bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anatomic association between the gastrocolic trunk of Henle and right colic artery by high-quality CT venography
Authors: Zhao Xinzhe , Zhang Hongda , Zhao Hengyu , Kong Decan , Zeng Weijie , Gao Feng , Meng Xiaochun , Ke Jia
Published: September 2024

In hepatic flexure and transverse colon cancer surgeries, mobilizing the right mesocolon and precisely dissecting the gastrocolic trunk of Henle (GTH) are crucial. Previous classifications of GTH tributaries do not guide radical right hemicolectomy due to post-procedural anatomical acquisition. This study analyzed vessel associations, including the middle colic vein (MCV) converging site, right colic artery (RCA) presence, and other GTH tributaries, using ultra-thin CT for reconstruction. GTH anatomy was categorized into medial and lateral types based on colic tributary convergence relative to ASPDV. Results showed the colic tributary joined GTH lateral to ASPDV in 45.81% and medial in 54.19% of cases. RCA presence was strongly linked to the lateral GTH type (56.76% vs. 43.24%, p < 0.001) when RCA was absent. MCV converged into the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) on the left side in 23.15% of cases, correlating with the right colic vein presence (odds ratio = 3.563, p = 0.007). This novel GTH variation pattern via high-level CT venography significantly correlates with RCA presence, aiding surgeons in anticipating GTH anatomy during laparoscopic radical right hemicolectomy.
Impact of Water Absorption on the Mechanical Properties of PLA and PLA/CF Composites with Reduced Infill Density
Authors: N VINOTH BABU , Venkateshwaran N , Vandhana Catherine , Shivakumar Rohit
Published: September 2024

Additively manufactured Polylactic Acid (PLA) and Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polylactic Acid (PLA/CF) composites are promising materials for use in applications involving moisture environments. Carbon fiber (CF) is known to enhance the mechanical properties of PLA composites. However, recent studies suggest that the addition of CF may not consistently improve mechanical performance under moisture exposure. Moreover, most existing studies on moisture absorption use specimens with 100% infill density, whereas practical applications often require reduced material usage to enhance performance under loads with reduced weight, necessitating infill densities lower than 100%. One of the critical aspects of additive manufacturing is the integration of topology optimization in products, which often involves using less than 100% infill density to achieve optimized designs. This study aims to fill the gap in the literature by providing valuable insights into the effects of moisture absorption on PLA and PLA/CF composites with less than 100% infill density. This study aims to conduct a comparative analysis between PLA and PLA/CF in moisture environments by immersing samples in distilled water and sea water for a period of five weeks. Results indicate that PLA/CF composites exhibit higher moisture absorption rates and more significant dimensional changes compared to pure PLA, particularly when exposed to sea water. Mechanical testing, including tensile, flexural, and inter-laminar shear strength (ILSS) tests, as well as vibration tests, reveals that both materials experience strength degradation due to water absorption, with PLA/CF showing more pronounced reductions, especially in sea water conditions.
Development of a Nomogram Model for Predicting Severe Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Pneumonia in Children and Adolescents: A Multivariate Analysis Approach
Authors: Sun Qi , Zhou Ying , Cao Tong , Lu Jing , Li Songtao , Zhou Jin
Published: September 2024

The objective of this study was to develop a nomogram model for the prediction of severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (SMPP) in children and adolescent. Through multivariate analysis, a total of six predictors, namely gender, PCR result, cough days, Neutrophil (N), hemoglobin (Hb), and platelet (PLT) were identified. These predictors were then incorporated into a nomogram to estimate the likelihood of developing SMPP. The nomogram exhibited favorable predictive accuracy, as evidenced by a C-index of 0.865. Moreover, and the discriminative ability of the nomogram was validated through ROC analysis, yielding an AUC value of 0.865. Furthermore, the clinical utility of the nomogram was evaluated by employing DCA curves, which demonstrated its efficacy in predicting the occurrence of severe pneumonia. Additionally, mediation analysis elucidated that cough days, N and PLT partially mediated the relationship between PCR result and the development of SMPP. In summary, our findings indicate that the nomogram holds significant potential as a valuable predictive tool for clinicians in the context of SMPP.
A multi-observer study on the effectiveness of Dual-energy CT in diagnosing sacral fractures: assessment of diagnostic accuracy and intra- and inter-rater reliabilities
Authors: Oda Takahiro , Kitada Shimpei , Hirase Hitoshi , Iwasa Kenjiro , Niikura Takahiro
Published: September 2024

