bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increasing precipitation promotes carbon exchange in the Stipa breviflora desert steppe ecosystem
Authors: Liu Xinrui , Wang Zhongwu , Han Guodong , Cui Yuanyuan , Hou Dongjie , Wang Hanming
Published: June 2024

A five-year rainfall control experiment was conducted in-field on the Stipa breviflora desert steppe in Inner Mongolia, China. We set four precipitation gradients on the fenced grassland: reduce precipitation by 50%, P1; natural precipitation, P2; increase precipitation by 50%, P3; increase precipitation by 100%, P4. We used a portable photosynthesis system Li-6400 measured the ecosystem carbon and water fluxes of each plot during the growing season (May-October). Results showed that precipitation had a significant impact on ecosystem carbon exchange. With increasing precipitation, net ecosystem carbon exchange (NEE), ecosystem respiration (ER), gross ecosystem productivity (GEP), evapotranspiration (ET) and water use efficiency (WUE) increased by 1.89, 0.37, 2.21, 0.80 µmol·m-2·s-1 and 2.16 µmol·mmol-1, respectively. NEE、ER、GEP、WUE is more sensitive to precipitation. Increasing precipitation will significantly increase the aboveground biomass of C3 species and promote carbon flux. In summary, increasing precipitation will increase carbon flux and promote carbon sink on the desert steppe.
Research on the time and space Changing Trend of Air Pollutants in Beijing from 2014 to 2023
Authors: Xie Yangyang , Zhao Jiaqing
Published: June 2024

According to the concentration data of PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, O3, CO recorded at 35 monitoring stations in Beijing from January 1, 2014 to June 30, 2023, we analyzed the average annual and seasonal concentrations of air pollutants during this period, and investigated their temporal and spatial trends and possible influencing factors. Furthermore, we use Pearson correlation coefficient to study the relationship between these pollutants. The results show that the concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 decreased significantly during 2014 to 2022, but increased in 2023, while the concentrations of SO2, NO2 and CO decreased steadily, but the concentration of O3 increased slightly. The average annual concentrations of PM2.5, PM10 and SO2 were low in summer and autumn, high in spring and winter, the average annual concentration of NO2 is lowest in autumn, highest in winter, while the seasonal change of O3 is very significant, its is higher in summer and autumn, lowest in winter. The average annual concentrations of PM2.5, PM10 and NO2 in the central, southeast and southwest were significantly different from those in the northwest and northeast, with the former higher than the latter. The regional difference of SO2 and CO from 2014 to 2017 were the same as above, but the difference was not obvious after 2017. Throughout this period, the regional differences in the average annual concentration of O3 were always not obvious. There is a strong positive correlation among PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2 and CO, while the correlation between O3 and these five pollutants is weak or negative.
Spatial-channel Capsule Aggregated Network for Robust Facial Expression Recognition
Authors: Hu Bing , Liu Jin , Li Xingye , Li Yiyao , He Huihua
Published: June 2024

In recent years, deep learning techniques especially convolutional neural networks (CNNs), have shown significant progress in facial expression recognition. However, most prior studies are susceptible to the “fuzzy phenomena” in FER datasets, which is a common phenomenon in real-world scenarios. In addition, traditional CNNs are usually sensitive to rotations and pose variations in images, which is a common challenge in facial expression recognition because expressions can occur at different head postures. To address the above-mentioned problems, we propose a Spatial-channel Capsule Aggregated Network with Dynamic data Cleansing Module (SCAN-DCM). Specifically, we incorporate spatial and channel attention mechanism into vanilla capsule network for better capturing the relative position relationships and orientation features among the facial Action Units (AUs), enabling the model to adaptively perceive the facial AUs with high feature information density. Furthermore, the Dynamic data Cleansing Module (DCM) is proposed to address the “fuzzy phenomena” via enhancing the feature expressions of samples with high Contribution Coefficients (CC), suppressing those with low CC, and curing the wrongly labeled samples in the low CC. Extensive experiments are conducted on the FER datasets RAF-DB as well as FERPlus in natural scenes.SCAN-DCM achieves an accuracy of 82.83% on FERPlus and 86.28% on RAF-DB, which shows that our approach has remarkable performance.
Multilayer network analysis in patients with end-stage kidney disease: integrating insights into structural and functional layers
Authors: Yi Jiyae , Heo Chang Min , Park Bong Soo , Lee Yoo Jin , Park Sihyung , Kim Yang Wook , Lee Dong Ah , Park Kang Min , Kim Jinseung , Ko Junghae
Published: June 2024

