bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
History of domestic violence among women and incidence of stunting in rural areas in Bali Province, Indonesia
Authors: Rahyani Ni , Rahayu Sri , Manurung Suryani
Published: August 2024

Background
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) numbers 2 and 5 aim to end all forms of malnutrition and achieve gender equality, including meeting internationally agreed targets by 2025.
Objective
This study aims to determine the incidence of stunting in children under five years of age raised by mothers with a history of domestic violence in rural areas of Karangasem Regency, Bali Province, Indonesia.
Methods
This mixed-methods study (quantitative-qualitative) involved 133 women of childbearing age with stunted toddlers in Abang I and Kubu II subdistricts. Probability sampling was used to select participants. Data were collected through self-reported questionnaires, in-depth interviews, observations, and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). The study was conducted from May to October 2023.
Results
Most respondents were aged between 20–35 years (66.17%) and had primary education (74.44%). A majority were unemployed (65.41%) and had low incomes (87.97%). All respondents had stunted toddlers. The highest incidence of domestic violence (DV) experienced was social abuse (44%), followed by economic abuse (37.59%), emotional abuse (28.6%), physical abuse (17.29%), and sexual abuse (8.3%). There was a significant relationship between income level, parenting patterns, and the incidence of stunting (p < 0.05).
Conclusions
The study found that stunting is prevalent among mothers who experience DV. The main theme from the thematic qualitative analysis is that women lack strong autonomy and power within the family. The recommendation is to increase women's autonomy through empowerment and entrepreneurial efforts and to screen for DV victims in basic health facilities.
USP4-mediated CENPF deubiquitylation regulated tumor metastasis in colorectal cancer
Authors: Chi Pan , Xie Zhongdong , Lin Hanbin , Wu Yuecheng , Wang Xiaojie , Yu Yanan , Wu Jiashu , Xu Meifang , Han Yuting , Zhang Qiongying , Deng Yu , Lin Lin , Linzhu Yan , Qingyun Li , Lin Xin , Huang Ying
Published: August 2024

Metastasis is a major challenge for colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment. Here, we uncovered CENPF may be involved in CRC metastasis through bioinformatics mining and small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeted functional screening. We observed CENPF expression was preferentially increased in CRC tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues. More importantly, multicenter cohort study identified upregulated CENPF expression was significantly correlated with poor survival in CRC. Knockdown of CENPF inhibited CRC cell invasion and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Intriguingly, we found CENPF undergoes degradation in CRC via the ubiquitination-proteasome pathway. Mechanistically, we observed that USP4 interacted with and stabilized CENPF via deubiquitination. Furthermore, USP4-mediated CENPF upregulation was critical regulators of metastasis of CRC. Examination of clinical samples confirmed that USP4 expression positively correlates with CENPF protein expression, but not mRNA transcript levels. Taken together, this study describes a novel USP4-CENPF signaling axis which is crucial for CRC metastasis, potentially serving as a therapeutic target and a promising prognostic biomarker for CRC.
Empagliflozin inhibits PASMCs Phenotypic transition via downexpressing SYK and attenuates artery remodeling in MCT-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Duan Yuchen , Wang Hong , Li Guanghui , Jing Haoran , LI Weimin
Published: August 2024

Purpose Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a serious cardiovascular disease that ultimately leads to right heart failure and even death due to pulmonary artery remodeling. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor empagliflozin (EMPA) on rats with PAH and its direct effects on pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs).Methods PAH was induced in rats by injection of monocrotaline (MCT) (40 mg/kg), followed by treatment with EMPA (10 mg/kg/day) or physiological saline alone for four weeks. The effects of EMPA on the structure and function of the heart, pulmonary artery, and right heart were evaluated via echocardiography, histology, and ELISAs. The proliferation, migration, and phenotypic transition of cells in the pulmonary blood vessels were determined through WB. PDGF-BB was applied to stimulate the proliferation and migration of PASMCs, and the effect of EMPA on PASMCs was evaluated using scratch assays, Transwell assays, colony formation assays, and WB. Moreover, the regulation of SYK by EMPA was assessed. Overexpression of SYK and treatment of PASMCs with EMPA were performed to determine the effects of EMPA on proliferation, migration, and phenotypic transformation.Results Cardiac ultrasound, HE staining, Masson staining, and ELISAs revealed that EMPA alleviates pulmonary artery and right ventricular remodeling and dysfunction in rats with PAH. EMPA normalized the hemodynamic parameters and structure of pulmonary arterioles, including vascular wall thickness, CVF, and heart failure marker levels. In the presence of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB, EMPA inhibited the proliferation and migration of PASMCs and the phenotypic transition of PASMCs. SYK overexpression stimulated the proliferation and phenotypic transition of PASMCs. EMPA treatment also inhibited the proliferation and phenotypic transition of PASMCs caused by SYK overexpression.Conclusion Our study first demonstrates that EMPA inhibits PASMC phenotypic transition by downregulating SYK, thereby exerting an antiproliferative effect on MCT-induced PAH.
Unveiling Clonostachys rosea bioactives: Investigating antifungal potential against Fusarium oxysporum through in vitro and in silico studies
Authors: Shravani Vyamasani , Iruthayasamy Johnson , Nallusamy Saranya , Govindasamy Jothi , Eswaran Kokiladevi , Annaiyan Shanthi
Published: August 2024

