global climate change concerns, smallholder farmers’ views on the benefits of such cultivation clash with the uncertainties of climate change impacts, amplifying their anxieties. In this context, the climate change dependence of ex situ cultivation of ten wild medicinal taxa with significant ethnopharmacological interest in Crete, Greece, were studied, projecting their potential habitat suitability under various future climate scenarios. The results demonstrated species-specific effects. Based on the potential cultivation area gains and losses, these effects can be categorized into three groups. We also outlined the spatial patterns of these gains and losses, offering valuable insights for regional management strategies benefiting individual practitioners.
Novel Therapeutic Approaches in the Management of Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Dąbek Bartłomiej , Dybiec Jill , Frąk Weronika , Fularski Piotr , Lisińska Wiktoria , Radzioch Ewa , Młynarska Ewelina , Rysz Jacek , Franczyk Beata
Published: October 2023

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive and incurable disease that impairs kidney function. Its prevalence is estimated to affect up to 800 million individuals within the general population, and patients with diabetes and hypertension are particularly at risk. This disorder disrupts the physiological mechanisms of the body, including water and electrolyte balance, blood pressure regulation, the excretion of toxins, and vitamin D metabolism. Consequently, patients are exposed to risks such as hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia, metabolic acidosis, and blood pressure abnormalities. These risks can be reduced by implementing appropriate diagnostic methods, followed by non-pharmacological (such as physical activity, dietary, and lifestyle adjustment) and pharmacological strategies after diagnosis. Selecting the appropriate diet and suitable pharmacological treatment is imperative in maintaining kidney function as long as possible. Drugs such as finerenone, canakinumab, and pentoxifylline hold promise for improved outcomes among CKD patients. When these interventions prove insufficient, renal replacement therapy becomes essential. This is particularly critical in preserving residual renal function while awaiting renal transplantation or for patients deemed ineligible for such a procedure. The aim of this study is to present the current state of knowledge and recent advances, providing novel insights into the treatment of chronic kidney disease.
Editorial of Special Issue “Oral Cancer: From Pathophysiology to Novel Therapeutic Approaches”
Authors: Vincent-Chong Vui King
Published: October 2023

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a heterogeneous type of malignancy that develops within the oral cavity comprising the lips, tongue, mouth floor, gums, and buccal mucosa, with more than 90% arising from the oral lining epithelium [...]
Thermal Degradation Kinetics of Vacuum Residues in the Presence of Chrysotile Supported Ni-Ti Catalyst
Authors: Balpanova Nazerke , Baikenov Murzabek
Published: October 2023

For the first time, thermal decomposition of vacuum residue and a mixture of vacuum residue with binary nanocatalysts based on leached and non-leached chrysotile with applied active metals was studied using the thermogravimetry method. It is shown that the thermokinetic parameters of decomposition of vacuum residue and its mixture with binary nanocatalyst are different. The phase composition of the binary nanocatalyst was established through X-ray phase analysis (XRD): (Mg3Si2O5 (OH), NiO and Ti (SO4)2). The quantitative content of elements on the chrysotile surface was determined using X-ray fluorescence analysis: (Ni (4.88%), Ti (7.29%), Si (24.93%), Mg (7.83%), Fe (0.69%) and S (3.89%)). Using atomic emission spectral analysis, the gross quantitative content of supported metals on chrysotile was determined: Ni (4.85%) and Ti (4.86%). A transmission electron microscope showed the presence of finely dispersed particles adsorbed on the surface of and possibly inside chrysotile nanotubes with sizes ranging from 5 to 70 nm. The acidity of the nanocatalyst obtained from the leached active-metal-supported chrysotile was 267 μmol/g and the specific surface area of the nanocatalyst was 54 m2/g. The Ozawa–Flynn–Wall (OFW) method was used to calculate the kinetic parameters of the thermal degradation of vacuum residue and the mixture of vacuum residue with nanocatalysts. Using the isoconversion method, the average values of activation energies and the pre-exponential factor were calculated: 147.55 kJ/mol and 3.37·1016 min−1 for the initial vacuum residue; 118.69 kJ/mol and 1.54·1018 min−1 for the mixture of vacuum residue with nanocatalyst obtained from non-leached chrysotile with applied metals; 82.83 kJ/mol and 2.15·1019 min−1 for the mixture of vacuum residue with nanocatalyst obtained from leached chrysotile with applied metals. The kinetic parameters obtained can be used in modeling and designing the processes of thermal degradation and hydroforming of heavy hydrocarbon raw materials.
Aurora Kinase A Regulates Cell Transitions in Glucocorticoid-Induced Bone Loss
Authors: Qiao Xiaojing , Yang Yang , Zhao Yan , Wu Xiuju , Zhang Li , Cai Xinjiang , Ji Jaden , Boström Kristina I. , Yao Yucheng
Published: October 2023

Glucocorticoid-induced bone loss is a severe and toxic effect of long-term therapy with glucocorticoids, which are currently prescribed for millions of people worldwide. Previous studies have uncovered that glucocorticoids reciprocally converted osteoblast lineage cells into endothelial-like cells to cause bone loss and showed that the modulations of Foxc2 and Osterix were the causative factors that drove this harmful transition of osteoblast lineage cells. Here, we find that the inhibition of aurora kinase A halts this transition and prevents glucocorticoid-induced bone loss. We find that aurora A interacts with the glucocorticoid receptor and show that this interaction is required for glucocorticoids to modulate Foxc2 and Osterix. Together, we identify a new potential approach to counteracting unwanted transitions of osteoblast lineage cells in glucocorticoid treatment and may provide a novel strategy for ameliorating glucocorticoid-induced bone loss.