Objectives
This study aimed to investigate alterations in a multilayer network combining structural and functional layers in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) compared with healthy controls.
Methods
In all, 38 ESKD patients and 43 healthy participants were prospectively enrolled. They exhibited normal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) without any structural lesions. All participants, both ESRD patients and healthy controls, underwent T1-weighted imaging, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) using the same three-tesla MRI scanner. A structural connectivity matrix was generated using the DTI and DSI programs, and a functional connectivity matrix was created using the rs-fMRI and SPM programs in the CONN toolbox. Multilayer network analysis was conducted based on structural and functional connectivity matrices using BRAPH.
Results
Significant differences were observed at the global level in the multilayer network between patients with ESKD and healthy controls. The weighted multiplex participation was lower in patients with ESKD than in healthy controls (0.6454 vs. 0.7212, adjusted p = 0.049). However, other multilayer network measures did not differ. The weighted multiplex participation in the right subcentral gyrus, right opercular part of the inferior frontal gyrus, right occipitotemporal medial lingual gyrus, and right postcentral gyrus in patients with ESKD was lower than that in the corresponding regions in healthy controls (0.6704 vs. 0.8562, 0.8593 vs. 0.9388, 0.7778 vs. 0.8849, and 0.6825 vs. 0.8112; adjusted p < 0.05, respectively).
Conclusion
This study demonstrated that the multilayer network combining structural and functional layers in patients with ESKD was different from that in healthy controls. The specific differences in weighted multiplex participation suggest potential disruptions in the integrated communication between different brain regions in these patients.
Profiling of urinary extracellular vesicle protein signatures from patients with cribriform and intraductal prostate carcinoma in a cross-sectional study
Authors: Matthiesen Rune , Carvalho Ana , Leão Ricardo , Sayyid Rashid , Pereira Hermínia , Beck Hans , Bernardino Rui , Pinheiro Luis , Henrique Rui , Fleshner Neil , Alves Liliana , Hall Michael
Published: June 2024

Prognostic tests and treatment approaches for optimized clinical care of prostatic neoplasms are an unmet need. Prostate cancer (PCa) and associated extracellular vesicles (EVs) proteome changes occur during initiation and progression of the disease. PCa tissue proteome has been previously characterized, but screening of tissue samples constitutes an invasive procedure. Consequently, we focused this study on liquid biopsies, such as urine samples. More specifically, urinary small extracellular vesicle and particles proteome profiles of 100 subjects were analyzed using liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). We identified 171 proteins that were differentially expressed between intraductal prostate cancer/cribriform (IDC/Crib) and non-IDC/non-Crib after correction for multiple testing. However, the strong correlation between IDC/Crib and Gleason Grade complicates the disentanglement of the underlying factors driving this association. Nevertheless, even after accounting for multiple testing and adjusting for ISUP (International Society of Urological Pathology) grading, two proteins continued to exhibit significant differential expression between IDC/Crib and non-IDC/non-Crib. Functional enrichment analysis based on cancer hallmark proteins disclosed a clear pattern of androgen response down-regulation in urinary EVs from IDC/Crib compared to non-IDC/non-Crib. Interestingly, proteome differences between IDC and cribriform were more subtle, suggesting high proteome heterogeneity. Overall, the urinary EV proteome reflect partly the prostate pathology.
Seismic Detection of a 600-km Solid Inner Core on Mars
Authors: Sun Daoyuan , Bi Huixing , Sun Ningyu , Mao Zhu , Dai Mingwei , Hemingway Douglas
Published: June 2024

For rocky planets, the presence of a solid inner core has strong implications for the composition and thermal evolution of the core and for the planet's magnetic history (refs.1-3). On Mars, geophysical observations have confirmed that the core is at least partially liquid (refs.4-7), but it has been unclear whether any part of the core is solid. Here we show from analysis of seismic data acquired by the InSight mission that Mars has a solid inner core. We identify two seismic phases, the deep core-transiting phase, PKKP, and the inner core boundary reflecting phase, PKiKP, indicative of the inner core. Our inversions constrain the radius of the Martian inner core to ~610±50 km, with a compressional velocity jump of ~30% across the inner core boundary. These inner core properties imply a concentration of distinct light elements, supporting inner core crystallization following a “snowing-core” model (ref.8), indicating a relatively low temperature on Mars. This finding provides an anchor point for understanding the thermal and chemical state of Mars. Additionally, the relationship between inner core formation and the Martian magnetic field evolution could offer critical insights into dynamo generation across planetary bodies.
Microglia Depletion Reduces Neurodegeneration and Remodels Extracellular Matrix in a Mouse Parkinson’s Disease Model Triggered by α-Synuclein Overexpression
Authors: Zhang Ting , Zhang Zhen , Guo Jiali , Niu Kun , Huang Taoying , Xarbat Gongbikai , Gong Xiaoli , Cheng Shan , Yang Fei , Liu Zhaoyuan , Ginhoux Florent
Published: June 2024

Chronic neuroinflammation with sustained microglial activation occurs in Parkinson’s disease (PD), yet whether these cells contribute to the motor deficits and neurodegeneration in PD remains poorly understood. In this study, we induced progressive dopaminergic neuron loss in mice for 8 weeks via rAAV-hSYN injection to cause the neuronal expression of α-synuclein, which produced neuroinflammation and behavioral alterations. We administered PLX5622, a colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor inhibitor, for 3 weeks prior to rAAV-hSYN injection, maintaining it for 8 weeks to eliminate microglia. This chronic treatment paradigm prevented the development of motor deficits and concomitantly preserved dopaminergic neuron cell and weakened α-synuclein phosphorylation. Astrocyte activation and C3+-astrocyte (A1-reactive) numbers were also decreased, providing evidence that reactive astrogliosis is dependent on microglia in PD mice. Gene expression profiles related to extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling were increased after microglia depletion in PD mice. We demonstrated that microglia exert adverse effects during α-synuclein-overexpression-induced neuronal lesion formation, and their depletion remodels ECM and aids recovery following insult.
Application value of surgical navigation system based on deep learning and mixed reality for guiding puncture in percutaneous nephrolithotomy： a retrospective study
Authors: Meng Xiangjun , Luo Daosheng , Mo Rujun
Published: June 2024