Fusarium spp. pose significant threats to agriculture by causing wilt in various crops like ridge gourd. This study identifies Fusarium isolates from wilted ridge gourd plants and evaluates Clonostachys rosea's biocontrol potential. Twelve isolates were characterized using molecular and morphological analyses, revealing nine Fusarium oxysporum, two Fusarium brachygibbosum, and one Fusarium equiseti. Pathogenicity tests confirmed that F. oxysporum isolates were highly virulent, while other two species were weakly pathogenic. Antagonistic assays demonstrated that C. rosea significantly inhibited the growth of Fusarium spp. up to 71.59%. Microscopic analysis revealed its mycoparasitic activity, involving hyphal encirclement and degradation of Fusarium hyphae. Metabolite profiling through GC-MS characterized 44 bioactive compounds, including fatty acids, alcohols, amines, thiols, triazoles, and hydrazines. Molecular docking analysis revealed high binding affinities of these metabolites with key fungal proteins, suggesting potential mechanisms of antifungal action. C. rosea demonstrates potential as a biocontrol agent, with its antifungal metabolites providing new insights and strategies for managing Fusarium wilt in ridge gourd.
Comparison of the red fox gut microbiota among different habitat types in southern Anatolia
Authors: Akbaba Burak , Küçükyıldırım Sibel , Ünal Hasan
Published: August 2024

Environmental conditions, especially diet, affect the diversity of gut microbiota (GM). This diversity within and between populations may influence the host’s health and fitness, therefore plays important roles in adaptation. Regarding this, we collected fecal samples from natural, rural, suburban, and urban habitats to reveal the interaction between diet and compositional and functional diversity of GM of a generalist carnivore, the red fox. The prokaryotic diversity of fecal microbiota was investigated by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene V3-V4 regions. 46 archaeal and bacterial phyla were identified, and Firmicutes was the most common phylum in most samples. The dominant genera in the GM of the red fox were Collinsella, Fusobacterium, Faecalibacterium, Escherichia-Shigella, and Blautia. Fusobacterium was significantly more abundant in suburban (16.0%), natural (11.0%), and rural habitats (10.8%) than in urban habitats (2.0%) indicating dietary differences of the red foxes that feed close to human settlements. However, PICRUSt (Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States) showed that the host’s habitat did not significantly affect the functional diversity. Our study determined the compositional changes of the GM of a wild animal for the first time in the Anatolian peninsula and revealed the effects of dietary changes, especially urbanization, on the diversity of GM of red foxes.
Viral infection by CABMV-cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus- reduces gas exchange in passion fruit leaves
Authors: Bezerra Luan Baritiello da Silva , Viana Alexandre Pio , Bernado Wallace de Paula , Mendes Débora Souza , Campostrini Eliemar , Silva Flavia Alves da
Published: August 2024

Passion fruit (Passiflora spp.) is a highly important crop with increasing yield levels in recent years. However, its expansion in Brazil faces challenges, including diseases affecting the crop. The main disease is passion fruit woodiness, caused by cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus (CABMV), which leads to leaf and fruit symptoms, compromising both quality and production. Viral infections directly affect plant physiology and often disrupt gas exchange by impacting leaf function. In this study, our aim was to analyze gas exchange in view of a scale of foliar symptoms caused by CABMV and to estimate genetic parameters to aid in the selection of genotypes with superior physiological performance. Gas exchange measurements were performed on passion fruit leaves from full-sib families showing varying symptoms of infection, as well as on leaves from resistant (P. setacea) and susceptible (P. edulis) individuals. Disease severity was assessed on a rating scale associated with the SPAD index. The estimation of genetic parameters facilitated the determination of variances, heritability and accuracy for each physiological variable examined. Our results confirmed that the presence of CABMV in leaves reduced photosynthetic rates and stomatal conductance, especially in the face of moderate and severe symptoms. Furthermore, genotypic variation played a more significant role in photosynthetic rate, intercellular CO2 concentration and transpiration rate compared to phenotypic variation. Heritability values ranged from moderate to high, and accuracy values were high, validating the reliability of the analyses. In conclusion, the study demonstrates, for the first time, the negative impact of CABMV infection on gas exchange in passion fruit leaves. In addition, it highlights the potential use of physiological variables, such as photosynthesis, in the selection of individuals with superior physiological performance in passion fruit breeding programs.
Assessment of Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography 123I-IMP Brain Scan Parameters Using Low Energy High Resolution Collimator and 3D Iterative Image Reconstruction Algorithm (Flash 3D)
Authors: Zhao Xiaofei , Ichihara Takashi , Inui Yoshitaka , Toyama Hiroshi , Suzuki Motoshi , Kung Boom Ting , Tang Chung ting , Takenaka Akinori , Ota Seiichiro , Inoue Masanori , Ishiguro Masanobu
Published: August 2024