Purpose
Evaluating sacral fractures is crucial in fragility fractures of the pelvis. Dual-energy CT (DECT) is considered useful for diagnosing unclear fractures on single-energy CT (SECT). This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of DECT in diagnosing sacral fractures.
Methods
Thirty cases suspected of sacral fractures who underwent SECT, DECT, and MRI, and were diagnosed for the presence of fractures by three inexperienced surgeons (group I) and three experienced surgeons (group E). Diagnoses were made initially using SECT (pre-DECT) and then reassessed including DECT (post-DECT). This process was repeated twice. Presence of fractures was determined based on MRI. Sensitivity, specificity, inter-rater and intra-rater reliability, and diagnostic accuracy were calculated. Diagnostic accuracy was statistically compared between two groups.
Results
Sensitivity was 0.73 in pre-DECT and 0.9 in post-DECT, while specificity was 0.83 in pre-DECT and 0.91 in post-DECT. Sensitivity significantly improved with the addition of DECT (McNemar test: p < 0.001). Intra-rater reliability (Fleiss' kappa coefficient) was 0.44 in pre-DECT and 0.76 in post-DECT. Inter-rater reliability (Cohen's kappa coefficient) was 0.6 in pre-DECT and 0.81 in post-DECT. Diagnostic accuracy was significantly lower in group I than group E in pre-DECT (P = 0.019, 0.048), but there was no significant difference between two groups in post-DECT.
Conclusion
Combined use of DECT with SECT improved the detection rate of sacral fractures and enhanced intra-rater and inter-rater reliability. High diagnostic accuracy was achieved regardless of the observer's experience. These results indicate that DECT is a useful imaging modality for diagnosing sacral fractures.
Case Report: CSF hypotension secondary to a free syringo subarachnoid peritoneal shunt
Authors: Johnson Agustin Ruiz , Rugilo Carlos Adrian , Argañaraz Romina Alejandra
Published: September 2024

Syringomyelia is present in 40% of pediatric patients with Chiari malformation. Typically treated with posterior fossa decompression, some cases require further intervention such as syrinx shunting. We report a 16-year-old female with Chiari type 1 malformation and syringomyelia who underwent posterior fossa decompression and subsequent free syringo-subarachnoid-peritoneal shunting. The patient developed symptoms of CSF overdrainage, and imaging indicated CSF hypotension. Distal catheter ligation temporarily improved symptoms, but eventually, a programmable ventricular shunt was necessary due to shunt dependence. This case highlights the rare complication of CSF overdrainage from syrinx shunting and the importance of shunt selection considerations.
Reduplicative paramnesia after right basal ganglia hemorrhage
Authors: Fellbrich Anja , Heldmann Marcus , Münte Thomas F.
Published: September 2024

Background
Reduplicative paramnesia (RP) is a delusional misidentification syndrome first described by Arnold Pick in which individuals believe they are in a duplicate location. RP can manifest as place reduplication, chimeric assimilation, or confabulatory mislocation, with parallels to person misidentification syndromes like Capgras and Fregoli. Though associated with various conditions, stroke-induced lesions are the most common cause, as evidenced by studies identifying brain network disruptions linked to RP.
Case presentation
This case study involves a 71-year-old hypertensive male who presented with a right-sided caudate nucleus hemorrhage, leading to intensive care, ventricular drainage, and rehabilitation. Fourteen months post-stroke, the patient exhibited delusional beliefs that his apartment had been swapped with a similar one in another town. Comprehensive neuropsychological assessment and advanced neuroimaging were performed to elucidate the underlying neural correlates. Neuropsychological testing revealed normal verbal memory and interference control but significant deficits in spatial perception and memory for geometrical shapes. Neuroimaging identified a lesion centered upon the right caudate nucleus, consistent with structural disconnection maps associated with RP.
Conclusions
This case highlights RP as complication following stroke, in this case due to functional disconnection of frontal and temporal regions on the right hemisphere. The findings underscore the importance of considering RP in differential diagnoses of post-stroke confusion and the potential utility of advanced imaging techniques in identifying at-risk patients.
Israeli smoking cessation practitioner’s knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding electronic cigarettes
Authors: Aperman-Itzhak Tal , Izhak Marina Ben , Bar-Zeev Yael
Published: September 2024

Background
Fewer than 2.5% of people who smoke in Israel use evidence based smoking cessation support each year. Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes( role in smoking cessation remains debated, with some clinical guidelines from other countries, albeit not in Israel, promoting it as a harm-reduction tool for people who smoke and are unable or unwilling to quit smoking. E-cigarettes are currently regulated in Israel as all other tobacco products, with restrictions on marketing and use. This study explored knowledge, attitudes, and practices of smoking cessation counselors in Israel towards e-cigarettes.
Methods
Online cross-sectional survey (March-May 2020) assessed Israeli smoking cessation counselors’ knowledge (10 true/false questions), attitudes (personal, general and regulation toward e-cigarettes, using 1–5 Likert scale), and recommendation practices (primary outcome: "do not use e-cigarettes" vs. recommending them in all or some circumstances). Logistic regression explored factors associated with recommending not to use e-cigarettes for smoking cessation.
Results
Overall, 90 Israeli smoking cessation counselors responded to the questionnaire. Mean knowledege score was 65.4% (SD 22.5), with only half correctly identifying e-cigarettes as tobacco-free. Mean personal attitude score was 3.5 (SD 0.9), with 78.9% agreeing that discussing e-cigarettes is part of their role. Mean general attitude score was 2.2 (SD 0.5), with 93.3% concerned about e-cigarettes as a gateway to tobacco use. Mean e-cigarettes regulation attitude score was 4.3 (SD 0.7), with 91.1% supporting a ban under age 21. A third of respondents (36.7%) recommended not to use e-cigarettes. Having a medical background (aOR = 6.6), stricter regulation attitudes (aOR = 4.9), and less positive general attitudes (aOR = 0.2) were associated with recommending not to use e-cigarettes.
Conclusion
Navigating the controversy surrounding e-cigarettes is crucial for optimal smoking cessation care. Negative counselors’ attitudes in Israel, linked to knowledge gaps and regulation framework, may hinder their use as a harm reduction tool for people who are unable or unwilling to quit smoking. Educational programs and clear guidelines are essential to facilitate evidence-based practices in smoking cessation.
JNK inhibition mitigates sepsis-associated encephalopathy via attenuation of neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis
Authors: Gagnani Riya , Singh Harshita , Suri Manisha , Bali Anjana
Published: September 2024

Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is a severe complication of sepsis, leading to cognitive dysfunction and neuronal damage. C-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs), a subset of the MAP kinase family, have attracted substantial interest for their role in cellular events during sepsis conditions. Previous investigations have established the involvement of JNK signaling against memory impairment and abnormal synaptic plasticity. However, the present study is the first to investigate the effects of JNK inhibition in sepsis-associated cerebral injury and cognitive impairments. This study investigated the neuroprotective effects of SP600125, a selective JNK inhibitor, in cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) mouse model of sepsis. CLP-induced sepsis resulted in significant cognitive impairments, as assessed by the open field test, inhibitory avoidance test, morris water maze, and novel object recognition test. Additionally, septic mice exhibited increased serum levels of neuronal injury markers (S100B and NSE), pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β), and oxidative stress markers (MDA), along with decreased antioxidant levels (GSH, SOD, and CAT). Histological analysis revealed neuronal pyknosis, degeneration, and loss of Nissl bodies in the cortex and hippocampus of septic mice. Furthermore, sepsis-induced blood-brain barrier dysfunction was evident from increased cerebral edema. Treatment with SP600125 (10, 30, and 50 mg/kg) significantly attenuated CLP-induced cognitive deficits, neuronal injury, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. The present study provides preliminary evidence that JNK inhibition by SP600125 exerts neuroprotective effects against sepsis-induced encephalopathy in vivo via suppression of neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis.
Environmental monitoring of La Concordia mine (Salta, Argentina): assessing heavy metal bioaccumulation and physiological responses of Parastrephia quadrangularis.
Authors: Gonzalez Matias A. , Cazón Josefina Plaza , Ruscitti Marcela
Published: September 2024

The Puna region is distinguished by its extreme environmental conditions and highly valuable mining resources. However, the unregulated management of mine tailings poses a significant threat to the ecological integrity of this region. This study presents a comprehensive investigation to assess the environmental impacts of mine tailings at La Concordia mine (Salta, Argentina) and examines the physiological and biochemical adaptations of Parastrephia quadrangularis that enable its survival under this extreme conditions. Our findings reveal that prolonged weathering of mine tailings results in the generation of acid mine drainage characterized by low pH levels (< 3.5) and elevated concentrations of As, Fe, Cu, Pb and Zn. These levels exceed drinking water standards by 5–10 times for As, 6–13 times for Zn, 80–120 times for Pb, 20–380 times for Fe and 4–10 times for Cu. Soil analyses highlights low pH, high salinity and elevated concentrations of Zn (310 mg kg− 1), Pb (153 mg kg− 1) and Cu (128 mg kg− 1). Despite these harsh environmental conditions, 7 plant species where identified, with Parastrephia quadrangularis being the only species present at the most polluted site. This species exhibits high heavy metal bioaccumulation and robust tolerance mechanisms against heavy metal-induced oxidative damage, as evidenced by stable total chlorophylls and malondialdehyde content, and increased levels of carotenoids, proline and phenolic compounds. These findings emphasize Parastrephia quadrangularis as a promising candidate for revegetation and phytostabilization for sustainable mine closure programs in La Puna region.
Proteomic responses of host pigeonpea during interaction with Fusarium udum pathogen
Authors: Bankapura Mariyappa Ravikumara , Naik Manjunath Krishnappa , Sharma Mamta , T Swaroopa Rani , Mathur Pooja Bhatnagar , Moka Rajasekhar
Published: September 2024

In India, pigeonpea is a drought-tolerant crop that is susceptible to more than 100 diseases, including viruses, bacteria, nematodes, fungus, and phytoplasma. The restrictions of utilising chemical fungicides make managing soil-born diseases, like Fusarial wilts, difficult. While using resistant cultivars is preferable, the emergence of novel disease variations frequently poses a challenge. The objectives of this study are to investigate root proteome responses, discover host plant proteins for cultivars that are resistant, and comprehend the molecular mechanisms behind the interactions between F. udum and pigeonpea. Proteomics was used to examine genotypes of pigeonpea fusarium wilt-susceptible (ICP 2376) and resistant (ICP 9174). To make ingress easier, seedlings were removed, cleaned, and chopped off. Both genotypes underwent total protein extraction, and the pigeonpea root protein underwent two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. A combination search of PMF and MS/MS data against the taxonomy of Viridiplantae was used to identify proteins. The goal is to comprehend the molecular processes that control plant resistance and susceptibility. Twelve of the 141 differentially expressed protein locations in the interaction between F. udum and pigeonpea were satisfactorily characterised. Based on their biological roles, seven differentially expressed proteins were found in the resistant cultivar and categorised into seven functional groups. Proteome profiles provided insight into the defense mechanism of pigeonpea against Fusarium udum infection by identifying two proteins, R56 and S41, as components of the defense mechanism. Greater accumulation of R56 in resistant cultivars suggests F. udum-induced defense, whereas down-regulation of S41 in susceptible cultivars supports direct defense.
Bayesian inference of sex-specific mortality profiles and product yields from unsexed cattle zooarchaeological remains
Authors: Diekmann Yoan , Gillis Rosalind , Lu Ziye , Rudzinski Anna , Thomas Mark George
Published: September 2024