Background—
Percutaneous puncture is the most critical step in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical value of a navigation system based on deep learning and mixed reality for the treatment of kidney stones with percutaneous nephrolithotomy, and to improve its theoretical basis for the treatment of kidney stones.
Methods—
The data of 136 patients with kidney stones from October 2021 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy, and were categorized into a control group (Group 1) and a surgical navigation group (Group 2) according to puncture positioning method. Preoperative computed tomography (CT) was performed in both groups. In group 1, the puncture location was determined according to CT. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy was performed with navigation system in group 2. The baseline information and procedural characteristics of both groups were compared.
Results—
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy was successfully performed in both groups. No significant difference was found in the baseline date between the two groups. In group 2, real-time ultrasound images could be accurately matched with CT images with the aid of navigation system. The success rate of single puncture, puncture time, and decrease in hemoglobin were significantly improved in group 2 compared to group 1. (p < 0.05).
Conclusions—
The application of navigation system based on deep learning and mixed reality in percutaneous nephrolithotomy for kidney stones allows for real-time intraoperative navigation, with acceptable accuracy and safety. Most importantly, this technique is easily mastered, particularly by novice surgeons in the field of percutaneous nephrolithotomy.
Trial registration
This study was retrospectively registered in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, registration number: ChiCTR2400079909, date of registration: 2024-1-16.
Does Intensivist Management of Organ Donors with Death by Neurological Criteria Result in Increased Organ Yield?
Authors: Atluri Sahaja , Bly Jacob D. , Terrill Danielle M. , Iliakova Maria , Mendez Marissa , Briggs Kayla , Neel Dustin R. , Johnson Scott S. , Whitt Steven P. , Olson Jody , Wang Xi , Kim Samuel , Moncure Michael , Menon Pooja , Atluri Anirudh , Markham Lori , Ott Melissa , Sander Scott , Vasquez Donald
Published: June 2024

Objective:
To determine whether intensivist management of donors increases the number of organs available for transplantation from organ donors with death by neurological criteria.
Setting:
The Midwest Transplant Network from January 2003 – October 2018.
Interventions:
Intensivist physicians engaged in donor management. Comparison of total number of donors, donor age, and organs transplanted of all organ types before and after intensivist management. Analysis using ANOVA and 2 sample t-test used to compare organ donations before and after intensivist management with a p-value of < 0.05 deemed statistically significant.
Results:
The number of organs transplanted showed a statistically significant increase after intensivist management for most organs. The number of organs transplanted increased by 38% (p-value = 0.009) and the number of donors increased by 28% (p-value = 0.026) following intensivist management. Donor age was significantly higher post-intensivist management (35.83 ± 18.79 vs. 38.89 ± 22.86, p-value = 0.0007). The number of organs transplanted per donor increased significantly after intensivist management (2.76 ± 1.82 vs 2.94 ± 1.89, p-value = 0.038).
Conclusion:
Our data suggest an increase in organs transplanted per donor may be associated with the involvement of a critical care specialist. Future research should explore the exact patient-centered implications.
Non-surgical treatment of residual periodontal pockets using sodium hypochlorite/amino acid gel and cross-linked hyaluronic acid - a 9-month pilot randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Benyei Laura , Friedmann Anton , Ostermann Thomas , Diehl Daniel
Published: June 2024

Objectives:
This pilot randomized controlled clinical trial compares the clinical outcome obtained in persistent periodontal pockets during 9-month follow-up of supportive periodontal step 4 treatment performed by either combining subgingival instrumentation with adjunctives or subgingival instrumentation alone.
Materials and methods:
Study protocol is registered under NCT06438354 at Clinicaltrials.gov. Patients seeking further therapy after completed step 2 non-surgical periodontal treatment underwent either repeated subgingival instrumentation with adjunctive application of sodium hypochlorite/amino acid gel and crosslinked hyaluronic acid (group A) or repeated subgingival instrumentation (group B). One calibrated investigator performed the treatment sequence in both groups accordingly. Subgingival instrumentation of the residual pockets was carried out under local anaesthesia using hand- and ultrasonic instruments, as well as air polishing in both groups. Patients were instructed to continue oral hygiene without any restriction. At 3-month re-evaluation treatment was repeated accordingly at sites with persistent 5mm probing depth and BoP+. Parameters clinical attachment level (CAL), probing depth (PD), gingival recession (GR), and bleeding on probing (BoP) were recorded at baseline (T1), 3- (T2) and 9-month (T3) post-op.
Results:
In total 52 patients (20 females and 32 males, mean age 58.4±2.4 years) presenting with 1448 sites were enrolled. Both groups exhibited homogeneity in terms of age, gender, smoking habit, initial number of sites, and BOP. At 9-month evaluation, PD reduction and CAL gain showed significant differences between the test and control group, favouring the adjunctive treatment. GR tended to exhibit more recovery in the test group compared to the control group. Although BOP frequency effectively reduced in both groups, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups.
Conclusion:
Within the limits of the study, the present data indicates that, during subgingival instrumentation of persistent pockets, the adjunctive usage of sodium hypochlorite/amino acid gel and xHyA sufficiently improves the clinical outcome. The continuous improvement of CAL in association with the GR scores observed in group A, indicates that sites subjected to adjunctive treatment may exhibit regenerative response to treatment within the 9-month follow-up period.
Ultra-radical surgery versus standard-radical surgery for the primary cytoreduction of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer; Long-term tertiary center experiences
Authors: Aksan Alperen , Boran Nurettin , Coteli Ayse Sinem Duru , Ustun Yaprak
Published: June 2024