Objective Statistical parametric mapping of 123I-IMP brain SPECT images has been used for brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) for several decade. The analysis results highly dependent on the way how to construct the normal database (NDB), due to validity of spatial resolutions recovery, scatter and attenuation correction methods for quantification of SPECT value. And also, there is no NDB available for 3D image reconstruction algorithm (Flash 3D) so far. Purpose of this study is to evaluate whether the Siemens Symbia T6 SPECT/CT (Siemens Healthineers, Germany) with LEHR collimator and Flash3D reconstruction combined with computed tomography-attenuation correction (CT-AC) and scatter correction (SC) can be applied for 123I-IMP brain perfusion SPECT for Statistical image analysis.Methods LSF phantom, Cerebral blood flow brain phantom with skull cover (male bone, female bone, acrylic), cold rods phantom with male bone cover, and six chambers phantom with male bone cover were used. The acquisition time was determined by the SPECT count, that would be the condition of using SMS LEHR with 6 mCi of 123I-IMP administration and counting equivalent to 30 minutes of collection. The phantom conditions and the rotation radius (14, 15, 16cm) were changed and collected. Finally, the evaluation was performed using visual judgement by two independent nuclear medicine physicians, validity of spatial resolutions recovery, linearity of the radioactivity and SPECT value, and the gray-to-white matter count ratio were evaluated.Results Visual inspection of image determined image reconstruction with Gaussian filter 10mm should be used. The spatial resolutions were constant while change the rotation radius. There is good linearity relation between SPECT values and activity concentration of phantom, and the gray-to-white matter count ratio were almost the same while using male bone cover, female bone cover, and acrylic cover.Conclusions Siemens Symbia T6 SPECT/CT with LEHR collimator and Flash3D reconstruction combined with computed tomography - attenuation correction(CT-AC) and scatter correction (SC) can be used for SPECT 123I-IMP brain perfusion scanning with a LEHR collimator.
Dominant control of temperature on (sub-)tropical soil carbon turnover
Authors: Meyer Vera Dorothee , Köhler Peter , Smit Nadine , Lipp Julius , Wei Bingbing , Mollenhauer Gesine , Schefuß Enno
Published: August 2024

Carbon storage in soils is important in regulating atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). However, the sensitivity of the soil-carbon turnover time (τsoil) to temperature and hydrology forcing is still not fully understood. Here, we use radiocarbon dating of plant-derived lipids in conjunction with reconstructions of temperature and rainfall from an eastern Mediterranean sediment core receiving terrigenous material from the Nile-River watershed to investigate τsoil in subtropical and tropical areas during the last 18,000 years. We find that the τsoil was reduced by an order of magnitude over the last deglaciation and infer that this reduction was caused from amplified soil respiration rates. Our data indicate that the deglacial warming was the major driver of these changes while the impact of hydroclimate was relatively small. We conclude that increased CO2 efflux from soils into the atmosphere constituted a positive feedback to global warming. However, simulated glacial-to-interglacial changes in a dynamic global vegetation model underestimate our data-based reconstructions of soil-carbon turnover times suggesting that this climate feedback might be underestimated.
Urban Noise Dynamics during COVID-19 Lockdown: Machine Learning Perspectives from Mashhad, Iran
Authors: Ardalan Raheleh Valizadeh , Mohammadi Mitra , Bahadori Mohammad Sadegh , Mohammadi Mandana , Moezzi Seyed Mohammad Mahdi , Saloglu Didem
Published: August 2024

This paper investigates the impact of human activities on noise pollution in the Mashhad metropolis, Iran, as well as the fluctuations that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. By leveraging a dual strategy, a comprehensive review was initiated. First, the noise level measurements collected before (March 21 to April 20, 2019) and during (March 20 to April 19, 2020) the COVID-19 quarantine period at four key intersections in Mashhad are compared. The non-parametric Wilcoxon signed test was employed to evaluate the statistical significance of the observed changes. The results showed a statistically significant reduction in the noise level during the quarantine period at every four intersections. Next, a predictive modeling algorithm named random forest (RF) was developed to predict noise pollution levels by considering time factors such as month, day, hour, and cumulative hour. The RF model achieved a high R-squared value (0.914), representing a strong correlation between predicted and actual noise levels. The predictive power of this model was demonstrated by the root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.967 and the mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.620, indicating reasonable accuracy. This study demonstrates evidence that human activities are the main cause of noise pollution in Mashhad. The findings highlight the potential benefits of urban planning strategies that reduce traffic and noise generation. Furthermore, the development of a noise prediction model using a random forest approach provides a valuable tool for future noise management efforts in urban environments.
Utility PET/CT for identifying Prosthetic valve endocarditis in pediatric patients and correlating with outcomes
Authors: Fletes Gladys M. Arguello , Trenbeath Zachary T. , Hayes Kari L. , Malone LaDonna J.
Published: August 2024

Pediatric patients with a history of vascular stents or prosthetic valve replacement face an increased risk of infective endocarditis. Echocardiography and cardiac CT can be limited in some cases for diagnosing prosthetic valve endocarditis. PET/CT has shown promise for diagnosis in difficult cases in adults. We reviewed our clinical experience over 13 years and compared surgical findings and clinical outcomes. Utilizing PET/CT as a diagnostic test for prosthetic valve endocarditis in our study resulted in a positive predictive value of 87.5%, a negative predictive value 100% and an accuracy of 92.3%.
Research on the Microscopic Pore- Throat Structure and Reservoir Quality of Tight Sandstone Using Fractal Dimensions
Authors: He Taping , Zhou Yaoqi , Li Yuanhao , Xie Huanyu , Shang Yuehan , Cen Tongtong , Zhang Zhenwei
Published: August 2024