Zooarchaeological age-at-death profiles for domesticated ruminants can be inferred from tooth eruption, replacement and wear. These profiles contain important information on slaughter management, and have been used informally to infer the goals of past husbandry strategies. In principle, sex-specific survival curves could inform on various productivity parameters, including herd growth rates and sustainability, milk and meat yields, macronutrient and calorie yields, and feed consumed. Knowledge of these parameter values would allow identification of differences in husbandry economics in different archaeological contexts. However, archaeological age-at-death profiles are rarely sex-specific and are typically derived from small sample sizes. As such, challenges remain in inferring sex-specific survival curves using explicit models that account for sampling uncertainty. We present a Bayesian method for inferring sex-specific survival curves from un-sexed cattle zooarchaeological age-at-death profiles that can accommodate data from any combination of age class boundaries. Our model relies on the assumption that asymmetric sex-specific slaughter leads to a sigmoidal change in sex ratio, which we show is broadly consistent with slaughter practices in modern unimproved cattle herds. By combining inferred sex-specific archaeological survival curves with ethnographic data from modern unimproved cattle, we generate estimates of herd growth rate, milk and meat yields, macronutrient and calorie yields, and feed consumed per animal. We use our framework to examine zooarchaeological age-at-death profiles previously proposed to be aimed at prioritizing milk or meat production, and a set of kill-off profiles from 10 Neolithic sites located across Europe. We infer that there is considerable scope for improvement in prehistoric slaughter management.
Erosion Mapping of Coated Composites: Simulating Conditions for Tidal Turbines Blades
Authors: Hassan Emadelddin , Stack Margaret M
Published: September 2024

The tribological mechanisms of potential composite materials that could be used in tidal turbines considered the effects of various erosion parameters on the degradation modes, both with and without particles, in still and seawater conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of a specialised epoxy erosion-resistant coating for glass fibre-reinforced plastic (GFRP) in resisting the impact of slurry erosion. Slurry erosion is a process by which solid particles suspended in a fluid medium impinge on a surface, causing material loss due to repeated impacts. The coating efficacy was evaluated through a series of tests, including three different speeds and six different impinging angles and the results were used to generate tidal turbine maps. The study provided insights into the durability and of the epoxy and potential use of the coating in tidal turbine blade industries where resistance to erosion is crucial for long-term performance and safety.
The Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Existential Cognitive Therapy on Mental Pain and Fatigue Associated with Cancer in Women with Breast Cancer
Authors: Jalalpour Fatemeh , Safarzadeh Sahar
Published: September 2024

Purpose
Cancer significantly impacts the physical and psychological well-being of patients. Breast cancer, in particular, can lead to various psychological distress, including mental pain and fatigue. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Existential Cognitive Therapy (ECT) in reducing mental pain and fatigue in women with breast cancer.
Methods
A quasi-experimental pre-test-post-test design with a control group was employed in this study. The target population comprised all women diagnosed with breast cancer and referred to pathology departments in Ahvaz, Iran, during 2023. A convenience sample of 60 participants was selected and randomly assigned to three groups of 20: ACT, ECT, and a control group. The ACT and ECT groups received 10 ninety-minute sessions of their respective therapies, while the control group received no psychological intervention. Data were collected using the Pain Questionnaire and the Cancer Fatigue Scale and analyzed using analysis of covariance.
Results
The results indicated that both ACT and ECT were significantly effective in reducing mental pain and fatigue in women with breast cancer (p < 0.01). However, no significant difference was found between the effectiveness of ACT and ECT in reducing mental pain and fatigue.
Conclusions
Both ACT and ECT can be effective interventions for reducing mental pain and fatigue in women with breast cancer.
Usability of three finger-stick whole blood HIV self-testing kits among men who have sex with men and female sex workers in Yaounde and Douala, Cameroon
Authors: NOAH Jean Pierre Yves AWONO , Ndie Justin , Ndongo Francis Ateba , Kana Rogacien , Yongwa Onesimus , Bonyohe Martial , Mboussam Plessy Hedgar , Avang Tatiana Palisson , Moulioum Fatima , Naah Félicité Tabala , Tchikangni Gutenberg , Nzaddi Audrey Djomo , Ketchaji Alice , Yepndo Carelle Djofang , Nguemkam Gildas , IV Charles Baudelaire Ndindjock , Seukam Brice , Yagaï Bouba , Anaba Ernest Désiré Mvilongo , Djoukwe Rina Estelle , Billong Serge , Hatzold Karin , Salla Annie Michele , Ateudjieu Jérôme , Bissek Anne Cécile Zoung - Kanyi
Published: September 2024