Purpose
To compare overall survival (OS) and morbidity outcomes in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian/tubal/peritoneal cancer undergoing standard-radical (SR) and ultra-radical (UR) surgical procedures based on NICE classification.
Materials and Methods
This retrospective study analyzed data from 282 patients with 2014 FIGO stage III-IV epithelial ovarian cancer operated on between January 2006 and January 2019. The study compared OS, progression-free survival (PFS), and morbidity between SR and UR surgeries. Parameters influencing OS, including preoperative, postoperative, and post-adjuvant chemotherapy CA-125 values, surgical procedures, post-surgical residual tumor, histopathological grade, and FIGO surgical stage, were assessed.
Results
Out of 282 patients, 256 met the inclusion criteria. SR surgery was performed in 48%, and UR surgery in 52%. The mean preoperative CA-125 value was 1200 ± 1914.83, decreasing to 240.32 ± 373.87 postoperatively. The mean follow-up period was 63.01 ± 47.56 months. UR surgery correlated with significantly higher postoperative complications (p < 0.001), histopathological grade (p = 0.023), FIGO stage (p < 0.001), three-year death rates, and overall mortality rates (p = 0.035). FIGO stage and total metastatic lymph nodes emerged as independent prognostic factors for overall and PFS.
Conclusion
In the treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer, evaluating the extent of the tumor before the surgery and showing maximal effort to minimize the residual tumor volume instead of applying UR procedures as the first choice seems to be the most important factor that can affect survival.
Assessment of the Accuracies of Multibeam Calibration Values and the Depth between Real-Time Kinematics and Precise Point Positioning
Authors: DEVOTE BASIL
Published: June 2024

Calibration of measurement equipment in the marine environment is critical in the attainment of expected accuracies. Multibeam device calibration is an important component of any hydrographic survey operations. The involves determining of the alignment angle between the multibeam sonar, motion sensor, and gyroscope, and accounts for the time delay (latency) between the sensors. Any errors in the positioning of the survey vessel will affect the multibeam calibration values and introduce systematic errors in the entire dataset. The main purpose of this work is to investigate the effects of horizontal and vertical positioning errors from two different GNSS positioning methods; Real-Time Kinematics (RTK) and Precise Point Positioning (PPP) methods, on the multibeam calibration values with varying depths. The approach involves the horizontal position of the pings as determined by integrating GNSS with inertial navigation systems using Kalman filtering techniques. The bathymetric depth determination is based on the ellipsoidal reference system using the EGM 2008 geoid model with a chart datum offset. The positioning and motion data were postprocessed to achieve the highest possible accuracy in the determination of the calibration parameters. The results show that the accuracy of the calibration value is a function of the positioning solutions. The RTK GNSS solution yields calibration value of \(-0.2{6}^{0}\pm 0.02, 2.5{6}^{0}\pm 0.14,\) and \(-1.4{4}^{0}\pm 0.07,\) for the roll, pitch and heading respectively, with a standard error of \(2.514{cm/m}^{2}\). The PPP GNSS solution gives a calibration value of\(-0.2{6}^{0}\pm 0.02, 2.{67}^{0}\pm 0.08,\) and \(-1.2{1}^{0}\pm 0.13,\) for roll, pitch and heading respectively, with a standard deviation of \(3.203{cm/m}^{2}\). The calibration values were used as systematic corrections in multibeam bathymetric surveys to improve the accuracy of the bathymetric data. The results show a deviation of 0.22m to 0.86m between the RTK derived bathymetric depth and the PPP derived bathymetric depth.
Timing and sequence of gingival penetrance of permanent teeth in Korean children : a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Kim Sung-Joo , Hyun Hong-Keun , Song Ji-Soo
Published: June 2024

Background
The timing and sequence of gingival penetrance are important for evaluating dental maturity and can be affected by racial differences and secular trends. This retrospective cohort study confirms the timing and sequence of gingival penetrance of permanent teeth in Korean children through panoramic radiography.
Methods
Analysis of 1,470 panoramic radiographs taken from January to December 2021 was conducted. Patients with systemic disease, maxillofacial deformity, pathologies in jaws, ectopic eruption, and tooth agenesis were excluded. Age, sex, and Demirjian developmental stage at gingival penetrance were evaluated. Comparisons were made between sex and between teeth with and without previous pulp treatment of primary antecedents. Furthermore, the sequence of gingival penetrance was investigated.
Results
The mandibular central incisor was the first to penetrate the gingiva at the age of 6.02 years. The maxillary teeth erupted later than mandibular teeth. Pulp treatment of primary molars accelerated gingival penetrance of permanent successors. Females experienced gingival penetrance earlier than males. All teeth, except for maxillary second molar, showed gingival penetrance at Demirjian developmental stage F. The sequence of gingival penetration was slightly different between arches.
Conclusion
The mandibular central incisor was the first teeth that showed gingival penetrance. Gingival penetrance usually occurs at Demirjian stage F.
Reconstructive surgical therapy of peri-implant defects with ribose cross-linked collagen matrix and crosslinked hyaluronic acid – a prospective case series
Authors: Friedmann Anton , Jung Rico , Bilhan Hakan , Ghawi-Begovic Hanan Al , Kauffmann Frederic , Diehl Daniel
Published: June 2024