The pore-throat structure is a crucial parameter for evaluating the characteristics of reservoirs and the potential oil and gas resources. Analyzing the relationship between reservoir pore-throat variations and oil-bearing properties is essential. Through experiments such as thin-section casting, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), and high-pressure mercury injection (HPMI), we examined the tight sandstone reservoirs from the Chang 4+5 members of the Yanchang Formation in the study area. This analysis elucidates the relationship between the pore-throat structure and fractal characteristics of the samples and their oil-bearing properties. The results show that : (1) The tight sandstone reservoirs in the study area mainly develop three types of pores: dissolution pores, residual intergranular pores, and microfractures. Residual intergranular pores are primarily controlled by early compaction processes, while dissolution processes easily form secondary pores, increasing the porosity of the reservoir. Microfractures can significantly enhance both the permeability of the reservoir. (2) Using the characteristic parameters of HPMI, the reservoir is classified into four categories, labeled as type I to type IV. As the categories progress from type I to type IV, pore-throat size decreases, porosity and permeability decrease, and reservoir properties deteriorate. The overall fractal dimension of pores decreases, while the fractal dimensions of individual pore types increase. Pore connectivity becomes more complex, and heterogeneity strengthens. (3) The reservoir porosity is strongly positively correlated with permeability. As reservoir properties improve, the number of macropores increases, leading to a higher Reservoir Quality Index (RQI) and better oil-bearing characteristics.
Urban arbovirus underreporting in a hyperendemic area of ​​Brazil: a population-based survey and implications for public health surveillance
Authors: Nobre Tayane , Fenner Andre Luiz Dutra , Araújo Emerson Luiz Lima , de Araújo Wildo Navegantes , Roux Emmanuel , Handschumacher Pascal , Gurgel Helen , Dallago Brunno , Hecht Mariana , Hagström Luciana , Ramalho Walter Massa , Nitz Nadjar
Published: August 2024

Background
Urban arboviruses pose a significant global burden, particularly in tropical regions like Brazil. São Sebastião, a lower-middle-class urban area just 26 km from the Brazilian capital, is a hyperendemic area for dengue cases. However, asymptomatic cases may obscure the actual extent of the disease. In this study, we measured the seroprevalence of dengue, Zika virus, and chikungunya, and compared these findings with surveillance data.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 1,535 households. ELISA serological tests were performed to detect IgM and IgG antibodies against dengue, Zika virus, and chikungunya. History of previous exposure to arbovirus, data on age, gender, and education level were collected through a questionnaire. Participants testing positive for IgM and/or IgG were classified as positive. Statistical analyses included tests for normality, associations, mean comparisons, and correlations. Positive serological results were compared with cases captured by local epidemiological surveillance.
Results
The study included 1,405 individuals, divided into two groups related to pre-pandemic and pandemic COVID-19 phases. Among participants, 0,7% to 28,8% self-reported history of dengue, Zika, or chikungunya. However, the estimated overall seroprevalence was 64.3% (95% CI: 61.8–66.7) for dengue virus, 51.4% (95% CI: 48.8–53.9) for Zika virus, and 5.4% (95% CI: 4.4–6.7) for chikungunya virus. Multiple arboviruses were noted at 4.0% (95% CI: 3.1–5.1). Advancing age and lower education were associated with higher exposure to arboviruses (p < 0.05). The number of urban arboviral cases was 84 times higher than reported.
Conclusions
The underreporting of arbovirus cases in the evaluated area reveals a substantial deficiency in epidemiological surveillance. Addressing these gaps is crucial for effective resource allocation and implementation of public health interventions.
Causal relationship between body mass index and risk of pancreatitis: a Mendelian randomisation study
Authors: Liu Rongfei , Lu Jiamin , Shao Xupeng , Xie Na , Xing Shuai , Fan Kailiang
Published: August 2024

Objective
The aim of the study was to investigate whether body mass index (BMI) is causally related to pancreatitis, and to guide patients with potential pancreatitis to control their weight and prevent pancreatitis.
Methods
Weighted median, MR-Egger regression, and inverse variance weighting (IVW) were accessed using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. In the Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) meta-analysis, we used the publicly available summary statistics set of BMI in individuals of European ancestry (n = 681,275) (GIANT Alliance) as the exposure, and as the outcome, we used the self-reported non-cancer disease codes: pancreatitis in individuals from the European Biobank (n = 462, 933).
Results
Selecting 220 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for BMI was done using the GWAS instrumental variable (IV). The IVW method's results show that pancreatitis and BMI are causally related (beta = 0.0011, SE = 0.0004, p = 0.0137). Although orientational polyvalency was not expected to skew the data (intercept = 1.24E-05; p = 0.511), MR-Egger regression did not reveal a causal relationship between pancreatitis and BMI (beta = 0.0003, SE = 0.0013, p = 0.7941). Furthermore, there was no evidence of a link between pancreatitis and BMI using the weighted median approach (β = 0.0006, SE = 0.0008, p = 0.4296). There was no indication of heterogeneity or asymmetry in the funnel plot or the Cochran's Q test, indicating the absence of directed pleiotropy.
Conclusion
The hypothesis that a higher incidence of pancreatitis may be partially attributed to BMI is supported by the MR study.
Correcting Scale Distortion in RNA Sequencing Data
Authors: Thron Christopher , Jafari Farhad
Published: August 2024

RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) is the conventional genome-scale approach used to capture the expression levels of all detectable genes in a biological sample. This is now regularly used in the clinical diagnostic space for cancer patients. While the information gained is intended to impact treatment decisions, numerous technical and quality issues remain. This includes inaccuracies in the dissemination of gene-gene relationships. For such reasons, clinical decisions are still mostly driven by DNA biomarkers, such as gene mutations or fusions. In this study, we aimed to correct for systemic bias based on RNA-sequencing platforms in order to improve our understanding of the gene-gene relationships. To do so, we examined standard pre-processed RNA-seq datasets obtained from three studies conducted by two consortium efforts including The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Stand Up 2 Cancer (SU2C). We particularly examined the TCGA Bladder Cancer (n = 408) and Prostate Cancer (n = 498) studies as well as the SU2C Prostate Cancer study (n = 208). Using various statistical tests, in all datasets we detected expression-level dependent biases that differ from sample to sample. Using simulations, we show that these biases corrupt gene-gene correlation estimations and t-tests between subpopulations. To mitigate these biases, we introduce two different nonlinear transforms based on statistical considerations that correct these observed biases. We demonstrate that that these transforms effectively remove the observed per-sample biases, reduce sample-to-sample variance, and improve the characteristics of gene-gene correlation distributions. Using a novel simulation methodology that creates controlled diffferences between subpopulations, we show that these transforms reduce variability and slightly increase sensitivity of two population tests. Altogether, these results improve our capacity to understand gene-gene relationships, and may lead to novel ways to utilize the information derived from clinical tests.
Demographic and Socio-economic Correlates of Nutrition Status of Adult Cancer Patients: A Case of Texas Cancer Center, Kenya
Authors: ODUOR ELIZABETH ACHIENG , ODONGO ALFRED OWINO , KIBOI WILLY
Published: August 2024

Background
Cancer has become a serious global health threat following its increasing incidence and prevalence rates. The study's objective was to establish any existing relationships between demographic and socio-economic characteristics and the nutrition status of adult cancer patients. This was aimed at gathering more data for evidence-based interventions to establish factors that influence nutrition status among cancer patients, given only the existence of scanty information on the same.
Methods
In this cross-sectional study, 384 patients were randomly selected. Data on demographic and socio-economic characteristics was collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires. Nutrition status data was determined through body mass index which was computed from the weight and height measurements. Chi-square and logistic regression were used to assess the correlates of nutrition status.
Results
The study revealed that 41% (n = 157) of participants had optimal nutrition. The mean BMI was 25.0kg/m2 ± 4.25SD, with 17% being underweight, 28% overweight, and 14% obese. The majority of the participants, 89% (n = 343), were above 36 years and 66% (n = 254) were female. Those with secondary education had the highest frequency 41% (n = 158). The monthly household income category with the highest number of respondents was less than 15,000 Kenya shillings (n = 196; 51%), while most of the study participants, 54% (n = 209), had household sizes of 4–6. Factors found to be associated with the participants' nutrition status included age (AOR = 6.73; 95% CI = 1.88–24.11; p-value = 0.003), occupation status (AOR = 2.57; 95% CI = 1.42–4.68; p-value = 0.002), sex (AOR = 2.64; 95% CI = 1.33–5.26; p-value = 0.006), household size (AOR = 1.79; 95% CI = 1.03–3.12; p-value = 0.039), and level of education (AOR = 10.81; 95% CI = 1.29–90.66; p-value = 0.028).
Conclusion
This study found that malnutrition was common among the study participants, and this could be a result of low income among the families and intake of low nutrients. Therefore, approaches such as increasing the availability, affordability, and accessibility of nutrient-dense foods are key when designing and prioritizing interventions.
Elevated fibrinogen-albumin ratio is an adverse prognostic factor for patients with primarily resected gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Jomrich Gerd , Yan Winny , Kollmann Dagmar , Kristo Ivan , Winkler Daniel , Puhr Hannah , Ihan-Mutlu Aysegül , Hollenstein Marlene , Asari Reza , Schoppmann Sebastian
Published: August 2024