Background
The use of fingerstick whole-blood HIV self-testing (HIVST) represents a novel approach to improving HIV screening, particularly among at-risk populations. However, there is currently a paucity of empirical evidence on its usability in Cameroon, necessitating the development of robust empirical evidence before this approach can be scaled up. This study assessed the usability of three HIVST kits among men who have sex with men (MSM) and female sex workers (FSWs) in Cameroon.
Materials and Methods
A study was conducted between 11 June and 22 June 2022 at 14 community-based organisations in Yaoundé and Douala. The study involved FSWs and MSM aged 21 and over. The participants were provided with counselling, unassisted finger-stick whole blood HIVST, and condoms. Data were collected using a questionnaire and three HIVST kits: Mylan, Sure Check, and Check Now. The analysis was conducted using SPSS 27 software.
Results
Of the 815 participants who completed the HIV blood self-test, the median age was 27 years and 56.1% were FSWs. One in ten participants had never undergone an HIV test. The successful test performance for the Check Now, Sure Check and Mylan tests were 98.5%, 97.8% and 94.7%, respectively. In addition, the proportions of correct interpretation of results were 83.1%, 79.3% and 79.8%. The agreement between a participant's blood-based HIV self-test result and those of trained investigator-observers results was moderate with Check Now (κ=0.486; 95% CI: 0.366-0.605; p=0.001), whereas agreement with Sure Check (κ=0.36) and Mylan (κ=0.372) was low. Similarly, the proportions of good usability were 82.0%, 77.9% and 75.3 respectively. On multivariate analysis, participants who had difficulty drawing blood with the micropipette were more likely to fail the self-test (aOR=0.1; 95% CI: 0.0-0.3; P = 0.005).
Conclusion
In Cameroon, key populations are utilising fingerstick whole blood HIV self-testing kits for HIV testing purposes. However, issues have been identified with regard to interpretation, thereby underscoring the necessity for further training in order to enhance the accuracy of these tests and optimise the effectiveness of HIV prevention interventions.
Historical Population-Based Mutation Strategy with Adaptive Parameter Mechanism in Differential Evolution for PEM Fuel Cell Parameter Estimation
Authors: Aljaidi Mohammad , Jangir Pradeep , Agrawal Sunilkumar P. , Pandya Sundaram B. , Parmar Anil , Anbarkhan Samar Hussni , Abualigah Laith
Published: September 2024

The proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is regarded as a promising option for a sustainable and eco-friendly energy source. Accurate modeling of PEMFCs to identify their polarization curves and thoroughly understand their operational characteristics has captivated numerous researchers. This paper explores the application of innovative meta-heuristic optimization methods to determine the unknown parameters of PEMFC models, particularly focusing on variants of Differential Evolution such as the dynamic Historical Population-based mutation strategy in Differential Evolution (HiP-DE) augmented with a novel diversity metric. The efficacy of these optimization algorithms was evaluated across six different commercial PEMFC stacks: BCS 500-W PEM, Nedstack PS6 PEM, BCS 250-W PEM, HORIZON 500W PEM, H12 12W PEM, and 500W SR-12P, tested under a variety of operating conditions, resulting in analyses of twelve distinct PEMFCs. The objective function for the optimization problem was the sum of squared errors (SSE) between the parameter-derived results and the experimentally measured outcomes from the fuel cell stacks. To confirm the effectiveness of the proposed methods, comparative analyses were conducted with results from previous studies. Additionally, the I/V and P/V curves derived from the HiP-DE application closely matched the datasheet curves for all cases examined. Ultimately, the PEMFC model utilizing the HiP-DE technique outperformed all compared JADE, SaDE, LSHADE, iLSHADE, PalmDE, PSO-DE, jSO, LPalmDE, and HARD-DE algorithms in terms of solution accuracy and convergence speed.
Investigation of TSRP reverses imatinib resistance through the PI3K / Akt pathway in chronic myeloid leukemia
Authors: He Ying , Ding Jiyuan , Liu Liqin , Chen Jiajun , Zhong Hong , Li Changyu , Xu Xiaofeng
Published: September 2024

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a malignant tumor of the blood system, so far there is no effective cure. Imatinib (IM), as the first-line drug for the clinical targeted treatment of CML, has some limiting factors such as drug resistance and relapse, and drug resistance has also emerged in combination with other drugs. At present, traditional Chinese medicine combined with targeted drugs in the treatment of tumor is a research hotspot. The total saponin of Rubus parviflolius (TSRP) has an effective anti-tumor activity. Our previous in vitro experiments showed that TSRP can effectively inhibit the proliferation and promote apoptosis of CML cells K562, suggesting that TSRP can effectively reverse the drug resistance of IM, but the mechanism of drug resistance remains unclear. Studies have shown that the PI3K/AKT pathway is the main activation pathway of IM secondary resistance, and is considered to be an innovative therapeutic strategy for targeted cancer treatment, which may be an important mechanism of IM resistance. This project aims to reveal the possible mechanism of TSRP reversing IM resistance through PI3K/AKT signaling pathway through both in vitro and in vivo experiments, providing experimental basis for TSRP combined with IM treatment of CML.
Transcriptomic profiling reveals sex-specific epigenetic dynamics involving kdm6b and H3K27 methylation in cerebral ischemia-induced neurogenesis and recovery
Authors: Radhakrishnan Mydhili , Undru Aditya , Patel Shashikant , Sharma Pooja , Kumar Arvind , Chakravarty Sumana
Published: September 2024