Aims
This prospective case series investigated the efficacy of ribose-crosslinked collagen (RCLC) matrices functionalized by crosslinked hyaluronic acid (xHya) for reconstructive treatment of class I and III (b-c) peri-implantitis lesions in a transmucosal healing mode.
Materials and Methods:
Thirteen patients presenting with 15 implants were included. Upon flap reflection, the implants were thoroughly decontaminated employing glycine powder air polishing and adjunctive sodium hypochlorite. For defect augmentation, xHyA was administered to the bony defect walls, exposed implant surfaces, and the RCLC matrix before defect grafting. The full-thickness flap was readapted and sutured around the implant neck for transmucosal healing. Baseline and respective values at the 12 months post-op evaluation were recorded for the clinical parameters peri-implant probing depth (PPD) and bleeding on probing (BoP). Furthermore, two independent investigators analyzed radiographic changes in the defect area.
Results:
The initial mean PPD was 7.2±1.9 mm, and BoP was present in 63% of sites. After 12 months, PPD at the latest visit was 3.2±0.66 mm, which amounted to a respective 3.9±1.85mmreduction, while the BoP frequency dropped to 10% at all sites. Radiographic bone fill was accomplished for 62.8 % of the former defect area, accompanied by a mean MBL gain of 1.02mm around the treated implants.
Conclusions:
Within the limits of this case series, we conclude that the proposed treatment sequence substantially improved peri-implant defects and offered a simplified but predictive technique.
Ghrelin's Role in Sepsis Intestinal Damage: Ferroptosis and Barrier Study
Authors: Hou Qiliang , Dou Zhimin , Zhu Lei , Li Bin
Published: June 2024

Objective: This study investigates the therapeutic efficacy of ghrelin in alleviating sepsis-induced intestinal damage, focusing on its potential to inhibit ferroptosis and protect intestinal barrier integrity.
Methods: Employing a cecal ligation and puncture model in C57BL/6 mice, we examined the impact of ghrelin and Ferrostatin-1 on bacterial load, intestinal morphology, systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, and ferroptosis markers. Our methodology included histopathological evaluations, cytokine profiling, oxidative stress assays, and analysis of ferroptosis indicators.
Results: Treatment with ghrelin significantly reduced bacterial proliferation, mitigated intestinal damage, and decreased systemic inflammation. Comparable outcomes were observed with Fer-1 treatment. Both interventions restored intestinal barrier functions, modulated inflammatory responses, and attenuated oxidative stress, indicating a suppression of the ferroptosis pathway.
Conclusion: Ghrelin exhibits a protective role in sepsis-induced intestinal injury, likely through the inhibition of ferroptosis. This mechanism underscores ghrelin's therapeutic potential in sepsis management, suggesting avenues for further clinical exploration.
Assessing the role of non-state actors in health service delivery and health system resilience in Myanmar
Authors: Than KK , Bertone Maria Paola , La T , Witter Sophie
Published: June 2024

Background
Due to the weaknesses of the public health system and its low reach, especially in border areas, provision of health services by non-state actors (NSAs) has historically played an important role in Myanmar. NSAs include local and international NGOs and civil society organisations (CSOs), but also Ethnic Health Organisations (EHOs) in the border areas, as well as the private (for profit) sector. This study aims to understand the changing role of NSAs in the shifting political environment of Myanmar between 2010 and 2022, and to explore their contribution to health system resilience.
Methods
Our study includes three main components: a documentary review (n = 22), key informant interviews (KIIs) at central level (n = 14) and two township-level case studies (13 KIIs, 4 FGDs). Mostly qualitative data were collected in 2022 and synthesized, using a health system resilience framework to structure the analysis.
Results
During the transition period (2010–2014) and the new political era (2015–2020), while the country gradually transitioned to a democratic system, the government increasingly recognized NSAs. Initially, engagement with NSAs remained focused on disease-specific activities and government oversight was limited, but later it expanded to health system strengthening, including the start of a “convergence” with ethnic health systems. Progress was relatively slow, but defined by a clear vision and plans. The military coup of February 2021 brought a halt to this progress. Collaboration between government and NSAs was interrupted, and NSAs restored previous practices and parallel systems. Initially, most health service provision stopped, but with time coping strategies emerged, which showed the capacity of NSAs to absorb the shocks (focusing on basic services; using informal communication channels; maintaining buffer stocks of supplies) and adapt (changing modes of delivery and supply chains, and adjusting HRH training).
Conclusions
The study highlights the role of NSAs during crises, and provides insights on how the resilience capacities built over time by NSAs to provide services in adverse circumstances have informed the response to the latest crisis. While strategies of absorption and adaptation are noted in the study, we did not identify any transformation strategy – which might indicate the difficulty of NSAs to introduce radical changes when subjected to multiple shocks and a hostile political environment.
YeeE-like bacterial SoxT proteins mediate sulfur import for oxidation and signal transduction
Authors: Dahl Christiane , Li Jingjing , Göbel Fabienne , Hsu Hsun , Koch Julian , Hager Natalie , Flegler Wanda , Tanabe Tomohisa
Published: June 2024