Purpose: Serum fibrinogen and albumin play important roles in systemic inflammation and are implicated in tumor progression. The fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR) has shown a prognostic impact in several malignancies. This study aims to assess the prognostic value of the pretherapeutic FAR in patients with adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction (AEG) who underwent upfront resection.
Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent surgical resection at the Department of Surgery at the Medical University of Vienna between 1992 and 2014 were included into this study. Optimal cut-off values were determined with the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve, uni- and multivariate analyzes were calculated by the Cox proportional hazard regression model for overall survival (OS).
Results: Among 135 included patients, the majority were male (79.26%), with a mean age of 66.53 years. Elevated FAR correlated significantly (p=0.002) with shorter OS in univariate analysis, also confirmed as independent prognostic factor (p=0.005) in multivariable analysis. The ROC curve of FAR (AUC=0.744) outperformed fibrinogen (AUC=0.738) and albumin (AUC=0.378) in predicting OS for AEG patients.
Conclusion: The FAR serves as an independent prognostic factor for OS in patients undergoing primarily resection for AEG. Given its routine availability and ease of calculation, FAR could help in diagnosis and treatment selection for AEG patients. Further validation studies are warranted to confirm these findings conclusively.
Geometrically Linear Flumes for Denser Fluid Flow Measurement in Rectangular Open Channel
Authors: S Adarsh , N Shehsa Prakash M
Published: August 2024

Discharge measurement in an open channel within a pre-fixed degree of accuracy with least compromise on the head of flowing liquid is a challenging task. Sharp crested and broad crested weirs have been tried to the maximum extent and have not been popularly used in the field due to its intrusive nature, reducing the fluid head. Further, discharge measuring flumes like Venturi flume, Standing wave flume have been successfully used with least disturbance in flow. However, the accuracy of flow depends on the fabrication. In addition, the change in bed levels may also induce slight changes in streamline flow resulting in loss of head. Even a slight error in the fabrication to the designed profiles may induce large errors. Further, use of monograms or charts or computations with equations is mandatory to obtain the instant discharge in the flume at any instant. Seldom has the discharge-depth connection for denser fluids in regular channels been studied to improve the usefulness of flow metres. For the first time, the authors have proposed a theoretical and experimental inquiry on Denser Fluid Flow Measurement in open rectangular channels. The results show that a nearly linear depth-discharge relationship may be obtained even in rectangular channels. This paper presents a novel generic optimisation approach that determines the flow parameters. The near-linear depth-discharge connection is found to be valid from YA to YB, with an inaccuracy of ± 2 percent. The proposed linear equations for water and grey water of density 1.3 are respectively given for a channel of square cross-section by, \({Q_{l{a_{\,1.0}}}}=0.6319\left( {Y - 0.103} \right),\)\({Q_{l{a_{\,1.3}}}}=0.7204\left( {Y - 0.103} \right)\)and \({Q_{l{t_{\,1.3}}}}={\text{0}}{\text{.7493}}\left( {Y - 0.1137} \right),\)where Qla and Qlt represent the corresponding actual and theoretical depth-discharge relationships and further suffixes indicate the density of the fluid. It can be observed that the flow parameters of the flume are independent of the density and the flow parameters will remain linear. For the first time, the Chezy’s discharge equation has been explored to get a new density coefficient to be used in discharge equations with which we can convert the equation of the flow parameters of water to any other fluid of different density. Further, it has been shown that the linearity range and its validity remain unchanged with respect to that of water but the linear equation can be obtained by just multiplying the linear parameters by the density coefficient, given by square-root of specific gravity of the fluid. The proposed research is significant since it aims to detect grey water output directly with a calibrated piezometer, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) and Clinical Outcomes among Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Patients: An Umbrella Review
Authors: Malik Sheza , Arsalan Syed , Shadali Abul Hasan , Khan Hajra , Christof Michael , Niu Chengu , Adler Douglas
Published: August 2024

Background and Aims:
Recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRMAs) have shown inconsistent effectiveness of FMT among IBD patients. This study aimed to appraise the evidence for clinically relevant outcomes with FMT in IBD patients using published SRMAs.
Methods:
We searched major databases from inception through Nov 2023 to identify SRMAs assessing the effectiveness of FMT in IBD patients. Primary outcomes included clinical remission, clinical response, endoscopic remission/response, a composite endpoint, and adverse effects. We included SRMAs investigating FMT's effect in IBD patients using RCTs and observational studies data. Methodological quality and evidence certainty were assessed using AMSTAR 2 and GRADE.
Results:
Out of 106 citations, 16 SRMAs were included with varying study sizes (2 to 60 primary studies) and participants (112 to 1169 per SRMA). Five SRMAs assessed FMT in IBD, while 11 focused on Ulcerative Colitis (UC). Seven SRMAs included RCTs only, and nine included both RCTs and observational studies. Methodological quality was critically low in 9 SRMAs (56%) and low in 7 studies (44%). FMT showed clinical remission benefit in all 16 SRMAs, with varying certainty: 3 high, 4 moderate, 4 low, and 5 very low. Endoscopic remission/response was reported in 5 meta-analyses on UC, with 1 high, 3 moderate, and 1 very low certainty. Combined clinical remission and endoscopic response were reported in 3 SRMAs on UC, with 1 low and 2 moderate certainty. Adverse events were reported in 6 SRMAs, with 1 high, 3 moderate, 1 low, and 1 very low certainty.
Conclusion:
Current evidence shows potential benefits of FMT in IBD, particularly UC, supported by significant associations in 16 meta-analyses. However, poor methodological quality and variability in evidence certainty call for high-quality RCTs to strengthen the evidence.
Advancements in Humanoid Robotics: Designing an Artificial Neural Network-based Speech Recognition Robot for Tactical Deployment
Authors: Shrivastava Sarika , Bannerjee Somendra , Srivast Mayank , Khalid Saifullah , Nishad D. K.
Published: August 2024