Cerebral ischemic stroke ranks among the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. A significant challenge, beyond the lack of effective therapies, is the frequent oversight of sex as a vital factor in stroke research. This study focuses on elucidating the sex-specific epigenetic mechanisms that contribute to neural damage and recovery in cerebral ischemia.In our previously reported study, we demonstrated that following ischemia-induced cerebral artery occlusion (ICAO), female striatal tissue exhibited an early reinstatement of H3K9me2 marks on the promoters of inflammatory genes compared to male striatal tissue. This restoration led to a reduction in the expression of inflammatory cytokines, ultimately contributing to accelerated recovery in females. Building upon these findings, the current study aimed to investigate the unidentified molecular pathways responsible for the accelerated recovery observed in females. To explore this, we performed illumina-RNA sequencing on striatal tissues 24 hours post-ICAO. Interestingly, our analysis revealed differential regulation of H3K27me2 marks on the promoters of various neurogenic genes at an early stage, which facilitated early neurogenesis in the female striatum. This investigation identifies an epigenetic modulator, kdm6b/jmjd3, targeting H3K27, and delineates its sex-specific role in neural stem cell proliferation. The findings contribute to a comprehensive model linking gender-specific epigenetic regulation, neurogenesis, and post-ICAO recovery. In conclusion, the identified epigenetic modulators and their roles in neurogenesis offer potential targets for refined therapeutic interventions, emphasizing the importance of personalized and sex-specific considerations in stroke studies.
Automation of lathe checks detection using deep learning
Authors: Marc Caroline , Marcon Bertrand , Denaud Louis , Girardon Stéphane
Published: September 2024

Automated detection of lathe checks in wood veneers presents significant challenges due to the variability of lathe checks characteristics and the natural properties of wood. This study explores the use of two convolutional neural networks (U-Net architecture) to enhance the precision and efficiency of lathe checks detection in poplar veneers. Two U-Nets are employed sequentially to map lathe checks using semantic segmentation, followed by post-processing to denoise these mappings and extract lathe checks characteristics. The first U-Net, used for lathe checks detection, demonstrated strong performance in predicting crack presence, with precision and recall scores of 0.822 and 0.835, respectively. The second U-Net, used for lathe checks connection, further refined these predictions by linking disjointed lathe checks segments, thereby improving the overall lathe checks mapping process. Comparative analysis with manual methods revealed comparable or superior performance of the automated approach, especially for shallow lathe checks.
Investigating the effect of chitosanon gene P5CS, PIP, PAL expression in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) under salt stress
Authors: Soostani Sarvenaz Bigham , Ranjbar Monireh , Mohammadi MEhrnush , yaghini zahra
Published: September 2024

Background
Chitosan, as a non-toxic and biodegradable substance, promotes plant growth and increases the production of secondary metabolites, offering innovative strategies to alleviate plant stress. Salinity is a common abiotic stress that significantly hinders plant growth and development.
Results
This study explores the impact of chitosan on physiological, biochemical, and gene expression responses (PAL, SOD, APX) in salt-stressed Brassica napus L.plants exposed to NaCl concentrations (0, 50, 100, 150 mM). Chitosan application via foliar spray at concentrations of 0, 5, and 10 mg/liter was investigated. The research evaluates gene expression changes (P5CS, PIP, PAL) in Brassica napus L. roots and shoots, highlighting significant alterations induced by chitosan, particularly in PIP expression under saline conditions. Enhanced PAL1 enzyme activity, increased chlorophyll and proline levels, and shifts in iron, potassium, and nitrogen content underscore chitosan's potential to enhance salt stress resilience in plants.
Conclusion
Chitosan application alters gene expression (PAL, SOD, APX), enhances PAL, SOD, APX activity, and boosts chlorophyll and proline levels in salt-stressed Brassica napus L. plants. It also affects nutrient content, indicating its potential to improve plant resilience against salinity, offering valuable insights for agricultural applications.
Long-lasting residual efficacy of a new Indoor Residual Spraying product, VECTRON™ T500 (broflanilide), against pyrethroid-resistant malaria vectors and its acceptance in a community trial in Burkina Faso
Authors: HIEN Aristide Sawdetuo , Bayili Koama , Maiga Samina , Oumbouke Welbeck , Birba Jean , Soma Dieudonné Diloma , Ouattara Adissa Y. , Coleman Marlize , Snetselaar Janneke , Small Graham , Niimi Shinya , Ayumi Kawase , Kompaoré Sidzabda , Tsuchiya Katsutoshi , Dabiré Roch K. , Diabaté Abdoulaye
Published: September 2024