Many sulfur-oxidizing prokaryotes oxidize sulfur compounds through a combination of initial extracytoplasmic and downstream cytoplasmic reactions. Facultative sulfur oxidizers adjust transcription to sulfur availability. While sulfur-oxidizing enzymes and transcriptional repressors have been extensively studied, sulfur import into the cytoplasm and how regulators sense external sulfur are poorly understood. Addressing this gap, we show that SoxT1A and SoxT1B, which resemble YeeE/YedE-family thiosulfate transporters and are encoded alongside sulfur oxidation and transcriptional regulation genes, fulfill these roles in the Alphaproteobacterium Hyphomicrobium denitrificans. SoxT1A mutants are sulfur oxidation-negative despite high transcription levels of sulfur oxidation genes, showing that SoxT1A delivers sulfur to the cytoplasm for its further oxidation. SoxT1B serves as a signal transduction unit for the transcriptional repressor SoxR, as SoxT1B mutants are sulfur oxidation-negative due to low transcription unless SoxR is also absent. Thus, SoxT1A and SoxT1B play essential but distinct roles in oxidative sulfur metabolism and its regulation.
Impacts of clinical psychiatric posting experience on specialization intention and associated factors among Nursing Science students
Authors: Stanley NJAKA , Hassan INTAN Idiana Binti , Nwedu AARON Beryl , Bakar RAISHAN Shafini Binti , Cheng KUEH Yee
Published: June 2024

Background
Globally, there is increasingly high prevalence of mental disorders across all age groups and social classes with more being projected by 2030 but without commensurate resources for mental health care delivery especially in developing countries.
Purpose
This study assessed the career choice in psychiatry before and after clinical psychiatric posting and associated factors among nursing students.
Methods
A prospective cohort research design was used and data collected using ATP, MICA-4 and researcher developed questionnaires on career choice in pre and post clinical posting approach. A sample size of 800 students (400 before posting and another 400 students after posting) were involved in the study. Data were coded, cleaned and analyzed using SPSS version 26. McNemar Test was used to determine the effects of clinical posting on career choices in psychiatry. Simple and multiple logistic regressions were used to analyze data on determinants of career choices in psychiatry. The hypotheses were tested at p-value < 0.05.
Results
Psychiatric and mental health nursing was one of the least preferred specialty with 21(6%) respondents who showed interest before clinical posting and 25(7.1%) after the posting. Commonly preferred specialty choice was pediatric nursing (20.5%), community health nursing (17.1%) and midwifery (17.7%). McNemer test showed no statistically significant differences in choice of psychiatry before and after clinical posting. Key determinants of career choices were interest in psychiatry (AOR = 16.06(95% CI = 1.10, 129.01)P = 0.009), interest in community services (AOR = 4.01(95% CI = 1.32, 12.20)P = 0.014), family influence(AOR = 13.76(95% CI = 1.74, 108.57)p = 0.013) and job satisfaction(AOR = 0.10(95% CI = 0.03, 0.26)P < 0.001).
Conclusion
the researcher therefore concluded that key factors are responsible for the none choice of career in psychiatry and such should be put into consideration when planning measures to improve acceptability of the specialty area among the students..
Surgical and Non-Surgical Predictors of long term Erectile Function after Robot Assisted Radical Prostatectomy
Authors: Tillier CN , Cox IL , Hagens MJ , Nicolai MPJ , Muilekom HAM van , Leeuwen PJ van , de Poll-Franse LV van , Poel HG van der
Published: June 2024

Purpose
Robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) impairs erectile function (EF) due to the surgical procedure and non-surgical factors. Non-surgical factors may contribute to recovery of erectile function (EFR) after RARP. This study assessed the role of non-surgical factors including physical activity in baseline EF and EFR after prostatectomy.
Methods
Patient Reported Measure Outcomes questionnaires from patients with localized prostate carcinoma who underwent a RARP with a postoperative follow up (FU) of 3 years. EFR was defined as at least 70% EF recovery of baseline IIEF-EF. Physical activities was defined as no activity at all, once a week and ≥ 2 a week.
Results
In total 804 patients were included. At baseline, age, lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), having a partner and former smoking were significantly associated (p < .001) of EF. Postoperatively, the extent of nerve sparing and baseline EF were strongly associated with EFR (p < .001). Physical activity ≥ 2 a week predicted EF but only beyond 6 months of FU (p = .005, p = .028 and p = .007 at 1, 2 and 3 year FU respectively). Comorbidities, BMI and the use of medications known to affect EF were not predictive of EFR.
Conclusions
Age, LUTS, having a partner and former smoking were baseline associated with EF prior to RARP. Baseline EF and extent of nerve sparing jointly predicted EFR. Intensive physical activity was an independent predictor of EFR beyond the first year after RARP. Our findings suggests that besides clinical factors, lifestyle may also play a role in recovery of erectile function.
A flexible belt conveying system: self-organizing ofmicro-conveyor cells
Authors: Fang Yuanjie , Wang Ziqing , Xu Bing , Rui Zhaobiao , Li Dan
Published: June 2024

Conveyor systems play an important role in material transportation in industries. For the problems of lacking belt conveying system for flexible organization and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) transportation system,this paper proposes a flexible architecture micro-conveyor cells self-organized system into a belt conveying system. This architecture combines the advantages of both AGVs transportation system and belt conveying system well. First, this paper give the definitions of micro-conveyor cell and micro-conveyor self-organization architecture. Then, the path segmentation and secondary programming algorithms of micro-conveyor cell and self-organization are given, and the theorem of path segmentation without secondary programming is proved.Based on the architecture, the mechanical structure of micro-conveyor with 2 levels belt conveyor, which satisfies the definition of micro-conveyor and made into prototype machine further, is designed. Finally, the above algorithms and theorem are verified by MATLAB simulation experiments and the experimental results show its effectiveness.
Challenging the status quo: Methylene blue at recommended concentrations alters metabolism in early zebrafish development
Authors: Mennigen Jan , Nipu Niepukolie , Wei Lai , Lee Hyojin , Thomas Jith
Published: June 2024