The development of an ANN-based speech recognition system using MATLAB for controlling a humanoid robot prototype is presented in this research. Our proposed approach, therefore, will be in a good position to derive significant benefits from the powerful features and toolboxes in MATLAB in the areas of signal processing, machine learning, and robotics, way above most of the works available that have used platforms such as Arduino and Android with Bluetooth technology. The system is trained to recognize the five speech commands: "move forward," "move backward," "turn right," "turn left," and "stop." The custom GUI software has been developed to collect the data. It is processed by Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and Mel-frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCC). After that, it goes through silence removal and normalized techniques with pre-processing ANN classifiers and integrated with the robot control system. The accuracy of the trained model on test data with multiple speakers is 87% and holds good for general purposes without being biased towards any specific speaker's voice characteristics. Developed prototype, hence, proves the feasibility and potential of MATLAB for the speech recognition task in control with humanoid robot and its applications in different domains like industries, healthcare, and defense. The modular architecture allows for easy customization and extension to incorporate additional voice commands and functionalities. Future research directions include improving robustness to noise, speaker-independent recognition, and integration with other modalities like gesture recognition and computer vision.
Fibrinogen to Albumin Ratio and 28-Day Mortality in sepsis-associated acute kidney injury: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Zhang Zhiyuan , Wang Chaowei , Wang Jiangui , Zou Kang , Xu Qinglin
Published: August 2024

Background:To explore the correlation between the Fibrinogen to Albumin Ratio (FAR) and the 28-day mortality rate in patients with sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI) within an intensive care unit (ICU) setting, with an emphasis on the prognostic value of FAR.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on SA-AKI patients represented in the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) database. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to determine adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analysis, survival curves, and curve fitting were employed to evaluate the relationship between FAR and prognosis in SA-AKI patients.
Results: In this study, a total of 1297 participants were included. The participants had a mean age of 61.4 ± 14.1 years and a mean FAR of 1.155 (range 0.09 to 7.84). After controlling for variables, the Hazard Ratio (HR) for 28-day mortality in Tertile 3 (FAR > 1.21) was 0.68 (HR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.53–0.87, p = 0.002) compared to Tertile 1 (FAR < 0.63). The results for 90-day mortality and in-hospital mortality were Similar. Kaplan-Meier (KM) analysis indicated lower mortality rates at 28 days and 90 days in the group with higher FAR.
Conclusion: The findings underscore the prognostic significance of FAR in SA-AKI, suggesting that a lower FAR is linked to increased mortality risks at 28 days, 90 days, and during hospitalization.
Immunomodulatory activity of two Trypanosoma cruzi recombinant antigens TSA-1-C4 and Tc24-C4 induce activation of macrophages and CD8+ T cells
Authors: Huchim Victor Manuel Dzul , Vallado Miguel Rosado , Canto Antonio Euan , Romero Julio Torres , Lopez Jaime Ortega , Chan Julio Vladimir Cruz , Lizama Liliana Villanueva , Argaez Victor Arana
Published: August 2024

Chagas disease is a chronic infection caused by the protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, with limited benefits of the currently available anti-parasitic chemotherapeutic approaches to halt the progression of heart disease. Recombinant TSA-1-C4 and Tc24-C4 proteins have been developed as promising antigen candidates for therapeutic vaccines, leading to propose them in combination as a bivalent recombinant protein strategy. In this study, we evaluated the immunomodulatory effect of the combined TSA-1-C4 and Tc24-C4 recombinant proteins by in-vitro assays using murine macrophages. Macrophages from naïve Balb/c mice were isolated and stimulated with TSA-1-C4 plus Tc24-C4 recombinant proteins, hence, supernatants were recovered to measure host NO, H2O2, as well as, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 cytokine responses. Later, stimulated macrophages were co-cultured with CD8+ T cells from naïve mice, and inflammatory cytokine-profiles were measured from supernatants. We observed that combining both antigens promotes the activation of host macrophages through of NO and H2O2 release; together, these two antigens also induced considerable pro-inflammatory immune-responses mediated by TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 cytokines compared to either TSA-1-C4 or Tc24-C4 stimulated macrophages. In addition, naïve CD8+ T cells in presence of TSA-1-C4 plus Tc24-C4 stimulated-macrophages similarly boosted the pro-inflammatory immune profile by significant production of IFN-γ and TNF-α cytokines. These results support immunological advantages for the use of TSA-1-C4 and Tc24-C4 recombinant protein combination.
Effects of different culture modes on growth, muscle nutrition, and intestinal microbiota of largemouth bass
Authors: Hu G. D. , Hu H. D. , Deng Y. X. , Wu Y. J. , You Y. M. , Sun H.C.
Published: August 2024