WHO Global Malaria Programme recommends the development of an appropriate and comprehensive response to insecticide resistance based on the use of multiple insecticides with different modes of action in rotations and mixtures. It is, therefore, judicious to prevent the rapid spread of insecticide resistance by developing and evaluating new formulations containing insecticides with different modes of action and a long residual effect. A new IRS formulation VECTRON™ T500 has been developed Mitsui Chemicals Crop & Life Solutions, Inc. VECTRON™ T500 based broflanilide insecticide (applied at a rate of 100 mg AI/m2), was tested alongside the IRS product Actellic® 300CS based pirimiphos-methyl (applied at the recommend label rate of 1000 mg AI/m2), in a community (Phase III) trial. WHO wall cone bioassays were conducted monthly with laboratory susceptible Anopheles gambiae s.s Kisumu strain, laboratory resistant An. coluzzi VKPer and wild An. gambiae s.l. Vallée du Kou mosquitoes sampled from the study site. Vector surveillance was carried out and compared between sites sprayed with VECTRON™ T500 and Actellic® 300CS and the control site. In addition, any perceived adverse events were recorded to determine the acceptability of VECTRON™ T500 by the community. The VECTRON™ T500 treatment induced 100% mortality of both the susceptible and resistant strains on the three types of walls over a period of 12 months. Actellic® 300CS induced less than 80% mortality in both strains regardless of wall substrate. The delayed mean mortality of An. gambiae s.l. mosquitoes collected from the sites sprayed with Actellic® 300 CS (VK1) and VECTRON™ T500 (VK3) showed a statistically significant difference after a 72-holding period compared to the control site (RR = 0.51, CI95%= [0.31–0.6], P = 0.0026). No adverse events were recorded in the sprayed houses with VECTRON™ T500. The long-lasting residual efficacy of VECTRON™ T500 over 12 months post-spraying extended beyond the malaria transmission period and induced high mortality in pyrethroid resistant malaria vectors. VECTRON™ T500 was non-inferior in performance compared to Actellic® 300CS, the reference product. VECTRON™ T500 could form part of a rotational strategy with IRS products containing insecticides with different modes of action as part of an insecticide resistance management strategy.
Development of nanostructured Cu3SnS4 thin films through annealing of the stack of precursors for photonic applications
Authors: Hussain Zakir , Padha Naresh , Banotra Arun
Published: September 2024

The Cu/Sn/S stack was obtained at room temperature by the thermal evaporation technique at vacuum ~ 2 x 10− 4 Pa using sequentially evaporated layer deposition (SELD) technique on corning 2947 substrate. The as-deposited stack was regrown to provide Cu3SnS4 (CTS) phase on annealing at temperatures varying from 623 to 723 K for one hour in vacuum level ~ 2 x 10− 1 Pa. The as-deposited stack exhibits amorphous behaviour, whereas films grown at annealing temperature (TA) from 623–723 K attain nanostructured Cu3SnS4 phases. The influences of annealing temperature on the characteristics of these films were investigated by analyzing their structural, morphological, compositional, optical, and electrical behaviour using analytical characterization techniques. The annealed films of CTS crystallize in a tetragonal crystal system and provide a space group of 42m [121]. The grown films provide granular-type structures, and the particles grown at 673 K show an increased size. The bandgap (Eg) of films decreases from 2.13 to 1.78 eV, and their absorption coefficient (α) > 10 5 cm− 1. The low resistivity of 9.37 x10− 3 Ω-cm, high mobility of 56.4 cm2/V-s, and acceptor concentration of 1.19 x1019 cm3 at 673 K result from an increased crystallite size, which reduces grain boundary scattering. Cu3SnS4 is a promising absorber layer for thin-film solar cells, known for its tunable bandgap, high optical absorption, low cost, and use of earth-abundant elements.
Bilingual Side Effect: A Case of Foreign Language Syndrome Following Chlorpromazine-Induced Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
Authors: Petrovic Sanja Andric , Maric Nadja P
Published: September 2024

Background
Foreign language syndrome is rare neuropsychiatric condition which usually follows routine general anesthesia. To the best of our knowledge, the occurrence of foreign language syndrome has not been previously associated with neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) in the existing literature. By documenting the following case, we aim to expand the understanding of NMS's clinical spectrum and highlight the importance of recognizing atypical presentations for prompt diagnosis and effective management.
Case presentation:
A 34-year-old Caucasian male with a history of schizoaffective disorder and multiple psychiatric hospitalizations was admitted for a depressive episode. His condition deteriorated several hours after intramuscular chlorpromazine administration, leading to NMS, characterized by agitation, muscle rigidity, hyperthermia, autonomic instability, typical characteristic laboratory findings, and altered mental status, including foreign language syndrome. Treatment involved discontinuation of prior psychopharmacotherapy, intravenous hydration and medication (biperiden, and lorazepam). The patient showed significant improvement with resolution of NMS symptoms and normalized sleep patterns upon discharge.
Conclusion
Foreign Language Syndrome is a rare phenomenon documented in only nine cases to date, all involving male patients. This report introduces a novel case where Foreign Language Syndrome is associated with NMS in a male patient. This case represents the first documented instance of Foreign Language Syndrome linked to NMS in a male, thereby contributing to the understanding of potential sex-specific mechanisms underlying this condition.
Development and validation of a short adult coping scale (SACS) for use in general population large-scale assessment
Authors: Caroline Cohrdes
Published: September 2024

Background.
Adaptive coping abilities are crucial for dealing with both personal and social crises and have increasingly come into the focus of public health in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic and other simultaneous crises. However, coping is not yet a regular component of population-based health monitoring, most probably due to reasons of complexity, variety and length of existing scales. Thus, the aim of this research was to develop and validate a short coping scale able to measure key strategies in the face of diverse critical situations and suitable for use in large-scale assessments of the general adult population.
Methods.
Based on an umbrella-like review 7 eligible existing coping scales were investigated in an online survey with 2,613 adults from Germany (18–79 years, 50.6% female) to identify appropriate items and their factorial structure. Preliminary scales were validated in German and English based on a second online survey with 1,986 adults from Germany and the United Kingdom (18–79 years, 50.6% female).
Results.
The results suggested excellent model fit of a 16- and 8-item scale (CFI ≥ .97, RMSEA ≤ .05) with two items each summarized to eight respectively four coping factors (e.g., perseverance, flexibility). The coping scales reached scalar variance for different age groups, sexes by birth, coping contexts and study locations, with minor limitations for the 8-item scale, requiring further evidence.
Conclusions.
The developed scales cover relevant coping strategies that can be considered both adaptive and maladaptive regarding different health outcomes, allow continuous public health surveillance and derive implications for promotion measures.
Statistical Quality Comparison of the Bitstrings Generated by a Physical Unclonable Function across Xilinx, Altera and Microsemi Devices
Authors: Jao Jenilee , Plusquellic Jim , Hoffman Kristi , Emery Brent , Reid Cheryl , Thomson Ryan , Thompson Michael
Published: September 2024