Methylene blue (MB) is an antifungal agent widely used during critical stages of zebrafish development. Most guidelines recommend 0.00005% or 0.0001% of MB for embryo/larval rearing. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development zebrafish embryo toxicity test guideline omits MB recommendations, leading to inconsistent MB use in zebrafish research. Because MB affects oxidative energy metabolism in vitro and in vivo, we investigated possible metabolic effects of recommended MB concentrations in developing zebrafish (1-5 days post-fertilization (dpf)). MB increased O2 consumption rate at 1 dpf, followed by an overall reduction in oxidative energy metabolism in post-hatch eleutheroembryos (4-5 dpf). Concomitantly, mitochondrial transcripts decreased in 1 and 4 dpf zebrafish. Our findings show that MB, at recommended husbandry concentrations, affects oxidative metabolism and can thus confound experiments. Since the zebrafish embryo/larval model is gaining traction as a high-throughput New Approach Methodology (NAM) for toxicity assessment, researchers should reconsider MB use.
Poly(ether-ketone)/Silica Nanocomposites: Storage Modulus and Hardness
Authors: Joshi Mandar , Goyal Akhilesh , Gadve Roshan , Upadhyay Gautam , GOYAL RAJENDRA KUMAR
Published: June 2024

Dynamic mechanical properties of the poly(ether-ketone) (PEK) based nanocomposites reinforced with 0–30 wt.% (0-20.2 vol.%) SiO2 nanoparticles (20–40 nm) were investigated at 1 Hz over the temperature range of 30–250°C for the application in printed circuit boards/electronic substrates. It was found that uniform dispersion of SiO2 nanoparticles in the PEK matrix resulted in significant increase in storage modulus and microhardness. The highest increase in storage modulus measured at 50 ℃ (glassy region) and 250 ℃ (rubbery region) was more than 100% and 250% than that of neat PEK, respectively. A linear relationship between the storage modulus and microhardness of the nanocomposites with a correlation factor (R2) of 0.96 was obtained. The ratio of storage modulus to microhardness (E′/H) was ~ 0.09. The nanocomposites exhibited lower peak values of the tan δ than that of neat PEK. Scanning electron microscopy revealed good interfacial adhesion between the PEK matrix and the SiO2 nanoparticles which was validated by Kubat parameter. The glass transition temperatures determined from the loss modulus and tan δ are slightly increased for the nanocomposites. However, differential scanning calorimetry could not detect glass transition temperature.
Investigation and validation of stereocilia development in homogenic cochlea progenitor cell organoid using bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing analysis
Authors: Lee Min Young , Carpena Nathaniel , Chang So-Young , Mun Seyoung , Kim Kyung Wook , Yoon Hyun C , Mo Ji-Hun , Chung Phil=Sang , Ahn Jin-Chul , Han Kyudong , Choi Ji Eun , Jung Jae Yun , Park Ji On
Published: June 2024

The hair cell (HC)s exhibit mechanoelectrical transduction that is enabled by stereocilia. Leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5) is known to be involved in the generation of HCs. The stripping method is widely used to differentiate LGR5 progenitor cells (LPC) into inner-ear organoids. However, cells separated via stripping are heterotypic, making it impossible to identify specific cell–cell interactions that affect differentiation. Therefore, methods are needed to differentiate homotypic LPCs. We performed homotypic differentiation of LPCs, and eventually observed HC like cells. However, in further analysis of cellular morphology, immature stereocilia was identified from organoids grown from homotypic LPCs. Using bulk RNA-seq, downregulation of morphogenesis-related genes was identified in organoid by homotypic LPCs. We assessed the effects of an SHH agonist and found that it induced the generation of further differentiated stereocilia. This was confirmed by electron microscopy and significantly heightened expression of stereocilia-related genes (Pls, LMO7, LRBA). Using scRNA-seq, we concentrated on various cochlear markers, including stereocilia formation, to identify cell types that shared a similar developmental trajectory with HCs. Among them, cluster 11 showed robust expression of stereocilia-related genes including Espn, Lhfpl5, Loxhd1, and Tmc1. Further functionality of the cells with this mature stereocilia was confirmed by electrophysiology using multielectrode array.
Duration of Effect in Treatment of Methotrexate Intolerance in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis using Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) can be Improved by Bi-lateral Alternating Stimulation Tactile (BLAST) Wristbands
Authors: Höfel Lea , Eppler Bruno , Haas Johannes-Peter , Hugle Boris
Published: June 2024