To study the differences in morphological characteristics, muscle nutrition, and intestinal microbiota of largemouth bass under different farming modes, healthy largemouth bass with an initial body weight of 50.0 (± 2.0) g were selected and reared for 180 d under traditional pond farming (Group A), flow-through farming (Group B), and high-position pond farming (Group C) modes. The results showed that: (1) the condition factor, hepatosomatic index, and visceral somatic index of largemouth bass in Group B were significantly higher than those in Group C (P < 0.05); (2) the crude fat content in muscle of fish in Group B was significantly lower than that in Group A (P < 0.05). However, the crude protein content was significantly higher than that in Group A (P < 0.05). The total amino acid content, total non-essential amino acids, total umami amino acids, and total aromatic amino acids in muscle of fish in Group B were significantly higher than those in Groups A and C (P < 0.05). The monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and DHA + EPA contents in muscle of fish in Group B were significantly higher than those in Group A (P < 0.05) and extremely significantly higher than those in Group C (P < 0.01), and; (3) alpha diversity analysis showed that the intestinal microbiota diversity of largemouth bass in Group B was higher than that of the other two groups. At the phylum level, the dominant bacterial phyla in largemouth bass intestines were Fusobacteriota, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, and Actinobacteria. At the genus level, the dominant bacterial genera were Mycoplasma, Cetobacterium, and Acinetobacter. Principal coordinate analysis based on operational taxonomic units indicated that the microbiota distribution of Group B differed slightly from that of Group A and differed significantly from that of Group C. This indicated that the species diversity of the intestinal microbiota of largemouth bass varied under different farming modes. In conclusion, the farming mode affected the growth, muscle nutritional quality, and intestinal microbiota of largemouth bass. This study provides a theoretical basis for understanding the relationships between farming modes, growth performance, muscle nutrition, and intestinal microbiota in largemouth bass.
DNA aptamer targeting USE1 as a novel biomarker for lung cancer
Authors: Kim Min-Jee , Yum Kyuha , Kim Dajeong , Lee Jong Bum , Lee Peter Chang-Whan
Published: August 2024

Background Lung cancer, the second most diagnosed cancer worldwide and the leading cause of cancer-related mortality, presents significant challenges, including early detection and effective treatment. In this study, we developed a diagnostic kit utilizing a novel aptamer targeting UBA6-specific E2 conjugating enzyme 1 (USE1), a biomarker implicated in the pathogenesis of lung cancer.Materials and methods Through Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment (SELEX), we identified aptamers with high affinity and specificity to USE1. To evaluate the detection ability of these aptamers for the USE1 protein, in vitro and in vivo assays, including Enzyme-Linked OligoNucleotide Assays (ELONA) and immunoprecipitation with lung cancer cell lines and tissue samples, were performed. We also developed a novel fluorescence biosensing kit featuring a self-assembled biotin-modified DNA microsphere (DNAMS) and streptavidin quantum dot (STA-QD) conjugation for the detection of USE1.Results In vitro assays, such as ELONA and immunoprecipitation, demonstrated the robust detection of USE1 using these aptamers. Validation of the aptamers using lung cancer cell lines and patient tissue samples showed a sensitivity of 100.0% and a specificity of 80.0%. Additionally, the novel fluorescence biosensing kit, which features a self-assembled biotin-modified DNA microsphere (DNAMS) and streptavidin quantum dot (STA-QD) conjugation, facilitated easy visual detection of USE1.Conclusion Overall, this study not only advances the current understanding of aptamer-based diagnostics but also presents a promising approach for early lung cancer detection, with the potential to improve patient outcomes.Graphic abstract
TRIM13 reduces damage to COPD alveolar epithelial cells by inhibiting ER-phagy induced by ERS
Authors: Xiang¹ Yaling , Li¹ Chuntao , Wang¹ Zhiyuan , Feng¹ Jiagang , Zhang¹ Jiaqiang , Yang¹ Yue , Zhou¹ Jinbiao , Zhang¹ Jianqing
Published: August 2024

objective
Exploring the molecular mechanisms by which tripartite motif-containing protein 13 (TRIM13) regulates alveolar epithelial cell injury in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) provides new molecular targets for the treatment of COPD.
MethodDetermining the expression levels of TRIM13 in clinical patients and in a rat model of emphysema. Constructing a cigarette smoke-induced model of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and endoplasmic reticulum autophagy (ER-phagy) in A549 cells, and examining the effects of TRIM13 gene overexpression/knockdown on ERS, ER-phagy, cell apoptosis, and the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in A549 cells.
Result The expression of TRIM13 in the lung tissues of COPD patients and emphysema rats is significantly decreased, and the level of cell apoptosis in the lung tissues of emphysema rats is significantly increased. Overexpressing TRIM13 reduces the expression levels of ERS-related molecules (GRP78, GRP94, XBP-1, and eIF2a) in COPD models; it also lowers ER-phagy levels (with a decrease in the number of autolysosomes under transmission electron microscope and an improvement in endoplasmic reticulum structure; a reduction in the expression levels of LC3 II/LC3I and Beclin1, and an increase in the expression level of the autophagy inhibitory molecule BCL-2). Furthermore, overexpressing TRIM13 activates the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway (p-PI3K/PI3K, p-AKT/AKT, and p-mTOR/mTOR). Conversely, knocking down TRIM13 yields opposite results.
Conclusion TRIM13 attenuated alveolar epithelial cell injury in COPD by inhibiting ERS-induced ER-phagy, the mechanism of which may be activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.