Entropy or randomness represents a foundational security property in security-related operations, such as key generation. Key generation in turn is central to security protocols such as authentication and encryption. Physical unclonable functions (PUF) are hardware-based primitives that can serve as key generation engines in modern microelectronic devices and applications. PUFs derive entropy from manufacturing variations that exist naturally within and across otherwise identical copies of a device. However, the levels of random variations that represent entropy, which are strongly correlated to the quality of the PUF-generated bitstrings, vary from one manufacturer to another. In this paper, we evaluate entropy across a set of devices manufactured by three mainstream FPGA vendors, Xilinx, Altera and Microsemi. A delay-based PUF, called the SiRF PUF, is used in the evaluation, and is constructed nearly identically across the three vendor devices. Our analysis includes an evaluation of actual path delay variation as it exists across the three device classes, as well as a statistical evaluation of the PUF-generated bitstrings. A reliablity analysis is also provided using data collected in industrial-standard temperature experiments.
Individual plant genetics reveal the control of local adaption in European maize landraces
Authors: Aiyesa Leke Victor , Beissinger Timothy , Scholten Stefan , Link Wolfgang , Zumbach Birgit , Kaufmann Dietrich
Published: September 2024

Background
European maize landraces encompass a large amount of genetic diversity, allowing them to be well-adapted to their local environments. This diversity can be exploited to improve the fitness of elite material in the face of a changing climate.
Results
We characterized the genetic diversity of 333 individual plants from 40 European maize landrace populations (EMLPs). We identified five genetic groups that mirrored the proximities of their geographical origins. Fixation indices showed moderate differentiation among genetic groups (0.034 to 0.093). More than half of the genetic variance was observed to be partitioned among individuals. Nucleotide diversity of EMLPs decreased significantly as latitude increased (from 0.16 to 0.04), suggesting serial founder events during maize expansion in Europe. GWAS with latitude, longitude, and elevation as response variables identified 28, 347, and 68 significant SNP positions, respectively. We pinpointed significant SNPs near dwarf8, tb1, ZCN7, ZCN8, and ZmMADS69, and identified 137 candidate genes with ontology terms indicative of local adaptation in maize, regulating the adaptation to diverse abiotic and biotic environmental stresses.
Conclusions
This study suggests a quick and cost-efficient approach to identifying genes involved in local adaptation without requiring field data. The EMLPs used in this study have been assembled to serve as a continuing resource of genetic diversity for further research aimed at improving agronomically relevant adaptation traits.
Aldehyde metabolism ensures mucociliary clearance in oxidative airway injury
Authors: Shinjyo Noriko , Kimura Haruna , Yoshihara Tomomi , Suzuki Jun , Yamaguchi Masaya , Kawabata Shigetada , Okabe Yasutaka
Published: September 2024

Most urban residents around the world are breathing unhealthy levels of air pollution. Air pollutants impair mucociliary clearance (MCC), a vital defense mechanism against respiratory pathogens, primarily due to generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, the mechanisms governing MCC restoration remain largely unexplored. Here, we revealed that oxidative airway injury induces the formation of reactive aldehyde species. We identified aldehyde dehydrogenase ALDH1A1, which is selectively expressed in the airway epithelium, as a critical enzyme for detoxifying reactive aldehydes. The deficiency of ALDH1A1 led to aberrant regeneration of cilia, resulting in impaired MCC function. Consequently, ALDH1A1-deficient mice showed an increased susceptibility to pneumonia when pre-exposed to oxidative stress. We further demonstrated the critical role of ALDH1A1 upon exposure to diesel exhaust particles (DEP), a significant source of particulate matter with a diameter ≦ 2.5 µm (PM2.5) in ambient air. Moreover, pharmacological enhancement of ALDH1A1 activity facilitated MCC restoration. These findings highlight that aldehyde metabolism confers ciliary resilience against oxidative airway injury, offering a potential target to mitigate the negative health consequences of air pollution.
5D Hindmarsh Rose neural network fast synchronization based on FPGA
Authors: Lin Lixiong , Li Mingbao
Published: September 2024

In response to the difficulty of implementing chaotic systems on FPGA, a method for fast synchronization of 5D Hindmarsh Rose (5DHR) neural networks using FPGA is studied. Firstly, a system generator model is established in Simulink of Matlab and then transformed into an engineering project. Finally, it is debugged on Vivado and burned onto FPGA. The synchronization of two 5DHR neural networks is realized by giving full play to the high-speed parallel computing ability and powerful interface ability of FPGA. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm is feasible.