Background: Methotrexate (MTX) intolerance in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) frequently leads to discontinuation due to anticipatory and associative gastrointestinal symptoms. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) has successfully been used in MTX intolerance, with lasting effects but frequently diminishing efficacy over time. BLAST (bi-lateral alternating stimulation tactile) wristbands utilize a similar process to EMDR. The aim of this study was to determine if utilization of BLAST wristbands could improve and prolong the effect of EMDR on patients with MTX intolerance.
Methods: Consecutive patients admitted to the German Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology with JIA and signs of MTX intolerance from October 2016 until March 2024 were included in this study. Treatment was performed using an adapted 8 phase EMDR protocol implementing BAST wristbands. Initial patients were treated with EMDR, subsequent patients additionally with BLAST wristbands.
Health-related quality of live was determined using the PedsQL. Measurements of MISS and PedsQL were taken at 4 time points: directly before and after (MISS only) treatment, as well as 4 and 12 months after treatment. Changes in MISS and PedsQL were compared using descriptive statistics and repeated measures ANOVA.
Results: 87 patients with MTX intolerance were included, 53 in group 1 without BLAST wristbands and 34 in group 2 which were concurrently treated with BLAST wristbands.
All patients reported marked improvement of MTX intolerance symptoms (mean MISS score group 1: 15.0 ± 5.5 before treatment, 1.3 ± 1.5 after treatment, group 2: 16.8 ± 5.6 and 2.5 ± 2.5, respectively). After 4 and 12 months, MISS in group 1 was 8.1 ± 7.1 and 8.7 ± 8.4, and in group 2: 7.1 ± 6.3 and 6.5 ± 5.7. A repeated measures ANOVA showed a significant difference between the MISS results over time (F(3,114) = 64.6, p < 0.001), and also demonstrated a significant difference of the PedsQL results between the two groups over time (F(2,64) = 8.9, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Treatment with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) presents an effective treatment of MTX intolerance, and further significant improvement can be achieved using BLAST wristbands.
Alterations in cerebral perfusion and corresponding brain functional networks in NPSLE with cognitive impairment
Authors: Liu Huiyang , Liu Hu , Tian Bailing , Sun Zhen , Xiong Wen , Yang Pingting , Fan Guoguang
Published: June 2024

Background: Cognitive impairment (CI) frequently occurs in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and may result from neuroinflammation processes and vascular changes in the brain. The cerebral hemodynamics underlying SLE with CI (SLE-CI) remain unclear. We aimed to explore changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF) and intrinsic functional connectivity (FC) in patients with SLE-CI.
Methods: We enrolled 97 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 51 heathy controls (HCs) matched for age and gender. The CI status of patients was measured using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Based on the findings, the patients were subdivided into two subgroups, the SLE-CI (n = 40) and SLE-NC (n = 57) subgroups. Sagittal three-dimensionT1-weighted (3D-T1), arterial spin labeling (ASL) and resting-state functional (rs-fMRI) sequences were obtained. Seed-based FC was calculated using the CBF results as regions of interest (ROIs). Correlation analysis was performed for further examination of differences in alterations and clinical scores between the patient subgroups.
Results: Compared with patients with SLE-NC, patients with SLE-CI had higher CBF in the left hippocampus, thalamus, and cerebellum crus II and lower CBF in the left frontal lobe. Left hippocampus gray matter (GM) atrophy was detected in patients with SLE-CI but not in patients with SLE-NC. Secondary analyses revealed that compared with patients with SLE-NC, patients with SLE-CI had increased FC of the left insula gyrus when the left cerebellum crus II was set as the seed region and decreased FC in the homolateral parahippocampus when the left hippocampus was set as the seed region. Correlation analysis revealed that CBF in the left hippocampus, cerebellum, and thalamus was negatively associated with MoCA and memory scores and slightly positively associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) scores. CBF in the left frontal lobe was positively associated with MoCA and visual space execution capability scores and slightly negatively associated with SLEDAI scores and serum double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) titer.
Conclusion: The changes of structure, function, and network in hippocampus gray matter may be biomarkers of cognitive impairment in patients with NPSLE.
Maternal Health-related Behaviors: The Moderating Effect of Pre-pregnancy Smoking on the Association Between Pre-pregnancy Folic Acid Intake and Breastfeeding Duration
Authors: Artzi-Medvedik Rada , Santos Sueny Paloma Lima dos , Haile Zelalem T. , Chertok Ilana R.A.
Published: June 2024

Background
There is limited research on the interaction between pre-pregnancy behaviours of folic acid intake and smoking, and breastfeeding duration. Pre-pregnancy folic acid intake and breastfeeding are health promoting behaviours benefiting mothers and infants, whereas smoking has adverse effects. This study aims to examine the association between maternal pre-pregnancy folic acid intake frequency and 3-month breastfeeding with further examination of the moderating influence of pre-pregnancy smoking.
Methods
A secondary data analysis was conducted using data from the 2016–2019 Pregnancy Risk Assessment and Monitoring System (n = 70,947 postpartum mothers).
Results
Overall, 28.5% did not breastfeed at least 3 months, 42.0% reported not taking folic acid pre-pregnancy, and 13.2% reported pre-pregnancy smoking. In the multivariable model, there was a significant interaction between pre-pregnancy smoking and folic acid intake on 3-month breastfeeding. For the subgroup of non-smokers, the odds of breastfeeding for at least 3 months were significantly higher among mothers who took folic acid (1 to 3 times per week, aOR 1.21, p = 0.001; 4 to 6 times per week aOR 1.74, p < 0.001; and daily aOR 1.25, p < 0.001; p-trend < 0.001) compared to those who did not take folic acid.
Conclusions
In the population-based study, pre-pregnancy folic acid intake was associated with higher odds of breastfeeding at least 3 months among women who did not smoke pre-pregnancy. Nurse-midwives and other healthcare professionals caring for women of childbearing age should encourage a positive health-promoting lifestyle before pregnancy, including folic acid intake and smoking abstinence, which may contribute to positive health behaviour of breastfeeding.